Real News

A few headlines from this past week.

Savaging Trump plan, Abbas says Palestinians cutting all ties with Israel, US.        Times of Israel

Iran President: Trump’s Peace Deal Is the Most Despicable Plan of the Century.        Jerusalem Online

Turkey’s President Erdogan Lashes Out at Gulf States for ‘Betraying’ Palestinians.        Algemeiner/Reuters

Arab League rejects Trump's Middle East plan.       Aljazeera

Would you believe this is good news?

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”   Daniel 9:27  NKJV

I am sure many like me who watch the events unfolding in the Middle East often wonder at some of the personalities involved in the “peace process” and form the opinion that it certainly appears that this may be something which will never be accomplished.  If that thought has ever crossed your mind, let me be the first to congratulate you.  You see, in my opinion you are exactly right; it never will.  Now many might read those words and counter with the statement that the antichrist does indeed bring peace between Israel and its enemies, but as to that thought, I think it important that we examine this passage from Daniel a little closer.

Many of you are probably familiar with Chuck Missler, a wonderful Bible teacher and founder of Koinonia House.  I have been fortunate enough to not only study many of his teachings, but to visit KHouse to hear him teach.  Over time, there are two things he has said which have had an enormous effect on how I approach my study of the scripture and I would like to share those with you today.  The first is, “if you torture the data long enough, you can get it to confess to anything.”  The second is, “we should not only be aware of what the Bible says, but of what it doesn’t say as well.”  It is with those two principles in mind that I will attempt to explain my thoughts on peace in the Middle East, and this passage from Daniel.

Since taking office, President Trump has made peace in the Middle East a priority for his administration.  Relations with Israel are as good if not better than they have ever been, and Jerusalem has finally been officially recognized as the capital of Israel by our government.  Then this past week we finally saw revealed the framework for a peace agreement that has been promised for quite some time and highly anticipated.  Unfortunately, as most have come to expect by now, the Palestinian leadership as well as a few other of Israel’s enemies have totally rejected it.  This has led our government to take the position that it seems apparent to all that the Palestinian Authority has no interest in peace, and is not a viable partner in any discussions to end this stalemate.

As this relates to the passage from Daniel, I want to point out a few things which I believe we all need to be aware of.  Many have taught, and many think that the coming antichrist signs a peace agreement between Israel and its enemies.  While that position has often been inferred from verse 27, it certainly is not what it says.  What it does say is, “he shall confirm a covenant with many”.  “He” refers to the coming world leader also known as the antichrist.  “Shall confirm” is the Hebrew word “gabar” which literally means “to enforce”.  “A covenant” is the Hebrew word “bĕriyth” which is used over one hundred times in the Old Testament to refer to an agreement between either men, or between God and man.  The phrase, “with many” is the word “rab” which means “a great many, multitude”, and in the context of this passage is used as an idiom referring to the nation of Israel. 

Understanding that the text tells us this covenant will be enforced, many scholars and teachers have come to believe it is not a new agreement, but rather an existing one, and as God has an “everlasting covenant” with the nation of Israel concerning the land, many believe this verse is telling us that the antichrist will enforce an agreement giving Israel the permanent borders it has never had since being regathered as a nation.  I believe this makes perfect sense considering permanent borders has been the sticking point between Israel and its enemies since 1948. 

This is from Chuck Missler’s teaching on Daniel; “This "70th Week" of this prophecy is defined by the duration of time - seven years - during which this coming world leader commits to confirming (or enforcing) a covenant. (He doesn't necessarily "sign a treaty"; he may simply enforce what is commonly called the Palestinian Covenant: Israel's right to the land.)” 

Yet probably the most important point here is that this verse tells us that this covenant with Israel is enforced, rather than agreed to.  If we understand that a covenant, as defined in the Bible, is an agreement between two parties, then it follows that Israel finds the terms of this covenant acceptable.  Taking that into consideration, it also follows then that this covenant is not “enforced” upon Israel, but rather on its enemies.  Using the power he possesses, the antichrist will force Israel’s enemies to accept the fact that Israel will be allowed to exist and live in peace within borders that are designated by the covenant.  Unfortunately, as we all know, this passage also tells us this enforcement will only last for three and a half years out of the seven before the antichrist stops the sacrifice and worship in the temple and declares himself to be God.

