WHAT IN THE WORLD?

FLAME (“Facts and Logic About the Middle East”) is a group devoted to truth about Israel in the world. A recent article it sponsored in the U.S. News and World Report contained a number of items important for the Bible believer.

Jerusalem was never regarded as “a holy city”: by Islam until modern times, especially after the Six-Day War Israel gained over the Arabs.

When Jerusalem was in Moslem hands during Mohammed’s lifetime a mosque, The Dome of the Rock was ordered built. Israel today allows Moslem control in and around the mosque in our day.

Jerusalem, is most definitely not a “Moslem holy city”. It is never mentioned in the Koran. The Scriptures, on the other hand, speak of Jerusalem no less than 1,030 times!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Just a week ago the famous Australian nature expert, Steve Irwin, was tragically killed. His death came as he was being filmed for a new movie.

The Australian government offered his family a state funeral in honor of his many achievements. Though wealthy, much of his resources were given widely in the cause of conservation. His death will be a severe blow worldwide to these endeavors.

Known as the “crocodile hunter”, Steve was often filmed, sometimes with his tiny child tucked under his arm, sneaking up on a huge crocodile. Often they snapped their deadly jaws within inches of his face and hands in a kind of dance of death.

Oddly enough, not the crocodile, but the usually non-aggressive stingray, took his life..

As he was being filmed a nearby stingray whipped its deadly spine-like tail deep into his chest and into his heart.

How like sin is this tragic illustration. In speaking of drunkenness but applicable to every sin, the writer of Proverbs says: “At last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.” How many today play with sin and finally succumb to its vicious retaliation.

Last September, Megan Chapman, a senior at Russell County High School in Kentucky was elected chaplain. A tradition there has been to have the chaplain deliver a prayer at graduation.

Two days before the Friday graduation the ACLU filed suit to stop the prayer and a federal judge issued an order, naming Megan, to bar the high school from prayer.

With 3,000 people packed into the gymnasium the night of graduation the ceremonies began but were quickly interrupted by the 196 seniors who broke into the Lord’s Prayer! Inspired by their example, including that of her twin sister Mandy, the class president, Mandy walked to the speaker’s stand and delivered a beautiful speech about her faith in Jesus Christ.

The next morning, Fox News arranged to have her give her story nationally. Liberty University promptly interviewed her and president Jerry Falwell issued a four year scholarship to both girls to attend there. Can the fabled ACLU be beaten? Yep, sure looks like it!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

More “peacekeeping” in Lebanon? I don’t think so!

This past week our State Department with counterparts from European nations have been busy “assembling a 15,000 man peacekeeping force” to separate the Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon from the Israelis who struck across the border in a month-long war to try to retrieve two captured, wounded soldiers. The soldiers were taken after a surprise raid by Hezbollah into northern Israel that killed eight of the captured soldiers’ comrades.

Here is the box-score on dealing with Hezbollah:

1983: 241 U.S. Marines died in their sleep when a suicide bomber wiped out their barracks.
1984: CIA station chief in Beirut, Wm. F. Buckley was captured and tortured to death.
1985: Navy Seal, Robert Stethem was tortured, shot, and thrown off hijacked TWA
Flight 847.
1988: Marine Lt. Col. Wm. Higgins was kidnapped, tortured for weeks, and died of a heart attack. Then Hezbollah hanged his body and released pictures to the world. (He was commander of the U.N. “Peacekeeping” team at the time.)
1996: 19 U.S. servicemen were murdered in Saudi Arabia.

Notice to all cosmetic Christians: “We’re next!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Have you been following the events of the warfare between the Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon and Israel? It seems now that Israel has stopped the fighting the U.N. will step in and “send peacekeepers to disarm the terrorists, a feat Israel found impossible.

The nations that have pledged to send troops to maintain a bumper zone between the combatants are Muslim nations which do not have diplomatic ties to Israel.

Israeli leaders commented this way: “Nations that do not recognize Israel’s right to exist could not possibly be neutral in their service.”

Meanwhile, the two soldiers kidnapped by the Hezbollah, the cause of hostilities, remain in Hezbollah hands. Israel suffered over 100 dead to gain their release. Alas, no release!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Major General John Batist, former commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, was interviewed yesterday on NPR.

General Batist refused a promotion in Iraq so he could retire and speak out about the war there.

He is appalled by the “needless loss of life” among our troops by the manner in which we are fighting this war.

When asked if Iraq is presently in civil war, he replied that it hardly mattered but that conditions are so bad that without a change of leadership at the top (Secretary of Defense) we will continue to fail in Iraq.

Of the seven servicemen and women we have been praying for, one has been wounded in combat. Don’t let up on your prayers now!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

An American commander (Army, Lt. Col.) is under investigation because he is accused of ruthlessly advocating the killing of “the enemy” in Iraq. He has, it is said, repeatedly warned his men to be wary of “young Iraqi men of military age.” It is not yet certain that he will face charges.

Meanwhile, last week, huge demonstrations in Iraq took place to support the Hezbollah terrorists who slew and kidnapped Israeli soldiers near the border of Lebanon. The demonstrations where approved by the new Iraqi government in Baghdad!

We have now suffered more than 22,000 casualties this war for “freedom in Iraq.” More than 2,500 of our fine young people have come home in caskets. Over half of the more than 20,000 wounded have permanent disabilities.

Our two top generals this past week said we are on the verge of civil war in Iraq. They report conditions are worsening, especially in Baghdad, a city seven times the size of Detroit.

Are you confused as to what we are doing and accomplishing in Iraq? I am!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A former presidential cabinet officer this week, in a news interview, said, “We are already in World War III.” Later in the week his remark was quoted in another news program.

Public figures now openly express doubt as to where the world is headed in the near future. Many support Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah terrorists but , like any decent person, are in anguish over the many children and other innocents who have been killed or displaced in Lebanon and the Gaza strip.

Not surprisingly, the Word of God addresses Lebanon seventy times. In the Millennium, Israel will enjoy the fruits of Lebanon (Isaiah 60:13).

Yet another change in mission in Iraq seems to be shaping up. The President is sending 30,000 more troops back into Baghdad to “quell the sectarian violence” there. The daily slaughter toll of Iraqis against each other is over 100. Is it civil war? Many of the best authorities say ” of course.”

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

Today “New Spirituality” has created a “discerning” marketplace for sophisticated aids to healing, prayer, and “worship’ ” in the form of exclusive oils, candles, and incense. In search of greater “prophetic’ power and blessing, and increasing number of professing evangelical are purchasing expensive accessories to enhance their prayer life and worship experiences.” Dave Hunt 9TBC, 5/06, p. 8.

Recently, a study result was released following an experiment with prayer. A certain group of sick people were prayed for while a control group was not given prayer. The results showed no significant difference in the healing of the “prayed for” group.

These pitiful examples serve to show how far from the heart of God and a real understanding of him America has gone

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

All-out war between Israel and her nearest neighbors may begin any moment. At this writing, Israel’s planes and ships are assaulting residents of Gaza and Lebanon over capture of three of Israel’s soldiers. Assyria’s president’s palace has been buzzed by Israel’s war planes, intended to intimidate them no doubt. Conditions for citizens of Lebanon and Gaza are becoming intolerable as the infrastructure of both areas is being pulverized by Israel’s terrifying war machine.

How important is all this? This part of the world is the area of the capital of the universe. “Jerusalem” is used in Scripture over 800 times (Never in the Quran!)

God is on the move in the world of men. Pray! Work! Look Up!