Shalom from the city of the Great King

An intensified attack against God's Word and His nature began in the 1800s. In the centuries before, the Bible had been translated into living languages, resulting in many people being saved and many seeing the truth of God's eternal covenant with Israel.

The End-time attack against God

Let's look in brief at three streams in this attack:

Evolution: Darwin's The Origin of Species was published in 1859. This topic had been debated in scholarly arenas for about 50 years. Although Darwin's book presents scientific evidences, two unsupported inferences from this theory, the spontaneous generation of life and the transmutation of species, are still used to attack God's identity as the Creator of all, revealed in His foundational revelation of Himself to man (Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-3).

Higher Biblical Criticism: As a fruit of Rationalism, this protocol infiltrated the study of God's Word in the 1600s, and its main proponent, German biblical scholar Julius Wellhausen, gave it theological respectability in the 1870s. Its rationale interprets the Bible from a human reasoning viewpoint. Its scholars judge the Word and decide what is true or not true. Biblical supernatural events are seen as myths and legends. However, when people judge God's Word only by their limited understanding, they are in denial that some revealed truths are higher than human reasoning can discover (1 Cor. 13:12).

Reform Judaism: birthed in 1810 then gained acceptance, even respectability, in the 1840s and '50s. It can include everything from secular humanism or a personal God-idea or even a Creator, to personal progressive revelation. It questions God's existence and rejects Jews as being "chosen." The result of this is that these Jews assimilate wherever they live. They promote the idea of a hope of salvation in a Messianic Age, and reject the idea of a King Messiah. This movement is detrimental to God's people and plan. God chose the Jews to be a people for Himself (Deut. 7:6-8), one dwelling apart so as not to lose their spiritual identity by being absorbed into other nations (Num. 23:9b).

God's response: Biblical Zionism

God's answer to these attacks on His nature, His Word and His people is the modern Zionist movement, the return of His chosen people to His land. This began in earnest during the 1880's and continues today. It was also an answer to the prayers of English Puritans and Scottish Covenanters, who in the 1700s, were able to read the Word in their mother-tongue and saw the necessity of the return of Jews to their land, before the return of Messiah Yeshua.

God's answer in Israel's restoration shows first, that our Creator has created Israel for His glory (Isaiah 43:1, 5-7, 15, 21; 46:13). Secondly, the regathering of His people proves that All Scripture [the Old Testament in context] is God-breathed, (2 Tim. 3:16), and is trustworthy, true and the truth (John 17:17). Thirdly, God has shown that not only was Israel His chosen nation in biblical times, but they are still His chosen today.

The restoration of His people to His land and His land to His people is God's planned response against Satan's machinations to finally deceive the whole world. God challenges this humanistic-satanic attack, which asks, "Has God said?" with an open proof that, …I will watch over My Word to perform it. (Jer. 1:12b; cp. Num. 23:19; Isa. 55:11; John 10:35)

Islamic Terrorism

Yoram Ettinger says Islamic terrorism has rarely if ever been a result of "social and economic deprivation or the absence of civil liberties." Its true source is a "14-century-old megalomaniacal, supremacist, intolerant, anti-democratic, repressive, non-negotiable and eternal aspiration," to conquer the world for Islam.

Islam does not see itself as "a religion of peace." Salam (peace), from the same word root for Islam, is only between Muslims, but not toward unbelievers unless to deceive or destroy, as the Quran (Sura 20, vs. 47-48) instructs, "peace be on whoever follows the guidance [of Allah] …and punishment shall afflict those who deny [Allah]." "Peace" toward infidels is viewed as a truce "of limited duration," until Muslim strength can enforce total submission.

"Sacrificing reality and long-term national security on the altar of political correctness and short-term convenience, key Western policymakers and public opinion molders" refuse to acknowledge "the central role (or any role) played by Islam in the intensifying threat of terrorism." ("The volcano of Islamic terrorism," Y. Ettinger, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 10 Jan. 2016)

After the Brussels terror attacks, political analyst Judith Bergman noted that F. Mogherini, EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, said in a conference last year, "Islam belongs in Europe … political Islam should be part of the picture." Her blindness to Islam's true nature, shared by the EU's political and cultural elites, is liable for Europe's "current state of utter chaos," security-wise.

