Paul Luckraft unpacks the letter sent to believers in Sardis.
There are many letters in the New Testament, to individuals and to churches, but those in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 have special significance – they are from Jesus himself. Furthermore, they are written to churches under severe pressure. Would they survive? To be overcomers in their difficult circumstances they needed to hear from Jesus, to learn what he thought about them and what they should do to become strong again.
Illustrious Past
What kind of place was Sardis? What was it like back in the 1st Century AD and what was its history?
Founded around 1200 BC, Sardis had an illustrious past. It was once a pre-eminent city, commanding a main trade route. As a result, it grew rich on trade, especially the clothing industry, being well-known for its woollen garments. It eventually became the capital of the small kingdom of Lydia, whose most famous king was Croesus, fabled for his wealth. It has even been suggested that coinage was first developed there.
Also from this region came the legend of King Midas. Certainly everything those in Sardis touched seemed to turn to gold – but as a result, they became increasingly affluent, materialistic, self-sufficient and proud.
Sardis itself contained a magnificent colonnaded marble road about 1500m long, running from east to west. Buildings of great splendour adorned the whole city - not just fine residences but many public buildings: a gymnasium, a theatre, public baths and a huge Temple to Artemis (Diana).
Sardis had an illustrious past – it was once a pre-eminent city that had grown rich on trade.
Wealth, Pride and Complacency
View of the 'impregnable' citadel of Sardis.
Overlooking the city was an impressive acropolis, a 450m-high fortress they called The Impregnable, which gave the citizens a sense of security and safety. If attacked they could withdraw there and survive in what they thought was a safe haven. However, history shows that on two separate occasions they got careless and were defeated.
There was only one way to attack the fortress, via a single narrow path which was hidden from the view of the attackers and which could easily be guarded. One lookout was enough. But the story goes that on one occasion the lookout dropped a piece of armour. As he went to retrieve it he inadvertently revealed the way up. Another story recounts how the guard simply fell asleep.
Whatever the truth of the legends, the reality is that twice Sardis was conquered: first by the Persians under Cyrus in 549 BC, and later by the Greeks under Antiochus the Great, 218 BC. The fall of Sardis to the Persians has been preserved in folklore as a story of misplaced trust and a lack of watchfulness (something from which to learn!). And yet, centuries later, it happened again!
Eventually the Romans took over, and a church was founded there. By the 1st Century AD Sardis had 120,000 inhabitants and continued to flourish financially – although by now it had a reputation for bad character. The pagan philosopher Apollonius, a contemporary of the Apostle John, stated “there are no prizes among you for good character, but if you competed for the first prize in vice you would all win at once!”
The fall of Sardis to the Persians is remembered as a story of misplaced trust and a lack of watchfulness.
In AD 17, a large earthquake struck and destroyed 12 cities in the area. Sardis was badly hit, but refused help from Rome, saying ‘we can rebuild it ourselves with our own wealth!’ They had a reputation to uphold, one that said ‘we are the great, the wealthy, the impregnable city against which none could strive and prevail.’
So it was that here, in a city of wealth, pride and complacency, one of the seven Churches of Revelation had to survive and witness to the Gospel of Jesus Messiah. How were they doing?
No Words of Approval
Marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis. Now on display in New York.
Everyone had a lot to say about the Church at Sardis and spoke well of them. Everyone, that is, except the one person who really counts, Jesus. He was far from impressed. What had gone wrong? What could they do about it? What problems did they face and what did Jesus tell them to do about them?
Each of the seven letters in Revelation follows a similar pattern or structure. After the initial address and an attribute of Jesus (usually based on the vision in Revelation 1), there follow five sections. These can be summarised as: approval, accusation, advice, appeal and assurance.
However, in two of the letters there are no words of accusation (those to believers in Smyrna and Philadelphia). In another two there are no words of approval. One is Laodicea - and the other is Sardis!
Instead, Jesus starts with a devastating opening rebuke and accusation: “I know your deeds.” It seems they had no doctrinal problems and no external problems to overcome. Rather, the issues were all internal. They were comfortable, content, living on reputation - not reality. Like the guards in the past they had gone to sleep, or become careless.
They were very busy, lots of activity – but no spiritual reality, no substance. There was no shortage of projects - but no harvest, no fruit. Nothing they started was ever properly finished or fulfilled; nothing they undertook was seen through. They lacked perseverance and commitment. What they were doing seemed good in the eyes of men, but not in the sight of God. They were not fulfilling his purposes. And what little remained was about to die out, like a flickering candle. Their future was under threat. Jesus, who closes churches as well as opens them, would remove their lampstand unless they listened carefully to his advice.
Those in Sardis were comfortable, content, living on reputation - not reality. Their activity seemed good in the eyes of men – but not in the sight of God.
Five Commands
What he told them can be summarised as a series five short commands: first, wake up! Realise what is going on, and what you are like. An obvious first step, perhaps, but very necessary before you can move on to the next stage, to strengthen what you have that is still alive. Don’t let that die out! If a flame is flickering, revive it first, before trying to light others. Allow God’s spirit to work on what is still there, however faint it seems. To strengthen what we have is our first duty, rather than to abandon everything in favour of ‘new ideas’, in the hope that these will put things right again.
The third command is: remember! It is always good to recall what we first had that blessed us. The grace we first knew, the love and fervour we once had, the Gospel that saved us. Remembering how we first started and what God has done for us in the past will breathe new life into a dying situation. Go back to the beginning, remind yourself of the basics. Think again how amazing it is to be part of God’s people and what a privilege it is to be called by him.
Remembrance helps the final two commands: repent and obey! These should be constant aspects of the Christian life and of any church. Obey what you once knew was right. You did it then - do it now, again and again. And alongside this goes repentance. Each aids the other.
So: wake up, strengthen what remains, remember what you once had, then repent and obey. Solid advice, but if they did not respond, the consequences for the Church would be severe.
Jesus issued a warning that listeners in Sardis would have all understood from their city’s history. Jesus was watching, waiting, and if ignored he would steal upon them like the attackers of old. They would lose everything. This image of a thief is not a reference to the Second Coming – neither is it advocating a secret return before another final (third) one! This was about their current situation and relationship to Jesus as the head of their Church.
Strengthen what you have - if a flame is flickering, revive it first, before trying to light others.
The Overcomers
So, did they respond? Maybe for a while, but by the 4th Century the Church in Sardis had disappeared. There are only ruins today where once it existed.
However, there is good news. The letter tells us that there was a faithful remnant and where such exists, a church can re-build. Again, in the letter Jesus used an analogy that would have been familiar to dwellers in Sardis - from their clothing industry. Some had resisted the drift and decline, and not allowed their clothes to become soiled. They still walked with Jesus and their future was assured. They would get new white clothes, worthy of their calling.
These were the overcomers, individuals who kept to the original faith and remained an example to others. Whatever church you are in, whatever state it is in, you can overcome in that situation by a personal walk with God.
The Book of Life
The alternative is drastic. Names will be blotted out from the book of life! Again, those in Sardis would have got the message. Greek cities kept registers of their citizens, and the names of those found unworthy were removed and blotted out (or, more literally, scraped off with a penknife).
