Category Archives: Prophecy

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Jerusalem: Magnet for Christian Visits Part 01

We are all familiar with the 1967 Six Day War in Jerusalem and what transpired. Jerusalem was partitioned between Israel and Jordan after the 1948 War. Then came the Six Day War and Israel captured the Jordanian sector. This included the historic and sacred walled Old City and the Mount of Olives. Many of the Biblical sites are located in these places. At the end of June 1967 Israeli law was applied to eastern Jerusalem, meaning it was annexed to the Jewish state. Then in 1980, the Basic Law of Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of Israel was passed by the parliament, the Knesset.
All of this is well known.
Yet, what is overlooked is that there was a gradual change in a age-old phenomena called Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Like a flowing river, foreign Christians have been coming to the holy city almost from the very beginning of the church age. After 1967, the demographics and numbers of pilgrims would change, slowly but surely.
The first bona fide known Christian visitor who left a record of his journey was Melito of Sardis in the second century AD. Then the Christianisation of the Roman Empire and of Jerusalem caused a spike in visits, starting in the 4th Century AD. At that time Jerusalem went from being a heathen city called Aelia Capitolina to a Christian holy city. Famous pilgrims of that period included Egeria and the anonymous pilgrim of Bordeaux.
Throughout the later centuries the ‘river of Christian pilgrimage’ continued to flow, regardless of who was in charge at the time and despite the risks. . Since the fall of the second temple in AD 70, Jerusalem has been occupied by the Romans, Byzantines, Persians, Arabs, Fatimids (Egypt), Seljuk Turks, Christian Crusaders, Ayyubids, Mamluks (Egypt), Ottomans (Turkey), British, and Jordanians. Since Israel took firm control of Jerusalem, what happened to the ‘river?’ This series will address that question.
Long before the advent of modern international ‘mass tourism,’ religious pilgrimage has been one of the prime motives for travel. This is especially true of the Middle East and the Bible lands, which are at the historic centre of monotheism.
By international standards, tourist arrivals to Israel are still modest, for example, 2.9 million arrivals in 2016, contrasted with 8.3 million in ‘far-away Australia,’ 30.3 million to Turkey, and a whopping 82.6 million to France (the USA had 75.6 million arrivals). Yet, there is evidence that numbers will continue to grow for Israel and the neighbouring countries, in part because of the thriving tourist industry working in tandem with a growing global spiritual awakening.
Some issues we want to explore is in this series of articles include: how have Christian visits to Jerusalem changed since the 1967 war? What do we mean by ‘pilgrim’ and ‘pilgrimage,’ especially contrasting it with ‘tourism?’ And are Christian visitors to Jerusalem and Israel ‘pilgrims’ or ‘tourists’ or both?
Why Do Christians Visit Jerusalem?
Christians have been interested in visiting Jerusalem since the First Century AD. This is somewhat remarkable considering the apparent trend towards ‘de-territorialisation’ found in the New Testament and patristic writings. In the Old Testament, the men of Israel were commanded to appear before the LORD three times a year for the pilgrimage feasts of Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread), Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), and Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16).
Yet, Jesus Christ in the New Testament says:
…the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the      Father…God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:21,24, KJV)
In other words,Now, the Lord says it does not matter where you worship God, only how.
Unlike Old Testament Judaism or Islam, there are no divine or apostolic commands that Christians must visit Jerusalem or holy sites. Like the patriarchs, Christians look for another city, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:16). The earthly Jerusalem is in bondage to her children but the heavenly Jerusalem is free and mother of us all (Galatians 4 :25-26). Historically Christian rule over Jerusalem constituted less than 17% of the city’s history since the time of Christ two thousand years ago.
Despite these factors, many Christians are interested in visiting Jerusalem and the Holy Land (of all Christians who visit Israel, especially on a first visit, 99% will visit Jerusalem)? Why do a growing number of modern Christians travel to the Middle East  –  considered a war zone – and visit the city many consider the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict?
Theology provides the most important reason. Jerusalem is the stage for redemption in Christ, where His suffering and death took place (Luke 18:31-33). The major events of Christ’s passion occurred here. Biblical eschatology plays a significant role in the attitude of many Christians toward Jerusalem. There are great similarities between classic Jewish eschatology and Christian eschatology, except that the Christian sees the coming of the Messiah as the Second Coming of Christ, with Jerusalem as the ultimate destination. For Christians the Holy City serves as the setting for the foundational events of the faith and the intersection of heaven and earth, temporal and eternal, carnal and spiritual.
Add to this the fact that there is 2,000 year old historical association between the Church and the Holy City. This is not to suggest that every Christian has a burning passion to visit Jerusalem, but the many who do visit come from a variety of denominational and theological perspectives. To be continued.
Kameel Majdali is Director of Teach All Nations (tan.org.au), an international Bible teacher, and has led 35 holy land tours. His PhD from Melbourne University was about this very topic. He has written 11 books, including: Melbourne to Jerusalem: A Pilgrim’s Progress in the 21st Century. His 4th annual Australia-Wide ‘Understanding the Times’ Tour with Vision Christian Radio is from 19 August to 29 October 2018. See vision.org.au for more details.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

