"The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines." (Nahum 2:2, NIV)
You guessed it. This is from today's Minor Prophets reading. Again, nothing like the Word of God to be more up-to-date than the latest newspapers. Please take off any "Sunday School glasses."
I was deeply angered by the beheading of the British soldier in London. It was carried out by Muslims from the 10/40 "window." European culture is not without atrocities, wars, and aggression over the centuries. But in recent history the 10/40 window cultures have taken over medieval barbarism and taken it to a new level. The 10/40 nations for many years now have been taking the Koran seriously: "Oh, Muslim, there's a Jew hiding; kill him." And, "Slay them (i.e., any non Muslim) wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out....But if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah" (The Koran). In other words, if you and I convert to a murderous religion, then they will leave us alone. But this is also a deception. Islam hates the European; it has always hated the European; it will always hate the European. But even longer and more intense is their hatred of the Jews. Our text sums up the "mission statement" of Arab Islamism: "We want it said of us that we are, 'DESTROYERS [who] HAVE LAID... WASTE AND RUINED... VINES.'"
Yet regardless of the intent of the enemies of God's People, I rejoice that today's text has been fulfilled in my lifetime, is being fulfilled, and will continue to be fulfilled. King Jesus has and will always take care of His People. We (and all pacifists) must never forget Exodus 15:3, " The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His Name." And the forget-the-Old Testament people cannot say this is no longer true of God. Revelation 18 tells us, "Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said, 'With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down....In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.'" Then in Rev. 19, the Holy Spirit describes the scene of the Second Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns....He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is The Word of God.... Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh he has this name written: 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.' " In today's barbaric and gruesome world, you and I can take courage, my friend. His Word is a reminder that our Lord Jesus Christ will do battle at the close of the age and will completely fulfill, "The Lord will restore the splendor of," His People.
Father, in Jesus' Name, whatever I read, whatever I hear, may it always be interpreted by Your Words. Amen.
****************************
*We have $1000.00 towards our October 27-November 26 Mission
* Two Great Articles at: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
You guessed it. This is from today's Minor Prophets reading. Again, nothing like the Word of God to be more up-to-date than the latest newspapers. Please take off any "Sunday School glasses."
I was deeply angered by the beheading of the British soldier in London. It was carried out by Muslims from the 10/40 "window." European culture is not without atrocities, wars, and aggression over the centuries. But in recent history the 10/40 window cultures have taken over medieval barbarism and taken it to a new level. The 10/40 nations for many years now have been taking the Koran seriously: "Oh, Muslim, there's a Jew hiding; kill him." And, "Slay them (i.e., any non Muslim) wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out....But if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah" (The Koran). In other words, if you and I convert to a murderous religion, then they will leave us alone. But this is also a deception. Islam hates the European; it has always hated the European; it will always hate the European. But even longer and more intense is their hatred of the Jews. Our text sums up the "mission statement" of Arab Islamism: "We want it said of us that we are, 'DESTROYERS [who] HAVE LAID... WASTE AND RUINED... VINES.'"
Yet regardless of the intent of the enemies of God's People, I rejoice that today's text has been fulfilled in my lifetime, is being fulfilled, and will continue to be fulfilled. King Jesus has and will always take care of His People. We (and all pacifists) must never forget Exodus 15:3, " The Lord is a Man of War; the Lord is His Name." And the forget-the-Old Testament people cannot say this is no longer true of God. Revelation 18 tells us, "Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said, 'With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down....In her was found the blood of prophets and of God's holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.'" Then in Rev. 19, the Holy Spirit describes the scene of the Second Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns....He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is The Word of God.... Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh he has this name written: 'KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.' " In today's barbaric and gruesome world, you and I can take courage, my friend. His Word is a reminder that our Lord Jesus Christ will do battle at the close of the age and will completely fulfill, "The Lord will restore the splendor of," His People.
Father, in Jesus' Name, whatever I read, whatever I hear, may it always be interpreted by Your Words. Amen.
****************************
*We have $1000.00 towards our October 27-November 26 Mission
* Two Great Articles at: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