But what does this mean here? Is this ‘book of life’ all who have ever lived (as in Psalm 69:28, the book from which the unrighteous are blotted out), or believers who have given up and miss out on eternal life? In Revelation 13:8 there is reference to “the book of life belonging to the Lamb”. For consistency we might expect the warning in Revelation 3 to relate to that.
Here is a controversial topic! I would recommend you do your own study through the scriptures where there is mention of more than one ‘book of life’ or ‘book of names’, and names being blotted out of such a book (for instance Ex 32:32; Dan 12:1; Phil 4:3; plus Rev 20:15, 21:27).
Where a faithful remnant exists, there is always hope that a church can re-build.
Whatever you decide, what is important is that by the end your name is still there, and for overcomers Jesus guarantees this. There is a strong double negative for emphasis, literally “I will never ever by any means blot out his name”. It cannot happen if you endure to the end.
And on an even more positive note, your name will be acknowledged before the Father. Here is the best possible reputation, better than anything amongst men. To hear Jesus call out before the Father and the angels: he/she is mine! Here’s another one of my overcomers for he/she belongs to me!
Having Ears to Hear
The final appeal is common to all the letters in Revelation, and one familiar from many of Jesus’ parables where he was seeking a response. To have ‘ears to hear’ means far more than to hear something physically. Rather, it means take heed! Now you have read the letter, consider it in detail. Listen to the Spirit! Pay attention to what the Spirit is saying about it all - the problems, the solutions, the advice, the warnings, the rewards.
It is fascinating to think that there was an occasion when this letter was read aloud for the very first time, in a real place called Sardis. What was the reaction of listeners then? But just as important is what happens every time it is read by us today. Do you hear the voice of Jesus - or is it just another letter?
Click here to read the rest of the articles in this series.
Author: Paul Luckraft
Photo Credits: Top image from Wikimedia Commons / Turkey Vision / CC BY 2.0. Acropolis image from David Lull / Flickr Creative Commons / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Column image from MBisanz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0.
What an incredible week this has been in international politics!
The week began with 70 nations gathering in Paris, with the intention of trying to force Israel into a two-state solution that would effectively commit national suicide. This was followed by world business leaders meeting in Davos, Switzerland, trying to assess the health and direction of the world economy.
On the same day that Davos started came the statement from Prime Minister Theresa May outlining British Government plans for Brexit which have long-term implications for Europe and the rest of the world. Today, the eyes of the world are upon Washington as the people of the USA install the most unlikely President in the history of the United States – Donald J Trump.
The pace of change worldwide has been increasing exponentially over the past 40 years. Today it is almost bewildering for all those who try to follow world events and to understand what is happening.
At the beginning of this year, political and economic commentators were looking back over 2016, trying to assess how accurate their forecasts for the year had been. Most of them admitted honestly that they had been taken by surprise on almost all major world events.
Christians who have been recognising for some years that God is shaking the nations can trace the hand of God in all this. The Psalmist got it right when he declared that God scoffs at the nations when they try to throw off all restraint and conspire in vain against his purposes (Ps 2). Paul touched on a deep truth when he said that “God made foolish the wisdom of this world…For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom” (1 Cor 1:20, 25).
Last year, most political and economic commentators were taken by surprise on almost all major word events.
The Nature and Purposes of God
So, how do we understand what’s going on in the world today? If we’re going to get a clear view of what is happening, we have to start by getting a biblical perspective of the nature and purposes of God.
This may sound boring to those who simply want to forecast the future. But without this broader perspective we have no yardstick of truth and no focal point for an investigation.
We need to know the God of Creation, who holds the nations in his hands. Despite having given human beings freedom of will, God nevertheless still guides the affairs of the nations to fulfil his overall purpose of bringing his Gospel of salvation to all people.
We have only to look at the incredible destruction of the city of Aleppo in Syria to see what human beings can do when all restraint is removed and there is no regard or value for anything, including human life. This is a picture in miniature of the direction the nations of the world, armed with the most incredible weapons of mass destruction, are taking towards collective global self-destruction. And this is the reason why God intervenes in world affairs - to steer the nations in a different direction.
Watching and Praying
Christians in the Western world have slowly been waking up over the past few decades to the reality of the world situation and the dangers that confront us. They have been stunned by the level of violence in the Middle East and the horrific acts of terrorism in Europe and elsewhere carried out by militant Muslims in the name of their god Allah. They feel helpless as the North Koreans strive to produce their first nuclear bomb and the Chinese establish military bases on unoccupied islands in the South China Sea.
An increasing number of Christians are taking seriously the command of Jesus to watch and pray. The significant rise in the number of home-based small groups around Britain is evidence of this. This prophetic, awakened Church is increasingly resembling that of New Testament times; not only for meetings in the home but also for emphasis upon prayer and Bible study.
If we’re going to understand what is happening, we have to start with a biblical perspective of the nature and purposes of God.
Prayer Makes a Difference!
In Britain, we are seeing more Christians involved in corporate prayer for national and international issues than we have seen since the days of the Second World War. I was at a conference last Saturday when the whole company agreed to stop and pray about the meeting of world leaders that was taking place in Paris. It was not on the agenda, but we spent a whole hour praying about the event and the issue of Israel and the Palestinians. I’m sure we were not alone and that prayer greatly influenced the outcome; bringing confusion among the delegates and resulting in no resolution that could harm Israel.
The business leaders’ meeting in Davos was also said to be a non-event, with delegates being more interested in what was happening in London, where Theresa May was speaking.
The Prime Minister’s speech certainly was very warmly received by much of the British media; especially her promises that Britain will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (or injustice, as many see it!), no longer subject to the free movement of labour so that we can control immigration and no longer under the control of European customs regulations so that we can develop international trade. Especially welcome was her statement that Britain would not accept a ‘bad deal’ - and that both Houses of Parliament will have a vote on the final agreement.
Of course, none of this has gone down very well in the European Union, which was to be expected. But during the next two years we may expect to see further major shaking of the EU and upheaval that will affect the negotiations with Britain. In threatening to make life difficult for post-EU Britain, European leaders are failing to factor in the activity of God.
In Britain, we are seeing more Christians involved in corporate prayer for national and international issues than we have seen since the Second World War.
Today: Focus on the USA
Anti-Trump demonstrators in Washington, today.
World leaders and Europhiles in Britain have all been surprised that their pre-Referendum forecasts of doom and economic disaster have not been fulfilled. But Christians know that prayer played a large part in Brexit and therefore we may expect to see God’s blessing – especially if believers continue to pray actively for the nation.
Today, the focus for prayer should be upon the USA – urgently asking the Lord to guide the new President and members of his Administration, that they will be given wisdom far above the normal human level to exercise Godly leadership as they navigate a confusing world and the rapid changes that are sweeping across the nations today.
Those who are fearful that Trump’s ungodly and erratic past could carry over into his presidency need to remember that with God nothing is impossible; as Jeremiah rightly declared:
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” (Jer 32:17)
Author: Dr Clifford Hill
References: Second image: Jose Luis Magana/AP/Press Association Images.
Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in Heaven - not to a foreign god of any nation. There were many such gods in Jesus' day, and there are still many today in the nations where Christians find themselves.
Ours is a privileged access to this most holy God above all gods. But our knowledge of God is not to be kept private. Our desire, in line with our Father's will, is that He be known in the entire world. First we must know Him for ourselves. Then, we must witness to His true character and purpose. His Name is to be hallowed in our lives, so that others will have clear revelation of His wonderful character.
What's in a Name?
Names, biblically, convey insights into character and calling. Jacob was re-named Israel, meaning prevails with God. This name typifies the promise and character of Israel and all his descendants. Abram was re-named Abraham, because he was to be the father of many nations. Name implies character and calling.
What of God's personal name? God chose His own name, consisting of the four Hebrew consonants, yud, hay, vav, hay. No-one in our day knows precisely how to say this Name. It is traditionally thought to be Yahweh, but since we don't know the original vowel sounds to go with these consonants, even Yahweh may not be the exact way to say the name of God.
When Hebrew vowels were invented by the Masorites in Tiberius after 6 AD, the name of God was considered so sacred that it could not be spoken. As a prompt to this, the vowels for Adonai ('Lord') were attached to the four consonants denoting the name of God so that a reader would say "Adonai" or "Lord" when they came to it in their reading of Scripture.
This gave rise to the mistake by Christians, who began to read the Hebrew Bible, to think that what they read (namely 'Jehovah'), was the way to say the name of God. Jehovah is not the name of God known to Moses. Jehovah is yud, hay, vav, hay, but with the vowels associated with Adonai. So we don't really know the exact name of God.
To Hallow
Many Jews have now gone a step further to keep the name of God pure. They refer to God as HaShem – 'the Name'. One might ask: is this really what Jesus meant when he encouraged us to pray "hallowed be thy Name"? Surely the emphasis is not on the actual name of God, but on his character and purposes. After all, we are encouraged to address Him intimately as "Abba, Father". When we come to God in prayer, it is right to approach Him in humble respect and reverence, but not in fear of addressing Him directly, even as Father.
'Hallowed' means 'holy, set apart, pure, altogether other than this tarnished world, perfect'. Our Father is holy and wants to be known to the world in this way. Yet as well as the holiness of His actual name, God Himself is to be known as holy. Indeed, the implication of "hallowed be thy Name" is that this is an ongoing process, to be fulfilled – God's name is to become holy in the entire world.
How is This to Be?
How is God's name to become holy in the entire world? He is to be known for who He is, what He has covenanted and what His true character is - not just what His literal name is.
He is known fully through His Son. The angel gave His name to Joseph; before modification to Jesus it was Yeshua, meaning 'salvation'. Gabriel said to Joseph, "you shall call his name Yeshua (i.e. Salvation) because he will save his people from their sins" (Matt 1:21). His name is His calling and ministry and this is what the Father wants the world to know – He is calling all people to salvation through His Son – a most holy task.
Our Commission: To Make His Name Known
In all holiness, the character and purposes of God are to be made known through the entire world. This is what we are to mean by our prayer "hallowed be thy name". This is to be through His Son, but also through us. It is our commission to make His name known through the entire world, through our lives and our words. We are ambassadors of the One to whom we pray "hallowed be Thy Name" – honoured to be bearers of the answer to the prayer we ourselves make.
As we stand before the Father, we are acknowledging who He is in all holiness - seeking to know Him better so that His true nature will also be known through us. And through this most holy ministry, we are hoping that whenever our God and Father is talked about, He will be honoured everywhere by all people.
Author: Dr Clifford Denton
A call to prayer.
In two days' time, on Sunday 15 January, representatives from 70 nations will gather in Paris for a conference aimed at resurrecting the Israel/Palestine peace process.
Last week we commented on the passing of anti-Israel UNSC Resolution 2334 and John Kerry's speech setting out parameters for a 'two-state solution' (both December 2016). The next stage in Obama's swansong would appear to be a last-minute attempt to force through some kind of international agreement along these lines, using this Paris summit.
We do not yet know the form this agreement might take - whether further pressure on Israel to declare their West Bank settlements illegal, or even a global 'roadmap' for establishing a Palestinian state.1 Its outcome may quickly be overturned when President-Elect Trump assumes office next Friday (20 January) – nevertheless, its clear follow-on from Resolution 2334 and its rushed placement just before Trump's inauguration are causing concern amongst Israelis and friends of Israel.
The Nations Gather
70 nations will be present at the summit (though some news outlets have reported that the eventual number might be 72 or 77), which has been instigated by the French and will be chaired by French President Francois Hollande.
This is prompting some biblical speculation. One Rabbinic commentator has noted that in Torah terms, '70 nations' signifies all nations – prompting connections to be made to Bible prophecies about all the nations of the world gathering against Israel during the end times.2
70 Nations Deciding the Fate of One
What is certain is that this is no gathering for the sake of peace – however it might be billed. We do not see similar conferences happening to solve the Syrian civil war, or to combat the spread of ISIS, for instance. Israel is being singled out in yet another international attempt to carve up her God-given land and further undermine support for her very existence – as Charles Gardner eloquently expounds in his article this week .
Though Israeli PM Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas have been invited to attend the conference's conclusion, Netanyahu has refused this invitation on principle, stating: "This conference is a fraud, a Palestinian scam under French auspices, whose goal is to lead to the adoption of additional anti-Israeli positions".3 Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has called the summit "a modern-day Dreyfus trial".4
70 nations will be present at the summit, prompting some biblical speculation.
The present American embassy in Israel, Tel Aviv. See Photo Credits.American Betrayal
Earlier this week, Washington confirmed that John Kerry will be in attendance, as part of his last foreign trip as Secretary of State.5 Relations between Israel and the US have been at an all-time low since UNSC Resolution 2334 was passed last month. Obama's clear involvement in this surfaced soon after, in what many are calling a deep betrayal of the long-standing friendship between the US and Israel.
These diplomatic tensions are being worsened by the current outcry against Donald Trump both within and outside of the USA, as he has so far refused to rescind his promise to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Indeed, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, the day before the Paris conference, as part of a campaign to stop Trump's 'explosive' plan.6
Israel's Last Chance?
All this is coming at a particularly vulnerable time for Israelis, who are still recovering from the terror attack last week in Jerusalem, when a lorry was driven deliberately into a group of IDF soldiers.
Israeli officials have predicted that the chain of international events currently unfolding will undermine Netanyahu's leadership and incite further Palestinian violence, whilst removing all hope of a 'two-state solution'.
As if to confirm this, a top adviser to the Palestinian President has told The Jerusalem Post that the Paris conference is Israel's 'last chance' to accept such a 'solution'.7 In a veiled threat, he implied that if Israel does not bow to the pressure being loaded upon them by the world, they will be solely responsible for the breakdown of the peace process and any violence that might ensue.
This will be no gathering for the sake of peace - no matter how it might be billed.
Unfolding Rapidly
Events are moving quickly. The week ahead looks set to be momentous – with the Sunday summit feeding into a further convening of the UN on Israel/Palestine matters on Tuesday 17 January.
