Sound The Midnight Cry

“Fear: The Great Playwright”

It’s hard to imagine but it was ten years ago that the world watched the New Year role in with great fear and anxiety. The culprit: Y2K! That little computer glitch that had the world in a panic as the clocks on computers wouldn’t know how to role over into a new century.

Y2K fears were many: banks would be shut down, power grids would black out as computers around the world would shut down because the computers’ clocks wouldn’t be able to roll over from “1999” to “2000. People horded food during the year leading up to when at the stroke of midnight, the world as we knew it would end. Of course it didn’t end and very few problems were attributed to the Y2K or Millennium Bug.

However, looking back over the last decade, one can’t help but think that the fear generated by that fateful date was more of an icon for the coming ten years than one would have imagined. Consider the following:

• Terror was ushered to the center stage of the world when on September 11, 2001, when it witnessed two planes crashing into the “World Trade Center”.
• Two wars; thousands of lives gone and terror still looms larger than before.
  
• The Doomsday Scenario of planetary destruction by mankind on the environment was perpetuated by politicians, scientist and scam artists.
• Pandemic events from bird flu to H1N1 flu, governments and organizations world wide swung into a media frenzy perpetuating fear to the masses.
• International banking stared into the abyss as a near systemic financial collapse enveloped nations (and it still lingers behind the scenes).
• And now Iran stands on the threshold of securing nuclear materials to usher in a “global chaos” to force the Mahdi out of hiding to institute a world-wide Islamic society.

And like the closing act of decade long Broadway play, on Christmas Day, a Nigerian man tries to blow up an airplane preparing to land with a cocktail bomb sewed into his underwear. And the wheel of fear is once again given a spin.

So just as ten years ago people entered into the year 2000 with fear and anxiety, polls shows that the number one thing on people’s minds deal with fear of a terror strike and all that it entails.

Yet with all this looming on the horizon, 2010 also holds out the bright promise of hope. For when the world sees turmoil, confusion and fear, for those of us who know the truth, it is a period of blessed assurance. Like never before, the fulfillment of biblical prophecies are swiftly taking shape. It is evidence to those that know God, that He is in control and that nothing catches Him by surprise.

So as events continue to move us in the direction foretold, Jesus promised that the generation that witnessed the beginning will not pass until all these things are fulfilled. He also told us that in the last days, peoples hearts would fail them for the fear of the things happening on the earth.

So as the New Year dawns with all its anxieties and questions, remember: No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace!

“The Christmas Nazi Society”

It seems over the past few years that a group of people have become disciples of what I can only describe as “The Christmas Nazi”. They seem bent on doing everything they can to prohibit anyone from celebrating Christmas.

Now for those that don’t understand the “Nazi” reference, I refer you to the 116th episode of NBC sitcom, Seinfeld. The main characters of the show [Jerry, George and Elaine] go out to a soup stand that Kramer [another character—and I mean ‘character’] has been raving about. Its owner is referred to as the “Soup Nazi” due to his temperament and insistence on a strict manner of behavior while ordering. Jerry explains the procedure for ordering which George accepts.

When they get to the soup stand, George follows the procedure but notices that he did not get bread with his soup. Jerry tells him to let it go but he asks for some, and is told he will have to pay for it. George quickly objects claiming everybody in front of him got free bread, and quickly has his money returned and his soup taken back with the catchphrase “No soup for you!”

The episode has become a classic of the series. I was recently in a deli ordering soup and heard someone in front of me telling their friend who was holding up the line trying to decide on what soup to order, “No soup for you!” The whole group began laughing as the leader was donned “the Soup Nazi.”

The term “Nazi” is used as an exaggeration of the excessively strict regimentation the character in the TV show constantly demanded of his patrons. There was no allowance from the demanded protocol and anyone that objected, was quickly ostracized.

As I stated earlier, it seems that this time of year brings out the “Christmas Nazi’s” who are insistent that no one be allowed to celebrate Christmas. They want the named changed to “Happy Holidays”. [In actuality, that would apply to every holiday—New Years, Valentine’s Day, and July 4th among all the others.] They want nativities removed, angels taken down, carols banned and even Christmas trees outlawed—all because of the association of Christmas with Christianity.

