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PLAN: In this and following e-newsletters, I will present some of the background of origin of the Jewish people. I will present in later e-newsletters the origin of Islam. The centuries-old conflict for ancestral inheritance between the sons and daughters of Father Abraham— Jews and Christians on one hand and Muslims on the other— is the root of the conflicts we now see in the Middle East. You need to know the background of Jews (and engrafted Jews— Christians) and Muslims to understand the conflicts that are now taking peace from the world.
I earlier issued Parts 1 and 2 of e-newsletters concerning the background of Middle East conflicts. These two e-newsletters may be read online at E-Newsletter 9 and E-Newsletter 10.
THE MIDDLE EAST— THE WORLD'S FLASH POINT: The Middle East is a bombshell waiting to explode. As the Middle East goes, the world will likely follow.
Peoples of the world continue to hate Jews: Nations of the world are withdrawing support from Israel. Anti-Semitism is growing throughout the world. For example, anti-Semitism in Europe is greater now than in pre-World War II Europe. Israel is surrounded by warring, anti-Semitic enemies– enemies with one goal in mind, that Israel will be destroyed as a nation.
This hatred was prophesied in the Old Testament, including Psalm 83. We read in this psalm, beginning with verse 2: ... Your [God's] enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name if Israel may be remembered no more." For they have consulted together with one consent, they have formed a confederacy against You:... [next follows a listing of various nations which now comprise Israel's Arab/ Muslim enemies].
Powerful allies, rich clients: Petroleum-rich Middle Eastern nations have strong allies and suppliers of weapons. Directly or indirectly, nations aligning against Israel include Russia, China, North Korea, the European Union, the United Nations, and, increasingly, the United States. Many Middle Eastern nations are developing or possess weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Iran is about to join the nuclear weapons "club." Syria was the benefactor of Saddam Hussein's arsenal of biological and chemical WMDs. Israel's neighbors harbor and protect terrorists whose goal is to inflict damage to Israel and kill Israeli citizens.
The coming war: I expect the next major prophetic event to be the War of Gog and Magog. Read about this war in Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39. I have previously issued an e-newsletter about end-time wars: E-Newsletter 2. Gog is the leader of Magog. Magog clearly is Russia. Gog will have a "hook" placed in his jaw, turning him in hostility toward Israel. Magog will join with Arab/ Muslim confederates to invade Israel. One of these confederate combatants will be Persia— present-day Iran (Ezekiel 38:5).
Is the "hook" ready to be set? What might this "hook" be? Iran is nearing completion of nuclear weapons. Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, hates Israel to an irrational, extreme degree. Ahmadinejad belongs to a Shi'a Islamic sect, which believes in an apocalyptic end to the present world. He believes the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi— the Mahdi— will come to Earth to force all inhabitants to submit to Allah through execution or conversion only during a time of war and chaos. The Mahdi is Islam’s equivalent of the Judeo-Christian Messiah. If Iran could destroy an Israeli city and provoke war, this would provide the worldwide chaos necessary for the appearance of the Mahdi. Thus in Ahmadinejad's mind, an attack on Israel would be a glorious gift to Allah, as it would hasten worldwide conversion to Islam.
Israel now has a strong leader, Binyamin Netanyahu (my hero), who has signaled that a pre-emptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities may be necessary to preserve Israel. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has publicly announced that plans are ready for a pre-emptive strike against Iran. Significant obstacles must be overcome in any attack, including the problem of refuelling planes on a bombing mission. (No country in an Israel-Iran flight route will permit landing and refueling.) I obviously do not know the IDF's plans, but several options could exist to overcome the refueling problem, e.g., missiles launched from land or submarines, suicide bombing missions (no return of pilots), or ejection of pilots (and sacrifice of the planes) in international waters to be retrieved by ships or submarines after the bombing mission. The IAF (Israeli Air Force) has been conducting practice runs over the Mediterranean Sea in the region of Gibraltar. Civilian authorization from the Israeli government is, of course, required before this drastic measure would be undertaken.
