Former U. S. President Jimmy Carter has stirred the ire of the Israelis by what he says in his latest book which speaks in defense of the Palestinians in their conflicts with the State of Israel. Carter is highly respected throughout the world for his devotion to justice and his efforts to help the poor and powerless.
He does not deny the history of the Holocaust as do some voices in the Middle East (it can’t be denied!), but he maintains that suffering the horrors of the Holocaust does not give Israel the moral right to deny justice to the Palestinians, or to destroy their neighbors, like Lebanon.
What has happened de facto is that Israel has virtually become the 51st state of the United States of America, and the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches invoke for her God’s special favor. This has created what Islam regards world-wide as their righteous jihad indignation. The result: a new threatened reign of world terror, Iraq just the precursor.
What does Jesus have to say to us now? Plenty, especially in Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13, Daniel and the Revelation, yes, the Bible en toto. We have come to the “last days” of this world; we are in God’s great final Day of Atonement. Jesus likens our current history to the figure of “the sea and the waves roaring,” “distress of nations with perplexity, men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:25, 26). Our national leaders of both political parties in America are “distressed.” No one knows what to do now to extricate ourselves from our entanglement in Iraq and widespread jihad hatred.
And here in America, the prudent stay where they are so much as possible; the experience of Jet Blue’s recent horror stories of being cooped up in a jetliner for six to ten hours—that’s a miniature hell on earth in the midst of our opulence. Fortunate people today are not those in mansions within gated communities, but humble folk living in the country where they can grow a little food and thus acquire “food and raiment, therewith [to be] content,” as Paul says (1 Tim. 6:6-8).
But not to shut ourselves away from the needs of the multitudes. In vision, John “saw another angel come down from heaven, ... and the earth was lightened with his glory and he cried mightily with a strong voice” proclaiming the pure Good News of “the everlasting gospel” (Rev. 14:6-12; 18:1-4). That describes God’s people personally proclaiming the message themselves, doing more than playing videos; doors will open everywhere for flesh and blood proclaimers; but they must first themselves understand and appreciate that “everlasting gospel.”
Only those who “hunger and thirst”for it can be filled (Matt. 5:6).
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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