“That’s what they want you to think,” said Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) explaining his wild eyed, conspiracy theory to an uncomfortable Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts) in the box office success “Conspiracy Theory” (1997). If a conspiracy is only an evil plan formulated by two or more persons in secret, then only our desire of credibility keeps us from labeling anything a conspiracy. A Gallup Poll (May 2023) found 74% of Americans believed in God and 58% believed in a devil. With increasingly fewer believing in supernatural entities, Christians desiring to explain their worldview of a cosmic but predictable chess match between Yahweh and His formidable-but-already-defeated-enemy the devil is increasingly more challenging. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV).
Cosmic Chess Match
Enigma of Peace
As much as Christians may support the existence of a nation state of Israel, it is difficult to envision a time where Palestinians and Israelis would be at peace. Yet, the prophet Ezekiel speaks of a future time when Gog, who is Russia, and her allies will come against Israel, which will be a nation dwelling “safely” (Ezekiel 38:11 KJV). But, safety comes only after the one who turns out to be the Antichrist comes to Israel’s aid to “confirm the covenant with many for one week” (Daniel 9:27 KJV). Peace with the Palestinians will be a justifiable part of the attraction for the Israelis, but Antichrist’s true motive will be seeking all to worship him as God — in the middle of the Tribulation Week (Daniel 9:27, Mark 13:14). “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:4 KJV). Prophecy is being played out like a cosmic chess match.
We Need A Miracle 