ISRAEL UPDATEAugust 12, 2001 - In last week’s writings, I started with an explanation of the word dispensation, its definition and requirements for believers.
The Hebrew rendering for the Kingdom of G-d, Malchut Shamayim, the Rabbis state, in this world it is people who fulfill G-d's Holy will in His service contributing to the ideal community of people and nations.
If we are to believe in a Messiah fulfilling two roles, one earthly as Jesus did, then the Kingdom is fulfilled here on earth.
Second, if we believe in the earthly manifestation of Jesus after taking the church to heaven first, those who earn this reward will realize the fulfillment of Olam Haba or the life to come.
The essence of dispensational belief is found in this most Jewish of concepts. We can see Jesus' entire earthly ministry confronting people to live a life pleasing to G-d, fulfilling the earthly kingdom, yet desiring the heavenly kingdom.
Obviously John the Baptist and Jesus both proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom and the New Testament continually carries the theme of the future Kingdom as a reward.
One of our obligations during this current dispensation is to be a blessing to Israel according to G-d's economy and time plan, not due to its popularity or any other reasons but because G-d commanded it. Blessing the seed of Abraham will help us do what is needed for the Kingdom here on earth and in heaven and be proper stewards of this generation.
August 12, 2001 - There has been much written about the great Battle of Armageddon being fought in the Valley of Jezreel in northern Israel.
Many comments have been made about all of the scriptural references to the battles on the mountains of Israel from Hermon all the way to Jerusalem.
During the 1973 October War, the world saw the largest tank battles since Kursk during World War II; and the advent of advanced anti-tank missiles and vicious anti-aircraft systems that have only been advancing in technology.
We saw during Desert Storm how Iraqi scuds could be used with conventional, chemical, or nuclear warheads if need be.
Yet there is one possibility that is not discussed much, that being the Bay of Haifa in northern Israel, a city with a horseshoe bay. Standing as I have, looking from the higher elevations of Haifa, one cannot help but see the possibility of a massive air strike that could produce untold casualties within just a few minutes.
This is not a declaration, it is just an observation of what is possible, but don't doubt for a minute the Battle of Armageddon will be horrific and super-scale and will see Israel's enemies devastated as G-d begins her delivery.
To be continued…