Who Said It?

The following quote was spoken on May 6th of 2010. A certain politician was asked:

“What is your favorite word,” and the politician responded, “My favorite word is the Word…and that is everything. It says it all for us. And that Word…is, we have to give voice to what that means in terms of public policy that would be in keeping with the values of the Word…Isn’t it a beautiful word when you think of it? It just covers everything…we know it means: ‘The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.’ And that’s the great mystery of our faith. He will come again… So, we have to make sure we’re prepared to answer in this life, or otherwise, as to how we have measured up.”

This politician was quoting from the gospel of John.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” John 1:1, 14

The Word in the above scripture passage is the Greek Logos which translates to Christ who is the Second Person of the Godhead. Logos means the ‘eternal expression of the divine intelligence and the disclosure of the divine essence.’

Hint: The opening quotation was spoken by a female politician.

Many would immediately suggest that the words were spoken by ‘Saint Sarah’ Palin. ‘Saint Sarah’ is a title recently and sarcastically bestowed on Sarah Palin by Newsweek Magazine. The suggestion that Sarah Palin spoke those words could be dismissed forthrightly because if a republican politician had suggested that public policy should ‘be in keeping with the values of the Word’, i.e. Christ, he/she would have been mocked and discredited immediately.

The opposition would be clamoring that the separation between church and state must not be compromised according to the constitution.

In reality the constitution and the first amendment say nothing about the separation of church and state. Yet, the AU (Americans United) is an organization claiming to be a nonpartisan organization ‘dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation…’ Such organizations rate politicians according to their voting record relative to the ideology of the organization.

If you haven’t figured out yet who uttered the opening quote it was none other than ‘Preacher Nancy’ Pelosi. And the AU rates Nancy Pelosi’s voting record at 100% which means she supports the ideology of the AU 100% of the time when voting on relative legislation.

This exposes several issues. Firstly ‘Preacher Nancy’s’ opening quotation is totally contradictory to the charter of the AU which she adamantly supports. So what does she really think? Let’s review her voting record on other issues more closely to see if this is a fluke and not a pattern. How about her voting record relative to right to life issues? The ‘Word’ which she embraces definitely has unquestionable positions on such issues. The NRTLC (National Right to Life Committee) rates her voting record at 0% while the NARAL (National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws) Pro-Choice America rates her voting record at 100% favorable to their platform.

It’s also interesting that the AU states they are nonpartisan, but while ‘Preacher Nancy’s’ voting record is 100% favorable to the AU on separation of state and church issues, fellow politicians Tom Coburn, Jim Inhofe, and John Sullivan scored 0%.

It appears that Speaker Pelosi is actually much more transparent than she intends to be. It is so easy to compare the rhetoric and issues espoused by policy makers to Biblical teachings to see if they do as they say. She is no different than any politician that proclaims Christianity and then for example befriends Israel’s enemies and attempts to divide their land.

The ‘Word’ addressed such actions as He was speaking to the scribes and Pharisees:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence…first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:25-26

‘Preacher Nancy’ did, however, utter some profound prophecy in her quotation at the beginning of this column, i.e.:

“He (the Word) will come again. So, we have to make sure we’re prepared to answer in this life, or otherwise, as to how we have measured up.”

You’re right on ‘Preacher Nancy’ because the ‘Word’ Himself states:

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12

Many find the inconsistencies and antics in the political arena, coming from both sides of the aisle, to be laughable. So while men may laugh, how about God? Does He find any of man’s naiveté and foolishness to be laughable? Next week we’ll address the issue of whether or not God laughs, and if so, what would cause Him to do so.

Wars of the Future

The Bible states there will be wars throughout the present age. The disciples asked Jesus for a sign that would indicate when He would return to earth and Jesus replied:

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars…for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:6-8

Jesus said that between the time of His ascension to heaven and the time that He returns to earth wars would be ongoing along with famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. These would be just samples of what is to come.

In particular, there will be three major wars that will occur in the future. The third and final war will end all wars.

The first major future war will occur at the beginning of the seven year tribulation period.

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9

“…Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:12

Satan’s permanent abode in heaven ended ages ago, but he still had access to the throne to accuse God’s people. His fall is described in Isaiah.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! ...You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will be like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:12-14

Satan’s pride would not allow him to bow down to his creator. He could not stand to be number two.

