Fear Not

I am speechless.  Or should I say, I have been wordless.  And this blog has suffered because of my inability to properly express myself.

There certainly isn't a shortage of things to write about.  The headlines from the mainstream media and what I glean from Christian websites could fill volumes here, if I chose to join in the fray and add my two cents.  But I refuse to become one of those bloggers who grabs a topic out of the plethora of available topics, then goes off on a tangent of condemnation and scathing rebuke, especially since I am not intimately familiar with the people involved and every detail that makes the story newsworthy.

Since the internet became the go-to place for news, people have a tendency to believe everything that is written there, including the conspiracies and propaganda permeating it.  Far too many secular and Christian bloggers and readers fall into that trap which ends up destroying the validity of legitimate bloggers as the rumors and innuendos continue to circulate this sphere.  Social media is probably the greatest offender.  Those who spend time on Facebook, for instance, rarely read anything more than the headline which is cleverly written to grab their attention and not truly reflective of the article's content.  I can't count the times when I have actually read the article, only to discover this truth.  And I truly wish my friends would do the same before "sharing" it with expressed outrage and condemnation.

I am in full agreement that there is plenty to be angry about: the recent SCOTUS decision on gay marriage; our President's foolish attempts to negotiate with Iran; the wholesale slaughter of babies in the womb; the crumbling social and family structure; race-baiters who perpetuate hate and encourage lawlessness; the evil brutality occurring in the Middle East and spreading around the globe...the list is endless.

The problem, as I see it, is that far too many professing Christians are also fearful, forgetting that the Most High God is no less in control of this world than He was when He created it.  Yes, I do believe that not only is God going to pour out judgment on our nation, but He has been doing so for some time.  He can't nor won't ignore rampant in-His-face sin without it causing a reaction from Him.  Evil and wickedness have been present since the serpent deceived Eve, God has poured out His judgment time and time again, and He will continue to do so until Jesus Christ returns to bring final judgment upon this earth.  But the promise God made to Israel in Isaiah 41 is also intended for His adopted children, as well, especially verse 10:  "...fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  And Christians across the globe need to cling to that promise.

Charles H. Spurgeon's morning devotion reminded me that God's Word is faithful.  For those who put all of their trust and all of their faith in Almighty God who is sovereign in all things on earth and in heaven and whose righteousness and justice is perfect in all ways, there may be moments of fear, but it is short-lived.  We are endowed with the Holy Spirit who brings great peace in the midst of trials, turmoil, and godlessness.  And if the world comes completely against us with great violence, even then we know that we are still safe in His hands, for a life beyond our ability to express awaits us.

I am able to thank God for giving me these few words of encouragement to pass onto you.  I hope Mr. Spurgeon's are even more encouraging as we watch events unfold, continue to witness to those in unbelief, and wait for the ultimate and eminent return of our Savior, our King, our LORD Jesus Christ.

 

"Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."
Proverbs 1:33

Divine love is rendered conspicuous when it shines in the midst of judgments. Fair is that lone star which smiles through the rifts of the thunder clouds; bright is the oasis which blooms in the wilderness of sand; so fair and so bright is love in the midst of wrath. When the Israelites provoked the Most High by their continued idolatry, he punished them by withholding both dew and rain, so that their land was visited by a sore famine; but while he did this, he took care that his own chosen ones should be secure. If all other brooks are dry, yet shall there be one reserved for Elijah; and when that fails, God shall still preserve for him a place of sustenance; nay, not only so, the Lord had not simply one "Elijah," but he had a remnant according to the election of grace, who were hidden by fifties in a cave, and though the whole land was subject to famine, yet these fifties in the cave were fed, and fed from Ahab's table too by His faithful, God-fearing steward, Obadiah. Let us from this draw the inference, that come what may, God's people are safe. Let convulsions shake the solid earth, let the skies themselves be rent in twain, yet amid the wreck of worlds the believer shall be as secure as in the calmest hour of rest. If God cannot save his people under heaven, he will save them in heaven. If the world becomes too hot to hold them, then heaven shall be the place of their reception and their safety. Be ye then confident, when ye hear of wars, and rumours of wars. Let no agitation distress you, but be quiet from fear of evil. Whatsoever cometh upon the earth, you, beneath the broad wings of Jehovah, shall be secure. Stay yourself upon his promise; rest in his faithfulness, and bid defiance to the blackest future, for there is nothing in it direful for you. Your sole concern should be to show forth to the world the blessedness of hearkening to the voice of wisdom.

TMI: A Dangerous Acronym

I have recently been bitten by the "TMI" bug, and the cause of this malady has made my blog suffer for it.  To my faithful reader (note the singularity), I apologize.  But I have what I see as a reason for my absence.

