Posted on 06/28/2003 8:49:26 AM PDT by yonif
Since its modern establishment, the state of Israel has been a hotbed of controversy. Jews and Palestinians have long battled over who should rightfully inhabit the land of Israel, a land promised to the Jews 4,000 years ago. In the Bible, the book of Genesis details the covenant God made with the descendants of Abraham.
"On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'to your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river of Euphrates.'" - Genesis 15:18.
For more than a decade, America has led attempts to settle that dispute, each time encouraging Israel to bring its covenant lands to the bargaining table, this time with the "Road Map" peace plan. Bible scholars say that may be a costly decision for the U.S. as America again stands at odds with God's covenant promise.
U.S. Consul General Jeffrey Feltman said, "What we need to do now is implement and focus on how we get the two sides back to a political process and towards the vision of a two-state solution: Israel and Palestine living side by side."
On April 30, 2003, America was positioned as the catalyst to jump-start the so-called "solution" to the Middle East crisis. As U.S.-backed Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas was sworn in, the "Road Map" peace plan was set in motion.
The very next day began the worst month of tornadoes in American history, more than 500 in a single month. Normally, 1,000 tornadoes hit the United States each year, but this year, in just eight days in May, 375 twisters ripped across the heartland of America.
While in Israel, Assistant Secretary of State William Burns told a group of left-wing activists that "common sense" would override the conservative and Christian viewpoints concerning the road map.
May 9th, 2003, President Bush addressed students at the University of South Carolina. Bush called on the Palestinians to embrace the road to peace, and see the flag of Palestine raised over a free nation.
Hours later, tornadoes returned and Oklahoma City again became the bulls-eye for deadly twisters, reducing what was left of businesses and homes to splinters and bricks. The tornadoes of May devastated the Midwest with the third worst property damage in American history. Since then, the Road Map has endured a rocky road to June, coinciding with what may be America's most rain-drenched spring in history.
On the East Coast there have been less than 10 rainless weekends the entire year. And in the West, certain crop-eating pests are having their best year in six decades amid dry conditions.
In the early stages of the Road Map peace process, weather catastrophe and recent violence in Israel have competed for the headlines. That violence coupled with America's own battles at home are leading some to question the Road Map. Is there a connection between dividing the Holy Land and utter disruption? Some Bible scholars think so.
In the book of Joel, God warns against dividing the land of Israel. Joel 3:1-2 says, "...I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of my people and my inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up my land."
Bill Koenig, author of Israel: The Blessing or the Curse, said, "We know for a fact that God gave this land, through the Abrahamic covenant, He gave the land of Israel to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants, and this land is God's land."
Koenig said the U.S. should not consider such chaos a coincidence. "These are warning signals, these are warning judgements to America that this is My covenant land and it's not to be traded for promises of peace and security. This land is not to be parceled," he said.
In the last 12 years, the U.S. has stepped up its efforts to pressure Israel to give up her covenant lands, several times sharing the spotlight with major storms.
On October 30, 1991, in a meeting scheduled by the first President Bush, Israelis and Palestinians discussed ways to achieve peace in the Middle East. Opening talks focused on trading the lands of Israel for a peace agreement.
That same day, thousands of miles away, a powerful storm was brewing off the coast of Nova Scotia. On October 31st, what would be called "The Perfect Storm" smashed into New England, pummeling the President's Kennebunkport, Maine home with waves 30 feet high. It was a storm so rare that the weather patterns required to create it only happen once every 100 years.
August 23rd, 1992, Middle East peace talks resumed in Washington, D.C. The issue remained surrendering the biblical lands of Judea and Samaria in exchange for peace. Hundreds of miles south, Florida was the target of the worst natural disaster in American history. Hurricane Andrew tore through with an eye more than 30 miles wide and winds up to 178 miles per hour leaving a $32 billion disaster.
Koenig said, "The world leaders have attempted to parcel the covenant land, so as Israel's property and land is at risk, so is the property of the nation that's promoting the peace process. And I might add that the greater the pressure on Israel to give up this property, the greater the repercussions and the greater the following events that take place afterwards."
