Famine of food and of Word!
In my last post I specifically mentioned “Prophetic Trends” … Well, one of the trends which may well lead into a “Mega-event” is famine.
What does the bible say about famine?
There are two types of famine mentioned in the bible. One is the most obvious and that is a famine of food.
One example of biblical famine which lasted seven years during the time of Joshua was a global famine. According to the bible everyone on the face of the earth was affected by a desperate lack of food. I find this famine interesting because it speaks about the people of the earth going to Joshua for grain/food. Joshua is a typology of a Messiah/Christlike figure and it is only he who has the storehouse of food. The seven years could be a type of tribulation period called Jacobs Trouble.
Gen 41:56-57 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the store-houses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine was sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was sore in all the earth.
Famine is usually a judgment from God and it is a time to call out to God, this call comes from the faithful.
2Ch 20:9 If evil shall come upon us, whether sword, judgment, or pestilence and famine, we shall stand before this house and before You, for Your name is in this house, and shall cry to You out of our distress, and You shall hear and save.
Famine was so bad at one point that the bible says that woman boiled their own children for food…
Lam 4:9-10 They that are slain with the sword are better than they that are slain with hunger; For these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field. The hands of the pitiful women have boiled their own children; They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.
Jer 19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters; and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend, in the siege and in the distress, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their life, shall distress them.
This was literally fulfilled when Jerusalem was captured by the Romans. Although this was literally fulfilled, it serves as a type for us to understand and learn from, it could also be a capitulated prophecy of sorts. Why did this happen? Why did God send such a famine to His people? Remember that whatever the Israelites went through in their documented history shows us a similar future for the unrepentant Church who has become part of the Harlot Church.
He did this because they were unfaithful to His Word and they were worshipping other gods.
Jer 19:35 You shall say, (God is telling Jeremiah to say the following) ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such disaster upon this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind.
As I read this scripture I was struck with the word “Tingle”, everyone who hears about this terrible judgment will have their ears tingling. I wondered what the Hebrew meaning of tingle was…
צלל
tsâlal
tsaw-lal’
A primitive root (rather identical with H6749 through the idea of vibration); to tinkle, that is, rattle together (as the ears in reddening with shame, or the teeth in chattering with fear): - quiver, tingle.
This is in stark contrast to another scripture which speaks about false prophets tickling the ears which will happen in the last days…
2Ti 4:2-4 preach the Word, be urgent in season, out of season, convict, warn, encourage with all long-suffering and teaching. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, they will heap up to themselves teachers tickling (itching) the ear; and they will turn away the ear from the truth and will be turned aside to myths.
having itching ears; always desirous of new things, as the Athenians of old; or loving to have their ears scratched and tickled with smooth things; that are pleasing and agreeable to natural men, and carnal minds; as the purity of human nature, the power of man’s free will, the excellency of his righteousness, and the merit of his works, and the like; see Isa 30:9. Now, this being the case, should not discourage, but rather animate the ministers of the Gospel to preach it; for should they desist, in all likelihood the Gospel would soon be gone. (John Gill expository)
The warning here is to be diligent and preach the Word of God because there will be a time when sound doctrine will not be welcomed. It will be shunned.
There is a worldwide famine happening that many are not aware of. This article called “The Silent Famine” states that…
According to the Telegraph, “the World Bank said this week that the price of staple foods has risen by 80 per cent in the past three years.” 80%, people! And why is that? Partially because of “bad weather”, rising demand and maybe, just maybe, those walloping gasoline prices no one seems very interested to be putting the heat on government leaders to address.
Notice how bad things are becoming, as detailed in the Telegraph article:
For consumers in wealthy nations such as Britain soaring prices are squeezing household finances and keeping inflation up. But for developing nations they can lead to malnutrition and social disruption.
Clearly the prophecy written in Revelation 6:5-6 which says… And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine…may come to pass in our lifetime!
While there are false prophets – mainly in the rich Western countries – tickling people’s ears, the world faces a global food famine.
A teacher that I respect once said…whatever you see happening in the material world is actually happening in the spiritual one too, or words to that effect.
So yes… there is a global food famine; but there is a famine of another kind. This food famine is just a reflection of something else, something much, much deeper.
There is a famine of the Word of God that is prophesied in Amos, and the bible says that the following will happen…
Amo 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah.