The World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, where global leaders meet annually to discuss the world's future in both open and closed meetings, also begins on Tuesday, whilst Trump's inauguration is set for Friday 20 January.
There is certainly no time like the present for Christians to turn to the word of God for guidance, hope and encouragement in prayer! But what are we to expect – and how are we to pray?
Watch and Pray – But How?
We know that in general terms, those who seek to harm Israel do so at their peril – for they risk bringing Divine retribution upon themselves. This is an eternal principle set out in Scripture (e.g. Gen 12:3), the grim reality of which has been confirmed time and again through history.
The Bible is also very clear that at the end of days there will be a special, global revolt against Israel (e.g. Zech 12-14, Rev 16, Jer 25), with many nations assembling together to attack Jerusalem. This will be part of the Lord's judgment - and part of an inevitable chain of events foretold in Scripture that lead directly to the return of Jesus Messiah.
Joel 3:1-2 specifies that these nations will historically have had a hand in scattering Jews into exile and dividing up the Lord's land. However, the siege will be directed against Zion (Jerusalem), implying that the City at the centre of it all will remain under (or eventually be restored to) Israeli control: "On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves" (Zech 12:2-3).
The eternal principle set out in Scripture is that those who seek to harm Israel do so at their peril.
Though the nations conspire together, however, the timings of this final onslaught are completely in the hands of the Lord God. Psalm 2 is a wonderful psalm for regaining this heavenly perspective ("Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?...The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them...").
As Christians watching keenly the events currently happening on the world stage, we must pray that the Lord will accomplish his purposes fully at this time, using the instability and the great evil abroad in the world to bring as many into the Kingdom as possible. We should pray blessing on the people of Israel – and seek to support them in more tangible ways. And we might pray that Britain will work for Israel's best interests in all our diplomatic endeavours, instead of paying lip service to her one day and betraying her the next.
A Final Warning – and a Hope
Finally, we can all take heed of the warning in Zephaniah 2, given to those nations that would come against Israel. This is the very same chapter that prophesies the emptying of Gaza and the final destruction of Canaan, the land of the Philistines (from whence we get our modern terms 'Palestine' and 'Palestinian'). The warning is this:
Gather yourselves together...Before the decree is issued, before the day passes like chaff, before the Lord's fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the Earth who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger.
References
1 A draft closing statement for the conference was leaked by Haaretz earlier this week. Full text available here.
2 Berkowitz, Biblical Origins of the 70-Nation Anti-Israel Paris Conference. Breaking Israel News, 5 January 2017.
3 Ravid, B. Netanyahu: Paris Peace Conference Is Rigged by Palestinians Under French Auspices. Haaretz, 12 January 2017.
4 Ynet News, Associated Press. Abbas hopes Paris summit ends settlements. 27 December 2016.
5 AFP, Kerry to attend Mideast peace conference in Paris. Times of Israel, 11 January 2017.
6 Lazaroff, T. Abbas to meet Pope Francis in advance of Paris parley. The Jerusalem Post, 11 January 2017.
7 Rasgon, A. Palestinians put hope in Paris conference as possible 'last chance' for two-states. The Jerusalem Post, 3 January 2017.
No peace in Paris: Middle East conference more likely to be a powder keg.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a problem that is going to disappear with a wave of a magic wand from the world's politicians. It's an age-old dilemma that has spiritual roots and a spiritual solution.
Representatives of 70 nations will descend on Paris on Sunday for a global conference to promote a "two-state solution" as the way to lasting peace in the Middle East. It's a 'peace' they plan to impose on Israel, who will not even be there!
And the fear among Jews is that whatever is agreed in France will be used as the basis for a UN Security Council resolution that would permanently divide Israel and create an Islamic Palestinian state.
Denying Reality
But the nations are merely engaging in another distraction – a denial of reality – that does not begin to address the issue. Just three weeks ago the UN passed a resolution declaring that Israel is illegally 'occupying' much of the land to which it is historically, and biblically, entitled – including the Temple Mount, Western Wall and the Old City itself (every inch of east Jerusalem, in fact), which have been part of Judaism for thousands of years. And Britain, to its shame, voted for this!
In re-writing history and making a mockery of justice and fairness, the United Nations has become a sick joke as it brazenly continues to back the Palestinian narrative that would drive Israel into the sea. Their spokesmen have been quoted over and over again saying that they only want such a state as a launch pad for ridding the region of Jews altogether.1
The nations are merely engaging in another distraction - a denial of reality.
Roots in Anti-Semitism
The response to the truck-ramming attack in Jerusalem which killed four Israeli Defence Force soldiers2 says it all. Arab Palestinians took to the streets and social media to celebrate and, in Gaza, the ruling Hamas terrorist group praised the attack as a "natural response to the Israeli occupier's crimes". People in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority-controlled 'West Bank' were seen festively handing out sweets to mark the occasion.
According to the PA, the murder of Israeli youths is sanctioned by Islam! The official PA daily said the killer "died as a Shahid" (that is, a martyr for Allah). And the Authority will now reward the terrorist's wife with a lifetime monthly allowance of £627 ($760 or 2,900 shekels). And this in a territory led by Mahmoud Abbas – a so-called 'moderate'.
No, the problem is not the settlements, or Jewish communities, built on disputed land claimed by the Palestinians. The root of this enduring conflict is anti-Semitism, currently in the shape of Islamic fundamentalism. Actually, Israel is entitled under international law to Judea and Samaria (currently known as the West Bank), courtesy of the San Remo Conference of 1922 in the aftermath of World War I.
In fact, it was around this time that a 'two-state solution' was first tried when, with the stroke of a pen, the British Government handed over a major portion of the territory originally earmarked for Israel to the Arabs – the country now known as Jordan. So why is there a need for further division?
The root of this enduring conflict is anti-Semitism, currently in the shape of Islamic fundamentalism.
The Trump Card...
The Paris Conference, like the recent UN resolution, could well make things worse for Israel and render peace even less likely by encouraging terror groups to believe they have the backing of world powers.
This would be a profound tragedy, however, especially for the nations involved. There will undoubtedly be further battles for Israel, but in the end they hold the 'trump' card – and I am not referring to the incoming US President.
Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, will return to his beloved Land – and the nations who scattered his people and divided up his Land will be put on trial. But the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem will be restored (see Joel 3:1f).
Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and will be king over the whole earth (Zech 14:1-9).
Come, Lord Jesus!
Notes
1 For this and other information in this article, I am indebted to David Soakell's 12 January 2017 newsletter, Watching Over Zion, produced weekly for Christian Friends of Israel (CFI), as well as to official PA TV, 8 January 2017.
2 This included three young women aged 20-22, one of whom, Yael Yekutiel, was a Facebook friend of my CFI colleague David Soakell, who described the 20-year-old officer as "full of light and life" who "seemed to love everyone and everyone loved her." David himself narrowly missed being a victim of a suicide bomb back in 2002.
Tolerance leads to compromise.
"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 2I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 'I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.'
