needing prayer...getting excited...and more

How time flies when you're having fun, they say...and the time is almost here for Chris and me to travel to a 'safe' country in the Middle East to help teach/impart into a group of ex-Muslim house church leaders from perhaps the most fruitful Muslim field on earth. We're excited!

We leave next Wednesday afternoon (10/4/06 - all time references will be Chicago time) and the conference begins about midnight on Thursday and concludes early Saturday morning. We then fly to the capitol city where we'll minister for the most influential evangelical leader in the country (because of the time difference, those services will conclude about 4am Sunday in Chicago). If you're reading this, I'm unashamedly begging you to pray for us and these very strategic meetings.

It's funny I know, but this Sunday night I'm going to attend my first-ever NFL game, driving to Soldier Field to watch the Bears take on the Seahawks, and I'm excited about that, too. It'll be a father-son bonding opportunity with my youngest son, Brent, and we're both pumped about it.

The reason I say it's funny is because I'm also excited about the current "Expotential" series and the launch of our Shorewood campus - and I realized today that I'm just as excited about that as I am the trip to the Middle East next week OR the Bears game this Sunday - life is good, right now, so I'm enjoying my journey. Hope you are, too-

promises, promises....

I know I promised in last weekend's message that I'd post some of the reasons (and supporting Scriptures) as to why I'm not leaning toward the "post-trib" view of the Rapture after all these years of believing the "pre-trib" message - but it's been a crazy week, so I apologize for just now getting this up.

Before I list that additional information, let me say again that the clear emphasis of Scripture is not on the when; it's on how we should live as a result! In addition, I am not interested in debating this issue that has divided the body of Christ for centuries. Remember: in essentials, we have unity; in non-essentials (like this question), we have liberty; in all our beliefs, we show charity!

With that understanding, here goes:

1. My primary reason for leaning this way is the fact that the pretrib view has led so many to what I called an 'escapist mentality', rather than the clear Biblical stance that the Church that Jesus returns for is victorious!

2. Additionally, from my practical shepherd's heart viewpoint, I'm concerned that IF believers expect to escape the tribulation and be whisked away to heaven without difficulty, and that does not happen, how many of us would be likely to lose our faith, and fall away - as compared to being mentally and spiritually prepared to stand regardless.

3. I mentioned that as recently as 12/20/1998 I taught a message at CLC listing 10 reasons for a pretrib rapture. However, as I reviewed those notes during this series, I realized that there is a counter-view or reasonable explanation against every single one of those 10 reasons!

There are several verses that are used to teach the concept of the pre-tribulation rapture of the saints. Let us take a brief look at them (Much of this section taken from Understanding End Times, by David Sell, pg. 31-37).

Before we look at these verses, it is critical that we refresh ourselves with some basic principles of interpretation. We need to remind ourselves that we interpret a passage based on the context of the passage itself. We interpret unclear passages from the clear passages. We interpret the passage with an understanding of the historical context within which it was written.

1. Revelation 3:10-11

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Many consider this verse to be the strongest link to a pre-tribulation rapture. God promises to keep the church from the “hour of trial” which shall come upon the whole world. The logic suggests that to keep the church from this hour, she must therefore be raptured away before the trial begins.

There are two problems with this thinking. The first is that this verse was specifically written to the church in Philadelphia, which did in fact undergo the hour of trial during ten historical waves of Roman persecution. To suggest the removal of the entire Body of Christ from a future antichristal persecution, when the very church to whom the promise written endured severe persecution, seems inconsistent.

The second problem surrounds the choice of the Greek word “tereo” which is rendered “keep.” If the author intended to communicate a removal from the situation, John would have used the Greek word “paraphero” translated “to take out or remove.” Both Greek possibilities present themselves next to each other in John 17:15, where John again writes, “I do not pray that You should take them out of this world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

Since John wrote both Revelation and the Gospel of John, he was familiar with both Greek words and their proper usage. Had John promised the church at Philadelphia some type of literal “removal” he would have used the appropriate word. Rather than “remove” the church, Jesus promised to keep or “preserve” the church during the difficult days ahead.

