When brazen thieves made off with Edvard Munch's The Scream and Madonna two years ago, I wanted to join the search. The thought of adding Munch's works to the secret galleries of art forever lost was upsetting to say the least. I pictured clumsy men dragging irre - placeable works through sullied alleyways and destructive elements. Like most, I dreaded the worst; valuables cannot be trusted in the hands of thieves...
A peacemaker walks up to the left side of a line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker introduces himself. The terrorist kills him. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker asks, "why did you kill my friend?" The terrorist kills him and rapes his wife. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker says, "Stop that!" The terrorist kills him, rapes his daughter and kills his wife. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker says, "I'll pay you $1000 if you stop attacking us." The terrorist agrees to the deal, takes the $1000, and kills him. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker appeals to the United Nations. The United Nations says the peacemaker is at fault. The terrorist kills him. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker now has a gun, and threatens to use it. Other peacemakers start chanting the old 60's whine, "Can't we all just get along?" The peacemaker hesitates. The terrorist kills him. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker tries to convince his peacemaker friends that the terrorists aren't going to respond to negotiations, but they insist that if he kills the terrorist it'll just make the other terrorists mad. The peacemaker reluctantly agrees to try negotiating again. The terrorist kills him., his entire family, and his neighbour's family. A heated debate now ensues between the peacemakers who want to be nice to the terrorists and the peacemakers who believe that there can never be peace until the terrorists are all dead. While they are debating, the terrorists kill 15 more peacemakers. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker asks himself, "Which is more important: being liked by everyone, or protecting my family?" The terrorist pulls a knife to kill the peacemaker, but the peacemaker pulls a gun and kills the terrorist first. The United Nations condemns the peacemaker's use of unproportional force. Many of his peacemaker friends turn against him. A peacemaker walks up to the left side of the line. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line. The peacemaker apologizes for what his friend did to the other terrorist. The terrorist kills him, his entire family and his neighbours, and threatens to destroy the city as soon as they develop a bigger weapon. A peacemaker refuses to meet at the line because every time a peacemaker goes to the line the terrorist kills him. A terrorist walks up to the right side of the line and fires rockets into the peacemaker's town. The United Nations condemns the way the peacemaker provoked the terrorist by refusing to come to the line and meet with him. Generations pass and not much changes until one day when the son of a peacemaker decides that the old strategy simply won't work. He walks up to the left side of the line a little early. As the terrorist approaches the right side of the line the peacemaker shoots him. Another terrorist approaches to replace the first, and the peacemaker shoots him too. This scene plays out several more times. Then a terrorist approaches carrying a white flag, but he also has weapons. The peacemaker shoots him. A terrorist next approaches with a ceasefire resolution from the U.N. The peacemaker shoots him also. A large group of terrorists approach and the peacemaker shoots them all and drops a nuclear bomb on the city they came from. The peacemaker continues killing the terrorists until the terrorists are all dead. There is finally peace on earth and the United Nations takes the credit.
The last sentence should read: And the peacemakers are now the terrorists.
The UN is portrayed wrongly in your scenario. They would not condemn the peacemakers above as they are not killing innocents by the hundreds, repeatedly and even intentionally.
What a ridiculous oversimplification. If Israel is the "peacemaker" here (which is nowhere close to accurate!), then you left out the part about them first arriving and pushing 10s of thousands od Palestinians into the sea. They have never come to the line, so to speak, unarmed. Their goal has always been a Jewish majority in the region and they achieved it in a small area by FORCE, by killing INNOCENTS. Do you honestly think the native population is going to take it lying down? The refugees were never allowed back as is allowed in any other time of war. That is why they continually had problems; that and preferential treatment of Jews in the so-called democracy (I use the term loosely to describe Israel). They were never interested in peace; just killing enough to get a Jewish majority and land.
It's easy in your oversimplification when you can kill people you know are terrorists because you're the one making up the silly story without the danger of killing innocent people. That's not how it is, though. There is no one country full of terrorists. No kind of criminal sits together with all the other criminals. This fact in no way justifies the mass killing of civilians to get to a handful of criminals, though.
This sounds like it is referring both to the US and Israel in many ways. Both feel they are simply acting defensively (and hence are the "peacemakers"), but in reality they are acting like the entities they are against. Israel was oppressed by the Nazis and now they are the oppressors.
The violence against Israel and even the US is not unprovoked. The provocation is not simply not coming to the line, but is killing 3 times as many as are killed by the other side, torturing, taking political prisoners, closures, curfews, heavy tarriffs that starve the population, using human shields, demolishing homes, dropping 500 pound bombs on apartment blocks to target a guy in a wheelchair, illegal armed settlers beating/killing nearby residents while they work on their farms, building walls on and through their property.
