Islamic Radicals & God's Solution

The world is rightly alarmed at the threat of the Islamic radicals. The fundamentalist elements of this false religion may not be the majority, but they control a scary multitude. According to recent polls conducted by a reputable organization, approximately seven percent (7%) of Muslims worldwide are radical, support suicide bombers and are committed to an Islamic domination of the world. With 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide that 7% represents 91 million, and at least 117,500 of these radicals live in America. Every one of the 91 million Muslims are potential candidates to be used to attack, kill, and eliminate humans that stand in their way. What an awesome fact to go to bed with every night!

A massive effort is underway by leading radical Muslims to guarantee that their Islamic forces possess a nuclear arsenal. We must understand that the only thing protecting Israel and America at this very moment is our massive military power. Within our military circles there also exists a powerful and capable intelligence network. It’s important for the intelligent organization to tap telephones and gather information from every available source. You should be thankful for their ability to disrupt planned attacks.

If there was not – above all of the military and intelligent abilities — a Sovereign God that controls every final act of mankind, we would still be hopeless. This earth is the Lord’s and He will have the final word on how this scary world ends the present age. That does not mean that suffering and sorrows will all be eliminated. Every aborted baby, every act of adultery or fornication, and every same-sex act or marriage will be adjudicated in judgment. Sin -- unconfessed and unforsaken sins -- must be judged. Every single act of sin that is not purified and cleansed by the Blood of Christ will be purified by judgment. Great sorrows are clearly on the horizons.

But Our Heavenly Father will have the last word. I believe the War of Gog and Magog will occur right before the Rapture or immediately after the Rapture. This war will affect the Islamic world and every individual that believes in this religion. They have been promised that the twelfth Imam is soon to appear. He is their messiah and promises to establish a One World Kingdom ruled by the laws of the Koran. This teaching is supposedly believed by all 1.3 billion Muslims, not just the radical elements. The clash between this Islamic One World Order and the Western version of a One World Order must occur at some moment.

When you understand these two world views that basically dominate the present earth, you can understand why “One Worlders” in the West are determined to succeed ahead of Islam’s mad plan. Thank God that the prophecies of the Bible have promised a third alternative to the first two plans. There will be a One World Order and it will be worldwide and breathtaking. Jesus Christ will lead His army of glorified saints and we will establish a peaceful world of righteousness and prosperity. I am grateful that the Bible does not leave us in a fog. We have hope that is sure and unfailing.

God’s perfect revelation has left us a prophetic picture of the coming end to both the Islamic and Western plan. First, our Eternal God will deal with the Islamic plan for an “Islamic One World Order” and then He will deal with the Western plan for a “One World Order.” Both of these massive efforts to control the world and rule it for their god will end in Northern Israel. Also, the coming spiritual kingdom will be centered in the Land of Promise, Israel and Jerusalem. No wonder Christians are commanded to pray for the “Peace of Jerusalem.”

Ezekiel prophesied on the bank of the river in Babylon as his heart panted for the rolling hills of Judea. By the powers of God’s Holy Spirit, he saw the future clash in his homeland of a massive army to be destroyed by Divine intervention. His words are most revealing, “After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee” (Ezekiel 38:8-9). This prophet of God gave the exact details of this great army m arching on Israel.

This revelation names the geographical area and the nations that will be a part of this attack. Every description is clear to show that this is an attack by the Islamic world. It is led by Iran, which was the first country named. The Spirit said, “Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee” (Ezekiel 38:5-6). The Spirit named a geographical area that fits perfectly with Russia and other Northern powers. “Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am a gainst thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2-3).

This army could act with only the need of a few weeks to mobilize. They are probably talking in secret even as I write. When this Islamic Army marches, it will be awesome. As these nations gather somewhere north of Israel, probably in the southern tier of the former USSR territories, the world will think that we are on the verge of annihilation. The media will go ballistic. Politicians will gather at strategic locations amid a mad rush to defuse the coming storm. Bomb shelters will be prepared over much of the world.