This theme runs consistent throughout the rest of Scripture. Rather than remove Noah from the earth during the flood, God kept Noah by providing a means whereby his family could be preserved on the earth in spite of the flood (Heb. 11:7). Rather than remove the three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace, the Lord shielded them from the effects of the flames and not even the smell of smoke was on them (Dan. 3:5). God could have removed Daniel from the lion’s den, but instead He chose to close the mouth of the lions and preserve Daniel in the den itself (Dan. 6:23). Just like Israel was preserved in the wilderness and Elijah was preserved for three and a half years by the brook, God can preserve His people within the trial of faith.

2. I Thessalonians 5:9-10

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

This passage says, “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Those who espouse the pre-tribulation rapture theology equate the tribulation period with the wrath of God. It should be noted that the New Testament defines wrath four different ways:

a. Eternal Wrath. This wrath results in eternal damnation (John 3:36; Rom. 5:9; I Th. 1:10; Rev. 14:10).

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. I Thessalonians 1:9-10

…he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Revelation 14:10

b. Natural Wrath. This wrath is a pouring out of tribulation upon the world during the great tribulation (Rev. 15:7; 16:1).

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. Revelation 15:7

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” Revelation 16:1

c. Satanic Wrath. This is a wrath exercised by the devil against the purposes of God when he realizes that his days are numbered (Rev. 12:12).

Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.

a. Human Wrath. This is when man exercises a lack of control and manifests an unproductive anger (Jam. 1:19-20).

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

So to which of the four definitions of wrath does I Thessalonians 5:9 refer. When you read the context, it places the wrath of God in opposite position to salvation through Jesus Christ. The opposite of salvation is eternal damnation.

Salvation is never defined as safety from natural wrath such as the physical death encountered in this life. Otherwise, do we say any time that a Christian dies as a martyr or from an earthquake or from any other natural catastrophe that he or she dies as a result of God’s wrath? Of course not! Verse 10 says, “whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” Neither death nor life can separate us from Christ.

The tribulation period will bring extreme demonstrations of natural wrath, but the wrath of God that is referred to in I Thessalonians 5:9 is what follows natural death. Christian will have no part of this as promised in this verse. Romans 5:9 also adds to the promise, “having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through Him.”

3. Jeremiah 30:7

“Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.”

Pre-tribulationists assign the identity of Jacob to the church; post-tribulationists could agree to that possibility. Both might also agree that this could refer to the coming end-time tribulation. Where each side disagrees centers upon the interpretation of the phrase, “but he shall be saved out of it.”

Does this mean “removal” or the “ability to endure whatever the trouble?” The Hebrew wording does not in any way indicate “removal.” Had Jeremiah meant to illustrate “removal,” he would have used the Hebrew word “suwr,” which appears throughout his writings for that exact purpose. For example, “suwr” appears in Jeremiah 32:31, which says, “For this city has been to Me a provocation of My anger and My fury from the day that they built it, even to this day; so I will remove [Heb. “suwr”] it from before My face.” Historically, the city was removed from the map. The word used in Jeremiah 30:7 is “yasha,” meaning to be “safe or free; to get the victory.”

Jacob (the church) will indeed go through a time of great trouble. Martyrdom is never easy; however, even in death there can be victory. Revelation 15:2 mentions the martyrs standing on the sea of glass mingled with fire who “have the victory over the beast.” They never let go of their testimony and now enter heaven “saved” as they anticipate a victorious eternity.

4. I Thessalonians 4:13-18

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Those holding to pre-tribulation viewpoint believe these verses prove a rapture before the tribulation since Paul addresses the need for hope. They assume the hope Paul offers is an exemption from the tribulation.

Nothing within these verses suggests that interpretation; instead, the intent of his words addresses verse 13, But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” The Thessalonians believed that if people died before Jesus returned, they would miss going to heaven. Through verses 14-17 Paul methodically describes how Jesus will first come for those asleep (dead in Christ), and then call for those who are alive. These verses do not address the tribulation period in any way.