I believe if we look carefully at the relationship that Israel has with its enemies at the present time, this narrative certainly seems to make sense.  There is no real desire for any type of peace with the nation of Israel by those who would do her harm, rather it would appear that Israel is alone in truly wanting peace.  They are more than prepared to accept an agreement which would guarantee their right to live within established borders while the surrounding countries would most certainly have to be forced to accept it.  So while many might be exasperated by the intransigence of the Palestinian Authority, and the outright hatred by a few of their neighbors, I believe it to be a sign that the end as described by Daniel is most certainly near.

Every week we are treated to more and more signs that our deliverance is close at hand.  If you have never made the decision to accept the gift of eternal life offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ I urge you to do it today.  Simply tell God you accept His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and turn your life over to His control.  Never forget today might be the day, and tomorrow might be too late.

Keep watching.

I thought today I would also share something with you that I found this past week which not only encouraged me, but also made me smile.  I have shared before the saying, “coincidence isn’t kosher”, which I have heard more than once in my studies over the years.  Well, this past week one of the devotionals I read on a daily basis was about Enoch, and the fact that he was of the seventh generation from Adam when he was raptured.  As I thought about that, I recalled talking to you a few weeks ago about the length of a generation being 70-80 years as we are told by God.  Considering many of us in the body believe the rapture is imminent, and we are the generation that will experience the rapture, I wondered if looking back from this point 7 generations would produce anything of signifigance.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered that we are the seventh generation from when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five thesis to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenburg Germany in 1517 starting the period we now know as the Great Reformation.  Probably just coincidence.

The Darker it Gets, the Brighter Your Light

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts [it] in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. "The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when [your eye] is bad, your body also [is] full of darkness. "Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. "If then your whole body [is] full of light, having no part dark, [the] whole [body] will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."                    Luke 11:33-36 NKJV

I was fortunate enough to be raised by Christian parents and introduced to our Lord at a very early age. Some of my most favorite memories are of sitting in Sunday School singing songs and listening to the stories as we were taught about the Gospel of Christ, and Jesus' love for us. One of my memories is of how much we liked to sing certain songs, which was evident in the volume we sung them. One of those which I am sure many of you remember as well is called “This Little Light of Mine”. Complete with hand motions, we would sing that particular song as loud as five and six year old children possibly could.

I don't remember how old I was when I figured out that the message in this song was taken straight from scripture, but it is one lesson that I have never forgotten, and in light of where we see the world going lately, one which I feel is extremely important to all of us. One doesn't have to read and study scripture very long before coming to the knowledge of the importance God places on the actions of those who profess to believe. I know of, and have heard so many instances where people have found out after the fact that people around them were watching them closely to see if their actions in life lived up to their profession of faith. It happens all the time and yet there are many in the body which seem to be completely unaware of the fact that their light might be burning a little “dim”.

Something I am sure most of you have already noticed is that at times the Bible certainly could be described as a book of opposites. This is especially true when you contrast what the Bible calls the “works of the flesh” and the “fruits of the Spirit”.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”   Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”          Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV

So the question for us is simple...what do others see when they look at us? Do they see a light shining in the darkness or a light hidden so well that we look just like the world around us? Many, if asked, would say that the world is getting darker. Society is changing quicker than ever and the relative morality of the world is spiraling downwards at an ever increasing pace. The struggle for us as believers is to insure that we continue to reflect the light that is in us even as persecution begins to be commonplace as we are attacked for our faith in God and adherence to His principles.