CULTURE WAR PART 05: A HANDY COMPARATIVE GUIDE BETWEEN PROGRESSIVES & CONSERVATIVES

Progressivism (P) Vs. Conservatism (C)
When you understand a problem, you are halfway towards a solution!
As we have learned, there are two sides of the on-going, half-century old ‘culture war:’ The left-leaning secular progressives (sometimes called ‘liberals’), versus the right-leaning traditional values conservative (also known as ‘social conservatives’). The secular progressives dominate our political parties, mainstream media, academia, big business, some parts of the judiciary, and the entertainment industry. Many mainstream people and some cultural leaders subscribe, at least in part, to the traditional values side.
This handy guide will help distinguish between progressives (P) and conservatives (C).
1. Worldview
P: Concerned with economic material side of man;
C: Concerned with the entire person, including moral & spiritual.
2. Identity
P: Identity Politics;
C: Character (Martin Luther King Jr., in his epic 1963 speech, I Have A Dream, said he wanted his children to be judged by content of their character, not the colour of their skin).
3. Size of Government
P: Large government is the solution (Obama);
C: Large government is the problem (Reagan).
4. Human Nature
P: Human nature is good;
C: Human nature is good & evil, hence the need for ‘checks’ and ‘balances’ in government.
5. Issues of Life & Death
P: Supports abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide;
C: Thoroughly pro-life.
6. Attitude towards Change
P: Change for change’s sake;
C: Only change for the better will do.
7. Immigration
P: Believes in open door, unfettered migration. Borderless;
C: Believes in sustainable, controlled migration. Borders matter.
8. Definition & Redefinition
P: Everything is subject to redefinition, including time-honoured things like marriage, family, gender, mother & father, husband & wife;
C: Prove all things; hold fast to what is good
9. Multiculturalism
P: Multiculturalism: All cultures are equally benign, beneficial, and no culture is superior to any other. Integration into the new country is not encouraged;
C: Melting Pot: Migrants blend into the culture where they now reside. Some cultures are better than others, otherwise, immigration would be two-way traffic between main cultures.
10. Gender
P: Transgenderism: Gender is a social construct, changeable and fluid;
C: Male & female: gender is fixed.
11. Definition of Marriage
P: Marriage redefinition;
C: Marriage integrity. Retains traditional definition.
12. Attitudes towards Wealth
P: Wealth redistribution (Obama: spread the wealth around);
C: Wealth creation
13. Religion & Conscience
P: Freedom of worship (you are free to do as you like only in your home and house of worship);
C: Freedom of religion & conscience (you are free to express and live your convictions, publicly and privately).
14. Freedom of Speech
P: Controlled speech: including political correctness, self-censorship, hate speech legislation, sensitivity lessons;
C: Freedom of speech.
15. Government Regulations
P: Regulations are important;
C: Cut the red-tape, unshackle the economy.
16. Liberalism
P: New ‘liberalism’ where ‘equality is everything’ and the individual’s rights more important than community welfare;
C: Classic liberalism: open to other views, values individualism, freedom and human rights.
17. Welfare vs. Charity
P: Believes in an expansive (and very costly) welfare state;
C: Private charity, family support, and individual responsibility.
18. Interpretation of Key Texts
P: Deconstruction;
C: Let the text speak for itself.
19. Judeo-Christian Morals, Values, Ethics
P: Rejects or minimises Judeo-Christian ethics, values, and morality;
C: Upholds the values of Judeo-Christianity.
20. Social Justice
P: Social justice, which includes radical politics and income redistribution;
C: Justice: rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked.
21. Palestine & Israel
P: Supports Palestine (and hard-left supports radical Islam);
C: Supports Israel. Some can also simultaneously care for Palestinians.
22. Victimhood
P: Focus on victimhood;
C: Focus on victory.
23. Equality
P: Equality of outcomes;
C: Equality of opportunity.
24. Beneficiaries of the System
P: Central planners, bureaucrats & welfare recipients benefit;
C: Innovative, hard-working people and society as a whole benefit.
25. Coercion vs. Cooperation
P: Coercive; cooperation is not optional when enacting the progressive agenda;
C: Cooperative.
26. The Narrative
P: The narrative matters – no matter what is the reality or truth;
C: The truth matters – no matter what is the narrative
27. Marriage & Family
P: Marriage & family are lifestyle options;
C: Marriage & family is the building block of a sound, solid society: a duty and delight.
28. Affirmative Action
P: Believes AA levels the playing field and brings equality;
C: See AA as state sanctioned (reverse) racial discrimination, counterproductive.
29. Wealth
P: Social injustice;
C: Reward for enterprise and/or hard work.
30. Wealth Redistribution
P: Social justice;
C: Theft.
31. Human Condition
P: Views people as ‘have’s’ and ‘have nots;’
C: Views people as ‘cans’ and ‘cannots’ and ‘wills’ and ‘will not.’
32. Attitude to Goodness
P: Likes to ‘feel good’ regarding a particular action;
C: Wants to ‘do good’ and ‘be good’ regarding a particular action.
33. Religious Liberty
P: Takes second place to anti-discrimination;
C: Fundamental to freedom and must be fully preserved.
34. Purpose of Government
P: Give fairness of outcomes; bestows human rights; take care of our needs;
C: Life, liberty, and property; infrastructure and defence.
QUOTES TO PONDER
Equality/Inequality: ’The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal’ – Aristotle
Deficits: ’We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much’ — Ronald Reagan
Capitalism vs. Socialism: ’The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries’ – Winston Churchill
Social Justice: ’The idea of social justice, as Friedrich Hayek observed long ago, is a mirage, a social fiction of the left. There is no ‘society’ that distributes income unfairly, and no ‘society’ that could make the distribution just. Social justice is the rationale for a political elite to appropriate what others have earned and distribute it to their own constituencies to increase their power’ – David Horowitz
‘The Strange Age?’ Consider the following:
•Good is called evil and evil is called good;
•The exception is the rule;
•Fantasy is chosen over facts;
•Rhetoric is deemed more valuable than reality;
•Charisma is cherished more than character;
•Style is preferred over substance;
•Minority rules – and to hell with the welfare of the majority;
•Individual rights trump community welfare;
•The abnormal is declared normal and normal is treated like a disease;
•Intolerance has now become the ‘new tolerance’ & classic tolerance is relegated to the museum;
•Nonsense is now the new ‘common sense,’ while true ‘common sense’ is beaten senseless, survives on a life-support machine, and the knob is about to be turned off.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