For weeks leading up to December 25, scarcely a day goes by that towns, cities, schools and other organizations aren’t presented with a lawsuit by a member of the “Christmas Nazi Society.” It appears that they nearly successfully infiltrated the White House when it was reported that the crèche, annually displayed in the East Room, was not going up this year. After the gasps cleared the air, much discussion finally prevailed to restore the nativity to its traditional White House setting.

The Christmas Nazi Society members are obsessed with making sure that everything from public offices down to the stores you go to conform to their cultural beliefs and they go all out to enforce the “No Christmas for you” clause.

This should not really surprise us as it has its beginning with King Herod when he received the world from the magi of the child’s birth. He tried to wipe out the “Reason for the Season” before it ever began. For 2000 years those opposed to the blessed event have tried their best to destroy it for others.

Yet the angelic words uttered that glorious night continue to transcend the time continuum, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people”—even Christmas Nazi’s!

The irony is that the thing a “Christmas Nazi” fears the most is the good news of a Savior…Jesus Christ. His message? “Christmas for you” that will receive it!

“Christmas All Year Long?”

A news report this week highlighted the saga of 8,000 inmates complaining that the sheriff was forcing them to listen to Christmas music all day long. Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s policy of playing the songs has faced six lawsuits over the past two years for “cruel and unusual punishment” but that has not deterred him from doing it again.

Now I admit that listening to carols all day long, could get old pretty quick but then again, you can’t play these wonderful songs any other time of the year (at least not without people thinking you need to be locked up in a rubber room).

I’ve hearD several people this week remark that they are ready for the holiday season to be over and for life to return to ‘normal’. It’s a shame they feel that way as they not only miss out on the special moments that this time of year brings, but they may also miss the very meaning or purpose of the season.

I think Christmas more than any other time of the year is an opportunity to begin a fresh start with our lives. Why? Because Christmas is all about new beginnings.

The Apostle John writes in his Gospel letter, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1, 14

The Word of God was made in flesh form—a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. This was a first; a new beginning. The angel declared that very night to shepherds, “For unto you is born (new beginning) this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) “A Savior…”—one who saves!

The idea of someone needing a savior denotes that a person is in a situation or circumstance beyond their ability to deliver or free themselves from it. It necessitates an outside force to release or extract them from their ‘prison’ and in doing so, enables them to have a fresh start or new beginning.

That is what John conveyed in his Gospel, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12) “To become” — something new; a gift from God Himself to us when He gave His only Son. So you see, Christmas is all about new beginnings; a new leaf on life—through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Physics tells us that time exists because and when matter exists. But God is not matter; He is Spirit and not bound by the dimensions of time as we know it. And the words spoken that eve of the birth of Christ, transcends the element of time. The words spoken that night are as alive to us 2,000 years later as they were for those shepherds that first heard them. “For unto you (us) is born this day in the city of David a Savior…”

So while some are saying, “I’ll be glad when it’s all over” and others are lamenting “I can’t believe Christmas is almost over”, I would say, “Christmas is never over for those that understand it and have received that precious gift.”

That night long ago when an angel declared to the shepherds  the breaking news, they immediately rose from what they were doing and rushed to witness this extraordinary event. And once they saw Him, they went everywhere telling the story of God’s Christmas gift.

I would suggest this year we stop and follow their example. I think I’ll “go tell it on a mountain”… Merry Christmas!

“Beam Me Up, Scotty!”

“Beam me up, Scotty!” is a catch phrase that made its way into pop culture from the science fiction television series Star Trek. It comes from the command Captain Kirk gives his transporter chief, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, when he needs to transport back to the ship, Enterprise.

No doubt, that’s what some people were thinking this past Wednesday in Norway when a mysterious light appeared in the night sky. The mysterious blue light seemed to soar up from behind a mountain in the north of the country. It stopped mid-air, and then began to move in circles. Within seconds a giant spiral had covered the entire sky. Then a green-blue beam of light shot out from its center. The whole experience lasted for approximately 10-12 lasting for ten to 12 minutes before disappearing completely. The light appears to be unconnected with the aurora borealis, or northern lights, the natural magnetic phenomena that can often be viewed in that part of the world.

