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. [Zech 12:3 NIV]

Do you care about Israel?   Are you friend or foe?

What about God’s commandment to bless and not curse Israel?

Recently I came across four fascinating pieces I feel compelled to share.

Sandi Shoshani is doing some amazing work in changing lives and saving lives throughout Israel. As Director of Be’ad Chaim (which means Pro Life in Hebrew) – a pregnancy resource center network in Israel, she has a perspective on abortion and it’s impact on world politics you seriously need to consider.

Anyone who honestly says abortion can’t hurt population demographics and the balance of the nations should think twice.

In 2008 – Israel had 140,000 live births and somewhere between 40,000 – 50,000 abortions. Since their inception, Israel has collectively aborted 2 million when their population is only 7 million total today. Had they not aborted their children, Israel would not have a problem facing the challenges of a growing Palestinian population. Abortion matters in the life and death struggles of nations.

Considering that point, take a look at what Michael B. Oren at Commentary Magazine offers regarding the very existence of the modern Jewish state of Israel (or it’s potential demise) with Seven Existential Threats.

And realizing that Israel is not alone in this struggle, Mark Steyn has an excellent article at Commentary Magazine where things are going with radical Islam, how demographics figure into the weakening of Europe and the growing rise of Islam.

Lastly – take a look at this:

Abortion has consequences that reach beyond the personal, impacting the nations.

When calling out the Pope for his trespasses – will Israel admit their own auto-genocide trespass?

Perspective abortion, end-times, Israel

Over the past few days I’ve read several articles on activity in Yellowstone – what’s called a “swarm” of earthquakes.  There has been considerable interest from both professionals and web-based amateurs – (I respect  high quality, dedicated amateurs).  The interest is growing.

If the volcano did blow, it would catastrophically alter the entire world.  I didn’t immediately understand what that meant:

Yellowstone Supervolcano Earthquakes: Update

by James Pethokoukis

A visit to Google Maps focused on Yellowstone and a zoom in (and then out) to understand the caldera gave me a wide-eye opening perspective on the enormity of the potential being discussed, in a way static imagery could not convey.  Using the measurement tool, I drew a 100 mile radius from the top of the lake, and it hinted that certain geological formations may have been from prior eruptions.  The scale is mind-boggling, and Google’s satellite map view now conveys a degree of reality that intensifies the meaning. 

One could quote Scripture,  describe God’s judgment, declare apocalyptic visions etc, but the reality is, any serious eruption would wipe out the agricultural productivity of the American breadbasket.  Huge herds of cattle and farm animals would be wiped out, and air travel would be radically altered for years. Atmospheric conditions would change considerably.  Death, starvation and all such outcomes came into sharp focus.  The political repercussions of how the end times scenarios would take place seem more possible now.

Often we read words, not comprehending the physical reality they represent, unless we can imagine/picture the result and what that would mean.   Christ’s death on the cross is easy to trivialize unless you imagine what it’s like to lie there with hammer blows driving nails through your wrists. 

Matthew 24 took on a whole new meaning this morning.

Perspective end-times, prophecy, supervolcano, yellowstone