In this scripture God is amplifying a more grievous famine which is the hearing of the Word of God. In this scripture God is speaking of the false prophets who tickle the ears!
A famine in the land - The most grievous of all famines, a famine of the words of Jehovah; a time in which no prophet should appear, no spiritual counsellor, no faithful reprover, none any longer who would point out the way of salvation, or would assure them of the mercy of God on their repentance and return to him. This is the severest of God’s judgments on this side the worm that never dieth, and the fire that is never quenched. (Clarke)
As the world chooses to be deaf to the Word of God and His warnings which should bring about repentance, He has warned us that He is going to send the world a powerful delusion to those who do not love the Word of God. This choice of deafness will end up with people becoming wilfully blind and deaf. He sends a famine — both kinds — one of food, and one of the hearing of the Word of God. They are both related to one another. It is a wakeup call for the world to come to repentance! NOW , may be the only time you actually hear Him. Today may be your last day which could be a decisive factor for your eternal life. Have you prepared yourself for eternity? Today you may have open ears still, but that will not last forever!
Can you hear Him?
2Th 2:10-11 …those who refused to love the truth that would save them. For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.
It is most interesting to me is that Christ is the “Word” manifest (see John 1:14) and he spoke about His body being the bread of life. Clearly we are to know His Word because it is Him! We are to eat of it and be fully satisfied. After all He did say that He is the bread of life… please open your ears to this scripture…
Joh 6:35 … “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never become hungry, and the one who believes in me will never become thirsty.
Are you hungry and don’t even know it?
Prophecy - Trends and Mega-events
The other day I posted a video on the rebuilding of the “Third Temple“. This led to someone (Vince) commenting on prophecy and the importance of it in these days that are fast leading up to the return of Christ. (See HERE for all of my other posts concerning the coming of the Third Temple)
Obviously, there are those who deem prophecy to be of little or no importance, Rick Warren being one of them, see HERE. It makes me wonder if people like the Rick Warren’s of the world have ever read the bible for all its worth, as so much of it is written to show us how God is interacting with people and events even during our time. Prophecy deals with countries, governments and end time events.
Have you ever wondered why it is that the middle-east is the most volatile place on the earth? If you have asked this question then you can find the answer in the Bible. Within its pages are key events that point to the culmination of God’s promises to His people. His Word is being fulfilled even while you are reading this. But you may wonder how to begin to even know where to start with biblical prophecy.
I have just come across a website called “Prophecy Watch” and it has some very basic and easy to read articles that outline biblical prophetic concepts that are relevant for us today. The articles are not that long at all, and give you a basic understanding about current events that point to prophetic trends and mega-events. These articles are written by Phillip Goodman. Phillip Goodman is speaking at a conference with other well known experts in this field, Dave Hunt, Roger Oakland are the two that I am most familiar with.
One article from the website “Prophecy Watch” is called Trends and Mega-Events and is well worth the read if you are a new student to biblical prophecy and have difficulty in knowing where on earth to start. Eschatology is the study of end time events and it shapes our understanding of certain key biblical concepts such as kingdom building and even so far as political Christian dominion. Understanding the different eschatological views is important for us today as we have reached a time of unification of sorts and are now in a very real position of being able to build a global government and religious system.
This article talks about the differences between “Trends” and “Mega-events”…
The key to assessing the Signs of the Last Days is to view history over the long haul— to look at the total scope, or the whole panorama, of historical events. By doing that we can discern TRENDS. We must then look at world events in two ways.
The first is to become aware of “Trends.”
The second is to watch for relevant “Mega-events.”
Trends tell us more about the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy than the isolated, daily events many prophecy writers whip up into a frenzy of articles and books. For example, in the Mid East, the daily peace, no-peace cycle may drive one to Biblical boredom, but the fact is that they confirm a consistent pattern, or trend, that precisely parallels that which is described in Bible prophecy— The Mid East will be the focal point of the last days, with the central focus being on Israel and Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.
~~~
A prophetic Mega-event is an event of such magnitude that it sends shock waves around the planet and propels the Trends of prophecy forward in quantum leaps!
Why are Mega-events so significant? These “super-episodes” of history not only make big-print headlines, but they actually accelerate the trend-lines of prophecy in leaps and bounds down the path of fulfillment. Hasn’t the 9-11 tragedy put the U.S. (and other countries) on a fast track toward global regulation?
