The King is Coming
Sometimes I use this space to talk about things not (or maybe indirectly) related to Israel. This is one of those weeks.
I was talking this week with a friend. Our conversation was the same one you’ve been having. The unrest in the country is very disturbing.
Many of us wonder what has happened to our country. Some of us have some opinions about that. For what it’s worth, this is mine:
Soon after the Russian Revolution, Lenin and Stalin knew that the U.S. was the world’s lone superpower. They also knew there were many ways to attack. A subtle-but-effective one required sending agents into every sphere of our society: academia, media, politics, religion.
I am convinced there has been an effort for almost 100 years to rot us from within. One could make a good argument that that long-range plan is now producing a harvest. I strongly believe this.
However.
I listened to a bit of Rush Limbaugh—who is fighting his own battle—and he suggested to a listener that she turn off cable news for one week.
What a great suggestion!
So that evening my friend and I were talking on the phone. I said that an idea had just jumped into my head: listen to the Statler Brothers’ version of “The King is Coming.”
Written originally by Bill and Gloria Gaither, the song has an eternal message. In the Statler version, the (what I call “other-worldly”) voice of Lew DeWitt is thrilling.
My friend and I decided to listen to that song that evening at precisely 8 o’clock.
I’ve felt better ever since.
Interestingly, national news got a bit better after that. A couple times a day I check in with Breitbart to see what’s going on.
I said I wasn’t going to really discuss Israel, but I will, briefly. It goes along with my feeling that the world is no longer logical or completely rational. People are doing things that are jarring. General Mattis rips the President (but read up on the General, who I believe is an Establishment/Deep State guy); Drew Brees stands up to the mob, then caves. Actual, elected local officials talk of literally dismantling their local police force(!).
The list goes on and on.
Then I read a piece in the Jerusalem Post, written by Joel Rosenberg, in which he advises Israel to drop annexation plans now. Rosenberg touts (as he often does) his contacts high in the political world. He makes what I think is a bizarre appeal to listen to his buddies in the Arab world, who assure him that no, they do not support annexation but instead are so looking forward to establishing formal agreements with Israel. He writes:
“Thus, while I would love to see the day that more of the biblical land of Judea and Samaria is peacefully incorporated into the State of Israel, count me as one who thinks our first priority should be establishing historic peace treaties, economic ties and strategic security alliances with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and even Morocco and Sudan.”
First of all, the only way a future “incorporated” Israel with Judea and Samaria will come about peacefully is when the King Comes. Rosenberg does know this, doesn’t he?
Secondly, does he seriously believe Israel can trust the Arab dictators? His entire piece in the Post sounds exactly like a paid press release.
My point in all this is, I’m going to listen less to men from now on and listen more to God. Spend more time in Scripture. Spend more time away from network news anchors who hate their country (including some on FOX).
I’ll feel better.
We are going to glory, and sooner rather than later. I love my country and will not go gently into that good night. But I’m mostly looking forward to seeing King Jesus. I’ve been to Jerusalem a good many times.
Can’t wait to see it with Him.
The King is Coming
Happy faces line the hallways
Those whose lives have been redeemed
Broken homes that He has mended
Those from prison He has freed
Little children and the aged
Hand in hand stand all aglow
Who were crippled, broken, ruined
Clad in garments white as snow
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He’s coming for me
(Bill and Gloria Gaither)
Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com