To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one 'will rule them with an iron sceptre and will dash them to pieces like pottery'—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
The letter to the church in Thyatira is one of the less well-known letters of Revelation 2-3, being hidden in the middle of the list. However, it is also the longest letter and carries a message of such vital importance to our culture and generation that it would be careless of us not to give it the attention it deserves.
Thyatira Then and Now
Thyatira (modern-day Akhisar, Turkey) was a small commercial city about 50km inland from the coast of Asia Minor – a crossroads town situated at the junction of two major trade routes. As the messenger carried the letters of Revelation northwards from Ephesus, through Smyrna and Pergamum, he would then have arced back down to Thyatira on the next leg of his journey.
As with many settlements in Asia Minor, Thyatira has a long history stemming back thousands of years to Hittite rule. It has changed hands many times since then, coming under the authority of the Persians, Greeks, Romans and many others. A Christian community existed there from the very early days of the apostolic era and flourished for many hundreds of years, until the Ottoman Empire took over in the 14th Century.
Thyatira was infamous in ancient times for its dyeing facilities and its role in the purple cloth trade (the Gentile convert Lydia, who welcomed Paul, Silas and Timothy into her home in Philippi, was originally from Thyatira and known for her successful trading in 'purple', Acts 16). However, it was also a commercial hub for many other industries including wool and linen textiles, leather work, pottery, bronze-work, agriculture and the slave trade.
In the World, But Not of the World
Culturally, Thyatira was a Gentile, pagan city with a 'work hard, play hard' ethos. It was known for its mercantile prosperity and its trade guilds, which would host lavish festivities for members with drink, sex and idolatry in abundance.
For Christians in Thyatira, though not facing the threat of dreadful persecution, there was constant temptation back into the ways of the world – indulging in unGodly revelry and being tempted into compromise by the comforts and social requirements of the good life. Indeed, refusing to give reverence to pagan gods or Caesar worship as part of guild celebrations could have led to expulsion from one's trade guild (and therefore unemployment), so it would have taken a lot of courage for believers to stand against this kind of activity.
Thyatira was a Gentile, pagan city with a 'work hard, play hard' ethos.
Ruins of a Byzantine church in Thyatira. See Photo Credits.The faithful in Thyatira had to learn to be 'in the world but not of the world' - how to take their stand against the flow of peer pressure and not let worldly values infiltrate the Church. This is exactly the theme the Lord Jesus chose for his letter.
From Tolerance to Compromise
In fairness to the Thyatiran church, they were doing a lot of things right - as the letter openly acknowledges. Jesus Messiah begins by congratulating the group for their good deeds, their love, faith, service and perseverance – and for the obvious growth in their dedication.
However, he loved this band of believers too much simply to pat them on the back for their good deeds and ignore the issues that needed addressing. He knew that though they were doing all the right things on the outside, there was compromise in their hearts.
At the time, the issue in hand was the influence of a certain 'Jezebel' who was leading God's people into sin, telling them it was fine to go along with the rest of the pagan city, experimenting sexually and partaking in idolatrous festivals. This seduction into sin may also have involved some element of occult, with believers being deceived and tempted by the promise of being given knowledge of "Satan's deep secrets".1
This was the immediate, surface issue for the Thyatiran Church – and God's message was a tough one. She who had refused to repent (the letter implies she had already been given ample opportunity), along with her children (this may refer to her followers, cf. her biological children), would be subjected to suffering and even death as a consequence of their sin. God had had enough of their wilful disobedience; He was going to bring judgment upon them.
The Thyatiran church were doing a lot of things right - but the Lord Jesus loved them too much to ignore the issues that needed addressing.
But the underlying issue here was neither sexual immorality nor the eating of food sacrificed to idols, as much as both needed addressing. The fundamental issue was that the community of faith in Thyatira were being led down a road of compromise because of their attitude of tolerance towards those who were sinning and leading others to sin.
The word used for 'tolerate' in verse 20 means to permit, to allow, to not hinder. In other words, it is not restricted to those who joined in with the Jezebel rebellion, but also includes all those who stood by and watched it happen - too afraid to say anything.
Mixture is Not an Option
This is where the letter shouts so very loudly to our church culture today: tolerance of worldly values, pagan idolatry and false doctrine within the Church, even if we ourselves do not participate, is not an option for Christians. We cannot serve two masters – if we try, we will end up denying the Lord Jesus.
According to Clifford and Monica Hill in their book Ephesus to Laodicea, Christians in Thyatira "had learned the practice of tolerance in order to survive in a multicultural and polytheistic society, but in so doing they had compromised their faith".2 Arguably, exactly the same thing has happened – and is happening right now – with Christians in Britain.
Relative wealth and freedom in Britain have left Christians exposed to the seductive pull of materialism, individualism and living for pleasure. The encroachment of suffocating, secular humanist 'tolerance' has made it virtually impossible to talk about universal rights and wrongs without being labelled judgmental or a bigot – so it is easier to stay quiet, to live out the faith in private.
To top it all off, many congregations in this country (like the Thyatirans) are doing well in their good deeds, their love, faith and perseverance; but this often makes it easier to justify doctrinal complacency or sinful behaviour. Believers are too tired, too busy, already doing their bit.
The fundamental issue for the Thyatirans was that they were being led down a road of compromise because of their attitude of tolerance towards those who were sinning and leading others to sin.
And so, comfort has led to complacency – to the point where the Lordship of Jesus is downplayed (even denied), his righteous ways are made light of, and his call to holiness is ignored, in case we offend others. Only last week, verses from the Qu'ran were read out in St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow as part of a Christian Epiphany service!3 We are already on a very slippery slope.
If believers do not live in ways that challenge and change the culture around us, that culture will end up changing us. Note that the two major aspects of the compromise in Thyatira – sexual license and compromise with other religions – are also the two that most deeply divide the Church in Britain today.4
Living Victoriously in Babylon
Learning to live distinctive Christian lives in the midst of a secular/pagan culture is difficult. What is it alright to 'tolerate' in order to build bridges with our neighbours for the sake of the Gospel? How do we grow a Church culture that is not soft on sin, whilst avoiding both legalism (on the one side) and liberal compromise (on the other)?
There are many questions here and no easy answers – this is a path that can only be walked with the help of the Holy Spirit. But it is important to note that the process starts not in word or deed, but in the heart.
It is in the heart that the choice is made whether or not to stand against deception or falsity within the Lord's Body. It is in the heart that tiny decisions are taken to stay silent when brothers and sisters go astray, in case they are offended by our speaking out. It is in the heart that compromise in our own behaviour is pursued, in exchange for the good life or for acceptance by others.
In sum, it is in the heart that tolerance blurs into compromise – before any words have been uttered or actions [not] taken. No human sees these small, imperceptible choices – but God does.
Sifting the Church
The time is coming when the Lord will sift and test us all, as he undoubtedly did the Thyatirans. Those who do not turn will end up suffering – not because God is a sadist, but because he knows we have hard hearts that often need to be broken before they can be changed.
It is in the heart that tolerance blurs into compromise.
Ideally, this judgment will produce a fruit of repentance and a return to obedience and righteousness. This may or may not happen – but what is certain is that it will become increasingly difficult in this nation to exist as a Christian with one foot in the world and the other in the Kingdom. It is either/or, not both/and! What will it take for us to choose the Lord?
