I wrote Truth or Trump? back in 2019. I still have never met the man. But I’m pretty sure I had him pegged back then when nearly 60% of Evangelicals thought he was the next best thing to sliced bread.
Back then he was a modern-day Cirrus. This time he is Jehu. Paula White-Cain is the Senior Advisor of the White House Faith Office esteemed him a bit more. Am I the only one who sees irony in the name Cain? In addition to being a false NAR teacher, Paula White is best known for her 2010 romantic entanglement with televangelist Benny Hinn. Mind you Paula White was a head Pastor at the time and never stepped down or even repented when she was caught.ย See my previous post regarding the Biblical standards for leaders if you are confused regarding why this is problematic. Paula White recently compared Trump with Jesus Christ.
I had just attended Easter service 2026 as the President posted this.
Meanwhile we have what appears to be Stiffler 2.0 from the movie American Pie running the Department of War.
Pete Hegsethย has been rallying our troops to Holy War to facilitate Armageddon and the return of Jesus.ย Hegseth oversaw a failed attempt at recovering Iranian nuclear material framed as the rescue of an F-15 weapons officer whom no one has seen. Until now.
Is she a swinger, an Uber driver, a door dash grandma or a fighter pilot?
The narrative was conveniently framed with the pilot in a cave from Passover until she was resurrected, I mean rescued on Easter. Never mind that the pilot was a male weapons officer at the time.
Dan Bongino recently lambasted readers for being biblically illiterate, claiming that the United States is represented by the Eagle’s wings in Daniel. According toย Bongino these are the same eagleโs wings in Revelation 12 that will carry Israel into the wilderness to be preserved during the Great Tribulation.
For the record, the Eagles Wings on the Lion in Daniel 7 were plucked off. The imagery is most likely in reference to Nebuchadnezzar and the Neo-Babylonian Empire (605โ539 BC). God did rescue Israel from Egypt with metaphoracal eagleโs wings in Exodus which is a type and shadow for the end times.
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagleโs wings and brought you unto Myself. Exodus 19:5
While I was for Trump over Biden in 2019 and in 2024 because Putin said he would Nuke the US if Kamala were elected, when I wrote Truth or Trump in 2019 I hoped that people would address their own faulty logic, poor exegesis, and thinking errors regarding their imposition of their worldly hopes on scripture. At best Trump was and is just a man. While that appears to have taken place to a degree, an entire stream of professing Christians is increasingly given over to strong delusion.
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Delusion is plรกnฤ straying from orthodoxy or piety:–deceit, to deceive, delusion, error. It is the same word Jesus uses for deceive in the Olivet discourse in Mathew 24-25.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Plรกnฤto cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue -go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander.
Strongs Concordance- #4105
Plรกnฤ in real time looks Texas Republican Representative Troy Nehls.
โI think Donald Trump is almost the second coming of Jesus Christ, in my humble opinionโ
Rep. Troy Nehls
As I listen to political, pseudo-Christian voices that claim to do Godโs bidding in the name of the USA, I also watch biblical truth seekers increasingly marginalized, accused of gossip, division, and heresy hunting. I hear the prophetic words of Jesus echoing in my mind.
…โBehold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death…
While people are increasingly corralled by internet algorithms into binary, “left versus right stalls”, it occurs to me that Christian nationalists and the Laodocian church who scoff at those of us who view them and ourselves through the lens and mirror of scripture today, may be the very people who deliver us up to death tomorrow.
Laodocians will inevitably recoil at my assertion. They are prosperous, and more than anything else, they want to remain that way. So they impose their heart’s desires upon scripture and conform it according to what they want. Hence Donald Trump a blatant narcissist and possible psychopath becomes Cyrus, or Jehu, and now Jesus.
“But God removes kings and sets up kings“, you say. This is a valid argument provided you apply it to Joe Biden as well. The problem we have today is that people view the leader they like as good because God is on their side.
“God bless America!America is Good!”
But what does scripture say?
“No one is righteous.” Isaiah 64, and Romans 3. Apart from Christ and citizenship in His kingdom all are “dead in their trespasses.” Ephesians 2. Apart from Christ there are no good guys. There are just two categories: in Christ Jesus and not. 1 Corinthians 5. If you are in Christ Jesus you are reconciled to God and a new creation. You now have the ministry of reconciliation. That is reconciliation between man and God. You are called to plant and water. 1 Corinthians 3. That means, share the Gospel and pray that God gives the increase. In the meantime, there is no righteous country, economic system, political party, or side in a campaign of organized murder otherwise known as war. Iran, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, North Korea, and yes the United States are dead in their sins. Their only hope is Romans 12:1-2 surrender, the fruit of which looks like very concrete obedience to Mathew 5-7. In the meantime, God is populating and building His eternal kingdom one life at a time.
So Peter opened his mouth and said: โTruly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
When I watch Donald Trump I do not see Cyrus, or Jehu let alone Jesus or lol, a Doctor… Even Trump knew he’d gone too far. I don’t even see a Christian. I see a man surrounded by self-serving heretics whose “god is their belly”, people enamored by narcissists who pander to power for their own benefit. I pray for the salvation of Donald Trump. I pray for the salvation of Benjamin Netanyahu, the IRGC, and the Hutis and every other warped, self-righteous demagogue on the planet. That said, as of today, the only potential typological representation of a Biblical character that I see in Trump is Herod.
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, โThe voice of a god, and not of a man!โ Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
One of our goals in studying Acts is to understand and compare the very first church to the church today. Are we the church in Philadelphia, or Laodicea? Rev 3:7-13, Rev 3:14-22 Philadelphia is the true church. Laodicea is the worldly church. False equivalency is one path into worldliness that produces a Laodicean church.
โโI know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, โI am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,โ not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
A False Equivalency is a logical fallacy where two things are inaccurately framed as being the same based on shared characteristics while ignoring major differences. The easiest example is saying apples and oranges are the same because they are both fruit. False equivalency is a popular tool that politicians and the media employ to manipulate public opinion.
As Acts 6 opens, we see the newly formed New Testament church growing rapidly. The Apostles realized they could not meet all the material needs of the people and also be devoted to prayer and preaching the gospel. So they appointed Stephen and six other men to fulfill the role of what would later be called deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Deacon – diรกkonosOne who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister. The servant of a king. One who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use. A waiter, one who serves food and drink.
– Strongs Concordance-
Stephen was full of grace and power, doing great wonders and signs among the people. He was both anointed and brilliant. Surely anyone with the same ability to articulate truth so accurately and concisely today would have a celebrity platform and a large following.
Yet Stephen was chosen to wait tables.
“The Freedmen” (Libertines KJV) who contended with Stephen were former slaves from various regions of North Africa, Egypt, and Asia. They could not coherently rebut Stephen’s exegetical declarations. So they lied and devised a plan to turn public opinion against him. They accused him of blasphemy against Moses and God.
But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, โWe have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.โ And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, โThis man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.โ
Falsehood can never refute truth. It can only seek to silence the vessel through which it comes. Most recently, we’ve seen this in character assassination, cancel culture, riots, and, literal assassination. Are the human vessels through whom truth comes ever perfect themselves? Certainly not! That doesn’t make the truth they proclaim any less true. Paul clarified this in Romans. It remains true for all of us today.
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar…
Simply put, if I proclaim Jesus is Lord of all creation one day and murder my neighbor the next, Jesus is still Lord. A common false equivalency embraced by unbelievers today would be to reject Jesus because one who had proclaimed Jesus then committed murder. Christians are prone to the same error, e.g., a transsexual committed a mass shooting in Tennessee, therefore all transsexuals are mass murderers. In both cases, the implied, albeit unconscious, false equivalency is that eliminating Christians and transsexuals will eliminate murder.
Many outside conservative Christian circles are critical of Charlie Kirk’s politics and economic philosophy. The false equivalency begins with their equating his political views with his character. I never met the man. And while I may disagree with his unbiblical view of history, he was, as far as I know, a man of integrity. I can hear the patriot rebuttal as I write. Whoa Brian! What do you mean by “unbiblical view of history”?!
Thanks for asking.
Like many politically conservative Christians, Charlie Kirk believed that America is a Christian nation because its founders were Christian and founded on Biblical principles. This is in itself a false equivalency. For example, Thomas Jefferson, who stated that our form of government is only fit for a moral and religious people, also used a razor blade to cut out every reference to the supernatural from his Bible. Benjamin Franklin was a Deist. The entire architecture and landscape of Washington DC is rooted in Freemasonry. While the Biblical principles injected into our Constitution and Juris Prudence remain true, it does not make the USA righteous or Christian any more than the Freemason architecture in Washington DC makes America Freemason.
The history of every nation is always a story of conflict between so-called good and evil according to human standards gleaned from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Genesis 3 When the gunfire ceases and the smoke of battle clears, the winner is declared righteous. History is subsequently written and taught to a respective nation’s populace from the perspective of the winner.
Paul addresses the biblical example of this false equivalency in his dissertation regarding the moral state of mankind. He addresses the Jews who believed they were righteous by birth. Romans 1-3 lays the foundation for the case that apart from Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles are exactly the same.
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under sin, as it is written: โNone is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.โ โTheir throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.โ โThe venom of asps is under their lips.โ โTheir mouth is full of curses and bitterness.โ โTheir feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.โ โThere is no fear of God before their eyes.โ
Charlie Kirk used scripture to support his political activism. The scripture he shared remains true as ever. But scripture can not sanctify politics any more than it can sanctify sin. Scripture counters sin by replacing the lie with truth.
Choose your preferred media narratives surrounding the death of Charlie Kirk. At the end of the day, we can not, and probably will never be certain why and who killed him. What we do know is that, like the Jews who killed Stephen, Kirk’s killers could not refute his assertions and concluded the only right choice was to kill him. Whether they were transgender leftists or Israeli Mossad or representatives of an unnamed agenda matters little. They were and are of their father.
