As unpopular as the subject may be, especially in light of current events, I feel an obligation to address world happenings as they relate to the nation Israel. I feel obligated because as I have studied end-time events in the Bible for more than twelve years, I am consistently blown away by the unfolding of prophetic scripture right before our eyes in these days since Israel became a nation in 1948. This blog will serve as a forum where I will present my thoughts for your consideration. I am aware that this is a very controversial subject, with many differing points of view, however; I am willing to "stick my neck out" in hopes that these words may bring some enlightenment, comfort, and peace to hearts and minds as the world seems to be going crazy.
I do not claim to have all the answers to all the questions, and there are many in my circle of fellowship whose opinions differ from mine on the issue of end-time prophecy. We, in our discussions, agree to disagree, not viewing the issue of timing for the destiny of the church as necessarily salvational; therefore, we do not allow it to divide us. One thing on which we agree is that we are likely going to be with our Lord Jesus Christ sooner rather than later, and most important is that we have our relationship right with Him. But, as my pastor has said many times, "It is going to happen when and how it is going to happen." This blog is not only for those who are Christian, for their edification and comfort, but it is even more for those who may not have made a solid declaration of faith and are wondering what in the world is going on....
Actually, the world is going crazy! It is destined to do so. Why? Because man, in his fallen state, is unable to rise above his sinfulness. Humanity will never be able to usher in world peace, although there will, in the future, be one man who will claim that he can, and most of mankind will believe him. Our world is destined for implosion, because human beings are self-centered creatures at the very core, and those are the "good" ones. I wish I could say I'm just joking, but if we look at our own selves honestly and allow an unbiased assessment without excuses and denial, we will see that we are often motivated by selfish desires. Even our love can be driven by what we will get or how we feel about ourselves or by an endeavor to justify ourselves or earn favor. Now, you may say, "That's not true! I love my children unselfishly," or "I have sacrificed for years for my wife and kids, and you say that's not love?" No, I am not saying that we are not capable of love, as evidenced in loving and self-sacrificing acts. After all, we are made in the image of God, whose very essence is LOVE, and we will naturally exhibit many of the qualities of our Creator; however, we are rebellious children. The Bible reveals that even the most evil of humankind love their own. We have consistently and historically tried to deny God and our need for Him, and have attempted to walk independently and opposite of Him. As a result, we tend to be confused, unfulfilled, and generally make a mess of our own lives; how then can we expect to successfully steward the world as a whole?
I will be posting my testimony later on this blog, revealing how I came to an understanding of my own rebellion and recognition of my need for divine forgiveness and help, but I felt very strongly that at this time a word needed to be spoken about what is happening in the news today. It is hardly possible to speak about world events without touching on politics and religion, which can be intimidating, but my focus will be less political and more spiritual. It is my belief that everything political is spiritually motivated, so if you do not believe in a black and white, spiritual versus natural world than you will probably think I'm speaking alienese, yet....
One thing is for certain, whether you believe in a spiritual world or not, it cannot be denied that forces are causing unrest in this world of unparalleled proportions, and a significant portion of this unrest is centered around the tiny nation of Israel, which is slightly smaller than New Jersey. I was largely convinced of the truth of the Holy Bible because of the hundreds of prophecies concerning Israel and Israel's Messiah that have unfolded so perfectly and dramatically over several thousands of years, not to mention prophecies concerning other nations and events that have come to pass just as predicted.
It may seem that I honor and favor Israel over other countries and that everything I post is because I love Israel and hate everyone else, but this is simply not true. I do love Israel, but I love everyone else too! I post these things from the perspective of God's great love for and plan for the world through the nation of Israel, and because I am commanded to bless Israel and not curse her. Why would I not love Israel and her people? My Saviour is a Jewish man! My platform is the belief that Israel is the barometer for peace in the world, and the timepiece for the countdown to the return of the Prince of Peace, who will reign from Jerusalem. My motive is that people would be compelled to decide if what I premise could be true, and if it could be, what should be their practical response to that truth?
