World News Through the Third Lens: Hoof Beats

While this post, like all of my posts, makes no attempt to link specific news events with particular Scriptures, I must say that it appears that the sound of the hoof beats of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are getting louder.

So many things are breaking on the world scene that it is hard to ignore the fact that something of unprecedented proportions is about to break. It is wise to refrain from trying to set a date since Jesus said,  "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Matthew 24:36 (NKJV) However, Jesus did answer His disciples questions, "...and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" It blesses me to see the parallel between Jesus' answer to these questions in the Olivet Discourse and the revelation given to John in Revelation 6.

Matthew 24:5 and THE FIRST SEAL (Revelation 6:1-2).

Matthew 24:6-7a and THE SECOND SEAL (Revelation 6:3-4).

Matthew 24:7b and THE THIRD SEAL (Revelation 6:5-6).

Matthew 24:7c-8 and THE FOURTH SEAL (Revelation 6:7-8).

Matthew 24:9 and THE FIFTH SEAL (Revelation 6:9-11).

Matthew 24:29 and THE SIXTH SEAL (Revelation 6:12-13).

Notice also that the 5th seal only hints at the persecution of the Antichrist. Jesus spoke of his appearing in Matthew 24:15 with a warning (which would be primarily to the Jews, since it takes place in Jerusalem) for those in close proximity to flee. I'm not saying that the Antichrist is a Muslim, but he will be against (anti) both the Saturday and the Sunday people, as radical Muslims are today. Jesus reveals more detail about him with the parenthetical insertion of Revelation 13. The timing of the appearance of the Antichrist is clear from the agreement of several Scriptures (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3; Revelation 6:9-11) - midway through Daniel's 70th week and prior to the Lord's Second Coming.

The Lord's Second Coming will be immediately preceded by cosmic disturbances (Joel 2:30-31; Matthew 24:29 & Revelation 6:12-13) and will consist of several events (The great appearing, trumpet call and gathering of the elect [rapture/resurrection], Matthew 24:30, 36-41; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3; Revelation 7:9-17), followed by the Day of the Lord (Revelation 6:15-17) and the wrath of God (Revelation 15:1).

There is so much more to be said on this subject. The good news is that God has not appointed the saints to suffer His wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9) and we know that events leading up to God's wrath (the Day of the Lord) will happen like birth pains do in a woman about to give birth (Matthew 24:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:3). These birth pains, which increase in both frequency and intensity, could be compared to hoof beats which get louder and louder as they get closer. May the Holy Spirit grant the church revelation with these things as a backdrop for some of the bulleted news events in our world over the past week or so.

• "The overall chairman of the National Day of Prayer event in Washington each year is Shirley Dobson, the wife of Dr. James Dobson. The military and every branch of government was represented -- except for the Administration -- as President Obama did not send a representative." -Wm. Murray, rfcnet.org
• "Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's Iranian attorney has been convicted for his work defending human rights, leaving the persecuted pastor without legal representation." -ACLJ.org
• "The very real threat remains that Iran will get a nuclear weapon and we continue to pray on two fronts: that God will act sovereignly in shaking the nation of Iran and that he will use Israel militarily against Iran." ifi.org.il
• DOZENS OF DEATHS CONTINUE IN SYRIA DESPITE CEASE-FIRE PLAN jnnnews.com
• Iran's Navy has the ability to deploy its vessels three miles off the U.S. east coast, a high-ranking Iranian Navy commander was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency. watch.org
• A new report finds that Christians are the target of religiously motivated physical attacks, intolerance and discrimination more than the people of any other faith in Europe. (WorldNetDaily)
• "Islam as a tool for judgment!" Bill Wilson, KIN

World News Through the Third Lens: The last item in the above list might rightly be seen in light of the first chapter of Habakkuk. Habakkuk cries out to God in the first four verses concerning the sin that was part of daily life in Israel. He wonders how long God is going to allow wickedness to continue. God's answer (verses 5-11) was that He was going to use a fierce and ungodly people, the Chaldeans (Babylonians) who were a law unto themselves as an instrument of judgment against Judah. Habakkuk questions this response, saying, "You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he?" Habakkuk 1:13 (NKJV) God makes it clear that in His time, justice will be served, declaring,  "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4 (NKJV)

May we be filled with faith that God has everything under control, no matter how "out of control" things seem to get. May we say with the prophet,
¹⁷ Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls--
¹⁸ Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
¹⁹ The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV)

Yes, may this be our praise and our song!

