War of Hearts – 24 July 2014

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Israel’s 10th President, Reuven (Ruby) Rivlin has just been consecrated and sworn in at the Knesset (Parliament), succeeding Shimon Peres after seven years in that office.  During the much subdued ceremony compared to normal times (due to the current military operation/war in Gaza against the Hamas terrorist regime), sirens were heard in Beer Sheva and all around the Jewish towns and kibbutzes around Gaza. Both the out-going President, and the in-coming, expressed confidence of defeating the terrorist threat, both against Israel and her citizenry, and also against ordinary Gazans suffering by their elected government.

War on Earth first manifested when Cain killed his innocent and righteous brother, Abel, and then rejected personal responsibility and to come back to God on His terms. Yet, for all this, YHVH let Cain know that He would avenge him against whoever might kill him , and would even s descendant, married two women, got hurt by a boy, killed him, and threatened anyone to challenge him, and promised to avenge himself 77 times! Does any of this sound familiar as individuals grew to become nations and history unfolds before our eyes?

For the first time in a long time, the EU has understood that Israel is fighting against terrorists, who need to be disarmed.  They hatefully and inhumanely hide behind and under innocent men, women, and children in the line of fire.  At the same time, though, UN organizations such UNRWA, UNESCO, UNHRC are accusing Israel of war crimes and considering taking her to the international criminal court!  Despite all the evidence and proof of Hamas’ reign of terror both within and without its territory, they are NOT being either rebuked or investigated, and are given ‘equal’ status to a legitimate government.  As the elected government of Gaza, Israel COULD legally go to war against GAZA, and not only against terrorists in Gaza.  The world’s unwarranted hatred of Israel and favor towards the likes of Hamas is reminiscent of those who wildly cried out to release the rebel, robber, and murderer Barabbas, and to crucify Yeshua.

Some thoughts to consider:
1.  Each time that Hamas refused to accept cease-fire arrangements, or broke the two humanitarian ones early, Israel discovered and recognized the extent and seriousness of the massive tunnel network and underground city which Hamas has expertly built over many years with the billions of dollars it receives from the U.S., the EU, and Qatar.  Did the western nations not notice that virtually no building was going on above ground to develop the Gaza Strip as a functioning society?!

Yet, for all that, Israel is censured and deligitimized while terrorists bully and intimidate and threaten anyone who challenges them and withholds from them ‘payment’.  Such is the hardness of the sinful heart that sets itself against the righteousness, truth, and love of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Pharoah was an example of this, but listen to the Word of God of things to come:

In Rev 13:5-9, the Holy Spirit has this to say about the christ to come and believers then:

“And a mouth speaking great things was given to it, and blasphemies. And authority was given to it to continue forty-two months.
And it opened its mouth in blasphemy toward God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, and those dwelling in Heaven.
And it was given to it to war with the saints and to overcome them.  And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation.
And all dwelling on the earth will worship it, those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain, from the foundation of the world.
If anyone has an ear, let him hear.”

In Rev 9:20-21, John is given to write of those who will survive the plagues associated with the sixth trumpet:

“And the rest of the men who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and golden, and silver, and bronze, and stone, and wooden idols (which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk).
And they did not repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”

2.  A strong Israel remains more resistant to the message of the gospel, since the nation will continue to think that they can handle their own affairs and determine its own destiny, and that God is with them and blessing them without believing in Yeshua/Jesus, who alone has protected them throughout our history, and has provided the only way which will secure true peace and tranquility, not for her only, but for the entire world.

Israel remains the enemy of the gospel so that more Gentiles can still be saved through faith in God’s Messiah — Yeshua/Jesus — before “all Israel” — the full remnant from among all the tribes — will be saved.   Meanwhile, individual Jewish people inside and outside of Israel are being saved, but many more Gentiles, including those who are Muslims and enemies now of Israel and her God, are being brought into God’s Kingdom and household.  This continuing negative side of the Israeli people’s stubbornness and stiff-neckedness, and their continuing successes against all odds, will also bring forth the increasing rise, which we already can see, of anti-semitism and violence against the Jews, against Israel, and also against Christians.

God has built in frustration and futility in all the affairs of man, so that people might seek Him, in whom alone is perfection, and that believers will anticipate with a lively hope the return of the Lord.  No matter what the outcome of this present warfare, there will not be complete satisfaction on the part of Israel’s government, or among all her people, or among those who sympathize with the Palestinian narrative.  The cancelling of air flights to and out from Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport is a blow to Israel’s economy in many ways for a long time; the soldier who is missing, whom Hamas claims is in their custody (whether dead or alive is not known), plays on the strongest human emotions as to what to do about that; the kidnaping and murder of the three Israeli teens still remains a mystery as to the whereabouts of those who carried out the event which started the events leading to the eruption of the latest conflict.

Rom 11:32-36   “For God has shut up all in unbelief, so that He might show mercy to all.  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?
Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him?
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen.”

Meanwhile, some members of our congregation have been making visits to the hospital to encourage, support, give food to the families and friends who are there because of their loved ones hospitalized from injuries.

God bless you, and thank-you for  your support in good times and bad.

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