CULTURE WAR PART 05: A HANDY COMPARATIVE GUIDE BETWEEN PROGRESSIVES & CONSERVATIVES

Progressivism (P) Vs. Conservatism (C)
When you understand a problem, you are halfway towards a solution!
As we have learned, there are two sides of the on-going, half-century old ‘culture war:’ The left-leaning secular progressives (sometimes called ‘liberals’), versus the right-leaning traditional values conservative (also known as ‘social conservatives’). The secular progressives dominate our political parties, mainstream media, academia, big business, some parts of the judiciary, and the entertainment industry. Many mainstream people and some cultural leaders subscribe, at least in part, to the traditional values side.
This handy guide will help distinguish between progressives (P) and conservatives (C).
1. Worldview
P: Concerned with economic material side of man;
C: Concerned with the entire person, including moral & spiritual.
2. Identity
P: Identity Politics;
C: Character (Martin Luther King Jr., in his epic 1963 speech, I Have A Dream, said he wanted his children to be judged by content of their character, not the colour of their skin).
3. Size of Government
P: Large government is the solution (Obama);
C: Large government is the problem (Reagan).
4. Human Nature
P: Human nature is good;
C: Human nature is good & evil, hence the need for ‘checks’ and ‘balances’ in government.
5. Issues of Life & Death
P: Supports abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide;
C: Thoroughly pro-life.
6. Attitude towards Change
P: Change for change’s sake;
C: Only change for the better will do.
7. Immigration
P: Believes in open door, unfettered migration. Borderless;
C: Believes in sustainable, controlled migration. Borders matter.
8. Definition & Redefinition
P: Everything is subject to redefinition, including time-honoured things like marriage, family, gender, mother & father, husband & wife;
C: Prove all things; hold fast to what is good
9. Multiculturalism
P: Multiculturalism: All cultures are equally benign, beneficial, and no culture is superior to any other. Integration into the new country is not encouraged;
C: Melting Pot: Migrants blend into the culture where they now reside. Some cultures are better than others, otherwise, immigration would be two-way traffic between main cultures.
10. Gender
P: Transgenderism: Gender is a social construct, changeable and fluid;
C: Male & female: gender is fixed.
11. Definition of Marriage
P: Marriage redefinition;
C: Marriage integrity. Retains traditional definition.
12. Attitudes towards Wealth
P: Wealth redistribution (Obama: spread the wealth around);
C: Wealth creation
13. Religion & Conscience
P: Freedom of worship (you are free to do as you like only in your home and house of worship);
C: Freedom of religion & conscience (you are free to express and live your convictions, publicly and privately).
14. Freedom of Speech
P: Controlled speech: including political correctness, self-censorship, hate speech legislation, sensitivity lessons;
C: Freedom of speech.
15. Government Regulations
P: Regulations are important;
C: Cut the red-tape, unshackle the economy.
16. Liberalism
P: New ‘liberalism’ where ‘equality is everything’ and the individual’s rights more important than community welfare;
C: Classic liberalism: open to other views, values individualism, freedom and human rights.
17. Welfare vs. Charity
P: Believes in an expansive (and very costly) welfare state;
C: Private charity, family support, and individual responsibility.
18. Interpretation of Key Texts
P: Deconstruction;
C: Let the text speak for itself.
19. Judeo-Christian Morals, Values, Ethics
P: Rejects or minimises Judeo-Christian ethics, values, and morality;
C: Upholds the values of Judeo-Christianity.
20. Social Justice
P: Social justice, which includes radical politics and income redistribution;
C: Justice: rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked.
21. Palestine & Israel
P: Supports Palestine (and hard-left supports radical Islam);
C: Supports Israel. Some can also simultaneously care for Palestinians.
22. Victimhood
P: Focus on victimhood;
C: Focus on victory.
23. Equality
P: Equality of outcomes;
C: Equality of opportunity.
24. Beneficiaries of the System
P: Central planners, bureaucrats & welfare recipients benefit;
C: Innovative, hard-working people and society as a whole benefit.
25. Coercion vs. Cooperation
P: Coercive; cooperation is not optional when enacting the progressive agenda;
C: Cooperative.
26. The Narrative
P: The narrative matters – no matter what is the reality or truth;
C: The truth matters – no matter what is the narrative
27. Marriage & Family
P: Marriage & family are lifestyle options;
C: Marriage & family is the building block of a sound, solid society: a duty and delight.
28. Affirmative Action
P: Believes AA levels the playing field and brings equality;
C: See AA as state sanctioned (reverse) racial discrimination, counterproductive.
29. Wealth
P: Social injustice;
C: Reward for enterprise and/or hard work.
30. Wealth Redistribution
P: Social justice;
C: Theft.
31. Human Condition
P: Views people as ‘have’s’ and ‘have nots;’
C: Views people as ‘cans’ and ‘cannots’ and ‘wills’ and ‘will not.’
32. Attitude to Goodness
P: Likes to ‘feel good’ regarding a particular action;
C: Wants to ‘do good’ and ‘be good’ regarding a particular action.
33. Religious Liberty
P: Takes second place to anti-discrimination;
C: Fundamental to freedom and must be fully preserved.
34. Purpose of Government
P: Give fairness of outcomes; bestows human rights; take care of our needs;
C: Life, liberty, and property; infrastructure and defence.
QUOTES TO PONDER
Equality/Inequality: ’The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal’ – Aristotle
Deficits: ’We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much’ — Ronald Reagan
Capitalism vs. Socialism: ’The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries’ – Winston Churchill
Social Justice: ’The idea of social justice, as Friedrich Hayek observed long ago, is a mirage, a social fiction of the left. There is no ‘society’ that distributes income unfairly, and no ‘society’ that could make the distribution just. Social justice is the rationale for a political elite to appropriate what others have earned and distribute it to their own constituencies to increase their power’ – David Horowitz
‘The Strange Age?’ Consider the following:
•Good is called evil and evil is called good;
•The exception is the rule;
•Fantasy is chosen over facts;
•Rhetoric is deemed more valuable than reality;
•Charisma is cherished more than character;
•Style is preferred over substance;
•Minority rules – and to hell with the welfare of the majority;
•Individual rights trump community welfare;
•The abnormal is declared normal and normal is treated like a disease;
•Intolerance has now become the ‘new tolerance’ & classic tolerance is relegated to the museum;
•Nonsense is now the new ‘common sense,’ while true ‘common sense’ is beaten senseless, survives on a life-support machine, and the knob is about to be turned off.

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Is Life in Vain? Why Study the Book of Ecclesiastes

