If I Were Hamas

If I were Hamas, in the Israeli Gaza Conflict (2023-2024). Since my goal would be the utter destruction of the nation of Israel, then I would count the elimination of world support for Israel and the Jews as the major accomplishment of the Israeli Gaza Conflict. “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:4 KJV). And, since I would be willing to martyr my life and the lives of all of Gaza, then any concession from Israel only adds towards their final destruction. All I would need is the tangible ill will of world opinion against Israel, and the fate of Israel would be sealed. “Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered” (Jeremiah 11:19). But, I am not Hamas. 

The World Has Gone Mad

And, God doesn’t seem to know how to control it. “This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead” (Ecclesiastes 9:3 KJV). Anything else new under the sun? But, do we seriously believe that God is still not the Judge of All the Earth (Genesis 18:25)? He is, whether we confess it or not. God shares His Gospel to convert the ungodly, but He shares His prophecies, so we’ll know that everything is going as planned.

What’s Wrong With Hedonism?

To begin, what is hedonism? “HEE” + “duh” + “ni” + “zuhm” A devotion to pleasure or happiness as its highest good is hedonism. “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:19 KJV). As a created being, our purpose cannot be for the service of self as our highest pleasure, but the service of God. Not just philosophically but practically and functionally, we cannot seek pleasure simply for the sake of pleasure. Disciples do not seek merely the fulfillment of our senses, but the fulness of God. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Allow not the satan’s temptation to substitute your God given needs for your reason for existence. Only the Spirit of God can keep us safe. LORD, keep Your people as the apple of Your eye focused upon You, the apple of our eye. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Fear of Prophecy

The fear that prophecy will do more harm than good seems to be an often found position in Christendom rather than comforting friends about how to act consistently with their Father’s future plans. “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Matthew 13:11 KJV). Preterists (prophecy has already been fulfilled) are afraid the dispensationalsts (rapture is imminent) will confuse the Church about a rapture non-event, while taking away from or neglecting to relieve the poor until the New Heavens and New Earth are ushered in. Post-Tribulationists (rapture at end of Tribulation Week) are afraid the faith of the Pre-Tribulationists (rapture at the beginning of the Tribulation Week) will be overthrown, when they are required to go through the Tribulation. And, the Pre-Tribulationalists are afraid the Body of Christ will not understand how to act as the world rapidly advances toward the Tribulation Week. What’s the solution? Love the LORD, and love His appearing. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” (2Timothy 4:8).

 

What Really Saves Us?

It is not what, but who saves us? If Jesus is not the answer to that question, then you have a problem with salvation. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). Do you know Him as Yeshua, Messiah, Christ, or the LORD, then you are still referring to Jesus. Did repentance or turning away from sin save you? “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Did baptism or taking the loyalty oath to Jesus save you? Did faith or trusting in Jesus to forgive your sins save you? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Did confessing Jesus to be your Lord save you? “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Yes to all the above, but it really is Jesus that saves you. Lest you become confused and start insisting that you are getting yourself to Heaven because you believed, repented, confessed Jesus as Lord, or you took the loyalty oath and were baptized, so you are now saved. You are saved only because and for as long as He says you are saved, because of Jesus! Accept no other! LORD, help us to put our eyes upon Thee and never remove them! Amen and amen. 

In the Twinkling of an Eye

Heaven is a place, but it is also a change of dimension. Paul attempted to teach this truth to the Corinthians. “Behold, I shew [shō] you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV). The whole study of God and last things brings us to this mystery. In the blink of an eye, we shall change our dimension into Christ’s presence. The last or final blast of the trumpet for both the living and dead saints will produce this instantaneous change. This is the hope of rapture and resurrection for the Body of Christ. LORD, purify Your body of disciples in hope of this transformation. Come quickly. Lord Jesus. Amen.

Rapture: The Blessed Hope

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJV). Sure, I’d like to go, if there’s a Rapture, but how do you know it’s so? Harpazō is the NT Greek for catching up or rapture. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:17). Here, harpazō is understandably connected with the “coming of the Lord” (4:15). We will be “caught up” (4:17) to the Lord in the air to reunite with our predeceased brothers and sisters before we all return with Christ. Harpazō also occurs in Revelation 12:5, where the “woman” (12:1), representing Israel, brings forth the Messiah, who is “caught up” (12:5) to the throne of God. Likewise, the Church as the Body of Christ will be raptured to Heaven, after which Israel will be forced to flee “into the wilderness” (12:6). May the Spirit of Christ “comfort” you (1Thessalonians 4:18) with these words, but let us not be impatient or contentious with one another, least of all, about the Rapture. “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29). 

What’s So Unique About Antisemitism?

Hate never feels good directed against yourself. Hatred directed against Jews and Israel is in a category by itself. Islamophobia or indifference to the plight of Gaza feels no different, but for the simple observation that the satan especially hates Israel. “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1 KJV). This is not secular news analysis, but strictly biblical reasoning. “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes” (Romans 11:28). Satan’s rage against Yahweh is so great, he hates whatever God loves. And, it’s kind of strange, since modern, secular Israel is not the Israel of King David. It is as if the Almighty is allowing Israel’s circumstances to become so dire, they will have to acknowledge Him, again. But, the Christians will also have to come to terms with their understanding of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:27). How will Israel and the world receive the one who delivers world peace, but later requires worship as God on penalty of death (Revelation 13:15)? LORD, teach Your children who to trust and deliver them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

If You Have to Ask

Then, it didn’t happen. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, that is. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7 KJV). This is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, not the Rapture. Everyone without exception will know when Jesus the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords returns. The angels declared, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). With a sharp two-edged sword in His mouth (Revelation 19:15), He will descend at the Battle of Armageddon to “smite the nations” (19:15). As He departed from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12), His feet will touch again the mount, which will cleave in two (Zechariah 14:4). He will judge the nations (Joel 3:1-2; Matthew 25:31-46), then begin His Millennial Reign upon earth (Revelation 20:3-7). LORD, come quickly in judgment and righteousness. Help us in this time of grace to put our houses in order to prepare for Your appearing. Amen. 

Deathbed Visions

Supernatural visions are not simply the realm of the religious. Chris Kerr, MD, PhD Neurobiology, after reflecting on his experience with the death of his father, said: “When I was present at the bedside of the dying, I was confronted by what I had seen and tried so hard to forget from my childhood. I saw dying patients reaching and calling out to mothers, and to fathers, and to children, many of whom hadn’t been seen for many years. But what was remarkable was so many of them looked at peace.” Don’t misunderstand. Not everyone goes to Heaven, except those who obtain “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 KJV). But, how anyone finds that way, is in the hands of God. LORD, in our desire to accurately point seekers the way to Heaven, may we not forget that You are the Gatekeeper, and who You let in, is completely fine with us. Only may we be in that number. Amen.