Those who do, who hold on faithfully to that which they have been given whatever the cost - the overcomers - will participate with the Lord Jesus in His ultimate rule and reign at the end of time.
They will be given the bright morning star – Messiah Jesus Himself – whose eyes are a blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. He is the King of Kings who will reign for all eternity, when all other kingdoms with their seductions of wealth and prosperity have been blown away like chaff on the wind. It is this perspective that we need – a healthy fear of the Lord's glorious supremacy and power – to keep us from sinning.
References
1 Cf. Luke 8:17; Ephesians 5:11-14. See also commentary here.
2 2005, Handsel Press, p75.
3 See news coverage from Christian Concern.
4 Interestingly, the diocese that oversees all Greek Orthodox adherents in Great Britain (established in 1922 when Greek Christians were driven out of Asia Minor into diaspora by Turkish nationalists) is called the Archdiocese of Thyateira [Thyatira] and Great Britain! Culturally, we have a lot in common.
Click here to read the rest of the articles in this series.
Dr Clifford Hill reflects on the BBC's social engineering agenda.
What is the BBC doing? Last night they broadcast an hour-long piece of pernicious propaganda purporting to be a serious documentary called 'Transgender Kids'.1
As a documentary giving serious consideration to the subject it was a total flop – it was neither informative nor interesting. But it was very revealing about the BBC's clear agenda to change the moral values of the nation.
There were very few children actually featured in the programme and their stories were interspersed with long speeches from so-called 'experts' on what was described as 'gender dysphoria'.
The programme was all about what's happening in Canada - the only mention of the UK came in the last few minutes, when the commentators were trying to persuade viewers that gender dysphoria is now a worldwide issue with expansive statements about the need for "gender affirmation" being universal! The implication was that children all over the world are clamouring to change their sex. But there were no hard facts or statistics given to back up these sweeping claims.
Canada Leading the Way
Two or three children spoke about their experiences and the experts said that children as young as two or three can express unhappiness about their gender. In Canada they are treated in a Toronto clinic which practises "developmentally affirmative therapy".
They prescribe gender-blocking drugs to children to delay the onset of puberty and when they become teenagers, if they still want to change gender, they can proceed to sex-reassignment surgery. The programme admitted that 88% of boys, when reaching this stage, do not proceed but decide to stay with their birth gender.
In Canada, 'gender dysphoric' children are treated with gender-blocking drugs before being offered sex-reassignment surgery.
The stories of the girls who wanted to be boys were mixed in with scenes of gay pride marches and placard-waving transgender adults, leaving the distinct impression that the whole so-called 'documentary' was just a cover for LGBT propaganda.
Again, there were no statistics given to show how widespread it is for children to express unhappiness about their gender. The statements from parents certainly did not give confidence that the adults in these children's lives had shown wisdom in their counselling.
A Global Phenomenon?
A major object of the programme appeared to be to give the impression that clinics around the world are flooded with children wanting to change their gender. It implied that this is a universal phenomenon that requires a major attitudinal change among parents and teachers to be able to identify the so-called 'classic symptoms', so that publicly-funded 'gender affirmative treatment' can be universally available.
Many of the statements made in the programme were anecdotal rather than evidence based research data to support the views of the 'experts'. But there were a number of times when the transgender slogans about "the new normal" were slipped into the script which revealed the real purpose of the so-called 'documentary' - blatant social engineering.
It is sad that the LGBT community are going to such lengths to try to convince the public that their lifestyle is "normal". Clearly, they recognise that it is not normal and that is why they are campaigning to change the definition of 'normal' to 'new normal'!
The programme gave the impression that this is a universal phenomenon that requires major attitudinal change.
Imposing A Different Value System
Those caught in or choosing a homosexual or transgender lifestyle have every right to pursue this course for their lives – although what a Christian response to this looks like is obviously a controversial topic worthy of much discussion and prayer.
What I object to is the values promoted by the LGBT lobby being imposed forcibly on the rest of society as is apparently being advocated by Dame Louise Casey, the Government's 'integration' czar. In a recent speech to a select committee in the House of Commons, she labelled church schools who support traditional marriage as "homophobic". The BBC appears to be participating in this campaign of social engineering to change our national attitude to family, marriage, love and gender away from God's original design.
In Britain, we already have laws protecting minority groups from discrimination - our so-called 'hate laws' are there for this very purpose. In a civilised society, it is right that we should respect the rights of minority groups; but it is not right that the BBC (as our national broadcaster) should use its power at prime time to broadcast a blatant piece of social engineering - such as the 'Transgender Kids' programme last night.
Postscript: Clearly this is not just a social issue which is part of the natural movement of change that occurs from one generation to the next, reflecting changes in technology and living conditions. What is happening here is a deliberate attempt to change the foundational values and beliefs of our society, which are rooted in our understanding of Creation, the nature of existence and the health and well-being both of individuals and society as a whole. These are essentially 'spiritual' concepts that we will be examining in greater depth in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we value comments from our readers.
When Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Teach us to pray", He told them: "This is how you should pray: Our Father, who art in Heaven..." (Matt 6:9 RSV). Jesus' use of the personal pronoun ('who') and the present tense of the verb 'to be' ('art') indicates, first, that we are to pray to a Person (to speak and to listen); second, that this Person exists ('who art' - modern English 'who is') and third, where our Father is (in Heaven). So - what or where is 'Heaven'?
God Spoke the Heavens into Being
It's interesting that the Bible records 'the heavens' as the first thing that God created: B'reshit bara Elohim et ha shamayim v'et ha eretz – "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Note the order. We might think, since the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (alef) represents God, that the Word that He gave us would start with the alef. But it starts with the second letter, beit. This implies that there was a moment (the start of time?) when God created the physical universe ex nihilo (out of nothing).
He alone stretched out the heavens (ha shamayim, the expanse) and did so by Himself (Isa 44:24). God spoke this expanse into being and separated the waters (Heb. mayim) that were under the expanse from those that were above it.
Many Heavens, One God
God is the Creator of all things: of space, of matter and of time. But He exists outside of the space, matter, and time that He created, because He is omni-present, He is a Spirit, and He is eternal. Thus He existed before the moment He created the space-matter-time continuum.1
Because He is the Creator of all things (Isa 44:24; Eph 3:9), the physical heavens (and the earth) belong to Him (Deut 10:14), and also the highest Heaven (Heb. the heaven of heavens). Paul talks of the 'third heaven' (a place beyond both the immediate heaven (the sky) and beyond the heaven of outer space. It represents the very Presence of God, to where Jesus ascended after His resurrection (higher than all of heaven, Eph 4:10).
The second heaven may thus be the place of demonic rulers, principalities, authorities and powers; the wicked spiritual forces arrayed against God and His purposes of redemption. Importantly, heaven is the source of rain and snow (Isa 55:10) and frost, fire and dew, released or withheld under God's sovereign control.