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, โLord Jesus, receive my spirit.โ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, โLord, do not hold this sin against them.โ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
The underlying dynamic of the fear of truth remains the same. Truth is truth. Truth is only affirmed and supported by questioning.
Jesus contrasted how truth and those of the truth manifest themselves with those of the father of lies. There is no deviation. It doesn’t matter what church you attend or don’t attend. It doesn’t matter what side of the political aisle you prefer. If murder and mayhem are your solution, then you are of the devil.
So Jesus again said to them, โTruly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.โ
As Christians, we are to proclaim and seek to live according to the gospel and the example Jesus set. That example may include our death. It does not include taking the lives of others. We can only do this by abiding in Jesus.
Stephen is a model of that abiding.
No one seems to know anything about Stephen before Acts 6. That doesn’t matter much because the grace and power with which he was filled came from the same Holy Spirit that filled Peter and all those in the upper room in Acts 2. The same applies to us today. Our scarlet sins are now white as snow. All that matters now is Christ in me, the hope of glory. Col 1:24-29 There is a fine, but very important line between the message of Stephen and that of Charlie Kirk.
Once again, Charlie Kirk debated moral and political issues based on a Christian worldview as defined and supported by scripture. This apologetic approach is only valid in the context of an audience that shares the same worldview underpinned by the same presuppositions regarding moral truth. Kirk argued with those who shared a different worldview and definition of right and wrong. It is pointless to argue against issues like abortion or gay marriage with those who dispute the existence of objective moral law. Apart from God, right and wrong are completely subjective. The definition and value of life are subjective. The definition of a man and a woman is subjective. We must understand that all worldviews are rooted in one or more empirically unprovable presuppositions otherwise known as faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:1 Believers understand that faith in the cross of Jesus is the source of our understanding and power. Meanwhile, unbelievers regard this as foolishness. 1 Cor 1:18
If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
In Acts chapter 7 Stephen is brought before the High Priest to answer the charge of blasphemy.
And the high priest said, โAre these things so?โ
Stephen replies with the most concise presentation of Israel’s history with God found in scripture. Note that he begins by addressing them with the utmost love and respect.
“Brothers and fathers, hear me.”
Like the rest of the disciples, Stephen’s purpose is not to change political policy but to bring them to repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ. Most of his sermon is a summarization of history. He concludes with quotes from Isaiah 66:1-2, and Exodus 32:9.
โYou stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.โ
Stephen presented the truth to Jewish leaders in the context of their shared history and worldview. It was in this context that he presented the error that they had murdered their long-awaited Messiah. They could have repented. Instead,
Stephen was laser-focused on defending the truth of Jesus and His kingdom that is not of this world. He did not venture into politics, social issues, or economics.
Shouldn’t we do the same?
You’d think the church would get it by now. The same Kingdom versus world dynamic keeps repeating. Jesus was tortured and slain by the Romans. The Jewish leaders and many of their followers consented to the crucifixion of Jesus, as evidenced by the consensus that Barabbas should be spared instead of Jesus. Mat 27:15-26 They lied and framed Jesus as the Zealot revolutionary and threat to Caesar. The error and danger here is to create a false equivalency between the group of lying Jews who chose Barabbas and all Jews then and thereafter.
It is important to always keep in mind that we do not war against flesh and blood. Ephesians 6 Wherever we see human beings operating in accordance with a false equivalency be sure you are witnessing the enemy at work. The devil rallies people into groups like football teams then sits back and watches while they persecute and kill one another. Meanwhile, the path to salvation begins with understanding that no one is right. No person or group, no political party or country is right. Only God is right. We are made right by His grace and the love with which He loves us. Ephesians 2:1-10
It occurs to me as I write that in addition to questioning leftist ideology, Charlie Kirk also began to question the narratives following the October 7th Al Asqa massacre and subsequent decimation of Gaza. He did so based on the same objective moral truth defined in the Bible and the presupposition that Truth is never threatened by questions. Rather it is confirmed. After all, Israel has had evil leaders. Ahab and Jezebel are two well-known examples. I am not saying that Bibi Netanyahu and his government are evil. What I am saying is that Charlie Kirk posed several worthwhile questions that have yet to be answered. The false equivalency drawn by many conservative Christians is that anything and everything Israel does today is inherently good and right in God’s eyes simply because it is Israel. The implication that those currently living in the Holy Land, and its current secular government called Israel, define Biblical Israel in its entirety is another false equivalency. Israel is composed of 12 Tribes – thirteen if you count Joseph, the majority of whom remain dispersed around the globe. This matters because many have asserted that Israel killed Charlie Kirk. Can you imagine the firestorm that would result if a world driven by media narratives rooted in false equivalencies discovered that some Jewish people were behind the death of Charlie Kirk? The world would turn against Jewish people even more and their persecution would escalate. Be careful of false equivalencies, especially those that support unforgiveness in any form.
Lest Satan should get an advantage over us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
We put ourselves at risk anytime we step out of the pure word of God and preach anything other than the gospel of the Kingdom that is not of this world. Another false equivalency is the assumption that Charlie Kirk is a Christian martyr because he was a Christian who shared scripture in support of the Turning Point USA mission. Many are claiming that preaching the gospel was the primary mission of Turning Point. It was not.
Turning Point USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk. The organizationโs mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.
The danger here is the further conflation of the gospel of Jesus Christ with Conservative politics. The implied false equivalency is that Jesus is a capitalist and a Republican. Jesus wasn’t a capitalist or a socialist. He is niether Democrat or Republican. He was neither for nor against any earthly “ist” or “ism”.
His only desire was that all men be saved.
Stephen was the first Christian martyr. He set the standard. Countless men and women have been martyred for the same reason, that is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians in places like Nigeria are being martyred as you read. As we will see in the remainder of Acts, the followers of Christ followed Christ. There were no attempts at influencing, let alone changing the political and socio-economic landscape of society.
We are witnessing a gradual progression in the intensity of persecution in Acts. I believe we are witnessing a similar progression in our society today. Now might be the time to ask ourselves,
What hill am I willing to die on?
Stephen was absolutely certain of the Truth he spoke and died for it. Charlie Kirk did the same. Stephen died preaching the gospel. Charlie Kirk died answering a question related to the 2nd Amendment. Like Jesus, Stephen never debated those who would kill him. He simply declared the truth. He loved them like Jesus. Charlie Kirk’s last words were in reference to a false equivalency, namely that most mass shootings are committed by white people. His last statement was, “are you inculding gang violence?” Stephen’s last words mirrored those of Jesus toward the least of His brethren,
Many are calling the recent events surrounding Charlie Kirk a revival. Maybe. Still, I see the risk of our falling into heresy and calling it revival. Once again, I find myself echoing Jeremiah’s words to Hananiah in Jeremiah 28.
โAmen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true…
I suspect the Lord’s answer to those prophets and their followers believing in the greatness of America apart from national repentance and the rejection of the leaven of Herod, the Pharisees, and Sadducees will receive the same response as Hananiah and the false prophets in Jeremiah 13 and Jeremiah 23. Jeremiah lamented in the end, even if he was preserved amidst what came upon Israel.
One thing seems certain. False equivalency is a primary tool of battle in Satan’s kit. That people today tend to feel more than think concerns me. The future looks like tribulation to me. May the Laodicean church in America repent and become Philadelphia. Lord help me to follow the example set by Jesus and Stephen.
Maranatha
The featured photo is one I took of Cathy sitting in the exact spot just outside of Jerusalem where Stephen was stoned.
How often have I read this verse and others like it, thinking, “Yes, of course.” It’s easy to bless and not curse when we are at peace. It is an entirely different matter in the face of perceived unrighteousness and or injustice.
Just to be clear…
Bless – eulogรฉล (Greek) to praise, celebrate with praises, consecrate a thing with solemn prayers, to ask God’s blessing on a thing.
Curse – katarรกomai (Greek) to curse, doom, imprecate evil upon.
Strongs Concordance
Amir Tsarfati is a Messianic Jew (a Jewish Christian). He describes himself as a “Believer | Husband | Father | Bible Teacher | Best Selling Author| Conference Speaker | Middle East News Commentator | Founder and President of Behold Israel…” Ifollow him on Telegram because he lives in Israel and is, in my opinion, the best source for Middle Eastern news involving Israel. Millions of Christians around the world follow him across multiple social media channels. While I disagree with his pretribulation of rapture eschatology, the fact remains that Israel is the proverbial canary in the coal mine regarding the events and timing of the current Aeon.
Amir is, in many ways, brilliant when it comes to Israel in Old Testament prophecy. His brotherly love for his Jewish brethren and fellow believers is apparent to all his followers. Still, I have never seen anything that even remotely resembles prayer for his enemies. Rather he celebrates the demise of the “demon-possessed” killers of his people.
I say this by way of observation, not judgment.
I am a former US Marine and my sympathetic nervous system is hard-wired to fight more than it is to flee or freeze. Hence I am well acquainted with the overwhelming desireย and impetus
“to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or repel the enemy assault by fire and close combat.“
I felt that same impetus when the Al Asqa Floodperpetrated against Israel by Hamas took place in October 2023. Not long after I watched some Israeli troops repeatedly running over a member of Hamas with a military Humvee. And while I was disturbed at that lack of humanity displayed by the Israelis, I wasn’t nearly as enraged as I was at Hamas. I found this to be especially interesting because individual Jews who reject Jesus are no different in God’s eyes than individual members of Hamas who reject Jesus. Mark 16:16 I bolded individual because the land of Israel and the organization called Hamas are not the same in God’s eyes. Hamas, which means “violence” in Hebrew is and will be destroyed. See Zephaniah 2 for a deep dive into this subject.
In this post, we are talking about the human propensity to rage toward self-righteous violence when we are sufficiently triggered.
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah
The ESV and other versions translate “awe” as “anger”. Still, it’s deeper than that.
Awe Ragaz (Hebrew) to quiver with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear :–be afraid, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth.