For those of you who "Tweet" (a subject for a future post), or regularly use social network sites like Facebook, the acronym "TMI" should be recognizable.  But for those who aren't up-to-date on what I deem to be mere laziness (abbreviating) or an unhealthy obsession with technology (another subject for a future post), "TMI" simply means "too much information."

To give one example: we all know people who have no qualms about relating something to us and describing every boring or lurid detail, in living color.  The account could have been summed up in one simple sentence, leaving us to fill in the blanks - that is, if we really wanted to know.  In other words, when we are filled to the brim with too much information, what we end up with is a mind full of vivid, ugly, or disturbing pictures that stick like glue.  Our focus oftentimes then becomes fixed on unhealthy, non-productive, or worrisome thoughts that spill over onto our lives and draw our attention away from what should matter most.

I used to be a faithful watcher of the news.  Whether it was on or off, my television was always tuned to FoxNews during the day, and nothing escaped my notice (as Todd Friel of Wretched often quips with a wink, "Christians watch FoxNews").  If I missed something on TV, I'd catch it on Facebook.  If I missed it there, a relative or friend would fill me in.  But a few months ago, I suddenly realized what was happening:  I was being consumed by all the escalating bad news, and it was making me a nervous wreck, or worse, angry.

Granted, an abundance of information on current events should fuel my imagination for frequent posts, but the effect has been quite the opposite.  There could have been posts about the rise of Islam (note I didn't use the term "radical" that is being shoved down our throats) and the atrocities Muslims like ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas, Hezbollah are committing (I chose this specific Israeli Defense Force website for Hamas and Hezbollah because I don't trust others, like the United Nations or the liberal media, to give the truth), and a host of other Islamic groups recognized by the world as terrorist groups who have risen from the ashes of barbarianism and world domination.  The comprehensive list on this last link (you really should take a look at this!) is daunting and should be evidence enough that, as long as political correctness, tolerance, complacency, and apathy continue to rule over the foolish minds of the world's citizenry, Islam and its influence will continue to spread like a cancer.

I could have written about the isolated terrorism in Canada where a lone Muslim shot to death a defenseless guard, Nathan Cirillo, (it's common practice for the guards not to have a loaded weapon) at their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, then proceeded to the Parliament building where he was shot dead by a brave Sargent At Arms, Kevin Vickers.   Vickers is a hero in my book.  I also might add that, within hours of the attack,  Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, called it what it was:  terrorism.  No "work place violence," or "mentally ill individual," or what really fries my bacon, "Islamic extremist."  He gave it the label it should have been given.  Harper should be applauded for not borrowing from Obama's politically correct (or politically inept) playbook.

The recent hatchet-wielding Muslim in New York City, who severely wounded two police officers, could have become a topic here on this blog.  But, according to the liberal media and the Obama administration, he was just a "mentally ill" man (see above).

I could have addressed the Ebola threat that has been, in my humble opinion, idiotically allowed to enter the United States, and the Obama Administration's apparent ignorance (or worse) in mishandling the situation (no travel ban established, no border security, no forced quarantine of incoming travelers, and Obama's latest brilliant idea, bringing into the U.S. foreigners who have contracted the disease...is he completely clueless???)  Or I could have ranted about the new "Ebola Czar," the liberal political hack Ron Klain, that Obama appointed (unconstitutionally, by the way) to oversee the institution of the Center For Disease Control's (CDC's) ever-changing protocols (because they really have never completely understood this dangerous virus and how its transmitted) on the loose suggestions made by Obama in-between tee times.

Or what I see to be the piece de resistance: sending 4,000 of our troops to West Africa to help "combat" the Ebola virus (Obama originally said 3,000 but, you know, he changes his mind at his whim).  Our soldiers are trained specifically for battle and defense.  So the question remains: can you shoot a virus?? (utter lunacy)  It's more likely that they will end up contracting the virus and their ashes coming home to their families and loved ones in an urn. 

I could add to this list of growing troubles and woes that are occurring around the world, but then I would just fall into the trap of giving you too much information.  Besides, things are happening at such a rapid rate with no seeming end, this post would never get published.  Most of it you've already heard and fretted over because you, also, have been made a victim of "TMI."

The problem on the flip side is that we are only spoon fed what the "powers that be" want us to know, not providing us with enough accurate information to truly educate us.  We go from one tragedy or terror act or skirmish on the other side of the world to another and quickly forget about the previous news stories, making us complacent and having an attitude that nothing surprises us, anymore.  FoxNews "News Alerts" used to make us sit up and take notice, but are becoming mundane from over-use.  It seems everything, now days, is considered an "alert," even if it isn't.  And when you consider that Obama's press secretaries are nothing more than hired liars who divert, deflect, and deceive, what can we believe?