One respected conservative scholar called the ‘strangest book in the Bible.’ It speaks in terms that are high and low, mostly the latter. Written by an older man who ‘had it all,’ made some bad moves, and now speaks as one who is in the depths of depression. It’s famous phrase is vanity of vanities, all is vanity? Is this really the case?
Vanity: def. futile, lost, a waste of time, worthless
The book in question is called Ecclesiastes and it is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Perhaps the best way to understand this book is to remember that it is describing life ‘under the sun,’ a phrase used 27 times and apparently no where else in Scripture. Life ‘under the sun’ is talking about natural, carnal living in a fallen world; this is the antithesis of a born-again, fruit-bearing, Spirit-filled life.
If a person’s perspective is 100% under the sun, in the natural, valuing the things of the world, and not living though to the Almighty, the transcendent, then our future will not just be vain, but eternally lost.
It is of interest how many of the philosophies of today’s world have some sort of reflection in Ecclesiastes. These include:
Pessimism: Things will definitely get worse;
Hedonism: Living for the moment in pleasure, often excessively so;
Existentialism: Living for the moment because tomorrow may not come;
Cynicism: A deep distrust of human nature to the point that even the good is not as good as it seems;
Chauvinism: One group thinks and acts as if they are better than another;
Fatalism: It is as it is, you cannot change it. ‘The stars’ have determined it.
All of this is the world’s wisdom ‘under the sun.’ Unless the God-element is introduced, it will all be vain. The author of Ecclesiastes ought to know.
HEBREW NAME FOR ECCLESIASTES
The Hebrew name for Ecclesiastes is qoheleth ‘a preacher,’ one who speaks to a congregation. Can also be likened to the speaker in a house of parliament or congress. In the Septuagint (LXX), the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the word is ekklesiastes (preacher) from ekklesia ‘assembly, congregation.’ The name Ecclesiastes comes from the Latin and is about a ‘speaker before the assembly.’
AUTHOR OF THE ECCLESIASTES
Not explicitly mentioned but answer the following questions:
1.   The author was ‘the son of David’ (1:1);
2.   He was ‘king over Israel in Jerusalem’ (1:12);
3.   He had ‘more wisdom than all they that have been before me’ (1:16).
Only one man fits description: Solomon.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN ECCLESIASTES
•    The portrait of Christ for Ecclesiastes is simple. If vanity means ‘meaningless,’ ‘futile,’ ‘in vain,’ then Jesus Christ is the antidote to these things.
•    When we choose Jesus, we are choosing life, light and blessing for us and our descendants (Deuteronomy 30:19; John 1:4)’
•    We have purpose in life – we are God’s handcraft, created in Jesus Christ for good works (Ephesians 2:10);
•    We are ordained for abundant life (John 10:10ff);
•    We are ordained for eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23);
THEME OF ECCLESIASTES
Life without God, lived for the now in this present fallen world, is not only vain, but vanity of vanity. Only through Godly fear directed to the living God does life have wholeness and meaning. The word ‘vanity’ is used 29 times.
KEY VERSES AND PRINCIPLES IN ECCLESIASTES
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? — Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: — Ecclesiastes 3:1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. — Ecclesiastes 11:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. — Ecclesiastes 12:1; 13-14
SUMMARY OF ECCLESIASTES
The king seeks after the things of the world which are ‘under the sun’ but finds that all of it is vain. Even lofty, desirable things like education, work, fun, mirth, everything is still vanity. He also laments at how unfair life ‘under the sun’ can be: a person will live, work, and die, leaving possessions to someone else (who didn’t work for them). The wicked prosper, the righteous suffer, and the poor are downtrodden. Yet, there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ – fear God and keep His commandments, for one day there will be the judgement: God will judge will right every wrong and reward every right. Stop living ‘under the sun’ and take the long-view, spiritual view, and divine perspective.
OUTLINE OF ECCLESIASTES
I.         Meeting Vanity (1:1 – 1:11)
A.    ‘The Preacher’ introduced (1:1-3
B.     Seeking for meaning in science (1:4-11)
II.      Vanity in Daily Living (1:12-6:12)
A.    Seeking meaning through philosophy (1:12-18)
B.     Through mirth and pleasure (2:1-11)
C.     Through building construction (2:4)
D.    Through possessions (2:5-7)
E.     Through wealth and music (2:8)
F.      Through materialism (2:12-26)
G.    Through fatalism (3:1-15);
H.    Through deism (3:1-4:16);
I.        Through religion (5:1-8)
J.        Through wealth (5:9-6:12)
III.    How to Handle Vanity (7:1-12:14)
A.    A good name is better than precious ointment (7:1)
B.     Curse not the king because he will find out (10:20)
C.     Cast your bread on the waters; you shall find it again (11:1)
D.    Remember your creator in the days of you youth (12:1);
E.     Death: body returns to dust, the spirit to God who gave it (12:7);
F.      Fear God and keep His commandments (12:13).
CONCLUSION: If a life is only lived ‘under the sun,’ it is heading for vanity and a lost eternity. If it is lived ‘under the Son,’ then there is forgiveness, salvation, hope and a future.

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Is Life in Vain? Why Study the Book of Ecclesiastes

One respected conservative scholar called the ‘strangest book in the Bible.’ It speaks in terms that are high and low, mostly the latter. Written by an older man who ‘had it all,’ made some bad moves, and now speaks as one who is in the depths of depression. It’s famous phrase is vanity of vanities, all is vanity? Is this really the case?
Vanity: def. futile, lost, a waste of time, worthless
The book in question is called Ecclesiastes and it is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Perhaps the best way to understand this book is to remember that it is describing life ‘under the sun,’ a phrase used 27 times and apparently no where else in Scripture. Life ‘under the sun’ is talking about natural, carnal living in a fallen world; this is the antithesis of a born-again, fruit-bearing, Spirit-filled life.
If a person’s perspective is 100% under the sun, in the natural, valuing the things of the world, and not living though to the Almighty, the transcendent, then our future will not just be vain, but eternally lost.
It is of interest how many of the philosophies of today’s world have some sort of reflection in Ecclesiastes. These include:
Pessimism: Things will definitely get worse;
Hedonism: Living for the moment in pleasure, often excessively so;
Existentialism: Living for the moment because tomorrow may not come;
Cynicism: A deep distrust of human nature to the point that even the good is not as good as it seems;
Chauvinism: One group thinks and acts as if they are better than another;
Fatalism: It is as it is, you cannot change it. ‘The stars’ have determined it.
All of this is the world’s wisdom ‘under the sun.’ Unless the God-element is introduced, it will all be vain. The author of Ecclesiastes ought to know.
HEBREW NAME FOR ECCLESIASTES
The Hebrew name for Ecclesiastes is qoheleth ‘a preacher,’ one who speaks to a congregation. Can also be likened to the speaker in a house of parliament or congress. In the Septuagint (LXX), the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the word is ekklesiastes (preacher) from ekklesia ‘assembly, congregation.’ The name Ecclesiastes comes from the Latin and is about a ‘speaker before the assembly.’
AUTHOR OF THE ECCLESIASTES
Not explicitly mentioned but answer the following questions:
1.   The author was ‘the son of David’ (1:1);
2.   He was ‘king over Israel in Jerusalem’ (1:12);
3.   He had ‘more wisdom than all they that have been before me’ (1:16).
Only one man fits description: Solomon.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN ECCLESIASTES
•    The portrait of Christ for Ecclesiastes is simple. If vanity means ‘meaningless,’ ‘futile,’ ‘in vain,’ then Jesus Christ is the antidote to these things.
•    When we choose Jesus, we are choosing life, light and blessing for us and our descendants (Deuteronomy 30:19; John 1:4)’
•    We have purpose in life – we are God’s handcraft, created in Jesus Christ for good works (Ephesians 2:10);
•    We are ordained for abundant life (John 10:10ff);
•    We are ordained for eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23);
THEME OF ECCLESIASTES
Life without God, lived for the now in this present fallen world, is not only vain, but vanity of vanity. Only through Godly fear directed to the living God does life have wholeness and meaning. The word ‘vanity’ is used 29 times.
KEY VERSES AND PRINCIPLES IN ECCLESIASTES
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? — Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: — Ecclesiastes 3:1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. — Ecclesiastes 11:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. — Ecclesiastes 12:1; 13-14
SUMMARY OF ECCLESIASTES
The king seeks after the things of the world which are ‘under the sun’ but finds that all of it is vain. Even lofty, desirable things like education, work, fun, mirth, everything is still vanity. He also laments at how unfair life ‘under the sun’ can be: a person will live, work, and die, leaving possessions to someone else (who didn’t work for them). The wicked prosper, the righteous suffer, and the poor are downtrodden. Yet, there is ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ – fear God and keep His commandments, for one day there will be the judgement: God will judge will right every wrong and reward every right. Stop living ‘under the sun’ and take the long-view, spiritual view, and divine perspective.
OUTLINE OF ECCLESIASTES
I.         Meeting Vanity (1:1 – 1:11)
A.    ‘The Preacher’ introduced (1:1-3
B.     Seeking for meaning in science (1:4-11)
II.      Vanity in Daily Living (1:12-6:12)
A.    Seeking meaning through philosophy (1:12-18)
B.     Through mirth and pleasure (2:1-11)
C.     Through building construction (2:4)
D.    Through possessions (2:5-7)
E.     Through wealth and music (2:8)
F.      Through materialism (2:12-26)
G.    Through fatalism (3:1-15);
H.    Through deism (3:1-4:16);
I.        Through religion (5:1-8)
J.        Through wealth (5:9-6:12)
III.    How to Handle Vanity (7:1-12:14)
A.    A good name is better than precious ointment (7:1)
B.     Curse not the king because he will find out (10:20)
C.     Cast your bread on the waters; you shall find it again (11:1)
D.    Remember your creator in the days of you youth (12:1);
E.     Death: body returns to dust, the spirit to God who gave it (12:7);
F.      Fear God and keep His commandments (12:13).
CONCLUSION: If a life is only lived ‘under the sun,’ it is heading for vanity and a lost eternity. If it is lived ‘under the Son,’ then there is forgiveness, salvation, hope and a future.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