Strongs Concordance
It seems that the correct response to emotional disquiet in any form, especially anger or fear, is stillness.
I would so far as to say that all anger is rooted in fear. Think about it. Fear is not a thing. Fear is the absence of faith. Faith can only be lacking where we are unsure of the truth. We can be sure of the truth to the extent that we have been transformed by the truth. Hence, Paul highlights our unmitigated anger as one of the devil’s primary tools in warring against the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Still, I always say, “Don’t fake it till you make it. Be real till you heal.” As I ponder Amir Tsarfati’s hatred for Hamas and their Palestinian supporters, I do so with the clear understanding that not only would I have cursed Hamas, but I probably would have shot, stabbed, blown up, and killed every member of Hamas any way that I could have had I been present during the Al Asqa Flood. To be honest, there is a part of me that wants to celebrate their obliteration now. Granted, my spirit man confronts my flesh with a clear knowledge of Biblical truth. But I have yet to be fully transformed and conformed to the image of Godโs Son. Given the right circumstances, I am as capable of killing my neighbor as both Israel and Hamas. The fact that so many Christians are like me in that they abide by what scripture says in most but not all circumstances doesn’t help. Hence it is amidst the most controversial, hot-button topics that we must put away falsehood and speak the truth to our neighbor, for we are members of one another. How many of us listen to errors or even blatant heresy and never say a word because the truth isn’t politically correct? After all, it might spark anger or resentment in one of our siblings in Christ. Are we afraid of offending?
Or are we afraid that we might become angry and sin in response?
Both cases, are equally wrong.
My admittedly unbiblical response to Hamas is an extreme example with which a lot of believers empathize. But what if the matter is not so extreme? What if a brother or a leader in your church is behaving unbiblically? Will you approach the person and speak the truth to them? Or will you resign yourself to commiseration (to estimate falsely) with others who will sympathize and reinforce your perspective? If we do give correction is it fully in line with the scripture? Or do we proclaim, “Vengeance is mine, saith the lord!”. Do we bless them in speech all the while relishing the thought of burning coals pouring down on their head?” Thankfully, I have learned through the years that identifying my own hypocrisy is the first step in transformation. For example, I have a pastor friend who refuses to own a gun because in his own words,
“I would not even hesitate to shoot someone!”
โYou have heard that it was said, โYou shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.โ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I have grown in so many ways since the day I first said yes to Jesus and offered my body as a living sacrifice. Still, one thing is certain. When I take an experiential deep dive into verses like Romans 12:14, I am confronted with the stark contrast between my wishful thinking and reality. My lack of progress toward the holiness and perfection required by Jesus is staggering at times.
Lord help me!
I don’t know if it is historical fact or Mel Gibson’s imagination, but it seems that the correct response to persecution, violence, or any other perceived injustice that sparks fear and then anger within us must flow from a place of stillness as modeled by Jesus before Pontius Pilate and Caiaphas in the Passion of the Christ.
It may also be worth considering the role of prayer in entering that unalterable place of stillness. What was Jesus feeling, and what was he tempted to do as He sweat drops of blood while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane just before His arrest?
This discussion will become increasingly relevant in the next chapter. This week let’s examine the areas of our lives where we continually fail to,
Romans 11 is one of the most important eschatological passages in all of scripture. Eschatology is the study of the end times. One’s understanding of scripture, identity, and worldview, along with any impetus toward ministry, is ultimately driven by our view of the end. For example, those holding to a pretribulation rapture view may be provoked to evangelize but they are unlikely to be driven to prepare to endure to the end. Mat 24:13 The expectation is an escape from suffering. Those with a Postmillennial view or what some call Victorious Eschatolgy work frantically to transform society according to some version of The Seven Mountains Mandate in preparation for Jesus’s return. The expectation is increasing influence and prosperity for the Body of Christ. On the other hand, those with a post-tribulation view of the Harpazo, 1 Thess 4:17 will hear the
The expectation is that we will endure persecution and suffering. Things will get harder before the perfect comes. One thing is certain. Our view of the end times will become more or less coherent as time goes on.
As Bereans, we endeavor to follow the method of the earliest church fathers like Polycarp who was discipled by John. Hence, we assume the most literal interpretation of scripture leads to truth. We allow scripture to interpret scripture instead of our imagination. We apply the laws of coherence and noncontradiction and assume that Jesus meant exactly what He said in the Olivet Discourse.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
What is the ultimate purpose of the call to endurance and faith? I contend that it is the same purpose given by Paul in Ephesians 1:3-10 and Romans 11.
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. In as much then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
Many gentile Christians, whom Paul describes as wild olive branches, errantly view themselves as superior to the cultivated ones (The chosen Jews) because the Jews rejected their savior and demanded His crucifixion. Some believe the church has replaced the Jews. But the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. Rom 11:29 Paul makes clear that we Gentiles would never have had the opportunity to be saved were it not for the transgression of His chosen people. Hence we are warned
do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
The geographical nation of Israel begins In approximately 1250 BC at the end of the 40-year Jewish Exodus from Egypt when Joshua took the nation of Israel across the Jordan River into the promised land. Joshua 1-24 At that time it was occupied by Canaanites, the descendants of Cain who murdered Able. Genesis 4 Wars and turmoil continued as the Israelites gradually gained more control over the land. Ezekiel 48 explains that the total area God gave Abraham includes Lebanon, part of Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
The nation of Israel has yet to occupy all of it.
The Israelitesโ history has been an ongoing and repeated cycle of receiving a blessing from God, followed by disobedience and entitlement, resulting in Godโs discipline. God’s discipline produced repentance, which led to restoration, and renewed blessing. The ultimate fulfillment of Godโs promise to the Jewish people is not based upon their being better than the rest of the world. Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:1-20 Rather as we are learning in our study of Romans chapters nine through eleven, it is based on the irrevocable calling of God and His purpose of election.
God chose Jacob over Esau
though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or badโin order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls
Interestingly, Muslims today refer to Jesus as Esau. At the end of the day we must keep in mind that God does what He does, and chooses whom He chooses based on who He is, not who we are.
Fast forwardโฆ
Jesus was born and rejected by a majority of His people, the Jews. He was crucified, and resurrected, thereby conquering sin and death. The Gospel of Salvation was fulfilled. This is the foundation, not the completion of Godโs redemptive plan. (See all four Gospels). Jesus ascends to the Father, the Holy Spirit is given and the Christian church is born. Acts 1-2.
The Origins of Palestine
The name Palestine is derived from Roman Emperor Hadrian changing the name of Judea to Syria-Palestinia following the 132-135 AD Bar Kokhba revolt. Simon Barcoba was a Jewish Zealot, a leader in a political movement that attempted to overthrow the Roman rule over Israel and make Israel great again. After Bar Koba was defeated, Hadrian wanted to eliminate any trace of a Jewish presence in Judah. The geographical area known as Gaza, Palestine today is the original home of the Philistines. The first mention of the Philistines is found in Genesis 20 in 1897 BC. Abimelech was king of Gerar in the plain of Philistia.
The first battle between the nation of Israel and the Philistines is mentioned in Judges 3:31 and occurred sometime between 1400 and 1000 BC. Joshua conquered Jerricho Judges 6 in 1405 BC and began taking the land that became the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel continued until 70 AD when the Roman Emperor Titus sacked Jerusalem, the 2nd Jewish Temple was destroyed and the Jewish people were dispersed around the globe as Jesus prophesied in Mathew 24:2.
Israel did not exist as a nation again until โThe Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israelโ by the UN on May 14, 1948. This was prophetically alluded to by Jesus in Mathew 24:32-33. The people displaced by the UN charter in 1948 are contemporary Palestinians. These are a melting pot of Arabic people, and Roma (gypsies).
In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.Isaiah 11:1-12
The current geographical boundaries that included Israeli control of Jerusalem were established during the Six-Day War, June 5-10, 1967.
Muslims believe Israel and especially Jerusalem belong to the descendants of Ishmael. If you are Jewish or Christian, then there is no disputing that the land of Israel is Jacob, over whom Jesus reigns. It belongs to God’s chosen people, the Jews, into whom we Christians are grafted. Of course, many Jews and some Christians, do not realize this…
yet…
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.Romans 11:17-18
As for Hamas and the rest of Ishmael’s descendants, they have never validated the existence of Israel, and in their own words, they never will.
There is an ever-growing pressure in the world to align with Esau and Ishmael against Jacob and Issac. Therefore, all Christians should carefully read and understand Romans chapter 11 regarding God’s plan for Israel and Israel’s relationship with the church. Or should I say the church’s relationship with Israel? As I will show, it includes a dire warning concerning God’s judgment at the end of the age.
Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.Romans 11:22-23
The people known as Hamas today are, in fact, Nazis and are supported by those who have sought the eradication of the Jewish people since Hamann in the book of Esther Chapter 3. Both Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood have the same roots.
What should we do?
We must destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God2 Cor 10:5-6 We must take captive any thought that would dare turn anything in God’s word into a pejorative. Zionism is once again becoming a pejorative. Zion has everything to do with both Judaism and Christianity. Zion was first mentioned when David captured Mount Zion 2 Samuel 5:7 in the 10th century BC. Zion is the City of David from which Jews know their Messiah will rule. Christians already know that the Messiah is Jesus. Mount Zion is Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered Issac, and God provided a sacrifice in a foreshadowing of Jesus. Mount Zion is the site of the 1st-century Jewish Temple. Today it is the site of the Alasque mosque commonly known as the Dome of the Rock. It is the most contentious piece of real estate in the world over which and upon which the most significant end times events will play out.
Dome of the Rock 2018
There is a lot of left-leaning and supersessionist propaganda that has changed the definition of Zionist to mean secular and political Jews who want to dominate the world. True Zionists are those who rejoice that Jesus will eventually rule from Zion. One thing is certain. At some future point, Jesus will descend upon the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem to set up His millennial Kingdom. Zechariah 14, Revelation 20. This is also declared in Psalm 2 written in 1044 BC.
