This is the age of political correctness! And unfortunately that cultural hallmark has taken its toll in virtually every aspect of our life, and sadly, the Church has not been immune from that very malaise. As a result we have seen even well-known preachers and televangelist suggesting the Word of God be re-evaluated, and perhaps even restated, to make it more palatable for today’s culture. I personally am appalled at that form of apostasy. We are told in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Therefore, I believe this is not a time to consider soft-pedaling God’s Truth, but rather a time to stand firm on that rock. With all the craziness that is rampant in today’s world, many people are looking for hope; something they can really count on. I know of nothing that offers more hope and provides more peace and serenity than the Word of God?
In my blog two weeks ago, I asked the question, “What Do I Believe?” Last week the blogging question was, “Can I Stand Firm in My Faith?” I’m personally concerned about our culture when it comes to those two questions. I find myself asking, “What do we as a culture ‘believe in’ or ‘stand for’ today?” If, in fact, that question cannot be answered clearly and succinctly by most readers right now, to me that indicates our great nation is at risk!
In this upside down world in which we live, I believe we are at a critical juncture. But rather than face that reality, way too many people prefer to bury their head in the sand, or even worse…immerse themselves in the latest TV trash; or turn their attention to the latest Hollywood fad; or protest what in their mind is the latest “social injustice”. Well, my Friends… I believe it is time for the Church (meaning all Christ-followers) to wake up to our charge of carrying the Good News to a world that is hurting, and not soft-pedaling that message, but proclaiming it in all of its glory! All indications are that we are coming into a time when perhaps the only thing we can count on to sustain us will be our faith. And woe be to anyone who is without it!
The Bible is a treasure trove of prophecies, many of which were written hundreds of years before the birth and death of Jesus Christ, yet were fulfilled with pin-point accuracy at the occurrence of those events. But there are many of those prophecies concerning the end times that can be repeated again in this age, and still some others that are in the process of being fulfilled right now. For instance, what is happening in the Middle-East today, especially with Israel and its Arab adversaries, was prophesied thousands of years ago.
When the Jewish Temple was destroyed the second time in 70AD, the Jews were scattered throughout the world. But we find this written in Jeremiah,16:14-15, centuries earlier: “But the time is coming”, says the Lord, “when people who are taking an oath will no longer say ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ Instead they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ For I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors.” On May 14, 1948 the new nation of Israel (complete with the original Hebrew language) was reorganized in the original Promised Land. And within hours of their declaration of independence, war was declared by their Arab neighbors. The Arab population was about 20 million people; Israel was about 1 million people. But Israel won that war and expanded its territory by 50 percent. The same thing happened in 1967 and 1973. No doubt the Lord is still honoring his covenant with Israel.
The crux of the problem in the Middle-East has always centered on the control of Jerusalem. Both the Jews and the Muslims want it because it is considered “holy ground” by both religions. And no doubt it is also considered holy ground to the Christians because this is where the events that form the foundation for Christianity took place.
But today we see a new threat emerging in that part of the world called ISIS, which is a radical form of Islam. That movement is growing in strength and numbers day by day, and their stated goal is the extermination of both Jews and Christians. If that were not disconcerting enough by itself, at the same time we see an unfortunate naivety on the part of our country, and in many of the Western European countries, concerning ISIS and their commitment to their stated goal. Make no mistake about their commitment! All we have to do is look at the Christian holocaust that is taking place in that part of the world right now! And the saddest part of this commentary is the fact that something of such horrific proportion is seemingly being ignored by world leaders. In fact, some even try to deny the existence of “radical Islam”!
I recently heard Dr. Michael Brown, founder of FIRE School of Ministry in Concord, N. Carolina and world-renowned Messianic Jewish Apologist, speak on the myth of Islam. And the myth he was referencing is the belief that Islam is a religion of love and peace, and he went on to provided the foundation for ISIS as contained in the text of the Quran. According to him there are 109 verses that call for Muslims to war with non-believers for the sake of Islamic rule. I will now reference a few examples of those passages.
Q2-191: “and kill them wherever you find them and turn them out from where they have turned you out.” Them in this passage refers to infidels – those who do not adhere to the teachings of the Quran.
Q47-4: “So when you meet (in fight for Allah’s Cause) those who disbelieve, smite at their necks til’ when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly on them.” (ie. take them captive)
Q5-33: The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and his Messenger (Mohammed), and strive to make mischief in the land is only this: that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned. This shall be a disgrace to them in this world and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement.”
Q9-5: “Fight and kill disbelievers wherever you find them; take them captive; harass them; lie in wait and ambush them using every strategy of war.”
Q8-39: “So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (non-Muslims) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone.”
No doubt Muslims hate us for our immorality, our support of Israel, and for our military presence in Arab territories. They have clearly stated their intent to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and to raise the ISIS flag over the White House. If that didn’t get your attention, perhaps this will do it: the only guarantee of salvation found in the teaching of Islam is to die in battle in the name of Allah.
Compare that to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught us to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind, and to love our neighbor as our self. He taught about forgiveness, mercy, grace, kindness, compassion, and service to others. His teaching is about love and relationship with God our Father. And because we are in Christ, we can come boldly into God’s presence “with no fear of condemnation” (Romans 8:1); and we are guaranteed forgiveness of sin and eternal life with God, Jesus and all Christ-followers. AND…the icing on the cake is our inheritance of the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower us to live the life He has called us to live in this fallen world.
Other than expecting a total commitment to Allah, who is definitely not a father-figure, there is nothing in Islam to compare to God’s love for us and his salvation plan for all believers.
That my Friends is THE message of hope for the weary. And that’s why we as individuals, and as the Church, must carry that message to non-believers with all its power, glory and splendor – never watered-down and never compromised. And we must never forget that our role is to carry the message in love, and to let Jesus’ light shine through us. (Remember: people would much rather see a sermon than hear one) And once we have planted the seeds, our role is to count on the Holy Spirit to bring revelation to the open heart. It’s a formidable task, but the time of harvest is now and the days are getting shorter.
So my question to you is, “What do you think our culture “believes in” or “stands for” today?
Please feel free to respond to this post, and please feel free to “like” it and share it with other social media friends.
May God Bless Ya…
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
Leave a Comment