World News Through the Third Lens

You may remember from an earlier blog that the "third lens" is Scripture, the Holy Bible, the Word of God. You may also remember that this is a blog, and therefore is similar to an op-ed. While this blogger will make every attempt to report events with truth and accuracy, he makes no attempt to maintain a lack of bias. I believe that current events flow out of Scripture and that the Bible gives us a macro-view of the future. Consequently, it is this blogger's opinion that current events are best understood in the light of Scripture. While it is impossible to retrofit every new item into a passage of Scripture, it is the big picture of biblical truth that helps us understand the news. With the Bible as our guide, there is no need to wring our hands in despair.

From the Jerusalem Post: Iran Launches Research Rocket Into Space. "Iran announced Wednesday that it had successfully launched a 10-foot long research rocket, carrying a mouse, two turtles and some worms into space - a feat President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said showed Iran could defeat the West in the battle of technology. Western powers fear the same technology used to launch satellites and research capsules could also deliver warheads." One biblical perspective is in Zechariah 9:16, "The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people."

From INN: Prime Minister: Jerusalem to Remain Undivided, No PA Offices to Open. According to a senior official in the office of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Israel has silently agreed to allow the PA to open official offices in the capital. The report claims the US has also been helping the PA develop infrastructures within the Jerusalem municipal boundaries. Dmitri Ziliani, a spokesman for Fatah, confirmed the PA holds regular official meetings in Jerusalem in anticipation of a future PA state that would encompass the eastern portion of the city. When asked about the PA's claims, PM Netanyahu's spokesman said, "The prime minister's position is clear - Jerusalem will remain the united capital of Israel." So far this is just a few of thousands of words exchanged in trying to establish a workable peace plan. The Bible makes it clear that ultimately, there will be a rebuilt Jewish temple on the Temple Mount, and there will be some sort of sharing of the city of Jerusalem with the Gentile world. Revelation 11:1-2, "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, 'Go and measure the temple of God and the altar and count the worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months."

Today the National Prayer Breakfast was observed in Washington, D.C., as it has been for the past 57 years. President Barak Obama was there and I have watched his speech on CNN. TVC Executive Director, Andrea Lafferty in a blog on worth-reading.com stated that she heard "was a lecture on how America needs to be more civil." She went on to say (and I agree with her) "President Obama argues for civility even as he pushes abortion and homosexuality with all of the muscle available to the federal government. While other presidents have talked about appointing 'the best and the brightest' to key posts, Mr Obama offers us the 'most extreme and the least talented." Three Scriptures will be cited as appropriate commentaries.

"I urge you first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all in authority..." (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

"Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness." (Proverbs 25:5)

And with respect to the "church" posturing on this stage, and not standing up for righteousness in the least, "...having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (2 Timothy 3:5)