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, โLet us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.โ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, โAs for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.โ I will tell of the decree…Psalm 2:1-7
So where are we on the time line?
For starters, it looks like what Zephaniah prophesied in 620 BC is taking place in Gaza now.
For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the Lord is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.Zeph 2:4-5
If that is the case then Islamists, Antisemites, and confused supersessionists can take a deep breath. Contemporary political Israel is not the same Israel from which Jesus will reign. Those in Israel and all other nations (people groups) who continue to reject Jesus as savior are not off the hook. If my interpretation of scripture is correct, God’s judgment falls on them next.
Or should I say, “falls on us”?
โTherefore wait for me,โ declares the Lord, โfor the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed.”
My exegetical analysis of scripture leads me to the Ezekiel 38-39 war. Barring a rise in American antisemitism that turns the USA from Israel entirely, it seems to me that NATO must become so tied up with its own crises e.g. wars, that it is unable or unwรฌlling to come to Israel’s aid.
God began returning the Jews to Israel in 1948 in fulfillment of His promise declared in Ezekiel 36. Not because Israel deserved it. They did not. God did it for the sake of His Holy name.
Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
The valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 is none other than the restored Nation of Israel that we see today.
Then he said to me, โSon of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, โOur bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.โ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.โ
Still, Israel is anything but righteous. Hence, we see the greatest chastisement of the Jewish people coming in Ezekiel 38. The map above shows the nations or elements from within nations that will descend upon Israel.
โTherefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord God: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it? You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
Yet Israel will prevail. Not because of their army or the Iron Dome, etc., but because God will intervene on Israel’s behalf with an earthquake, torrential rains, fire and sulfur…
So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
Having observed the shifting Arab geopolitical alignments since the AL Aqsa Flood on October 7th, 2023. One thing seems certain: those who believe righteousness is rooted in Esau, not Jacob and Ishmael, not Issac, will never back down. Those who hold the reverse to be true will also never back down. Neither side is correct regarding righteousness apart from Jesus. Hence these wars that were foreknown rather than caused by God must take place because they are the trajectory of original sin that will only be rectified by surrender to Christ Jesus.
I continue to watch the lead-up to Ezekiel 38 in real time as Israel continues to prepare for an all-out war with Iran. Meanwhile, the entire Arab world just united over Palestine on November 11th in a Resolution of the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
On November 11, an urgent Arab-Islamic summit was held in Riyadh, addressing the issue of Palestine. This was an extremely significant event. Noteworthy was the simultaneous participation of Assad and Erdogan, a convergence that would have been impossible until recently. Additionally, Saudi Arabiaโs Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke not only about Palestine but also about the need to support Iran and Hezbollah โ a sensational shift, as Saudi Arabia and Iran have traditionally been considered adversaries. The same applies to Hezbollah...Muslims can only unite through a common war against a common enemy. It is at the doorstep.
Among other things, this conglomeration of Arab / Islamist states that includes every territory named in Ezekiel 38 and more, agreed that Jerusalem, what Islamists call East Al-Quds, is the Palestinian capital.
Recently Turkey, who is a NATO member, severed all diplomatic ties with Israel. Previous to that Russia and Iran signed a mutual defense treaty. Does this mean the prophesied conflict is imminent? Not necessarily.
We need a catalyst that kicks the whole thing off.
An oracle concerning Damascus.Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.
Damascus, Syria, is the oldest, most consistently populated city on earth. It has never been destroyed. For quite some time, I have felt that the fulfillment of this prophecy would be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back and unleashes the fury of the Arab world against Israel. Again, this is my interpretation of scripture. I am a Watchman, not a prophet. Recently, Israel said, that they are going to deal with Syria when they finish with Hezbollah. Previously Damascus and Aleppo, Syria, were the primary venues through which Iran supplied its proxies with weapons. Now Assad’s pro-Shia government in Syria has been overthrown by Sunni Al Queda and ISIS. Some are breathing a sigh of relief. However, these Western and Turkish-backed rebels are claiming they will take Al Quds.
Stay tuned…
After God, not Israel, subdues Israel’s Ezekiel 38 assailants; I will be looking for a man or an entity of peace to come on the scene, resulting in the return of the Jewish worship on Mount Moriah, including the restoration of daily sacrifice. The contemporary Sanhedrin had a portable altar ready when we were in Israel in 2018. I am told they now have a tabernacle ready to be assembled within days. That said,
While people are saying, โThere is peace and security,โ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
At some point after that the daily sacrifice will be taken away and the abomination that causes desolation will be set up. Mat 24:15, Dan 12:11 This will be followed by 3.5 years or 1290 days or 42 months Revelation 13:5 of tribulation.
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be
The great tribulation is the wrath of the dragon who knows his time is short Rev 12:12, not the wrath of God. I am noting this because pretribulation rapture proponents quote 1 Thess 5:9God has not destined us for wrath, as proof that the Church will not be here. While I will be happy if I am wrong, I believe the church will be here and God will preserve it as he preserved Israel in the wilderness during Exodus.
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Jesus (the son of man) will return the way he left Acts 1:9-11, and was prophesied in Dan 7:13-14, and finally confirmed by The Son of Man Himself in Mat 24:29-31. No one knows the day or the hour, but we do know the season. It will mark the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets followed by the Feast of Atonement and The Feast of Tabernacles.
The true purpose of God’s plan is to reconcile all the children of Abraham. It is spelled out in verses like Zephania 3:9-20, Isaiah 19:16-24 and Romans 11. So often man makes divisions that God does not see. Can we fully comprehend God’s plan in the context of our limited human cognition? Probably not. Hence Isaiah 55:8-9, and Paul’s similar conclusion to Romans 11.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! โFor who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?โ โOr who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?โ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
But don’t take my word for it. I’m just a guy with a Bible. Be a Berean and search the scriptures yourself to see if what I am saying is true. Even if I am wrong regarding exactly how end-time events play out God’s ultimate plan of reconciliation is the goal. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Passages like Romans 11 foster greater depths of reverence and awe.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Paul’s warning regarding the broken branches which are the Jewish people, is connected to a more dire warning concerning God’s judgment at the end of the age. As you may know, Mathew 24-25, the Olivet Discourse, contains an outline regarding events leading up to the end of the age and Jesus’ return. Verses 3-31 tell us in near bullet point form what we will see taking place and what may happen to us if we are alive at the time. Verses 32-52 are allegorical descriptions of what those days will be like. Mathew 25 contains instructions on how believers should respond. Mat 25:31-46 is the final judgment marked by the all-familiar parable of the sheep and the goats. Verse 40 is the most oft-quoted.
And the King will answer them, โTruly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.โ
While Jesus loves the poor and downtrodden, the least of His brothers is not the starving child in a third-world dump. In fact, He said these are the greatest. Mat 18:1-5. Consider that Jesus was a Jewish Messiah who came first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. The least of Jesus’ brethren when He spoke to His Jewsish disciples, were the Jews who rejected Him and were about to have him tortured and crucified. Given the legal right under a Sanhedrin their descendants would persecute and kill His followers today. Hence Paul wrote,
As regards the gospel, they (The Jews) are enemies of the gospel for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Rom 11:28-29
Be careful. Arrogance toward the broken branches, a.k.a. “Zionists” could result in your hearing,
โDepart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. May 25:41
Righteousness will only be found in Jesus. A righteous government and society will not exist until He returns to rule from Mount Zion.
So Peter opened his mouth and said: โTruly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35
We finished Romans 4 this week. Anyone who reads the first four chapters of Romans should have a clear understanding of Justification by faith and that faith is demonstrated by works. As we learned Pรญstis โ faith, is a noun. Pisteรบล โ belief is a verb.
Belief is faith in action!
Now we move on to Romans 5 where Paul gets into the meat of what faith looks like in practice.
Therefore,ย having been justified by faith,ย we haveย peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,ย through whom also we have access by faith into this graceย in which we stand, andย rejoice in hope of the glory of God.ย And not onlyย that,ย butย we also glory in tribulations,ย knowing that tribulation producesย perseverance;ย and perseverance,ย character; and character, hope.ย Now hope does not disappoint,ย because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Rom 5:1-8 NKJV
Peace is eirแธnฤthe tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.
Glory is kauchรกomai to rejoice.
Tribulation is thlรฎpsisanguish, burdened, persecution, trouble, pressing together, pressure.
Do you have faith? What about peace? If so, in what do you place your faith? One thing is certain, what we elevate, we serve. Are you consumed by world events and the cares of this life such that you are prone to forgetting God? Or are you so terrified that you refuse to even look at the world? Being consumed can take the form of obsession with circumstances or the fear that drives one’s head into the sand.
The Bible tells us that people perish for two reasons; lack of knowledge and lack of vision. The correct approach is to view the signs of the times while remaining unmoved by circumstances. Mat 16:1-3 True faith is to stare reality dead in the face and remain at peace knowing that God’s purpose and plan will be fulfilled. Faith is partly produced by our history with God. Hope elpรญs is faith projected into the future. True hope says “I know God will complete what He started because I’ve seen Him complete it thus far.” False hope succumbs to absurd pipe dreams concocted by a misinformed, human imagination.
I wrote Truth or Trump in 2019 discussing how public opinion and markets are manipulated by media via our confirmation biases. I stood amazed as I watched otherwise sane friends and family or what I call the “lobotomized left” defer to a long-standing Marxist agenda whereby Jesus was reframed as a refugee oppressed by the white male patriarchy that he came to overthrow. Meanwhile, the wackified right proclaimed Donald Trump a Biblical Cyrus sent by God to Make America Great Again. Cyrus sent Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem after Israel repented in captivity. I was mocked and blocked on social media when I disputed the absurd exegesis and typology. For the record, God is not a man and can not be oppressed. The moral state of the USA has far more in common with Mystery Babylon than a repentant Israel emerging from captivity.