His access to the throne of God after losing his permanent abode in Heaven is confirmed in the Book of Job.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’” Job 1:6-7

The second of the three major future wars will occur at the end of the seven year tribulation period. This war will in fact end the tribulation. This war occurs when Christ returns to earth to claim and rule over that which He paid for on the Cross.

“Behold, the day of the LORD is coming…for I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem…Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations…” Zechariah 14:1-3

“And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” Revelation 16:16

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” Revelation 19:11

“And I saw the beast (Anti-Christ), the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse…Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet…These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.” Revelation 19:19-21

After the second war at the end of the tribulation period the nations will be disarmed, neither will nation will fight against nation anymore.

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the…LORD’s house shall be established…and all nations shall flow to it…for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” Isaiah 2:2-4

One war remains after this. Recall at the end of the tribulation period Satan is not destroyed as are the Anti-Christ and false prophet, but is bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit…so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:1-3

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth…to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth…And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:7-10

That is the third and final of the major wars to come. This final war will be very brief and the rebellious of the nations will be devoured by fire from heaven. God Himself is the ultimate victor. The battle of good vs. evil has been won!

God and War

On multiple occasions the subject has been raised whether God sanctions war or whether war is something that man has devised for selfish purposes. Many times veterans of wars have voiced their concern that they feel guilty because they took the lives of the perceived enemy. The Bible is certainly not silent on this issue. Consider the following scripture passages.

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel…’ So Moses spoke to the people, saying, ‘Arm yourselves for war, and let them go against the Midianites to take vengeance for the LORD on Midian.’…and they warred against the Midianites, just as the LORD commanded Moses…” Numbers 31:1-7

This war was commanded by God through Moses to punish the Midianites for previous trespasses against the children of Israel. Actions against Israel had consequences thousands of years ago, and nothing has changed. In fact the great wars of the future will be fought over Israel. Isaiah addressed the issue of harassing Israel.

“Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them – those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing.” Isaiah 41:11-12

God, as in many previous occasions, warned those who would contend with Israel of the sure consequences of doing so.

When the twelve tribes were preparing to cross the Jordon to possess the land promised to them, the tribes of Reuben and Gad wanted to stay east of the Jordon because the land to the east was well suited for raising cattle. Also that land had already been conquered by Israel.

“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw…that indeed the region was a place for livestock, the children of Gad…and Reuben…spoke to Moses…saying…the country which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel is a land for livestock. Therefore they said, ‘If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan.’” Numbers 32:1-5

Their request was granted with a major condition.

“And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: ‘Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?’” Numbers 32:6

So they were allowed to settle in the land east of the Jordon, however, they were required first to join their brothers in battle to possess the land west of the Jordon. God was with them in this endeavor as the results indicate.

“The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh had forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty valiant men, men able to bear shield and sword, to shoot with the bow, and skillful in war…They made war…and they were helped…for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him…for the war was God’s.” I Chronicles 5:18-22

Many years later King David was equipped by God to be a mighty warrior.

“For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power…He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” II Samuel 22:32-33a, 35

Consider when God confronted Job. He told him He had special weapons of war in reserve for the future.

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.’” Job 38:1-4

At this point He really had Job’s undivided attention, and then He told about specific weapons of war ready to be released at the appointed time, weapons Job could not comprehend.

“Have you entered the treasury of snow, or have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?” Job 38:22-23

God used the weapon of hail as the seventh plague against Pharaoh and Egypt. The hail stones were large enough to kill men and livestock. In the future God will use hail once again as a weapon of war against the unbelieving. At that future time the hail stones will weigh approximately 75 lbs. Weather experts have a difficult time comprehending present storms that generate hail stones the size of softballs, let alone God’s treasury of the hail storm that will produce hail stones 100 times larger. That will certainly classify as a weapon of mass destruction.

God uses wars to accomplish His purpose for the nations, and in particular Israel. Therefore, any soldier sent to war by a leader appointed by God and takes the life of an enemy should not bear any guilt. The guilt would be if such a one refused to join the battle and just sat there while their ‘brethren go to war.’

The greatest wars in history are yet to be waged.

"Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory..."

During the recent Memorial Day weekend I had the profound honor of spending time with some American heroes at the Veteran’s Center. These heroes of a previous generation had served in WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. We sang together the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Recall the words of the first verse:

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword –
His truth is marching on.”

We talked about those words and discussed the scriptural basis for them.