And so we fall into slumber.

My hope is that you will do what I have done:  turn your focus back on Jesus Christ and what He desired for us while we tarry here and await His return, giving His Gospel to a dying world and making disciples of men; including, but not limited to, the unbelieving, rabid Muslims who are causing so much terror and grief around this world.

The only information we truly need is found in the Word of God.  There is nothing happening now that wasn't written about long ago as a warning of Christ's imminent return and God's wrath to come.  It's reliable and trustworthy, for God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19).  And if you are a true believer in the LORD Jesus Christ, you understand that these things must take place before our eyes behold our Savior:

"...And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once."  Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences [plagues, viruses].  And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven [raging, unpredictable weather].  But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for My name's sake [Christian persecution].  This will be your opportunity to bear witness.  Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.  You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.  You will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will gain your lives." ~ Luke 21:9-19

I went on a news hiatus for a few months.  That's not to say I am completely unaware of what's happening at such break-neck speed, both in our nation and around the world.  It just means that I stopped watching the news so often.  I purposefully refocused my mind back onto my Savior Jesus Christ and the cross.  When I did, my blood pressure dropped, my anger subsided, my fascination with worldly things decreased, and I was able to know the peace Christ Jesus faithfully pours out upon His children in times like this by returning to His Word and, more importantly, believing and trusting it:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:4-7

We need to remain informed, to be faithful "watchmen on the wall" (Isaiah 62:6-12), so that we can sound the clarion call and proclaim our King of kings and LORD of Lords to this unbelieving generation.  But if we allow the world to inundate us with too much information, we allow the enemy to divert our attention away from our responsibility as Christians.

"JICBS" - Jesus is coming back soon.  I think He's coming back very soon.  That's the only information we need and that matters, because the rest falls into perfect unity with it.  It's not a dangerous acronym, unless you remain in unbelief (John 3:36).  It's the truth, and the truth is the information this world desperately needs to hear.

Give the Gospel to the lost and faithfully preserve God's Word (2Tim. 4:2).  Keep your eyes fixed heavenward.  Keep watch for the signs and remain diligent and ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within you (1Peter 3:14).  Guard your hearts and minds by remaining in God's Word (Prov. 4:23).   And keep looking up in excited anticipation of the LORD's return - the Rapture of Christ's church (Matthew 24:30-36; Matthew 24:40-41; Luke 21:28; John 14:1-3; 1Cor. 15:51-52; 1Thes. 4:16-17).  It's going to be glorious!  And if you need more information, just ask someone who knows and they'll fill in the rest.

All these things will bring peace of mind and comfort knowing that God is in absolute control, regardless what happens next.

I hope this is a TMI you can relate to.

Living As Children Of Light

The aftershock of the "Noah" movie continues to trickle onto the web in the form of articles written by bloggers and Facebook friends' comments, giving their impressions and opinions of director Darren Aronofsky's pathetic attempt to use creative license and portray the Biblical account of the flood.

Ken Ham of answersingenesis.org wrote an excellent critique for Time's online magazine.  Ray Comfort, who was asked by a "popular television program" to view and critique the movie, wasted no words when he weighed in.  Needless to say, my friends' comments on Facebook are filled with either remorse for having thrown good money after bad, or outrage that they were duped by their church leaders into watching this outlandish fable.

In a sense, I'm glad to see that those I respected for their faith have been convicted that they erred.  Sometimes, we learn lessons the hard way.  God has a tendency to cause us to spiritually grow through them, and we can be sincerely thankful that He doesn't allow us to wallow too long in the mire of the realization that we were wrong.

What God does expect, however, is that we don't continue to make the same mistakes over and over again.

I sat down this morning to read Charles Spurgeon's morning devotion and didn't bother to notice the date at the beginning.  Instead of the devotion for April 2nd , my Kindle, which has, of late, been misbehaving, had opened to a January 5th devotion.  If I had been paying attention, I would have skipped this particular exhortation and taken the time to reset it to the current date.  To be honest, I'm grateful that I didn't, because it struck me how neatly it fit into the niche (or ditch) of depravity in which we often find ourselves.

It's dark in that proverbial ditch.  And it's a place true Christians can find no comfort.  But all too often, Christians, including this wretch, find it difficult to remove themselves completely from the mire and insist on continuing in fellowship with darkness.  That's when we need Christ's light to show us our foolishness for being there in the first place, and for it to guide us back where we belong.