What is the Church Part 03: What Does the Church Do?

This is the third part of our series ‘What is the Church?’
In Part 01, we focused on the Founder and Head of the Church, who is Jesus Christ.
In Part 02, we defined what Church is – the ekklesia or ‘called out’ assembly of people who believe that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of the living God. The universal church consists of these born-again believers from the Day of Pentecost until the Lord’s return.
In Part 03, we will look at what does the church actually do?
Acts 2:42-47 (KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
On the surface, a church gatherings could resemble a variety of other kinds of gathering: community picnic, sporting club, a fun day out. From all appearances, church people dress and act can look like others: laughing, talking, eating, and listening.
Yet, the church is distinct from any other type of human gathering. Using the above text of Acts 2, here are some of the main things that churches can do:
1.     Apostles’ doctrine (teaching, Bible study, etc.). In Acts, the church was instructed in the things that the apostles of Jesus learned while He was with them – as well as what the Holy Spirit taught since the Day of Pentecost. For us today, ‘apostles’ doctrine’ means the teachings of Scripture, practically applied to our lives today. When people don’t know or understand the Word of God, they will go into error (Psalm 119:105; Matt. 22:29).
2.     Fellowship (koinonia): Sharing, caring, communication, communion, fellowship, association, participation. Christian fellowship is far more than ‘a few mates’ spending time together. It means deep sharing spawned out of deep caring (see point 6). The church should be inclusive, not exclusive. Unfriendliness, cliques, and snobbery have a no place in a Biblical, Spirit-filled church;
3.     Breaking of bread: can mean the breaking of a large, oblong loaf a bread. It can mean food of any kind, like a normal meal. We often associate this with the Church ’ordinance’ of holy communion, also known as the Eucharist. Protestant/Evangelical/Pentecostal Christianity has two ordinances. Water baptism and holy communion. One ordinance we do once; the other we do regularly. There were probably meals eaten ‘at church,’ not just taking communion.
4.     Prayers: The Greek word proseuchē can mean a simple prayer aimed to Almighty God. It can also speak of a place of prayer, like a synagogue or the open air. Regardless of the venue, the power of corporate prayer is undeniable.
5.     Acts of power (V. 43): The church is a place where the ‘supernatural’ is ‘natural’ or normal. They were clearly a Spirit-filled community (Acts 2:4) and acts of power were the result. While many churches treat the supernatural aspects of Christian living as belonging only to the First Century AD, the century-old outpouring the of the Holy Spirit is meant to enhance our connection to the supernatural.
6.     Community (V. 44-45): Believers were together and shared in common. This means they took care of each others needs. It is like a family. Some people look at this as a ancient form of communism; but it was not. Communism was coercive, the church voluntary; communism was atheistic, the church totally God-centred; communism failed, the church thrives. In the western world, we would do well to recapture the sense of community where ‘caring and sharing’ are normative; the Christian Church is the best place to do it.
7.     Praise and worship (V. 47; Hebrews 13:15): We are called to be a Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; Jude 20), in order to function powerfully and properly. Praising God, along with prayer and the other things mentioned, truly set the church apart. The born-again, Spirit-filled church is a church that praises God continually and whole-heartedly. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3) and miracles occur in the atmosphere of praise and faith. Other items not directly mentioned in Acts 2:42-47 include:
8.     Pastoral care: (I Peter 5:1-3). Contrary to popular opinion, the church does not exist to ‘meet my needs.’ It exists to honour, worship, and serve God. Yet, because of the spirit of koinonia and love, the church is meant to be a place that truly cares for its own. Pastoral care is important but it need not be limited to full-time pastors. The members of the caring sharing community can all provide care for its members. That’s one of the benefits of home groups; it spreads the pastoral care load around.
9.     Obedience: attending church is in obedience to God’s command (Hebrews 10:25); yet church is not just a duty, but a delight.
10. Discipline: (Matthew 18:15-17; II Corinthians 13:1-10). Church gives us not just fellowship, but accountability. It allows good, Godly, mature people to speak into our lives. Without discipline, we will go astray. It is for our good.
When the church properly functions properly, Acts 2:47 is fulfilled:
1.     Praising God;
2.     Favour with the people;
3.     The LORD will add to the church those who are being saved.
Next time: what is the mission of the church?

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

What is the Church Part 03: What Does the Church Do?

