To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 14:31:24 -0600
Subject: [HF] Bible Study HF076
- The Gospel of the Kingdom (Iraqi)
Hebraics,
While all eyes are fixed on Iraq, I thought it would do well to
provide a study that would include what is now happenings in the
Middle Eastern world.
As a backdrop for this study, let's draw attention to what Jesus said
about the gospel of the end-time. The Lord said, "This gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all
the nations, and then the end will come." (Matt
24:14)
This is Bible Study HF076 - The Gospel of the Kingdom.
With regard to the gospel going forth over the last decades, we
have seen amazing things taking place on our planet. Dividing
walls have been crumbling, including the iron curtain. But there
remains huge blocks of people who have been shut off from the
true gospel. These are the peoples of the Muslim world.
When I speak of the 'true' gospel, it is important to understand the
world of Islam includes Jesus as one of its five great prophets,
Mohammed being the finisher and the greatest of the prophets. In
fact Islam teaches that the 'Comforter' that Jesus spoke of in the gospel
of John, was Mohammed.
The world of Islam is confusing in more ways than one. While
Islam teaches that Jesus is the Messiah, and that He is coming
again, yet their description of Jesus as Messiah is non-Biblical. It is
the distortions of their teachings, that would prevent a person of the
Muslim faith from receiving Jesus Christ as their Redeemer.
For example, they teach that Jesus is not God, that He did not
actually die on the cross, that His blood has nothing to do with
atonement of sin, that no one can have communication with Him,
or with the Father, and that when Jesus returns, He returns to convert the
whole world to the faith of Islam. The list is endless.
What many folk don't realize is that the 'gospel' of Islam is a total
perversion of the true gospel. It holds in captivity untold millions
of peoples. Not only that, but there is a specific cursed called upon
those who would preach it. Are you surprised?
The apostle said, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should
preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you,
he is to be accursed!" (Gal
1:8) This is a direct curse upon Mohammed,
upon the 'demonic' angel that appeared to him, and, by extension, to any
and all who would preach the Muslim gospel.
But there is a counter measure in all this. God has never stopped
loving all the peoples of the world, including the Muslim people.
And He Himself is in charge of the nations. There is no question that the
Lord's purpose is that all peoples of the earth hear the true
message of the kingdom. This is likely where the present Iraqi conflict
enters
the picture. Once Saddam is removed from power, the peoples will
enjoy a liberty that they never dreamed possible.
Then we have to consider that the strongest Christian-based nation
ever known to humankind, will be in charge of helping the peoples
in restoring their human dignity and their freedom of conscience. This
does not necessarily mean that a flood of missionaries will invade
Iraq. What it means is that the Iraqi will, for the first time, have
encounters with Christians peoples on a level they would never had
had access prior to this war.
When Jesus said that believers would be the salt of the earth, He
was not speaking of our various religions. The Iraqi people do not need
to see a hoard of 'Christian' religions descending on their country. Nor
did Jesus have in mind the Pope. The Popery has been responsible
for great bloodshed in that region, not only among Muslims, but also
with the Jewish peoples, and also against Biblical believers. The
Catholic system does not represent true Christianity.
What the Iraqis need to see and meet, are true Biblical Christians
who can bring to the people the love of Jesus Christ, and the true gospel
of Jesus Christ. We may wonder how this war will achieve that
purpose. Stop to consider that the war is being waged with specifics in
mind.
The major goal is to remove the demonic leader, Saddam, and his
reign of terror. The second goal will be to provide generously, material
sustenance for the people of Iraq. You can be sure that once the
war is over, welfare will pour into Iraq on a measure that will be
astounding.
But there are three other considerations to be seen in this study.
One has to do with Jerusalem. Another involves the United Nations. And
the third has to do with the United States. As for Jerusalem, the gospel
must end there. That is God's plan. Israel will turn to Jesus Christ
in the end.
As for the United Nations, you can be sure that this organization is
also seen in the Scriptures. Keep in mind that the Bible is the only
book ever given to man, that writes history before it happens. It is
so important for God's people to get serious with the study of
Scriptures. (The ancients held that the study of the Scriptures was
the highest form of worship.)
Lets see where the United Nations is recorded in the Scripture.
Zechariah 12 describes the happenings that involved the turning of
Jerusalem to Jesus. Here is a brief survey:
(Verse 2) "Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that
causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the seige is
against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah."
(Verse 3) "It will come about in that day that I will make
Jerusalem
a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely
injured. And all the nations of the earth (United Nations) will be
gathered against it."
(Verse 8,9) "In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will
be like David ... In that day I will set about to destroy all the nations
that come against Jerusalem."
(Verse 10) "I will pour out on the house of David and on the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace (the same Spirit that
brought you to Jesus) and of supplication, so that they will look on
Me (Yahweh) whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him
(Jesus Christ), as one mourns for an only son (God's only Son), and they
will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn (He
is
the firstborn of many brethren)."
The last verse speaks for itself. When the Jewish peoples
recognize that it was Jesus Himself who was crucified, and that
they have been believing a 'lie' given them by the rabbis, they will
experience the deepest of a broken heart.
Now, what of the United States? This is an interesting subject and
I'll share my thoughts. When you do religious demographics you
will quickly find that the United States is the most religious nation in
the world, and that it has a very strong Christian base. Every
president of this nation has had a Christian connection. (I did the
figures.)
This nation also has a strong connection to Israel. There are more
Jews in the United States than there are in Israel itself. Knowing
these things, what could possibly happen that would cause the
United States to take up arms against Israel, especially since the
Scriptures tell us that 'all the nations' will be against Israel.
There is only one answer that I can see. If this nation were to be
instantly de-pleated totally of its 'true' Christian influence, then it
would become simply another secular nation. Certainly it would still
have its 'forms' of godliness, but without God. I'll leave that as it
is.
Jesus said the 'gospel of the kingdom' must be preached on all the
world before the end. But He said it would be a testimony to all the
nations. Then in another place the Lord said not to be troubled over
the wars and rumors of wars. These things must take place. Our
planet has been filled to overflowing with almost continuous wars for the
past decades. Just something to think about.
The study is open.
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.christianchallenge.org/
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace
of God; that no root of bitterness springing up
causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)