Don't forget Syria: Syria, Israel's neighbor to the north, has become an implacable enemy of Israel because Israel and Syria dispute ownership of the Golan Heights. Israel needs this land for protection (to serve as a buffer against Syrian invasion), but Syria demands its return. Recall the prolonged debate in the United Nations prior to the American-Allies invasion of Iraq. The debate accomplished only one thing— it delayed the invasion, allowing Saddam Hussein to transport WMDs from Iraq to Syria. When Iraq was invaded, WMDs could not be found because they had been moved to Syria (and Lebanon?). Now, Syria is heavily armed with weapons formerly owned by Iraq. Could the War of Gog and Magog provide the opportunity for Syria to attack an Israeli city? Such an attack surely would result in massive Israeli retaliation. Syria's capital— Damascus, one of the world's oldest cities— has never been destroyed. Read Isaiah, chapter 17, which begins: [The LORD of hosts says] "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap." The prophet described a nuclear attack on Damascus in his vision.
Upsetting the King of the North: Since Russia has provided instrumental help in establishing Iran's nuclear program, she would undoubtedly join Iran in counter-attacking Israel, if Israel conducts a pre-emptive strike against Iran— whether such attack is successful or unsuccessful. Magog (Russia) will be an integral part of the attack on Israel, but God will providentially ensure that Israel will utterly defeat Russia and the Muslim confederates.
Cowardice in the world's nations: In reading Ezekiel's prophecy, note that the nations of the world refuse to come to Israel's assistance. This lack of assistance will be partly because of overwhelming anti-Semitism in many nations but mainly because God desires to show Israel that He alone is sufficient for Israel's redemption. At this time, the world will soon enter the seven-year Tribulation. The Tribulation was called "Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7). Since Jacob's name was changed by God to "Israel," the Tribulation could also have been called "Israel's trouble." During this time, God will deal with the Jews to return them to true faith in Him. Israel will be restored to faith in Jehovah (Jeremiah, chapter 31; Romans, chapter 11).
Sidelight no. 1: Do not hurriedly read over a phrase in Ezekiel 39:21a: [Says the LORD GOD] "I will set my glory among the nations;...." Some scholars believe this promise prophesies the re-appearance of the long-missing Ark of the Covenant. In a future newsletter, I will try to cover the fascinating history of the Ark and where it may now be.
Where is America? The Obama administration appears to show preferential favor for Islamic countries at Israel's expense. A prophetic hint of this hostility may be found in Ezekiel 38:13. Nations of the world will merely stand by, asking why this invasion of Israel is occurring. Does this sound like useless United Nations' debate? These sideline participants include "the merchants of Tarshish and [her] young lions [cubs]." Tarshish is the ancient name for western Europe, probably Spain. The New World, including the United States of America, was first explored and claimed by Spain. Therefore, the United States is "a young lion of Spain."
The two-state solution: The United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and even the Vatican actively seek to force Israel to be divided into two states— one for Israel, the other for "Palestinians"— contrary to Biblical teachings.
Read Ezekiel 37:15-28. Recall the timing of this prophecy. It will take place after the final re-unification of Israel (which occurred in May, 1948). The prophet was told to take two sticks, and label one as belonging to Israel's northern kingdom and the other to the southern kingdom. The prophet was told to make them into one stick, signifying a unified, indivisible nation of Israel. The LORD said (Ezekiel 37: 22): "And I will make [the children of Israel] one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again." [my underlining]
God has promised destruction for any nation which attempts to divide Jerusalem in the last days (Zechariah 12:2-3, 9): [Says the LORD] "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut to pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. |...| It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." [my underlining]
Leaders of nations who do not know or heed teachings of the Bible are doing this very thing, by attempting to divide Jerusalem and Israel. The two-nation solution (the partition of Israel) is a guarantee of God's wrath against any nation which pursues this course of action.
Politicians and the media do not understand the Middle Eastern conflicts, because they approach the conflicts from a world view, not a Biblical view. God has prophesied many things about the Covenant Land of Israel, which, unfortunately, are not understood by those who wield power and influence in the world. I will attempt to mention a few things God has told us about Israel through His prophets.
