Weekly update: “Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea” (Luke 21:25)
The world is in turmoil. Peoples and national groups are protesting, many countries are in a political crisis, and governments around the world are facing increasing difficulties to govern peacefully.
The demonstrations in Lebanon have brought down the government, and the country heads into an uncertain and potentially very dangerous period.
Elections have been announced in the UK, where the government and Parliament are in a complex, tortuous and divisive struggle for the identity of the nation. Some argue these are the most important elections in Britain since WWII.
In Israel, Benny Gantz continues his desperate attempt to form a broad unity government. If he does not succeed, which seems likely, Israel will probably go again to the polls.
Massive political upheavals in many parts of South America.
According to Melanie Philips, the big issue facing many nations is “whether the independent Western nation-state based on democratic structures reflecting its own particular identity, history and cultural traditions deserves to survive.”
In the meantime, Jerusalem is becoming more and more a “stone of contention”, a “cup of reeling” for the nations.
Are these the signs of His coming that Jesus was speaking about in Luke 21? Are we reaching the time of the “fulness of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24)?
The Jews, Israel and the battle for Britain
UK commentator Melanie Philips writes: “In Britain, the crisis so long dreaded by many British Jews is finally upon them. The general election that has been called for December raises the possibility that hard-left Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn might come to power.” According to Philips, “This titanic three-year battle, however, is of critical importance far beyond British shores. It’s the outrider of the fundamental issue splitting apart the Western world from the Beltway to Budapest to Berlin. That issue is whether the independent Western nation-state based on democratic structures reflecting its own particular identity, history and cultural traditions deserves to survive. How this is finally resolved in Britain will affect the rest of the West.”
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Anti-Semitism, Britain, Lebanon and other recent developments
In this podcast, Deborah Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University, discusses her new book focusing on the sources of antisemitism and what we can do to stop it. Dr. Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, speaks about the protests in Lebanon that led to Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s resignation earlier this week. Finally, Times of Israel Political Correspondent Raoul Wootliff gives a post-election update on coalition building efforts.
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Democratic Presidential candidates threaten to cut aid to Israel
Prof. Eytan Gilboa writes at BESA: “Three leading Democratic presidential candidates recently threatened to use US military aid to Israel as leverage to force changes in Israeli relations with the Palestinians. Their statements were hypocritical and ignored both the value of military aid to the US military and defense industries and the realities of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The threats should be seen in the wider context of growing antagonism within the Democratic party toward Israel. The next Israeli government will have to address this challenge.”
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“Focus on the future” – Video teachings by Rev. Willem J.J. Glashouwer
“If there is anything that people want to have is peace! Peace in your heart, peace in your home, peace in your family and peace in your country. No more wars! But when you look at the world around you there is conflict where ever you look! Will there be peace in the future? Now, let’s focus on the future and see what the Bible has to say about these things! Rev Willem Glashouwer explains what Jesus is saying about the future in Matthew 24 and about the promises that the angel Gabriel made to Mary in de Book of Luke. How could Jesus fulfill these promises? Why is His coming in Glory the hope of the world? What will be the consequences of His second coming and how will it affect us personally? How can we make it a reality today to become part of that Kingdom to come?”
“Who is the servant of the Lord?” – Teaching by Rev. Cornelis Kant
In several chapters, the prophet Isaiah speaks about the ‘Servant of the Lord’. Who is he?
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“In the footsteps of Abraham” – Video teachings by Johannes Gerloff
Watch this series of teachings by Israeli-based Bible teacher and journalist Johannes Gerloff.
Episode 1: “We will discover that there are a lot of reasons for the connection between this specific land, the land of Israel, and the word of God”.
Teaching by Andrew Tucker on “Jerusalem: stumbling block for the nations”
In this recent teaching, Andrew Tucker explores the significance of the city of Jerusalem for Christians. “Jerusalem is God’s place of provision. It will also be the place of his judgment of the nations”.
View here..
Shabbat shalom,
Andrew Tucker
Editor-in-Chief –Israel & Christians Today
Scripture for the week: Luke 21:20-34
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
The goal of Israel & Christians Today is to help Christians to take God’s Word seriously, and study current events in the world in the context of the Bible.
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