Israel has killed far more innocents than Palestinian extremists have. Sorry to burst your bubble.
The US went into Iraq on false pretenses, so no kidding, people want us out. I'm not objecting to going after Al-Qaeda, the 9/11 perps, but we're not doing much on that front, esp after making a mess in Iraq!
And the land promise was fulfilled a long time ago. Today's politics have nothing to do with that promise.
Joshua 21:45 ALL CAME TO PASS
Anyone looking to the future for Israel's land promise will find nothing because God's own word says ALL CAME TO PASS!
After the disobedience and throwing off of the land as promised by God, the Israelites' only redemption is through Christ, like everyone else today.
Jer 31:32ff Israel’s disobedience
Israel’s land promise is already fulfilled.
The promise: 6 cities. Deut 19:7-9 7 Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt set apart three cities for thee. 8 And if Jehovah thy God enlarge thy border, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers; 9 if thou shalt keep all this commandment to do it, which I command thee this day, to love Jehovah thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, besides these three:
Promise fulfilled. Johsua 20:7-9 7 And they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill-country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill-country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill-country of Judah. 8 And beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness in the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. 9 These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person unwittingly might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
All came to pass. Joshua 21:43-45 43 So Jehovah gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. 44 And Jehovah gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; Jehovah delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45 There failed not aught of any good thing which Jehovah had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
You cannot recover something that was not yours. All had come to pass. 2 Sam 8:3 3 David smote also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
God has performed his word. Neh 9:7-8 7 Thou art Jehovah the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham, 8 and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the Girgashite, to give it unto his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous.
What about the everlasting/forever covenant? Look at some examples of forever- it is often NOT unconditional. Gen 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
The feast was to be kept by everlasting ordinance, yet we are not to keep it today. Ex 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to Jehovah: throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Aaron was to be the everlasting priesthood. Christians are today the royal priesthood, not Aaron. Ex 40:12-16 12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water. 13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. 14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them; 15 and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. 16 Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he.
Disobedience has consequences Deut 28:15ff 15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, the increase of thy cattle, and the young of thy flock. 21 Jehovah will make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest in to possess it. 41 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be thine; for they shall go into captivity. 62 And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou didst not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God. 63 And it shall come to pass, that, as Jehovah rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so Jehovah will rejoice over you to cause you to perish, and to destroy you; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest in to possess it.
Deut 29:28 and Jehovah rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as at this day.
Deut 30:17 But if thy heart turn away, and thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish; ye shall not prolong your days in the land, whither thou passest over the Jordan to go in to possess it.
Joshua 23:13know for a certainty that Jehovah your God will no more drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap unto you, and a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which Jehovah your God hath given you.
Today’s holy priesthood 1 Pet 2:5ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
God and the Nation of Israel December 14, 1998 by Wayne Jackson
What role does the nation of Israel play in the plan of God?
Premillennialism is the notion that Jesus will return to this earth before he commences a 1,000-year reign on David’s throne in Jerusalem. Premillennialism, and its theological sister—dispensationalism, argue that in connection with the second coming of Christ, God intends to re-establish a Jewish kingdom in Palestine. The doctrine contends that there is yet a purpose to be served by physical Israel.
Dispensationalists allege that in the “seven-year tribulation period,” just prior to Christ’s “millennial reign,” God will restore the Jews to Palestine, and a national conversion of the Hebrew people will occur. It is not claimed that every Jew will be won to Christ; however, such vast multitudes will be saved—numbers proportionate to Israel’s tragic fall—that it is appropriate to refer to the phenomenon as a “national” conversion.
One writer describes this so-called “restoration” as follows:
“The same prophets who predicted the world-wide exile and persecution of the Jews also predicted their restoration as a nation…This restoration was to come about in the general time of the climactic seven-year countdown and its finale—the personal appearance of the Messiah to deliver the new state from destruction” (Lindsey, 37-38).