Other articles like “Dividing the Land of Isreal” and “Temple Mount Violence” are worth reading for those who are new to biblical prophecy.
You can find all of his articles HERE if you want to learn more. They are very well written, they are basic and are very easy to understand.
When I did a search for “Phillip Goodman” it brought me to this other called “Rapture Ready” which has some interesting articles on end time events. I have only taken a cursory look, so I ask that you measure everything against scripture.
Draconian Canada?
(HT: More Books and Things)
I have been pretty busy over these last few weeks, but I just have to quickly point to something that is happening in Canada. It looks like certain laws that were introduced in that country in the 60’s have started to affect Christian Ministries.
Canada’s government is fast becoming a draconian government!
LORRI MacGREGOR, co-founder along with her husband Keith of MacGregor Ministries a Christian counter-cult apologetics organization in British Columbia, Canada, will address the theme: “CANADA GAGS THE GOSPEL.” The Canadian Government will not allow any critiques of other religions. You can be any religion you want as long as you do nothing but promote your own religion. In Lorri & Keith’s case, in addition to presenting the Christian religion, they were responding to attacks on Christianity.
MacGregor Ministries carefully documented these attacks and responded to them from a biblical perspective, in a respectful and even kind manner. To their knowledge, none of the groups attacking Christianity through their websites or magazines got taken to task, only MacGregor Ministries! At the same time, they present sound, biblical, Christian doctrine, which promotes the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is, of course, their purpose. They were told they had to present all religions as equal, could not be “persuasive” regarding Christianity over others, and had to get rid of their website and magazine. Their presentation of the Christian gospel through their DVD’s and printed matter was ruled “uncharitable” and their careful critique of others in defense of Christian doctrine was called “hate”.
Here is a nine minute interview in regards to the latest on what is happening to this particular ministry. MacGregor Ministries has been told that its work is uncharitable and they have now lost their tax exempt status and to continue to operate they must register as a business. Obviously there is no such thing as freedom of speech for Christians because apparently no J.W. or Mormon outreach has had the same happen to them. When Lorri was spoken to she asked if she had a right to defend Christianity against other religions and cults who also claim to have the truth and attack her stand, she was told that the Watchtower society is in complete compliance with them, and they don’t have a problem with them at all. They do however; have a problem with Christians showing errors in the cults. They accuse MacGregor Minsitries of having hate literature.
Well, I have checked out their website, and I cannot find any hate literature. They address the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons and even The Seventh Day Adventists, which I know a lot about because I was brought up in that particular Church. They also speak about William Branham, Benny Hinn, Kathryn Kuhlman, Tommy Tenney, Rodney Howard Brown, John Wimber and Rick Joyner, just to name a few. Most of these names are “Word of Faith” teachers and I have personally known about their teaching through my family members. Even I started to get sucked into it myself until someone said that I should measure their teachings against the Word of God and see what comes of it.
Some of these family members have had the sense to leave such Churches that follow the teachings of such lunatics but others unfortunately are still attending. I have even gone so far as to bring such matters to the Baptist Union, and I am yet to hear anything from them. Did I do that because I hate them? NO!!!! I did it because I believe in accountability and I believe in measuring things up against the Word of God.
These cult busters are doing nothing more than showing the very clear differences between other religious teachings against what the bible says. And now that is regarded as HATE!!! Are they not allowed to disagree with other religions?
This is political correctness gone mad! And it has done its job very well.
It is becoming very clear to me that the Church and State are slowly becoming amalgamated in one way or another. One such way is because of the government wanting the churches to be more transparent with their finances. While other Churches are willingly becoming corporations (Inc.) so that they can better serve the community through certain purpose driven/seeker friendly methodologies.
And now this… because of a so called “hate crime” they are being charged as uncharitable so therefore cannot be a charity and must be registered as a business. Despite the fact that these people do not get paid for what they are doing and have given their lives free of charge to evangelizing the lost, to actually reach these people.
The hooks are in, and it seems to me that the commission that God has given to the Church has been truly gagged in some parts of the world. Don’t think that it can’t happen in your neck of the woods. It will!
Mat 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Mary the Co-Redemptrix, the new Marian Dogma!
