Laodiceans

Probably one of the most important roots lays at the ‘Laodicea’ church. (Revelation 3:14-21)

It is interesting to remark that in the original text it is written ‘Laodiceans’. Plural as you see. The King James Version still translates it this way. That is no mistake. The author wanted to indicate that this letter relates to a movement rather than one specific city. You could describe the meaning of ‘Laodicea’ as ‘justice to the people’. ‘Democracy’ or ‘human rights’ would also be possible. That’s were the perversion is. The contemporary western church is infected through this democratic wordly spirit. Uniform to this world. We have traded the Righteousness of God for ‘human rights’. Count your profit. We are no longer been led by God’s Spirit and His word but some kind of polder humanism. Not cold nor hot. If you continue to read in this letter to the Laodiceans you can see what the fate of this ‘model’ is; ‘I will spue thee out’ says God. (Actually there is literally written ‘throw up’) With open arms we have introduced this ‘Laodicea’ spirit into our church; ‘democratic’ electing of the spiritual leadership, the introduction of worldly management systems, financial constructions and ‘human rights’. Salting salt became honey-sweet.   

Of course there is nothing wrong with humanism. It is great to be human towards your neighbor. Who will speak against this, but please don’t be led by humanism. God’s Thora is and remains our guard. Guided through God’s Holy Spirit. It’s about His Justice, Righteousness and Grace. We’ve lost some view on this.

Joshua

I often think back of the stories from the First Testament were Joshua receives the task to take in the Promised Land. Joshua even received the Godly instruction to kill any living creature. I’m sure you remember that story about Jericho. Just try to imagine God would give such a command to the Jewish people nowadays. You could hardly imagine something like that, right? The entire (Christian) world would be up on arms. Israel would be declared a ‘rogue state’ through everything and by everyone. All humanitarian organizations would strongly denounce these war deeds. All churches would cry blue murder. ‘Disproportionately force… collective punishment of innocent citizens…’These indignant terms sound familiar in our ears. I also can not understand God’s acting, but that’s not the point. God is the Director. We must submit ourselves to Him. But… we don’t. How surprised we will be if God will act against the enemies of Israel soon. This will give such a confusion… religious-humanistic hobbyhorses tumble over.           

Obama

The American President Obama has held a clear speech in Cairo, Egypt. I have listened to it with interest and admiration. It was all put together so smart and intelligent. It sounded so reasonable; this is the momentum to come to harmony, peace and unity.

Harmony and mutual respect between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Palestinians must stop their hate campaigns and terror, and Israel must immediately stop the construction of settlements. 

Palestinians must get their own state. That is water-tight. Obama made a naked hand towards the Muslim world.

He will come away with a flea in one’s ear. The show is put. Obama will let the wind blow from a different quarter. He will approach Israel critical. It will not surprise me if the long-term friendship between America and Israel will come under great pressure.  

Obama wants to force harmony and peace in the Middle-East. He will not succeed. In the conceptual world of the Muslim, ‘Harmony’ is something completely different then in our western world. The pope spoke about unity. Ever made a study on ‘unity’ in the Muslim world? “Submission” is the motto. A life in harmony with the Jews is impossible for a Muslim. He would act straight against the spirit of the Koran. Also the term ‘peace’ in the furthest distance does not appear to the Jewish ‘shalom’. ‘Dar al Salaam’ (House of peace) has no room for Jews and dissenters. If you are not submissive to Islam, you will not delight the blessings of salam (peace). You will be destroyed by fire and sword.

Is it not strange that Jews are not allowed to live in Syria or Libanon, or Saudi-Arabia? Even Jordan, with whom Israel has signed a peace treaty in 1994 is still Jude rein to this day. Is there a bell ringing? No. There is no place for Jews in the Middle-East.   

That does not mean a situation where there is some form of apparent ‘peace’ is unthinkable. There are ‘moderate’ forces in the three ‘monotheistic’ religions (Judaism, Islam and Christianity). It would be possible a situation arises in which these moderate leaders succeed in a kind of pseudo peace agreement. This pseudo peace would be for a short and severe period. In the Bible, on a number of occasions is spoken about such peace. I mention Ezekiel 13:1-16, with the emphasis on verse 10:

… ‘Because the prophets lead my people astray, saying, "Peace," when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash – but the peace did not stay…’

Also in Jeremiah 6:14 and 8:11 and 15 we read such passages. But this peace is deceptive. Many prophetic passages announce God’s wrath against the enemies of Israel. Psalms 83 is a very prophetic example, but also Obadiah and Nahum don’t leave much room for fantasy.  

Fortunately, God’s word speaks another language. Israel will be restored. God has arose to have compassion over Sion, time of grace has come, this is the hour… (Psalms 102:14). It’s great to see how Jerusalem is rebuilt, how God is calling his beloved Jewish people home again. (Zechariah 10:8) 

For sure, in Zecheriah 12 you can read that all the nations (United Nations) will stand up against Jerusalem, but verse 6 tells us in a subtle way that ‘Jerusalem shall stay where it is (in Jerusalem)’.

Time flies. Tension is rising. Circumstances will be always more threatening. But do not be paralyzed by fear. Instead, rejoice in the coming time. The Messiah returns back soon!

Be convinced you are full with the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 5:16,17 you read;

…’Use your days wisely, because the days are evil. Do not be foolish, but try understand what the Lord’s will is…’

It does not say; ‘Read your bible every day’, but ‘try to understand what the LORD wants…’

This word was addressed to people who knew the scriptures. In this case Paul refers to another aspect; pray to God that He may give you the Spirit of distinguishing. So that you know which actions you need to take. In 1 Corinthians 12:10 he writes about this:

…’to distinguish what does and what doesn’t come from the spirit…’   

Precisely this distinction is lacking in many congregations and churches. The little church boats toss erratic and unstable on the ever-increasing waves. As the days become worse right now, spiritual leaders must take on their responsibility and let out a very strong, clear sound instead of downloading another sermon from the Internet …

Perhaps you wonder if it is not a bit silly to add so much credibility to the old prophecies. Is not the Bible an ancient religious book which has lost her authority and expressiveness in this exciting time? The opposite is the case! Especially in the Bible political and social processes are exactly described which are taking place nowadays. You can seen it happen before your eyes. If you wish to be informed on the time in which you live, I encourage you to deepen yourself in God’s word! Read the prophets, read the books which can help you with this!

See you on the walls over Jerusalem!

Feel free to respond!