This is the third part of our series ‘What is the Church?’
In Part 01, we focused on the Founder and Head of the Church, who is Jesus Christ.
In Part 02, we defined what Church is – the ekklesia or ‘called out’ assembly of people who believe that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of the living God. The universal church consists of these born-again believers from the Day of Pentecost until the Lord’s return.
In Part 03, we will look at what does the church actually do?
Acts 2:42-47 (KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
On the surface, a church gatherings could resemble a variety of other kinds of gathering: community picnic, sporting club, a fun day out. From all appearances, church people dress and act can look like others: laughing, talking, eating, and listening.
Yet, the church is distinct from any other type of human gathering. Using the above text of Acts 2, here are some of the main things that churches can do:
1.     Apostles’ doctrine (teaching, Bible study, etc.). In Acts, the church was instructed in the things that the apostles of Jesus learned while He was with them – as well as what the Holy Spirit taught since the Day of Pentecost. For us today, ‘apostles’ doctrine’ means the teachings of Scripture, practically applied to our lives today. When people don’t know or understand the Word of God, they will go into error (Psalm 119:105; Matt. 22:29).
2.     Fellowship (koinonia): Sharing, caring, communication, communion, fellowship, association, participation. Christian fellowship is far more than ‘a few mates’ spending time together. It means deep sharing spawned out of deep caring (see point 6). The church should be inclusive, not exclusive. Unfriendliness, cliques, and snobbery have a no place in a Biblical, Spirit-filled church;
3.     Breaking of bread: can mean the breaking of a large, oblong loaf a bread. It can mean food of any kind, like a normal meal. We often associate this with the Church ’ordinance’ of holy communion, also known as the Eucharist. Protestant/Evangelical/Pentecostal Christianity has two ordinances. Water baptism and holy communion. One ordinance we do once; the other we do regularly. There were probably meals eaten ‘at church,’ not just taking communion.
4.     Prayers: The Greek word proseuchē can mean a simple prayer aimed to Almighty God. It can also speak of a place of prayer, like a synagogue or the open air. Regardless of the venue, the power of corporate prayer is undeniable.
5.     Acts of power (V. 43): The church is a place where the ‘supernatural’ is ‘natural’ or normal. They were clearly a Spirit-filled community (Acts 2:4) and acts of power were the result. While many churches treat the supernatural aspects of Christian living as belonging only to the First Century AD, the century-old outpouring the of the Holy Spirit is meant to enhance our connection to the supernatural.
6.     Community (V. 44-45): Believers were together and shared in common. This means they took care of each others needs. It is like a family. Some people look at this as a ancient form of communism; but it was not. Communism was coercive, the church voluntary; communism was atheistic, the church totally God-centred; communism failed, the church thrives. In the western world, we would do well to recapture the sense of community where ‘caring and sharing’ are normative; the Christian Church is the best place to do it.
7.     Praise and worship (V. 47; Hebrews 13:15): We are called to be a Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; Jude 20), in order to function powerfully and properly. Praising God, along with prayer and the other things mentioned, truly set the church apart. The born-again, Spirit-filled church is a church that praises God continually and whole-heartedly. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3) and miracles occur in the atmosphere of praise and faith. Other items not directly mentioned in Acts 2:42-47 include:
8.     Pastoral care: (I Peter 5:1-3). Contrary to popular opinion, the church does not exist to ‘meet my needs.’ It exists to honour, worship, and serve God. Yet, because of the spirit of koinonia and love, the church is meant to be a place that truly cares for its own. Pastoral care is important but it need not be limited to full-time pastors. The members of the caring sharing community can all provide care for its members. That’s one of the benefits of home groups; it spreads the pastoral care load around.
9.     Obedience: attending church is in obedience to God’s command (Hebrews 10:25); yet church is not just a duty, but a delight.
10. Discipline: (Matthew 18:15-17; II Corinthians 13:1-10). Church gives us not just fellowship, but accountability. It allows good, Godly, mature people to speak into our lives. Without discipline, we will go astray. It is for our good.
When the church properly functions properly, Acts 2:47 is fulfilled:
1.     Praising God;
2.     Favour with the people;
3.     The LORD will add to the church those who are being saved.
Next time: what is the mission of the church?

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

When the Taps Run Dry: Understanding the Cape Town Water Crisis

Among the major cities of the world, this one is considered among the most beautiful. It possesses a dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain, Mediterranean-style climate, fertile vineyards in the mountainous hinterland, and sandwiched between Table Bay to the west and False Bay to the east. Equipped with world class hotels, malls, restaurants, highways, and stunning scenery, it is a top global tourist destination. This jewel of a city is called Cape Town, the mother city of South Africa.
Forty kilometres away to the south is the famous ‘Cape Point.’ Known in history as ‘The Cape of Storms,’ it was optimistically renamed ‘The Cape of Good Hope.’ This is where the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean meet the cooler waters of the Atlantic. Until the Suez Canal was built, Europe had no choice but to sail around the Cape en route to India and the East.
I have been to Cape Town 3 times and it never fails to impress. One of the most memorable experiences of my life was climbing Table Mountain with an experienced mountain-climber: high and steep, you feel like you are in a remote national park, but when you look down, there are the skyscrapers of a major metropolis below.
After three years of severe drought, Cape Town is about to get another distinction: Barring a miracle of abundant rainfall, it will be the first major city in modern times to run out of water! The city is serviced by 6 dams in arid areas. The biggest is Theewaterskloof Dam which, at present, has no more than 12% capacity of water.
Consider that the city’s population has grown 79% from 2.4 million in 1995 to 4.3 million today, yet its water storage has only increased by 15%. This in itself means the city was ill-prepared for a time of drought.
As one who teaches on Bible prophecy and the last days, if anything conjures up a poignant image of the end times, it is Cape Town running out of water. More than ballooning western debt – which at this point seems abstract; more than Middle Eastern tension, wars and jihadism – which we treat as if it is were another planet, Cape Town’s water crisis hits close to home. The reason is that if it could happen here, it can happen anywhere.
Waiting for Day Zero
Presently, the citizens of Cape Town can only use 50 litres of water a day. Remember, the average western home uses over 300 litres. If the rains don’t come, Day Zero will. This date when the city turns off the water taps (faucets). It may be in May, it maybe in June. After this date, the only way to get water in Cape Town will be from one of 200 collection points, which will be supervised by the army and police. Residents can obtain 25 litres of water, per person, per day. It will be for cooking, washing, and personal care. The maximum amount of people that can be serviced at a given collection point is 20,000.
Remember, Cape Town is no third world metropolis. Its infrastructure and setting would be the envy of any western city. Simultaneously a very European city yet increasingly African, it is also a uneven city: there are multi-million dollar homes and Babel-high skyscrapers in the inner city, inland suburbs, and the coast. This where mostly white people live. Yet, in the flat inland areas are the shanty-towns where poor people, mostly black, live. Rich or poor, white or black, the paucity of water affects all them now, and will even more so if Day Zero comes to pass.
As far back as 1990, there were predictions that Cape Town could run out of water. Desalination was deemed too cumbersome and impractical, and the one at Mossel Bay was ‘mothballed’ due to expense. Cape Town is not run by the African National Congress (ANC), but the Democratic Alliance (DA). This is considered the white-influenced opposition to the ANC. The DA has some experience and clout, yet it has not come up to speed in handling this emergency situation. The DA has encouraged big money development but with this came big water consumption, that needs to be reigned in. The ANC national government has not helped, either. Water is under local governance, however, the bulk national infrastructure is under the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Outside help was available. Modern Israel has been innovative with water conservation: despite its growing population, limited rainfall and arid climate, Israel has sufficient water for agriculture and people. It regularly offers its expertise to developing countries in Asia and Africa. In February 2016, Israel planned a Johannesburg water conference in order to share its insights. Yet, the South African government, which promotes the Palestinian cause and has excellent relations with Hamas, cancelled the conference in deference to BDS (Boycott, Disinvestment, and Sanctions Movement against Israel). It is possible that Day Zero could have been cancelled had they been willing learned the lessons.
How Should We Respond?
First, recognise that many cities worldwide could be exactly in the same situation as Cape Town. Sao Paulo, largest city in the western hemisphere, is at risk. Ten years ago Barcelona was on the brink. Australia can not be complacent at all: Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne are particularly vulnerable.