Apparently there is a call from some Cardinals, over 500 of them, to request a fifth Marian Dogma…
Five cardinals have sent a letter inviting prelates worldwide to join them in petitioning Benedict XVI to declare a fifth Marian dogma they said would “proclaim the full Christian truth about Mary.”
The text, released last week, includes the petition that asks the Pope to proclaim Mary as “the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the co-redemptrix with Jesus the redeemer, mediatrix of all graces with Jesus the one mediator, and advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race.” (read more here)
I wonder if Rick Warren who would be happy to form an alliance with Catholicism to establish his P.E.A.C.E plan and others who have signed the “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” who are intent on building ecumenical bridges would have a problem with Mary’s co-redemptrix status?
Roger Oakland says that…There are a number of evangelical Protestants who have signed an agreement with Roman Catholics with regard to unification with Rome (Evangelicals and Catholics Together). Further, Rick Warren has stated that he is willing to form an alliance with the Roman Catholic Church to establish his PEACE plan.
The new Marian Dogma is ecumenical in nature…
The petition states: “We believe the time opportune for a solemn definition of clarification regarding the constant teaching of the Church concerning the Mother of the Redeemer and her unique cooperation in the work of Redemption, as well as her subsequent roles in the distribution of grace and intercession for the human family.”
Ecumenism
Pointing to ecumenical concerns, the petition continues: “It is of great importance [...] that people of other religious traditions receive the clarification on the highest level of authentic doctrinal certainty that we can provide, that the Catholic Church essentially distinguishes between the sole role of Jesus Christ, divine and human Redeemer of the world, and the unique though secondary and dependent human participation of the Mother of Christ in the great work of Redemption.”
They want to voice a clearer expression of Catholic Church Marian doctrine when they say…
The text adds that the move would be “the ultimate expression of doctrinal clarity at the service of our Christian and non-Christian brothers and sisters who are not in communion with Rome.”
In a press statement released along with the letter, the cardinal co-sponsors reiterated the same ecumenical concern and said the proclamation of a fifth Marian dogma would be a “service of clarification to other religious traditions and to proclaim the full Christian truth about Mary.“
They also want dialogue concerning Mary…
“This initiative also intends to start an in-depth worldwide dialogue on Mary’s role in salvation for our time. [...] Should this effort prove successful, a proclamation would constitute a historical event for the Church as only the fifth Marian dogma defined in its 2,000-year history.”
And of course is it all about “The New Evangelization” in regards to Mary’s role for humanity…
Cardinal Aponte Martínez, one of the cardinal co-patrons said: “I believe the time is now for the papal definition of the relationship of the Mother of Jesus to the each one of us, her earthly children, in her roles as co-redemptrix, mediatrix of all graces and advocate.
“To solemnly proclaim Mary as the spiritual mother of all peoples is to fully and officially recognize her titles, and consequently to activate, to bring to new life the spiritual, intercessory functions they offer the Church for the new evangelization, and for humanity in our serious present world situation.”
Related
British Law + Sharia Law, never the twain shall meet. Or can it?
Just quickly, this….
Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, who said that it “seems inevitable” that elements of Sharia Muslim law would be incorporated into British legislation.
Almost instantly the comments have been greeted with shock and condemnation from nearly every corner of British society. Christian groups, secular groups, the head of the equality watchdog, several high-profile Muslims and MPs from all parties have all strongly condemned the statement. A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said this morning, “sharia law cannot be used as a justification for committing breaches of English law, nor should the principles of sharia law be included in a civil court for resolving contractual disputes.”
The essential question is whether Muslims living in Britain should have a different set of laws that apply to them that are in accordance with Sharia law. The issue is especially pertinent in divorce proceedings, which under Sharia law are extremely strict and not very favorable to women. (Read more here)
Related:
We’re tired, so tired
Just quickly, I received an email this morning from a very dear friend of mine. And I know that she and others like her are getting very, very weary. I am too! As I was about to reply to her, I was reminded of the following scriptures.