World News Through the Third Lens: Closed!

"What if your church was evicted tomorrow?" read the subject line in an email dated January 28, 2012 from the Family Research Council. There are probably thousands, if not millions, who call themselves Christians here in the United States who either don't care to consider the question or who are unaware that it is happening right now............RIGHT NOW in the land of the First Amendment! As is often the case, persecution against a particular group of people (those of the Christian faith in particular) usually begins on the margins. Wholesale attacks against the main body of that group are rare in the beginning.


Marginal attacks tend to cause the main body to think, "Oh, it's just those radicals, so we have nothing to worry about." Or the thinking goes, "That's just happening in _______, but nothing like that would ever happen there," or "If we just don't make any waves, that will blow over." In times like this I often think of the words of Martin Niemoller.


"First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak out because I was a Protestant.
Then they cam for me and there was no one left to speak out for me."


The above captioned email says that unless a change is made, "on February 12, 2012, as many as 100 churches in New York City face eviction on February 12, as the school board's ban against the use of property by religious congregations goes into effect. The evictions could be devastating to small congregations and church plants in the city and......opportunities for ministry in many areas of the Big Apple would be effectively shut down." All of this is happening in spite of the fact that: 1) The Lamb's Chapel decision by the Supreme Court several years ago guaranteed equal access to government buildings by all groups (even religious groups), and 2) the churches using schools in New York City have been model tenants, providing much needed revenue and services to the city.


Through the Third Lens of Scripture......There are some prophetic portions of Scripture that tell us that there will come a time when such incidents will not be isolated or infrequent. In fact, because all of the last days events are described as "birth pains" we can expect that they will increase in both intensity or severity. Consider: "But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness......You will be hated by all for my name's sake" (Luke 21:12-13, 17). This whole passage could serve as a summary of the life of the Apostle Paul.


This confirms that such persecution of the followers of Christ has been around for almost 2000 years, but remember the birth pangs. One of the agonizing results of our military intervention in the countries of Iraq and Afghanistan (in addition to the loss of so many of our finest and bravest) has been the increase of persecution of Christians in these countries. Many have died and many more have fled for their lives. Some of the places to which Christians have fled are Muslim countries, formerly ruled by moderate, secular governments, but which, in the name of "democracy" have undergone revolutions, only to be ruled by the Muslim Brotherhood (e.g., Egypt). Since becoming "democratic" persecution of Christians has increased in these countries.


"Of course," you might say, "the persecution mentioned in Luke 21 is future, not now," or, "New York City is not the Bible belt," or, "Egypt is not the USA!" May I remind you, there were a lot of things Martin Niemoller was not, but he spent 5 years imprisoned at Dachau. The Bible makes it clear that there is a time coming when persecution of true Christians will be world-wide. "And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. It was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.** And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of the Lamb who was slain." (Revelation 13:5-8).


Just because Christians have been being persecuted from Acts 3 until this day, make no mistake about it; the events spoken of in Revelation 13 are the same as those spoken about by Jesus in Matthew 24 depict a time like never before seen in history. "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. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved [physically].But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short." (Matthew 24:21-22) Those days will be cut short, as you follow the sequence of Matthew 24, by the Coming of the Son of Man, or the Rapture. It is obvious that the church does not escape exposure to the Great Tribulation. Death will be the portion of many, but it is said of them, "And they have conquered him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11)


So, how can we be encouraged in the midst of such dire predictions, predictions which are seeing early (from a western viewpoint) signs of fulfillment? What can and should we do? I believe this is a time when every commandment, every promise in the Word of God, when rightly viewed in the light of unfolding prophecy should be considered with the utmost urgency. The followers of Christ need to:

1. Read, understand and practice, with all seriousness, the Great Commandment(s). "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)


2. Read, understand and practice, with all seriousness, the Great Commission. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)


3. Read, understand and begin to find ways to practically live within our own culture as the early church did (Acts 2:42-47).


At some point, the Lord willing, we will explore these three points in much greater detail. Until then, encourage others with, and be encouraged yourselves by the fact that Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. When He does, it will be obvious "....that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)

World News Through the Third Lens: Birth Pains

Birth pains, with respect to child birth are something I have never experienced. I am told, by reliable sources, that they usually begin in relatively mild fashion and then increase in intensity as the birth draws ever closer. Likewise, the pains begin spaced quite far apart and increase in frequency as the baby's arrival approaches. When I was training to be an EMT, we were taught that when dealing with pain, one of the things we should ask the patient to do was rate their pain on a scale of 1 - 10 with 1 being very mild and 10 being the worst they had ever experienced. One of the students in the class, a mother of 3 piped up and said, "For female patients, they should add an 11th class - birth pains just prior to delivery.


