A Week of History and a Week of the Bizarre

What a week this has been in history.  It is good that one takes a look back once in a while in order to remember lessons that should not be forgotten.  Monday, June 4, was the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Midway.  Although it was early in the war, this victory demonstrated the superiority of American naval forces over those of the Japanese.  Perhaps this weekend might be a good time to revisit that battle by renting "Midway" starring Charlton Heston.  It truly is a classic.

Then today, June 6, marks the 69th anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied Forces on the beaches of Normandy, France.  What a horrific scene there upon those beaches as thousands of young lives were lost, yet the beaches were breached, the cliffs successfully assaulted, and the tide of Nazism began to be turned back.  It would take another 11 months for the war to be ended, but June 6 marked the beginning of its end.  Steven Spielberg, in his film "The Saving of Private Ryan," includes a dramatic re-creation of those scenes on the beaches. 

Tomorrow, June 7, will make the 45th anniversary of the recapturing of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War.  Commandos, under the leadership of General Moshe Dyan, fought their way street by street through the Old City until they reached the Western Wall, the most holy place in Judaism.  Who can forget those images of that day.  They will be forever etched upon the memories of Israelis.  It was then that the promise was made that Jerusalem would never be divided again - and it has not been for these 45 years.  If you would like to read a thrilling account of those days, I would encourage you to read "The Six Day War" written by Michael Oren, who is presently serving as the Israeli Ambassador to the United States. 

Well, so much for history.  Let's see what is happening in our world today.  Those of you who are living in Wisconsin are celebrating truly a remarkable victory in the recall of Governor Scott Walker.  The grassroots within that state have spoken that they want government to exercise more care in how public funds - really, our funds as the taxpayers - are being spent.  Hopefully other states and local leaders will sit up and take notice.  Will this outcome in Wisconsin yesterday be a bell-weather for the fall election?  I would be hesitant to make any call on that, at least not right now.

Last Friday the "New York Daily News" published an article by Meghan Neal titled, "Human barcode could make society more organized, but invades privacy, civil liberties."  The author wrote: "Science fiction author Elizabeth Moon last week rekindled the debate on whether it's a good idea to 'barcode' infants at birth in an interview on a BBC radio program.  'I would insist on every individual having a unique ID permanently attached - a barcode if you will - an implanted chip to provide an easy, fast inexpensive way to identify individuals,' she said on The Forum, a weekly show that features 'a global thinking' discussing a 'radical, inspiring or controversial idea' for 60 seconds."  As I read this article I was reminded of something I read in Revelation.  You might also remember that in Revelation 13, the Antichrist will demand that everyone who desires to do commerce, in other words, those who wish to live, must have his mark upon their foreheads and right hands.  Could this be something like a barcode?  Quite possibly.  It seems that everything has a barcode these days. 

Speaking of Revelation, on Sunday FoxNews.com reported on an invasion of venomous spiders into a town in the Assam province of India.  Two people died and scores of others were severely bitten by these spiders.  What has authorities intrigued is that this particular province has no record of having venomous spiders - these are not native there.  So, from where did they come?  That is the unanswerable question.  But, as I read the article I was reminded of those demonic locusts that appear in Revelation 9 and torment mankind for 5 months.  It seems that we are hearing of increased evidence of some rather bizarre things happening in the natural world. Could it be that God is trying to get our attention?  How carefully are we listening?

Finally, yesterday WND reported a story that could have dramatic consequences for believers within the business community.  "A ruling from Judge Tim L. Garcia in the New Mexico Court of Appeals says states can require Christians to violate their faith in order to do business, affirming a penalty of nearly $7000 for a photographer who refused to take pictures at a lesbian 'commitment' ceremony in the state were same-sex 'marriage' was illegal.  Judge's Cynthia Fry and James Wechsler joined in the ruling by Garcia, which involved Elane Photography, whose owners, Elaine and Jonathan Huegeunin, are Christians and declined to do photography for lesbians Vanessa Willock and another woman.  The women complained under the state's anti-discrimination requirements and a state commission, the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, imposed the penalty. ... The judges explained in the 45-page ruling that the photography company is a 'public accommodation' and those cannot discriminate under state law based on 'sexual orientation.'  'The owners of Elane Photography must accept the reasonable regulations and restrictions imposed upon the conduct of their commercial enterprise despite their personal religious beliefs that may conflict with these governmental interests,' the judges wrote.'  Wow!  Could this be the beginning of what we know is coming?  Will the government truly regulate our very businesses as Christians.  Where is that line that can be drawn in the sand?  Friends, I have been saying that persecution is near at hand.  We do need to be prepared!

Friends, aren't you glad that the Lord is coming?  What a precious hope we cling to!