The foregoing theory is quite erroneous in that it repudiates numerous fundamental Bible truths. Further, it is exceedingly dangerous in that it offers a false hope to Jews. Walvoord, a millennialist, says that: “This hope of restoration has sustained the Jews through nineteen hundred years of struggle” (76). This “hope” has been grossly misplaced—thanks, in part at least, to millennialists. Israel in the Divine plan
A balanced study of the nation of Israel must include at least four elements—the selection, testing, rejection, and replacement of the Jewish people. Selection
Almost 2,000 years before the birth of Christ, Jehovah selected Abraham to be the founder of a new nation. It was declared that through him a seed would come by whom all peoples of the earth would be blessed (cf. Gen. 12:1-3; 22:17-18). Several centuries later, Abraham’s offspring were delivered from an era of bondage in Egypt. They were given a special law and ritualistic system of worship which were designed to separate them from the other nations of the world (Ex. 19:5-6; cf. Eph. 2:14). All of this, of course, was in view of the coming Messiah (cf. Gal. 3:24-25; Heb. 9:1-10). Testing
For some 1,500 years the Lord God attempted to cultivate the nation of Israel in preparation for the first advent of the Lord Jesus. It was a constant struggle to get the Hebrews to maintain a semblance of fidelity. They grossly violated the law, frequently went after “strange gods,” and they viciously persecuted the prophets that Jehovah sent to call them to repentance. Jeremiah summarized the history of the Israelite people when he charged that they did “nothing” of all that Jehovah commanded them (32:23). Rejection
Because of the accelerating rebellion of the nation, consummated by the murder of Jesus Christ, God rejected the Hebrew people. Inexcusably, the Jews rejected their own Messiah; accordingly, Jehovah repudiated that nation and determined to scatter them as dust (Mt. 21:44). Thus, in the providence of God, the Roman armies came against Palestine in A.D. 70, and Judaism was destroyed (cf. Mt. 22:7; 24:1-34); the Jewish “vessel” was smashed, and it cannot be put back together (cf. Jer. 19:11). According to Josephus, some 1,100,000 Hebrews were slaughtered, and thousands were taken into slavery. All Jewish records were lost in that holocaust. Today, there is not a single Jew who knows his tribal ancestry (McClintock & Strong, 771). The physical nation of Israel is dead. The “Jews” that make up the State of Israel today (less than 25% of the world Jewish population) cannot legitimately be called a “nation.” Replacement
As a consequence of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, God has replaced physical Israel with a new nation, spiritual Israel. Today, the “Jew” is not one who is so physically, but one who is so inwardly, i.e., spiritually (Rom. 2:28-29). In this age, those who submit to the gospel plan of redemption—whether Jew or Gentile (Rom. 1:16)—become children of God, and thus are constituted as the true “seed of Abraham” (Gal. 3:26-29). Errors of the Premillennial View Regarding the Nation of Israel
In view of the foregoing considerations, the following factors clearly indicate that the premillennial view of the nation of Israel is erroneous, and it should be rejected by conscientious students of the Bible.
First, it is a reflection upon the benevolent character of Jehovah to suggest that he intended to perpetually favor one nation over all others. Such a notion is at variance with the multiple Bible affirmations which assert the universal love of God, and his just, impartial disposition with reference to the whole human family (cf. Gen. 12:3; Psa. 145:9; Acts 10:34-35).
Second, the premillennial dogma ignores the fact that God’s initial selection of the Hebrew people, and the acquisition of the land of Canaan, was preparatory to the coming Christ. Jehovah employed the Jewish nation as a medium for the introduction of Christ into the world. Now that the Messianic mission has been accomplished, the role of “national Israel” no longer exists (cf. Gal. 3:24-25). That “middle wall of partition,” designed to isolate Israel from the nations, has been broken down (Eph. 2:14). It was abrogated at the cross (Col. 2:14). From the divine viewpoint, old physical Israel has passed away. It has been superseded by a new Israel.
Third, the Old Testament makes it abundantly clear that Israel’s favor with Jehovah, even under the Mosaic regime, was conditional. “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth…” (Dt. 28:1). The Hebrews were constantly warned of the consequences of disobedience (cf. 28:15ff). They could be disinherited as a nation (Num. 14:12), and disfranchised of their land (Josh. 23:13,16). The truth is, there are about as many Old Testament warnings to Israel as there are promises!
Fourth, there is not a solitary New Testament passage which speaks of the restoration of national Israel and the re-institution of Judaistic ritualism, etc. The Old Testament prophecies which predict the literal return of the Hebrews to Palestine were fulfilled in the Jews’ release from political captivity (cf. Jer. 29:10; Ezra 1:1). Other predictions, which speak of a “restoration” of Israel, refer to a spiritual restoration [to God, not Palestine—cf. Isa. 49:5] through Jehovah’s servant, Christ. [Note: Sometimes this spiritual restoration to God, through the redemptive work of Christ, is symbolically viewed in terms of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, etc. (cf. Jer. 31:38-40).] This blessing was for Jew and Gentile alike. Study carefully Isaiah 49:5ff, and note Paul’s use of this context in the New Testament (Acts 13:47; 2 Cor. 6:2).