That said, today the wackified right and lobotomized left seem like muzzled dogs waiting for a coming fight.
Given the current global geopolitical environment and the level of insane online chatter regarding the potential for another civil war on American soil, it might be wise to have some extra beans and rice on hand.
For the record, Cathy and I are political atheists. We pick politicians like plumbers. We want the best job done for the least amount of money. At this point, we view all politics as leaven. Mark 8:15, Mat 16:1-12 The leaven of Herod is the world with its pride and lusts. The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees represents a religious spirit / political spirit.
There is no political solution to a spiritual problem.
Enter the Russians
Philosopher and Geopolitical analyst Alexander Dugin, a.k.a. “Putin’s Brain” is a former geopolitical advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin. I wrote more about him in Did You Say Prepping? As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, Dugin sees the ongoing conflict between Russia and NATO as the parable of the sheep and goats being played out in real time. Mat 25:31-46 While admittedly unwinnable for either side, Dugin, says a war between Russia and NATO remains inevitable. He says it will be a sovereign act of God and a final separation between the sheep and goats in which case,
Russians will go to heaven as martyrs. NATO members will go to hell.
At the time of this writing, Dimitri Medvedev has made concrete threats regarding nuclear war. The Biden administration has authorized the use of US weapons by Ukraine inside Russia. Putin has responded by positioning Russian Naval ships 70 miles off the coast of Florida. As many as eleven Russian Submarines are positioned along the East Coast of the US. He also signed a mutual defense agreement with North Korea. North Korean troops are expected to be fighting alongside Russians in Ukraine within a month. Biden just made selective service registration automatic for men between the ages of 18 and 26. While it hasn’t been implemented, the mechanism to do the same for women is being created. If all that wasn’t crazy enough, a terrorist attack using US-made, internationally banned cluster munitions just took place on a beach in Crimea. Russian news sources (see below) are claiming that the targeting could not have been completed without US intelligence support.
โOn June 23, during the great Orthodox holiday of the Holy Trinity, the US-backed Kiev regime carried out a horrific attack on civilians in the Russian city of Sevastopol in Crimea. 151 people were injured, including 27 children. 4 people died, including 2 children. All those responsible for this latest terrorist attack will be brought to justice. There is no doubt that the United States is directly involved in this crime…”
“…The US and its satellites, committed yet another heinous terrorist crime against civilians in Russia by firing missiles at Sevastopol. For their terrorist attack, they specially chose a day โ Holy Trinity Sunday โ one of the most important holidays celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church. Four people were killed, including a two-year-old boy, who was playing on the municipal beach, and a nine-year-old girl. 151 people applied for medical assistance; 82 โ 55 adults and 27 children โ were hospitalised, many of them in a grave condition. All patients are receiving skilled medical aid. – According to the Defence Ministry of Russia, the attackers used US ATACMS operational missiles with cluster warheads for greater kill ability. All flight data was entered by US military crews based on US reconnaissance satellite inputs. A Global Hawk US reconnaissance drone was on duty off Crimea.
The Investigative Committee of Russia has promptly started an investigation into this crime. All those implicated in this and other terrorist attacks in the territory of the Russian Federation will incur inevitable punishment.”
– Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Nebenzya, and Russian Foreign Ministry statement on the terrorist attack at Sevastopol –
The Russians do not make idol threats.
The sheer insanity of repeatedly poking the Russian bear in the eye and daring her to respond is beyond my comprehension and probably yours. Hence your confirmation biases might be telling you to dismiss all of this and return to Sports, Netflix, and video games. Do not be deceived.
The Russians are saying they are ready to fight WWIII.
Donald Trump looked like a perfectly composed genius compared to Biden in the recent debate. While I view Trump as gasoline on a match rather than a savior, his final statement guaranteeing WWIII, if Biden is reelected resonates with what Russia has promised. Just this past week Alexander Dugin wrote the following regarding the upcoming election.
Most likely, the globalists behind the weak Biden will try to remove the strong Trump from the election and prevent him from becoming president at any cost. Any methods may be employed here: assassination, imprisonment, organizing riots and protests, up to and including a coup or civil war. Or by the end of his term, Biden may start a third world war. This is also quite likely.
To be clear, the Russian goal is a decentralized multipolar world where individual nations respectfully compete with one another to find the best solutions for all. In their minds, the primary obstacle is the current unipolar world controlled by the hegemonic USA and its European globalist partners.
First and foremost, a second term for a US president with such an ideology will show that the first term was not an accident (for the globalists), but a regular occurrence. A unipolar world and the globalist project will be rejected not only by supporters of a multipolar world โ Russia, China, and Islamic countries โ but by Americans themselves. This will deal a powerful blow to the entire network of the liberal-globalist elite. And most likely, they will not recover from such a blow.
Meanwhile, Israel is prepping for war with Hezbollah as it continues to fight Hamas in Gaza. Iran says it will intervene directly if that happens. If the US and NATO intervene, Iran says it will attack NATO. Biden says he will pull all support if Israel attacks Iran. That might be because Russia says it will attack anyone who attacks Iran. The common denominator in all of this is gradual, continued escalation toward Ezekiel 38-39. That’s another conversation. Now let me ask you a question.
What is your reaction to the above?
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.Mat 24:6
Can you look soberly and realistically at the threats we currently face and remain at peace?
There are just a few reactions anytime I discuss these things with or around Christian brothers and sisters. The most common is dismissal. “God loves us. These things have always been,” 2 Pet 3:3-7 they say. “Social media just makes everything seem worse.” Others see a clear and present danger but react in the flesh. Some place their hope in Trump. Others are stocking up on guns and ammunition as if righteousness will be gained by shooting. Others remain willfully oblivious. “I don’t know what’s going on,” they say. “I don’t want to know. I canโt handle it.” Finally, there are a few who view the signs of the times and the emerging threats with 1 Peter 5:8 sobriety.
Calm, Dispassionate, and Circumspect
As Cathy and I preach, counsel, and teach it has become clear that people, including those in the body of Christ, are splitting into two groups. Those who are losing their minds or will lose their minds as their hearts fail for fear of what is coming. Luke 21:26 And those soberly preparing their hearts and minds to bring the gospel of peace into the chaos. One thing is certain. The world is not becoming saner, more moral, or stable. Could revival come? Certainly! Still, anyone who has studied the history of revival knows revivals are preceded by crisis and a renewed fear of God that compels people to repent.
The root of the matter for believers is in the question: In what is your faith? What does it look like in practice?
Semper Fi
Semper Fi short for Semper Fidelis is Latin for Always Faithful. It is the Marine Corps Motto. Given that I was a Marine itโs got me thinking about belief (faithfulness) and what it means for us in the context of the Christian walk.
The practice of Semper Fidelis is reflected in the Marine Corps Code of Conduct. HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT. The expression of Semper Fidelis in the life of an individual Marine is rooted in personal character. Every Marine understands that character is produced under pressure. It is defined by oneโs actions under pressure. Marines hope for the best by preparing for the worst.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom 5:3-8
Honor, courage, and commitment in the life of a Christian do not mean we charge off to kill the people we are called to disciple. In fact, Semper Fi for believers today might mean resisting the pressure to kill those we are called to evangelize. The faithfulness of an individual Christian is produced in the transformation of one’s character. Christian character is defined by faithfulness under pressure. So often people are in search of a specific outcome that produces or extends comfort instead of endurance 2 Tim 2:3 and the ability to stand. Eph 6:10-14
If you are young you may be inclined to validate faith and belief according to the intensity of the histrionics displayed. The greater the passion, the greater the faith. Mat 7:15-20 In my experience faith in action is correlated with sobriety, not theatrics. I find that the most histrionic people are often the first to fall when the pressure comes.
I promise you, that a deeper, more sober faith will be required in the coming days. Sobriety produces a calm, dispassionate, wise, and circumspect approach to circumstances. Sober faith understands that God causes or allows circumstances for the refinement of our character. Hence, Jason Upton quotes theologian Walter Brueggemann in his song In the Silence,
โSometimes praise can be a manifestation of our doubt. God wants to silence us to get to the root of whatโs really going on.โ
Am I saying the worst-case scenario is guaranteed? Absolutely not. I am a watchman, not a prophet. I am saying that Biblically we are on a trajectory that includes enduring tribulation at some point. We are called to peace, rejoicing, and hope in the midst of it. The purpose of this post and others like it is to pose the question,
Are you spiritually prepared?
Will Romans 5 peace with God be enough if we are called into a time of crushing and breaking? Will we lose our minds and fall away 2 Thess 2:1-3 if our expectations never come to pass? Or will we embrace the transformation of our character and the hope that it brings knowing that in the pressing (tribulation) that we endure for a season, God is making new wine? We may not be faithful, but God is
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… Hosea 4:6
Sunday, May 19, 2024, will be Pentecost. Pente is 50. Pentecost occurs 50 days after The Feast of First Fruits, the last Feast in the season of Passover that Jesus fulfilled when He resurrected. Pentecost comes at the end of The Feast of Weeks. Moses received the law on Pentecost. Pentecost was fulfilled when Holy Spirit was given in Acts 2.
“FULFILLED” means to give the “CORRECT INTERPRETATION”.
If you are watching mainstream and social media,ย then you have probably heard myriad attempts at separating Zionism from Judaism. The idea is that Zionism is a political force divorced from true Judaism. Theย overarching theme is that Zionists are not true Jews.ย Yet, Zion is mentioned 163 times in the Old and New Testament, beginning with
Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.2 Sam 5:7
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.2 Chron 5:2
A Zionist is a person who supports Israel’s spiritual heritage and right to the land. PERIOD! That said, the Bible promises a blessing or a curse, according to one’s stance on this issue. Num 24:9 Recent attempts to divorce Zionism from Judaism are just more of the same marginalization of Jews as has been done in the past with things like Kazarian conspiracy theories and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion published in 1903 by โAuthor Unknownโ. These inspired Adolf Hitlerโs Mein Kampf and the philosophical. justification for the Jewish Holocaust, 1933-45. Attempts have also been made to associate the star of David on the Israeli flag with the above conspiracy theories and others to include those associating contemporary Israel with Freemasonry and even Moloch worship.
