Skeptics anyone?

I have never been the type person just to take someone’s word for things. I suppose you might call me a skeptic. Ironically I’m going to offer my testimony to a group of distinguished Tallahassee community and business leaders next Wednesday that call themselves the “Skeptics”. I’m told that the group likes to meet on a monthly basis and explore spiritual matters. I applaud that worthwhile endeavor and look forward to my skeptic-among-the skeptics meeting in a few days.

One thing that is rock solid in my life is my belief system. My faith in God and His unerring word the Holy Bible can be described as unwavering and rock-solid; (pretty strong stuff for a skeptic). There are many reasons for my strong faith, notwithstanding the many miracles I have witnessed in my own life and the lives of others, but one of the things that truly solidifies my faith in God even further is the tiny country of Israel. I have traveled extensively throughout the world and have had some interesting experiences, but nothing in comparison to the amazing time I had when my wife and I traveled to Israel. You can actually feel God’s presence all over that country; I loved it!

I suppose I was most surprised by its miniscule size; it’s tiny! It is only 263 miles long north to south, and its widest point is 71 miles narrowing down at one point to just 9.3 miles wide east to west, (driving across the country of Israel at that point is not even comparable to driving around the perimeter of Honey Lake Plantation!)

Another thing is its tiny population. Israel is the only nation in the world where a majority of its citizens are Jewish, but don’t get too excited, in 2009 Israel’s entire population was just 7.5 million people, and only 5.7 million of them Jewish.

Huh?

According to the Bible Israel is God’s chosen land. He had the entire world from which to choose and He chose this tiny little country.

Why?

Granted it’s a beautiful country, but I can think of some that I might have chosen instead. Hmmm Who can know the mind of the Lord, but I think part of the reason is to demonstrate to any of us skeptics out there that He is in full control of this little blue marble called earth. Watch any news channel or read any newspaper and it will not be long before you hear the word Israel. That is not an accident; Israel is God’s chosen land. This tiny speck is surrounded by huge masses of land inhabited with over a billion Arab people who hate the Jewish people with a virulent passion and want to take the land that God has given them for themselves.

It ain’t gonna happen folks. God continues to hold them at bay with ease.

Jesus Christ prophesied that the Jews would be punished for their rejection of Him as their Messiah via His crucifixion, One consequence for their disbelief and sin was that their temple would be destroyed and the Jews would have their land taken away and they would be taken into slavery and scattered throughout the world and reviled by many nations.

In 1946 the Bible’s prophecy that the Jews would return to the Holy Land was also fulfilled when God gave them a miraculous victory against overwhelming odds and the supposedly vastly superior armies of the United Arab Republic, (Egypt), Syria and Jordan. Although outgunned, in just six miraculous days they amazed the world by winning this war and perhaps the most astonishing thing of all was that they didn’t even have a formal army or even a country.

Skeptics all over the world, sit up and take notice, this was a prophecy-fulfilling mighty miracle of almighty God. (That is one reason that I think God chose tiny Israel as the place to demonstrate His awesome power).


While we are told we will not know the exact time of the End, God obviously wanted us to know when that time was getting close. The prophecy in God’s word concerning the return of the Jews to the Holy Land started the clock ticking down towards Armageddon. The Bible gives many other examples of signs that should warn us of the coming end of the age. Six such signs are given by Jesus Himself; they are as follows:

1. There will be false prophets and Christs – Matt.24:5;11
2. Wars – Matt.24:7
3. Famines Matt.24:7
4. Earthquakes Matt. 24:7
5. Tribulations Matt 24:8-9
6. The Gospel will be preached throughout the world Matt. 24: 8-9

Revelation 9:16 tells us that there will be an existence of a 200,000,000 man army in the East -(China); 2 Tim. 3&4 tell us that Godlessness and apostasy (falling away from the faith) will abound, (read the paper); Ezekiel 38-2,4,8 tells us Russia will rise; Daniel 12:4 states that there will be an increase in travel and knowledge; Rev. 3&7 tells us there will be instant communication around the world; Rev. 13:16 tells us of the mark of the beast which I believe will be biochip implant technology already in existence

Too tired to go on folks Not to worry this old skeptic is convinced that we are either now living in or rapidly approaching the Last Days. This is great news for Christians, but it also means that time is running out for our non-Christian sisters and brothers and that we should intensify our soul winning efforts.

I am often criticized as being too evangelistic Well DUHHHH!

Have a great weekend and please pray for me on Sunday evening when I offer my testimony in a nearby prison

Luke 21:28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:32 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.”