This post is for all of those out there who are feeling tired and worn by the constant attacks on the Body of Christ…
We are constantly reminded to wake up. The disciples became heavy hearted and fell asleep during the night watch. Jesus said that they should stay awake so not too fall into temptation…
Luk 22:4546 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Jesus told them three times about not sleeping…I guess he really means it… it is very important…
Mar 14:3742 When he went back, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? You couldn’t stay awake for one hour, could you? All of you must stay awake and pray that you won’t come into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away again and prayed the same prayer as before. Again he came back and found them asleep, for their eyes were very heavy. They didn’t even know what they should say to him. He came back a third time and said to them, “You might as well keep on sleeping and resting. Enough of that! The time has come. Look! The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let’s go! See, the one who is betraying me is near!”
Interesting that just before Peter saw the transfiguration he was heavy with sleep…
Luk 9:32 Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
How about this from the commentary on this verse, very interesting that they were scarcely awake and it was difficult for them to wake up even by the ray of his light…
[...]and when they were awake, The Syriac version reads, “scarcely awake”; they were so heavy with sleep, that it was with difficulty they were awaked out of it, even by the rays of light and glory that were about them. The Ethiopic version adds, “suddenly”; such a lustre darted from these glorious forms, especially from the body of Christ, as at once surprised them out of their sleep; and being thoroughly awake,
The heaviness is something that we are feeling from the toil of the day…
Heavy with sleep - Borne down with sleep - oppressed, overcome with sleep. It may seem remarkable that they should fall asleep on such an occasion; but we are to bear in mind that this may have been in the night, and that they were weary with the toils of the day.
The reason why we are finding it hard to keep awake is because the groom is late, this from the parable of the ten virgins
Mat 25:5 Since the groom was late, all of them became sleepy and lay down.
Why is He late…?
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We are definitely living in the last days. Although I think we are on the cusp of darkness, and we haven’t really entered into the third watch of the night, maybe we are on the edge of night? God Help us, give us strength!
Related Article:
- Women On The Watch It is my hopeful conjecture - you sisters who so keenly resolve to press the exposure of apostasy’s proliferations and false christs and prophets at the close of the age–will, without hesitation, as the Spirit illuminates His Word to you, provide insight into the times of the Gentiles and their final fulfillment. Increasingly, I see incredible parallels to the content of your insightful declarations - as well as the formidable courage in Christ whereby you singularly and collectively provide such insight and warning to the Body of Christ… God bless you all as you unreservedly take up the challenge as God’s Deborahs at the close of the age–a stark differential to the Harlot Who rides the Beast! “—D.K.
Noahide Laws could be Global laws for all citizens of the World!
I was just cruising my faves, and Bonnie from the blog ‘For the Author’ has just written one post that is a real eye opener. She certainly has done her homework on this one.
She is speaking about the Noahide Laws, and of them she writes…
It is interesting to note that the Noahide Laws can also be found in the religion of Islam, making it possible for this to be a point of unity between the Jews and Arabs at some future date. I came across this information while I was doing some research on my articles, THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED, (Parts 1 and 2, and the addendum). I discovered that the Noahide Laws have been equated with the Golden Rule by some. The Noahide Laws have also been called The Covenant of the Rainbow. For a good overview of the Noahide Laws, click HERE.
She is also coming to realise that maybe these laws are the ones that Daniel the Prophet speaks about when he said…
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and he shall wear out the saints of the Most High. And he intends to change times and law. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one half time.
She speaks about the Sanhedrin’s role in instituting these laws…
While George Bush was in the Middle East this month, the newly formed Sanhedrin was also meeting to discuss the Noahide Laws on the week he was there. (Read the January 10th article, Sanhedrin Recognizes Council to Teach Humanity ‘Laws of Noah’ in the Israel National News for yourself).
She has also documented the punishment for not following the Noahide Law, one of which is death by beheading. This is from the official Bnei Noah Site.
I too, have wondered about these laws and have found it interesting that the Temple has to be rebuilt in order for these laws to come into effect. For this to happen there is the problem of the Dome of the Rock. But this is not so much of a problem when you consider that the Dome of the Rock can stay just where it is, and be classed as the court of Gentiles according to Prof. Joseph Patrich who got back to me with an email and said this… It is outside the temple court, but still within the screen barring gentile entrance.
Much, much more is written in Bonnie’s post. Be sure to read this eye opener of a post!
I am Red Flagging this one big time!!!
Just to note, I am making a new category called ‘The Sanhedrin’, I have an uneasy feeling that ‘The Sanhedrin’ will play a big role in introducing a false peace and a kingdom built by the fallen one.