The apostle Paul knew the propensity followers of Christ would have to occasionally return to the muck of sin and fall back in with those who delighted in it.  He exhorted the Ephesians to "not become partners with them;  for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.   Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.  But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,  for anything that becomes visible is light.  Therefore it says,

'Awake, O sleeper,
    and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  (Ephesians 5:7-17)

It is my hope that the following miss-timed (yet certainly timely) devotion from Charles Spurgeon will give my readers something to meditate on.   The world is fast becoming a darker place and we need to be equipped to deal with all that will come our way.  By remaining in the Word of God and applying it to every situation we find ourselves in, the Light that dwells within us will overcome the world, even in a darkened movie theater.

~ ~ ~

"And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness."

Genesis 1:4

Light might well be good since it sprang from that fiat of goodness, "Let there be light."  We who enjoy it should be more grateful for it than we are, and see more of God in it and by it.  Light physical is said by Solomon to be sweet, but Gospel light is infinitely more precious, for it reveals eternal things, and ministers to our immortal natures.

When the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual light, and opens our eyes to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, we behold sin in its true colours, and ourselves in our real position; we see the Most Holy God as He reveals Himself, the plan of mercy as He propounds it, and the world to come as the Word describes it.  Spiritual light has many beams and prismatic colours, but whether they be knowledge, joy, holiness, or life, all are divinely good.  If the light received be thus good, what must the essential light be, and how glorious must be the place where He reveals Himself.  O LORD, since light is good, give us more of it, and more of Thyself, the true Light.

No sooner is there a good thing in the world, than a division is necessary.  Light and darkness have no communion; God has divided them, let us not confound them.  Sons of light must not have fellowship with deeds, doctrines, or deceits of darkness.  The children of the day must be sober, honest, and bold in their LORD's work, leaving the works of darkness to those who shall dwell in it forever.  Our churches should by discipline divide the light from the darkness, and we should, by our distinct separation from the world, do the same.  In judgment, in action, in hearing, in teaching, in association, we must discern between the precious and the vile, and maintain the great distinction which the LORD made upon the world's first day.

O LORD Jesus, be Thou our light throughout the whole of this day, for Thy light is the Light of men.

~ ~ ~


 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   He was in the beginning with God.   All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.   In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.   The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

John 1:1-5

 

Matchless Patience

As I sit and watch the world unravel with astounding speed, even though I know the answer, I often find myself asking God why He didn't end man and his wickedness long ago.  I am sure I'm not alone in pondering the question.  After all, as I pointed out in my last post, man is wretched, depraved, wicked, and often evil beyond our imaginations.  His ability to conjure up new ways to prove that assessment is endless.  If you disagree, I strongly suggest you go back into the Word of God and examine yourself with a microscope.  I'm confident you will find the microbes of sin and debauchery embedded deeply in every fiber of your being.

Not only was all mankind affected by the disobedience of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), but all of creation.  Imagine Yahweh's delight in fashioning every creature that creeps, crawls, walks, swims, and flies in, on, and over the earth.  After He formed Adam from the dust, God gave Him the responsibility of naming each one, and giving Adam "dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  It was Adam's responsibility to be a good steward over all of God's creation, including the plant life that was created to provide food, both for the animals and also for Adam.  (Genesis 1:11-31)

But when the wiles and cunning of the serpent, Satan, convinced the man and woman God had created to disobey, all creation suffered a mortal blow.  Death came upon man and all that had been created, turning the perfection of Eden into a world fallen from grace, and bringing condemnation down upon Adam and Eve who tried to cover the shame of their nakedness from Yahweh with leaves (Genesis 3:7).

What happens next is not often considered, other than the fact that God did it.  He turned to the animals He had so lovingly formed, killed some, then fashioned garments with their skins to cover Adam's and Eve's nakedness (Genesis 3:21).

I've always wondered if it didn't grieve the LORD to have done so.  When He created the heavens and the earth and all that was in and upon them, He saw and declared that "it was good." (Genesis 1:24-25)  In other words, He viewed everything He had done with His own hands and the breath of His mouth as perfection.  Each "living creature" was created with love we are unable to comprehend.   In my mind, it only stands to reason that, when He had to take the lives of some of them to mitigate the damage Adam and Eve had done, the result couldn't have been anything less than sorrow for His creation. Although God's omniscience knew it would happen, they, too, would have to die.

What the secular world ignorantly calls "mother nature," bears the scars of the fall.  Consider that the animals God created were originally vegetarians (Genesis 1:29-30).  After the fall of man, man and some animals became carnivores and began to turn on each other, fighting for position at the top of the food chain.  For those of us with tender hearts, it can be disturbing to watch that cute, fuzzy animal become prey for another creature.  Often, the brutality of the hunt causes me to have to turn away and settle for the explanation that they, too, have to eat to survive.

