Friday, June 10, 2011

Coincidence or Intentional?

Earlier this year, I commited to giving offerings during the 3 Jewish festivals: Passover, Shavuot & Sukkot.


This week, Shavuot was celebrated in Israel. And, you've probably noticed increased violence in the Middle East over the last few days, too.


When you deal with the church, you're dealing with God's grace. But when you deal with Israel, retribution is swift because it is the apple of God's eye. Despite what we may think about Israel and their actions, they cannot be intellectually understood but are to be discerned. And should our leaders and President mishandle Israel, America will pay the price. Don't take my word for it--read the Bible for yourself.


God is not a happen-stance God, nor a God of coincidence. He is, however, intentional


An article written in World Net Daily was passed on to me last week. You can see it here by clicking on this link. Although the natural disasters may not be related, the author certainly makes an interesting argument. I've also pasted it below.



Bible prophecy may have a bad name in the light of Harold Camping's misguided date-setting, but the biggest sign of the end may have been overlooked in all the rapture hysteria of last weekend.


Once again, we've seen the U.S. hit with a series of deadly superstorms following Barack Obama's pledge to return Israel to pre-1967 borders.


Just days after Obama insisted Israel must give up lands it won through military victory with its enemies, some 200 people were killed by a tornado in Joplin, Mo.


There's a pattern here.


We saw it in Katrina, when George Bush forced Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. In fact, as everyone from Israeli rabbis to U.S. senators have noted, it seems to happen every single time the U.S. pressures Israel to divide the land.


The phenomenon was best documented by Bill Koenig, author of "Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel."


Koenig points out that nine of the 10 costliest insurance events in U.S. history followed dramatic calls by U.S. officials for Israel to make land concessions in bids for peace with its neighbors. He points out with startling detail how six of the seven costliest hurricanes in U.S. history followed such events. He points out how three of the four largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history followed such developments.


Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, even terrorist attacks have hit America often within 24 hours of calls by U.S. officials for Israel to withdraw from Jewish land.


What does this have to do with prophecy?


It goes right back to Genesis and God's pledge to bless those who bless the children of Israel and curse those who curse them.


That is a prophecy that has seen every empire of the world come and go – yet Israel remains. It may be chastened by God. It may be dispersed. It may be divided according to His will. But God has punished every nation that has come against Israel. Each one has been judged.


You can choose to believe it or not. It won't make any difference.


But he that touches the apple of God's eye will pay a price: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye." – Zechariah 2:8


If you want to understand prophecy, don't listen to Harold Camping – keep your eye on Israel and study your Bible.


In God's economy, there is Israel and then there are the other nations.


It was through Israel He chose to reveal Himself to the world – eventually through the birth, life, death and resurrection of His own Son.


And His Son is coming back to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It's no surprise where He will return and where He will reign – in Jerusalem.


Trying to understand God and His Son Yeshua apart from Israel is a tall order – because that's how He revealed Himself to us.


His ways are not our ways, and our ways are not His ways.


We can only understand Him through His revelation.


I don't know exactly what date He will be coming back.


I'm not sure exactly when He is going to call out His children.


But I do know it's near.


I know it's near because Israel has been rebirthed as a nation – a prerequisite that simply wasn't in place until 63 years ago.


The Bible predicts all kind of turbulence and chaos surrounding Israel in the latter days. It will nearly be destroyed. But Israel's long-awaited Messiah will save it. He will destroy Israel's enemies. He will reign for 1,000 years.


As Zechariah 12:8-10 reveals: "In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.


"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.


"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."


And one shall ask Him, "What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zechariah 13:6).

