Archive for May, 2009
God, America, and America’s Enemies
May 2nd
AMERICA IN PROPHECY PART 5
By Dr. Richard Booker
Internal Enemies
The fourth possible reason for America being further weakened is attacks within our borders from our enemies. It was said in the past that America had two great friends, the Atlantic and the Pacific. The point of the comment was that America was protected from the wars in Europe by the oceans. That was before jet planes and suicide bombers.
The call of jihad from the radical Muslim terrorists is, “Today we fight the Saturday people, tomorrow the Sunday people.” Israel is the Saturday people who, for over 50 years, have experienced the front-line wrath of jihad because Israel lives in the neighborhood of the jihadists. On 9/11, the Sunday people (Christian America) were awakened to what Israel experiences everyday. The events of 9/11 changed the world and changed our way of life as Americans.
No matter how much we try – it is impossible to secure our borders. There is no way we can keep out terrorists that are coming into our country. Even worse, it seems our government is inviting them to live among us. And once in our country, it is relatively easy for determined terrorists to weaken America through more bombings. America is a big, easy target. It is not a matter of if we will have another 9/11, but when.
There are many terrorist “sleeper cells” already in America. They are not sleeping but are waiting for the right moment to activate their cell and cause great destruction. Included in this vast Islamic terrorist network are groups that are becoming household names such as Hamas, Al-Queda, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Muslim Brotherhood and others. They all have the same goal which is the destruction of the “Great Satan” America. Some of these groups probably already have nuclear “suitcase bombs” that have been smuggled into the country. They only need to detonate one of these to bring America as we know it to an end.
In addition to this violent threat, there is also the internal threat of radical Muslims who have infiltrated every aspect of our society including our military, our political organizations, our prison systems, our homeland security, our universities, our business, etc. They operate under the cover of our political correctness, our freedom of speech, our generous laws of charitable giving, etc. to use their influence at the highest levels of American society.
External Enemies
A fifth event that could dramatically weaken America is an external attack from our enemies. Whenever possible, nations at war attack their enemies when they are perceived to be weak internally. If America has an economic collapse as well as a continued moral collapse, our enemies will see this as an opportunity to attack us. But who would dare attack America – seeing that we are far superior militarily to any nation?
The answer is Russia and possibly a nuclear Iran. When the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia remained in tack with thousands of nuclear weapons. While they are weak economically and militarily, they are recovering and their nuclear weapons make them a threat to our survival.
Neither Russia nor Vladimir Putin is our friend. Russia is actively working to arm Syria and Iran with nuclear weapons because they want to reassert their influence in the Middle-East. Russian nuclear scientist and technicians are in Iran and Syria assisting them in developing weapons of mass destruction with Israel as the target. Russia is building a modern naval base in Syria to be operated by Russians. They have attack submarines deployed off our East and West coasts armed with enough fire power to destroy America. Now they have an open invitation to our backyard from their new friend in Venezuela.
Most Bible scholars believe Ezekiel 38-39 is talking about Russia as the nation that will lead an end-time confederation against Israel. I believe this will be a Russian/Turkey/Iranian led coalition. At the time of that invasion, Ezekiel 39:6 says that “fire will fall on those dwelling safely in the coastlands.” I wonder who this could be. Who do you think the prophet is speaking about? The Scripture could be referring to America. Whatever the details, I don’t believe the Almighty will allow Americans to go about their business as usual when Israel is being attacked. Do you?
Dr. Richard Booker is a bestselling author and speaker and the Founder of Sounds of the Trumpet and the Institute for Hebraic-Christian Studies. He is a contributing editor for the Jerusalem Connection. To invite him to speak to your congregation or conference and to learn more about his work, see his web site at: www.rbooker.com. This is the first of six articles on America in Bible prophecy. The articles are excerpts from Dr. Booker’s new book, “The End of all Things is at Hand—are You Ready?” To get the full text, order this book directly from Dr. Booker’s web site at www.rbooker.com.