If it were not for Yahweh's grace given to both man and all of creation, the earth and its inhabitants would have succeeded in bringing utter ruin.  God holds together every atom of this universe.  Without His constant and faithful stewardship over His entire creation, mankind's depravity and wickedness would abound.

When I consider the absolute holiness and righteousness of Almighty God, and recall accounts of Him pouring out His anger on men and justly giving them what they deserve, I have to marvel at His matchless patience.

"Grace is the free favour of God, the undeserved bounty of the ever-gracious Creator

against whom we have offended, the generous pardon, the infinite, spontaneous

loving-kindness of the God who has been provoked and angered by our sin, but who,

delighting in mercy, and grieving to smite the creatures whom He has made, is ever

ready to pass by transgression, iniquity, and sin, and to save His people from all the

evil consequences of their guilt." ~   Charles Spurgeon

As undeserving as we are, but as deserving as we are of His wrath, God's plan of salvation has not yet been brought to completion.  There are still those whom He chose for His Son Jesus Christ, before time began, who have not yet been drawn to receive the gift of pardon and eternal life.   There is still work to be done for His glory and His Name's sake.  In the meantime, God will delay the ultimate justice He has sworn to bring until the work is finished to His satisfaction.

"What if God, desiring to show His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,  in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?"  (Romans 9:22-24)

Abounding grace and matchless patience.

That's the answer to my question at the beginning of this post.  That's why God, in His sovereign wisdom, delays the inevitable.

That's why He is God and I am not.

While He tarries, all creation must endure what was brought about in the beginning by the first man and woman.

 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.   For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.   For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.   For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.   And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.   For in this hope we were saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees?   But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."  (Romans 8:18-25)

With the Holy Spirit's help, we, too, are given degrees of patience.  It certainly doesn't equal the patience of our Creator.  But as long as we cling to the hope that has been so graciously gifted to us, the little patience we do have is sufficient to see us through whatever the world brings next.

Almighty God is sovereign.  He is full of Grace.

And thankfully, His patience with His creation is matchless.

The Name Most Hated Above All Names

In the wake of all the recent violence in Egypt, have you considered that there are things we are NOT being told?  Or if we are being told what's really going on, it has been minimized and ignored, and another reason tops the headlines?

All too often, we are spoon fed the political aspects of these kinds of events by both our government and our mainstream media, instead of being fully informed of all that's actually occurring.  It doesn't take a political science major or a Middle East expert to know that what we receive in the way of explanations has been cleverly written by our own leaders to not only keep us content that our government has a close eye on the problem and a genuine understanding of and concern for the implications, but also to keep us complacent and apathetic and more politically correct about Muslims and the religion they practice.  

That became obvious when the Egyptian people flooded Tahrir Square last year and we were inundated with talking heads on the news, giving their "expert" opinions and celebrating how wonderful it was that the people were rising up for democracy.   The stark images of millions rising to denounce their government were astounding. 

However, within one short year and the arrival of the latest uprising, new talking points were quickly written and dispersed to those talking heads, and "Plan B" was put into place because that short-lived, so-called "freedom" rally failed in a big way.  If it weren't for the internet and instantaneous news and images, we would remain in the dark about most subjects.  The "experts" also probably figured that they wouldn't appear so foolish, and more important, ignorant of the reality of the situation by revising their positions.

When it came to the players in what it appeared to be a game of politics, they were most ignorant over the Muslim Brotherhood.

The fact of the entire matter is that the Muslim Brotherhood, which portrayed itself as Egypt's salvation and was covertly placed into power following the removal of Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak, is one of many  fanatical Islamist factions bent upon destruction and domination of the world.  Their history and belief system was foolishly glossed over and blatantly ignored, with some even going so far to say that the Muslim Brotherhood has a true desire for "civil democracy" and has done much good for the nation of Egypt.  Any trouble that came out of their organization was blamed on a small portion of members within their ranks.  Their official English website paints a rosy picture of peaceful protests, tolerance and altruism, a desire for democracy, and their membership as the victims and martyrs.  But if you have your eyes and ears open, and look objectively at that organization and its presence in the Middle East, including what Islam represents and their affiliation with other terror groups, like Al Qaeda, and their collusion with Hamas during the 2011 revolution, they are unable to pull the wool over your eyes.