Fifth, there are many New Testament passages which portray a tragic future for physical Israel, with no hint of a national restoration. Prophetic Pronouncements Concerning Israel
1. Like modern millennialists, there were Jews of old who felt that there was intrinsic virtue in being a physical descendant of Abraham (cf. Jn. 8:39). John the Baptizer informed them, however, that God was able to use stones in raising up seed to the patriarch. He then warned: “And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees . . .” (Mt. 3:10). The context focuses upon a threatened “wrath to come” (vs. 7), which would find its nearest application in the destruction of the Jewish nation by the Romans in A.D. 70. Now here is a vital point. When a tree is cut down, there is hope that it will sprout again, provided its stump or roots remain (cf. Job 14:7,8; Isa. 11:1). But when the axe is laid at the root, where is the hope of restoration? There simply is none! 2. Christ once pronounced a curse upon a barren fig tree near Jerusalem. The tree served as an apt illustration of fruitless national Israel. Jesus declared: “Let there be no fruit from thee henceforth for ever” (Mt. 21:19). Where is the hope in that? Later, on that same Tuesday, just prior to Friday’s crucifixion, the Lord announced to the Jews, “The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (21:43). In other words, barren “national Israel” would be replaced by fruitful spiritual Israel, the church (cf. 1 Pet. 2:9; Gal. 6:16). 3. In the parable of the marriage of the King’s Son, Jesus spoke concerning those who spurned the royal invitation. It was prophesied that the King (God) would send his armies (the Romans), and destroy those murderers (the Jews), and burn their city (Jerusalem). Why? They “were [imperfect tense—sustained state] not worthy” (Mt. 22:1-8). Is there any suggestion of “restoration” there? Later, in 23:38, Christ warned: “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” The term “house,” as Bloomfield notes, refers not merely to the temple alone, but to the whole Jewish nation, especially its metropolis (116). “Left desolate” has a note of finality about it. 4. In the parable of the barren fig tree (Lk. 13:6-9), it is suggested that fruitless Israel would be soon cut down. “This parable gives Israel to know that its life is only a respite, and that this respite is nearing its end” (Godet, 119). There is no suggestion that the “tree” would spring up again. Strange indeed—if millennialism is true. 5. In another parable, uttered shortly before his death, Jesus depicted himself as a nobleman who was going into a far country (heaven) to receive for himself a kingdom (the church). Later, he would return (the Second Coming). However, while he was in that distant land, his citizens (the Jews) hated him (imperfect tense—abiding hatred) and sent this message to him: “We will not (present tense – continued determination) that [you] reign over us” (Lk. 19:14). Even millennialists admit that this refers to the Jewish rejection of Christ (Martin, 252). Without the remotest suggestion that there would be an alteration of this hateful Jewish disposition, the nobleman, “when he was come back” (15), characterized these citizens as his “enemies,” and commanded they be slain (27). The language describes “the state of rejection in which [the Jews] are plunged till the Lord’s return” (Godet, 223; emp. WJ). 6. In another parable, Jesus foretold Israel’s rejection of the gospel, and the subsequent success of the kingdom of heaven among the Gentiles. Of those stubborn Jews, he declared: ”. . . none of those men who were bidden shall taste of my supper” (Lk. 14:24). This refers, of course, to the Jewish majority that refused the gospel (a remnant accepted the invitation—cf. Rom. 11:5). Why did not the Lord give some clue that eventually there would be a massive Jewish acceptance of his invitation? 7. In Luke’s account of the Olivet discourse, Christ, alluding to Jerusalem’s impending destruction, declared that the city would be “trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Lk. 21:24). The term “trodden down” is a present tense participle, suggesting prolonged hardships (though not necessarily uninterrupted) for Jerusalem (and what she represented—the nation). This oppression was to continue until the “times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” The phrase “times of the Gentiles” is an expression for the current age. It implies a “times of the Jews” (i.e., the Mosaic period). For fifteen centuries the Hebrews were Jehovah’s special people—an era which might be appropriately termed “the times of the Jews.” When they rejected the Messiah, that age of prominence (called a “reign”—Mt. 21:43) ended. It was superseded by “the times of the Gentiles”—the Christian age. It is clear that Israel is to be the recipient of divine retribution throughout the Christian era.
