Basing Confidence on Absolutes

     There may be those who believe this column, over the years, has been more concerned with God’s judgments rather than His blessings.  Such thoughts may be justified; however, it must be kept in mind that everyone will taste of God’s justice while not everyone will taste of His mercy.

     By the way, it is entirely up to the individual to choose whether or not to partake in God’s mercy by either accepting God’s gracious gift of redemption, or rejecting it. 

    

     Approximately half of each column directly quotes Biblical passages.  The thinking is that each reader is much more concerned with the absolute word of God than someone’s opinion or interpretation of the word.

     There is little doubt that America, and in fact the whole world, is in utter chaos.  There are many solutions offered by many world leaders; however, seldom does the suggested remedy include returning to God and His word.

     Therefore:

     “Come near, you nations, to hear; and heed, you people!   Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all things that come forth from it.  For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations…”   Isaiah 34:1-2

     The Hebrew for ‘indignation’ means ‘wrath’ or provoked to ‘anger.’  And ‘all’ nations means ‘every.’

     “For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause (controversy) of Zion.”  Isaiah 34:8

     Several more significant words are contained in the above.  The Hebrew word for ‘vengeance’ means ‘revenge, punishment, and retaliation.’

     The Hebrew word for ‘recompense’ means ‘retribution or repayment.’

     ‘Controversy’ means ‘contention or strife’ while ‘Zion’ means the ‘permanent capital of Israel.’

     Isaiah, speaking the word of God, proclaims all nations will shortly experience the wrath of God as retribution for the way in which they have, or are, treating Jerusalem, the permanent capital of Israel.

     Recall that numerous times in the Old Testament God announced He has chosen the temple in Jerusalem for His permanent dwelling place.

     “And He said to me (Ezekiel), ‘Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever…’”  Ezekiel 43:7

     The above passage refers to both the millennial temple as well as the New Jerusalem that will descend from the heavens.

     The future of Jerusalem is a Biblical absolute.

     How do the nations respond to the above?  The United Nations has denied Israel the right to name Jerusalem as their capital because it is such a political hot spot.  Israel is allowed to claim Tel Aviv as their capital.

     What is America’s formal position?  Are we doing everything possible to protect Israel from those who want to wipe them off the face of the earth?

     Also the Palestinians believe that Jerusalem should be their future capital.

     Then Isaiah partially describes the absolute future judgment of the nations.

     “Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste…the earth is defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance… Therefore the curse has devoured the earth and those who dwell in it…Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.”  Isaiah 24:1, 5-6

     Again several significant words are found in the above.

     Firstly, the Hebrew word ‘defiled’ means ‘profane, corrupt, and hypocritical.’  The Hebrew word ‘desolate’ means ‘to be declared guilty,’ while ‘few’ means ‘small.’

     “It shall come to pass in that day that the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, and… the kings of the earth.”  Isaiah 24:21

   At the great day of the LORD, both angelic beings and the kings of the earth will receive their just due.

     The Hebrew for ‘punish’ means to ‘muster the troops for battle.’

     The Bible’s advice to the world?

     “Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail…for My mouth has commanded it…”  Isaiah 34:16

     Everything God has spoken will come to pass with absolute certainty.

     Every person can review history and the present chaos in the world and form their own opinion whether America’s greatest days are ahead or behind us.

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com