(Thanks to all for the tremendous response to my new website. Keep telling your friends and remember to look under “Our Books” at the top.)

 A True Believer

I have a Turkish Mauser, made in 1890. It was made in Berlin, for the Ottoman Turks. I often wonder if it was used in Palestine during World War 1, in the climactic battles for the region that led to Allenby walking through Jaffa Gate in December, 1917.

That defeat of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire is still raw for certain Muslims, chief among them the belligerent Turkish President Erdogan. He detests Israel and the U.S., and this week made noise about his territorial aims regarding Israel’s capital city.

From the Jerusalem Post:

“Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan opened the Turkish parliament’s legislative session on Thursday with a long speech that addressed the city of Jerusalem and the Palestinian people and stated: ‘Jerusalem is our city.’”

“Erdoğan referred to the Ottoman Empire’s rule over Jerusalem, which lasted four centuries (1517-1917), to justify his claim.

“’In this city that we had to leave in tears during the First World War, it is still possible to come across traces of the Ottoman resistance. So Jerusalem is our city, a city from us,’ Erdoğan said.”

 

These ancient feuds will not be resolved, of course, until the Prince of Peace returns. For now, Erdogan’s saber-rattling comes at the same time Gulf States are making peace with the Jewish state. Whether it’s from pragmatism or practicality, or even tactical, those Arab states have put the Palestinians on the shelf. The PLO is huffing and puffing, but finds itself with few friends.

That’s where the Turks come in.

Erdogan also said something else very, very interesting:

“With this understanding, we will follow both the Palestinian cause, which is the bleeding wound of the global conscience, and the Jerusalem case to the end,” Erdoğan concluded.

Bleeding wound of the global conscience?

Before we dismiss his mediocre hyperbole, let’s consider that the Palestinian question is far from over. We know that historical battles wax and wane, and while at this second, the Palestinians find themselves sidelined geopolitically, we understand too that this can change overnight. It happens all the time in the Middle East.

We all feel we can take a breath when we have these respites from evil, from the “diplomacy” that threatens Israel. These days are infinitely better than 20 years ago, or 10 years ago, for sure.

But just because Israel is riding the headwinds of deals with Arab states, and the US is now a strong ally, things can change overnight.

Erdogan has also placed himself in the middle of a local conflict. From the New York Times:

“His mission was not to calm tensions between the warring parties, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Instead, he declared all-out support for the Azerbaijanis, close Turkic allies, and accused Armenia of ignoring efforts to negotiate a resolution. He also demanded that Armenia withdraw from lands it occupied 30 years ago.

“’I condemn Armenia once again for attacking Azerbaijani lands,’ he said. ‘Turkey continues to stand with the friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan with all its facilities and heart.’”

Remember, too, Erdogan loathes the Armenians. His temper flares whenever anyone in the West demands that Turkey take responsibility for the Armenian Massacre of 100 years ago. Turkey will never do that under Erdogan.

Erdogan is only 66. His belligerency will no doubt continue. In the meantime, watch for his continued entanglements within Turkey’s reach. In the end, he’s just another tinpot Muslim dictator wishing to be seen as the new Suleiman or Saladin.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com

www.thegodthatanswers.com

 

 

The God That Answers

A meme making its way around Facebook really sums up much of what my life is about:

“The existence of the modern state of Israel is living proof that Bible prophecy is true.”

We all know our world is broken. It has been since soon after the beginning. But it’s really, really off the rails now! In fact, many are posting 2 Timothy 3, and I agree. Look at the savage, satanic attitudes we see on our nation’s streets today.

It is with that in mind that I am “re-branding” from Prophecy Matters to a new site:

www.thegodthatanswers.com

I will be adding content every week, content that I feel addresses specific (life application) questions. My goal is to look at broad, big picture prophecy, then drop-in specific prophecies. I do not want to plow the same ground of the identity of the antichrist, etc. Others have done that better than I can. My aim is to discuss things the wider culture can digest.

For example, our over-arching theme will be that the existence of Israel easily proves the existence of God, which can lead a person to find peace in his or her life. But I’ll also dig deep into various prophecies that also give a skeptic/critic little ammunition to reject God.

Zechariah 2 is such a prophecy, and I’ll be posting an article about it this week, which originated with my first trip to Israel in 1998.

I am also going to make this a “tent-making” proposition, rather than donation-based. I’ll offer books and other resources, a podcast, and video to help boost your faith, or the faith of your family and friends.

This week, you can help me do this by clicking on the “Our Books” in the menu. There you’ll find something else I’m excited about.

In 2009, Charisma Media published my book, It’s the End of the World (And I Feel Fine). I recently purchased the rights back to the book, along with the remaining inventory (1,000). I’m going to make cosmetic changes—the content itself is evergreen—so the offer is very generous, and is only available for a limited time through the website.

My aim here is to offer a book that is specifically designed for the person that doesn’t know much about prophecy. Ironically (sadly?), this can be either a secular person, or a Christian in the pew.

It’s the End of the World was written in a conversational style, so it isn’t a “Dispensational”-style format. And, if you want the copies you order signed, I’ll be happy to do that. This book in particular is good for study groups, so I’m offering a deep discount on case quantities. Ordering information is on the page.

I do not need this for income, but if you order books and other resources, it helps fund new publishing. Because the Lord has blessed me that I don’t earn a living from this, it frees my mind and heart to do what I need to do.

I remember several years ago walking through Zion Gate in Jerusalem with British scholar Paul Wilkinson. He said something to me that was and is very profound. Paul said, “You know, Jim, prophecy and Israel is very exciting, but if we’re not pointing people to Jesus, what’s it all for?”

He is so right. I love the Jewish people, and Israel has been a passion of mine for decades. But helping individuals find true and lasting peace is my new passion in life, for the duration.

We are running out of time. Exciting for believers, but precarious for unbelievers.

It is my sincere desire that people everywhere, on every continent and every background, find Jesus Christ and believe the Gospel.

That is and will be the purpose of The God That Answers. I hope you will see in time that it is a unique space for people to have their eternal lives changed. I will be talking about a wide variety of things, including Creation vs. Evolution; culture; the relevance of Israel; and the importance of worldview.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for praying that this new venture will please the Lord, and be worthy of your attention on an ongoing basis.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com