"Western political and military" institutions refuse to look at Islam's political and military doctrines. Yet faced with an enemy that sees these doctrines as "its reason for being," this refusal is "gross malfeasance and reckless endangerment."

Islam's political and military doctrines, codified in Islamic law, based on the Quran and hadiths, "are not subject to various interpretations." Turkey's President Erdogan was correct saying, "there is no moderate Islam. Islam is Islam." And Islamic State [IS] terrorists are only obeying the Quran: "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them…" (9:5) ("Jihad in Brussels," J. Bergman, Gatestone Institute, 24 Mar. 2016)

Israeli Prime Minister [PM] Bibi Netanyahu said terror comes from "a murderous ideology," not from occupation or frustration, "but from hope – the hope…to create an Islamic caliphate in all of Europe." ("Trudeau's shocking strategy," Dan Illouz, JP Op-ed, 30 Mar. 2016)

Islam's goal – world domination

Dr. Ephraim Herrera, author of Jihad: Fundamentals & Fundamentalism, recently wrote that 25 years ago Iran instituted its annual Jerusalem (Al-Quds) Day celebration during Islam's holy month, Ramadan. Its motto is "Death to Israel," an explicit call for Israel's destruction. "Hatred of Israel is the pillar of the ayatollahs' regime," since years ago in a sermon, Ayatollah Khomeini said the Zionist regime "must be erased from the annals of history."

Yet "Iran's belligerent anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism" does not detract from Western nations lusting after "fat contracts available in Iran, following the lifting of economic sanctions… The West is willing to sacrifice Israel on the altar of Iranian money." Will part of the unfrozen funds go to arm terrorists? Yes. Iran's Foreign Ministry said they will continue to fund Hamas as "the war against Israel remains a primary objective of its policy." ("Iran's territorial ambitions," Dr. E. Herrera, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 17 Feb. 2016)

A day after the Brussels attacks, Boaz Bismuth wrote, "I lived in Europe for many years," and Europeans always had excuses for terrorism. And when those ran out, the ultimate reason for it all was, "the Zionist occupation and oppression of Palestinians…"

Europeans do not see that their situation today is much worse than past attempts by Islam to conquer it (AD 732, 1529, 1638). Then, "the Muslim invader was blocked by walls. Today, the enemy doesn't even need to invade." He lives there and "only needs to prepare a homemade bomb and step into the street. He also sees no army standing in his way." ("Not because of 'occupation'," B. Bismuth, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 23 Mar. 2016)

Franklin Graham is a bold, non-politically-correct Christian. On Resurrection Day, in Pakistan, an Islamic terrorist killed more than 65 people, mostly women and children. The Taliban said they explicitly targeted Christians. Graham responded, "These families were celebrating a risen Savior who took our sins to the cross… [Muslims] want the whole world to bow to Islam. That won't happen. The Word tells us God gave Him the name above every name so that 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10-11)!" ("F. Graham Reminds… Islamists What Philippians 2 Says," J. LeClaire, Charismanews, 30 Mar. 2016)

Cursing the Jews: unprofitable and dangerous

Karin McQuillan reports that two Israeli scientists have developed "an almost miraculous cure…" for prostate cancer, the #2 cancer killer in men. Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy is a one-time 30-minute procedure, with no side effects in urination or sexual function. They foresee applications for breast, ovary, lung, and as of now, untreatable pancreatic tumors.

This Israeli medical "miracle" turned her thoughts to Germany. "The Nazis killed off their Jewish citizens…" Drawn to Nazi Jew-hatred, the Arabs sided with Hitler; the "price for their allegiance" – no European Jew should find refuge in Palestine. Britain and America basically went along, and even while fighting the Nazis, did all they could to hinder aliyah – Jewish immigration to Israel.

"Divine justice has brought that evil decision back to haunt us. The jihadi movement is Hitler's enduring gift to us." The 3rd Reich trained the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood [MB] in anti-Semitic propaganda, bomb-making and other sabotage techniques."

After the war, the West continued to hinder a newly-born Israel. If it had supported Israel's fight against the "anti-Semitic Islamic onslaught", it might have starved jihadi terrorism long ago. But Europe especially indulged Arab Muslim Jew-hatred, "partly to kowtow to oil-rich Arabs," and partly out of a need to see Jews in a negative light, and assuage some guilt for the Holocaust.