In the Bible, the prophet Zechariah warned the nations that would come against Jerusalem. "On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves," says Zechariah 12:3.
Koenig said, "We have the nations of the world right now siding with the Arabs and the Muslims that are focused on the covenant land, but we know God is standing with the nation of Israel."
Is America playing a dangerous game? As the Road Map peace process encounters resistance, the Bush administration's determination to see it through has escalated.
Secretary of State Colin Powell said, "We have a plan, we have the commitment of leaders and now we have to execute that plan, keep moving forward and not allow ourselves to be distracted or thrown off point, from the promise that's out there with the Road Map, by this surge of violence. We've got to punch our way through it."
But, up against biblical prophecies, Koenig said America is standing against the very Word of God and should expect major obstacles.
"I believe the Lord will allow these events to happen that disrupt the peace process," he said. "As long as you are going to have a terrorist infrastructure that's allowed to co-exist in the nation Israel, we're going to have a problem."
And with those same terrorist groups opposed to America's brand of peace, the future of the Road Map is dim. Israelis maintain they will be relentless to protect their country while all plans to split up the tiny nation may be curbed.
Koenig said, "God loves the nation of Israel. He still, to this day, loves this nation. He is in hot pursuit of the people of Israel. Through these events, we look at the tragedies and we look at the trials, but God's trying to wake up the world."
My understanding is that after he sobered up, he taught Sunday school. It was for a "few" years. In other words the article I read on how long was vague. BTW, he had a drinking problem. Heck, we all have out shortcomings ... atleast he overcame that one.
My understanding is that after he sobered up, he taught Sunday school. It was for a "few" years. In other words the article I read on how long was vague. BTW, he had a drinking problem. Heck, we all have out shortcomings ... atleast he overcame that one.
One more thing, he has an undergraduate degree in History so he SHOULD know all about Muslims and their reign of terror. Surely he can't still believe these are peace loving people after knowing their history.
"Personally I would trust any ten fairys that Bush might appoint to these low level staffer positions than I would any of the idiots that Chuck Baldwin would recommend."
Going from one extreme to the other doesn't become you or make yo credible.
"I mean can you seriously take the advice of people that see God's face in a thunder cloud or attribute every tornado outbreak to God's vengence over Israel. Next Baldwin wont allow divorced people to serve in Government."
Ridicule of others beliefs also doesn't win you any points or friends. It only highlights how pathetic you are.
"He might even prohibit appointments of Catholics, after all some wingnuts consider them a cult."
Instead of the race card you now seek to divide people ... Hmmmmm taking lessons from Hiltery and her gang i.e. "right wing conspiracy". Or do you buy into that one too? LOL!
"Maybe later Baldwin might eliminate all women because according to the scriptures they must be subject to their husbands and barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. "
The more you squeal the more you display how moronic you are. Here's another one for you - "Maybe" Baldwin would put you to death because you are guilty of adultry. (Assuming a woman would have you ... and like ole bill can't keep his zipper up). You see all these extreme allegations only serve to show your extreme ignorance and inability to debate rationally.
"If homosexuality ever becomes accepted in this country it will not be because George Bush appointed some Log Cabin Republicans to low level positions, but because extremists like Chuck Baldwin make the gays look good by comparison."
Still NO comment on all the homos George appointed? Nah, we want to ignore all that, ridiclue, use extreme analogies and make up extreme situations to mock others on a subject you know nothing about.
BTW, since you chose to remain blind ... George Bush CATERS to the 1-2% of the homo segment. Yet, YOU remain silent on this FACT. What George Bush does is ENABLE the homos in their agenda, Dah, how stipid can one be NOT to see that? Surely, YOU get the prize for such stupidity.
I don't. The ten or so gay appointments by your idol George Bush were not taken from a "gay website". I think paranoia maybe setting in with you. Sure you're not "queer"? You get soooo defensive of Bush elevating gays in positions of authority.
"The only position that you mentioned that has any "Power and authority" was the Canadian Ambassador and the person appointed to that position "
Ah, now we're going to MINIMIZE gay positions appointed by Bush. What a hoot! ALL positons that Bush appoints ARE positions of power and authority. Any ONE of those appointments has more clout, power and authority than you'll EVER have well unless you're gay - then maybe ile George will consider you. You see brilliance has nothing to do with it. It's all about your sexual persuasian and it wouldn't shock me if you're a closet gay.