Related:
- A search on the Sanhedrin’s site and everything pertaining to the Noahide Laws and the Court of Bnei-Noah
- Bnei Noah, the Sanhedrin’s relationship with non-Jews on the Sanhedrin web-site. (A wealth of information on this page!)
- Beni-Noah website (I am not sure if this is the official one or not, it is recognised as such on the Sanhedrin’s website, please forward any information to help me in my research)
- High Council of B’nei Noah (according to Wiki this is the official web-site)
- Jerusalem Court for Issues of Bnei Noah
Actualising the Apocalypse - Is this happening within Governments?
I have been reading some of Dr Calvin Smith’s book reviews on the ‘Midlands Bible College Blog‘… you can find his reviews Here as well. Anyway, as I was going through all the latest posts on the blog I came across one post called ‘Beware An Overly Dogmatic Interpretation of Luke 21:24′, which talks about Luke 21:24 which I found to be challenging. The verse says… They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Calvin writes…
Premillennialists rightly reject how postmillennialism seeks to usher in the kingdom of God by establishing and presenting it to Christ, thus hastening the Second Coming. Such an attempt to establish the Kingdom makes the parousia (Second Coming of Christ) an anthropocentric, rather than a theocentric event. It does so by employing a hermeneutical method whereby Christians read themselves key Bible texts. The technical term is to `actualise’, that is, read oneself into a pivotal role and/or interpretation of Scripture. Yet some premillennial Christian Zionists do precisely the same thing, feeling they must (through lobbying, political activity, financing, and so on) bring about the ultimate fulfilment of passages such as Luke 21:24, which in turn will hasten the return of Christ. Such a mindset is no less anthropocentric than postmillennialism’s approach. The short of it is, God will send Christ when He so chooses and there is little we can do to hasten that event. It is one thing to express political support for and lobby on behalf of Israel, which I believe Christians should do (incidentally, I also think that as her true friends we ought to speak to her when she gets it wrong). But it is quite another to feel our political activity has any bearing at all on God’s eschatological plans. If our motive for supporting Israel is on the basis that they are God’s chosen people, well and good, but if some Christians’ motive is to hasten the consummation of the age, theirs is an anthropocentrically-driven, erroneous motive.
The post is long, but well worth the read and any ideas and debate is most welcome.
There is also much discussion over at Midlands Bible College about the mix between Christianity and Politics, especially in regards to Israel. There needs to be a balance and the above quote talks about the anthroponcentric method and how one should be careful in not doing the same thing that one charges the other of doing.
I have just found an article that perhaps shows an example of this anthroponcentric approach within American politics…
POLITICAL ANALYSIS: What Does Mike Huckabee Have to do With the Apocalypse? by Valerie Saturen.
Christian Zionism stems from the belief that the catastrophic events depicted in the biblical Book of Revelation are humanity’s literal destiny, and that two-thirds of the Earth’s population will perish in an apocalyptic battle of good and evil while the “saved” are “raptured up” to heaven. For Christian Zionists, this catastrophe is a necessary precedent to the Second Coming.[...]
While those outside of evangelical circles may dismiss such beliefs, they have played a critical role in influencing U.S. foreign policy, and they will continue to affect policy as long as the United States remains under Republican leadership that relies upon evangelical support. Christian Zionism has implications for the U.S. role in Israeli-Palestinian relations, a potential confrontation with Iran, and relations with the Muslim world.
[...]Whether or not Christian Zionists can predict the future, the human potential to create self-fulfilling prophesies is undeniable, and this is why Americans should pay attention to this ideology.
Funny thing is, when I read the bible from beginning to end, one of the stories that amazed me was Balaam and how he was to curse Israel. And instead he blessed them, and cursed the king of the Moabites…three times he did this. I actually laughed out loud with tears running down my face as I pictured the king as he tore at his clothes saying why, why have you done this to me. I found myself wondering if there is anything we can do or not do that will change what is to be. Obviously not! That story actually made me question if there was any validity to man’s free will at all! Yeah ahahahah… Calvinism vs Arminianism and a new thing thrown in called Open Theism, been there done that, and I continue doing that! It’s all about the tension… see my last post.
As Calvin rightly points out… our motives should be right, and we should always be praying for guidance in these matters. The leaders of the free world should be upheld constantly in our prayers and so should the leaders of the evangelical right.