From heaven, He reaches out in both judgment and salvation (Gen 19:24; Psa 57:3). Although heaven is His throne (Isa 66:1), from where He exercises His sovereign rule, the heavens will be rolled up like a scroll when God makes a new Heaven and a new Earth not marred by sin, and the joy and glory of the completion of His plan of redemption will be reflected in all His creation.
Heaven is God's Kingdom – Where the Most High Dwells and Reigns
Secondly, ha shamayim is the abode of God ("Look down from heaven, Your holy dwelling place", Deut 26:15). Yet Solomon recognised that even all the heavens cannot contain God (1 Kings 8:27).
He lives (Heb. inhabits, dwells) in a high and holy place, but He also dwells with the one who is contrite (who recognises their wrong-doing) and lowly in spirit (having a modest estimate of their importance) in order to revive both the heart and the spirit (Isa 57:15). Jesus began His teaching by saying "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near" (at hand - close enough to touch, a present reality, Matt 3:2).
So 'heaven', God's abode, is also where His Kingdom is - not so much a specific place or time, but a condition where the rulership of God is acknowledged by mankind.2 It is into this condition that the King reaches down to Man with the restoring gift of His holy Presence and the promise of a restored universe. The Kingdom of Heaven (a synonym for the Kingdom of God) is thus here, but is also to come (peace in hearts, but not yet in the world).
But He bought this about at the cost of His only Son, whose birth we have been celebrating at this time, who came to do His Father's will upon the Cross, once for all - to shed His Blood in order to cleanse and forgive us. Only in this way can we be made holy to approach and dwell with God, as He desires (Heb 9:22; John 15:4).
The Heavens Declare His Glory
Thirdly, the heavens declare in a wonderful way that leaves us speechless in awe, the Glory of God; and they proclaim His righteousness (Psa 19:1; Psa 50:6). As the sun and moon were created as signs and to mark seasons (Gen 1:14), the heavens too point us to their Creator, who is the only One to whom worship is due. Paul tells us that His eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen and understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Rom 1:20). When we stand and look up at the heavens on a clear night, we are filled with awe and reverence for the God who tells us that His Name is Holy and Awesome (Psa 111:9, Heb. yirah, to hold in awe, in reverent fear).
We need to know how to enter the Presence of that Holy and Awesome God. At Sinai, the Israelites would not even dare to approach the mountain when His glory and majesty were shown (Deut 5:24). He is not our 'buddy', our 'mate', as liberal Christian songs would have us believe.3
Our Holy and Awesome God
Our Father who is in heaven, even before the world was created, is the One who loved us; who existed in Glory with His Son Yeshua (Jesus); who chose us in the Lord Jesus; who chose Jesus to be revealed (in due time for our sakes); who promised eternal life through God the Father and Jesus our Saviour and who called us to a holy life though the grace given us in Christ Jesus (John 17:23; 17:5; Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:20; Titus 1:2-4; 2 Tim 1:9).
His Name is I AM WHO I AM, the One who was, who is and who will be (Ex 3:14). He is the Holy and Awesome One. He surely is worthy of our reverence, our fear and our worship. In our prayer to the King, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:28-29).
Author: Greg Stevenson
References
1 Morris, H. The Genesis Record, quoted in: Powell, J. Hebrew Treasures. Lamp & Light, Jan/Feb 2017 edition, Society for Distributing Hebrew Scriptures.
2 Stern, DH. Jewish New Testament Commentary, p16.
3 Dr Clifford Hill, Issachar Ministries, State of the Nation update, December 2016.
Paul Luckraft reviews 'Signs: The Significance of Biblical Prophecy' by Neil Mackereth (2015).
This is an accessible introduction to what the Bible has to say about the climax of history and the end of the age. The author explains that, having been asked to run an 'end times' course in his local church, he then felt called to turn the material into a book.
As a retired Brigadier with a background in communications and administration, he admits he is no academic and that at the start he realised just how little he knew. But as his research grew and he gained a new awareness of what the Bible says about the amazing signs God has given, he became more and more absorbed and determined to enthuse others too.
He explains his aim in writing the book (his first) is "to examine a number of signs of our times as well as biblical prophecies...[and] let you – the reader - conclude whether or not prophecy is being fulfilled in our day" (p9).
Structure and Approach
The book is in five parts. The introductory section provides guidelines and ground rules to help establish a level of objectivity, and includes consideration of the pitfalls and challenges to an impartial approach to the topic. There follows an overview of the histories of Israel and Babylon, and an assessment of where we are on the timeline of biblical prophecy.
The final sections focus on more specific aspects of end times prophecy and the significance of current events in relation to these prophecies, together with a consideration of what is yet to happen.
Neil's research into the end times gave him a new awareness of what the Bible says and a determination to enthuse others about the topic.
Overall the book is well-written with an easy style that encourages you to read on. The structure of the book is clear and well-organised. The 22 relatively short chapters each begin in a way that draws you in, either via an interesting fact, a challenging question or a humorous observation. The author's background in communication perhaps helps here!
A key feature of the earlier parts of the book is 'the miracle that is Israel' - regarding both its history and its re-birth. There is a clear rejection of Replacement Theology and a sense of Israel's destiny – which accounts for its miraculous survival. He provides a measured consideration of the blossoming fig tree, both in terms of the birth of the state in 1948 and the increasing growth in Messianic Jewish believers in Israel and Judaism worldwide. His handling of this 'sign' gives confidence in his ability to tackle these topics generally.
As in the Days of Noah...
In the third section, the author is aware of the need to handle Old Testament prophecies as a mix of forth-telling and foretelling, which he generally does well. It is rather surprising, therefore, that his view of Satan is unconventional. He rejects the common view that Satan is a fallen senior angel whose pride caused him to rebel against God, commenting that "As far as I am aware there is no Scriptural foundation for this theory." What he does believe about the person and origins of the enemy remains unclear. Instead the chapter diverts to a discussion of the Temple Mount.
Much better is the following chapter on 'The Days of Noah', which contains an excellent critique of modern society and its obsession with political correctness. His phrase "the pervasion of perversion" (p121) is both telling and memorable.
In the fourth section we move from a wider reflection to a narrower focus on what he calls the "centre line for examining End Times prophetic scriptures" (p125), namely Matthew 24. He promises us a narrative summary of this chapter but this is too brief to be called a summary. Rather, it is merely an outline before we move on to sample a few more prophecies and relate them to current affairs. In other words, what are the signs of our times?
A key feature of the book is 'the miracle that is Israel' - regarding both its history and its re-birth.
Within this section the author provides a useful recap of certain key themes, such as the anti-Christ, the one world order, the centrality of Jerusalem and the possibility of a re-built Temple. There are, as would be expected, several pages devoted to the Book of Revelation, where he stresses that the objective of the book is an unveiling of Jesus rather than of events or a timetable. This is a useful reminder that the most important prophecy of all is that Jesus will return. The Lamb has won, and will reign on earth as King!
Where Next?
Part five asks the question 'What next?' What do recent trends suggest about our immediate future? These are thoughtfully examined without trying to confirm any particular theory or theology. Rather it is a case of 'let's look and see what we can see.'
