Signs of the Times

This is a transcript of a post I made on Facebook. share it if you think it's on the mark on anything.

It's my observation that we need leaders that would speak with clarity about what is happening in the Middle East, from a biblical perspective, endeavouring to not sidestep the issue of which Israel is signposted. Terrifying things are happening in the earth regarding Israel. to be as bold as a Lion and as tender as a Lamb is indeed something that can only be done with an infusion of grace and a work of the heart of which the Father is for that reason "overjoyed and excited" at the true benefit that we see our lives as a reminder of. It will be true that "The Lord will be remembered by His children" (Isaiah 62) and that we are a memorial to Him. Is it not the issue with the last supper? is it not wisdom that we give ourselves wholly to one? to waste our lives at the feet of one that desires the same. To pour out our lives as a sacrificial offering before the feet of the one that "is the true benefit of our love"

That is the true reason that Jesus on the night he was betrayed gave thanks. He knew that those that rejected Him would receive Him, he knew that the complete expression of God's love would be so ignited in the hearts of those that received Him, that it would be true that "they would love me with the love that the Father loves me" no more noble thing can be seen in all the world.

For that reason we cannot be ashamed when we see the world signposting against Israel. it is not after all the chief issue. the issue is with a nation that are animus to the purpose of God, and indeed of truth, their rejection is reconciliation to the world, their acceptance life from the dead. Such an issue is indeed an issue with covenant. There are terrifying things happening, provoked by spiritual forces in the heavenly realms, and they are listening to it.  What will come to pass? surely Israel, being having to make decisions motivated chiefly by alliances to other nations, and saving their own skin, will do exactly what the scriptures have foretold will happen (Isaiah 28) but it will be kerosene to the fire. it will burn even brighter and the one that relies on such will find himself in contention with God.

It's an issue with their self-reliance, and indeed on matters that prove their hearts are far from God. it is designed to offend. In the same chapter it speaks of the "stone I lay in Zion, a precious cornerstone, and Him who believes shall not believe hastily" let us not forget that the contention of God is with a Kingdom that will be "laid in Zion" - the foundation of the temples that have gone before. It will be that his purpose for Zion shall be revealed, and that they will only suffice to please God by waiting patiently for the Messiah. To put confidence in God, the prophet says, is to curb the tide of rampant witchcraft and idolatry, the ceasing of fear and darkness and the shining of a light so much more gloriously revealed. (Isaiah 8) It is to shake your heads at conspiracy and wait upon the Law that is revealed through the Prophets (to mark the words and faithfully believe them) it is to cry disaster to the one whose life is built upon sand and all manner of chaff and straw. it is to gloriously wait for the revealing of the Son of Man who is become for us wisdom and strength from God.

The issue with Zion is at the heart of His ministry, and the focal point of all that He achieves. He will come to Zion. He will rescue His beloved. He will determine to set the records straight and satisfy the bloodshed of His enemies, by trampling them in the dust. His ways are from of old and ancient, His steps are everlasting. His righteousness is mighty to save, His revelation will be an offence to religion and every manner of deception that clouds the spirit and believes in fragile and limited idols. His glory is as the one that created all things and for that reason everything is accountable to Him.

Everything from the contention that is awaiting Israel, the rage of the nations, indeed the rage of Satan, the mark of the babblers, the signs of the diviners, the plans of the wicked, the raged who consult to cast down God from His high position. Of every false ideology and deception and vice. everyone that says that our deep need can be satisfied by band-aid solutions.

I mean, we are in need of a Savior not because we find ourselves in contention, but because inwardly we turn to the things that destroy us. every sin, every one is no different, none of seen the glory of the one that became a man and died for sin (what is abhorrent to Him) for this reason we have fallen from His glory, and for this reason He judges the world.

The issue with Zion is the issue of the cross and of all that He hopes to bring about on the earth. When I say, "signposted" I mean, Israel's lot, after all of their waywardness and indeed "scorched earth" after all their unfaithfulness towards the one that proved Himself to them. Of the one that by virtue of His character and nature could not forget (lest his hands they bled) of the one that cried His last and breathed in vain (His recompense is life to the world) the fact that any are capable of saying "God does not know!" and "God changes His mind" will find them in that day darkness and everything vile. spit out of His mouth and given to the grave. He's incapable of forgetting His promises one for one, as the blood that dripped from His hands, one for one. Every one that drinks deep of this mercy is at best a lover of Israel and at worst despised and ashamed. To bank on God, to bank on His promises is to say goodbye to your narrow view of life, and say goodbye indeed to life. Indeed as Phinehas "zeal has consumed Him" and "it will be to you an everlasting priesthood" To turn to God in this age is to say yes to martyrdom and the prospect, yes, I would die for Him, for the rightness of His judgments and the glory of His appearing.

What can possibly be the outcome of such a life? will anything be impossible for the one, consumed by love, ignited in their hearts? Will, indeed, the price be too much to request that He make His name great and the greatest gift to ever be given - the "true merit of fellowship with Him" that he is worthy, and O that I would live to be near you. To proclaim His place in the earth is to see His Kingdom invade earth, night and day, until His appearing.

Back to the original point. is it wise of me to say that such a thing is needed, yes, that it ought to be the focus of our lives, that if these be the things that assure us of Jesus coming, then to clarify, to understand, to exposit and to be not afraid to tell others of this, both in teaching, preaching, evangelism, indeed with all our lives? And what of the "global injustice" that is awaiting? or to look at it with merely natural methods and to side with the world in that day? Do we look for it as being terrifying and yet gloriously revealing? what way should we respond? I believe we can wait. I believe we can allow God to vindicate our lives before Him, to test, prove, try, refine until the truth of His love for us is poured out full strength into the hearts of those that are waiting for Him. Indeed, it will be a bride yoked to Him that desires and longs for his appearing that will turn His heart and He will come. Ever has it been that way.

Have I overstepped the mark? I can be wrong after all. But you know that I don't say such a thing out of pride, but just because I'm deeply needing affirmation. I can do that without betraying my oonscience.