Archived Message
October 2006: Mirror, Mirror on the wall.....
It would have been very nice this month to write about some Christian aspect of brotherly love or some universal inclination to bring a perfect world a little closer. But the problem is that another conflict has blown up between Israel and the surrounding nations that have sworn death to the people of that ancient nation. It cannot be ignored as if it was not happening.Students of Bible prophecy all over the world will be looking on the present conflict to see if this might be the lead up to the 'Big One' , the final battle of Armageddon. Even non Christians seem to be intriguingly interested in the progress of any conflict where Israel is involved. Somehow the eyes of the world are turned inexplicably toward a country that is so important to two thirds of the worlds religiously minded population. I would be bold enough to suggest that at the moment, most of the eyes of the world will be on Israel. People, who know very little to nothing at all about the deep rooted division between Isaac and Ishmael, the sons of Abraham, will be aware that some great event is being played out.
Events that happen around Israel are like a mirror that you walk by, whether you want to or not, you are compelled by some inner desire to turn and look. I know many who are non-religious, irreligious or of various eastern faiths, that somehow are drawn to the destiny of little Israel. All these people are aware of such things as the mark of the beast and the battle of Armageddon and that somehow there are prophecies from the Prophets of Israel that tell of the future of their world.
I will not go into the detail of the ethics of the present crisis, for this is for each individual to search out and seek the truth behind the reasons and arguments from both sides of those involved in the conflict.
What we can do is look into the mirror of our own soul as we watch events and analyze our thoughts and feelings. As we look at the sad spectre of life being taken, are we without blame in the game of conflict and peace in the arena of our own backyard? A very sobering truth as to the importance of how we treat others is given in the Prophet Ezekiel. God told Ezekiel to pronounce judgment against Israel's enemy.
Ezekiel 35:5 Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity,
The situation was that the people of Edom (from Ishmael) had refused help to their blood relatives, the Jews (from Isaac), and actually rejoiced when anything bad happened to them. There is the principle of how God judges in this same chapter of Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 35:15 As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Whatever our attitude is, whether good or bad will be mirrored back to us by God. This is one of the most potent teachings of Jesus. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
It might be tempting to think the Jews are defending Israel, but in fact God Himself is defending the land that He has sworn to keep for Himself. God is employing the people of Israel to do this work by His choosing. Those wanting to take Israel from the Jews are fighting against the Almighty. They have not realized the plan that God has for the world. Another example from the prophet Ezekiel, concerning the nations wanting to take over the land of Israel is found in
Ezekiel 35:10 Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there: This is a stark warning from the past not to repeat the mistake of trying to rob God of His possession. The main reason for the absolute sanctity of that land (and it's cleansing from sin even by the Jews themselves), is that it represents the final state of the world under the direct rule of God by His son the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason for the special purpose of the Jewish people is that they represent the time when every person will be a part of one nation under the one true God. All this is unfolding before the eyes of the world, even under the scrutiny of the world media.
Is it the will of God that such misery should be meted out to, after all, what is His own creation? This precept is also found in Ezekiel,
Ezekie 33:11 I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live:
We must look and learn from God dealing with Israel. In the New Testament we are told concerning the deeds of Israel, in 1Cor 10:11, 'now all these happened to them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.'
The written word is to be our mirror in which we gaze to see the reflection of God looking back at us. It is our duty to ensure that all our actions reflect the perfect will of God.
In the book written by James we are told to be doers of the word and not hearers only. If we neglect this command then, says James, we are like someone that looks into a mirror and after turning away, forgets what they have seen.
May I encourage you not to take pleasure in the death of even the wicked, nor rejoice over the difficulties of Israel but to pray and expedite the salvation of the nations and their peoples and pray for the peace of Jerusalem which is the city of the great King. It seems that Israel and the Jewish people is the test of how people and nations respond towards the only true and living God. Through all these current events it is so easy to lose the focus of the Church of Jesus Christ which is to go into all nations and preach the gospel of salvation. The Apostle Paul says in Eph 3:8 "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:" Yes, God has the whole world in His sights to hear His message of salvation. In times of trouble look up to God, not sideways to man. It is the message about the Saviour of the world that should hold our attention and to ensure that the unsaved will see His reflection when they look at us.
Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. (1Peter 5:14)
Ivan.
Ivan Harrison
(Pastor of The Open Door Church, Lawnton, Queensland, Australia).
For correspondence on matters relating to this message e-mail me at pastorivan@livingconnections.com. I am very interested in hearing from you.