Friday Funny
Yeah, this is funny NOT!!!
I will be going away for a couple of days, so I won’t be able to publish your comments over the weekend. I will go through them as soon as I can.
Have a nice weekend guys! I plan too 
The tribe of Levi and the coming ‘Third Temple’
I received this from Koinonia House in my email box a few days ago.
THE TRIBE OF LEVI AND THE COMING THIRD TEMPLE
A group of Jews believed to be members of the ancient tribe of Levi gathered in Jerusalem last week to edify one another and to bless Israel. There is more to the gathering than a simple family reunion, however. Moses and Aaron were Levites, and the sons of Aaron were called to be the priests of Israel and to minister in the Temple. These descendants of the priestly line of Israel cannot gather together without awakening the hope for rebuilding the Temple.
The Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and, ever since, the priests of Israel have felt a keen hole in their calling. The sons of Aaron were given the job of ministering in the Temple and serving as priests to Israel, not just for a set period, but forever:
“…and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.” -Exodus 29:9
“And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.” - Numbers 25:13
Yet, for nearly 2000 years there has been no Temple in Jerusalem, and the Dome of the Rock sits on the Temple Mount. Yet, certain groups like the Temple Mount Faithful and members of the Tribe of Levi wait with hopeful expectation for the day when the Temple will be rebuilt.
When that day comes, the Aaronic priests, a “Cohen” in Hebrew, will be necessary to minister in the Temple. They also serve another vital function; no Jew will be able to enter the Temple to worship without first going through ritual purification, which can only be accomplished by a Cohen.
The Cohen-Levi family members who gathered in Jerusalem last week believe that they are direct descendants of Aaron, qualified to perpetuate the priestly holy calling once the Temple is rebuilt. They point to DNA research that has demonstrated that members of the Cohen family scattered across the world have a common set of genetic markers on the Y chromosome - which is passed from father to son without recombination.
Certain religious Jews note that there are many problems still standing in the way of building the Temple, not the least of which is Muslim opposition. There are also questions about the exact location of the First and Second Temples, the precise spot to put the altar, the ability to assemble a Sanhedrin to appoint a high priest, and other vital issues.
They, like us, await the arrival of Elijah and the Messiah, who will answer all questions and put everything right.
The lack of a Temple in Jerusalem is no difficulty for the Christian. Paul pointed out that our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). We have a High Priest who has passed through the heavens, and who sits on the right hand of God interceding for us (Heb. 4:14; 7:25-28; 8:1). We do not need the blood of lambs and goats to cover our sin, for we serve the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Heb. 9:12-14).
We do await, however, the rebuilding of the Third Temple. The Bible indicates it will be will be defiled by the Man of Sin (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess 2:4) before Christ returns to set up his Millennial Kingdom. There is still a future purpose for the Temple in the service of the LORD, as the throne of the Messiah.
I have posted my thoughts on the Sanhedrin’s role in the building of the third temple before:
Also Carla has given me a link to an article called ‘The Rebirth of the Sanhedrin‘ by Dr. David R. Reagan. Where he says:
One member, Rabbi Chaim Richman of Jerusalem, stated that many “cardinal issues” were being placed on the council’s agenda, including moral issues like abortion and agunot (estranged women whose husbands refuse to give them a divorce). Other issues to be considered in the future included the following:
- Determining the council’s decision-making procedures.
- Renewing the annual Passover sacrifice. (I have previously posted on this)
- Determining the precise length of the biblical cubit.
- Determining the precise location of the Temple. (I have previously posted on this)
- Ruling on the legality of the proposed disengagement from Gaza and Samaria.
- Considering the status of “lost” Jewish tribes.
- Unifying Shephardic and Ashkenazi religious practices.
- Restoring the Davidic monarchy.
To think that before 1948 all of this was just a pipe dream and now there are serious considerations about the building of the third temple. To think that the ‘Sanhedrin‘ has after 1600 years convened in the very same generation that witnessed the re-birth of Israel, is of amazing prophetic significance.
Some people say that it will be the return of ‘Ark of the Covenant‘ that will be the precusor to the building of the temple. Some say that Ethiopia has the ‘Ark of the Covenant’, while others say it is under the temple mount. Some say a copper scroll found in the qumran caves in 1952 say that the Ark may be in the valley of the kings.
Who knows where it is, or even if it will be found? One thing for sure — if it is found — it would certainly make world headline news!