Thid Nonsense!
I’m writing about this now because Pomegranates are traditionally eaten during the Feast of Pentecost. Pomegranates are first mentioned in Exodus 28 regarding the construction of the priestly robe.
On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.Exodus 28:33-35
Pomegranates are one of the seven blessings of the land resulting from obedience. Deut 8:6-10
The Star of David represents the top of Pomegranate.
Also when it is cut.
“Pomegranates, unlike the Menorah, were visible to the non-priestly Israelites and were therefore associated with the glory of Godโs Temple far more than the Menorah, which they were never able to look at. Nowadays, that imagery is stylistically represented in the Star of David, the Magen David, the symbol of Israel, by a people fervently hoping for the Messiah to return โ it is also a symbol of faith that one day the pomegranate would again be seen by all Israelites, once more adorning a Temple upon Mt Moriah, on the Temple Mount.”The Ancient Bridge
The Pomegranate as represented on the Israeli flag symbolizes the hope of Zion which is the Nation of Israel.
Then I looked, and behold, onย Mount Zionย stood the Lamb, and with himย 144,000 whoย had his name and his Father’s name writtenย on their foreheads.ย And I heard a voice from heavenย like the roar of many waters andย like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound ofย harpists playing on their harps,ย ย and they were singingย a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders.ย No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.ย It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, forย they are virgins. It is theseย who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind asย firstfruits for God and the Lamb,ย andย in their mouth no lie was found, for they areย blameless. Rev 14:1-5
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, โNowย the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothersย has been thrown down,ย who accuses them day and night before our God.Rev 12:10
Once again, accuse katฤgorรฉล the Greek word from which the English word category is derived.ย The enemy would like to recategorize a Zionist as an evil political entity that is separate from Judaism.
Don’t Be Duped by the Enemy’s Narrative.
So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!Rom 11:11-12
We will continue to bless Israel this Pentecost as we await Jesusโs future fulfillment of The Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles the day and hour of which no one knows.
While secularism exists on a continuum from hardcore Marxist Ideology on the extreme left to hardcore Fascist Ideology on the extreme right, all secular worldviews are Godless. Here in the West, they despise Christianity more than anything because it opposes secular idols like abortion and the ever-growing alphabet of gender. Secularism on all sides is ripe with conspiracy theories and propaganda. See Those Dern Zionists for a few examples. At the end of the day, the only point upon which radical secularists agree is that God does not exist – at least not the Judeo-Christian God. Quite often they are more than happy to leverage any offense that might advance their worldview. We see this quite clearly in the ongoing controversy in Israel versus Palestine.
I wonder if the world would be protesting as strongly if the roles were reversed. What if Israel killed over a thousand Palestinians and kidnapped hundreds more? Would students protest Palestine bombing Israel to dust?
I think not…
Make no mistake. The extreme left and the right have always hated the Jews.
Incidentally, that includes the current synagogue of Satan.
Jews, and are not, but do lie
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.Rev 3:9
While the number of dead Israelis on Oct 7th is beginning to pale in comparison with the number of dead Palestinians, I have yet to hear a single anti-Zionist explain what Israel should do differently. When pressed they only say what they would not do.
Others assume that because I am for Israel that I am by default for the genocide of Palestinians. When someone asks me if my preferred solution to the war between Israel and Hamas is to bomb innocents in Gaza my answer is this.
Just Stop!
As a Christian, my personal preference would be that no one be harmed anywhere- ever. PERIOD! I would prefer that the spirit of Haman, (see the book of Esther) the same spirit that is operative in Israelโs enemies today never arose in 760 BC.
I would have preferred that Hamas never launched rockets from hospitals and schoolyards into Israel for years. I would have preferred not to have slept in a bomb shelter when we visited the Negev because of the constant threat of missile attacks.
I would prefer that the genocide of six million Jews during the Nazi Holocaust did not simply represent the 20th-century peak in 2700 years of extermination.
For the record; the population of Jews compared with those murdered during the Holocaust:
Lithuania 150,000 murdered: 135,000
Estonia 5,000 murdered: 4,500
Latvia 95,000 murdered: 85,000
Poland 3,500,000 murdered: 3,000,000
Czechoslovakia 355,000 murdered: 300,000
Germany 210,000 murdered: 170,000
Greece 75,000 murdered: 60,000
Holland 150,000 murdered: 105,000
Yugoslavia 80,000 murdered: 55,000
Soviet Union 2,100,000 murdered: 1,400,000 (in territories occupied by the Nazis)
Austria 60,000 murdered: 40,000
Romania 850,000 murdered :425,000
Hungary 404,000 murdered: 204,000
Belgium 90,000 murdered: 40,000
France 210,000 murdered: 90,000
Italy 57,000 murdered: 15,000
Bulgaria 50,000 murdered: 7,000
*Pre-war total about 8,546,000 Jews of which about 6,140,500 were murdered*
I would prefer that no one in Palestine, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Algeria, Libya Qatar, etc. ever called for the genocide of contemporary Jews today. I would prefer that generational trauma from the Holocaust wasnโt real and that Jews everywhere had no reason to take today’s calls for their extermination seriously.
I would prefer that there was no history of collaboration between Palestinians and Hitler in WWII.
The Fuhrer would carry on the battle to the total destruction of the Judeo-Communist empire in Europe. The German armies would eventually reach the southern exit from Caucasia. At that point, the Fuhrer would give the Arab world the assurance that its hour of liberation had arrived. Germanyโs sole objective would then be the destruction of the Jewish element residing in the Arab sphere under the protection of British power. In that hour, the Mufti would be the most authoritative spokesman for the Arab world. It would be his responsibility to set off the Arab operations, which he had secretly prepared.
I would prefer that modern-day Palestinians never aligned with that same Nazi Ideology today.
I would prefer that American university student ingrates werenโt so easily hacked and made pawns by a radical and antisemitic left.
I would prefer that Hamas, several of whom worked for Main Stream Media and UNRWA never tortured, raped, and murdered Jewish innocents on Oct 7.
I would prefer that Palestinians didnโt radicalize elementary school children to aspire to grow up to kill Jews.
Palestinian children are being encouraged to kill Jews.
I would prefer that Hamas did not use Palestinian people as human shields and embellished casualty counts as a weapon.
Sadly now there is war. Total war. While Israel is taking unprecedented measures to prevent the deaths of innocents, the unfortunate truth is that innocents die in every war.
Israeli victims on Oct 7
Gaza victims today.
In the words of Sun Tzu,
โBetter never begin. Once begin, better finishโ.
Once begun, the only solution in any war is to win. Those who think differently are naive, dumb, or both. What I find ironic is that the US nuked Japan and killed over 200,000 people in minutes. No one in America protested or accused the US government of genocide. But then this is not really about genocide. This is about Hackable Animals being used as pawns to advance the extermination of Jews.
As the saying goes,
โNo Jews, No news!โ
We have friends in both Israel and Palestine and pray for all sides of Abraham’s dysfunctional feuding family. Still, I know that Israel, a piece of land the size of New Jersey belongs to the Jews for as long as the stars and planets exist. Jer 31:35-36 God loves His chosen albeit rebellious people. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem because the Bible upon which my worldview is based, tells me to do so. I bless Israel. Yet I do so filled with a hope of reconciliation, the ministry that Jesus assigned all believers. 2 Cor 5:16-25 Not because I align with one side over the other and pray that one side triumphs in war. I do so out of love for, and obedience to God. While I will not be engaging in violence toward anyone, and instead pray for everyone I will never accept an alternative presupposition that is contrary to God’s word. I am for Israel because God’s word requires it. I know this age-old battle between Israel and her enemies will continue till the end of time when Jesus has His great reset. His plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven, and things on earthEph 1:1-10 At the end of the day, the Apostle Paul summed up the reality of God and His plan,
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.2 Cor 5:14-15
As for those who continue to ask “How could a loving God____?” My answer is found in the conclusion of one of the most beautiful, hope-inspiring, albeit confusing chapters in the entire bible.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
โFor who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?โ โOr who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?โ
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.Rom 11:33-36
What do I prefer? I Prefer Jesus. I prefer peace. I prefer that every knee bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. I prefer the lion and lamb to lie down together. I prefer on earth as it is in heaven.
Do you have friends and family who are confused about Israel and the events that have taken place since October 7, 2023? Are you confused yourself? Do you feel torn and conflicted at times and battle the temptation to take sides in the war? Do arguments that favor Palestine seem increasingly viable? Are you tempted to curse Israel or praise their success in the war? Does the spirit of vengeance rise up in you when you see and hear testimonies of the horrors that took place on October 7th? Or maybe you understand the truth in your spirit but struggle with answering those who parrot social media narratives. One thing is certain. There is a growing move by the enemy to justify the rejection of God and His people. In the words of Hamas. “We begin with the Saturday people, then the Sunday people.” Here are some 1 Peter 3:15-16 apologetic
Points to Ponder
As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, the vain babblings of the masses are getting louder. There are conspiratorial rumblings that the barbaric attack by Hamas on October 7 was a false flag. The assumption is that there is no way that the IDF could not have known about the attack beforehand. Hence they must have intentionally provoked it and or stood down while at least 1400 innocent people were killed in cold blood. It is all too easy to forget the human tendency toward complacency rooted in normalcy bias and pride. The very real possibility of a cyber attack that overrode motion sensors, alarms, and security cameras is lost in the imaginations of people programmed by YouTube and Netflix. That young millennial and Gen Z soldiers raised on social media might have been sleeping or perhaps more concened with selfies than security never enters the minds of armchair intelligence analysts.