"Face it, five to ten percent of the population is gay."
Fact is 1-2% of the population is gay. And with all the people to chose form ole George picks folks that can't figure out who they should be sexually attracted to. Heavy duty denial of WHO they are made to be attracted to is a tad scarey. There's no telling what other issues allude them. They are NOT normal nor trustworthy. Sorry, if you're gay, that applies to you as well.
Must make you and your religious bigot friends feel pretty inadequate, huh, that GWB would appoint talented homosexuals over moronic nutcases and Gary Bauer butt kissers.
I bet they have to sharpen their own pencils and make their own copies.
I didnt think I did scuz for brains. How is appointing a handful of homosexuals to as you put it POSITIONS OF POWER so threatening to you? If they represent 1-2% of the population, I would be surprised if Bush didnt appoint a few. Unlike Clinton, you can be sure he didnt go out and hire them on the basis of their sexual preference.
Going back to this paranoia you have, why is it again that you are so threatened by these few queers. Are you afraid they are going to seduce you, or do you think they will gather together and rape you. You act like another latent homo badmouthing what he secretly desires. Is that you, a latent homo? LOL!!
Not at all. Ishmael was born after the flesh. Isaac was born after the promise. The Father did not promise Ishmael. He came due to Sarai's (Sarah) lack of faith.
Ishmael's progeny is not the heir(s) of anything although the Father blessed him due to Hagar's cry. He was Abram's (Abraham) illegitimate son. Isaac was legitimate, and the promised one (Genesis 16, 17:21).
Be careful with that one. See Malachi 1:2,3 & Romans 9:13.
The President of the U.S. signed a bill for a city program? Me thinks your information is incorrect (and not just on this particular point).
As far as the other items listed in your post:
Bush has no control over what kind of rally any gay or lesbian group decides to hold. Apparently it wasn't very big - it sure wasn't mentioned on any news shows or in any papers I read.
I doubt Bush has had any time to even think about reversing policies put in place by Clinton re: gays. Seems he's been a bit busy lately fighting the war on terror and dealing with the economy. This argument doesn't hold any water with me.
As to the appointments you mentioned, I will say again, it does not appear he's appointed any to positions from which they can significantly impact the political/moral landscape.
Actually, as was pointed out here earlier, it as given to Abraham and his descendents. Ishmael was one of them.
So you're talking quotas? I was talking appointing the best person for the job.He's suggesting that this is normal and they are equal in judgement to those who are atleast heterosexuals.
He's suggesting that this is normal and they are equal in judgement to those who are atleast heterosexuals.
So Newt Gingrich should have been tossed out on his ear when he told his wife (while she lay in her hospital bed) that he wanted a divorce? That seems very immoral to me. (I agree with Newt on politics, but this was an utterly distasteful act on his part.)
Me: COrrect - exisiting embryonic stem cells even though he LIED to conservative organizations through letters stating that he WOULD NOT okay this. Besides it is WRONG to do this to begin with. So, he blatently lied and compromised himself on embryonic stem cell research.
Sorry, we disagree on this. I don't see how it could be considered a lie. The concern was the destruction of embryoes to obtain their stem cells. With Bush's decision, that is not permitted.
Fine, don't vote for Bush next time. Who will it be? Dean? Kerry? Or will you simply not vote?
Using a little hyperbole there, fella? While you may think that all gays should be locked out of ever working, there are some brilliant ones out there.
Perverted, but brilliant.
If we are going to lock out anyone who practices sin from working, then most likely, your very favorite congressperson would have to be done away with.
In fact, I doubt you'd have a job yourself.
Agreed. And if we are talking from a purely political standpoint, I don't think Israel should have to give up a single inch of land.
But when we start talking about 'don't turn on Israel or God is going to get you,' that's a different thing entirely. The Israel of today is a secular state, not a theocracy. Therefore, we can't be sure that God's warning refers to THIS Israel at all.
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