Israel is a tiny strip of land in the middle of a desert area. Why is it so controversial? Why should we care? How deep into its politics should we go? Should we just be fed up with what Israel does and what they stand for, or should we be respectfully looking up to Israel for what they do and what they stand for?
For most of us it’s simple. God is good, Satan is evil. They fight and God wins. God destroys Satan and all evil with him. It is simple and reassuring until we think a little more deeply about it. Where did evil actually come from? If God created all things then He must have created evil – why would he do that? If God wins the battle between good and evil and then destroys evil, would He be destroying one of His creations? If God truly is stronger than evil then we need to ask if God is even paying attention because one look around our world and it is obvious that evil is handily winning. So, are God and evil really a compatible pair – opposites that need each other to exist? Could God ever truly destroy evil or is the ultimate destiny of our world and our universe to be subject to both?
The Bible often tells us what is going to happen before it happens. Sometimes its prophecies are very specific and sometimes they are shrouded in symbols, but in all cases they tell us about the future. So, what is the future? Our world has come to a point where it has the capacity to destroy all living things. What is going to happen with this great power? There are several Bible prophecies that can be interpreted to not only verify this destruction but seem to graphically describe it as well! Are we headed for nuclear holocaust? Does the Bible verify such a horrible end? Is this all in God’s plan?
Armageddon! The very word sends shivers down the spine of millions. Armageddon! Of all the Biblical prophecies, this one is probably more recognized than any other, even by those who are not believers in the Bible. Armageddon! It captures the imagination. It has been the framework for blockbuster movies and descriptions of war and destruction. So what is it? Where is it? When is it? And how does it really work? Is it really as dire as we think? Is it WORSE?
By the accounts of many, the day in which we live is different than any other time in the recorded history of the world. Never before has there been so much by way of knowledge, science and medicine that can heal and restore yet, never has there been so much by way of brilliantly formed destructive forces as well. We are blessed with technology and its work saving power yet we are cursed by its power to feed the basest of human desire. We are blessed with greater freedom for more of the masses than ever before, yet we are cursed with the abuses greed and inequity that such freedom unleashes. Are these the perilous times of the Bible? Stay with us as we look into Bible prophecy and current events to try and determine where we are on the timeline of God’s Plan.
War has been a part of culture since the beginning of human history. As Christians we are certainly not encouraged to encourage it or provoke it. Yet in the New Testament, the concepts of war and battle are used freely, as a clear picture of what our lives are supposed to be about. The whole key is understanding who and what we are supposed to fight and how we are supposed to fight them. We are discussing the battle of the Christian, the armor that the Christian is supposed to wear, and the victory that the Christian should be seeking. Are you armed for battle?
War. It is a fact of life. According to Dr. Terry Fields, in the last 3,421 years of recorded history, there have been only 268 years without war. This should tell us something significant about the fallen nature of man. What it doesn’t tell us is how we as Christians should view war. Should we support it? Should we participate in it? Should we oppose it? Just as there are many denominations of Christians, there are many differing answers to this particular question of Christian Conscience.
There are many views of the character of God. Some see Him as angry, wrathful and impatient, while others see Him as just, loving and merciful. Whatever your view of His character, it is certain that we live in a world where things are NOT fair and people by the MILLIONS suffer for things they did not do. So, what does that do to our understanding of God? If He is all powerful and all wise, why does He allow such injustice, suffering and chaos? Has God abandoned us? Has He forgotten us? Does He even care about us? Did God make mistakes with His creation – did He create a world that “got away from Him” and now it’s too late to change things? Stay with us as we look into the myriads of difficulties in our world and try to understand where God is in all all of this. Should we forgive God? Is it even our place to forgive God?
There are many views of the character of God. Some see Him as angry, wrathful and impatient, while others see Him as just, loving and merciful. Whatever your viewof His character, it is certain that we live in a world where things are NOT fair and people by the MILLIONS suffer for things they did not do. So, what does that do to our understanding of God? If He is all powerful and all wise, why does He allow such injustice, suffering and chaos? Has God abandoned us? Has He forgotten us? Does He even care about us? Did God make mistakes with His creation – did He create a world that “got away from Him” and now it’s too late to change things? Stay with us as we look into the myriads of difficulties in our world and try to understand where God is in all of this. Should we forgive God? Is it even our place to forgive God?
It seems that for all of the recorded history of man, there has been slavery in one form or another. Today when we look upon this subject, it is often with sadness and disgust that at one time, not so very long ago in our own country, we as a people allowed such a practice to flourish. Not only did we let it flourish, but there were those who insisted it was a God-sanctioned practice, therefore justifiable! What is the truth on this matter? Does God or did God ever advocate such a practice? On this podcast we look into the biblical history of slavery and servitude.
