ISRAEL UPDATEDecember 29, 2002 - As I write this article, I cannot help but think of what an upsetting 12 months it has been, not just in Israel or America, but around the world.
The manifestation of terrorism, for so long isolated in people's thoughts in the Middle East or Africa, has taken on a decidedly Western “flavor” never before seen.
India and Pakistan teeter on the edge of nuclear warfare, while Ireland and England sit with the threat of war erupting – like a swollen balloon ready to burst.
The European continent is literally covered with fully functional and operating terrorist cells. The former Soviet Union is chocked full of radical Islamic fundamentalism, as well as Central and Southern America, and the same can be said of Canada.
America has been ravaged by recession, fear, and the uncertainty of terrorist attacks, continuing to see its share of political shenanigans, corporate corruption and sexual misconduct within religious circles.
We have seen huge strides taken towards a one world currency, along with heightened government observation of its private citizens in every facet of their lives.
To top it all off, more and more Christian believers are departing not just from the faith, but they are even denying the return of Jesus, thereby standing in direct opposition to those that truly believe.
Actually, all of this should encourage us, knowing this is exactly what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James and the others wrote of prior to His return. All of these events tell us we are on schedule - so don't cease to look for His appearing - as it surely will happen and take place.
December 29, 2002 - The world is seeking peace today, yet there seems to be none to be found - whether it is through treaties, accords, or swapping land.
Why? It is because G-d has designed specific plans for nations and peoples, yet man in his wisdom tries to do the exact opposite.
In Isaiah 5:8, G-d warns us "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!”
Again G-d warns, "And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage." Micah 2:2
I Kings chapter 21 shows us G-d's disdain for what Ahab did to Naboth, and the entire third chapter of Joel describes what is going to happen to those who divide G-d's land and scatter His people.
There is a very familiar saying that states, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
So as we watch the leaders of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East talk about more land concessions to bring peace, we have to know it is contrary to G-d's plan. Even the aforementioned quotation made by men calls it insanity…
The situations in India and Pakistan, England and Ireland, and Israel and the Palestinians show us this plan is doomed to fail, until Jesus comes to rule and reign, and G-d's plan is put into place once and for all.
To be continued . . .