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)
Temple Building
As you know the High Priest’s crown has been made. I wonder who will wear the crown and when this will happen?
And the blueprints for the temple are being put together…
In addition, we have begun work on architectural blueprints for the Third Temple, including cost projection, modern supplies, electricity, plumbing, computers, etc.”
And what about the Menorah…?
Menorah Moves Closer to Temple Mount
Rabbi Richman noted that in less than two weeks from now, on Rosh Chodesh Tevet, the famous Menorah (candelabrum) - suitable for use in the Holy Temple, familiar to visitors to the Cardo section of the Old City of Jerusalem - will be relocated to the landing of the wide staircase that leads down from the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall. It will be protected inside the same type of glass structure that now houses it.
Well, take a look at this…[click on the thumbnail to get a much bigger picture]
a never before published glimpse of the golden menorah, at the very moment of its completion. Behind the three kneeling craftsmen stand three of the Temple Institute Rabbis.
The golden-plate Menorah stands overlooking the 
Western Wall, adjacent to the steps in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter. Based on years of extensive historical and Jewish legal research, the magnificent piece is the first ever to be built since the destruction of the Second Temple, thousands of years ago.
While all of this is happening, we still have the problem of certain governments not even recognising Israel’s right to exist… see Here for a photo and read the banner behind Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh.
Turbulent times ahead me thinks…
To download a video about the High Priest crown go Here. This is a very significant moment as the two Rabbis speak about this crown you can see the crown situated on a a table between the two of them.
- The Sanhedrin - the Lamb - and the Temple [This post has a lot about the position of where the temple may need to sit, interesting to see that it lines up with scripture!]
What of Israel? *** Please help!!! ***
Dr. Calvin Smith of Midlands Bible College is in the middle of doing some research for a new book and he would like some help with comments and different opinions from all over the blogosphere.
So, first things first, the following is just a blurb about what it is he is actually doing and how anyone else can help if they feel they want to …!!!!
“What of Israel?” This is for two reasons. First, I want the new category to serve as a resource for those interested in Christian responses to Israel. Moreover, while I have strong views on this issue, it is important that this resource posits alternative views, questions, doubts, and concerns which need to be explored and dealt with. Only by exploring the whole range of Evangelical opinion can such a work be considered truly authoritative and scholarly.
This leads to the second reason for my desire to create a new category on this issue. Of course, I regularly interact with students and fellow colleagues on a whole range of theological issues. But my desire is that as I research this subject, distance learning students, friends of the college, and other Christians can also contribute to the debate, thus ensuring the whole effort is at least a collaborative one. So I am not simply looking for agreement with my views (though it is nice to know when arguments crafted are both persuasive and effective). In fact, I am interested in hearing from both sympathisers AND opponents, as ultimately this will enable me to consider and deal with the full range of issues. All we ask is that contributions are thoughtful, genuinely concerned with establishing truth (a concept out of fashion in today’s postmodern milieu), and which are not unnecessarily aggresive (though we encourage passionate expression of views).
Thus, my request from our readers is simple. First, please circulate details of this blog and particularly the “What of Israel?” category as widely as possible, to fellow Christians, your church, and elsewhere, both as a resource and to encourage Christian to debate the subject of Israel. Second, please contribute your thoughts, questions, and ideas to this section of the blog as much as possible. Some of these will help me, as well as also challenge readers, so making all of us more effective in our views. (The phrase “iron sharpens iron” comes to mind). Third, just as you contribute to this particular discussion (or in New Labour parlance, a “Grand Conversation”), be prepared to engage with the issues raised and the views of others fairly, openly, and above all from a biblical perspective. My aim is for a collaborative effort that produces a debate which seeks biblically-sound, theologically-viable, politically-sophisticated and non-rhetorically-driven conclusions on the very many facets of this issue.
I make no apologies for taking a pro-Israel stance, which is where I currently stand at the present stage in my research (though my position is far from slavish or subjective… I have grappled with these issues for years). It has led to the college being singled out by at least one Christian organisation as one of only three or four UK mainstream Bible colleges that take a position in support of Israel on the issue, though it should be noted that our faculty have a free view on the issue. Neither does the college include a statement along these lines in its core beliefs and values. Moreover, yet once again for the record I reject an “Israel right or wrong” stance. After all, if biblical Israel sinned and angered God, it is folly to say, as some extreme Christian Zionists suggest, that Israel today is totally guiltless of sin and can do no wrong. All such views do is make support for modern Israel all the more difficult to justify. So honesty rooted in good biblical theology, devoid of the philosophical agenda of the current political Zeitgeist, is what I am after.
