Thanksgiving (To whom? For what?)

Thanksgiving...

To whom? For What?

On my way to a meeting this morning, Glen Beck on the Patriot Channel on Sirius XM Radio announced that Turkey had just shot down a Russian war plane and that World War III had begun. NATO would be holding an emergency meeting in two hours in Brussels, a city still on extended lock-down because of terrorist threats. The US Department of Homeland Security had just issued a warning to all travelers to be on the alert this extended holiday weekend. And JC Penny announced that, for them, Black Thursday would begin at 3 P.M. And the verse of the day on my Bible app reads: "but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

As I reflected on this verse, I remembered that it was written as the conclusion of Paul's defense of the resurrection. He had made the point that if there were no resurrection then Christ could not have been raised from the dead. If that were true, then we (Christians) would be the most miserable of all people, still dead in our sins and trespasses. Many Christians walk around in the shadow of the cross, overlooking the significance of the empty tomb. If Jesus had only died, claiming that His death was for the remission of our sins, but had not risen from the dead, at the end of day He would have been nothing more than a dead liar.

Paul even makes the outrageous claim that if Christ had not risen from the dead, it would be better to embrace the Epicurean philosophy ("Eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die.") than to embrace Christianity. But Jesus has indeed been raised from the dead. Paul had already presented incontrovertible proof of that fact, leading to the next fact: we too shall be raised from the dead. That is both good news and bad news.

Some of us remember the old Schlitz (?) Beer commercial: "You only go around once in life, so grab all the gusto you can!" It was a modern take on Epicureanism, and at it's core was the lie that when you die, that's it. Eternal nothingness! But the truth is, all will be raised from the dead, some unto everlasting joy and some unto everlasting torment. It all depends on what we do with this Jesus. Do we believer in His atoning death; justifying resurrection? Do we confess (accompanied by obedience) His Lordship and do we believe He is coming again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

If the answer is "Yes!" then there is a glorious eternity awaiting us. Current events are not so alarming, because as we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!" we understand that things on planet Earth must wax worse and worse until He does. We understand that things like wars, famines, and earthquakes will increase in both intensity and frequency. Apostasy will increase within the visible church while the true church will be purified in the fires of affliction. There is the side of our prayer that we verbalize and the side we internalize. One cannot happen without the other.

It is with that truth in mind that we can "speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," Ephesians 5:19-20 And... "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

World News Through the Third Lens: Israel Dominates the News

Israel dominates the headlines, but not in the United States. I found none of the following stories in the local paper, either yesterday or today. Life goes on in the West, with precious little concern for the land of God's promise, or the people to whom He promised it. Meanwhile things are heating up on all sides surrounding the little strip of land called Israel. US Veto of PA Bid for UN State Recognition Not the End of the Matter (Jerusalem Post). Palestine could still gain recognition as a non-member state, with observer status. This would require only a simple majority vote of the General Assembly. 120 countries have already recognized Palestine. A decision is expected before the end of September.

UN Secretary General: Palestinian Statehood is Long Overdue. (Ha'aretz) Ban-Ki-Moon went on to say, "The two state vision where Israel and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security -- that is still a valid vision and I support it." As illogical as was the original Road map to Peace, it at least contained certain conditions that Palestine must keep for the process to move forward: 1) recognition of Israel as a legal state in the region, 2) renounce terror against the Jewish nation, 3) dismantle all terrorist groups within its territory, 4) end all forms of anti-Israel incitement within its systems. Not one of these conditions has been met, and yet the UN is about to recognize Palestine as a legal state. To Islamists, the two state solution is neither a reality nor a vision.

Israel Faces Worst Crisis With Egypt for 30 Years as Diplomats Flee (INN). Hundreds of protesters tore down the protective barrier in front of the building housing the Israeli embassy, stormed the building and entered the floors of the embassy, destroying hundreds of documents in the process, while 86 embassy members were air-lifted to safety. Egyptian security forces did not intervene, even as the Israeli flag was torn down and burned. This is the new face of "democracy" in Egypt which was supported by President Obama. The peace between Israel and Egypt has now been strained to the breaking point.

Jordanians Planning March on Israeli Embassy (INN). A group in Amman has called for one million people to gather at the large mosque near the Israeli Embassy, and to then march on it and do what protesters did in Cairo just last Friday.

Turkish Warships to Challenge Israel (DEBKA). Turkish PM, Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkish warship would henceforth accompany any aid ships on route to the Gaza Strip. This is in spite of the fact that this piece of land was given over to the Palestinians by Israel, and included in the cost was the displacement of over 9,000 Israeli citizens. The Palestinians destroyed most of the infrastructure left behind, killed many of their own during the infighting between Hamas and Fatah, and then continued to bombard the south of Israel with rockets and missiles. This lead to Operation Lead Cast in which Israel defended herself as any sovereign nation would, only to incur false defamation on the part of UN inspectors. Even now, rockets and missiles are fired into Israeli settlements, with no regard for targets.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: 'Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that i will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it'" (Zechariah 12:1-3). It's beginning to take shape, just as the Lord declared it. The problem in the Middle east, with Jerusalem the epi-center, will get so intense that peace will be sought at all cost; and to the relief of the un-believing world, it will be gained. Even the majority of Israel, gathered in the land in unbelief, will accept this 7 year peace agreement.