With that being said, let us proceed to taking a look at an interview with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, on NBC's Meet The Press yesterday, September 16th, 2012, which was, incidentally, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, also known as Rosh Hashanah:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pLuzRSFVps&feature=related
Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the window of time is closing in which Iran can be stopped from launching a nuclear weapon at Israel; in fact, within six months it will be able to do so. He responded to the interviewer's repeated attempts to draw him into a political debate (as many have accused him of timing his insistence that the U.S. draw a "red line" for Iran with the U.S. elections) by saying that this is a "policy issue, not a political issue" because "Iran puts it's zealotry above it's survival." This fact is based on the Iranian leader's belief that he is a key player in the ushering in of the "Twelfth Imam" or the "Great Mahdi," who is the Muslim "Messiah," which is exactly why this is such a real threat. Ahmadinejad believes that he must cause a great war in order to prepare the ground for their spiritual leader to come and set up "world peace." He believes he must first wipe out the Jews and then when the "Mahdi" comes he will lead Islam in a great world conquest, destroying the West and killing Christians or taking them as slaves. (Which, by the way, corresponds perfectly with the Christian's understanding of the "anti-christ." The jury is out on whether I believe he will be Muslim.) If someone with nuclear capability has these kinds of intentions and is unashamed to state them, we must either act or react. In this case, reaction would be too little, too late.
Another truth that must be faced: The U.S. can choose to ignore Israel's pleas for support in standing up to Iran with tough action rather than misguided "tolerance," but if indeed Israel is attacked by Iran with a nuclear bomb and "wiped off the map," the United States is next! All of the nations that hate Israel hate the U.S. just as much, seeing Israel as the "little satan," and the U.S. as the "great satan." If Israel does not act, they are facing certain destruction (which will not happen) and then Iran will be free to turn it's guns on us. We know that fanatical Muslims have taken every opportunity possible to bite the hand that feeds them and turn on us despite our extending the olive branch, whether or not it veils our oil ambitions. Why would Iran suddenly (and I am speaking of the fanatical leadership, here, not the democracy-loving people) decide, once it gets the bomb, to be our friend? They want to KILL us! The urgency we hear in Netanyahu's pleas is additionally motivated by his knowledge of Iran's plans through Israel's comprehensive intelligence. This is all Google-able, if you want to research for yourself.
We must understand: Right now, there are ships from 25 nations headed to the Straight of Hormuz, which is a crook in the sea linking the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, off the coasts of Iran and the United Arab Emirates. 35% of the world's oil traded by sea comes through this area, which is 21 nautical miles at its narrowest point. These nations are reacting to the likelihood that Israel will strike Iran within the next two months, and are rushing to protect their oil interests. This could be the beginning of WWIII; indeed, war games are taking place this week:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9545597/Armada-of-international-naval-power-massing-in-the-Gulf-as-Israel-prepares-an-Iran-strike.html#disqus_thread
Regardless of what Israel does, we must realize that the plans of Iran's leadership against Israel will not succeed. It is my humble opinion that Israel will take out Iran's nuclear capability to the extent that they and other nations will be so infuriated as to attack Israel by land, eventually. A coalition of nations led by Iran and Russia (who have made a firm alliance) will come against Israel and surround her, but God will arise and fight for Israel. At that time, the whole world will recognize that Israel was delivered by a supernatural act of God's intervention. There will be an earthquake then which will be felt in every part of the earth. (Read Ezekiel 38 & 39) This is known as the Gog-Magog war (Magog being modern day Russia and Persia being modern day Iran) and is one of the major, as-of-yet unfilled prophecies of the Bible concerning the end times. The stage is set for these things to take place. We must open our eyes and look to Israel to "understand the times." Are you ready for what may come next?
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezekiel%2038%20-%2039&version=NLT#
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