President Barack Obama delivered a much anticipated speech yesterday in Cairo, Egypt. He spoke at Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt on the topic of New Beginning. President Obama was stating clearly that His Administration would be one that is different. He will fight for a Palestinian State, confront the wrong of stereo-type Muslims and also recognized Hamas.
In President Obama’s “New Beginning” speech, he says this:
“America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.”
Israel will not go away and there is a reason for that. Israel is God’s chosen people and as a result, they will be around as long as there is an earth. Israel will be the place that God sets up His kingdom that will last for a thousand years. Muslims may say it privately, but Christians declare it publicly.
And how Mr. President can America “align our policies with those who pursue peace” when peace will only accrue when someone rises and promises peace to Israel in the most convicting way, but only to break that peace a few years later? The person referred to here is obviously the Anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ’s peace is only for a season, but Christ’s peace lasts for all eternity. President Obama is not the Anti-Christ, because if he were, then America would not be the place of his power nor would the Anti-Christ be facing so much opposition.
The Anti-Christ reveals himself after Christians have been taken from this earth. And there is still a very real and abiding Christian presence today, because of the continued evangelization of the globe and the population of the Christian community.
President Obama continued to say:
“Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer.”
“The Story of Isra”? It is a fascinating one to say the least. In this story, Muhammad is in Mecca, resting. The Archangel Gabriel visits him and brings him a very powerful item called the Buraq. The Buraq is a winged steed which is the lightning steed of the prophets. The Buraq takes Muhammad to what is called the “farthest mosque” or the Temple Mount. He then leads the prophets in prayer. After that, he goes to one of the heavens, where he talks with Moses and Jesus, before going to Allah. And its here where one of the pillars of Islam is born. Salah is that pillar and it’s the requirement of praying five times a day at the required time facing the required direction.
Thank you, Mr. President, for never really making the true distinction between the true God of Israel and Allah. But if you had then you would of not be able to achieve your goal of being the good President of the United States of America trying to bridge the gap between Americans and Muslims. (That opening sentence in this paragraph was with a sarcastic tone, for your information) So do you think, Mr. President, that by not doing that you can stay the President of just talking and talking and talking without any results.
There is something else troubling about President Obama’s speech. It came at the conclusion of his speech:
“We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
The Holy Koran tells us: “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”
The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”
The Holy Bible tells us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”“
First of all, God is the author of peace and only He can bring that upon the earth. Second, it is an insult to the Word of God to quote it with “The Holy Koran” that completely stands against everything that God‘s Word states. And thirdly, President Obama misunderstands that verse in “the Holy Bible”.
“Peacemakers” is not a call for pacifism. Genuine peace will happen between men only when peace is made between man and God through salvation.
Barry, thanks for your thoughts. I’ve been kind of confused by something that I see in certain Christian circles. Why are Christians so against peace in Israel? Other than being a bit fuzzy on why you come to some of your eschatoligical conclusions – I don’t understand how someone who follows the prince of peace could be so against working for peace.
And being a “peacemaker” seems to me about… making peace…sure, peace from God that creates peace with men is the best, but shouldn’t Christians be working for peace wherever there is conflict and brokenness? (And what a witness that would be…we would be called sons of God) Normally when fighting escahalates in the middle east I hear some Christian somewhere say, “Isn’t this exciting!!!” That is sick. Any theology that causes someone to be excited about innocent people being killed on both sides of the conflict is harmful to humanity and to Christian faith.
And finally, why can’t there be peace in the middle east? Why can’t things get better? What if the two-state solution works and there is some semblence of peace for a season – what is wrong with that? Where in the Scriptures does it say there will not be peace in the modern state of Israel?
Comment by Dave — June 5, 2009 @ 10:34 am |
Barry, I hope you won’t mind if I respond to Dave’s comment.
Dave, I’m pretty certain that Barry isn’t opposed to working toward peace in the right situations and that Christians, in whole, aren’t opposed to peace in Israel. In fact, we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalms 122:6).
Look at it like this: If a stranger was mugging you, it’s most likely that you wouldn’t ask him nicely to stop. You wouldn’t tell him that you’d just give him the money so he would leave you alone. After all, it’s not his money; he has no right to it, and you have the right to defend yourself. Peace-making, in this case, would not be in any way appropriate. You would most likely do everything within your power to disable him and cause him a great deal of non-peace (not a word, I know, but had to tie in “peace” somewhere!).
The Jews and people of Israel have a right to their land, their Temple Mount, their beliefs. It is theirs by inheritance as the chosen people of God. They are an innocent nation being attacked by a “thug” who is trying to take what is rightfully theirs. Peace-making, also in this case, is not appropriate.
As to the question about Christians being excited, you may have interpreted them as being excited about wars and deaths. I feel certain that what they actually mean is that they are excited to see the end time prophecies being fulfilled. Our Savior told us before He ascended to heaven what things would happen at the end of days, and it is, in fact, exciting (if not a little scary) to see His prophecies coming to pass. We are only excited because it means we are all the closer to seeing our faith become sight, to seeing the One Who died for us face to face.
I was looking for a verse to quote in reference to the question of peace in modern-day Israel but can’t seem to find one. I’ll keep looking and hopefully get back to you. Looking at history, however, you can see that Israel has rarely lived in peace.
Comment by Jenny — June 6, 2009 @ 11:45 pm |
Jenny, thanks for your thoughts. I guess when it comes down to it I am against ripping headlines from the front pages of the newspaper and saying look that is happening right now and that is what the Bible says…it is usually fabricated. And the reference you made to Jesus telling us about the end of days which is in Mark 13 is actually primarily about Israel of his day facing the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. In those days Jesus was actually against fighting the Romans – he said things like: love your enemies and bless those who curse you, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile.
Christians can be excited about “prophecy” being fulfilled with all the wars and carnage of our world going on, and I have observed that they have no concern for the plight of our world because they are getting out with their “exit strategy” the rapture – Theology that often brings about an escapist mentality instead cocern for God’s world.
And although I am all for looking to the Bible to understand my faith and the world, I don’t see it as a source book on how to make decisions in modern-day politics. You can’t just say, “Well, God chose Israel to be his people, so we have to support them wholeheartedly in whatever endeavor they take on.” I am all for support for Israel, but I am also for listening to both sides of the conflict, and for critically looking at the actions of both sides (Some staunch Israel supporters aren’t willing to admit that Israel has done anything wrong – ever. Sure one side tends to be the bully far more often, but there are humans – like you and me – on both sides of the conflict. And we need a workable solution.
Comment by Dave — June 7, 2009 @ 8:18 am |
Dave, I believe we are to stand by Israel unconditionally. God will bless the people who bless them and curse those who curse them.
I thought you were genuinely wanting answers here. It appears I was mistaken.
Comment by Jenny — June 7, 2009 @ 11:13 pm |