Comments for Thoughts About Israel

Comment on King and Self-opposition by Louis

Louis — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:07:29 +0000

I too came from a background of proclamation that Jesus is Lord. However, the reality was Crusades in the past and political maneuvering in the present.

There are only two types of kingdoms. The Kingdom of God, and the kingdoms of men. No problem there. The problem arises when men try (in vain) to use the Kingdom of God to rule over men in a material way. That type is illegitimate. It denies the call and virtue of repentance, and endeavors to supplant what God has ordained.

Comment on King and Self-opposition by Jay Graham

Jay Graham — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:38:52 +0000

What a horrible rendition of “Lead me to Calvary”! However you make an excellent point. I recall the denominational church I grew up in claiming Jesus was their King, but in reality there was no such ruler ship. It was in word only. We can see Jesus ruling in Revelation chapters 1 thru 3 as He is speaking His word to His seven churches of Asia. Jesus rules as King of His church through the writings of the apostles and prophets. Let us indeed submit and bow to Jesus as King in reality.

Comment on Strangers by Jay Graham

Jay Graham — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:40:18 +0000

Good thoughts. I would suggest the more affluent a society is and the more affluent a Christian is the easier it can be to forget we are indeed strangers in a strange land. It can be so tempting to think our prosperity comes as a result of the physical nation and people we are part of rather than acknowledging it all comes from the Lord. We may be tempted to say, “Well maybe this is my home!” and forget our home should not be this life. Perhaps as the riches of our nation seems to dwindle and, more importantly, as Christians see their society and government seemingly withdrawing its support of godly values that we have become so accustomed to the past 200 years, Christians, at least in this country, may be more sensitive to their “strange” nature. Indeed—“This would is not my home!”

Comment on Crusaders vs. Christianity by Louis

Louis — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:34:02 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts, Jay. There is confusion concerning the work of the the church, as some feel that the sword is the Lord’s tool. As you brought out, the real weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the word of truth.

That being said, I do believe a politician can be a faithful man or woman. However, to do their work honestly requires that they not view themselves as a voice of the church. I listened to excerpts of the rally with Rick Perry. It all seemed apolitical except for one thing, Rick Perry. If the man is religious then why doesn’t he practice his faith in the meekness of quietness, and pursue the office of a politician with integrity? If he wants to be a Billy Graham or big name type preacher, then let him set aside his political aspirations. But he was present at the rally as an aspiring candidate for the presidency. So as open-armed as it all sounded, it was nothing more than a political rally. . . a Crusader event, a rallying of a constituency. (It all sounded very nice, but the reality. . .)

Comment on Crusaders vs. Christianity by Jay Graham

Jay Graham — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:35:23 +0000

Well said Louis. There does seem to be elements in what is considered “Christianity” even today that could easily take physical arms against those whom they disagree with. And worse, they would do so in the name of the Lord. With this said, Christians are indeed in a war. We fight with the Lord’s Word and His Truth. Eph 6:12 — “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” 1 Tim 6:12 — “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Comment on Boundaries of Nations (pt.2) by Louis

Louis — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:59:25 +0000

Ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth. . . . This, I think is a plight of our days.

Comment on Boundaries of Nations (pt.2) by Jay Graham

Jay Graham — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:22:11 +0000

There is another related lesson I can see from the failed attempt to build the Tower of Babel. Yes, the Lord caused their building to cease, probably for several reasons, and one of the reasons I can see is He was not ready for man to reach a level as described in Gen 11:6c – “now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. “ As has already been pointed out if mankind was able to work as unified he would accomplish this. It is my conviction the Lord may now be allowing man to reach that point of unification. It will not necessarily be pleasing to Him for man to reach that point, for it would surely hinder man’s desire for repentance and dependence upon Him as Louis has already noted. This work of unity can perhaps be seen in these modern times.
Consider the wonders man has achieved over the past 50 years in the areas of science (the moon landings) of medicine (seemingly miraculous advances against many diseases such as cancers and serious childhood illnesses) of knowledge of the Universe, etc. Perhaps one of the primary essentials that has led to this stage are computers. Mankind may indeed reach a point in which the Lord will allow “… nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. “ Perhaps man reaching this point of self-satisfaction and pride may indeed encourage a remnant with “broken hearts and contrite spirits” to seek His Creator rather than the created.

Comment on boundaries of nations by Louis

Louis — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:50:59 +0000

I appreciate you comments, Jay.

The closest thing I see about God being behind the return of Israel is when Jesus said; “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Whether He indicated this as a course of events or as a matter of God’s purpose. . . I think it is God’s purpose, but I do not know. However, I do believe He desires the Natural Branches to be grafted back in, and the establishing of boundaries facilitates that – cf. Acts 17:26-27.

This might seem obscure. . .The Bible describes in prophetic language, the drying up of the river Euphrates to prepare the way for the kings of the East. (Rev.16:12) I believe this is about the end of the Ottoman Empire, its subsequent colonization by European powers and their overthrow by the people of these lands. In the course of these struggles, Israel emerged. God’s plan? Well, the text shows that it was an angel of the Lord who poured out the bowl of wrath upon the Euphrates.

Anyway. . .something to keep our eyes on. .

Comment on boundaries of nations by Jay Graham

Jay Graham — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:02:14 +0000

Why should the physical nation of Israel pull back to its pre-1967 border? Don’t people remember how and why they became part of Israel? Ultimately as a result of a series of wars and battles instigated by various Arab nations.
This next thought is not unique to me– “If the Arab nations would lay their arms down there would be peace in the Middle East in regard to Israel. If Israel was to lay its arms down there would be a bloodbath.”
There is no doubt Israel has caused many of its problems as is the case with all earthly nations. Forcing Israel to give back what it took as a result of the 1967 war will not bring peace. Certainly there have been many decisions made by this country of ours that was not good. (ie. the way we treated the native Americans, slavery, etc.) You cannot always repair the bad decisions of the past. My 2nd point still applies. Israel is the only functioning democracy in the Middle East and they are the only Ally we can depend upon. They are not trying to take over and kill its neighbors. The very small percentage they control in the Mid-East is so minute, yet our president wants them to give up what they gained by defending themselves?

I do not know if the 1948 re-establishment of the physical nation of Israel was a result of prophecy or not as many believe. My backing of the physical nation of Israel is not necessarily based on scripture. One thing is for certain Israel has repeatedly been attacked many times since then. In every instance they were invaded first. They simply defended themselves. And they continue to defend themselves. Who are we to demand they give up what they rightfully control? If the Arab nations do not like the result they can only blame themselves.

Comment on Hidden ones. . by Jay Graham

Jay Graham — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:58:54 +0000

The faithful people of God have always been a remnant of the “perceived people of God.” This pertained to those of both the Old and New Covenants. For the most part God’s faithful have gone unnoticed to the eyes of the world, even in regard to the religious perspective of the world.
With this said, those that are looking for the Lord and His people can always find His faithful. Even when the Lord can be found through a young servant girl.
Consider who the apostles were. They were primarily common ordinary men such as fishermen, an unpopular tax collector, etc. It is interesting to note the lone exception was a Benjamite Pharisee who set aside his “religiously honorable status” and counted it as “dung” compared to the faith he found in Christ.
Satan would much rather people seek for the Lord and His will through those “famous and entertaining names” highlighted through various popular media rather than through the Lord’s humble servants and His humble church. The Lord’s message comes through His humble servants rather than the “mighty faces” of religion.
1 Cor 1:18-21 — “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”