Comment By Torchlight

Immanuel's Land

"The land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is Mine" (Leviticus 25.23).

"The LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates" (Genesis 15.18).

It has been asserted that in the modern state of Israel ninety-two per cent of the land is the inalienable property of the Jewish nation. It can be leased for forty-nine years, the period of the Biblical Jubilee, at a modest rent. The pioneers are fanatically attached to these principles, which elevate their soil above the value of money; money has no currency inside their Kibbutzim. They carry this attitude to great lengths in these settlements. It is reported that when one of their members discovered too much soil sticking to some carrots ready for despatch to a co-operative centre, he was disgusted and upraided his comrades, saying, "Comrades when you are pulling carrots remember the principles of the Jewish people: the earth is not for sale!

Some Jewish immigrants landing in Israel have been seen to prostrate themselves and kiss the sacred soil from which even in exile they are never parted. Many of them foreseeing that they might die far from Israel have procured small packets of its soil on which to pillow their heads should their graves be dug in an alien land.

Whatever the great Powers may propose regarding the present boundaries of the land of Israel, and whatever concessions Israel may offer her neighbours in her quest for recognition and security, Jehovah's c9venant with Abram remains unrevoked. The borders of the land are clearly defined in the terms of that covenant, and, although there will be territorial changes in the great struggle preceding the endtime, at long last Israel will rest secure in her lawful heritage. From her ancient capital a King shall reign in righteousness, and "shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River unto the ends of the earth " (Psalm 72.8).

For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11.29).

Global Politics

Recent political developments in Italy point to the possibility of a take-over of power by the Communists. Among the policies advocated by the Italian Communist Party is the nationalization of the Vatican, Should this materialize it will be interesting to observe the reaction of the Pope 10 such a momentous challenge. Vatican properties in Rome alone must be well nigh priceless by human standards. Some students of Biblical prophecy visualize an accommodation between the Pope and Communism as a step towards the great political-religious combine of the end-time. We may well see developments in this direction arising from the present struggle between these rival ideologies.

Due to political changes in America, France and elsewhere, global strategy is in a state of flux. Each move by the Great Powers is related to the rapidly changing face of world politics. It is clear that the forces of antichrist are grouping for the final great clash "against the LORD, and against His anointed". It is a fearful prospect but the issue is not in doubt:

"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;

Thou shalt dash them in peces like a potter's vessel"

(Psalm 2.9).

"Brethren beloved of the Lord"

So Paul addressed the saints in Thessalonica. They were not at that time mature Christians. There was the ardour and devotion of first love to Christ, but there was some disorder amongst them as well as misunderstanding of doctrine. But whatever their achievements, their faults or their shortcomings, he saw them as persons chosen by God "to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2.14).

Paul, like Moses, served God and also served the people of God. As a leader of men it would not have been difficult for him to gain personal adherents and attach them to himself and his teaching. But this was not his objective. He was God's servant, and when the message with which he had been entrusted had been given, the persons who received it were God's property, not his.

This view of the people amongst whom he labours is important to the servant of God in order that his service can be maintained against disappointment and discouragement. Both Paul and Moses suffered criticism and even opposition from God's people but both recognized that their life-work lay among persons chosen by God.

unknown | Aug 1969
Comment By Torchlight