Asher’s Oil
“Let me tell you something that we Israelis have against Moses. He took us 40 years through the desert in order to bring us to the one spot in the Middle East that has no oil!” Golda Meir
China, USA and the New Cold War
Last week I was listening to someone speak about the upcoming world oil crisis and how china being a developing country, will be in desperate need of oil as shortages are expected to happen in the not so distant future. China is the fastest growing consumer of oil and will soon out strip America in their consumption. China is looking to Africa and to the middle east for oil, with 60% of the worlds oil found in Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. China is very interested in the Sudanese oil as well, and some have noted that this is a new cold war between the USA and China.
It is clear to me that the USA has invested interest in the middle-east because of oil and have recently shown a presence in the persian gulf because of the Iranian threat to the Straight of Hormuz.
The Straight of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway between the Gulf of Oman in the southeast and the Persian Gulf in the southwest. On the north coast is Iran (Persia) and on the south coast is the United Arab Emirates and Musandam, an exclave of Oman. Currently America has a number of fleets there to protect America’s oil interests as Iran has threatened to sink a couple of ships to narrow the canal down to stop the flow of oil reaching Western nations. The old saying goes… whoever controls the oil controls the world.
The famed Strait of Hormuz through which 40 percent of the world’s oil passes every day. Across the narrow straight sits Iran, the next victim on the list of “axis of evil” nations. Any attack on Iran will require that military forces quickly deploy to Dubai to forestall the closing of the strait and the subsequent devastation that would cost to world oil supplies and financial markets.
This is the critical point that is being intentionally concealed by America’s diversionary media. This is the reason that President Bush continues to force the Dubai port-plan even though 70 percent of the American people and Congress resoundingly oppose it. @Online Journal “Dubai and the Straight of Hormuz”
China’s need for the Sudan
Saudi Arabia apparently has most of the oil but they are pumping it out at an alarming rate and obvioulsy this is not an endless supply, all the while Iraq’s oil is sitting on the sidelines. This is one of the main reasons why America has soldiers in Iraq, and that is to protect their own oil interests, they obviously have vested interest in Iraq because of the oil there.
China’s biggest oil supplier is Iran but they also have several thousand troops in the Sudan and one must wonder why? This too, is all about the oil!
China and USA in New Cold War over Africa’s oil riches
By F William Engdahl, May 20, 2007
The case of Darfur, a forbidding piece of sun-parched real estate in the southern part of Sudan, illustrates the new Cold War over oil, where the dramatic rise in China’s oil demand to fuel its booming growth has led Beijing to embark on an aggressive policy of – ironically – dollar diplomacy. With its more than $1.3 trillion in mainly US dollar reserves at the People`s Bank of China, Beijing is engaging in active petroleum geopolitics. Africa is a major focus, and in Africa, the central region between Sudan and Chad is priority. This is defining a major new front in what, since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, is a new Cold War between Washington and Beijing over control of major oil sources. So far Beijing has played its cards a bit more cleverly than Washington. Darfur is a major battleground in this high-stakes contest for oil control.
China is desperate for oil, and will become increasingly more desperate as they are one of the fastest developing countries along with India.
How does this tie in with biblical prophecy?
The bible says that there will be two million soldiers coming down through the Euphrates River that will have dried up for some reason, and this river cuts right down the middle of Iraq. How will this happen if America is there in Iraq I am not sure. But I think that there is a strong possibility that the old city Babylon (which is found in Iraq) will be the epicenter at which the false Prince of Political Peace will sit. Perhaps this is one way that a massive military move will be allowed through this country, as all nations including America will have come under a false sense of social security for all the peoples of the world. I mean, we are talking about a lot of soldiers.
The prophecy given in Revelation 9 mentions the kings of the east otherwise known as the kings from the rising sun which is understood as being China. China is the only country that has the population able to fill an army with two million soldiers. The bible mentions many nations that are involved in a war in the middle-east, those nations being Iran, Iraq, Russia, Libya, China and the Sudan.
Why Israel?
Why would China and other countries be brought into a war in the middle-east? And why does it center around Israel?
As I have mentioned, China’s economy is the fastest growing economy, and their need for oil will soon outstrip the world’s ability to produce oil. One of China’s main suppliers at this time is Iran and now they are also seeking African oil from the Sudan. The great dragon from the east will be starving for oil as that country grows and that is how this nation will be dragged into a middle-eastern war, because of their increasing need.
Interestingly, there may be oil in another tiny nation, and that nation may be Israel.