Today, by blindly opening the door for a "Muslim invasion of Europe, German chancellor Merkel" will drive out the rest of the EU's Jews, who are targets for the anti-Semitic Islamic spirit. EU Muslims have terrorized Jews for years, forcing many to flee, but some Europeans find this tolerable. So the last "tragic chapter in Europe's self-destruction is at hand, with anti-Semitism at its core at every step." ("Another miracle from Israel? …" K. McQuillan, American Thinker, 13 Jan. 2016)

Create a Palestinian State? Just say "No"!

In a recent terror-wave in Israel, Palestinians trying to murder Jews by using knives, axes, cars and guns, are called "lone wolves." Yet a 2015 Mosaic journal article by Daniel Polisar proves this a lie. Caroline Glick: "Polisar studied Palestinian public opinion data from surveys conducted by four independent research groups over the past 25 years," exposing some basic facts on their views about Israel. First, most support terrorism against Israelis. Second, a huge majority hates Israel and believes "Jews have no right to the Land of Israel," so Israel has no right to exist.

These findings show that today's terrorists are not "lone wolves …incited by PA propaganda." Rather, these murderers are "loyal representatives of their terrorism-supporting society…"

Also, "Palestinians believe terrorism pays." They are right, and since Israeli concessions have backed that belief, more Israelis now realize this and so they have "elected governments that oppose appeasement…" ("Coordinated assault," C. Glick, JP Op-ed, 21 Jan. 2016)

Is there any chance of real peace with the next generation of Palestinians? Absolutely not, because of what is being taught in Palestinian Authority [PA] schools. "Israel is routinely left off maps, Israeli cities are said to be in Palestine, martyrdom is celebrated, and there is not [one] mention of the Holocaust in more than 70 official PA textbooks," reports Gal Berger, Israel Radio's Palestinian affairs correspondent. He investigated what grades 1-12 textbooks teach, and found "a systematic blurring out of Israel's existence", and no lessons at all on a two-state solution.

Islamic studies texts "celebrated martyrdom," including a lesson to 4th graders, asking them "to write about a Palestinian martyr of their choice." Praise for martyrdom was also found in a 9th grade textbook. The Quran is quoted, saying that martyrs "will be given the highest place in paradise with the prophets and messengers."

Israel's eradication is drilled into young minds as early as the 1st grade, with Israeli cities within the "Green Line" labeled as cities in Palestine. ("'No education toward 2 states in Palestinian textbooks,' report finds," TOI, 1 Mar. 2016)

The nations against Jerusalem (Zech. 12:2-3)

The UK: In Britain's Parliament, PM Cameron said he was shocked when he saw "the effective encirclement of… occupied east Jerusalem." He claims his government supports Israel, "but we do not support illegal settlements, we do not support what is happening in east Jerusalem. It's very important that this capital city is maintained in the way that it was in the past." As in the past when it was Israel's capital under King David and Britain was an idol worshipping horde of pagan tribes? ("Obama: We must give hope to Israelis & Palestinians," Israel Hayom, 25 Feb. 2016)

Bibi answered Cameron, "Only Israeli sovereignty" stops IS from destroying holy sites, as they are doing in the Middle East [ME]. "Only Israeli sovereignty…ensures the city's Arab residents' roads, clinics, employment and other means of normal life that their brothers across the ME do not enjoy. Only Israeli sovereignty…guarantees the rule of law for all citizens," which doesn't exist in most of the ME, including under the PA. ("…Cameron has forgotten some basic facts …," Israel Hayom, 26 Feb. 2016)

The EU: In January, the EU Council set "rules for labeling Jewish-made products from Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem" and issued a document on plans for a ME peace process, but terrorism was not mentioned once. To the EU, only Israel hinders peace. ("Coordinated assault," C. Glick, JP Op-ed, 21 Jan. 2016)

Israel's Agriculture & Rural Development Ministry said in a statement, "Product labeling and the boycott of Israeli products by European countries and companies are reprehensible, and reek of anti-Semitism. [European] hypocrisy screams to high heaven. They are 'very concerned' with peace in the ME and they make sure to label Israeli products, while rushing to make deals with Iran, the terrorism power." ("EU businesses demand 'made in occupied territories' labels on Israeli settlement products," Israel Hayom, 4 Mar. 2016)