A LAND GIVEN ETERNALLY TO THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB: God gave the present-day land of Israel (and even more land than is presently claimed by the Israeli government) to His Covenant People— the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
God's original gift to the descendants of Abram (Abraham): When Abram (later re-named Abraham) left Ur of the Chaldeans and journeyed to an unknown-to-him land to the west, God promised him and his rightful heirs the land forever. The "deed" to this land was made through God's covenant, His solemn and perpetual vow.
Genesis 12:1: [The LORD said to Abram]: "Get out of your country [Ur]... to a land [Canaan, or present-day Israel] that I will show you."
Genesis 13:14-15 | 17: [The LORD said to Abram]: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are– northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. |...| Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you."
Genesis 15:18-21: ... [the LORD made a covenant with Abram]...: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt [the Nile] to the great river, the River Euphrates– the Kenites, the Kenezzites, and the Kadmonites; the Hittites, the Perizzites, and the Rephaim; the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."
THREE EXILES, THREE RETURNS: God's covenant people (Israelites, Jews) have been removed from the Covenant Land (present-day Israel) on three occasions, but have returned under God's direction on three occasions:
The Egyptian exile: Because of drought and famine, Jacob and his sons journeyed to Egypt. They stayed there (in Goshen, the northeastern part of the Nile Delta) four-hundred and thirty years, at first voluntarily as honored guests and then in suspicion and hatred as Pharaoh's slaves. This exile was prophesied to Abram in Genesis 15:13-14: Then [the LORD] said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions." God raised up Moses to lead His people back to Canaan— a forty-year exodus through the wilderness.
The Babylonian exile: Because of disobedience to God, the Israelite nation was taken into captivity in two waves under Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, the final wave occurring in 586 BC. The First Temple (Solomon's Temple) was destroyed at this time. This exile lasted seventy years, as was prophesied in Jeremiah, chapter 25.
The Diaspora: The Diaspora, a dispersal of Jews from their Covenant Land throughout the world, was punishment for the Jews' rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. Although the Diaspora could be said to have begun when a remnant of Jews stayed in Babylon rather than returning to Israel, the main part of the Diaspora occurred in AD 70, when the Roman legions, under the command of Titus, destroyed Jerusalem and enslaved the Jews. The Second Temple (Herod's Temple) was destroyed at this time. (Read Jesus’ prophecy of the Temple destruction in Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2, and Luke 21:6.) The Diaspora ended in May, 1948, when Jews from around the world began their aliyah— their rising up to return home. Numerous prophecies were fulfilled by this return— a return unprecedented in world history.
Sidelight no. 2: Learn from these three exiles. God expects all nations and all people to obey Him. He severely punished His Covenant People because of their disobedience. It is only arrogance and ignorance of modern people that we do not fear God's judgment.
God's pattern of judgment is:
In a future newsletter, I will discuss this pattern of judgment and how I believe it applies at this time to America.
SOME COMMENTS ABOUT ABRAM'S JOURNEY FROM UR TO CANAAN: The account of Abram's journey is written in the Book of Genesis. I wish to make a few comments about this journey.
A special relationship: God established a special relationship with Abram (Abraham) and his descendants. This relationship was given in a covenant of God, the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3): Now the LORD said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Sidelight no. 3: This last phrase, "... and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed," is considered by many scholars as a Messianic prophecy. It would be the Messiah, coming from Abraham's descendants, who would bless and still blesses all persons of the earth.
WARNINGS ABOUT THE FINAL RETURN OF THE COVENANT PEOPLE (JEWS) TO THE COVENANT LAND (ISRAEL): God has emphatically stated that the land of Israel belongs to the Jews forever (until the return of Messiah) after their final return (May, 1948). For example, read:
Ezekiel, chapters 36 and 37: God gave his prophet, Ezekiel, a vision about a valley of dry bones (Jews dispersed throughout the world). He promised these bones coming from "the four winds" (from all parts of the world) would be assembled into skeletons, would be covered with flesh, would breathe, and would form a great army— the house of Israel. The LORD concluded this vision (Ezekiel 37:14a): "I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land." He promised to return His people to Israel (Ezekiel 36:24): [Says the Lord GOD] "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land."
In Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39, God promised His supernatural power to defend Israel against the overwhelming onslaught of Russia and her Arab/ Muslim confederates in the War of Gog and Magog.
An eternal covenant of blessing and ultimate protection was given to God's people in the Abrahamic Covenant, which reads in part (Genesis 12:2-3): [The LORD said to Abram] "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great;.... I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you...."
Sidelight no. 4: Do not overlook the last part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:3c): "... and in you all families of the earth shall be blessed." Many scholars believe this statement is a promise of the Messiah (Jesus) who would come from Father Abraham's descendants, through Mary. Numerous prophecies state the origin of Jesus as coming from Abraham, through Jesse and David, and through Mary. Paul eloquently explained the relationship of Jews and Christians in Romans, chapter 12. I have discussed Paul's teaching about the wild branch from the stump of Jesse (Christians) being grafted into God’s olive tree, as the natural (Jewish) branches were pruned out for a season (the period of grace), in an earlier e-newsletter: God's Two Olive Trees:... . Paul’s teaching is essential to understanding the relationship between Jews and Christians.
COMMENTS ABOUT ABRAM'S FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S COMMAND TO HIM: You likely are familiar with the life of Abraham, but I wish to make a few comments to explain the background of conflicts in the Middle East:
A disobedient mistake— Lot: God told Abram to depart for Canaan, but leave without his relatives (Genesis 12:1a): Now the LORD said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your kindred...." [my underlining] Abram disobediently took Lot, his nephew, and Lot’s family with him. Abram and Lot parted company in the region of Bethel (Genesis, chapter 13), with Lot choosing the plain of Jordan.
Sidelight no. 5: Abram disobeyed God on several occasions, and such disobedience became the source of conflicts for Jews today. Abram was clearly instructed to take only his immediate family to Canaan— not Lot and his family. Important sexual sins are recorded in Genesis 19:30-38. After the separation of Abram and Lot, Lot and his two daughters lived in a cave in the mountains of Zoar. The daughters, realizing they had no prospect of marriage in the mountainous wilderness and desiring children, conspired to cause Lot, their father, to become drunk and have sexual intercourse with them. Both daughters conceived from these incestuous relationships. The older daughter bore Moab, the father of the Moabites. The younger daughter bore Ben-Ammi, the father of the Ammonites. The Moabites and Ammonites occupied Ar (Deuteronomy 2:9), land to the east of the Jordan River (present-day country of Jordan). Abram’s disobedience caused these relatives of the Israelites to be established as Israel’s neighbors and enemies.
Shameful mistake of judgment and loyalty— Sarai: In their journey to Canaan, Abram and Sarai (pronounced sah-RAH-ee) were diverted to Egypt because of a famine (see Genesis 12:9-20). Because Sarai was beautiful, Abram claimed that she, his wife, was his sister, and gave her to Pharaoh to join his stable of wives and concubines. Because of his generosity in giving his "sister" to Pharaoh, Abram was well treated. God plagued Pharaoh for this shameful union, although Pharaoh did not know of Abram’s lie. Abram’s deceit and cowardice shamed Pharaoh, and he expelled both Abram and Sarai from Egypt.
Sidelight no. 6: The Bible tells us about principal persons of the Bible "warts and all." We often talk about "heroes of the Bible," and certainly Abraham would make anyone’s hero list. Most (all?) of the Bible’s heroes were flawed, though. Too often, people are awed by the heroes, assuming they can never measure up to them and accomplish anything for God. Most husbands would never volunteer to give their wives away to a stranger. (If you are thinking about the positive side of such a "gift," sir, you need to work on your marriage!) I mention such flaws to point out that all of us— including heroes of the Bible— are sinners, as Paul told us (Romans 3:23): ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. An important message was given by the LORD to Samuel (1 Samuel 16:7b): "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." You and I may be critical of Abram’s lack of loyalty to and protection of Sarai, but God looked at Abram’s heart and knew that Abram had qualities He could use for His purposes. I am grateful that a well-meaning editor of the Bible has not redacted the unflattering passages. I believe these passages were written to serve as encouragement for people of all generations. Others may see you or me as "losers," but God looks inwardly at the real you and me. He does not see "losers," but He sees champions for His Kingdom, waiting to be unleashed against evil forces and accomplish His work. Do not beat yourself up and belittle your abilities. God needs to use you for some task(s), and you will be more than able to accomplish what He asks of you. You, as God's son or daughter, have been given spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13) and God’s armor and weapons (Ephesians, chapter 6).