What these "experts" are failing to mention is that the goal of the Muslim Brotherhood isn't focused only on Egypt, but the entire Middle East and points beyond and recently, our government, much to their chagrin - and, I might add, shame - actually supported their rise to power.  Oh, the Democrats and the Obama administration, and even conservative politicians we thought had more sense, tried to make us believe that they were unbiased regarding the revolt, but failed to convince some of us.   It would be a hard task to get them to admit that now, however.  Politicians and news pundits have very short memories, especially if they're caught in contradictions and errors.  And our President is now back-pedaling and denying he had anything to do with supporting their insurrection, while still attempting to convince Congress to "give them another chance."

In spite of the collateral damage in Egypt - i.e., 51 innocent children being killed in the initial military crackdown, and whose parents are the truly guilty ones for placing their children in the line of danger, a common practice among Islamists and Muslim terrorists -  it's my contention that the Egyptian Army may have a legitimate reason for what they are doing.  Although our President, for political and military strategic reasons, refuses to call the latest skirmish a "military coup," it just may not be one.  When a nation of people is so clearly divided and takes to the streets with weapons and is bent on killing and destruction, even placing their children on the front line, what other option is left but to send in the military to quell the violence?

It becomes a matter of the strongest over the weakest, and what if the strongest are those who would do the most damage if allowed to take over the government?  If, God forbid, Americans finally reached the point of revolt over what they see happening in the United States that is clearly threatening their freedoms and their nation's sovereignty, and rose up in massive numbers to storm Washington D.C., the front lawn of the White House would become a battlefield with our military and police forces shooting back at citizens, including the children who are present, in an attempt to restore peace.  Can anyone deny that?

From a secular standpoint, answers are clearly needed for why men behave the way they do.  But, sadly, the wrong answers are being given, and what's going on with the Egyptian people is a good example.

When things like this occur in other parts of the world, specifically in the Middle East, our first thought is that it's all politically based.  A despot has been in power for decades and ruled with an iron, and often cruel, fist, until a generation of people rise up and drag him from his throne, usually leaving a wake of death and destruction in their path.  Celebrating their new-found illusion of freedom, they rush into placing another leader into power who has wooed them with fine-sounding promises of democracy, free elections, equality and economic and religious freedom and prosperity, foolishly thinking that, at last, they will have the government they desire.  Far too many struggling nations have fallen into that trap, and Egypt is only the latest.

However, the problem lies in the fact that the people in the Middle East have no real understanding of the concept of democracy, nor will they ever understand it.  They see it being practiced in western nations yet, because of their Islamic religion, which constitutes and demands a mixture of religion with politics and outright hatred for capitalism and religious freedom, are unable to correctly and effectively implement it.  Factor in that they can't have their democracy cake and eat it with Sharia Law as a side dish.  The two are as opposed to each other as the east is from the west or, as in this case, Islam from Christianity.  (As is obvious in most nations they have immigrated to, they quickly demand that side dish, and it usually involves more violence until they get what they want.)  It's not long before those who celebrated the overthrow of a oppressive government with jubilation in the city square find themselves regretting being so quick to replace it.

The Muslim Brotherhood led a successful campaign in making it appear that they were a peaceful and equitable arm of Islam.  At least, they were able to convince the secular portion of the world who are ignorant regarding the truth behind this religion and what their real agenda is, including our own President Barrack Hussein Obama.  That is, if he truly is that ignorant.  But not so much with those of us who have discernment and an understanding of the role that the sons of Ishmael (Gen 17:18-21; Gen 21:8-21; Psalm 83) and Esau (Gen 25:21-34; Gen 27; Mal 1:2-5; Heb 12:1-17) will play in the end of times scenario.  Following the ouster of Mubarak and the successful placement of the Muslim Brotherhood into the Egyptian government, it took a while for their true character to rear its ugly face.  Within just a few months, Egypt's newly elected President, Mohamed Morsi, began revealing his intentions and implementing his previous unspoken commitment to the Muslim Brotherhood and its agenda.

Let's get to the meat and potatoes of what I view to be the cause of this mess, shall we?

Take a moment and consider the escalation of persecution against the Egyptian Coptic Church as one possible reason for the Egyptian army's intervention.

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, which was established 2,000 years ago and believes the "Patriarchate of Alexandria" was founded by Mark the Evangelist around 33 A.D., is modeled after the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), even venerating a Pope of their own.  Like the RCC, it is in error over many doctrinal issues.  In short, they believe in seven sacraments: baptism, including baptism of babies, confirmation, confession (penance), Eucharist (communion), matrimony, ordination, unction of the sick, and teaches salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Copts practice fasting, in which 210 days of the year are considered fast days.  Like the RCC, they rely heavily on tradition, celebrate mass, and teach that works earn merit.  Although worship of saints is forbidden, they do teach that dead saints intervene for the faithful, and they also venerate icons (Gen 20:1-4).

