Hi Wanda:
You have stated, "To suggest he kills innocent people not related to a crime, is contrary to his own divine laws of justice. Otherwise, he would be calling into question his own Righteousness".
Have you never read Luke 13:1-5? Listen to what Jesus says here, very carefully: "There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Jesus gave 2 examples of people that were either intentionally killed (Galileans), or in which they were killed in an accident (Siloam). Jesus knew their thoughts. They were thinking that somehow those people who died "had it coming to them", so to speak. Jesus told them that they, in YOUR words, were "innocent". But in reality, Wanda... Jesus makes it crystal clear that all of them were "sinners" and "offenders". NO ONE is innocent in the heathen world. The only exception is for us Elect, who have BEEN MADE the righteousness of Christ.
The Apostle Paul says in Romans 11:22..."Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off". Those are sobering words, both towards the Jews/world and to every Elect: "IF thou continue..otherwise...".
The Jews in the middle east are what Paul refers to as the natural branches (Romans 11:21,24), who were cut off (for now) so I and other Gentiles would be grafted into the good olive tree (Jesus). Fortunate are we, yes? Why was I chosen? I don't know. I'll share with you all something very interesting regarding those natural branches, a little bit amusing, but mostly sobering. I have seen firsthand how God responds to anyone who boasts against them (Romans 11:18,20,25), and it's a humbling experience for them. I saw one guy (supposedly an Elect) who stated online, "They're not even Jews!" and other ramblings over a short period of time, and you should have SEEN the DRAMA introduced into his life. I had another Elect friend of mine, who I was close to for a while, start forwarding me antisemitic literature, and in the name of the Lord, I told him to stop. Not only did he stop talking to me in email, but he became so bitter that God removed him from ANOTHER forum board. If anyone out there in cyberspace doesn't believe me, try it and see how God responds... Better yet, please DON'T try it.
Secondly, you ask: "If these men of faith considered this physical land of little importance, why should we consider it important?" Actually, I would argue that the physical land, (and the events I am watching!), does have a minor inward spiritual application, which I will discuss later. However, the reason for its significance today is understanding the signs of the times, and just how close we are to the end of this age. The creation of this thread, "End Time Prophecies", is NOT by accident. If anyone in the whole wide world should be watching these developments, it's God's Elect! Babylon is watching these developments, thinking that it pertains to them, hahaha. Sorry for them, but the Lord Jesus has "never known them", and they shall wail and gnash their teeth when they realize they're off to the Lake of Fire. Too bad for them.
Most people viewing this thread understand the precarious nature of the world today, in so MANY different realms. You remember when I said that we are coming up to the 2000 year anniversary of the death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost of our Lord Jesus? Remember what Peter said? "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" [2 Peter 3:8]. A friend of mine reminded me of another verse, which is Hosea 6:2..."After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." AFTER two days? Is all of this a coincidence? I speak as a fool.
And by the way... here is another example of what's eventually coming to this world, courtesy of Zechariah 14:16-19: "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles."
Of course those four verses are all primarily spiritual. However, can you tell me... when in history has that ever been literally fulfilled? Did it happen when Jesus walked the Earth (the 1st time)? How about when Jesus walks the Earth a 2nd time? Ahhhhhhhhh
. And which city is mentioned in those verses? Of course, that physical land has little importance, right?
To summarize my points, God can do with us human beings anything that He wants to do with us human beings, "goodness" and "severity". There is no one, Wanda, in the heathen world who is innocent (or righteous), no, not one. As Jesus said twice in Luke 13.. "repent or perish". Remember how God rebuked Job? "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? (Job 38:2). I just had a cousin who died of Huntington's Disease, which is a nasty genetic affliction that leads to a prolonged deterioration and death. Her mother and sister had/have it as well. Why them? I don't know, but I do know it was God's will, and it could not have been any different. She had a good life, until the disease was manifested. God's goodness, and severity, on display. Is God responsible for that situation? Was God wrong to afflict her and her family with that nasty disease?
That piece of real estate in the middle east has a minor inward cleansing application for me, in that I am encouraged and rejoice in watching what is happening, KNOWING HOW CLOSE WE ARE to the end of this age. No matter what developments will be happening in any realm on this crazy planet, I know that the clock is running down, and this knowledge makes me very happy, glory to God. But I also realize, not everyone will believe me. Oh well, not my problem. However, I do intercede for every Elect, every day, that God will cause massive protection for you all regarding these natural events, so every one of you Elect out there are being petitioned for protection, especially as we move closer to The End. As I always say... stay tuned, more to come.........
Dean