Anyone who has served in a combat arms role knows the temptations that accompany the mind-numbing boredom of guard duty. Mindlessly staring at nothing in the desert distance for eight to twelve hours at a time plays all sorts of tricks on the mind. The potential for sheer boredom to produce hallucinations is usually dismissed until it happens to you. Complacency and normalcy bias are multiplied every time a hallucination is proven to be just another “nothing burger”. Not only that but it is common for enemy scouts and reconnaissance patrols to probe enemy positions by throwing things like pebbles in the dark. They taunt guards to shoot at nothing and expose their weakness. The result if no one ever attacks is further desensitization and complacency. Complacency may be amplified by heckling and laughter from fellow soldiers. Do I know for certain that this is what led to the Oct 7 attack? Certainly not. But I’d wager it’s a more viable argument than Jews killing Jews so they can kill Palestinians.
Turkish guard caught sleeping on duty. This happens with all armies all the time. Quite often, people die as a result.
I have repeatedly heard the claim that “Zionists” created and funded Hamas to one day justify Israel’s taking of all the Palestinian territories. Some supersessionists on the right surmise that Benjamin Netanyahu allowed the attack because it ultimately targeted leftist Jews who were sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and opposed his conservative government. In their minds, it explains why they moved the venue of the music festival. Once again, the supporting presupposition is that the IDF is so professionally infallible that the only explanation for bad decisions and failure is that they wanted fourteen hundred of their own people to be brutally tortured, raped, and murdered and hundreds more to be taken hostage.
Yeah…maybe not.
Many are attempting to reframe Zionism and differentiate Zionists from the rest of the Jews by claiming Zionism is exclusively secular. Reframing language is a textbook strategy employed by neo-Marxist Critical Theorists and post-modern deconstructionists. If that is confusing then consider the current reframed definitions of a man, woman, marriage, and the rainbow in America. Incidentally, many Critical Theorists were and are of Jewish descent. Reframing the definition of “Jew” is the current Neo-Marxist agenda. Every day we see a professing Christian minority misrepresented as the majority by the media in support of perversions like abortion, transgendersism, and gay marriage. The same strategy is being employed using anti-Zionist Jews represented as the only true Jews. Still, many contemporary Zionists are secular and therefore politically motivated. Yet as I will show, this is not the point. Especially for Christians. Other conspiracies claim that the alleged persecution of Palestinians by Israel is the handiwork of the Kazarian Mafia. Some Christians equate this with the synagogue of Satan mentioned in Revelation 2:9. Yet discerning Jews who are not Jews does not require us to unravel a Kazarian conspiracy. There are multitudes of professing secular Jews who reject the Torah and the God of Abraham while maintaining their Jewish ethnicity.
That being said, there were a group of Turks known as Khazars that converted to Judaism in the 8th or 9th Century B.C. Were some of them scammers and criminals? Of course. In fact they were some of the first identity thieves. But then, what people group was ever devoid of miscreants?
“According to one conspiracy theory, the so-called Khazar Jews practice the Talmudic โBabylonianโ law and were able to penetrate European and American societies and assume almost ultimate power through the banking system, the media, academia, and the entertainment business. Another leitmotif of these theories is that Ashkenazi Jews are not authentic Jews and that only Sephardim are of โreal Jewish stock.โ –The Jerusalem Post–
There are secular Jews some of whom are proven criminals. Yet the correlation between Jewish ancestry and criminality is a false dichotomy and decidedly racist. The same faulty reasoning is employed in Arabic countries regarding Christians. America is a Christian nation represented by a clearly Satanic media and Holywood. Therefore Christians worship Satan.
What I find most terrifying is the fact that conspiracies like this were the basis for the book The Protocols of the Elders of Zion published in 1903 by “Author Unknown”. In addition to Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf, it became the philosophical underpinning of, and justification for the Jewish Holocaust, 1933-45.
Christians understand that everyone is a criminal apart from Christ Jesus.ย Eph 2:1-10 Unfortunately the arguments that resulted in Christian collaboration with Nazis in the first Jewish Holocaust threaten to be repeated today.
The Origins of Palestine
The name Palestine is derived from Roman Emperor Hadrian changing the name of Judea to Syria-Palestinia following the 132-135 ADย Bar Kokhba revolt. Simon Barcoba was a Jewish Zealot, a leader in a political movement that attempted to overthrow the Roman rule over Israel. Hadrian wanted to eliminate any trace of a Jewish presence in Judah. The geographical area known as Gaza Palestine today is the original home of the Philistines. The first mention of the Philistines is found in Genesis 20 in 1897 BC. Abimelech was king of Gerar in the plain of Philistia.
The first battle between the nation of Israel and the Philistines is mentioned in Judges 3:31 sometime between 1400 and 1000 BC. Joshua conquered Jerricho Judges 6 in 1405 BC and began taking the land that became the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel continued until 70 AD when the Roman Emperor Titus sacked Jerusalem. The Jewish people were dispersed around the globe until the nation of Israel was reborn in 1948 AD. In 457 BC God via a decree by Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah to restore Israel for the first time following the Babylonian Captivity. 1948 was the second time Israel was restored to the land as prophesied by Isaiah.
In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.Isaiah 11:1-12
The current geographical boundaries that included Israeli control of Jerusalem were established during the Six-Day War, June 5-10, 1967.
If you are Jewish or Christian then there is no disputing that the land of Israel belongs to the God’s chosen people the Jews into whom we Christians are grafted. Of course orthodox Jews and many Christians do not realize this…yet.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.Romans 11:17-18
As for Hamas and the rest of the Palestinian Authority, they have never validated the existence of Israel and in their own words, they never will.
All Christians should carefully read and understand Romans chapter 11 regarding God’s plan for Israel and Israel’s relationship to the church. As I will show, it includes a dire warning concerning God’s judgment at the end of the age.
Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.Romans 11:22-23
The assertion made by neo-Marxists in the West and Arab Nazis is that Zionism has nothing to do with Judaism. Recently more than a few have gone so far as to correlate Zionism with Nazism. I recently heard one woman on social media assert that Hitler’s Jewish Holocaust was facilitated by Zionists to generate support for the re-establishment of the nation of Israel. Her argument almost sounded reasonable had I been more ignorant of history. The people who call themselves Palestinians today are Nazis and are supported by those who have sought the eradication of the Jewish people since Hamon in the book of Esther Chapter 3.
We must destroy arguments andย every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God2 Cor 10:5-6 We must take captive any thought that would dare turn anything in God’s word into a pejorative. Zion has everything to do with both Judaism and Christianity. Zion was first mentioned when David captured Mount Zion 2 Samuel 5:7 in the 10th century BC. Zion is the City of David from which Jews know their Messiah will rule. Christians already know that the Messiah is Jesus. Mount Zion is Mount Moriah where Abraham brought Issac. It is the site of the 1st-century Jewish Temple. It is the site of the Alasque mosque known as the Dome of the Rock today. It is the most contentious piece of real estate in the world over which and upon which the most significant end times events will play out.
Dome of the Rock 2018
Psalm 2 is a prophecy of Christ’s kingdom written in 1044 BC. If Zionists are those who rejoice that Jesus will eventually rule from Zion, then call me a Zionist.
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, โLet us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.โ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, โAs for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.โ I will tell of the decree…Psalm 2:1-7
Even so, as Christians, we do not rejoice in the suffering and death of anyone. That means Jews and Palestinians and all Arabic people in the region.
As the saying goes, “No Jews – No news.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters have been wreaking havoc on college campuses since I first published this post. Sides are being chosen in yet another Hegelian dialectical ruse. The Hegelian dialectic was a formative precursor to Marxist conflict theory. You can get the basic gist of it in Expose What.
That said, those recoiling over the alleged genocide of Palestinians have ignored the true genocide of Arabic people by other Arabic people for milliena. Their media-generated offense and argument against is Israel is a disingenuous strawman at best. But then strawman arguments are another hallmark of emotion-driven, cognitively deficient “useful idiot” reprobates.
All anti-Semitic propaganda aside, we pray that Jesus visits Hamas and the myriad arms of Islamic Jihad at least as much as we desire to provoke the Jews to jealousy. Rom 11:14 A lot of Christians struggle with the idea that all of this conflict is part of God’s ultimate plan to redeem Israel. Yet apart from a complete reversal on the battlefield, it looks like what Zephaniah prophesied in 620 BC is taking place in Gaza now.
For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the Lord is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.Zeph 2:4-5
If that is the case then God-haters, neo-Marxists, and confused supersessionists can rejoice. Israel and other nations (people groups) who continue to reject Jesus as savior are not off the hook. If my interpretation of scripture is correct, God’s judgment falls on them next in Zephaniah 3:1-8.
Or should I say, “falls on you”?
โThereforeย wait for me,โ declares theย Lord, ย โfor the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision isย to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed.” Zeph 3:8
But don’t stop there. The true purpose of God’s plan to reconcile all the children of Abraham is spelled out in Zephania 3:9-20 and Isaiah 19:16-24. Does it make sense in the context of our limited human cognition? Probably not. Hence Isaiah 55:8-9. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
But don’t take my word for it. Be a Berean and search the scripture yourself to see if what I am saying is true. Please tell me if I am wrong.
As I said previously, Paul’s warning regarding the broken branches which is the Jewish people, is connected to a more dire warning concerning God’s judgment at the end of the age. As you may know, Mathew 24-25 also known as the Olivet Discourse contains an outline regarding events leading up to the end of the age and Jesus’ return. Verses 3-31 tell us in near bullet point form what we will see taking place and what may happen to us if we are alive. Verses 32-52 are allegorical descriptions of what those days will be like. Mathew 25 contains instructions on how believers should respond. Mat 25:31-46 is the final judgment marked by the all-familiar parable of the sheep and the goats. Verse 40 is the most oft-quoted verse.