It's not that the Coptic Church is necessarily a true Christ- and Gospel-centered church that drives the Muslim Brotherhood to expel them from Egypt with whatever method is necessary, even through extreme persecution.  It's the fact that the name of Jesus Christ is associated with the church.  That's what compels them to hatred and violence.  Their motivation to kill is urged on by their utter hatred and lack of understanding true Christianity and the One True God Jesus Christ who is sovereign and hates the worship of false gods like Allah, the god of Islam.  They see and hear the Name that is above all names being proclaimed - that Jesus alone is worthy to be worshiped, and that He is the only way to true salvation - and that fuels their vehement and complete prejudiced hostility for Him that spills out upon any one church or group that elevates Jesus Christ above all other false religions, including their own, Islam, which is the predominate religion causing all the trouble in the current state of world affairs. 

This linked article, depicting a Christian orphanage that was recently burned by Morsi supporters, is only the latest in a stream of violence that has been perpetuated against Coptic Christians in Egypt.

In a National Review Online article dated August 14th, reporter, Raymond Ibrahim, reports that the level of violence against Egyptian Christians "has reached unprecedented levels in the modern era."  However, regarding the Egyptian army's perceived violations, he writes:

While Western media, following the lead of pro-Brotherhood Al Jazeera, continue demonizing the Egyptian military’s attempts to neutralize the Muslim Brotherhood terror bases – where people have been tortured, raped, and killed, all according to Islamist fatwas (yes, including the rape, more on this later) the media portray them as “sit ins” where Islamists are “holding vigil” only to be slaughtered by the military – the Western media has been incredibly silent about the terrors being visited on Egypt’s Coptic Christians, the nation’s original inhabitants, by the very same people in the “sit ins.”

For starters, and as CBN’s Gary Lane just put it, “What do Muslim Brotherhood members do when Egyptian Security Forces launch a forewarned operation to clear them from Cairo tent cities? Attack Christians. That’s right. Morsi supporters responded with a monumental attack — unprecedented in modern times — on churches throughout Egypt. The torching and destruction of churches occurred within six hours of the start of the military crackdown.”

Mr. Ibrahim continues to verify that the persecution of Coptic Christians didn't begin with this latest military crackdown.  He cites numerous examples of arrests and sentences being handed out against them by Morsi's government, verifying that the Muslim Brotherhood's long arm of Islamic justice against those who would dare to blaspheme their "prophet" and their religion played a very important role in the first year of this newly elected government.

As Mr. Ibrahim concludes, he could fill pages of his article (as well as myself on this blog) with examples of severe persecution that has been perpetrated by the Muslim Brotherhood, its spread across all of Egypt, and the world turning a blind eye to the slaughter occurring there.  He calls for "the full, ugly truth about Muslim persecution of Christians [to be made] known – and acted upon."  I join him in this cry out to the world.  And I do so with a better understanding of who the enemy actually is that is perpetuating the violence and brutality.   But with the unwillingness of the secular media to report the truth, and the world's populace cowering in fear of this vile and disgusting "religion" and what they are capable of doling out if they offend them, it will only get worse.

The violence we're seeing against Christians in Egypt didn't begin after Morsi's ouster.  As another article from the Christian Science Monitor describes, Christians were marked for persecution long before this latest uprising began.  It states, "Christian homes and shops [were marked] with red graffiti, vowing to protect Morsi's electoral legitimacy with 'blood.' ”

 It is also common knowledge (or should be) that Egypt hasn't been particularly fond of the protestant and evangelical Christian faith.   In 1980, Islam was established as the state religion and Sharia Law was instituted as their primary source of legislation, prohibiting any religious practices that conflicted with Sharia.  However, in the past, the Egyptian government didn't see a conflict with Judeo/Christian practices and those of Islam, and the non-Muslim minority were free to worship without legal constraints.  I am confident that if the Muslim Brotherhood had been successful in pushing forward their agenda, it would have become a conflict and their laws would have changed to strictly forbid the practice of any form of Christianity.

It hasn't been as easy as it sounds for Egyptian Christians.  The current Egyptian government strictly requires building permits for constructing church buildings, but the process is still subject to security authorities and the approval process has been found to be so lengthy and insufficiently responsive that most protestant Christians use private buildings and homes for their religious services.  I have also heard that open evangelism is viewed as an insult to Islam and strongly discouraged.

With a population of nearly 83 million people, 80 million Egyptians are considered to be Muslim, which comprises almost 95% of the citizenry.  Approximately 7.2 million people, or 95% of the Christian population, are Coptic Christians.  The remaining 27,000 Christians are a mixture of 19 other varying denominations of Christianity, which range from Greek Orthodox to pentecostal, but with no recognizable mainstream western churches in the mix.   However there are western evangelical missionaries established in the nation.  It has also been noticed that the persecution against the Coptic church is due to an increase in it returning to its missionary roots, not only in Egypt, but in all parts of the Middle East and northern Africa where their presence is known.

