Judgment Day Tomorrow?!

I suppose I can’t let this blog go without some comment about Harold Camping’s prediction for the world to end tomorrow. I’m already a day late with this blog; let’s hope I’m not a day behind tomorrow. Fortunately, I’ll be in Vancouver tomorrow, probably the most beautiful place on earth to witness the world’s end.

I hope Camping is preparing his next date for judgment day. His last one was out by more than a decade, so despite his denial, he will need a plan B, or is it C, D, . . . He obviously missed plan A: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36.)

Unfortunately, wild predictions, such as Camping’s, based on conjectural parallels with past events of uncertain dates, bring disrepute to the seriousness of the Gospel. We may not know when, but the day will come when everyone will be held accountable for their response to Jesus Christ. (John 3:18)

Israeli Border Violence

The border clashes between Arab demonstrators from countries surrounding Israel erupted as forecast in my blog last Thursday. Israel was forced to defend its borders with Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and against demonstrators from the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Jordan.

Read the story at http://www.canada.com/news/Israel+Palestinian+violence+erupts+three+borders/4786716/story.html  

The result was more than a dozen protestors dead and over 100 injured in the biggest demonstrations for years. Is this the beginning of a new Intifada against Israel? The signs are menacing.

The intifadas against Israel in the past have been by terrorism and bombings within Israel. In many ways, this has worked to Israel’s advantage as the carnage inflicted by these means were discredited by most nations. However, the demonstrations yesterday suggest a new tactic to gain sympathy for the Palestinian cause.

The uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, have generally received world approval on the basis of the people of those countries desiring a cessation of ruthless dictatorships and a change to democratic reform. The ongoing unrest in Syria and Yemen and attempts in other Arab states suggest there is an area wide reformation taking place.

If the Palestinians can identify themselves with other popular uprisings in the Middle East, their claims appear more reasonable and attract greater sympathy than previous terrorism and bombing of Israel. Now Israel is faced with defending against unarmed crowds, when shear numbers will provoke a violent response to repel invaders across the borders. Yesterday’s incidents have already provided martyrs for the Palestinian cause.

In addition, those seeking a return of the Palestinians from land given to Israel in 1948 are not those who were dispossessed. They would all be aged around 70 to 90 years of age. Later generations, taught hatred of Israel, continue the demand for repatriation. Arab nations surrounding Israel foster this by maintaining their refugee camps for the last 60+ years, using the squalid conditions to sustain anger against Israel.

Furthermore, despite ongoing attempts to broker a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, it is clear that the populations are not interested—they want restoration of their lands. Hamas and Arab nations, still technically at war with Israel, may exploit this opportunity to “liberate” Israel’s “occupied” lands.

For prophecy buffs, the scene is set for Zechariah 14:1–9.

A Third Intifada?

A facebook page called The Third Intifada has been inviting all Muslims in countries surrounding Israel to march into Israel on May 15, 2011. Exactly how this will be carried out and how the Israeli defence force will respond are unknown.

The fear is that women and children will form the front line of this march across borders into Israel, creating a difficult defence problem for Israel.

But whatever the tactic used, according to reports on the facebook page—in Arabic, I can’t read it!—has continually posted messages inciting violence, which facebook reviews and removes periodically. The problem for facebook is that messages are often encoded in language that appears innocuous.

The page, which seeks the liberation of Palestine from the Jews by this march into Israel, has attracted 330,000 likes. It seems clear that the sentiment to destroy Israel has a large following. The Palestinian group Fatah in Gaza continues to maintain its stance to destroy Israel.

The United Nations provided a home for Israel in their present location in 1948. The way to peace in the Middle East has been intractable ever since, resulted in misery on both sides of the borders, and continued menacing threats from Arab militants.

Psalm 122:6-7 requests us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.’”

The wall erected by Israel as a protection against terrorists, may also help to reduce the threatened confrontation. Let’s pray for a peaceful outcome of this proposed march this weekend, and equitable peace in the longer term for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Where is the Enemy?

Two news reports caught my attention this weekend. The first was the sectarian violence that has erupted in Cairo between Muslims and Coptic Christians. Read the story at http://www.canada.com/life/Crisis+meeting+after+Cairo+sectarian+violence/4747268/story.html.