Millennialists argue, however, that Jerusalem was to be trodden down only “until” the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled. After that time, they contend, Jerusalem will be exalted to her former glory. The key word in their argument is “until” (Greek, achri). Premillennialists assume the term has a temporal implication in Luke 21:24, thus implying a reversal of events after the time specified. But the assumption is unwarranted. The term achri frequently has a terminal thrust in the New Testament. Consider, for example, Revelation 2:25, where Christ sought to encourage the saints at Thyatira: “[T]hat which ye have, hold fast till I come.” Does this suggest that these Christians will relinquish their blessings when he comes? Of course not. Similarly, just because the Lord declared that Jerusalem would be trodden down until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled, that does not imply that, following “the times of the Gentiles,” the city would be restored to some sort of divine glory. Proof for such a theory will have to be found somewhere other than in the word “until.” The truth of the matter is, God’s wrath has come upon Israel “to the uttermost” (1 Thes 2:16). 8. In his letter to the Romans, Paul contends that “a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in . . .” (11:25). There are several important matters that need to be noted here. First, the “hardening” was the Jewish disbelief in Christ. Second, the “in part” suggests that this lack of faith was characteristic of only a portion of the nation; there was a remnant that did believe (cf. 9:27; 11:5,14). Third, the verb “hath befallen” is a perfect tense form, stressing the abiding nature of that hardness—until the fulness of the Gentiles comes in. Fourth, “fulness of the Gentiles” simply denotes the accomplishment of Jehovah’s purpose among the Gentiles (or the “nations”). In other words, Israel’s hardness will remain until the end of the present dispensation. As B.M. Christiansen comments: “This partial hardening will continue throughout the time of the Gentiles, i.e., until Christ’s return” (cf. Lenski, 174).
Since the hardening of Israel was not total, but only “in part,” there was/is still hope that many Jews may be saved. But how will the Jews be saved? They will be saved by their acceptance of the gospel (10:12-16), and their surrender to the Deliverer from Zion (11:26). This provides the correct meaning of “so all Israel shall be saved.” The word “so” is an adverb of manner, meaning, “in this way.” Hence, it is “in this way” (the way of obeying Christ) that all Israel (who are saved) shall be saved. This passage does not affirm a nation-wide conversion of the people of Israel.
The theory that Paul expected a mass conversion of Israel is flawed on several accounts: (1) It contradicts his entire line of argument in Romans 9-11. (2) It leaves as inexplicable the throbbing anguish for his brethren in the flesh, which saturates this entire section. For instance, Paul writes: “For I could wish (potential imperfect – ‘I kept being on point of wishing’) that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren’s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:3). Why—if he knew that a national conversion of Israel was an ultimate reality?
The premillennial concept of the “nation of Israel” is clearly erroneous. There is no promise of a national conversion of Israel in the Bible. The gospel is still God’s power to save both Jew and Greek (Rom. 1:16), and all who possess hearts that are “honest and good” (Lk. 8: 15) will accept it. The only “hope” for Israel is in the cross of Christ (see Acts 26:6-23).
Sources
Bloomfield, S.T. (1837), The Greek Testament with English Notes (Boston: Perkins & Marvin), Vol. I.
Godet, F. (1879), Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Edinburgh: T.&T. Clark), Vol. II.
Lenski, R.C.H. (1961), St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House).
Lindsey, Hal (1970), The Late Great Planet Earth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).
Martin, John A. (1983), “Luke,” The Bible Knowledge Commentary, John Walvoord & Roy Zuck, Eds. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books).
McClintock, John & Strong, James (1969 Reprint), Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, & Ecclesiastical Literature (Grand Rapids: MI: Baker Book House), Vol. III.
Walvoord, John F. (1974), Armageddon, Oil and the Middle East Crisis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).
That's the way it should be - in war you kill more than they kill of yours. I guess you feel we should apologize to the Japanese & Germans (WW II)???
There are several different Christian viewpoints on eschatology & theology in general: Armenian, dispensational and covenant. You obviously fall into the third but remember that Satan would like nothing better than to divide Christians and have them fighting among themselves rather than loving as the Savior instructed. The enemy is not Muslims, cults or any unbeliever because God loves them all (John 3:16) but rather the spiritual forces of evil, sin and ideas that are contrary to His Handbook for Living - The Bible.
Please remember that if one discards God's promises to Israel (which He hasn't) then how does one know if He'll keep (which He will) His other promises. Thank God He loves us & keeps ALL His promises and soon will return to rule Israel on the Throne of David for 1000 years.
Thanks for your letter about Israel. The problem with your proof is that it fails to take into account ALL of the Bible literally.
In Revelation we read that Israel will be restored and was in 1948 and sometime soon according to Isaiah 9:6 & 7 will rule on the Throne of David forever. Won't that be a wonderful time and see you in the Rapture my friend even if you go up kicking & screaming:O)
Let's say something nice about the USA. It a wonderful country to live in - it's fighting for freedom in Iraq - It has a great President who is protecting us from terrorist - It stands for what is right amoung the UN thugs - etc...