Prayer does wonders. In the Bible, church history, and today, prayer and falling rain go hand-in-hand (I Kings 8:35-36). Remember, this is not just Cape Town’s challenge: this challenge belongs to us all. So let’s pray for a move of God and a release of rain.
From a practical point of view, water is as any other resource, like time and money. When supplies run low, there are two things we must do: reduce consumption and increase sources. Water should be treated with respect and restraint. Long showers, letting the tap run unrestrained while you brush your teeth, toilets with only full-flush capacity rather than 1/2, are bad habits that need to be broken.
In ancient Israel, Herod the Great built the hilltop fortress of Masada, which could house 1,000 people and had enough water for 1-2 years. This is in the Dead Sea region where rainfall is no more than 5 cm (2 inches) a year, at most. The ancient Nabateans built impressive cities across the arid Negev, with plenty of water, though the rainfall was the same low level. They learned how to capture and conserve every drop of rain.
We need to learn how to do the same – rather than letting the rain water go into the drains and out to sea. Avoid wastage, plug the leaks (sometimes up to 30% of water is lost due to leaky pipes). Such commonsense methods can do wonders.
The people of Cape Town, many who are Christians, have their chance to pray, show resilience, and bounce back to full strength, setting an example for us all.
Let’s give them our full prayerful support.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

When the Taps Run Dry: Understanding the Cape Town Water Crisis

Among the major cities of the world, this one is considered among the most beautiful. It possesses a dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain, Mediterranean-style climate, fertile vineyards in the mountainous hinterland, and sandwiched between Table Bay to the west and False Bay to the east. Equipped with world class hotels, malls, restaurants, highways, and stunning scenery, it is a top global tourist destination. This jewel of a city is called Cape Town, the mother city of South Africa.
Forty kilometres away to the south is the famous ‘Cape Point.’ Known in history as ‘The Cape of Storms,’ it was optimistically renamed ‘The Cape of Good Hope.’ This is where the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean meet the cooler waters of the Atlantic. Until the Suez Canal was built, Europe had no choice but to sail around the Cape en route to India and the East.
I have been to Cape Town 3 times and it never fails to impress. One of the most memorable experiences of my life was climbing Table Mountain with an experienced mountain-climber: high and steep, you feel like you are in a remote national park, but when you look down, there are the skyscrapers of a major metropolis below.
After three years of severe drought, Cape Town is about to get another distinction: Barring a miracle of abundant rainfall, it will be the first major city in modern times to run out of water! The city is serviced by 6 dams in arid areas. The biggest is Theewaterskloof Dam which, at present, has no more than 12% capacity of water.
Consider that the city’s population has grown 79% from 2.4 million in 1995 to 4.3 million today, yet its water storage has only increased by 15%. This in itself means the city was ill-prepared for a time of drought.
As one who teaches on Bible prophecy and the last days, if anything conjures up a poignant image of the end times, it is Cape Town running out of water. More than ballooning western debt – which at this point seems abstract; more than Middle Eastern tension, wars and jihadism – which we treat as if it is were another planet, Cape Town’s water crisis hits close to home. The reason is that if it could happen here, it can happen anywhere.
Waiting for Day Zero
Presently, the citizens of Cape Town can only use 50 litres of water a day. Remember, the average western home uses over 300 litres. If the rains don’t come, Day Zero will. This date when the city turns off the water taps (faucets). It may be in May, it maybe in June. After this date, the only way to get water in Cape Town will be from one of 200 collection points, which will be supervised by the army and police. Residents can obtain 25 litres of water, per person, per day. It will be for cooking, washing, and personal care. The maximum amount of people that can be serviced at a given collection point is 20,000.
Remember, Cape Town is no third world metropolis. Its infrastructure and setting would be the envy of any western city. Simultaneously a very European city yet increasingly African, it is also a uneven city: there are multi-million dollar homes and Babel-high skyscrapers in the inner city, inland suburbs, and the coast. This where mostly white people live. Yet, in the flat inland areas are the shanty-towns where poor people, mostly black, live. Rich or poor, white or black, the paucity of water affects all them now, and will even more so if Day Zero comes to pass.
As far back as 1990, there were predictions that Cape Town could run out of water. Desalination was deemed too cumbersome and impractical, and the one at Mossel Bay was ‘mothballed’ due to expense. Cape Town is not run by the African National Congress (ANC), but the Democratic Alliance (DA). This is considered the white-influenced opposition to the ANC. The DA has some experience and clout, yet it has not come up to speed in handling this emergency situation. The DA has encouraged big money development but with this came big water consumption, that needs to be reigned in. The ANC national government has not helped, either. Water is under local governance, however, the bulk national infrastructure is under the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Outside help was available. Modern Israel has been innovative with water conservation: despite its growing population, limited rainfall and arid climate, Israel has sufficient water for agriculture and people. It regularly offers its expertise to developing countries in Asia and Africa. In February 2016, Israel planned a Johannesburg water conference in order to share its insights. Yet, the South African government, which promotes the Palestinian cause and has excellent relations with Hamas, cancelled the conference in deference to BDS (Boycott, Disinvestment, and Sanctions Movement against Israel). It is possible that Day Zero could have been cancelled had they been willing learned the lessons.
How Should We Respond?
First, recognise that many cities worldwide could be exactly in the same situation as Cape Town. Sao Paulo, largest city in the western hemisphere, is at risk. Ten years ago Barcelona was on the brink. Australia can not be complacent at all: Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne are particularly vulnerable.