Deu 33:24 And of Asher he said, Asher shall be blessed with sons; let him be accepted by his brothers, and dip his foot in oil.
This is known as Asher’s oil and the Zion Oil Company have diligently researched the following scriptures which relate to the blessing given to Joseph and to Asher. The Zion Oil Company are drilling where they believe Asher’s foot rests and have studied the Word of God to find the very location of where they believe the oil could be drawn from. Golda Meir may well be proven wrong!
And Jacob blessed Joseph (Genesis 49: 22-26): “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. The archers fiercely attacked him, and shot at him and hated him; but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made supple by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob (by the name of shepherd, the Rock of Israel), by the God of thy father who shall help thee; and by the Almighty who shall bless thee, with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that couches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of thy father are mighty beyond the blessings of the eternal mountains, the bounties of the everlasting hills, they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separated from his brothers.”
And Moses blessed the tribes of the sons of Joseph (Deuteronomy 33: 13-17): “And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew and for the deep that couches beneath, and for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, and for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of primordial hills, and for the precious things of the earth, and its fullness, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush. Let the blessings come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him who was separated from his brothers.”
A treasure found - the world covets
Here is the pdf file which is called ‘A Biblical Treasure Hunt‘ on the scriptural research done, it is an extensive look at the hebrew scriptures and other outside sources and the reasons they have for drilling for oil. The pdf file is 32 pages long and it is an interesting read. Zion Oil has drilled past a rock bed that a previous company couldn’t get past, as they broke a drill bit, but Zion Oil have succesfuly gone past this rock shelf and have said that there is oil at around +20,000 feet and it looks very promising.
In fact, some Christian scholars say that when oil is found in Israel, that will be the one thing that will bring all the oil starved nations to this one tiny nation and ultimately to the valley of Megiddo, which is not far from where they are currently drilling for oil. Ezekiel 38 and 39 says that these nations will come to Israel when Israel is finally at peace (this is a false peace that Daniel warns against). But these nations are there to plunder a great plunder, to take the prosperity that is there in the land. Joel C. Rosenberg believes that this prosperity will be the oil that is discovered and that will be the one thing coveted by all nations that will bring them to this valley of Megiddo. Prophetically speaking whatever Israel has, these nations want, and they want it badly enough to cover Israel up like a cloud during an act of war.
We are at a time when we are seeing many, many biblical prophecies being fulfilled right before our very eyes. It is a time when we should be praying and we should be like the wise virgins trimming our wick and making sure that we have enough oil -no pun intended - to see when our bridegroom appears. We should know the seasons in which we live and we should continue to live a crucified life with a servant attitude.
Related articles:
Giyus
I have just received an email from Giyus and I have agreed to promote their alerts when it comes to Israel and the middle-east.
They emailed me with the following:
Allow us to tell you a bit about Giyus.org - we are a growing community of online activists working together to promote pro Israeli messages in the media and expose Israel’s side of the conflict to the broader audience of print and online media destinations. Our members, currently more than 30,000 in number, work together from all across the globe, participate in our campaigns, submit articles for review, and engage in online discussions at our forums and blog site.
Giyus was launched last summer during the war in Lebanon. We’ve been working closley with Israel’s MFA as well as leading Jewish organizations (see our partners page at http://www.giyus.org/partners.html).
We’ll be adding your blog to our blogroll at blog.giyus.org. Please consider adding a link to Giyus from your site as well. Check out our dynamic banners (http://ws.giyus.org/points/all_bns) that allow your readers to take action and support Israel online straight from your web site.
Thanks for your support,
The Giyus.org team
I have put a banner in the side bar and an alert box that will come up with the latest news where it involves Israel.
I came across them through Honest Reporting, which is a media watch dog. Honest Reporting often report unfair and bias media coverage on the BBC and other media outlets.
Hamas targeting Russian audience using anti Semitic cartoons
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)July 19 , 2007
The hate industry: Hamas uses the Internet to disseminate anti-Semitic cartoons to Russian speaking target audiences. The prominent theme of the cartoons is that Israel and the Jews are bloodthirsty monsters engaged in a holocaust of the Palestinian people.
A prominent element of Hamas’ Internet network is the Palestine-info portal, which appears in eight languages (Arabic, English, French, Russian, Farsi, Urdu, Malaysian and lately also Turkish). It posts factual “information” interwoven with propaganda about Hamas’ terrorist attacks, the conflict with Israel and the internal Palestinian arena. The propaganda appearing on the sites accessible through the portal, which post verbal and visual information, encourage terrorism and preach hatred of Israel and the Jewish people, the United States and the West. The information disseminated in the various languages is based on a unified propaganda strategy, suited in each case to a specific target audience .