The USA: Isi Liebler writes, "Obama continues to ignore the catastrophic global repercussions of his flawed ME policies," which have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dead Arabs in civil wars and millions of refugees. Yet when interviewed by Jeffery Goldberg, he arrogantly calls Bibi "one of his deepest disappointments". Former-Israeli US Ambassador M. Oren retorted, "Netanyahu is one of Obama's 'deepest disappointments' as a ME leader? More disappointing than Syrian President Assad? Than former Iranian President Ahmadinejad? Than ISIS chief al-Baghdadi?" Liebler adds to this list Israel's "peace partner," PA President Abbas, "who blesses the blood of those who murder us," and Iran's leader Khamenei, "whom Obama has befriended despite his repeated calls for the destruction of Israel…" ("Obama's dangerous new initiatives," I. Leibler, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 16 Mar. 2016)

Secretary of State "Kerry has a new strategy for achieving ME peace: mobilize the international community to gang up on Israel." US attempts to pressure Israel have failed, so in front of EU foreign ministers, he said, "This is going to require the global community," acting together. ("Kerry to world: let's gang up on Israel," Stephen M. Flatow, JNS.org, 16 Mar. 2016)

After Bibi vowed that the Golan "will forever remain under Israeli sovereignty," a US State Dept. spokesman said America does not view the Golan as part of Israel. Yet the Golan – biblical Bashan – was given to Israel by God under Moses' leadership (Num. 21:33-35). ("US 'doesn't consider the Golan a part of Israel'," Arutz 7, 18 Apr. 2016)

The UN against Jerusalem

UN Secretary-General Ban's linking of Israeli "occupation" to Palestinian terrorism, "infuriated" Israeli officials. He said, "As oppressed peoples have demonstrated throughout the ages, it is human nature to react to occupation." He called Israeli settlement activities an "affront" to the Palestinians and the rest of the world.

Netanyahu: "There is no justification for terrorism. Palestinian murderers do not want to build a state – they want to destroy a state and they say this openly. They want to murder Jews simply because they are Jews…The UN lost its neutrality and moral force a long time ago," and Ban's remarks confirm this bitter truth.

HonestReporting asked whether Ban really believes what he said. Today, 190 nations are engaged in territorial disputes, and there are "42 violent conflicts" in the world, which in 2014 alone resulted in "12,181,000 refugees and 180,000 fatalities. Ban spent seven years as UN Secretary-General" without once "referring to any of these deaths as 'natural' or from 'human nature' except for the murdering of Israelis." ("Is Murdering Israelis Just 'Human Nature'?" Daniel Pomerantz, HonestReporting, 4 Feb. 2016)

Israeli UN Ambassador, D. Danon, exposed the UN Security Council's [SC] hypocrisy. Since last fall, Israelis have suffered a wave of terror: 30 people killed; 100s injured. During this time, the SC passed 12 resolutions "condemning terrorist attacks in France, Sinai, Lebanon, Mali, Tunisia, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Somalia, and Sudan. Not once were the lives of Israelis murdered by terrorists" mentioned. ("Israel slams UN chief's hypocrisy on terrorism," Israel Hayom, 27 Jan. 2016)

Anne Bayefsky notes that on March 24th, "the UN Commission on the Status of Women wrapped up its annual meeting in NY by condemning only one country for violating women's rights … Israel, for violating the rights of Palestinian women." That same day, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva ended its month-long session "condemning Israel five times more than any other of the 192 UN member states…" ("…UN names democratic Israel as world's top human rights violator," A. Bayefsky, Fox News, 29 Mar. 2016)

In April, a UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) resolution, totally ignored any "Jewish ties to the Temple Mt. and Western Wall area in Jerusalem's Old City," and constantly calls Israel the "occupying power". Netanyahu stated, "The UN is rewriting a basic part of human history…"

UNESCO also condemned Israel for its "control over" Hebron's Tomb of the Patriarchs, and Bethlehem's Rachel's Tomb, as it sees these sites as "an integral part of Palestine…" ("PM slams UNESCO resolution ignoring Jewish connection to Temple Mt," TOI, 16 Apr. 2016)

Netanyahu lifts up the banner of truth (Psalm 60:4)

In March, Bibi addressed the American Israel Political Action Committee policy conference via satellite, saying "Jewish people are once again free and sovereign in our ancient homeland."

