What in the World Is Going On?

The news almost leaps off the pages of our newspapers and from our smartphone screens.  Last week was one of those weeks when it seemed that the world was crying out to be heard.  Boston was the scene of tragedy, yet modern technology helped to locate and capture one young terrorist and kill another before greater tragedies could be meted out by this pair of brothers.  Surveillance cameras created incredible images that greatly assisted law enforcement officials.  Yet the question remains as to whether such cameras are an invasion into our rights to privacy.  For those who advocate a greater use of such cameras, Boston will become exhibit A as to their effectiveness.  We would probably be surprised if we knew how many times a day our picture was being taken by unseen cameras. 

What was the motivation for these two young men to wreck such terror upon innocent by-standers just watching the Boston Marathon?  It is being learned that the older brother, during the time he spent in his homeland of Dagastan, one of the former Soviet Republics, had often attended a mosque where anti-American rhetoric was common.  Some say that he had become brain-washed.  And, perhaps he had.  I believe it is time that we wake up and begin to understand that since 9-11 our nation has experienced several terrorist attacks.  What is common to each is that thread of radical Islamic teaching.  I heard a statement on the radio the other day that I thought was very good.  The speaker said, "In America we need to understand that not all Muslims are terrorists, but that all terrorists are radical Muslims."  There are many good, honest, law-abiding Muslims in our country and around the world.  Many just want to be accepted as others are accepted.  Yet, as is so often the case, it is the actions of the few that bring judgment upon the many.  Perhaps it is time that we begin to monitor more carefully the anti-American rhetoric spoken in many mosques, including those here in the United States.  If evangelical pastors are going to be monitored to see if they include any hate-statement against homosexuals with the threat of imprisonment if heard and caught, why should we not monitor anti-American statements in the mosques?  If we are to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of one group, why should another group not have the same infringement made upon them? 

I was interested in the headlines in one of the Jewish on-line services this morning.  "Ex-MI Head: Iran Has Passed Red Line" (see www.IsraelNationalNews.com for April 23, 2013.)  The article reads in part, "Former Military Intelligence head, Maj. Gen (res) Amos Yadlin, said Tuesday that 'Iran has already crossed Israel's new "red line" regarding nuclear weapons development.  Yadlin, who is the Head of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), said that in the summer Iran will reach a distance of one or two months between a decision and a bomb.  That is, it will be able to build a nuclear bomb within a month or two of deciding to do so.  'This will be a breakthrough range that will make it very difficult to stop Iran, when it decides to have a bomb.'"  The article concluded with these thoughts from Yadlin: "Negotiations can succeed if the U.S. creates a credible military option.  This will be achieved if the U.,S. prepares for a surgical strike for stopping the nuclear program and makes clear that it will be able to deal with the escalation that will follow such a strike."  So, once again the threat of some type of pre-emptive strike against Iran begins to take center-stage.  Could we be looking at some type of action late spring or early summer?  Recent talks with Iran proved fruitless; in fact, they sort of laughed at the attempts.  The impact such a pre-emptive strike might have is portrayed very well in Joel Rosenberg's latest books, including "The Twelfth Iman" and "Damascus Countdown." 

Tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula.  The North Korean government has made it very clear that the price for de-escalating its nuclear ambitions would be the lifting of all sanctions imposed upon it.  Many wonder if the North Koreans would be so foolish as to launch some type of nuclear attack upon South Korea or Japan?  Here is just my opinion, so take it as just that - an opinion: the North Koreans could be banking upon the fact that the world is growing tired of war, especially here in America, that they might be betting that the response of the world would be conciliatory rather than retaliatory.  They have observed the rhetoric launched against their ally Iran, but it has been just that - rhetoric.  Perhaps North Korea is acting as a ploy for Iran, being used by Iran to see how serious the world might be in a response.  Whatever the case, I believe the Korean Peninsula will become a very interesting place in the next few weeks, if not sooner. 

Meanwhile the status of things in Syria continues with relentless bloodshed being perpetrated by both sides.  Now comes confirmation that Assad has used chemical weapons against the rebels.  According to Brig. Gen. Itay Brun, head of the Research Section of Military Intelligence for the IDF, Bashar Assad's regime has used chemical weapons in Syria recently.  He said, "To the best of our professional understanding, the regime has made use of deadly chemical weapons against the rebels in a number of incidents in the past few months."  He goes on to state that the physical symptoms suffered by those had been exposed to the chemical sarin were evident: "The reduced pupils, the foam coming out of the mouth and other additional signs provide evidence that deadly chemical weapons have been used."  The General concluded with these words, "There is a huge arsenal of chemical weapons in Syria.  The developments are worrisome; the very use of chemical weapons without a suitable response from the world could signal that this is legitimate."  Sort of troubling words, don't you think? 

I know you are saying, "Max, you certainly are the "doom and gloom guy" this week."  Perhaps I am.  But look around you.  Rumors of war abound on every hand.  And I did not even mention the increase in earthquake activity around the world this past week: Iran, China, Japan, Oklahoma - just to name a few.  Friends, did not Jesus say that these would be signs to look for as we await His return?  I was just reading Matthew 24 where Jesus said, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pangs." (Matthew 24:6-9).  We certainly are seeing these things today.

But then Jesus continues, and this is what caught my attention: "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matthew 24:9-11).  Did you hear what Jesus said?  As we observe the wars and rumors of war, the famines and the earthquakes, we need to prepare ourselves because the next thing that will happen is persecution and hatred by the world.  I believe the Coptic Christians in Egypt know about this, as do the believers in Iran and Iraq and in Saudi Arabia and countless other places.  We are soon going to know it here in America as well.  How we need to be prepared. 

These days are only exciting if one knows of a living hope in Christ.  Friends, take courage because we know how the story ends.  Jesus Christ wins...and we will reign with Him forever.  Amen!