To see some of the cartoons see here.
Friday Funny
Solana to meet with Peres
Recieved this in an email today… I just thought I would put it up for those who like to follow the Solana trail.
I wonder what will come of it?
What interests me is this is the first time Solana will meet an Israeli President. And the other thing to remember is that Solana was not that keen on Blair being the representative for the Quartet. Oh to be a fly on the wall!
EU foreign policy chief to visit Israel today
Blair, Arab envoys to arrive next week in wake of Bush speechEuropean Union foreign policy czar Javier Solana will visit Israel today to hold talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah. Solana’s visit will be the first act in a period of high-profile diplomatic activity in the area that will see a meeting of the Quartet in Lisbon tomorrow, and quick visits by new Quartet envoy Tony Blair and the Egyptian and Jordanian Foreign Ministers next week.
The sudden surge of activity is meant to take advantage of growing mutual cooperation between Israel and the new Hamas-free Palestinian Authority of Fatah party leader Mahmoud Abbas. This activity will also ride a wave of momentum created by United States President George W. Bush’s speech on Monday night, according to Israeli diplomatic officials.
In addition to meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Solana will also meet with Israel’s new president Shimon Peres. Past presidents have not been included in Solana’s itinerary, and the change is perhaps an indication of the role Peres is set to play in diplomatic developments.
On the Palestinian side, Solana will meet with President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Blair is scheduled to arrive next Monday for a two-day visit. He has taken on logistical staff from 10 Downing Street, and is also expected to have on his team representatives from each of the Quartet members - the US, EU, Russia, and United Nations.
In his speech on Monday, Bush invited moderate Arab leaders to a Mideast summit that will take place next fall. The timing and location of the summit are as yet unknown.
Can Political Correctness and Freedom of Speech co-exist?
Ok, I have had a number of interesting comments on one of my posts called ‘Passive and Pro-active, is there such a thing?‘ and I thought that instead of writing a long winded post about the effects of Political Correctness and the right to Freedom of Speech in democratic nations, I would just put up a poll for now.In the post I was discussing the rights of certain groups in Israel called the Messianics or the Yeshuims and how they have recently been given the courts backing to be allowed to carry on with their church and their community. The courts noted that they are not missional, so therefore are a passive, political group. This brought to my mind the following question…
So it you want to weigh in please feel free to do so.The post in question briefly spoke about religious offence and some people have come back with some very interesting points that I would like to quote.
Vee:You said: How politically incorrect to say that Jesus is the only way.I’ll be blunt; I’m a Jew, and I find that statement “offensive;” however, that is not to say that you shouldn’t say it. Who am I to pass judgement on your religious beliefs? Michael from Oleh Musings, who I am fast considering a mate (Insert Aussie colloquialism here) of mine.
As for dealing with the Messianic, Michael says the following:
As for religion, well, since you quoted Maimonides:“I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah, and though he may tarry, still do I believe.”Notice, for us Jews, the future tense….
Well, as a Christian, I pray that you find Messiah in the not so distant future, better sooner than later I say. :)And Tania, another good friend of mine, brings up some interesting thoughts on Jewish Missionaries:
Even before Jesus, there were Jewish missionaries. Examples are like Jonah, who went to gentiles to tell them to repent from their ways and turn to God. It shows that the Jews had a purpose in telling the world about God and that God also cared for the gentiles. It was a Jewish thing to proselytize others and not until after Jesus and Rabbis who added greek philosophy and other ideas to Judaism, did this stop.
And speaking once more on Maimonides, Tania recalls:
It is interesting that Maimonides said that he thought Jesus was sent by God to turn gentiles to the one true God of Israel. So he by doing this said “its ok for the gentiles but not for us!”
Interesting… because someone has also said that …”If Jesus is not the Jewish Messiah then He is not the Christ for Christians”. Or something much along those lines.One Messiah - Two Comings is a good article by Yakov Prasch to get your head around the concept of Messiah Joseph - Messiah David, many people don’t understand this and because of this lack of understanding there is a danger to think that their could be two messiah’s. Yes, there are two kinds of Messiah, but the Messiah is a Messiah for all nations.
