Articles

There are so many negative actions taking place in this world that sometimes it’s hard just to take the next step. There are wars and rumors of wars, changes in weather patterns, pestilences, earthquakes in various places, and just plain evil worldwide. Hate for anything pertaining to our Lord and Savior is everywhere. All the “abomination” groups are offended that we don’t accept their lifestyles, so we are labeled as “haters.” They don’t realize we love them for their immortal souls but don’t have to accept what our Father said we aren’t to participate in. As an example, Jesus loved all the religious leaders, but He did not like their policies and actions, and did not fail to tell them so. (ESV – all emphasis is mine)

It is very obvious that we are rapidly heading for a major change above and beyond all that we’ve seen so far. Up until about ten years or so ago, there were issues of crime, hate and a certain amount of mayhem, but not to the degree that we are presently seeing.

Open satanic worship was something unheard of. That was an activity kept behind closed doors, rarely out in the open. Now, we have “churches of Satan” in numerous places around the United States. We even have them in the East Texas Area. There are false prophets in pulpits of some previously Bible-based evangelical churches, just as Jesus, Paul, John, and others said there would be near the end of this age. They “preach” ear-tickling messages to make the congregation feel good; it’s just not Biblical. Their goal is not to save souls but to keep seats and collection plates full.

All the so-called “gender identity” issues, drag queen activities including “story time for kids,” and parents being threatened to lose their children if they don’t allow them to participate in this garbage are rapidly gaining ground. It has almost become epidemic. In some countries, parents actually face jail time if they refuse, and there are some states here that are trying to implement such laws right now.

Once the tribulation/wrath starts, the whole wide world will go through a time such as never seen before. Our Father has warned us in several places of His Holy Word that the world population will suffer a tremendous number of deaths. In Zechariah 13:8, we’re told that two-thirds of the Jewish population that are here will be killed. Only one-third will remain, and we’re told all of them will finally believe that Jesus is their true Messiah.

For all true believers right now, we are promised we will not enter that awful time period (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 and Revelation 3:10). Yes, we face harassment and some persecution right now, but when the Trumpet of God sounds, and there is a shout from an archangel, we won’t be here for the antichrist’s appearance. Our Rapture takes place before he can come out (2 Thessalonians 2).

In the meantime, we need to stay close to our Savior and Heavenly Father through prayer and reading His word daily. In the United States, we are still free to do so, mostly without fear. In some areas of the world, there are people who are being martyred just for possessing a Bible, or declaring they have become a Christian. This even applies to their children.

If we have Jesus as our Savior, we have the Holy Spirit within us. We need to know and believe that the word of the Father is righteous and true, and hold on to the hope this gives. We need to “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand.”

This happens to be the title of a well-known Christian Hymn written by Jennie Bain Wilson around 1904. As with Fanny Crosby, Ms. Wilson was handicapped. She survived typhoid fever as a child, but it left her spine damaged, and she was bound to a wheelchair. As with Ms. Crosby, she wrote many hymns while she was on this earth. This featured hymn is an inspiration for everyone.

1.) Time is filled with swift transition; naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal; hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Ref.) Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand. Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand. Build your hopes on things eternal; hold to God’s unchanging hand.

2.) Trust in Him who will not leave you, whatever years may bring. If by earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to Him cling. (ref)

3.) Covet not this world’s vain riches that so rapidly decay. Seek to gain the heavenly treasures; they will never pass away. (ref)

4.) When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true, fair and bright the Home in Glory, your enraptured soul will view. (ref)

One theme of this song is the phrase “Unchanging Hand.” Our Father does not change, and He is the same today as He has always been and always will be. We know God cannot lie, as given in Titus 1:2. Through His Word, we see He has always loved His creation, even though we have sometimes disappointed Him.

For all who will receive and accept His Son Jesus as their Savior, He has promised us eternity in Heaven with Him. The steps are simple as “ABC.” Admit we are sinners, as we all are (Romans 3:23). Believe Jesus is truly the Son of God and that His pure, sinless blood sacrifice will take away our sins when we become a part of His precious flock. Finally, Call out to the Savior to forgive you and be your Savior forever. This is found in Romans 10:9-13.

There is another side, and it applies to all who refuse to receive and accept Jesus. There are those who believe there are many ways to be saved other than through Jesus. That’s one of Satan’s biggest lies. There are those who say they believe in God, and that’s all they have to do. That’s another of the evil one’s lies.

John 14:6 sets the record straight for all who will accept it. “Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” There’s a period after this as no other conditions exist.

Also, it’s a free-will choice that will not be forced on anyone by the Father. All who truly call out to be saved will be accepted.

Someone has said that they know they cannot live a “perfect life” and will be condemned for that. God has promised that we can be forgiven of all our sins when we confess them to Him and ask His forgiveness. That’s 1 John 1:8-10. He knows we will never be perfect in this human form, and as long as Jesus is in our hearts, we are His.

Please remember, throughout the history of this earth, from the Garden of Eden to today, there has been only one “human” that lived a fully sinless life. That “human” shed His blood on a cruel cross so you and I could be seen as worthy to the Father. Not by anything we could do but by what Jesus did for us as a free gift. All who reject Jesus will answer for every sin they will ever commit on this earth. That will be at the White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.

Those are the only two paths to eternity. Life in Heaven with our Savior, or condemnation in hell with Satan and his demons. No other option is available, no matter what any false prophet may tell you.