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood…Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:11-16

This scripture passage describes the return of Christ to earth after the approaching great tribulation period to deal with those who have denied His deity and taken lightly His vicarious death on the Cross. Christ Himself will execute the wrath of a just and Holy God to vindicate His word. The above description is hardly one of meekness. A winepress was a trough where grapes were placed and men trod on them to separate the juice, or wine, from the grapes. Metaphorically it represents squeezing the blood out of men. Then the entire world will know that the Lamb of God is also the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Another vivid description of the ‘grapes of wrath’ is found earlier in the Revelation.

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud. ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.”

“Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.”

“And another angel came…and he cried…to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’”

“So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled…and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14:14-19

This passage reveals that a mighty angel will assist Christ in harvesting the grapes to fill the winepress, but the execution of the wrath of God, i.e. the trampling of the vine of the earth is done by Christ Himself.

The wrath of God is a predominant theme in the Revelation and refers to divine judgment to be inflicted upon the wicked. God’s wrath is required due to His justness.

Seven hundred years before Christ was born the prophet Isaiah spoke of His future role of treading the winepress.

“Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? ‘I have trodden the winepress alone…For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart…’” Isaiah 63:2-4a

The prophet Joel also told of the future winepress.

“Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come…for the winepress is full, the vats overflow – for their wickedness is great.” Joel 3:13-14

For those who believe the Bible this pre-written history is unfolding before our eyes. The judgment of the nations will coincide with Israel’s redemption. How long will God stand for the nations kicking the ‘Apple of His eye’ around like a tin can?

So as we sang together the great words of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, we considered ‘where the grapes of wrath are stored’ and what that meant for our children and grandchildren. As indicated, the Bible explains those lyrics in great detail.

But alas, once again, our foreign policy towards Israel and the Middle East reminds us of what Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

“Blind Guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” Matthew 23:24

"I Have Named You, Though You Have Not Known Me."

The doctrine of the sovereignty of God reigns supreme throughout the Bible. This sovereignty includes the appointment and mission of the world’s leaders, including the president of the United States.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:1

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1

Even in light of these scriptural truths, it is not always easy to respect leaders. Consider George W. Bush for example. He was literally hated by many for his position on the Iraq war and his lax fiscal policies during the latter years of his presidency. And his haters were very transparent about their feelings. Perhaps the last thought in their minds was that God had appointed Mr. Bush as president and guided his policies.

We’ll site several other historical examples where God has appointed and directed the actions of world leaders.

Firstly, however, it should be noted that the future of the nations has already been written and it is all about Israel. As previously noted God established Israel to show the rest of the world that He is God. The history of the nations, past, present, or future, centers on fulfilling God’s plan for Israel. He uses other nations to protect Israel and He uses other nations to chastise Israel.

When God established Israel He made a very clear promise to Abraham.

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: ...‘I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you…’” Genesis 12:1-3

If these immutable words were inscribed in granite and set in the lobby of the United Nations center, who do you suppose would oppose it most vehemently? Would it be the most outrageously offensive to the ACLU or CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) or the World Council of Churches? These three organizations would be falling over each other to have that passage of God’s words removed.

In the 6th century BC Judah was to be deported to Babylon for 70 years because she had failed to let their land rest every 7th year. They ignored 70 Sabbaths over a 490 year time period and therefore were to spend one year in captivity for each year that they ignored the Sabbath. After the 70 years in Babylon Judah would be allowed to return to her own land.

“And those…he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants…until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.” 2 Chronicles 36:20-21

However, approximately 150 years before the captivity began; God outlined a detailed plan for another heathen nation to rescue them from Babylonian captivity. He even called that nation’s king by name many years before he was even born.

“Thus says the LORD…Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure…’ Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held – to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors so that the gates will not be shut… ‘I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other…’” Isaiah 44:1-45:5

Isaiah began prophesying in 739 BC. Consider the fulfillment nearly 200 years later in 538 BC.

“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom…Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me and He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah…’” Ezra 1:1-2

Consider the sovereignty of God exhibited in the Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser. God used this Assyrian king to chastise Israel. Tiglath-Pileser took credit for his own actions and ignored the sovereignty of God.

“Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation. I will send him against an ungodly nation, and against the people of My wrath I will give him charge…Yet he does not mean so, nor does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy…For he says, ‘By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am prudent…’ Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up…Therefore... the LORD of hosts, will send leanness among his fat ones…” Isaiah 10:5-16

And lest we forget, God uses ordinary men to fulfill His purpose for Israel.

“…In order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” Daniel 4:17

In view of the continued overriding sovereignty of God in the affairs of men and nations, perhaps some of the actions and attitudes of the present administration can be more easily accepted, or perhaps not.