In verses 16-17, Paul continues to elaborate on the detail of the rapture. Jesus’ return will not be a quiet, secret event, but will in fact be quite noisy: “He will descend with a shout, the voice of the archangel will be heard, and the trump of God will be sounded.”

As a closing thought, why would Paul promise the Thessalonians the comfort of a rapture removing them from tribulation and persecution, when in fact, II Thessalonians 1:4-5 specifically mentions the persecution and tribulation that this very church endured? “So that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.”

5. Luke 21:34-36

But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Luke 21:36 reads, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Those who hold a pre-tribulation view use this verse to say that if we will pray always, we are promised to escape tribulation. The post-tribulation view rejects this logic, claiming that it is possible for some to escape the disasters of the end, while still having not left this earth as the result of a rapture. Revelation 12:6 speaks of a woman fleeing into the wilderness, where she will be protected and nourished from the dragon during a time of tribulation.

Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Revelation 12:6

6. I Corinthians 15:51-54

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

The pre-tribulationists say these verses suggest a rapture before the coming of Christ since there is no mention of a tribulation before or after the resurrection. Post-tribulationists see I Corinthians 15 as a chapter devoted exclusively to the subject of the resurrection of the dead (See vs. 4-57). To address the tribulation or any other topic would detract from the single purpose of this chapter. To apply these verses as a proof text to the placement of a rapture in respect to the tribulation diverts from the integrity of Paul’s sole purpose for this chapter.

7. Revelation 4:1

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

Some pre-tribulationists believe that the call for John to ascend into heaven symbolizes the rapture of the church. This assumption stems from the word “church” not appearing from chapter four on through the rest of the book of Revelation. Due to the absence of this word, it is assumed the church must be in heaven during the time of the tribulation.

There are two problems with this assumption. First, why didn’t God call the “church” to come up to heaven, instead of John? John ascends into the heavenlies, most likely through a trance, to receive the vision of the Revelation. To identify “John” as “the church” is forced and unsubstantiated.

The second problem point toward the various terms found within Revelation chapters 4-21 that refer to the Body of Christ still being present during these chapters. John speaks of the souls under the altar, saints, servants of God, God’s people and a mysterious woman (Rev. 6:9, 11; 7:3, 14; 12:6, 17; 13:7, 10; 14:12, 13; 17:6; 18:4, 20.

These thirteen verses describe members of the Body of Christ--the Church--some of which will live through the tribulation and stand as those alive and remaining unto the coming of the Lord (I Th. 4:15).

8. Matthew 24:40-42

Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

These familiar verses address the two standing in the field grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left. Some holding a pre-tribulation view see the one taken in the rapture, while the other is left behind.

The post-tribulation view does not equate these verses with the rapture, but with the separation of believers and unbelievers at the time of the judgment. Before interpreting verses 40-41, we must respect the context of the surrounding verses (vs. 26-39). Verse 39 says, “And did not know until the flood came and took them all away.” Who was taken away--Noah or his ungodly generation? Verses 38-39 refer to Noah’s generation being taken away, those who ate and drank, who married and were given in marriage. The flood came and took “them” all away. Noah and his family, on the other hand, were those who were alive and remained.

Matthew 24:40 says, “Then two men shall be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.” To remain consistent with the previous analogy, those taken are the unbelievers; those who are left, analogous to Noah, are the righteous. When taken in context, verses 40-41 have nothing to do with the rapture, but rather address the taking of wicked in judgment and the leaving of the righteous to enjoy the eternal kingdom or the 1000 year millennium.

9. II Thessalonians 2:7

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”

Pre-tribulationists believe the Holy Spirit will remove Himself from the earth when the antichrist arrives. If the Holy Spirit is removed, it must mean that the church is also removed, knowing that the Spirit lives within believers.

Post-tribulationists state the impossibility of that interpretation, noting that during the tribulation there will still be saints present (See previous list of verses). Are saints no longer filled with the Holy Spirit? Of course they are (Rom. 8:9). The alternative interpretation realizes the time is coming when the Holy Spirit will no longer restrain evil as He has done so throughout the ages.

