May 2004 Update:

May 25, 2004

I have to admit that I have trouble reconciling "love your enemies" with the need to stop those who murder in the name of God...I'm specifically thinking of Osama bin Laden. Its hard for me to not want men like him dead. I'd be less than honest if I said otherwise. Last Sunday I had a daydream of Old Testament Israelite warriors obediently slaying their enemies, but rather than blood lust, these dutiful men had tears streaming down their faces as they put their enemies to the sword. God doesn't take pleasure in punishing evil doers, but His justice is righteous and perfect. Christians are instructed to hate the sin but love the sinner. When it comes to notorius murderers like Osama bin Laden I find myself in need of some other point of reference to bring my heart and mind anywhere near feeing love for him. Its much easier to hate those who hate. What helps is thinking of what he was like when he was a little boy, laughing and playing, crying when he skinned his knees. I imagine God must see all His creation this way. How much does it grieve God to punish those who have chosen Satan as their father? The father of lies.

Proverbs 24:17-20

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

In the days ahead I'll most likely have something to say about these current events:

The beheading of Nick Berg. Curious Al-Qaeda connection. Questions loom.

The mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Humiliation. Degradation, but torture? Post quotes of liberals.

The State of Massachusetts legalized 'gay marriage' on May 17th.

NBC decides to NOT air President Bush's televised address to the American people on the Iraq War on May 24th.

God's judgement is his mercy, but many people don't see it that way.

I believe God gave me a scriptural revelation the other night while driving on the freeway, here it is:

The body of Jesus Christ was risen as a new, incorruptible, glorified body early on the 3rd Day. So it will be with the Body of Christ today, which is the Church. On the 3rd day the body, that is the church of true believers, will be given new incorruptible bodies and will rise to meet Christ in the air. The Rapture is nearer than ever, but do not give any attention to anyone who says they know the day or the hour, because God's Word says no one, not even the angels, know what the day or the hour is....but its near.

I believe that the 3rd day has already begun.

Hosea 6:1-2
Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;
he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.

2 Peter 3:8
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2000 years = 2 days to the Lord
2000 years since Christ is right about now.
Check out this math for fun, click here.

What should we do while we wait for the Lord's return?

• Keep God's Word, don't just read it
• Walk in the Light, separate yourself from the world.
• Please God by the way you live.
• Witness to others, like Enoch who was raptured, tell people "the Lord is coming"
• Persevere, look forward, don't turn back to the life you've left.
• Be Humble
• Be Holy
• Be Blameless, make every effort to stay blameless and pure.
• Be Watchful for the return of the Lord.
• Pray always

"Dear God in Heaven, please help me to live my life in such a way that it is pleasing to you. Please consider me worthy to escape the time that is coming to test this world. In the name of Jesus, my Lord, I pray. Amen."