In the picture above, birth pains are not necessarily being illustrated, but we can see the foot print of the little one pressing hard against its mother's stomach. At the very least, it's a picture of discomfort, and a sign that birth is not far off. I cannot say with certainty whether the world has now entered the birth pains stage of history, just prior to the return of Christ, or whether we are just in an ever-increasing state of discomfort. One thing is for certain, both the intensity and the frequency of troubling events is increasing.


I am far from being the most learned or informed person on the planet concerning the end-times and how current events fit into the prophesied scheme of things. I do know that many who claim to be experts, and who enjoy large spheres of influence are constantly getting it wrong. The errors range from naming the Antichrist to picking the date of the Rapture; from proclaiming an imminent (anytime, signless) Rapture, to preaching a feel-good Gospel with no mention of the prospect of suffering. And so they come, in Christ's Name, and deceive many with messages that appeal to the flesh.


In Matthew 24:3 Jesus' disciples asked Him three questions: 1) When will this happen (temple destroyed)? 2) What will be the sign of your coming? 3) What will be the sign of the end of the age?Jesus' first response was, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name claiming, 'I am the Christ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains." (Matthew 24:4-8)


The "I am the Christ" deception is not speaking just of those who claim to be the Christ, but also of those who claim to speak for him. So little is being done these days to prepare the saints for the return of Christ. The Bible makes it clear that the saints will have to endure all the way through and up to the sixth seal of Revelation 6. That means that the false Christs, the false peace-maker who initiates a 7-year covenant with Israel, wars and rumors of war, famines and earthquakes, the breaking of the 7-year covenant and the persecution of both godly Jews and Christians that follows will all have to be endured. Thus, the Bible does not fit with a "Your Best Life Now" philosophy or any variation thereof. The Bible declares "...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:12-13)


Jesus was asked to give signs of His coming. Jesus gave signs of His coming. The last sign, immediately preceding the return of Christ (the event which will cut short those days of terrible tribulation for the sake of the elect - Matthew 24:22) is the darkening and shaking of the heavenly bodies and the coming of the Son of Man visibly, as lightning from east to west (Matthew 24:27 - 30). And what happens at this coming? The angels are sent to gather the elect with a loud trumpet call (Matthew 24:31). This is the Resurrection/Rapture, right down to the trumpet call (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).


When Jesus was in the midst of listing all the things that would take place prior to His coming and the end of the age, He declared, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm (endures) to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:12-13). It is from this verse 13 that Encouragement for End-Times Endurance was birthed as a ministry. The only way to prepare people to endure is to speak a challenging message about the necessity to gird up our minds with a "boot-camp" mentality. Some teachers and preachers have said, with an air of righteousness, "I'm not looking for the Antichrist, I'm looking for Christ." That sounds so nice, but it disregards the fact that right in the middle of the signs that PRECEDE His coming, Jesus speaks of the revelation of the Antichrist, and his persecution which begins in Jerusalem and spreads throughout the world (Matthew 24:15 - 21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10; Revelation 13:7-8).


Contrary to other installments of this blog, there is no mention of a particular news item, followed by a Scriptural commentary. They are coming so fast and furious these days: Arab Spring Wars, Syrian oppression, Iran's nukes, economic chaos in Europe, floods in the Philippines, earthquakes in Turkey, famine in South Africa..........Rather than comment on any one, I would like to point out something I believe the Lord gave me. I say that, not to suggest that I am someone special, but to say that I have never read or heard this from any man. The signs which Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 would have meant little to people living 150 years ago, much less 1800 years ago. In fact, you and I are living in what has been dubbed "The Information Age." We are living at a time when virtually anything happening on the planet can be seen by anyone else on the planet. We are living in an age when the signs are more significant than ever, for they are signs for all people, signs that can be measured and counted, just just like birth pains.