This will be the time for the saints of God to be watching and waiting for the return of their Lord and King. It will mark the beginning of Daniel's 70th week and the opening of the first seal in Revelation 6. It will be a time when faith must be strengthened, and trust renewed, for this will mark the beginning of sorrows. Follow the drama in Matthew 24. This will be a time when deception runs rampant, man-made and natural disasters increase, persecution of the true church intensifies, false prophets abound and apostasy runs rampant. This will lead right up to the "abomination of desolation" spoken of in Daniel 9:27, followed by the worst persecution the church has ever faced. Those days will be cut short by the return of Christ, who will raise the faithful dead, and in an instant transform those living in Him, gathering them all together to meet Him in the air (Matthew 24:22, 31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

This is just a brief summary of events to expect in the future, and in no way is meant to predict the timing of Christ's return. However, it is important to say to anyone reading this, "Let no man deceive you..." There is much deception out there concerning the return of Christ, ranging from exact date predictions (like last May 21st) to an "any-time rapture." While we do not, and will not know the day or the hour of Christ's return, He has gone to great lengths to give us the signs. That is why Paul said, "...concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write you" (1 Thessalonians 5:1). He goes on to say that "the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Don't be deceived into thinking that the day of the Lord is the entire seven years of Daniel's 70th week. It is not! The day of the Lord is not unbelieving man's wrath against the church, neither is it the wrath of Satan through the Antichrist against the church. The church must go through all of this, by which she will be purified and made spotless. The day of the Lord comes and He pours out His wrath upon the world, sometime well into the second half of the 7 year period, and only after He has gathered His saints unto himself - thereby cutting short the Great Tribulation. This happens between the 6th and 7th seals of Revelation. The signs are all there. Today's headlines are just harbingers of the signs that are yet to come..........shortly, it seems.

"And when you see these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift your heads; for your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28).

World News Through the Third Lens: Easter

"Churches join to follow Jesus' footsteps" reads the headlines of one local newspaper: by Les Young

To say that the secular media has been full of reports concerning the events and celebrations of Holy Week would be a misstatement. Oh, there has been an article here and another one there. Please understand, my aim here is not to criticize the secular media for incomplete or inaccurate reporting, nor is it my intent to lampoon churches for bringing secular (perhaps even pagan) rituals into their celebrations of this season. It is not the job of the secular media to preach the Gospel; that mission was given to the church (Matthew 28:19-20). And who am I to say when a church has crossed the line where the bait once used to fish for men has become an object of worship by means of tradition?

Valerie Schultz, blogging in the Bakersfield Californian, tells of a conversation she overheard recently in a local mall. "Now that the kids are gone," one woman said, "Easter hardly matters." "I know what you mean. My kids are too big for baskets. I don't even dye eggs anymore," said her companion without blinking. It is a "no-brainer" that bunnies and colored eggs have nothing to do with the real meaning of Easter, and the events that led up to it. To some extent, the most important event in history has been hijacked by Madison Avenue and K-Mart. To a lesser extent, but perhaps more dangerous, the real meaning has been hijacked by the church as well.

On this day in history, our president, who claims to be a Christian, gave his Easter Address. While he mentioned the Jewish observance of Passover, and the fact that he and his family, will join other Christians around the world in marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So far, so good, but as happens all too often in the church pulpit, so it is with the president's bully pulpit: essential truths are left out and erroneous elements are mixed in. The president went on, trying to build unity between "Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, believers and non=believers alike." "On this weekend, let us hold fast to those aspirations we hold in common as brothers and sisters, as members of the same family - the family of man," he said. For the complete address, go to www.whitehouse.gov

A biblical (third lens) perspective: The commercialization of Easter is best understood by looking at one of the most frequently Scriptures in the Bible. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10) Come to think of it, that may be a reason for watering down the Gospel in the churches, trying to appeal to the masses. Nickles and noses are important to church business to. But are they important to God - I mean important enough to change the message just for the sake of a big following. The answer to that is a resounding "No!"

Just think of some of the things Jesus said. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are FEW who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). (emphasis is mine). I can still remember as a kid being deeply moved by black and white depictions of Jesus' death and resurrection, but I never had any idea why it was necessary, and what would be involved in really partaking of its benefits. Again, the words of Jesus: "...Who is My mother and who are My brothers?....For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:48, 50) Without being brought into the family of God by accepting the grace of Jesus' death and resurrection for us, we are still dead in sins and trespasses and are of our father, the devil. (Ephesians 2:1-9; John8:44). No matter what the common aspirations are of the family of man, apart from Christ, man is doomed, and no government, no religion, no economic policy can save him.

The words of Paul: "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached (i.e., don't let it be replaced by some other gospel or tradition) to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living..." (1 Corinthians 15:1-6) Christ died for our sins. He died in our place, receiving the just punishment that each of us deserves. This is great news, but it would be nothing more than a warm sentiment if He were not raised again on the third day. Paul goes on to say: "...if Christ has not been raised your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17)

Tomorrow morning you may hear people greeting one another with the proclamation, "Christ is Risen!" followed by the response, "He is risen indeed!" This comes from "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians 15:20) Let us not get lulled into thinking that Easter is just a cute holiday to be celebrated with bunnies, colored eggs, and chocolate crosses. Let us not get lulled into thinking that the various religious beliefs don't matter because we are all just part of the brotherhood of men, with the same hopes and dreams. Good Friday (which should be renamed Good Wednesday or Thursday - but that's another story) happened because sin is awful and demanded an awful price. Easter, (better labeled as Resurrection Sunday - a fixed day, not one that can vary by almost 30 days - but that's another story) happened to validate what happened on Good Friday. Those who believe are of the family of God, and are on the narrow road to life. Those who don't..........