There are two kinds of Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament - the “Suffering Servant” prophecies (seen in the Servant Songs of Isaiah and elsewhere, and in some of the psalms of David), and also the “Davidic Messiah” of the conquering triumphal King who will subdue the enemies of God, establish the Kingdom and bring in worldwide peace, reigning from Jerusalem.If Jesus is not the Messiah of the Jews, neither is He the Christ of the church. They mean the same thing: “Christ” and “Messiah,” the “Anointed One.”Jesus has not fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophecies as yet. He has only fulfilled the “Son of David” prophecies in a spiritual sense, not yet in an historical sense. For Jesus to be the Messiah, He must fulfill all the prophecies.The ‘Suffering Servant’ Messiah is called HaMashiach Ben Yosef, the Messiah, the Son of Joseph. The ‘Conquering King’ Messiah is HaMashiach Ben David, the Messiah, the Son of David.
Ah…. even Yakov Prasch has heard of that phrase about the Jewish Messiah being the Christ for Christians otherwise He is no Messiah at all. Yakov uses Jewish Midrashim to explain this concept of One Messiah - Two Comings, an excellent read.Anyway, from the comments from some very astute people that I happen to respectgreatly, I have been left with a few ideas on future posts, thanks guys for your input.
Friday Funny
Human Rights Under Assault
At its recent June 2007 session, the UN Human Rights Council concluded its lengthy reform process by voting, first, to drop Belarus and Cuba from its blacklist. New restrictions were imposed on the independent experts who report on country violations. The ability to introduce resolutions that name abusers was curbed. And Israel was singled out for permanent indictment—the sole country targeted by a special agenda item, and the sole country subjected to an investigation that examines only one side, is immune from review, and presumes guilt in advance.
The five-minute video below offers a glimpse into how the UN’s highest human rights body—dominated by the worst abusers of human rights—is tragically being turned on its head, to attack democracies, destroy mechanisms of human rights protection, and assault the very idea of human rights.
Thanks go to UN Watch
Passive and Pro-active, is there such a thing?
I just found some articles that I was going to share with you. Both articles speak about the Evangelical Christian Church — please consider carefully what the term evangelical really means — and the ‘passive messianics’ or as they are coming to be known, the Yeshuims.
Both are from Israel Today, which Carla from More Books and Things has put me on to. They are about the future of Israel, and they discuss who will be the ones standing with her during her times of need. The time is now wouldn’t you say?
It was interesting to read that there are some Rabbi’s who cannot differentiate between Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches and that of biblical Christianity. That will change. I pray for it to change, and I believe it will as scripture says there will be an outpouring of God’s spirit upon the House of David!
Another thing that interests me about the following article is that there are Evangelical Christian groups who lend a helping hand to Jews, yet are considered non-missionary. That sound like a paradox to me, an Evangelical non-missional Church, again consider the term evangelical. Is that even biblical? Should Christians as a collective group be non-missional according to scripture?
Anyway, here is the first article:
Israel’s Rabbinate and the Holocaust
In future confrontations with Islam, it will be these Evangelical Christians who will stand beside Israel. And yet, the rabbis hate Evangelical Christians because of what Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches did to the Jews over the centuries.
Since World War II, a famous mantra of “Never Again” has been sounded by the Jewish people. However, they are completely blind to a new kind of Holocaust being foisted on the world by Islam. For the last 18 years, I have been working to create a Judeo-Christian understanding of this threat. By and large, the Christians get it. For the most part, the Jews don’t.
It is clear to me that Evangelical Christians who love and support Israel and who understand the predicament facing Jews today are not our best friends, they are our only friends. Organizations such as the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Bridges for Peace, Christian Friends of Israel, the International Christian Zionist Center among others have dedicated immeasurable time, money and effort to buttress the Jewish state. Yet, the recent ruling of certain senior rabbis that these groups are missionary organizations and the banning of cooperation with them flies in the face of common sense.
Indeed, this ruling is based on prejudice, ignorance and hatred of the Christians. I have worked with these organizations now for over 18 years, and can vouch for them not being missionary organizations.
But the rabbis don’t know and don’t care. Even Maimonides said it was permissible to study Torah with Christians because they revere the Torah, while it is forbidden to study Torah with Muslims because they seek to destroy and replace it with the Koran.