"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:19-25)

World News Through the Third Lens: Rejoicing & Weeping

Said Mussa Released: According to a report from the Religious Freedom Coalition today, Afghan Christian convert, Said Mussa, was released and escaped to a European nation. Even with our huge military presence in Afghanistan, the US media had little to say about this incident. Just a few days ago, Encouragement for End-Times Endurance posted a link on facebook by which people could pressure our US State Department to intervene in Mussa's behalf. This also pointed out the need for prayer for our Christian brother. Praise God for his release and escape to safety.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3, NIV).

The Obama Administration Will No Longer Defend DOMA according to several news sources this past week. This makes official what the Justice Department has (not) been doing for the past two years - the only difference being that they will no longer have to fake it. DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law in 1996 by President Clinton, and defined (for federal purposes) marriage as between one man and one woman. Once the LGBT agenda became a civil rights issue rather than a moral issue, the battle was lost. Now we have reached the point where one man (President Obama) has elevated himself above the Congress and the Judiciary, declaring a law to be unconstitutional. This is a quantum leap from a democratic republic into the realms of dictatorship.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush" (Jeremiah 8:12, NIV). Conduct that was hardly spoken of in secret 50 years ago is now being paraded around as normal, as a civil right, and as legal. That's a far cry from blushing. God's proclamation on such behavior: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20, NIV). The people of God must be counted as those who "...grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done..." (Ezekiel 9:4a, NIV) and NOT as those who "...know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve deserve death (yet) they not only continue in such things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:32, NIV).

World News Through the Third Lens: What values Are Being Defended in the Afghan War?

"High-level Interests? Afghan Christian convert's case may be the subject of a U.S. meeting" reads the November 30, 2010 banner to a by-line by Mindy Belz of World Magazine.

"The case of Afghan Sayad Mossa, who has been in a Kabul jail since May 31 allegedly for converting from Islam to Christianity, will be the subject of a meeting between Gen. David Petraeus and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, according to legal counsel who arrived in Kabul this week to assist the 45-year old Mossa."

Belz goes on to state in her article that there have been a number of conflicting reports concerning Mossa's case, who had just last week been able to secure legal representation through Advocates International, a faith-based association with 25,000 attorneys in 130 countries. Belz quoted the prosecutor in charge of western Kabul, Din Mohammad Quraishi, as saying that Mossa and another prisoner, Ahmad Shah, are being detained and charged with apostasy: "They are accused of conversion to another religion, which is a crime under Islamic law. If proved, they face the death penalty or life imprisonment."

The article goes on to point out the tenuous situation in Afghanistan, the touchy issues already on the table following Karzai's criticism of NATO troops and the recent leaks from Wikileaks revealing the US's raw frustration with corruption within the Karzai government.

Through the third lens of Scripture: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you." (Matthew 5:11-12). "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony: they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11). How easy it is to post those Scriptures from the comfort of my office. Nobody is persecuting me today because of the profession of my faith in Jesus the Christ. Yet the day is not over, and because I am about to encourage all Believers through this blog to get ready for what may be in our lifetime a time of widespread persecution of Christians, I expect some to be repelled by the message. However, I am compelled, not by a desire to be liked by everyone, but only to hear my Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," to speak what I know to be the truth on what are often disturbing subjects.

There is a mixed message in this country as to whether the church is gaining in influence and popularity or whether the opposite is true. I suppose the answer could depend on your definition of the church: is it the institution with its outward appearance or is it those who have experienced the new birth and have chosen to walk the narrow road that leads to life? Certain segments of the visible church have demonstrated a continuing willingness to go along with political correctness so as to get along with the powers that be. Homosexuality has been redefined from a moral abomination to a legitimate alternative (and thus a civil right); marriage has been redefined from "one man-one woman-for life" to (well....we've already started down the slippery slope so there's no telling where it will end). To stand up for the sanctity of life or biblical marriage will always invite persecution from somewhere.

And now to speak ill of Islam, or our country's ominous war on terrorism is to probably walk on thin ice also. So be it. How can there be any question that our presidents have gotten it wrong when they label Islam as a "religion of peace?" Virtually every nation on the planet where Islam is in the majority, Christians are persecuted to some degree or another. How could the United States of America, with its Constitution (including the First Amendment) expend so many resources (including human lives where are of inestimable value) to free a country from Taliban rule, only to replace it with a government set up to persecute Christians? What values are our service men and women putting their lives on the line to defend? Could it be a portent of things to come where, even in the USA, all manner of religious expression other than Christian is protected? The best way to prepare for and yes, even prevent such an eventuality is to speak and live biblical truth now, at every opportunity.