Therefore, please help me in this project as I seek genuine discussion which is biblically-based and prayerfully-driven. I want to hear all views, regardless of how far advanced in your studies you are, or how much (or little) time you have devoted to this issue. Even the simplest of questions demonstrate what the current Evangelical thought on the the issue might be and how Christians should respond. Thank you.
© Calvin L. Smith 2007.
You can find more at the ‘Midlands Bible College Blog’ under the category called ‘What of Israel?‘.
So go on over and have a read of some of his posts and add your comments, keep it respectful and remember he wants to hear it all, the good with the bad!
If Jerusalem splits, Palestinians want to move to Israel!
I am red flagging this post as we are nearing the time of some important decision making by people in power. I wonder what the outcome will be?
In the article called ‘Thousands of Palestinians apply for Israeli citizenship‘ by Ronny Shaked, he writes about the increase in the number of applications for Palestinians in wanting to become Israeli citizens since the proposed division of Jerusalem has become headline news.
Some 250,000 Palestinians currently reside in Jerusalem. Only 12,000 of them have sought to obtain an Israeli citizenship since 1967, an average of about 300 new citizens a year.But over the past four months the Interior Ministry has registered an unprecedented 3,000 applications, primarily residents of the Arab neighborhoods unlikely to remain under Israeli sovereignty according to the political initiative currently on the agenda.
Interesting isn’t it?
As accepting Israeli citizenship was viewed by many within the community as tantamount to treason, most Palestinians opted to remain permanent residents and enjoy the benefits of living under Israeli sovereignty – full welfare rights, municipal voting rights and unrestricted movement - without putting their loyalty to the Palestinian Authority into question.
Some people are saying that this a ‘Trojan Horse‘ and we should watch out! And other people are asking ‘will this include military service?’
And what is it about ‘East Jerusalem’ why is it so important to Jews and Christians and should we be concerned about this city at all?
It includes Jerusalem’s Old City and some of the holiest sites of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, such as the Temple Mount, Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. @Wiki
But did you know that Israel has not been allowed to make Jerusalem its capital! As far as I know this is the only country in the world that cannot lay claim to their own capital city! Go figure.
Israeli Parliament passed the Jerusalem Law declaring all of Jerusalem an “eternal and indivisible capital of the State of Israel,” which, however, has not been recognised internationally.
The UN graciously decided it should become an international city and as a result no country has ever put their embassy there.
Psa 137:5-6 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
Luk 19:4144 And as He drew near, seeing the city, He wept over it, saying, If you had known, even you, even at least in this day of yours, the things for your peace! But now they were hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you, and ones hostile to you will raise up a rampart to you and will surround you and will keep you in on all sides, and will tear you down, and your children in you, and will not leave a stone on a stone, because you did not know the time of your visitation.
Zec 12:2-3 Behold! I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the peoples all around, and it shall also be against Judah in the siege against Jerusalem. And in that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it shall be slashed. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.
I reckon God will have the last word about it, don’t you!
Although the world’s politicians are about to decide on the fate of God’s Holy city in ‘Annapolis‘ all are not happy with the two state solution.
“We wrote to President Bush, a man who believes in the Bible, to warn him against the terrible danger to which he is exposing his country by hosting such a conference,” said Rabbi Meir Druckman, one of signatories to the letter.
“The land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel. God punishes anyone who coerces Israel to give up its land,” he said.
While Jacob Prasch had this to say…
As He promised Abraham & The Patriarchs, God will indeed either bless or curse those who either bless or curse Abraham’s descendants – but his physical descendants Israel & The Jews, and his spiritual descendants, regenerate believers.
At present, the British & American governments wink the eye and turn a blind eye to the proven intolerance and persecution of Christians by the Saudi Arabian Wahabists and by virtually every Islamic country in the world, just as they ignore Saudi funding of fundamentalist extremism which inherently engenders support for Moslem terror.
In open defiance of God’s Word, President Bush recently announced his universalism – that all religions pray to the same god. Bush is a liar. In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks Bush placed a Koran , a book teaching that ‘God has no Son’ in The White House to honor Islam, issued a Ramadan Eid US postage stamp, and holds Ramadan Banquets in The White House.
Now this son of the devil is wanting to further divide Israel’s covenant land in further rejection of the warnings of God’s Word, in order to appease Islam (Proverbs 22:28).
Pretty strong words!