It is apparent that there is much of God's work to be done and that the harvest field in Egypt is ripe for the picking.  But only if the violence that's escalating and spilling over throughout the entire Middle East doesn't close off that region forever from hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We need to be in constant prayer that those whom God has chosen for His Son are quickly drawn and receive salvation.

It has been reported by many, who closely follow the progress of spreading the Gospel in the Middle East, that multitudes are coming to Christ.  Forsaking their prior beliefs, their families, their jobs, and even their safety, Muslims are hearing the Name they once hated and being given a new life and new hope, then taking that Name out to their own villages, towns, and cities so that others may know Him.  We have seen the results of their courage and boldness.  What they can expect to experience in the way of persecution is far greater than anything we in the United States can even begin to imagine.  Our witness can be met with debate, maybe harsh profanity, or a complete lack of interest and rejection.  But theirs is often met with ostracism, isolation, utter hatred, and violence.

Jesus Christ: the Name most hated above all names.  He warned His disciples that this hatred for everyone who put their trust in Him would continue to the end of time as we know it.  "If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."  (John 15:18-19)  We are seeing played out on the world's stage a continuance of that hatred in the form of Islam and what it represents.

The explanation Jesus gave for the persecution that would come following His departure and until His second coming should be understood and embraced by all Christians.  More important, it should be applied as the only reason when we see hatred and violence spilling out on all parts of the world, including our own.  The ignorance of not knowing the One True God, and the total depravity of man and his willingness to subvert, subject, and enforce a false and destructive world view upon others through persecution, can only be explained as utter and complete hatred for our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 

"But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know Him who sent Me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.  Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.  If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both Me and my Father.  But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated Me without a cause.’ "  (John 15:21-25; Psalm 35:19; 69:4)

The violence we are now seeing is only the beginning of greater persecution to come.   As the end draws nearer, the hatred for Jesus Christ will grow beyond anything the world has yet seen.  While preaching to His disciples, they "...came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?'  And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.   For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.   All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

 

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.   And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.   And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.   And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.   But the one who endures to the end will be saved.   And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.' "

Jesus was preparing His disciples for the hatred that would eventually break out against everyone who believed in His Name and the Gospel He brought them, and that, to this day, continues to be broadcast across the world through His faithful servants.  And we should also be prepared for it.  Satan knows his time is short and will use any means he has available to him to destroy as many souls as he can.  It has already grown obvious that, as our nation draws further from God, extreme persecution is on the very near horizon.

While we wait for the glorious return of our long anticipated King, we must always keep in mind the things we witness are a culmination of hatred for Jesus that has propelled the secular and unbelieving world into wars and death throughout the world's brief history.  And throughout this tumultuous history, many have succumbed to Satan's wiles and have falsely used the Name of Jesus Christ to deceive the masses and subject them to their cruelty.  Even in this present day we often hear politicians and world leaders invoke the Name of Jesus in order to convince Christians they are righteous men and gain what their wicked hearts desire.  Man may be the recipient of the evil that permeates every society, but the Name above all names, Jesus Christ, is the cause (1Peter 2:7-8).  For genuine Christians, to proclaim His Name, to worship His Name, to know that His Name is written upon the hearts of every true believer, and to offer His Name to the lost will bring more terror, more destruction, and more death as the history of this world draws to a close.

Recently, Pastor John MacArthur stated in a free CD set he offered to his subscribers, "How To Think and Act In Evil Days," (I was unable to find a link to this sermon) that the increase of persecution will reveal those who truly belong to Jesus Christ.  When persecution like those in Egypt and other parts of the world are experiencing comes to America, the truth will be revealed as many who have professed Him abandon and deny Him, as most did while He walked this earth (John 6:66-69).

When it reaches the point described in Scripture where untold persecution is inflicted upon those who proclaim the Name most hated above all names, the depth of love we hold in our hearts for Jesus Christ and His Gospel will determine whether or not we are true believers.

We must stand firmly upon the foundation that has been set before us (1Cor 10:12; 16:13-14; Gal 5:1; Eph 6:10-13;  never wavering, never faltering, always faithful to the One who secured our salvation, and proclaiming as we go forward, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt 10:7)

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene ^... But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.' " (2Tim 2:14, 15, 19)

Repent, seek forgiveness, and believe in the Name of our LORD Jesus Christ and what He has done for you, trusting Him in all things.  For His glory and honor.  Amen