“in all things showing yourself [to be] a pattern of good works; in doctrine [showing] integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”            Titus 2:7-8 NKJV

Since next Sunday is the Super Bowl it seems appropriate to use football as an illustration in some way so I will try to do that in light of what we are talking about. I'm sure most of us, either in football or something else, could at one time or another be described as a fan. Fans like a certain team and support them (sometimes exuberantly) as the season goes on. They may even wear their team’s colors with hats or jerseys or even fly flags which show their support. But what happens when their team begins to lose? Have you seen pictures of stadiums which are only half full because fans either leave early or don't come at all? I think you could make the case that in difficult times, when the going gets rough; the only people who still show support are those who are committed followers of their team.

As believers, maybe that is a question we need to ask ourselves when times get difficult. Are we true followers of God who are committed to follow Him no matter what the cost or the circumstances in which we find ourselves? Or are we simply fair weather fans who are committed only when things are going well and we are happy with our circumstances?

“Beloved, I beg [you] as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by [your] good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”   1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV

More and more we see those who choose to believe be attacked for their faith, but this passage makes it clear that even though others may choose to speak against us, the fact that we choose to stay strong and keep the faith will glorify God in the end. Others are watching us, especially as the circumstances around us get more difficult.  Yet it goes without saying that a light shines brighter the dark grows darker.  Our responsibility is to make sure our light shines in such a way as for others to see. 

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”            Romans 8:22-23   NKJV

Is it no wonder we find it difficult to wait upon the Lord? We watch as our nation experiences anger, protest, and even violence. Much of that is now being directed at the body of Christ and those who choose to live according to His principles. Yet waiting is what is expected of us as believers, so I think it important that we should be looking for some of the reasons God asks this of us. I would like to share just three ideas I have about why we as believers find ourselves in this situation right now.

One: We are being prepared to fully appreciate eternity with our Lord.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”                                              2 Corinthians 4:17-18  NKJV

The more we must endure down here increases the joy we will find when we finally experience the glory of life with God in the place He has prepared for us. The longer the wait is, the stronger the anticipation and the greater the appreciation.

Two: We are being strengthened with power from above which allows us to complete the tasks He has set for us here.

“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. “       Isaiah 40:31  NKJV

We know what is expected of us here on this earth, and it should come as no surprise that the opportunities to share our faith will increase dramatically as the end draws near. In a way, you could say this is our time to shine, and God has promised to give us the strength necessary to succeed.

Three: We are to be living examples of His faithfulness.

“For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”                          Psalms 100:5 NKJV

I have three daughters who are grown and living on their own now, and one of the lessons about life that I often have an opportunity to share with them is God's faithfulness. Of course I have to explain to them it's easier for me because I am a little older than they are (okay, a lot older) but having experienced more examples of God's faithfulness makes it easier to accept whatever situation I find myself in. I simply remind them of the situations in their past when they were in agony about waiting for something, yet God always came through. In these situations God demonstrates His faithfulness to us, and also through us so others can see.

At times, waiting can be agony. I won't deny that and neither will you. I am so ready for Jesus to return, but He isn't here yet and we are being asked to wait a little longer. How long? I have no idea, but it certainly doesn't look like it will be much longer until the labor pains will be over and we will be delivered to glory with Him while the world is delivered to tribulation. It should go without saying that there are reasons for making us wait. I truly believe it is because our light can shine brighter as the world around us gets darker. Look to God for strength, and be busy making the most of the opportunities we have in the short time we have left.

If you have never chosen to accept the gift of eternal life provided for us by God the Father, I would urge you to do it today.  Time to make that choice is indeed rapidly running out and Jesus returning to take His own back with Him to heaven could happen at any time.  All you need to do is simply ask Him for forgiveness for your sin, invite Him to come into your life, and believe He died to pay the price for your redemption.  A simple prayer like this is all that He wants to hear from you.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Now let your light shine.

Keep watching.

The Greatest Sign of All

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”   Matthew 24:3  NKJV

If you are familiar with this passage from the Olivet Discourse and have read it before, or even if you are reading it for the first time, I wonder if you have ever thought that we today, as the body of Christ, are not much different than the disciples were for the simple reason that we too are looking for signs of Jesus’ return.  The desire to know when our deliverance from this world will occur, the time when Jesus Christ will once again make His presence known, is a completely normal response to the promises we have received from Him.  Yet because that event is so dearly anticipated, Jesus responds to the disciple’s questions, and our own, with a warning.

