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EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH –June

Southview Bible Church * 135 Bennett Ave. * Council Bluffs, IA. 51503

Phone: (712) 322-5743 E-mail: pastor@southviewbible.org * Web Site: http://www.southviewbible.org

LOOKING FOR A SIGN OF THE TIMES?

We often muse about how things can be “hidden in plain sight”. Such is the current situation regarding Israel and the world. If people actually knew what the BIBLE says about Israel, and actually believed it, that would clear up many things. I was listening to an “informational/news” type program and the man being interviewed was explaining that in researching antisemitism he was amazed that a google search brings up an outbreak of antisemitism taking place essentially in every century in recorded history. He said often it has been led by very “enlightened” people groups. And then he said this just “befuddled” him as to WHY! 

From the moment Satan understood that his defeat would be executed by the Seed of the woman his primary goal was to annihilate every single human link from which this promised Seed would come. Since the Seed was to come through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and the family of David – who are the people of Israel – Satan did and still does his utmost to destroy the promised line and the nation of Israel in its entirety. 

                                                                            – Meno Kalisher

Apart from a spiritual explanation, the phenomenon of universal antisemitism makes no sense. This is the stuff of spiritual warfare where Satan is doing everything in his power to try and destroy what God has ordained He is going to accomplish in and through the Jewish people. 

People are constantly looking for a SIGN but consistently miss THE BIG PICTURE of what God is doing in the world. Right now, God is building His Church. Israel has been temporarily set aside and God is building a forever family of both Jewish and Gentile believers called THE CHURCH. The Church Age is not characterized by overt SIGNS. Rather SIGNS are given essentially in relation to Israel. The Church began suddenly and signlessly and it will be completed in the same fashion. We (the Church) are not looking for specific “signs” but for the sudden appearing of Christ Himself. This is the HOPE of the Church as consistently presented in the NT (cf. Titus 2:13). 

The Church is not given specific “signs” to look for but there are defining “trends” that will define the last days of the Church Age. The MAJOR trend that defines the last days of the Church Age is APOSTASY as described by Paul in 2 Timothy 3-4. I believe we are seeing this before our eyes! Never before, until recent history, had any sector of the professing Church ever embraced homosexuality or transgender ideology as consistent with the Christian faith – but now that is happening. We are now seeing in the context of the professing Church, “evil men and imposters” growing “worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). 

If you are looking for a “sign” consider the trends of the times which in effect sets the stage for the fulfillment of last days’ realities. 1) Flagrant widespread apostasy growing worse and worse. 2) Israel back in the land which is necessary for last days’ prophecy to be fulfilled. They are there! 3) The rise of worldwide antisemitism which defines the world of the END TIMES! 

The October 7, 2023 brutal attack by Hamas on Israel was shocking. But equally shocking was the resultant worldwide support of Hamas and the mass demonstrations against Israel in many of the world’smajor cities. Even many strong Bible-believing Christians have greatly underestimated the level of Jewish hatred that simmers just beneath the surface on a worldwide scale. The surprising support of Hamas shows just how pervasive antisemitism has become throughout the entire world and even here in the United States. 

But this should not surprise us because the Bible teaches that in the end “all nations” will be gathered together against Israel and her capital city of Jerusalem (cf. Joel 3:2; Zech. 14:1-3). 

Thot: Looking for a sign? Look no further than the TRENDS related to worldwide antisemitism!  

 

Earnestly Contending, Pastor Dwight J. Oswald

A prayer taken from the devotional, “Powerful prayers, to protect the heart of your child”

Dear Father, I submit to You at this moment, believing in the truth of Your Word and the authority that we have over all the power of the enemy (Lk. 10:19). I cast out all fear and condemnation. I choose to be grateful, to rest in You, to let go of my worries about my child, to trust You, and to give up all my burdens.

Your Word declares in Proverbs 15:8 that the prayers of the upright are Your delight. I surrender to You, Father, and I ask You to forgive me of all my sins and offenses. Help me to serve You with all my heart and to be an example of Your love and kindness in my home. In the name of Jesus. Amen.