Be encouraged in Christ!

World News Through the Third Lens: The Important War

"In Afghanistan it includes a war on Christians" reads the sub-banner of an article published in the July 17 issue of World. They quote Michael O'Hanlon, writing in The Wall Street Journal as saying that there is "too much loose talk and sloppy thinking" on Afghanistan. "Along with the debates on timelines for U.S. troop drawdowns, the confusion feeds a sense of strategic drift that is not helpful to maintaining national resolve on this important war." In context it becomes clear that O'Hanlon was not talking about something that began with General McChrystal's off the cuff remarks to a liberal journalist in a Paris hotel. It has characterized much of U.S. policy toward Afghanistan for the nine years of war in that country.

Since I have a 21 year old grandson who is currently serving in the Marines in Afghanistan, such remarks really caught my attention. While I am incredibly proud of my grandson (he continues a military tradition in my family that goes back to WWI), I am deeply disturbed by the apparent fact that our country seems to have no viable strategy for Afghanistan, unless it's the waste of $70 Billion a year; along with the waste of the lives of brave warriors whose patriotism is being used to cover up a scheme almost too diabolical to imagine. It goes way beyond the fact that our forces cleared the Taliban militants from mountaintops, only to have them sweep back in via the valley's back door. It goes beyond graft and corruption being fed on an epic scale with U.S. dollars. It goes way beyond rules of engagement being changed so as to favor an enemy with no respect for human life or the Geneva Convention.

The significant event marking the "loose talk and sloppy thinking" began back in 2004 when Afghanistan's constitution was adopted to the applause of Washington and Kabul alike. Since then our troops have been risking life and limb in a battle against two evils, where it is difficult to distinguish which is the lesser thereof. Officially the "lesser evil" is the government of President Karzai, but this government is officially an Islamic republic, with "Islam as its sacred religion." Article 3 states that no law can be contrary to Islam. Article 130 allows for "Hanafi jurisprudence," a form of Shariah law, to take precedence where there is no legal provision on any issue. These provisions marked the end of free speech and personal liberty in Afghanistan before they had ever been secured - so what are our troops fighting for?

The country's Christians (much like the Christians in Iraq) have been discovering the effects of such provisions. Christians have been arrested - some released only after intense international pressure - and others have been forced to renounce their Christianity. What happens out in the country, out of sight from TV cameras is anybody's guess. Afghan Christians had already been living in fear and worshiping underground; overnight they became targets. NGO's (non-government organizations) with the word "church" or "Christian" in their name have had their work suspended. There has been little international pressure for the Karzi's government to grant a greater measure of religious liberty, and there has been NO statement from the White House, or from U.S./NATO leaders in Kabul to this regard - for 6 years!!!

None of the news outlets with full-time correspondents in Afghanistan have covered this issue. A lesser known editor who picked up on World's story contacted the State Department, but received only silence. The only people to speak up is a group of 150 Afghan Christian exiles, all living in New Delhi, India who fled their homeland under duress. What have they said? "We do not know how the whole world and especially the global church is silent, while thousands of their brothers and sisters are in pain, facing life danger...persecuted and called criminals."

So what are we in Afghanistan for...to defend Kabul's right to kill Christian converts? If our government supports - at such a high price - such activities in other countries, how long will it be before they support it at home? If it is still OUR government, then WE need to do something about it.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: Today I heard a sermon which was based on part two of Jesus' answer to one of the Pharisee's questions concerning which, of all the commandments, is the most important? Jesus' answer was, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31) The preacher made it clear that the kind of love we are to extend to our neighbor can only come from a vital love relationship with God. Then, referencing Luke's account, where Jesus answers a follow-up question: "...who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29b), he went on to explain that our neighbor is someone as close as our own spouse or child, extending out to fellow members of our faith community, to those outside that community and even as far as our enemies.

I cannot begin to fathom whether there ever was any moral purity underlying our initial involvement in Afghanistan, but it certainly appears to have vanished as long ago as 2004. Why should our troops be on foreign soil enabling a people who, at their very core, consider the U.S.A. as the "great Satan" and Israel as the "little Satan" to persecute a minority who have chosen to trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? The Scriptures mandate that followers of Christ should "mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15) and "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1) "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)

I know this is not true of all the church, but in general there seems to be too much partying going on. There need to be loud outcries to heaven and to the halls of injustice on earth. This will probably not result in popularity, but remember Jesus' words: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12)