He noted the "two contradictory trends," facing Israel today. Positively: "high-level delegations" regularly visit Israel from many nations, including the Far East. As they "confront the rise of militant Islam and its accompanying terrorism, they come … to learn from Israel's proven security and intelligence capabilities how to better protect their own people." They also want "to upgrade their economies with Israel's technology…"

Negatively: many "malign Israel among the nations," and the UN targets "Israel for castigation and condemnation". So why assume that the UN could "decide on a fair and secure peace for Israel?" But some do believe that, and press for a SC resolution "to impose terms on Israel." Yet this "would only convince the Palestinians that they can stab their way to a state," and not a state next to Israel, but "instead of Israel."

For years the PA has brainwashed "young Palestinians with murderous hatred for Israel…" [Bibi shows a video of children being indoctrinated to hate Jews, to see all Israel as 'Palestine', and airs a clip from PA TV of a very young Arab girl, not much older than 4, with a knife, saying, "Stab, stab, stab!"]

Bibi: "This is sick…inexcusable…" She wasn't born hating, but "was taught to hate, as were Palestinians who murdered" innocent people in Israel recently. If the global community wants peace, let it demand that the PA stop poisoning children's minds, and then deal with the real hindrance – the "Palestinian refusal to accept a Jewish state in any borders."

Netanyahu affirmed that "Iran remains fully committed to… our genocide. Its leaders loudly, openly, proudly…proclaim their goal is to destroy Israel…Since the nuclear deal, Iran has continued to conduct ballistic missile tests, in defiance of its international obligations…Iran recently fired a ballistic missile with a Hebrew inscription painted on it…'Israel must be wiped out'." ("Full text of Netanyahu's 2016 address to AIPAC," TOI, 22 Mar. 2016)

Aliyah – Just do it!

Warnings are being heard from within the traditional Jewish community urging Jews to flee exile and return to Israel. This also happened in the 1930s in Europe, yet most Jews refused to listen. Six million plus deaths later, pray for Jews in exile to hear today.

In a video message, Lori Palatnik, Jewish Women's Renaissance Project director, urged Jews to make aliyah as "Israel is the safest place for Jews to live." After 9/11, she read "the scary Prophets talking about the End of Days", when the world's system would fail and Jews would move to Israel. She asked a "great rabbi" how to know the timing. "He said, 'When they start killing Jews in the streets…get out!'" This is happening in many places worldwide.

She knows there is danger in Israel, "but the government's #1 priority is to protect the Jewish people." She plans to move "very soon," and ends with this: "I hope this is not too apocalyptic to you but history is unfolding before our eyes. We can't turn away." ("Founder of 'Birthright for Moms': Jews should move to Israel before end of days," TOI, 29 Jan. 2016)

Media personality Rabbi A. Abramowitz, who travels, "sharing the uplifting truth about Israel", also released a video, urging "American Jews to move to Israel, in fulfillment of the Biblical prophecy about the ingathering of the exiles."

He related the Purim story to today, linking "the self-perception of Jews of Shushan," the Persian capital, "with the self-perception of Jews in Germany just before the Holocaust" and of US Jews today, warning the latter, "You are in more danger" than Jews anywhere else because "you don't feel how much danger you're truly in." As Israelis, "it is our responsibility to sound an alarm… that it's time to come home."

To those who say, "It's wrong to scare people into making aliyah," he retorts, "It's wrong to scare people from something that is not endangering them, but if people are in danger, it would be wrong not to notify them."

He shared his message in the US recently, but most "Jews were less than receptive… [yet some] Christian groups were in near-unanimous agreement…A holy Christian I spoke to said I should tell Jews that if anything happened to the Jews in America, the Israel-loving Christians would hide them in their homes." ("Rabbi Urgently Warns American Jews to Get Out," BreakingIsraelNews, 24 Mar. 2016)

Liebler says Europe's situation is very dangerous. Muslim migrants infected with Islamic-style anti-Semitism make "unholy alliances with traditional anti-Semites and political leftists," creating Jew-hatred similar to the 1930s rise of Nazism.

