Monday, May 14, 2018

Jerusalem II

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Today is the 70th anniversary of the modern state of Israel's coming into existence, an event of immense significance in our understanding of God's rule in the end-times.

Today, after 70 years, the Trump Administration moved the American embassy to Jerusalem.

There is predictable protest and rioting by Palestinians, with scores of deaths.  There is predictable rejoicing by Israeli nationalists, and by American "Evangelicals" who interpret Jesus' teachings as supporting Israeli nationalism.

The dedication speech of the American ambassador to Israel stressed that today's great event was brought about entirely by President Donald J. Trump.

The Trump administration also brought in two of their strongest "evangelical" supporters to give a "Christian" blessing to the great event.  The preacher who gave the invocation (pastor of the largest Baptist church in Dallas), thanked God for bringing about the great event by giving America Donald J. Trump as president.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also gave Trump personal credit, thanks, and praise, on Israel's behalf.

I wrote about this matter last December (which is why I've entitled this post "Jerusalem II"), when Trump first announced that the embassy would move to Jerusalem:

"...I'm greatly put on guard when a world-leader who's established himself as a "man of lawlessness" (II Thessalonians 2:3) postures, for his own self-glorification, about the status of Jerusalem, the city of the Great King."  (https://cross-purposes.blogspot.com/2017_12_06_archive.html)

That concern is confirmed by the excessive glorification of Trump in today's ceremonies.

And that concern has been heightened in the interim.  Trump has, of course, continuingly shown himself a man of satan's character, lies and murder, as Jesus said in John 8:44 (the latter of which Jesus defines as bad-mouthing and hating others, Matthew 5:21-22).  But I've also been thinking, as recently as last week, about Trump's character as a covenant-breaker.

I'm always surprised that American "evangelicals," especially those who blindly support "God's chosen people," don't understand that the Jews' standing with God is based on His covenant with Abraham.  Or that God takes covenant so seriously He decrees judgement on covenant-breakers: even those who do it to get out of what they perceive as "a really horrible deal for America."

Listening to the effusive praise today at the great event in Jerusalem, it was clear that Israel's ruling faction and their American "evangelical" allies consider Trump "God's Man" for Israel, and the Jews' greatest friend.  Thinking of Trump's character,  I had to think of Daniel 9.

That chapter is usually considered prophecy of end-time events and the restoration of Israel.  It prophesies a man who is a key figure of ungodliness in the end-times,, "one who makes desolate," who will enter into "a firm covenant" with the Jews for seven years, but break it after three-and-a-half years (v. 27).

Jesus twice referenced Daniel's "one who makes desolate" (Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14: Luke  21:20's warning of Jerusalem's "desolation" may also allude to Daniel 9:27)  He seems to want us to pay special heed to Daniel's prophecy.  Christians who have usually consider that "the one who makes desolate" is probably the end-time personage we call "antiChrist:" about whom, of course, Christians have come up with thousands of theories.


I have to wonder if the time for theories is past, and we should look at the reality before us.  Not that God's given me new light (or even a new theory) about anti-Christ, in today's events in Jerusalem.  Rather that we should know what scripture has always said: that he will be a man who embodies the spirit of satan, as Jesus embodied the Spirit of God.

So we have always known (or should have known) that he will be especially distinguished by the spirit of lies and murderous hatred, as Jesus says satan is.  That anti-Christ will be a man of overweening pride, satan's own original sin: and a completely self-willed man, in rebellion against any authority over him, as satan is.

I don't have any special light from God about who antiChrist is; or even whether he's currently alive and operative on the world's stage.  But if Daniel 9:27 indeed speaks of antiChrist, one of his signal prophetic acts will be making a covenant of friendship with Israel, and subsequently breaking that covenant.

My thought on this significant day is simply that we should closely watch any world-leader who manifests satan's character, and vaunts himself on his professed friendship for Israel.  That we should closely, spiritually, watch and discern current world-leaders and events  Amen !

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

5 comments:

Onesimus said...

Wow.
Even though you wrote this a couple of days ago I only saw it today - and I have posted (and scheduled) articles on my own blog that reflect very similar concerns to some of those you raise.

I LOVE it when the Lord confirms things I've been considering through another brother or sister.
THAT is what fellowship is about!

Roger said...

Hi Steve,
Without a doubt we know of past figures who are 'types of' the final 'man of lawlessness', and yes, I would agree with both you and Onesimus that Trump exhibits further characteristics of this final man that scripture speaks of.

I'm also aware of those who are around, and close to, Trump (including family)- their input and increasing public exposure in Trumps activities and 'achievements'.

I too disagree with those who see him anointed as 'Gods man', rather, I perceive him as one whom Almighty God will use to further His purposes. The two are spiritually opposite.

Steve said...

Thanks, Tim and Roger, for your comments ! In these somber times, agreement among brothers is one of God's most blessed gifts, "like the precious oil upon the head" (Psalms 133).

Also reflecting on Tim's recent posting(s) and the thoughts they spark new about Israel. Probably a future post.

Onesimus said...

"who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God"

----

"Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place”


For some reason, I get a picture of the Temple with a big "TRUMP TEMPLE" sign above the entrance. (not sure whether I should put a smiley there - but it's perhaps too close to possibility)

I do not believe Trump is the antichrist, although he fits a lot of the profile, but evangelical acceptance and promotion of him show how susceptible evangelicals will be when the man of lawlessness finally arrives on the scene.

Steve's article showed me how a political identity favouring Israel would easily gain the favour of evangelicals.

My posts about Israel haven't been easy to write - Not long ago I myself wouldn't have accepted what I've now written.

Steve said...

"I do not believe Trump is the antichrist, although he fits a lot of the profile, but evangelical acceptance and promotion of him show how susceptible evangelicals will be when the man of lawlessness finally arrives on the scene."

I think that's a spot-on assessment of the matter.

We talked some months ago on your blog about the possibility Trump could be THE anti-Christ, and I think our provisional conclusions then hold true. Scripture describes anti-Christ as the "slickest" deceiver ever seen, held in awe by (almost) all human beings. Trump falls considerably short of "slick" and awe-inspiring, for most people of minimally-normal perception.

But as you say he "fits a lot of the profile." In lies, murder (i.e., the angry vituperation of others in Jesus' definition) and pride; the three biggest facts we know about satan's character; Trump's spiritual paternity couldn't be clearer (John 8:44). I have to think I John 2:18 addresses our current situation: "...just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour."

As you say, the BIG question is how "evangelicals" who who were so easily deceived to follow a transparent fool (I use the word in its moral sense) will ever be able to see through satan's slickest deceiver ?