The Middle East is a key focus of attention, as is the theme of false teachers and prophets. In one chapter we are led to consider "the rise and spread of radical and very militant versions of Islamic ideology" (p186) and ask to what extent this is apocalyptic. This topic is handled very well and is up-to-date enough to include ISIS and its prophetic significance. Is ISIS a sign of our times - and where might it lead? The gentle conclusion is "Only time will tell" (p192).
The author is aware of the need to handle Old Testament prophecies as a mix of forth-telling and foretelling.
The book closes with two useful appendices. The first is a glossary of end time terminology; the second provides some background notes on Islam (mainly on the difference between Sunni and Shi'a).
Overall this is a book well worth investing in, and reading again and again as a refresher on this important topic.
Signs (208 pages) is self-published and available from CFI for £9, or from Amazon.
2016 was a turbulent and difficult year by most accounts. How can believers position themselves wisely as we move into 2017?
The New Year 2017 started very much as the old year 2016 ended, with the battle for Brexit growing in intensity. The resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers shook the Whitehall political establishment – or so it was reported. But did he jump or was he pushed? Clearly Sir Ivan could not have led Britain's negotiations to leave the EU successfully when he had a clear preference to remain within the European Union.
Sir Tim Barrow, the new British ambassador to the EU. See Photo Credits.In biblical terms, the principle that can be applied to such negotiations was clearly stated by Jesus, "Whoever is not with me is against me" (Matt 12:30). In this instant, it would certainly not have been in Britain's interest to have negotiations led by a man whose heart was not in the task of achieving a successful outcome.
Theresa May moved swiftly to replace him with another career civil servant who has publicly committed himself to Brexit. Sir Tim Barrow was British Ambassador to Russia from 2011 to 2015 and while in Moscow he established his reputation as a keen negotiator who will give support and advice to our politicians in the coming months of talks in Brussels.
Greater Problems to Come
The Brexit battle is by no means over and may be expected to grow even more intense as the date for triggering Article 50 approaches. But there are much greater problems on the horizon for the coming year, with the turmoil in the Middle East increasing by the day and the threat of terrorism right across Europe a constant anxiety.
The good news is that the threat of terrorist attacks in Europe initiated by ISIS may be diminishing now that the border between Syria and Turkey has been closed, due to Turkey's reaction to ongoing ISIS' atrocities against soft civilian targets (such as the New Year attack upon a nightclub in Istanbul).
The Brexit battle is by no means over and may grow more intense as the date for triggering Article 50 approaches.
These attacks have hardened Turkish public opinion and strengthened the military determination to close the long border with Syria. The effect of this is to deny ISIS direct access to the West and reduce its capacity to recruit and to infiltrate its fighters into Europe. But European nations must face the threat of terrorism for some while yet, as unknown numbers of terrorists may have already come in through flows of refugees, in addition to 'home-grown' militants radicalised on European soil.
Trump Incoming
The great unknown in all this, of course, is what the Trump Administration will do in the Middle East. The policy of the Obama Administration has been disastrous. They clearly backed the wrong side in arming the so-called 'moderate' Muslim rebels in the Syrian civil war. This allowed Russia to intervene on behalf of President Assad which has turned the war in his favour. But a negotiated peace is not in sight. The rebels will never agree to Assad remaining in power and he will never agree to their demands.
A further complication is the involvement of the Kurds, who have proved to be a useful ally in fighting ISIS in Syria, but they will never be acceptable in Arab areas due to centuries-old hostility.
Obama's policy has been primarily aimed at destroying ISIS. This led to US acceptance of Russian military intervention and the reversal of its opposition to Assad who is backed by Iran – an implacable enemy of the West whose stated aim is the destruction of Israel.
Will Trump continue this policy, particularly in view of his friendly attitude towards Putin? But Trump has also declared unswerving support for Israel. If he carries through his declared aim of moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv up to Jerusalem, 'the eternal capital of Israel', this could well cause the whole Israeli-Palestinian dispute to explode.
If Trump carries through his declared aim to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the whole Israeli-Palestinian dispute could explode.
UN Resolution 2334
US Secretary of State John Kerry, who delivered a blistering speech against Israel in the aftermath of the recent UN vote.
The vote last month in the United Nations Security Council condemning Israel's policy of settlements in disputed territory has highlighted the Arab-Israeli conflict. Obama's refusal to exercise the USA's veto allowed the almost unanimous vote against Israel (see the article by Charles Gardner elsewhere in this issue). The USA's decision was defended in a critical speech by John Kerry a few days later.
Sadly, Britain also voted in condemnation of Israel, once again breaking all the promises we made in the 1920s when we agreed that the whole land from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea would be a Jewish homeland. Winston Churchill was the Colonial Secretary at the time and he stated explicitly that the Arab part of Palestine would be East of the River Jordan in what is now known as 'Jordan' and the west would be Israel. This was officially and formally approved by the League of Nations on 22 July 1921 – the original 'two-state solution'!
There were only 600,000 Arabs living east of the Jordan at that time and they would be peacefully absorbed into Israel, as they are today in northern Israeli towns such as Nazareth where they have Israeli citizenship and vote for Arab MPs in the Israeli Parliament. Churchill stated on 30 March 1921:
It is manifestly right that the scattered Jews should have a national centre and a national home to be reunited, and where else but in Palestine with which for 3,000 years they have been intimately and profoundly associated? We think it will be good for the world, good for the Jews, good for the British Empire, but also good for the Arabs who dwell in Palestine and we intend it to be so; they shall share in the benefits and progress of Zionism.1
Sadly, Britain also voted in condemnation of Israel in the UN vote at the end of December.
Zechariah 12 on the Horizon?
If Donald Trump carries out his promises to Israel and the USA becomes the first nation to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel established by King David some 3,000 years ago, and the vast injustice that has denied Jews the right to their own land for the past 2,000 years – it may embolden Israel to annex the whole land in accordance with the League of Nations' declaration.
This would no doubt bring strong protests from the Arab nations with the support of all the anti-Semitic nations of the West. This would look very much like the kind of scenario envisaged in Zechariah 12, when all the nations gather against Israel. Jesus himself warned that "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains" (Matt 24:7-8). Jesus also said that "Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). Are we approaching that time?
The Prayers of Believers Are Vital
Jesus told his disciples "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority" (Acts 1:7) but he also told them to watch and pray - and in particular to discern the signs of the times, so that no-one is caught by surprise.
Despite this warning, 2017 is likely to bring many surprises, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe, as the great shaking of the nations spreads across the face of the earth (in particular opening up cracks in the European Union). But Britain is likely to find the exit from the EU to be easier than expected and, provided the right decisions are made by our politicians, we may expect to see God's blessing upon the nation and the economy faring better than expected.
Jesus told his disciples to watch and pray – and to discern the signs of the times.
Much is dependent upon the prayers of believers – genuine, heartfelt, persistent intercession is the only thing that will truly protect and change the nation in the turbulent days that lie ahead. Will Christians study the word of God and understand the times, so that they know how to pray? And will they commit their time to faithful prayer? The future of the nation depends upon our response.
References
1 Quoted in Fromkin, D, A Peace to End All Peace. Phoenix Press, London, 2003, p519.