Speculation about the phenomenon has been driven by internet bloggers and news agencies. Photos and videos have been posted as millions of people try to find an explanation for the incident. Reports have surfaced that it may have been a Russian missile launched from the Barents Sea area north of Norway. Another report mentioned it was UFO’s welcoming President Obama in picking up his Nobel Peace Prize (I didn’t make this up). Whatever the cause, I am sure that the source of the wonder will be discovered.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but think about the irony that it appeared during the Christmas season. Over two-thousand years ago, a star in the heavens appeared that stirred enough interest to cause magi from the East to travel an extensive journey to find the meaning of its appearance.

Like this week’s Norway incident, the star of the magi also caused a stir among the population under Herod’s rule. The scribes poured through the sacred scrolls to find the answer: “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

This week’s “light in the sky” occurrence does two things:

• It points to the past (the birth of Jesus Christ)
• It points to the future (the return of Jesus Christ to planet earth)

Revelation 6:13-16 says, “Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. The sky was rolled up like a scroll…Then everyone…cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.”

When that event happens, there will be no speculation of what is taking place. There will be no efforts to uncover the “who” or “why” it’s taking place. Christ comes again; this time not as a baby in a manger but as King of kings and Lord of lords. He comes not to bring grace as He did the first time but to execute righteous judgment and to establish a kingdom of peace. At His first coming, they asked where the king of the Jews was to be born; in His second coming He will be brighter than the stars and all will see HIm.

So maybe we should view this week’s event as a Christmas Star of another kind reminding us of what lies just over the horizon of time!

What do you think?

“The Genius of Vilna”

The internet is buzzing with the story of an 18th century prophecy concerning the building of the 3rd Jewish Temple. A centuries-old rabbinical could be coming true on March 16, 2010.

During the 18th century, the Vilna Gaon, a respected rabbinical authority, prophesied that the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem, which was built during his day, would be destroyed and rebuilt twice, and that when the Hurva was completed for the third time, construction on the Third Temple would begin.

On March 15, the reconstructed Hurva Synagogue, considered the most important house of prayer in Jerusalem will be rededicated. It was last destroyed in the War of Independence. In 2001, Israel finally decided to rebuild the landmark, which today stands in the center of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City.

So who is this Vilna Gaon and what else did he say that should cause us to take note?

Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman, known as the Vilna Gaon [the word “gaon” means genius] or Elijah of Vilna, was one of the most influential rabbinic authorities since the Middle Ages. The Gaon's single biggest contribution to the Jewish people was his corrective notes ancient texts, particularly the Talmud. Over the centuries, scribal errors had crept into the various texts [ancient texts other than the Torah itself].

These errors were serious obstacles to advanced study of the Talmud and other texts. The Gaon, with his phenomenal knowledge of the entirety of the Torah literature, was possibly the only individual capable of creating authoritative corrections of these texts. There is almost no ancient Torah text that does not bear the notes of the Gaon.

Why is this important to us today, especially if one is not of Jewish descent? Could it be due to his writing more than 200 years ago concerning the attacks on 9/11?

The earliest Jewish sages spoke of this future Rome as a “branch” of Esau/Edon, and its “industriousness” was a key in recognizing this symbolic Rome. The Jewish Talmad's “Zohar” predicted that on a certain calendar date the future Rome will suffer the “tumbling” of three high buildings, or strongholds - and that this will be the triggering process which will lead ultimately to the coming of the Messiah. It was said that this “tumbling” would occur on the 25th day of the 6th Hebrew month, the month known as Elul. On September 11th, the twin towers fell as did a 47-floor building which was part of the twin towers complex. But in the year 2001, the 25th day of Elul was September 13th, and not September 11th.

Writing in the 18th century, the “Genius of Vilna” stated that the Zohar text which described the devastation in “Rome” of the three buildings on the 25th of Elul was “off by two” (02) days. The Zohar was then corrected so that the most correct version [Sifra d'Tsniutha] reads the devastation will occur on the 23rd of Elul – which was September 11th.

This reveals that the event of September 11th was another sign pointing to the return of the Messiah—Jesus Christ. We also know that the third Jewish Temple will be built at the time of His coming, for the Antichrist will have desecrated that holy place prior to the return of Jesus Christ.

Vilna stated, “The rule is that all that was, is, and will be unto the end of time is included in the Torah, from the first word to the last word.” Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (the Torah) until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:18

2010 is shaping up to be an interesting year—are you ready for it?