ISRAEL UPDATEAugust 5, 2001 - There is much controversy today surrounding the word dispensation as it relates to the study of end times.
When we look at the Greek verb oikonomia we see it means to manage or administer the affairs of a household, in effect, be a good steward.
Noah stands as a great example of being such a manager and administrator when we read Heb 11:7, “By faith, Noah being warned of G-d of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became the heir of righteousness which is by faith”.
Noah had an enormous job building something he had never seen (the ark) in preparation for something that had never happened before (rain) and in the midst of all this, be a faithful steward to declare G-d's word to the world and keep his family intact and focused on G-d's plan.
Noah stands out as one of the great examples of the faithful stewards in G-d's economy, not knowing or fully being able to grasp all G-d commanded, but truly managing the affairs and household G-d put him in charge of.
Noah, faithful husband, father, and spokesman of G-d, gave all of us a shining example of how we should live our lives in expectation of the L-rd's return.
The essence of Dispensationalism is being found faithful and a good steward. May G-d help all of us to be like Noah, being faithful to the satisfaction of G-d.
August 5, 2001 - One of the false accusations against Israel during this current Intifadah (uprising), is that they have been using nerve gas to quell the rioting Palestinian crowds.
Since this is completely against Israel's military procedure to begin with, we know it's not possible. Secondly, all of the media people would be adversely affected, yet none that I have seen ever wore gas masks. The gas was in fact from smoke grenades used to block the view of snipers while people were removed from dangerous areas.
Yet a 16-year old Israeli, Ofir Rachum, was enticed by an American woman to a rendezvous, then killed by three Palestinians. The woman was Palestinian, not American.
Six days later, Motti Dayar and Edgar Saituni, both restaurant owners, were asked to join an Arab friend in Palestine-controlled Tulkram at a restaurant named after the notorious Abu Nidal. Three Palestinians seized the men, took them outside, released the Arab, and then killed the two Israelis.
Roni Tsalah was working in a Gaza greenhouse and was abducted by Palestinian terrorists hired a day earlier, dragged away and shot dead.
Angry Israelis retaliated by vandalizing Palestinian greenhouses and Israeli police intervened immediately; an action has not been carried out by Palestinian police in the past.
Israel is not using nerve gas, but it appears the Palestinians are waging a war on the nerves of the Israeli citizens, unfortunately with deadly results.
To be continued...