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

barbie, your interpetation of the bible concerning israel is from a dispensationalist perspective, a doctrine that was invented in the 1830's england by john darby. (google search it). its a new doctrine that states God has 2 peoples, the church and the Jews. this is totally contricted by the new testement. Jesus and the apositles clearly taught that you are eith a believer in christ OR you are a child of the devil. they told Jews that if they rejected Christ they were NOT childern of God and Didnt have their sins forgiven. NO where were Jews told in the new testement that they were childern of God unconditionally becouse they were Jews. ( yhis is what dispensationlism teaches) . furthermore the modern state of israel persecuted christians and its illegal to preach the Gospel there. no christian should be supporting the current antichrist nation of Israel. think, if Jews and Israel are unconditionally saved and supported by God maybe we Christians should throw away our new testements and convert to judeism? NOPE. please study up on dispensationalism barbie.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe Barbie is saying that the Jews are guaranteed unconditional salvation. They too, (the Jews)are given the same opportunity as we have for salvation. The Bible teaches that we gentiles have been grafted in through Jesus Christ. We would not have had a chance, had God not sent His son, the Messiah to save us ALL from our sins. I too believe that the Jewish Nation is very dear and near to the heart of God and that we are to love the things that He loves and to hate the things that He hates! Honestly, I think most americans think that we are the apple of His eye and that we are His chosen people, but we are very prideful and God hates pride! I personally don't believe that most professing christians today have a fear of God Almighty... again, because of our pride and because we want what we want! If we are truly seeking God for wisdom and discernment about understanding what has been written to us through the Bible, then I believe He will be faithful to bring about revelation for us that we can hold onto as we await Christ's return. I personally admire Barbie for her desire to grow closer to her God. The Bible tells us we are to be prepared, to watch and to pray. Thank you Barbie for sharing your life with God through your writings.

Anonymous said...

I beg to differ, Ive been a Christian for 35 years and was taught dispensationalism/Israel supporters for years from preachers like pat robertson, John hagee, tim lahey,etc. they clearly teach that there are 2 paths to God, 2 ways of salvation, and that Jews dont need to become Christians to be saved/go to heaven. they clearly teach that Israel has unconditional support and blessing from God reguardless of what they believe, how they act, or what they do. this is heresy and idoltry. 1st john clearly teaches that anyone ( jew or gentile) who denies the son has NOT the father. you cant reject Jesus as saviour yet have a relationship with the father. in john the bible says that those who have the son have life but those who reject the son are under Gods wrath. He's talking to Jews and gentiles there. God loves Jews and gentiles equelly and wants them all to believe on Jesus. dispensationalism totally contradicts these bible passages as well as the entire new tesatement. there are one people of God and thats those who believe upon Jesus whether they be jew, american, asian african, arab, etc. those who dont believe upon Jesus are not Gods people, arent forgiven, and certainly are not unconditionally supported by God.

the modern state of Israel is made up of 98-99% unbelievers. there is a 3 year prison sentance and or $3000 fine for anyone so much as giving anyone a new testement in Israel. preaching the Gospel is illegal, thats why youve never seen billy graham or anyone else ever having a crusade in Israel. should we be supporting a country that persecutes christians for giving out new testements or preaching the Gospel? think about it. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

Please realize this is Barbie Bassett's "personal" blog, where she shares how the Holy Spirit is working in her own life and the walk of faith she tries to lead every day. Don't come on her blog & criticize what the Holy Spirit is revealing to her. She states in earlier posts that she has been praying for the spirit of wisdom, might and revelation. What God reveals to her is her own convictions.I'm just glad she is willing to let us peak into her spiritual walk and the witness she has to hundreds of thousands of people. She will be the first to tell you, keep Christ as the center. No matter what you want to accuse her of subscribing to, she lives BOLDLY for Christ! Satan has so confused believers that causes them to bicker amongst themselves. Ask God to reveal what he wants to do in YOUR life and stop ranting on her personal blog!

Anonymous said...

Barbie, you are so right. I too believe that if we turn our back on Israel we'll face God's wrath. Like you if people would only read God's word they would see how he has protected them and still does.

Paulette said...

I have read this several times and find it fascinating. With your permission, I would like to copy this and share.........