For now, in these uncertain times, put your faith in our Savior, and definitely “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand!”

Hope to see you at Home soon!

huebshman46@gmail.com

Is Israel a Moral Nation?

For many years I’ve heard people—even supporters of Israel—grumble that Israel is a “secular state” or “Israel tolerates unbiblical views” in its society. Some point out that Israel was founded by some people that were communists or socialists in their native countries before emigrating.

All true.

I have a photo of legendary Prime Minister David Ben Gurion in a yoga pose. Several other premiers were very secular. In fact, Menachem Begin’s regular favorable comments of the Bible were out of the norm for most leaders.

Further, Israel operates much like every other country in terms of civil matters. Abortions are performed. Left-wing groups can march and demonstrate.

And homosexuality is lauded in many circles. In fact, a story emerged today that is very interesting on that note.

Yair Lapid, no fan of the Bible or spiritual matters (his father, Tommy, was famously non-religious), this week in the Knesset stood to defend the “LGBTQ” community from Orthodox criticism. Oddly, he wore a kippah when he spoke.

From the Jerusalem Post:

“Opposition head and Yesh Atid MK Yair Lapid gave an impromptu Torah lesson on the Knesset floor on Wednesday, in response to United Torah Judaism MK Yitzhak Pindrus, who the day before had called the LGBTQ community the country’s greatest danger.

“Yesterday MK Pindrus said of the LGBT-community: ‘It’s more dangerous than the Hamas and Hezbollah’, Lapid said, before pointing out a Torah quote made by Pindrus, suggesting that the Jews would be at risk of getting thrown out of the country because of it.

“Pindrus had said that ‘The most dangerous thing for the State of Israel, more than ISIS and Hezbollah is the LGBTQ+ community,’ adding that ‘If it were up to me, I would prevent not just the pride march but also the whole movement.’”

Lapid, in his remarks, resorted to what the Left considers a clever rejoinder to conservatives by pointing out that the Torah condemns many sins, not only homosexuality. Too, recall that another “way around the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality” is to simply reframe the narrative. For example, Paul had quite a bit to say about this abomination, but modern critics claim Paul was himself either a frustrated, closeted homosexual, or his writings on the subject are somehow less valid than other issues he addressed.

“He [Lapid] mentioned the death penalties for eating khametz (leavened bread) on Pessach or for disagreeing with the Sanhedrin, among others. He especially described the death penalty for cursing one’s parents, joking that ‘I hope my sons are listening to this right now… Why don’t you [Haredi MKs] propose a bill like that?’”

Lapid was prepared for this battle, pointing out that the Seven Deadly Sins listed in Proverbs do not mention homosexuality, and that further mention in Proverbs of those that sow conflict accurately describe what he said the Haredi MKs of doing now.

Some of what Lapid employed was simply PR strategy, and he also ignores other factors. He also used the Argument from Silence.

The religious authorities and political wings in Israel rightly understand that societies that fully embrace homosexuality eventually pass from history. It is a moral capitulation that occurs near the end of civilizations. The Greeks, Romans, and Babylonians come to mind.

In Henry Morris’s Defender’s Study Bible notes, Morris made I think an important point as to a source of unbiblical practices in a society:

“The descent into evolutionary paganism is always soon followed by gross immorality, specifically including sexual perversion, such as described in Romans 1:26-29. Ancient Sodom was so notorious for homosexuality that its practice has long been known as sodomy (see Genesis 13:13; 19:4-9). The practice became so widespread in ancient Greece that it was considered normal and even desirable. Other examples are abundant and, of course, it is quickly becoming accepted—even encouraged—here in America. Not surprisingly, this was preceded by widespread return to evolutionism in science and education.”

As has been pointed out by others, homosexual practice undermines the creation order; man was created for woman and vice versa. Taken to its logical and extreme conclusion, widespread homosexuality would so severely deplete the earth’s human population that our own extinction would surely follow. Despite the literally insane proclamations today in some quarters in America, men cannot bear children.

And if proponents of homosexual practice attack by saying we are unreasonable by “singling-out” homosexuality while ignoring other sins listed in the Old Testament, let’s turn their argument around on them. Are they really saying that if we accept homosexuality, we also affirm stoning and beastiality and child sacrifice?

Back to the topic at hand: Israel, like all other nations, operates in a fallen world. I’m struck by the fact that those that condemn Israel for allowing/celebrating homosexual behavior evidently wish to hold the country to a standard that cannot be met currently. Perfection is not attainable for nations now, and I would add that Israel is not what she will one day become.

I don’t agree with Yair Lapid, but if we want to criticize Israel, why not equally criticize other nations? Why not Italy? Brazil? Belgium?

Is the Jewish state moral? That isn’t for us to judge. We aren’t the Judge. Certainly, the country fights wars with at least one hand tied behind its back in order to reduce even the civilian casualties of its enemies. Israel also sends massive amounts of humanitarian aid in the event of disasters. Also, Jewish doctors routinely perform life-saving measures on even their enemies, such as Hamas! So those that want to criticize them because they don’t measure up in our moral universe are, to my mind, practicing selective outrage.

Until the Lord returns, we will live in the tension of our world. One day the Lord will usher-in righteousness forever. Until then, cut the Jewish state some slack.

Jimfletcher761@gmail.com

Hold On to God’s Hand :: By Dennis Huebshman

26 Jun 2023