Year-end Concerns

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Dec 2007

As Year 2007 draws to a close the world scene remains fraught with problems and uncertainties.

Particularly in the Middle East bitter rivalries continue to threaten peace. After visiting the region, the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, pledged an annual provision of $3 billion in military aid to Israel over the next ten years. Military equipment worth $20 billion was also assured to a number of countries in the Persian Gulf area, such as Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. These measures are designed to offset the growing power of Iran and its influence with several Shi'ite Muslim groups in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Israel maintains a high state of alert in the face of continued threats from neighbouring states.

How thankfully we bring to mind the great declaration of Psalm 33:10,11:

�The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

The plans of His heart to all generations.�

The present Middle East situation reflects what is described by the writer of Psalm 83:

�They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,

And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.

They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more."� (vv.3,4)

Whatever situation caused the Psalmist to write in this strain some centuries before Christ's earthly sojourn, his words also prophetically express the attitude of many in Israel�s neighbouring countries today. This attitude will result in a final military onslaught against Israel just prior to the return of the Lord Jesus in power and glory at the time of the end, as described in Zechariah 12:

�Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem ... In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left ... It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn� (verses 2,6,9,10).

That revelation of Israel's true Messiah will surely be one of the most dramatic moments in all the colourful history of God's ancient people! Despite their ferocious struggle against the invaders, half the city of Jerusalem will have been taken, and the prospect of complete defeat will be staring them in the face.

�Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations,

As He fights in the day of battle.

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,

Which faces Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west� (Zech.14:3,4).

How marked the contrast between the American provision of still more military hardware to Middle Eastern countries and the prospect offered by God for the future blessing of Israel and all mankind! Military resources will be abolished by the Lord Jesus when He takes His power to reign at His coming to earth again.

�He shall judge between the nations,

And rebuke many people;

They shall beat their swords into ploughshares,

And their spears into pruning hooks:

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

Neither shall they learn war any more� (Is.2:4).

Thankfully we anticipate that future prospect. Faith lays hold of God's promises and finds comfort from the realization that history moves forward under His overall control, despite all the problems arising from mankind's alienation. It is not for us to know times or seasons which the Father has set within His own authority (Acts 1:7).

�He who testifies to these things says

"Surely I am coming quickly."�

With the aged apostle John do our hearts not also respond,

�Even so, come Lord Jesus� (Rev.22:20).

PRASHER, G. | Dec 2007
Focus