In terms of world affairs it was one of the biggest news stories in the last seventy years. The Palestinian people, situated in various areas within Israel, were granted a "birth certificate" as a "non-member observer state" in the United Nations. Most might think this just a simple recognition or mere symbolism but it is much more than that. They can now take issues to the ICC, or International Criminal Court, where Israel may find itself charged someday with genocide, crimes against humanity or even war crimes.
The peace of the world revolves around that small plot of land called Israel. There is a hate directed at them that because of its persistence defies the imagination. It is a malignance that is ubiquitous. Many other nations just want to ignore Israel's existence so as not to find themselves a target of that hate. Love Israel, hate Israel or anything in between one must admit that it is the fulcrum of where this world is going.
The peace of the world revolves around that small plot of land called Israel. There is a hate directed at them that because of its persistence defies the imagination. It is a malignance that is ubiquitous. Many other nations just want to ignore Israel's existence so as not to find themselves a target of that hate. Love Israel, hate Israel or anything in between one must admit that it is the fulcrum of where this world is going.
The front page of today's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review showed a large Palestinian flag unfurled and stretched out by a crowd of people in a West Bank town...black, white and green stripes meeting a red valence. One might be tempted to think of the colors of the four horses of John's Revelation...black, red, white and pale...or green.
It sometimes seems as if we in America live in a suspended state of animation the future is there...but at the same time it isn't. We can imagine the possibilities of a future world war or the collapse of our monetary system, even our country, but can go no further in our minds than that, for it's only as a movie script.
Some Christians know two things: Jesus Christ is coming back...but definitely not now. It can't be now, in fact it is a perpetual future event! Other Christians see it differently. Not only do they think that Christ may indeed come back now, but that it looks as if He is very near, indeed they want him to.
Which side would be best to err on? In the former one might be caught unprepared, even unsaved. In the latter one might live their life looking, hoping even expecting the Second Coming of their Lord, as many others before have, only to go on to glory. Put us in another country, a country where Christians are persecuted, and we might see the wisdom of looking to Christ's return every day instead of retirement. [this post was written almost four years before I retired] We may live in a country like that country before it is all over. Would it not be best to prepare for retirement and for Christ's return...but not in that order? At least then there might still be time to get oil for our lamps!
It sometimes seems as if we in America live in a suspended state of animation the future is there...but at the same time it isn't. We can imagine the possibilities of a future world war or the collapse of our monetary system, even our country, but can go no further in our minds than that, for it's only as a movie script.
Some Christians know two things: Jesus Christ is coming back...but definitely not now. It can't be now, in fact it is a perpetual future event! Other Christians see it differently. Not only do they think that Christ may indeed come back now, but that it looks as if He is very near, indeed they want him to.
Which side would be best to err on? In the former one might be caught unprepared, even unsaved. In the latter one might live their life looking, hoping even expecting the Second Coming of their Lord, as many others before have, only to go on to glory. Put us in another country, a country where Christians are persecuted, and we might see the wisdom of looking to Christ's return every day instead of retirement. [this post was written almost four years before I retired] We may live in a country like that country before it is all over. Would it not be best to prepare for retirement and for Christ's return...but not in that order? At least then there might still be time to get oil for our lamps!
Note: Palestine today is what is called a....Permanent Observer State.