There is also an absence of sanity, as proven by the "groveling of European countries" towards Iran. Europe, cemetery to over six million Jews, hosts leaders of a nation calling for Israel's death. Yet most EU leaders, even the pope, seem willing to sell Israel's children and divide its land (Joel 3:2) for a profit (1 Tim. 6:10). "European Jews who fail to see the writing on the wall are simply living in denial." ("No more illusions: Come home," I. Leibler, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 3 Feb. 2016)

Russia's President Putin & Israel

Putin has been "an enigma" to the world "ever since he came to power." And when he abruptly declared Russia was withdrawing many of its forces from Syria, his reputation as someone not fitting into the West's preconceptions grew.

He had "achieved his immediate goal…" Russia is once again a ME superpower, a reliable ally, and his army is a force to reckon with. More notably, he proved he was a man of "determination," a quality that is vital for leading a major nation. With today's "weak, hesitant, alienated" leaders like Obama, any hint of real leadership places that person in the spotlight.

Russia's military entry into, and exit from, Syria "were lightning decisions" surprising most analysts. "And the ability to surprise is also considered an asset in complex international situations."

Yet this Russian move "revealed another player that knows how to operate in a shifting international reality and conduct itself" wisely – Israel, especially, Netanyahu – who was perceptive "enough not only to accept" Russia's move into the ME, but was also able "to derive diplomatic gain from it." Israel's measured approach contrasted positively against the "hysterical reactions" of other nations. And it was once again evident, that Putin holds Bibi "in high esteem," despite Israel's "independent positions and determination to stand up for its interests – or possibly because of them." ("Russia is a superpower again," Ariel Bolstein, Israel Hayom Op-ed, 16 Mar. 2016)

In Moscow, Israeli President Rivlin met Putin to clearly define Israel's red-lines. "Israel would not accept…Iranian armed forces near the Golan," and the Golan's future is "non-negotiable – the area must remain under Israeli control."

Putin said Russia was committed to Israel's security, and that he had "a personal commitment towards all of those Russians who immigrated to Israel." ("Israel presents red lines to Russia on Golan, Iran," Arutz 7, 17 Mar. 2016)

Israel's Aramaic Christians

Shadi Khalloul, founder of the Israeli Aramaic Movement, has served as a lieutenant in the IDF paratrooper division. He wrote that, "Last year, Israel recognized the existence of a group of Christians, 'Arameans', within its borders; an act that no Arab or Muslim nation from the ME has ever done or would ever do." This distinct religious and ethnic group is descended from "the indigenous people of the ancient Fertile Crescent. Their language, Aramaic, was the [WFJ ed.: "a"] language spoken by Jesus…"

Israel gives these Christians and its other minorities – Druze, Muslims, Bedouin, Baha'i, et al, – full civil and "legal rights" to live in peace "and practice their faith as they wish," along with the freedom to maintain their distinct cultural differences. They can attain high positions in society. Apartheid is nowhere to be found in the Jewish State.

Israel does this in a region "where most of its neighbors," want it destroyed, and often try to see this come true.

Most Israeli minorities know that in the ME "Israel is the only island of safety that allows them freedom and democratic rights." The Israeli Muslim Arab community, Christians and others, see "the tragic destiny of their brothers in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and other Arab countries. Muslims killing Muslims; fanatical Muslim groups killing Christians… [They] fear that this devastation" will invade Israel. This is one reason why increasing numbers of Christian and Muslim Arabs today have chosen "serving in the IDF."

In a 2012 official Christmas greeting to Israel's Christians, Bibi said: "At a time when Christians are under siege in [the ME] …I am proud that in Israel Christians are free to practice their faith, and that there is a thriving Christian community in Israel." ("Israel's Christian Minority," S. Khalloul, Gatestone Institute, 20 Mar. 2016)

The most frightening form of God's judgment

In Romans 1:24-32, Paul says that one way God judges is by giving over and freeing mankind to do what is in its evil heart (Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9). This results in open rebellion against His Word and His character (Psa. 2:1-3).

The Puritans believed God's behind-the-scenes grace restrained the worst in people. That grace seems to be in short supply today. We seem to have entered the "savage days" that must come prior to Messiah's return (2 Tim. 3:1). So be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. (Eph. 6:10)

Chuck & Karen Cohen