Today's news obviously concerns the Mideast. Will there be a full-blown war? Should, God forbid, such become the case, to what extent, and over what area, will it spread? If so, to what degree will America become involved? Will the UN intervene? Ad infinitum...
Again, we do not know. Nor, frankly, is it a time to speculate or pontificate. Being a little older that we might wish to admit, it becomes somewhat easy to reflect on a plethora of "revelations" and "insights" having come down through the years.
For example, some years ago a nationally known radio preacher discovered biblical evidence that Charles DeGaulle of France was likely the Antichrist (the preacher did hedge his bets slightly, but nonetheless made his opinion nationally known). We likewise recall when some prophecy scholars found that Scripture had foreseen Russia's new technology in making army tanks of compressed wood. Thus, following their impending defeat in Israel, the fact that their weapons would be burnable (Ezek. 39:9-10).
One of the greater prophetic "insights" of a somewhat more modern era was, of course, when the newly invented radio become incontrovertible proof of the end time. This, after all, was how the "false prophet" would give the image of the Antichrist the power of speech (Rev. 13:15 - this latter having been conveyed to me by a friend who heard such preached from the pulpit).
Simply stated, we would suggest the better part of present wisdom to be that we not render ourselves vulnerable by climbing out on a limb where we might find ourselves "sawed off." That there will be some is almost a certainty, but anyway...
Alert and discerning? Yes. Concerned and objective? Yes. Speculative and impulsive? No.
In the meantime: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psa. 122.6).
Burl Ratzsch