An interesting and significant visit— Melchizedek: Abram came to Shalem (pronounced shaw-LAME). Read Genesis 14:18-20. Shalem comes from the Hebrew word shalom ("peace"). At this City of Peace, Abram met Melchizedek, who was both a king and a priest. Shalem, written as "Salem" in English, is folded into the name of God’s Holy City, Jerusalem [my underlining]. Note that Melchizedek shared a meal of bread and wine (Communion?) with Abram (Genesis 14:18), and Abram gave him a tenth (a tithe?) of all he had (Genesis 14:19).
In Psalm 110:1-2, 4-6a), we read: The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! |...| The LORD has sworn and will not relent, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the nations,...."
In Hebrews 7:1-3, we read: For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of kings and blessed him, to whom Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
Sidelight no. 7: There is so much of interest and importance in these Scriptures that I may write a future newsletter just about this meeting. Consider the following:
The Person of Melchizedek is surely a prophecy (foreshadow, type) of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. Consider the many Messianic attributes of Melchizedek. Many persons believe that Melchizedek was more than a type of Messiah, but that He may have indeed been Jesus. An appearance of Jesus to man before His birth is called a "Christophany." Other examples of Christophany exist (for example, the "fourth Man" in the fiery furnace, as recorded in the Book of Daniel). I believe Melchizedek of Salem was Jesus. I suspect that Abram and Melchizedek shared Communion* (eating bread and wine). At this meeting, I believe Melchizedek (Jesus?) shared with Abram the future of his people (Israelites, Jews) and a future people (Christians) based on the covenant between God and Abram.
*Incidentally, I recently wrote and taught a lesson for the Sunday school class I teach (the Maranatha Class), in which I identify and discuss the significance of seven instances of Communion in the Old and New Testaments. I would like to encourage you to be more mindful of the significance of Communion. Send me an email request, and I will happily email this lesson to you. I will begin writing all of my lessons in a Word format (which most people can access), rather than a WordPerfect format (which I have always used and prefer). I will be able to send you future Sunday School lessons, if you are interested. Just ask to be placed on my Sunday School lesson mailing list.
The psalmist made an interesting statement:The LORD said to my Lord.... This duplication of LORD/ Lord is not a typographical error. "LORD" translates Yehovah (Jehovah), which is the sacred tetragrammaton (transliterated into English: YHVH), which writes the ineffable (unspeakable, unutterable), sacred name of God. "Lord" translates Adon (Lord, Master). (You may be more familiar with Adonai, which is commonly used in songs and prayers and which means "My Lord." Who is this Lord (Adon) who sits at the right hand of God (Jehovah)? This Lord (Adon) clearly is a reference to Jesus the Messiah (the Christ).
We are promised that Jesus will be a king and priest forever, on the order of Melchizedek (who exists eternally, without beginning or end). Melchizedek of Salem had a most unusual function, serving as both king and priest. The two offices were almost always separated in ancient times. Note this: Jesus came to earth in three offices— Prophet, Priest, and Prince.
NEXT ISSUE: I realize this newsletter has been herky-jerky, covering many topics. I will write an equally herky-jerky newsletter next week to continue discussing the origin of the Jewish people. I hope you can learn something from these newsletters and future newsletters on the origin of Islam.
CONTACT ME: by email or (865) 984.1424.
If you have questions, comments, or especially if you need to know how to become a Christian, please contact me. I will be honored to try to help you in any way possible.
May God bless and protect you and your family. Maranatha! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Raymond Finney
Maryville, Tennessee U.S.A.
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