ISRAEL UPDATEJuly 27, 2003 - As the war in Iraq has ground down from a prolific example of modern warfare tactics to dangerous garrison duty, patrols and skirmishes - the effect of U.S. foreign policy is coming home to roost.
In an interview given on March 24, 2003 on Al-Jazerra TV, it was boasted by a Syrian military analyst that the Syrian border was opened to Syrian, Arab, and Muslim volunteers wanting to reach Iraq, as well as for those fleeing Iraq.
It has been reported that the battle for Baghdad involved some 5,000 Palestinian, Syrian, and Jordanian volunteer troops, as the Republican Guard was depleted to less than 25% of their of original number.
From there, surrendering Iraqi forces detonated Palestinian-style explosive belts strapped to their bodies as they approached coalition troops and checkpoints.
It is frightening and angering as well, to see the danger our troops have been placed in, by troops and leaders of the very nations our country has bolstered, promoted, and even financially supported.
And it is also disconcerting to know these same troops and leaders who are killing and wounding U.S. troops - do the same to Israeli soldiers and coalition soldiers alike.
Jesus said " No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve G-d and mammon. Matthew 6:24.
It cannot be stated enough – our nation's policy in the Middle East has proven to be dangerous – not only to Israel, but to us as well. We need to unite with the Jewish state and fight the battle of terrorism together.
July 27, 2003 - In Amos 2:4, we read, “Thus saith the L-RD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the L-RD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:"
The parallels between biblical Israel and the modern church are incredible in light of what we see today, and show the domino effect when straying from G-d's word.
Notice, the first step in decline is to despise G-d's word - which will cause those who love not the word to be unwilling and unable to keep G-d's commandments.
From there, the next step is logical - we then will err in our ways because there will be no truth in our lives.
Finally, the last tragic step will be to cease from the same patterns and beliefs of those who preceded us in the faith.
While this prophecy was addressed to Judah, whose name means to be praised, one cannot help but see the pattern in church circles today.
Paul told us specifically, "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." II Thessalonians 2:10
To avoid the judgment that came on Judah, our churches and leaders are going have to love the truth of G-d's word – for otherwise there can be no positive results.
To be continued…