10. Matthew 24:29-31

These verses actually state that the rapture of the church happens after the tribulation. Verses 29-30 read, Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

After the tribulation Jesus visibly returns to the earth, an event every eye shall see. Verse 31 next indicates that it is at this time that the rapture of the church takes place: “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

The elect are believers according to the following: Luke 18:7; Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12; Titus 1:1; I Peter 1:1-2.

Certain things must take place prior to the Second Coming of Christ.

1. On the negative side

a. The man of sin is revealed (II Th. 2:3).

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…

b. A falling away or apostasy of many (II Th. 2:3; I Tim. 4:1-4).

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…

c. A general world-wide tribulation or persecution of the church (Mt. 24:29-35).

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

2. On the positive side.

a. The Gospel is preached in the entire world (Mt. 24:14).

b. The end-time world-wide harvest of souls comes in (Mt. 13:39).

c. There is a restoration of all that was prophesied (Acts 3:19-21).

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

d. The bride of Christ, the Church will have made herself ready (Eph. 5:27; Rev. 19:7).

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7

D. God will let us know what we need to know when we need to know it. In the meantime we need to occupy this world, press into the kingdom, reach forth to the mark of the high calling and extend His kingdom until the whole earth is filled with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

So there you have it....probably a lot more than you wanted, but it's at least some of the reason for my shift in thinking.

Most importantly, let's do our part in hastening the coming of the Lord by helping fulfill the Great Commission in our generation! Hope you'll be a part of our current series, "EXPOTENTIAL", when we'll focus on CLC's role.

flying on 9/11

It's going to seem a little strange, but I'm flying to Houston on 9/11 to enjoy a pastor's conference sponsored by the Global Network of Christian Ministries. Most of the time when I attend a conference, it's like being in school again, trying to gain insights that will be helpful for CLC. And while there are some great speakers at this particular conference (like our CLC favorite, Bishop Tudor Bismark) the main reason I'm going to Houston is because this network is comprised almost entirely of men who left my former denomination. So it's a chance for me to hang out with some of the (few) pastor friends that I've known for 20+ years.

It's also a first: as a proud papa, I'm taking my youngest son, Brent (our new senior high director) to introduce him to some of these old friends. It's kinda crazy how excited and proud I am to be able to expose him to some of my ministry 'roots' and the thrill of having my son working alongside me in ministry. God is good!

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the conference and my travels, as I look forward to the new season of Men's Fraternity at CLC this Thursday at 7:30pm. See you soon-

More follow-up from last weekend...

I'm amazed at the number of folks who are still responding to last weekend's message about "What's Happening in the Middle East", and I've got a couple things to add for your prayers and consideration:

1. The meeting that I mentioned where Chris and I will be pouring into Persian house church leaders took on new seriousness to me this week when I learned that one of the 40 leaders who came to the the meeting last year was arrested upon his return to Tehran and spent over 50 days in solitary confinement. He's still awaiting trial on trumped-up charges of treason against the government. At any rate, knowing how risky this is for those leaders to participate, I really appreciate your prayers for their safety before, during and after the conference and, in an even greater way, your prayers for God to use us in a significant way to impact them. The other American we'll be teaching with gave me an awesome report of last year's conference and the moving of the Holy Spirit 'after hours' once the conference sessions had ended. I also learned that more Muslims have come to faith in Christ in that country in the last 5 years than in the previous 1500, with approximately a half-million believers there now!

2. So many of you have contacted me about the Israel portion of the message, and I thought you'd especially appreciate this excellent article by one of my personal favorites, Dr. Jack Hayford.

The final two messages in the series should be fun: (Sept. 9/10) "Does God Have a Plan for All Nations?" and (Sept. 16/17) "When is Jesus Coming Again?". See you here-

Jerry

What's Happening in the Middle East?