“And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.”   Matthew 24:4  NKJV

I personally find it ironic, then, that Jesus’ answers to their questions in the Olivet Discourse have proven over time to be one of the most divisive and confusing passages for those who study eschatology are challenged to understand.   Obviously, Jesus foresaw the debates that would result from attempts to decipher exactly what He was saying to the disciples in response to their question of what to watch for, and the future of the nation of Israel.  Yet I can’t help but wonder if over time we have overly complicated what Jesus meant to be a rather simple answer to their questions?

“Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.”   Daniel 9:25  NKJV

You may wish to debate whether or not the disciples were aware of this prophecy from Daniel 9, but it is my opinion that they were, especially as we can see that Jesus referred to it as part of His answer to their questions.

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”   Matthew 24:15-16  NKJV

So in context, with the knowledge that Israel’s destiny was limited to a period of seventy weeks (of years, each week being seven years long), the disciples were told by Jesus exactly what to look for in order to recognize when the last week was imminent and what to expect would occur during those seven years before the end of the age when He would return.  With that in mind, we come to what some consider the “great debate”.  Namely, if Jesus is talking about the seven year tribulation period the nation of Israel must endure, why would He speak the following words?

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, “and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. “Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”   Matthew 24:36-44  NKJV

For as long as I have studied this passage over many, many years, the debate has always been, do these words refer to the rapture of the Church or not?  On the one hand, why would Jesus refer to the rapture of a Church that had yet to be formed and that the disciples were completely unaware of?  On the other hand, if this refers to Jesus second coming, how could Israel not know the day of His return when they are told the tribulation period is exactly seven years totaling 2520 days on the Jewish 360 day calendar?  I rather doubt that my answer will settle a debate which has lasted as long as this one, but for what it is worth, I decided to let an English philosopher help me out.

You may not recognize the name William of Ockham, but it’s entirely possible you have heard the phrase “Occam’s razor”.  It describes a principle stated by this philosopher that is applied to problem solving and is often called a law of economy or parsimony.  This principle can be best explained as this; “the simplest answer is most often the correct one”. My personal experience over many years is that this principle is extremely valuable in solving just about any problem we can encounter either practically or philosophically.  So how have I applied it to this particular question?

Simply this; the apostles asked a question and Jesus gave an answer.  The question was; how will we know when the end of the age is near?  Jesus’ answer was; when the Church disappears in the rapture.  Now of course, Jesus shared many signs that would also occur but in answer to the question “why mention the rapture” I would argue that it is the greatest sign of all.  How could Israel and the world explain away or ignore the disappearance of millions of people in an instant?  What follows is an excerpt from a teaching on the Olivet discourse by Chuck Missler of khouse.org.

The direct clue to the real issue is the immediately following verse:

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. -Matthew 24:36

That would seem to have in view the Harpazo, or "rapture" of the church, (3) which is the principal event that is distinctively without precedent prerequisite events. It appears to be the trigger to the entire scenario. The removal of the church is also the event which removes the present blindness of Israel: (4)

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. -Romans 11:25

https://www.khouse.org/articles/2000/289/print/

Notice the phrase he uses; “It appears to be the trigger to the entire scenario.”  I couldn’t agree more.  The simple answer as to why Jesus mentions the rapture when answering the disciples questions concerning what to watch for is simply that it is the sign which reveals to Israel and the world that the end is about to begin.  There will always be those who argue that earthquakes, famine, plagues, and wars have been a part of history since the beginning of time, yet the one thing that has never happened and the one sign that no one could possibly ignore is the mass disappearance of so many in the blink of an eye.  It is, and will be, the greatest sign of all.  The question for all today, though, is are you ready?

If you are unsure about your answer to that question, I urge you to make the decision to accept the free gift of salvation offered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for your sin and accept it today by telling Him you believe He died for your sins, and asking Him to come into your life. 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”   John 3:16  NKJV

Keep watching.