Crossroads of Life scripts2.htm

This page contains the following scripts:  Israel and the Middle East part 1, 2, 3

Radio.Cossroads of Life.script no.27 Israel and the Middle East [part 1].31306  

Israel and the Middle East : Yahweh (Jehovah) God says in the Bible Jeremiah 21-22 that He controls the destinies of every nation. His Will shall be done in the world -- that's His promise; He is in control. Only what He allows shall be done.

Opener or Illustration:  Recent intelligence reports suggest that Al Qaeda terrorist network may have or will soon have nuclear capabilities for use in attacking population centers in the US. Intelligence sources indicate the 1 Kiloton (an explosive force equivalent to that of 1000 tons of TNT) nuclear suitcase bombs developed by Russia are not all accounted for. Are some in the hands of terrorists? Can we escape the burgeoning risk of terrorism assault against the USA with these weapons? One of our greatest dangers is the potential of weapons of mass destruction including: anthrax, smallpox, botulism and others falling into the hands of terrorists.  Some authorities believe this is happening. Will the USA and other Christian nations now suffer a surge of homicide-bombers such as the nation Israel is experiencing? How can we protect ourselves? How much time does our world have?  10 Lines

WASHINGTON – Islamic websites have posted a "last warning" for the U.S., threatening two major operations designed to bring Americans "to your knees."

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute, the Global Islamic Media Front was responsible for posting the threat.

The threat suggests the attack will be far greater in magnitude than Sept. 11, 2001 , because following this one, "there will be no one to analyze and investigate, because the mind and the heart will be unable to comprehend it. ... This will not be a single operation, but two; one bigger than the other, but we will begin with the big one and postpone the bigger one, in order to see [how] diligent the American people is [in preserving] its life. If it chooses life, [it must] carry out the demands of the Muslims, and if it chooses death, then we are its best perpetrators." The warning appeared in Arabic and in English.  21L

Apparently, one of the statements in Islam’s Koran says that instilling fear in infidels [all non-Islamic people] is a helpful means to soften the enemy up for eventual violent strikes against them. So it may be a boastful threat with no truth in it, however, most intelligence and military authorities say it is only a matter of time before bioterrorism and nuclear attacks take place in the USA . Authorities believe suicide bombers will operate in the US as they have in other countries including Iraq and Israel.  27L

Hello all of you out there! This is Rick Lawrence.  This world has become violent and dangerous in many areas. Much of the violence is brought about by militant Muslim terrorists who have bought into the age old violent methods of the sword of Islam. Their big rallying point is their hatred of Israel and anyone who supports Israel. Of course, this includes the US and Britain. Many people do not know the history of Palestine and Israel.  I have about 7 minutes left to fill you in about this land of Palestine and the claim of two peoples: The Arabs and Jews who each believe the land is theirs by birthright.  There are 21 Arab countries. Some are in Africa , and some in the middle east. I’ll name about half of them, which you may be familiar with.  36L  

Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar, U.A.E, Yemen.

The countries of Turkey and Iran are both non-Arabic, but are Islamic.  38L

How did Palestine get its name?  History tells us a people called Philistines migrated to the area we now know as the Gaza strip. It is from the roots of their name that the word Palestine is derived. The name Palestine has no link to the modern peoples we call Palestinians; these are mostly Arabs who have migrated to the land over the years. 43L

Why is Palestine so full of chaos and violence? Why are the Jews there so hated by the Arab countries surrounding Palestine?  The basic reason is a family conflict between two brothers; Ishmael and Isaac. Let me tell you about Abram and his wife, Sarai – [God later changed their names to Abraham and Sarah] Abraham was living in the city of Ur  located in the southern part of Iraq  [formerly called Babylonia] The Bible says, Yahweh, [Jehovah, is His English name], God of Israel, called Abram out of Ur and sent him to a land by the name of Canaan, which is present day Palestine where the Arabs and Jews live. In the Bible, the book of Genesis, chapter 17, verse 8 and I quote God’s words to Abraham. God said,  "The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."  The Bible continues to tell the story of Abraham’s offspring and to make it clear that this promise, this covenant, was given to Abraham through his wife Sarah, who at the age of  90 had a miracle birth, and the baby was a male whom they named Isaac. You can read the story which starts in Genesis 16, verse 1 and continues thru Genesis 18, verse 15.  56L