Welcome to new readers, especially those who may have come only because of this weekend's message. As I explained in the beginning, it was pretty crazy of me to think that I could make sense out of the Middle East in a 30-minute sermon. At any rate, here's a little bit more of my research that didn't make the sermon cut:

1. Here's a listing of why I believe the Israelites are God's chosen people:

• They were chosen to receive, write down & preserve God’s Word
• They were to take the knowledge of how to know the true God to the nations.
• They were chosen as the race through whom the Son of God, the Redeemer of mankind, would be born.
• Physically, they are chosen as God’s nation. (Gen. 12:1-3)

For a fuller explanation of why we need to be standing with Israel, now and in the future, please check out Dr. Jack Hayford's column in the most recent issue of Ministries Today or his upcoming conference addressing this issue. You may also want to visit these websites for additional support: Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry; Christian Friends of Israel; or Christians United For Israel; and especially the Day to Pray that we will observe at CLC. As I mentioned in the message, most of us in America are quite naive about the wave of anti-Semitism that is growing around the world as well as the Biblical reasons we should be standing with Israel as a people. While I didn't have time to even mention it, you may also want to read Romans 11:11-24 for a fuller understanding of what God is doing with the Jewish people.

2. One of the more interesting discoveries I made recently (I'm not a prophet and I'm not saying that I agree with this - just that it is interesting to me) is the whole Islamic eschatology - i.e., the Muslim teaching from the Koran about endtimes. What I learned is that all Muslims - regardless of 'branch' such as Sunni or Shiite, etc. - have some common understanding and expectation that in the last days a Muslim 'messiah' will appear - the hidden Imam, or Al Mahdi.

According to Quran, Islam's holiest book, and Hadith, a collection of Islamic holy writings that supplement the Quran, a messianic figure will arise in the last days of history known as Al Mahdi. He, along with the 'Prophet Jesus,' will lead the Muslim believers to victory over the infidels (Christians/Jews)

• The word, Mahdi, means 'The Guided One.'
• According to Islam's holy writings, one day the entire world will be converted to Islam. Leading this revival will be the Mahdi, who will assume the role as the Islamic Messiah.
• Islamic tradition teaches that Jesus will return from heaven in the last days and follow the Mahdi into Jerusalem, where Jesus will deny he is the Son of God.
• Then, together the two will destroy the 'Cross' (Christianity) and kill the Jews who will be 'hiding behind rocks.' Afterwards Islamic justice will prevail and the world will submit to the rule of Mahdi, and Jesus.
• All branches of Islam teach re: Mahdi. All Muslims believe this!
• He will reign for around seven years, as co-ruler with Jesus (after which, an unspecified amount of time later, the last trumpet will sound and the final judgment will ensue)

There's a lot more, including some very specific descriptions of what the Mahdi will look like, etc. - but much of the rest is in dispute among the various branches of Islam. The facts that I've listed above are what they agree on. Interesting, to say the least, don't you think?

Here's a little more info about the current President of Iran and current news about Islamic jihad gaining steam in the world.

3. Here's the information I cited from Ezek. 36-39:

1. God warns that He will judge surrounding nations (all Muslim today) “who gave My land to themselves as a possession, with wholehearted joy and spiteful minds…” (Ezek 36:5)

2. God said He will restore Israel to the land He promised them even though they do not deserve it: “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act … For I will take you from all the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you to your own land.” (Ezek 36:22, 24)

3. God predicts that Israel’s return will finally provoke a conflict that will end with the ‘war of Armageddon.’ The attackers will be led by a nation from Israel’s extreme north (Russia) that will lead a confederacy of surrounding nations and that chief among them will be Persia (modern Iran). (Ezek 38:1-6)

4. God promises that even though Israel will go through this holocaust, a believing remnant will be delivered and given all the covenants God unconditionally swore to them through their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Ezek 39:21-29)

5. God promises this restored nation of Israel will never again be destroyed: They will live in the land of Israel where their ancestors lived, the land I gave my servant Jacob. They and their children and their grandchildren after them will live there forever, generation after generation. And my servant David will be their prince forever. (Ezek 37:25)

A good friend passed along this article from a talk by former CIA Director James Woolsey over 4 years ago and I also found it quite interesting.

Whew! I think that's enough for a while. Let me hear your comments and don't miss next weekend, "Does God Have a Plan for All Nations?"

Jerry