The Coming Collision
May 1st
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By Jim Hutchens
When an irresistible force meets an unmovable object a collision results. That appears to be the forthcoming scenario between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu. But this is only “Round One.”
From day one of his presidency Mr. Obama has put on a full-court press to establish the politically correct mantra of a “two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace.” Never mind the fact that all attempts at this since 1948 have been abysmal failures. The primary reason for these failures is the Palestinians are not partners in seeking peace with Israel. Rather, they continue to insist on the establishment of a Palestinian state on the ashes and total removal of the State of Israel. Check it out in their charter documents.
Blithely ignoring this reality, both the Special Envoy to the Mideast, George Mitchell and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continue to pressure their unequivocal commitment to a two-state-solution. This has been re-enforced by a rapid succession of visits to Washington by King Abdullah II of Jordan, President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas and even Prime Minister Netanyahu. President Obama’s visit to the Mideast in June could seal the deal for the immediate future, especially if he “makes an offer they can’t refuse.” Properly understood, the Obama administration’s increased coercion of Israel to conform is yet another attempt to appease the Arab/Muslim world. Israel’s security and national interest are of little concern.
For Bible believers this on-going diplomatic dance must be viewed within the context of the prophetic Scriptures. For example, Zechariah 12:2 ff. speaks of a time when God says, “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding people reeling. …On that day when all nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an unmovable rock. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” If when God says “all nations,” He really means “all,” then this must include the United States as well. It is indeed, a sobering and regrettable thought that our own beloved America would be one of those nations gathered against Israel. Tragically, this seems to be the trajectory the Obama administration is on. The God-ordained result is that we and not Israel are “injured.”
Furthermore, the stance President Obama has taken regarding Iran is troubling, certainly for the United States, but existentially for Israel. Evidently, he sees diplomatic talks with Iran as the primary means of curtailing Iran’s dash for nuclear capability. However, notions are now afloat suggesting that since we can’t curtail their thirst for nuclear power, we must accept it and keep it closely monitored. For the U.S., far removed from the region, a nuclear Iran is tolerable. For Israel it is intolerable. It is a matter of survival. Prime Minister Netanyahu has already indicated that if the United States does nothing about the Iranian nuclear threat, Israel will have to do so preemptively. The prophet Zechariah seems to have this possibility in mind when he says, “On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume right and left all the surrounding peoples, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place.” (Zechariah 12:6).
Sadly, the trump card Israel has consistently refused to play since its re-birth in 1948, is the Biblical fact that God has decreed to the Jews forever, by covenant promise, the land they now live in. Most of Israel’s leaders have been secular with little commitment to the proclamations of the Bible. Unless and until an Israeli leader emerges who advocates Israel’s standing based on the eternal covenants of God, any political efforts will be futile. The land of Israel is the God-given inheritance of the descendants of Abraham.
The covenants God has made with Israel should be at the top of the list of any Peace Plan Israel agrees to. As a matter of fact the first item on the agenda of our Jerusalem Connection Peace Plan is, “The Covenants of God. The modern State of Israel is a partial fulfillment of God’s immutable and everlasting covenant promises to provide a national homeland for the Jewish people in anticipation of their ultimate redemption when Messiah comes. (Genesis 15:18; 17:7-8). Thus these promises must be considered valid and relevant for today and foundational to any further peace plan discussions. God has a vested interest in Israel and the Jewish people that has not been denied since the founding of the world. To deny Providential input into any peace plan involving Israel is to invite rejection and failure at the outset.”
Expectations that the Obama administration will bring God’s covenants to the negotiating table are futile. It’s not going to happen. But is there an Israeli leader who will claim his Biblical inheritance and make the covenant promises of the God of Israel an unconditional requirement for any peace plan? Time will tell. It may happen only when another of God’s promises are fulfilled. Again through the prophet Zechariah, God says, “I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look to me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12:10). Until then, it appears a collision is inevitable. Still this is only “Round One.”
Jim Hutchens is President of The Jerusalem Connection, International and editor of The Jerusalem Connection Report.