This edition looks at how God is “SHAKING THE NATIONS.”

SINCE YOU ASKED
In Haggai 2:7 God says that one day He will “shake all the nations.” While the passage is referring to the time earthquakesurrounding Christ’s Second Coming, the world is getting a preview in high definition. Think about all the devastating earthquakes we’ve seen in just the past three years. Currently, the world is focused on the devastation in Japan. The quake, one of the worst in recorded history, “shifted Japan’s coast about 13 feet” and “knocked the Earth 6.5 inches off its axis,” say experts. With the threat of radiation from the nuclear reactors, it could become a disaster of epic proportions.

We hear a lot about what has happened but little regarding why, and I don’t mean the shifting of tectonic plates. The Bible says that when the end is near, right before the Tribulation Period begins, the earth will suffer “birth pangs.”  False Christs will come on the scene. We will see wars and rumors of wars. Nations will rise against nation and the world will experience unprecedented famines and earthquakes. Sound familiar?

God also says that He will bring judgment on those nations that engage in dividing up His land (Joel 3:2). Have you ever wondered if the “birth pangs” and the judgments could be related? I and others have written about the fact that every “natural” disaster America has suffered over the last ten years corresponds to an American diplomatic attempt to impose  another “land for peace” deal in Israel. Hurricane Katrina, for example, came right after America forced Israel to remove 8,000 Israelis from their homes in Gaza.

Let’s shift our attention to what happened to Japan. You may not have realized that Japan has recently been one the world’s most vocal critics of Israel. Japan has been pushing hard for a redefinition of Israel’s boundaries to correspond to those prior to the ’67 War. Japan has demanded that Israel not build homes for its citizens in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Japan is trying to limit Israel’s control of East Jerusalem and she sees a two-state solution as the only choice.

So, was the recent earthquake a direct message from God against Japan? Only God knows, but we should consider the possibility. What if it was? Then God has sent a powerful message, but who’s listening? The world, including the Obama administration, is hell bent on destroying Israel, our only ally in the region and the only tie to the God of heaven Who controls everything. If we continue our present course, America can expect something even worse that what happened to Japan.

AS I SEE IT
There’s a very ironic twist to this story. Guess who was at the front of the line to offer help and humanitarian aid to Japan. Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a message to the Japanese government, saying that the people of Israel express their deep sorrow over the tragedy in Japan, and that he will work to provide any help that will be required. The Japanese ambassador expressed his gratitude and said that he will convey the message to his government. Upon learning of the disaster Shachar Zahavi, founder and coordinator of IsraAID, The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid, announced that IsraAID/FIRST disaster relief teams, consisting of first responders, search and rescue specialists, logisticians, emergency medical personnel and water specialists, were preparing to travel from Israel to the region within the next 24 hours.

What a picture of God Himself! He is waiting to pour out His mercy and love on anyone, regardless of the life they had led or his hatred for God and His Son Jesus. Christ died for everyone. While hanging on the cross, He said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Judgment is coming, but those of us who have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior can take comfort in the fact that God will not leave us or forsake them, no matter how bad things get. He will be our ever present help in time of trouble.

Are you certain that you’re part of God’s family? Check out HOW TO KNOW YOU’RE HEAVEN BOUND.

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