Saturday, October 29, 2005

The Sabres are being Unsheathed!

This week the world was treated to one of those rare moments in the history of mankind that moves us all towards an "apocalyptic" conclusion, not necessarily end. Wednesday, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, the ultraconservative new president of Iran, demanded that the Jewish state be "wiped off the map." He repeated that call yesterday during Iran's countrywide protests which he himself joined. I won't bore you with a political (or otherwise) analysis of the statement. Suffice it to say that when, in this day and age of so-called tolerance, acceptance, globalization, etc., we have one nation's ruler boldly announcing the desired destruction of another nation with which it is not officially at war, the only thing we can say is "baby, we haven't come a long way!"

What I do want to share with you though, is the response I received to the news from two individuals of very different generations -- mind you, both of them having been steeped to a certain extent in the Christian faith. A young person in their twenty's had this to say: "Bring them (Iran) on -- they will lose big time. Israel has not lost a war since it became a nation." Right or wrong in their facts, this young person sees Israel as having behind it (regardless of whether or not it deserves it) the support of God as, after all, they are "His chosen people".

An individual in their 90th year had this to say: "The problem is that when and if Iran takes on Israel, it won't end up being just the two of them -- it will involve all the middle east and many more, including the United States and other big players. Clearly, a move towards the battle of Armageddon and the end of world as we know it. It sounds like it is all panning out just like God has planned it and as Scripture describes it. Do we really want it to happen? Probably not, but do we want to, or can we, stop it? Absolutely not."

Here's my point. While the world reacts to Ahmadinejad's comments or so-called threat with condemnation and outrage, others are seeing it as just another step in what is ultimately going to take place. Canada's Prime Minister, in his continuous inability to say anything meaningful, said, "It's absolutely incredible. That kind of lack of respect, intolerance, anti-Semitism, this is the 21st century and that statement is just out of an era that is long past and never should have occurred." Mr. Martin you just don't get it! [He has called on Canada's top diplomat in Iran to issue a formal reprimand. Pu-lee-ease! As if the Iranians really care.]

When it comes to world events and just how close we are to midnight on the Doomsday Clock, I've come to the conclusion that there are two groups of people in the world: Group A: those that live their lives oblivious to all of this, either intentionally or by circumstances; and Group B: those that are fully aware of it, either intentionally or by circumstances again. Both of these groups break down into two further subgroups: Subgroup I: those that know God is in control, are secure in His salvation through Christ, and leave the driving and details to Him; and of course Subgroup II: those who either ignore what is going on because they can't handle it and survive, or they are fully aware of it and can't sleep at night.

I'm in Group B, Subgroup I. You may want to consider which group you are in.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.