In future confrontations with Islam, it will be these Evangelical Christians who will stand beside Israel. And yet, the rabbis hate Evangelical Christians because of what Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches did to the Jews over the centuries. The rabbis know nothing of the differences within Christianity. This is tragic, and perhaps fatally wrong. By Avi Lipkin
Speaking of all things messianic and non-missional, there has been an important court ruling for the Messianic Jews who are sometimes called the Yeshuims. Though the Rabbi’s are prejudice and fail to see the differences between the Evangelical Church and the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox churches. The courts have ruled in favour of the more passive Israeli Messianic groups.
Two important cases for Israeli Messianics
Messianic legal analysis
The decisions revealed the opinion of the Israeli government towards the Messianic Jewish community, and exposed the passive and non-political attitude of the Messianic community.
Two very important court decisions have recently been issued in Israel, in which several very positive results emerged regarding the depicted opinion of the Israeli government towards the Messianic Jewish community. Furthermore, these court decisions expose the passive and non-political attitude which is prominent in the Messianic community and which indicates that this community is a minority group that is entitled to receive the court’s protection.
In both these court decisions, the Israeli governmental institutions operated in favour of the Messianic community and in response, different fundamental religious groups lodged a petition against these standard governmental decisions.
Anti-missionary group Yad Le’achim (who is represented by advocate Yoram Sheftel) claimed that the ‘Grace and Truth’ congregation was planning to “establish a church which will be used for the purposes of prayer and missionary activity”. The court determined in it’s response that the permit was duly granted on the basis of the request made by Amutat ‘Grace and Truth’, and that the building would be used for office use and as a gathering facility. In the conclusion of the court decision, the court found it necessary to expose the real motive hiding behind the petition that was lodged against the building permit which had been given: “In closing this court ruling, I find it necessary to bring to mind the Declaration of Independence which was signed close to the establishment of the State of Israel, and which promises freedom of religion to all the different religious groups which exist in the State of Israel. The Jews, in particular, who have been persecuted because of their religion by others for hundreds of years, must portray their moral values in that they will reveal tolerance and patience towards other religious groups.”
Since an uninformed reader or judge might not understand that this precedent was made specifically towards the Messianic Jewish community, it is a pity that in both of these court decisions, which have determined an important legal precedent for religious minority groups in Israel, nothing was said regarding the fact that these religious minority groups consist of members of the Messianic Jewish Community and/or Jews who believe in Yeshua. These court decisions determine important precedents, and it is worthy to note that such precedents indicate that Israeli citizens who belong to the Messianic Jewish community are being persecuted against merely because of their religious beliefs and therefore are entitled to receive the court’s protection. It is also important that in this battle for legitimacy, the definitions used to describe the Messianic Community would be homogeneous and sympathetic towards the nature of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
By Mike Decker
Like I said before there may be a change of heart towards Christianity as it becomes clearer that biblical Christians are a little more passive.
But passive to a point I would say.
Question, how passive should biblical Christianity be? So passive that it should withhold the salvation gospel to the Jew and to the Gentile? Passive enough not to be considered a missional church but looked at as being of a more social, humanitarian group? Is that being a little to politically correct; yet we are suppose to have religious freedom aren’t we? What does religious freedom really mean? At what point does one persons religious freedom tread on anothers idealogy and all over their right to exercies their own faith? It has to at some point. You cannot exercise true religious freedom while declaring politcal correctness to be the order of the day, can you?
Is the following commandment from Yeshua passive, politcally correct, pro-active or somewhere in between?
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
What about Pauls missionary stance?
Rom 1:16 for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.
I am passive, yet I am also pro-active when it comes to the gospel of salvation. I declare the following to be true, actually the bible declares the following to be true. I just happen to agree with it.
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Joh 3:1417 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
I bet the above passages from scripture stamps on the toes of any practicing Jew, Muslim, Hindu, New Ager, Wiccan, Buddist, Athiest and many others that I have failed to mention. How politically incorrect to say that Jesus is the only way. Paul was not ashamed to say it. Why should I be scared to say it in a so called tolerant society that espouses religious freedom for all. Does that include me?
Perhaps the bible should be voted as a Hate Book! Or at the very least, it should be rewritten to be more politically correct, then we wouldn’t have this problem. This offensive salvific cross that stands in the way of humanitarian unity. Silly me, that’s happening already!
I know what!!! Why don’t we get rid of the salvation gospel altogether — covertly it could be done — and let’s agree on the social side of it, everyone can do that no matter what religious persuasion they have. Oh, silly me, that’s happening already!
But I have hope, and my only hope is in the cross of salvation and in God’s Word and his promises that He has made regarding His people Israel. If God does not do what He has promised to do, then He is no God at all, His own Word holds Him accountable! Let His actions speak, watch history unfold and testify to His Word, be they true of false!