Related articles:
Megillat Bush - The Bush Scroll presented by the Sanhedrid
This is a ‘Red Flag Post’…
When President Bush visited Israel he was greeted with many people holding posters like this…
Although Bush said that he came to the land of Israel as a Pilgrim after being asked by Archbishop Elias Shakur, the Greek Catholic clergyman who showed Bush around the site, “Did you come as a politician, as a leader of state, or as a pilgrim?” The Sanhedrin have gone one step further and have shocked many by calling Bush ‘The Chief of Prince of Meshech and Tubal’. In a scroll entitled ‘The Megillat Bush- The Bush Scroll‘ the Sanhedrin have called on Bush to consider the biblical land of Israel very carefully, as the whole world will be effected by the division of Israel, even so far as saying that the world could be led into catastrophic danger if Israel is divided…
In the Name of the Lord, Eternal God
To The Honorable Mr. George W. Bush,
President of the United States of America,Who comes seeking the presence of the Most High God, to Jerusalem, city of God, Divinely chosen site of the Holy Temple, eternal capital of our land, “the joy of the entire earth (Psalms 48:3),” may it be rebuilt and established speedily and in our days, Amen!
Esteemed Mr. George W. Bush, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ezekiel 38:1), leader of the west!
Upon your arrival in Jerusalem you have the ability to make a declaration, as did Cyrus, King of Persia - whose memory is honored - who in the year 538 BCE returned the exiled nations to their lands and recognized the full right of the Jewish people to reestablish their Holy Temple, the “house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7), and called upon them to return to their land,
And in the manner of Lord James Balfour of England, who in 1917, called upon the Jews to reestablish a national homeland in the Land of Israel.
And thus if you truly desire peace and benevolence, and you would be counted in the company of the truly righteous, we call upon you to declare to all the world:
The Land of Israel was bequeathed to the nation of Israel by the Creator of the world. Neither could I, as a son of my faith, nor the Muslims according to their faith, ever take away even the slightest grain from the Eternal’s gift, which He gave to His people Israel, the eternal people. Thus I call upon all the nations to save themselves from certain doom, to return and recognize That this land is the exclusive rightful inheritance of the people of Israel, as is written in the Torah of Israel, which constitutes the very foundation of our faith, as well as that of Islam; and is the basis for the decisions of the community of nations. He who denies this truth endangers all life on earth.
Zechariah 12:1-4
The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. “In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will strike every horse with bewilderment and his rider with madness. But I will watch over the house of Judah, while I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.
Ezekiel 38:2-8
“Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, `Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. “I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops–many peoples with you. “Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. “After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.
Luke 21:24b
[...]Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
1 Thessalonians 5:3a (HCSB) When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them
Jeremiah 8:11
“They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, `Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.
Psalms 122:6a
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
The world has not really taken much notice of this visit, but I am pretty sure that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is watching very closely at all the key players who are ready to carve up the land that He gave to the apple of His eye.
Deu 32:910 But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
David Hocking has recently said in an email that I got the other day…
The President has said publicly some very shocking things for the people of Israel. He speaks as though he has a right to demand Israel to do what he says. He has referred to them as the “aggressor” and that they are in control of what he has called “occupied” territories that belong to Islam. His ignoring of Biblical history and prophecy is quite shocking to the citizens and politicians of Israel. We are also very disturbed. These events are moving us ever closer to the predictions of Daniel 9:24-27. We all need wisdom and dependence upon the word of God! Remember the warning of I Thessalonians 5:1-3! Please pray for our President and all who are with him on this strategic and important mission in the Middle East.
And you can read the following at Dr David Hocking’s blog…
he said, “The point of departure for permanent status negotiations…seems clear: There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967.”
By making this point, President Bush has let the Palestinians off the hook. While the President refers to the “Roadmap” he is simply giving the Palestinians a free pass on the central provision that the first stage of the Roadmap is the successful end to terror strikes against Israel. This, everyone knows, has never happened.
Instead Israel is now the “aggressor” that must make the most important concessions. Israel must move its defense forces out of what Bush calls the “occupied” territories. Israel security concerns are skimmed over with statements calling on the Palestinians to control terror. Something they have never done.And to add insult to injury Bush clearly states that he believes Israel must loosen its control of Jerusalem.