The second was the rape in Cairo of female Journalist, Lara Logan, during the demonstrations against Mubarak. Read the story at http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/04/28/20110428lara-logan-speaks-about-cairo.html#ixzz1LlqHGsGH.

The first story apparently began when Muslim men believed that Christian women converted to Islam and were held in a Christian church against their will. The Christians denied it. A dozen or so have died and over 100 were injured. Lara Logan was brutally gang-raped in Tahrir Square during the Egyptian uprising. She thought she would die slowly and painfully until rescued by some women and soldiers.

I have always maintained that people the world over have a basic desire to bring up their families in peace and safety. Many Muslim families that we know are glad to do just that in western countries. But these two stories show that men committed to radical Muslim faith believe Christian “infidels” are a threat to their faith, and that women are chattels owned by the men.

This radical belief is greatest at the Islamist terrorist threat, and decreases to still dangerous levels in some Muslim sects, until it moderates in those Muslims seeking a peaceful existence. However much we may point to the Koran, or its interpretation, in fomenting this strife, we cannot paint all Muslims with the same brush.

In fact, we experience extremes of belief in our own Christian backyard. The paradox of radical Christianity, often acclaimed as highly spiritual, can result in the grossest arrogance and destructive elitism, considering all others, Christians and non-Christians alike, as inferior—history reveals, even worthy of death.

It may be difficult to believe all others—think of bin Laden—are made in the image of God, with a dignity deserving gentleness and respect. If there is anything radical about Christianity, that is its hallmark. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Election Afterglow?

It depends on your political persuasion whether you are now basking in or bewailing the election. The electorate, polarized right or left, has left a sparsely populated centre. I have to assume that nearly 40% that didn’t vote are content to accept any result.

While I would prefer a greater voter turnout, an election is not a priority for many, reminding us that we can become too animated about the result. A pleasant drive to Calgary yesterday helped bring some balance.

We left Lethbridge early heading west, a bright rising sun behind us. The Rocky Mountains, in a fresh garment of snow, spread in fluorescent relief before us to north and south for over 100 miles, like a chain of frosted jewels draping the skyline.

I ruminated on the turbulent Trudeau years, the beginning of my Canadian history as a British transplant, to the recent fractious minority governments; on what has often been a bumpy ride between frustration and elation over the years.

But those mountains, solid and vast in their serene beauty stood firm long before my time and will remain long after I am gone. Despite my misgivings or hope for the future of Canada, this great country will continue to display its beauty despite its leaders’ political shenanigans.

I was reminded again of our unchanging Creator; “the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).

Far more permanent, vast and trustworthy than even those mountains, a life sheltered in His care can ride out all the storms of this life, political or personal, we may encounter. And while we justly involve ourselves in the future direction of our country, our leaders will never be the final influence in our lives.

It is this assurance that places the events of this world into manageable perspective. The actions and attitudes of those who govern us will never be the ultimate focus of our lives, or guarantee of our future.

A Momentous Long Weekend

Well, this has been quite a long weekend: The enormous outpouring of Joy for that Friday wedding; the beatification of Pope John Paul with a million in attendance; Osama Bin laden brought to justice, and Canada’s Election Day today.

But I can top all that; today is my 75th birthday!

I doubt the occasion will have quite the worldwide attention of the other events, and I don’t expect many paparazzi camped on my doorstep. I do expect the fancy foods that mark birthdays will hinder my journey to optimum health and weight, and I recognize that I have passed my ‘best before’ date.

However, I’ve had my cancer and my heart attack and have a clean bill of health at this point. My father died at 79; his father at 93 (not 103, as I recently told a number of people), so I may have, on average, a few good years left. And at age of 75 I’ve found the comfortable rut I’ve been seeking all my life.

But today is especially an encouragement to persist in what I wish to accomplish, certain that God will not call me home until I have completed what He has ordained for me to do. I look forward to these glowing fall years with anticipation.

In our early married life, the scripture below, became a meaningful promise to me for several years. With the passage of time, it slipped my memory until I read it again during my devotions this past week. Not only was it a fresh encouragement, I realized that He kept his promise for the last 50 or more years.

Fifty years is a blip compared with eternity, but if He can keep his promises for our turbulent time on earth, He can certainly do the same while dwelling safely with Him for eternity.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10.