Why do I pray that Jews will see Christians in a different light? Because I believe that there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days. That outpouring will rest upon the house of David. That outpouring will make the house of David look upon a son, an only son, one which was pierced and they will mourn for that son.
Zec 12:8-10 In that day Jehovah shall protect around those living in Jerusalem. And it will be, he who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of Jehovah before them. And it shall be in that day, I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour on the house of David, and on those living in Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of prayers. And they shall look on Me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they shall be bitter over Him, like the bitterness over the first-born.
Although Biblical Christians may be considered passive they are very pro-active in standing for the apple of God’s eye, they are pro-active in sharing the gospel to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. They know that to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem is within the will of God. But this outpouring is a bitter sweet phenomenon. It is after much world turmoil that will be centered around Jerusalem that will bring the house of David to their knees in supplication and repentence.
I know that true Peace can only come when the Prince of Peace, that being HaMashiach ben David coming a second time in the same way in which he left; that is when Isreal and her children can look forward to their sabbatical rest.
Act 1:9-12 And when He had said these things, as they were looking, He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey off.
So when I say Marantha, it is truly bitter sweet. I look forward to the day when I meet my Lord, but I dread the days beforehand. I know what the bible says about the last days. I just have to remember that the bible says this about enduring till the end:
1Co 10:13 No temptation has taken you except what is human; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able. But with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so that you may be able to bear it.
No wonder it is called our blessed hope!
Friday Funny
The weekend is fast approaching so….
I won’t post anything today, perhaps I will leave you with this.
Solana - The EU - The Middle East
Yesterday I posted about Solana and Blair, two key players in the Middle East peace process. I have just been keeping an eye on this, and have found Solana to be very active of late. Here are a few things that I have been alerted to.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Monday that an “international presence” would be needed to help ensure peace in the Palestinian territories.
When an “international force was (first) mentioned, I said we will consider an initiative coming from the UN,” Solana told a conference at the European Parliament.
However, since then, plans for some sort of international force had not materialized because each time there were “complaints” from different players in the regions.
“You go to Gaza, you have complaints by Egypt, if you go some other place, you have other complaints,” he said.
“I think at the end of the day, it will be necessary to have some international presence on the ground,” he added.
While Solana said he could “not be more precise” about what form such a “presence” should take, he noted that there was already a European-led police mission in the region and that the UN force in Lebanon was made up largely of soldiers from EU nations.
Hmmm, and international presence may sound good, but I am reminded of the verse in Zech12:2-3 where all nations will be surrounding themselves against Jerusalem which has been made into a heavy stone, a burdensome stone. Any nation that tries to lift it, or deal with it, will hurt themselves. Jerusalem is to become the cup of struggle. Right now, Jerusalem hasn’t really been contended with as yet. But scripture tells us that it will be at some point.
And right now we know that an international presence will represent nations of the world. The quartet represents four major sections of the world, that being Russia, European Union, United States and the United Nations, with the UN representing all the nations of the world. Every nation is being represented here, and we have to watch carefully, especially when they start to speak of that burdensome stone, the cup of struggle, Jerusalem.
Solana stopped short of blaming Tehran outright for the military takeover in Gaza, he chose his words carefully when he said the following:
BRUSSELS, July 2 (Reuters) - The European Union foreign policy chief suggested on Monday that Iran could be linked to the Hamas military takeover of Gaza, recent attacks on the Lebanese army, and on European peacekeepers in Lebanon.
Javier Solana, who has led efforts to bring Iran back to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme, stopped short of blaming Tehran outright, but said the incidents could not be treated separately.
The reason for this is to keep Iran at the negotiating table concerning their nuclear enrichment program (although I see other reasons as every nation has to enter into a false sense of peace with Israel at some point, scripture is clear about that):
Asked about a new plan recently presented by Western media and European officials on Iran’s nuclear case, he said, “It has been discussed in previous talks between Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and the EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.”
[...]“The issue has been discussed in previous talks between Larijani and Solana. It will be discussed in future talks, if necessary.” The official conveyed “The plan has not been presented just by Britain, rather certain other countries have also raised it.
And this:
TEHRAN - Cristina Gallach, the spokesperson of Javier Solana, EU high representative for the foreign and security common policy, said in a short interview with the Mehr News Agency on Wednesday that EU is “determined to solve Iran’s nuclear issue through negotiation.” Following is the text of the interview:
“Mr. Solana’s talks with Mr. Larijani in Lisbon were indeed very constructive.