Israel will prepare for the ultimate moment to fight to the death or simply be buried. They will be given little possibility of escape. At one time, America would have marshaled her total military might in Israel’s defense; but at the present time, would cower and make excuses. Israel’s entire nuclear ability, which is great, will be prepared for a full response. The small nations north of Israel will be quickly turned into an armed encampment. Literally, this army will be so massive that these nations will be rendered helpless and expect that nothing can be left but battlefields. There will be a great effort made to persuade Israel to surrender, dissolve their nation, and leave their Promise Land. Governments will offer refuge to those willing to give up and flee. While some Jews will submit and board planes and ships, the majority will prepare to fight.

As this Army marches south and reaches the border of Israel, the God of Heaven will call all the angels, cherubim, and seraphim to an emergency summit. Sometimes, I think I would like for this to happen after the Rapture so we could be up there to join this momentous moment. My personal opinion is that it will probably happen before the Rapture. In that case our duty will be to call prayer meetings all over the Bible-believing church world. Believe me when I say, this war will not last long and will leave the greatest devastation since the great Noahic Flood.

Will be continued next week . . .


Joseph Chambers

To Be Or Not To Be (a Faithful Pastor) That Is The Question?

I was talking with my Pastor yesterday and he mentioned to me and someone else that he is pressured from time to time by local pastors to bring our Church together with them to fellowship in the spirit of "unity" at one of their ecuminical functions, concerts or whatever.

Thankfully our pastor does not compromise regardless of the labels such as Pharisee, legalistic, mean, or the looks of disgust and disapproval. He mentioned that one of the local pastors really “lit into him” the first time they met. That pastor was waiting at the end of the stairs outside our Church and asked my pastor if he “was one of those mean Baptist preachers”. I assume “mean” because my pastor wouldn’t disobey the scriptures like himself and a few others. That and if he had any issues pertaining to the Word of God, it was never brought to my pastor’s attention. This really burned me up because the man that “lit into” my pastor is my former pastor and it looked as though he wasn’t going to tolerate my pastors intolerance!

Sadly, my former pastor wasn’t content in his own deception so now he was going to come on over and rebuke a faithful pastor he had never even met. And, should his rebuke succeed, then my former pastor would be an ungodly influence on my current pastor and have him disobey Paul's instruction to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them". (Eph. 5:11)

I was reminded of my former pastor's apathy towards false teaching & teachers; I once suggested he reconsider allowing an evangelist from coming to my former Church a second time because the "evangelist" had quoted heretics and false prophets like Bill Hybels and Rick Joyner the first time he was there. Not to meantion the evangelist had very strong ties to the “Brownville Revival” (Tit 3:10). Unfortunatly the evangelist came with my former pastors blessing. Yep, no rebuke waiting at the end of any stairs for this fellow.

I also recall my wife commenting to him & his wife on how she thought it was a bad idea, but more importantly it was disobeying God to fellowship with the local Roman Catholic Church (Romans 16:17; 2 John 1:9-11). The pastoral response was a sharp rebuke and told “they still believe in Jesus” though Paul warned of “another Jesus” (2 Cor 11:4) and “another gospel” just like the one Rome teaches (Gal 1:8-9). But that didn't seem too important. And don't misunderstand me, I understand we are called to be salt and light and that is not possible unless we interact with people (1 Cor. 5:10). However, we cannot worship God in Spirit and Truth beside false religions such as Roman Catholicism or those that do not uphold sound doctrine and are in blatant error -- that is either true or the Bible is a lie (John 4:23-24; Romans 16:17; Tit. 1:9; 2 John 1:8-11; Jude 1:3).

I thank God our Father He still has obedient men and I pray they continue to resist the pressures and ungodly influences from unfaithful ones because the obedient pastors, unlike the unfaithful, understand that wolves need to be kept away from the sheep according to Jesus Christ our Lord!
B. Fox

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:29-31)

The Father Loves His Son

by Joseph R. Chambers

Nothing makes our Heavenly Father more real to us than His love for His Son. It is a Divine love; but, it makes our Father seem almost human. The Son of God’s love for His Father is just as wonderful. The entire Redemption story in the Bible was played out like a Father and His Son on a love journey to bring the prodigal family home to the Father’s house!

The love of God the Father for His Only Begotten Son makes Christianity the only religion conceived by love. Apostle Paul describes this love relationship with words of eloquent splendor, “Who being the brightness of His (the Father’s) glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He (the Only Begotten) had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). The Father and His Son are so perfectly blended in likeness that unwise souls have tried to destroy their distinct difference. Their love for each other would be deception if they were not two in revelation.