Prayer does wonders. In the Bible, church history, and today, prayer and falling rain go hand-in-hand (I Kings 8:35-36). Remember, this is not just Cape Town’s challenge: this challenge belongs to us all. So let’s pray for a move of God and a release of rain.
From a practical point of view, water is as any other resource, like time and money. When supplies run low, there are two things we must do: reduce consumption and increase sources. Water should be treated with respect and restraint. Long showers, letting the tap run unrestrained while you brush your teeth, toilets with only full-flush capacity rather than 1/2, are bad habits that need to be broken.
In ancient Israel, Herod the Great built the hilltop fortress of Masada, which could house 1,000 people and had enough water for 1-2 years. This is in the Dead Sea region where rainfall is no more than 5 cm (2 inches) a year, at most. The ancient Nabateans built impressive cities across the arid Negev, with plenty of water, though the rainfall was the same low level. They learned how to capture and conserve every drop of rain.
We need to learn how to do the same – rather than letting the rain water go into the drains and out to sea. Avoid wastage, plug the leaks (sometimes up to 30% of water is lost due to leaky pipes). Such commonsense methods can do wonders.
The people of Cape Town, many who are Christians, have their chance to pray, show resilience, and bounce back to full strength, setting an example for us all.
Let’s give them our full prayerful support.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

THE BIBLE SAYS: A TRIBUTE TO BILLY GRAHAM (1918-2018)

Just 8 1/2 months shy of his 100th birthday, Evangelist Billy Graham (November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) died peacefully at his home in Montreal, North Carolina. His longevity, influence, and role modelling have been epic. In a 60 year plus evangelistic career, it is estimated that he evangelised 210 million people in 185 nations, with 3.2 million recorded decisions for Christ. His most famous phrase in preaching: The Bible Says.
Graham met many world leaders and was confidant to 12 US Presidents. He didn’t limit his ministry to personal appearances: Billy harnessed the media and written material to get the gospel message out. So well-known and respected was Billy Graham that he was called ‘America’s Pastor’ and the ‘Protestant Pope.’ He was given a Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan. Hollywood even gave him his own ‘Billy Graham Star’ on the city’s footpath.
Photo the front of page of the Słowo Prawdy, Poland, 1966. Public domain.

The Bible says: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes — Matthew 7:29
A story is told that Graham, as a young man, wrestled with the issues of the authority and inerrancy of the Bible. Somehow, despite the doubts which tried to eclipse his convictions, the gift of faith descended on him and he rose up, clutching the Bible, and declared that he believed this book – every word of it –  is the every word ofGod. From that point, he went forth to preach the gospel with authority, and ‘not as the scribes.’
Billy’s big break happened early in his ministry. His ‘canvas cathedral’ in the Los Angeles revival of 1949 gave him a national profile. In his 12 week London crusade in 1954, Graham ministered to 2 million people. Madison Square Gardens crusades in New York 1957 was a home-run, too. People in Melbourne still remember Graham’s visit in 1959. From these events, and more to come, Graham’s ministry went from strength-to-strength.
Though a dedicated evangelical, Graham was willing to raise the ire of narrow fundamentalists by working with a variety of churches. He also insisted that his meetings be interracial, a real ground-breaker for a Southerner over 50 to 60 years ago. His attitude: ‘I intend to go anywhere, sponsored by anyone, to preach the gospel of Christ.’
The Bible Says: Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men  — Proverbs 22:29
Billy Graham was the ‘Pastor to the Presidents,’ starting with Harry S. Truman and finishing with Barack H. Obama. Graham was particularly close to Lyndon B. Johnson, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, where he was their chief spiritual advisor. In fact, Bill Clinton became a Christian as a child while attending a Billy Graham crusade. Ironically, the Presidents he was least close to were his fellow Baptists Truman and Jimmy Carter. At the age of 98, he was unable to visit the White House with current President Donald J. Trump, though son Franklin prayed at his 2017 inauguration.
Describing Billy Graham
When thinking about the life of Billy Graham, certain adjectives come to mind:
Consistency: Graham did not gyrate from one fad to another; he was focused on one thing and one thing only: do the work of an evangelist. This consistency over a 60 year plus period is remarkable and inspiring.
The Bible Says: But you be watchful in all things endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry — II Timothy 4:5
Integrity: Unlike some televangelist and high profile ministers, Billy Graham was never tainted with a whiff of scandal, personally, professionally, or financially. He kept himself above reproach in public and public dealings. Graham showed great propriety in his conduct with the opposite sex, thus scandal-proofing his ministry. People of integrity are supremely trustworthy and Graham would fit that description to a ’T.’
Loyalty: Billy Graham exhibited a rare loyalty to his friends that is most remarkable, almost to a fault. He stuck with US President Nixon during the heat of the Watergate scandal almost until the very end. He forgave Bill Clinton at the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The Grahams remained loyal to televangelist Jimmy Bakker, who they considered a friend; Franklin Graham even visited him in prison, even though there was the risk of ‘guilt by association.’
The Bible Says:Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy — Matthew 5:7
Mercy: Billy’s loyalty may have been based on his merciful side. If its a choice between being too judgmental versus being too merciful, best err on the side of mercy. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount that the merciful will receive mercy. The message is simple yet profound: be merciful to others and when you need mercy, you will get it.
Billy’s inclination to mercy would help him in his latter years. Back in 1972, Graham had a meeting with President Nixon in the Oval Office. He may or may not have known that every word uttered in that office was recorded. In that conversation, Nixon uttered comments about Jewish people that were negative, perhaps even anti-Semitic (though, the very next year he sent a massive military airlift to help Israel during the October 1973 Yom Kippur War). Billy Graham may have uttered some words of agreement, or stayed silent during the most vehement or extreme statements of Nixon. This could have been construed or misconstrued as acquiescence. At one point, he told President Nixon that Jews ‘don’t know how I really feel about what they’re doing to this country.’
Thirty years later in 2002, with Nixon long gone, the tapes were released and Jewish people would know how Billy Graham felt … back in 1972. Graham, age 83, was deeply embarrassed over the incident and offered to go on his hands and knees to apologise to any rabbi who came on his path. From all accounts, the Jewish community’s response was mild, perhaps moot. After all, it’s Billy Graham … let’s give him a pass. The whole thing blew over very quickly. Yes, blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

In his long life, Graham will be remembered for many things. Yet, perhaps the most important, is the simple three-word phrase he used again and again while preaching: The Bible Says. This is tantamount to: God says. For Billy Graham, along with all classic evangelicals, the Bible and God’s Word are one and the same. When we equate the words of the Bible with the Words of God, salvation and a myriad of other blessings flow. In combating today’s scourge of Biblical illiteracy, Billy Graham’s three words give wisdom for today and hope for to