And the King will answer them, โTruly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.โ
While Jesus loves the poor and downtrodden the least of His brothers is not the starving child in a third-world dump. In fact, He said these are the greatest. Mat 18:1-5. Consider that Jesus was a Jewish Messiah who came first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. The least of Jesus’ brethren when He spoke were the Jews who rejected Him and were about to have him tortured and crucified. Given the legal right and opportunity, many of their descendants would persecute and kill His followers today. I expect that day will come. Hence Paul wrote,
As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Rom 11:28-29
Be careful. Arrogance toward the broken branches, a.k.a. the “Zionists” could result in hearing,
โDepart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. May 25:41
Always remember, that good arguments can always be made for bad presuppositions. Hence the validity of an argument is determined by the validity of its underlying presupposition. The Christian presupposition is that Jesus is the only way. God’s word, the Bible is inerrant and infallible. There’s really no point in arguing with committed neo-Marxists and other God-denying reprobates because you are arguing from opposing world views. Believers must not be drawn into secular media narratives that twist God’s truth and demonize His chosen people on the global stage. Are atrocities taking place in Gaza? Most assuredly. Only the naive would ever believe that organized mass murder otherwise known as warfare has ever been or ever will be humane. Innocent civilians always make for the bulk of casualties in every war. That’s not a justification for razing Gaza or supporting Israel because they are good people. They are not. The truth is that apart from denying self, picking up our cross, and following Jesus, no one is righteous, not one. Romans 3:9-18 Now more than ever we must maintain an eschatological and prophetic perspective of events on earth and an eternal perspective of God’s ultimate purpose for the followers of Jesus. We support and bless Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem out of obedience to God alone, Num 24:9, Gen 49:9, Gen 12:3 not a natural preference for people.
So Peter opened his mouth and said: โTruly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35
Righteousness will only be found in Jesus. A righteous government will not exist until He returns to rule from Mount Zion.
How ironic that the segment of people who embraced one radical ideology and labeled anyone who disagreed with them as an opposing ideology in 2020 are now aligning with the very ideology they previously opposed. These ignore one massacre to oppose another. They remain blind to the fact that the very group they support now will be obliged to kill them if they come to power.
Meanwhile, the people labeled as “not human” andย “animals” who were saved from genocide 78 years ago are now celebrated for their necessary eradication of “evil animals” who are “not human” today. These justify one massacre in opposition to another. Elsewhere in the world, those who fought to free the first group being opposed by the very group they liberated.
Meanwhile, back in the land of prosperity, and entitlement, those who oppose the alleged systematic oppression of one minority people group, demand the right to murder their children in the name of the human rights and health of another allegedly oppressed minority group. This is further justified by the claim that people in the womb are not human.
Perhaps you have noticed the absurdity is clarified by the absence of labels and names.
How did we get here?
Many people do not have a point of reference beyond themselves. Hence truth is defined as whatever they experience or perceive. Furthermore, we have sacrificed the ability and right to think critically on the altar of consensus rooted in, and driven by emotion. Our hackers easily direct our individual and collective discontent toward whatever fragment of imperfect humanity they deem most likely to inflame our emotions. Once in this state, we confuse “awfulizing” a problem and choosing a side, with contributing to its solution never realizing that “we”, not “they” are our real problem. All are dead men walking – appointed to the very wrath we would assign to others. Our condition is further confirmed and reinforced by our self-righteous hatred for whichever side our hackers have assigned us to oppose.
We are double-minded.
The root of our confusion and hypocrisy is twofold.
On one hand, we have the attempted negation of absolute truth and with it the denial of a source. Truth becomes a personal affair. Within this paradigm, consensus is love and disagreement hate. All hate must be killed so that love can thrive.ย
On the other hand, we have consensus-based affirmation that absolute truth does exist. Yet there is little to no understanding of what that TRUTH is. In its place, we have emotionally contrived, stump speeches and celebrity pulpits labeled as absolute truth as the preferred influencers imagine it.
It would seem that one man surmised correctly in 1871. People in both groups will kill one another and themselves until only a controllable few are left. Those that remain will be so demoralized that they will gladly accept the chief hacker as king.
Still, there remains one way to be unhackable. One truth, that leads to our origin, true freedom, true life, and the reconciliation of the family to which we all belong. It is a narrow way.
Only a remnant will find it.
As in the story Pinnochio, the wider, easier way is filled with comfort and pleasure. This broad beautiful road will remain more attractive, more interesting for a season as those who traverse it are conformed to the image of proverbial donkeys. Thinking themselves wise they inevitably become fools and all that they have permitted themselves to hate.
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.1 Peter 3:1-2
In this context be subject is hypotรกssล – A Greek military term meaning “to arrange troop divisions in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.
Peter continues his emphasis and exhortation on submission from chapter two where we are told to submit to authority and “honor” the king even if the King is Nero. If that wasn’t unfair enough slaves were given a similar instruction to submit to their masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. That might seem confusing in a world that teaches us to fight for our rights and subdue evil. However, the purpose of submission is not to champion evil but to defeat it. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Vs. 15For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. Vs. 18
As we previously learned in the book of Ephesians, the first and most profound meaning of marriage between a man and a woman is God’s mysterious representation of Jesus’ relationship with His bride, the church. Eph 5:32 It follows that a healthy marriage is rooted in the same principles required for a relationship with Jesus. The first and most foundational practice is found in Mat 16:24-25.
Then Jesus told his disciples, โIf anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his lifewill lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Deny is aparnรฉomai – to utterly, disown, abstain, to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone, to forget oneโs self, and lose sight of oneโs self and oneโs own interests.
“Deny self” is a no-brainer if The Song of Songs is your template and script for marriage. In my case, I was and still am mesmerized by The Most Wonderful –ย Most Incredible Woman on the planet apart from whom I have zero desire to live.ย
“Deny self” sounds scary if we remain self-centered. This is especially true within the context of everything contemporary culture teaches. The world tells us to “find yourself!”, “follow your dreams!”, “fight for your rights!” Jesus says,
“Lose them all!”
It is in losing that we gain
When a man and woman are joined together in Holy Matrimony it is representative of Christ’s marriage to His bride the church. The wife submits to her husband and the husband gives himself up for his bride. The husband stands in direct submission to God. The wife submits to and through her husband. Eph 5:22-33 This is not a position of inferiority for the wife. Rather it is one of tremendous honor and a model for the divine alignment established by God. Gen 2:18-251 Cor 11:1-3
How wonderful and valuable is the bride for whom the groom would so gladly give his life?
So far we have been speaking of healthy marriages. But 1 Peter 3 begins with submission in an unhealthy one.
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word…
While people often generalize, minimize, rationalize, and justify their behavior, abuse in some form results when one party refuses to submit according to the word of God. Mind you, abuse is a continuum. It ranges from neglect to homicide. Once again Peter exhorts us to apply submission as a spiritual weapon.
that they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
When one spouse fails to submit to God, it produces resentment and unforgiveness in the other. Wherever there is unforgiveness a Positive Feedback Loop is formed. Things get progressively worse until one or both parties go their own way or they kill each other. The conflict we see played out in marriages is the same conflict we see in God’s family.
I’m right! We are right!
Anyone who disagrees is wrong and by extension, evil.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mat 6:14-15
You are not forgiven unless you forgive!
Peter’s illustration of submission as a spiritual weapon that began in 1 Peter 2:13-25 continues in Chapter 3. The only difference is that most of us have never been slaves or faced persecution like believers did under Nero. But marriage is relevant to almost everyone. Peter’s exhortation for women to submit is the antithesis of everything Westerners have been taught for at least fifty years. The idea of submission especially by those labeled as oppressed by society at large is a stumbling block for unbelievers.
ButJesus is calling us higherby asking us to go lowerstill.
Recently Cathy and I were discussing the exhortation to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. “Why Jerusalem?” We asked.
“Why not all of Israel?”
Jerusalem is from Jeru –possession and Salem – peace. Hence Jerulselum means possession of peace. Salem is thought to be Jerusalem in Psalm 76:2. Melchizedek was the King of Salem. Heb 7 Long story short, Jerusalem was on the map and governed by Melchizedek more than two thousand years before Jesus was born. Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah known as the Temple Mount and the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque today. Control of this sacred site has changed hands between Jews, Romans, Muslims, and Christians since 831 BC when King Solomon built his Temple. As we discussed in Why Israel? God’s ultimate desire is that none would perish. 1 Pet 3:9. What that means in practice includes the reconciliation of Abraham’s family through the descendants of Issac and Ishmael. Isaiah 19.
At this moment the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael continue to fight. Jerusalem and especially Mount Moriah represent the question of who is the child of the promise versus the child of the flesh. Paul puts this argument to rest in Romans 3. Of course, Christians are the only ones who validate the words of Paul.
The question is not if we should fight back but how we should fight?
Hence we are called to submit to suffering with Jesus. Rom 8:17. Suffering requires endurance. 2 Tim 2:12 But that suffering must be for doing good. 1 Peter 2:20 We are called to reign with Jesus by suffering for righteousness sake. 1 Pet 3:18-22
When I look at so much of the church today I see an extension of our society at large. They want blessings for the sake of their own comfort. 2 Tim 3:1-7 This is further evidenced by the fear and resentment that are sparked by statements like this. At the end of the day, I see an ingenious strategy of the devil at work. It is the same root of the conflict theory of Karl Marx where the oppressed are exhorted to fight their oppressors. Those who identify as oppressed must fight. Given that marriage between a man and a woman is the foundation of society, it makes sense that the enemy would attack it first. Husbands invariably lose any time wives fight them. I know what some are thinking. “What if he beats her up?” The husband only loses more if he refuses to give himself up and wins a fight with his wife. Hence Peter and Paul address submission as our method for victory. So many things would fall into place if we would grasp the eternal significance of our marriages and our roles as husbands and wives. Eph 5:22-33, Eph 3:10
How do we begin?
The first step is to be brutally honest with ourselves. Examine the myriad ways that we argue and fight, rationalize, and justify rebellion in our hearts. Then remove all permission that we have given ourselves to do so. That’s a hard call for those of us who have been raised in a nation birthed out of rebellion framed as righteousness.