The Book of John is the unique Gospel of the Father and the Son. To read it just for the purpose of studying the “Father-Son” relationship is an experience of indescribable glory. Over and over you see them blending as one in action while still manifest in their individual persons. It’s the mystery that leaves the devil in tatters.

Look at the opening scene of this Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14).

A Biblical “Golden Text” is found in chapter three. Often this passage becomes so familiar that we fail to see its beauty. “For God (The Heavenly Father) so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). To deny the unique differences in the Father and His Son is insane; but, to separate their perfection of revelation is heathenistic. Our God is both perfectly one and perfect individuals. It will be grand when we can truly understand this mystery. In the meantime I am perfectly willing to bask in its majesty.

The Son of God encountered great criticism for speaking of His oneness with His Father. The religious crowd of His own people had no spiritual discernment to grasp His and His Father’s perfection in revelation. They were not willing to accept but one person in this concept of the one God. Listen to Christ Himself settle this question, “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me” (John 8:15-18). “The testimony of two” spoken by Christ Himself certainly ends the debate.

Listen to the eloquent words of the Son of God, “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15).“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17-18).

His pastoral prayer in John chapter seventeen is one of the most breathtaking moments in His ministry on earth. Every word of that prayer was Heavenly; but, the cry in His heart for His return to the Father’s presence is Divine. “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” (John 17:4-5). To speak of His prior glory with the Father “before the world was” certainly settles His eternal Divinity.

In the great Epistle of Hebrews we see the Apostle Paul’s version of the “Father-Son” relationship. Listen in on these Divine words of God talk, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands” (Hebrews 1:5-6, 8-10).

The saints of God are a blessed people. Our redemption is undeniable and unchanging. We have been brought out of darkness and into the marvelous light. To be “Born Again” is not to become religious, it is to be transformed. We do not just know about God and our Savior Jesus Christ; we know them in a relationship that is both peaceable and holy. The world -- even at its very best -- immediately becomes a trash pile to us. Born Again Christians live for the future Kingdom. We must use the world; but, we do not abuse it. Our citizenship is in Heaven. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

The character of a saint of God is no longer determined by the world’s standard but by Heaven’s citizenship. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:1-16). Living for the Father and His Son is the grandest life and the future is star-studded.

http://pawcreek.org/

Man’s Spiritual Responsibility Towards our Children

A few weeks ago we had what the men of old refer to as “meetings” at my Church. We’ve been very blessed to have Dr. Clayton Shumpert, he told a story that really cut me to the bone in regards to a mans responsibility to be the spiritual leader in his home, and I understood this after being born again, but it took on a whole new meaning after listening to him illustrate one example of what happens when man disregards this God given responsibility. There is no hope for mankind at all with out the regenerating power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Shumpert told us the story of a young man that contracted a venereal disease. The young man asked his father to send him away. The father was a man of some influence and arranged for his son to be sent away to a good hospital and after treatment and observation he received a clean bill of health and came home again.

After a while the young man met a young lady, they fell in love and were married. And not long after they found out they were going to have a baby. When the time came for the newly-weds to have their baby she died due to complications associated with the disease and to make matters worse, their new son was born half blind and mentally challenged, again, as a direct result from the man’s ungodly choices he made earlier in life.

Grief stricken and overcome with guilt the young man took his own life leaving the child an orphan. And That’s not the end of the story. The consequences of being raised without God were still going take a toll on many other lives as well. That young man, Leon Czolgosz, grew up and one day decided that one man shouldn’t have all the power so he took it upon himself to shoot the President of the United States of America - President McKinley.

I mulled over that story for a week or so I thought that was an extreme example of sin coming around full circle, but I realized that was only a physical manifestation of a much bigger spiritual reality. Mankind, since the the fall continues to put God out sight and out of mind (Gen 3:8) or we redefine Him so that He doesn’t mess with our own programs (Gen 4:3) and we are in such a fallen state that we contribute, by sending own children to hell because we won’t obey the Gospel. We don’t have the time to study our Creators own words that tell us all we need to know about who He is and what He expects. What is even more tragic is that we won't pass it on to our own children and give them a chance to choose! I pray my children will not only choose be saved by the gospel, but they will be equipped to serve God if and when their time comes - and that is my prayer for everyone else as well.