This is a positive step to help rebuild confidence between Iran and the international community. But of course it is only a step, not yet the solution to the problem. Mr. Solana hopes that cooperation between Iran and the Agency will contribute to a positive climate and allow to continue the contacts. In this regard, Mr. Solana and Mr. Larijani envisage the possibility of meeting again in some 3 weeks. We remain determined to solve Iran’s nuclear issue through negotiation and that is what we are working for: to create the conditions that will allow us to embark on formal negotiations.
Blair stepping on Javier Solana’s toes - Ouch!
I received an alert a few days ago in my in box which I flagged to check out later. As it turns out it may be worth posting about as Carla sent me an email today from PZ - Newsletter that had the same news article that I had put on the back burner.
Anyway, the article in question is called ‘Blair not to mediated in Middle East, Solana says.‘
Madrid - Middle East quartet envoy Tony Blair will not be charged with mediating in the Middle East conflict, but with channelling aid towards the construction of a Palestinian state, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana was Friday quoted as saying. Former British Premier Blair, whose appointment has been met with skepticism in parts of the region, will not conduct a peace process, the Spanish daily El Pais quoted Solana as saying in Lisbon.
PZ says about this article:
These last several weeks we have observed a rise in global activity in light of Bible Prophecy.
With the appointment of Tony Blair as Mid East Envoy for the Quartet, all of a sudden Javier Solana is making noise to the effects of “How Dare Tony Blair Steps on My Toes.” As you know, both of these men are on the various “Watch Lists” out there for ever popular game of pinning the tail on the antichrist.
But here is something that struck me, already these guys are butting heads and Blair just started, why not combine both offices and make it into one office? That way one man can be a central clearing house and it would make things a whole lot easier.
Now this is pure speculation on my part, but doesn’t it make sense to you too? Merge the positions, give it to one guy. The US in “passing the torch” to Blair, has basically succumb to the EU / UN any ways in regards to dealing with the Middle East.
So why not?
Dan 9:27 (KJV) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Ray
I guess we will see what happens. I am not going to make any predictions, but I am certainly keeping a very keen eye on this situation.
My first Tag!
Well now, I have been tagged by Carla from More Books and Things. The rules are as follows … I have to post 8 things about myself that no-ones knows about. And then tag 8 fellow bloggers. (Now, that is going to be hard)
I would like to know who makes these rules up! And what happens if I break them? Am I frowned upon in blogland!
Anyway, here are the 8 things about me.
- When I am put on the spot — like now — I can’t think. So, it stands to reason that I am really bad at tests and actually fear them, I think I am bordering on phobic.
- When I laugh hysterically I sound like a turkey and snort like a pig, very flattering I know. And yes … everyone around thinks it’s funny too.
- The first time my hubby and I met, he told his friends to remind him to never marry someone like me.
- I was a real rough girl when I was young. I use to beat up my brothers. I even made one of my brothers eat a spider. He lived to tell the tale, much to my dismay.
- I have a real phobia of spiders, I really don’t understand why God made those creatures. Yet, I don’t want anyone to squash them, that is part of my phobia, the squash part… it’s gross, I always want them set free.
- I love Star Trek, and I think that makes me a nerd.
- I am addicted to drinking Bi-Carb soda in water before I go to bed. It collects all of the little burps in my tummy into one BIG burp and is fantastic for indigestion which I suffer with badly. Hubby hates it!
- I love to embarrass my teenage kids. HA!!! I have just done that by going outside to see if my youngest daughter and her friend were still waiting for the bus. They were too busy chatting to realise the bus was coming. The bus was going to drive past them, but I hailed it down with my dressing gown on and really bad bed hair waving at the driver like a mad woman. My youngest hung her head in shame. Priceless. She will never get over that.
Ok, there are my 8 things.
Now I have to attempt to find 8 people. I have found two… and I really am not sure if they are going to do this.
This tagging chain may end with me Carla! Most blogs I read are more like websites than personal personal blogs.
The three I have found are:
- A Mom’s Journey - she is currently in the middle of a move again, her hubby is in the military.
- Retro Charm Art - she is my sister and has taken on heaps of work load lately, so I am not sure if she has the time.
- Oh cool I have another fellow blogger who has taken up the tag. Thanks go to Mike from Mikescape has taken on the challenge. Thanks Mike!