- Related Posts (Living Journey)
The Space “In-Between” Times
I was in conversation the other day with a man (an acquaintance of mine) who at one time was a stickler for defending sound doctrine. In fact, the conversation started because of my concerns over my dad’s spiritual journey.
He said to me, “You know…. once upon a time, not so long ago, I thought that doctrine was very important.” Then he paused to see my reaction, I had none as I wanted to hear what he had to say. Then he went on and said, “And now that I am older… I am not so sure it is at all important.”
I sat still and just listened to his reasoning; I kept silent that night and let him speak. He had made up his mind and that was that, that was made clear to me. He told me that the older he got, the more he questioned his very rigid views on doctrine. This was in response to the recent claims made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams (see here to read a good article on this or if you don’t know much about the latest claims that the Archbishop made during the Christmas season).
What were some of the doctrines that he found unimportant?
Well, to my surprise they weren’t the secondary issues that he was questioning. But the very things that use to be held as fundamental to understanding God through biblical Christianity. Even in his earlier walk with God he said to me that these doctrines were once held by him to be very important, if not pivotal to his Christianity. Things like the virgin birth and the resurrection.
He said that now what was most important to him was his relationship with God, no matter how he understood Him. He likened it to a child who loves their father, but doesn’t know every little thing about their own father but loves him nonetheless. Likewise, the father loves the child regardless of their child’s lack of truly knowing him with 100 percent certainty. The father understands that there are some things that the child will never know or understand about the father but the relationship is built on love rather than knowledge.
Is this silence? Is this a space that is waiting to be filled?
However imperfect our understanding of God happens to be, can we still have a relationship with Him even if we find that the virgin birth and the resurrection is currently up for debate and is being dissected by post-modern de-constructionlism?
What do we have left if we have de-constructed biblical absolutes? If we have nothing but feelings and have found ourselves without any real answers, what then, and how should we actually feel about this ‘Great Unknowing‘? Should we celebrate, encourage and should we even want to stay in it? How do we begin to build a relationship within the ‘Great Unknowing‘? What foundation are we left with or do we have one at all? If we have no real foundation then what would that mean for society, as it would have no real direction and there would be a lull, a big space, a void if you like that has to be filled. What will fill this space? A world without a foundation is one that can be shaped in any way it chooses.
What comes next? The Ecclesiastical Question…
Ecc 4:6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
This is a world wide phenomena, post-modernism is a has-been, it is yesterdays news and very much past its used by date. And like a house built with a deck of cards it has fallen and it lays in wait, in expectation for something and it knows not what. It has left humanity with no answered questions and has left in its wake a big gaping chasm that is very much “In Between” times — the Post-modern and the next. That place is now empty and void and is waiting to be filled. In this big space of “In-Between” times, we have nothing, we have some sort of … “lull-and-void” that is waiting to be filled with something.
This is pivotal because people as a general rule want answers to the deeper questions of life. Otherwise why would they even bother asking the questions in the first place? If you don’t want the answers, don’t ask the questions. They cannot live their life without answers forever. They can try but they will never get past the questions and they become stuck within them, in a never ending circle, a chasing of the wind.
Ecc 1:14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecc 1:17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
As bible believing Christians we should be acutely aware of this time, and we should be ready to give answers. I give this advice to myself first and to be honest with you, I am challenged by it.
I think Peter had it right when he said that we should always be ready with an answer. This is most needed during this time, more than ever before!
1Pe 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Regarding doctrine and whether or not it is important for us today with our de-constructed laying in wait world. Obviously St. Paul found the topic of doctrine important. He tells us that there is indeed a sound doctrine and there is also a doctrine of demons. Why would he say this if this was not so?
Tit 1:9 clinging to the faithful Word according to the teaching, that he may be able both to encourage by sound doctrine and to convict the ones contradicting.
1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
What can fill this empty space of “In-Between” times?
Christ Jesus (The biblical One) can!
If not Him, then what is the alternative? I shudder to think! The alternative is what scares me. This empty space of “In-Between” times is ready to be injected with Truth, and if Truth is not heard or understood, then lies will be.
PS: I have just come across something interesting about the emerging Church in an article called…
The Great Divide, the Lull-and-Void, the Great Unknown… something is about to happen. Let’s be armed and ready with the full armor of God!
Eph 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