You will find that the Genesis account says that Sarai [Sarah] was childless and decided she would give her maid an Egyptian, named Hagar, to Abraham as a wife that Hagar might bear him a child. A child was born thru Hagar and God told Abraham to name the child Ishmael. Later, the Angel of the Lord said to Hagar, "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. 'He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.' "  Abraham was fond of Ishmael.  Sometime, thereafter,  Abraham asked God that Ishmael might be the one thru whom the Lord was granting the land of Canaan . God’s answer in Genesis chapter 17 was this, “18  And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" 66L

19  Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

20  And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

21  But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." 22  When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. 72L

God made it clear, His covenant giving Abraham the deed to the land of Canaan – present day Israel with its Gaza strip and west Bank – would be thru Sarah, and the baby named Isaac. The descendents of Isaac are easy to trace and recognize; according to biblical covenant, they are the Jews of modern day Israel. 76L

My friends, I’m out of time, but I will continue this message of Bible prophecy in my next program. I will post the script of this radio message on my website, RKL2.org. Look for a link on homepage, left hand, blue menu.  No computer? No problem!  Go to a library and ask them to access RKL2.org on one of their computers. Librarians are normally happy to assist you in every way.  Then, read the homepage and whatever else you are interested in.  Interested listeners – check out the link on home page, left hand, blue menu: "Two peoples, One land." This is a detailed, secular historical acct. of Israel in the Land."

I don’t want to leave you without telling you how to have eternal life when you die. You can settle it now by asking Jesus to forgive your sins and promise you will turn from your sins. Then, ask Jesus to come into your heart and become the Lord of your life and cause you to be spiritually born again. If you mean this prayer with all of your heart – Jesus will come into your heart and give you a new spiritual beginning. Read Rev.3:20. 85L

Closing:  by Craig Burnett.com: Radio/Television announcer [ Nebraska ]  

Israel and the Middle East  

Opener or Illustration: Many of today's world events and predictions of coming future events are clearly foretold by prophecy  Scenarios for a new wave of attacks by Al Qaeda or some other terrorist group -- by air or ship or truck or suicide bomber -- threaten to make a living hell in our cities in the U.S. and other nations.  The great majority of people in this world are unaware of the true nature of the struggles and terror ahead of us as we draw closer to the final stages of world history, yet many predictions are mapped out in prophecy: You may be surprised at the accuracy of these predictions.  keep listening and find out how to be prepared to meet these tribulations and, possibly escape them.  8L  

Hello all of you out there!  This is Rick Lawrence.  During the last program, I discussed how About 4,000 years ago, God summoned Abraham to leave his home city of Ur in southern Iraq and migrate to the Land of Canaan, he packed up and without knowing all of the reasons and what lay ahead, journeyed in faith believing God would lead him. Palestine is mountainous north of its desert area called the Negev . 80% of Palestine’s mountains are found in the Gaza and the West Bank .   

While Abraham was in the land, God made it clear that he was giving the land to Abraham and his descendents.  I wish to make it clear that I am a spiritually born again Christian and my views are from the perspective of the Word of God, the Bible, and Yahweh [Jehovah], the God of Israel and Christians. Like more and more of the world population, I have a negative view of the fear, tortuous, and murderous teachings and activities of extremist Islamic participants. I seek to convey Jehovah God’s love to all people and lift up His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, who the Bible states died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and the giving of eternal life to all who would accept Him as their Savior.  21L  

History tells us that for 7 or 8 centuries the country of Turkey had become a powerful force called the Ottoman Empire. This empire held all of Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, the rim countries of the Mediterranean Sea and some of the Countries in Europe The Turks were skilled and well organized, but they supported Germany and with the defeat of Germany and those allied with her – during World War 1—the Ottoman Empire crumbled and the league of Nations mandated Britain and France to handle the administration of Palestine and other elements of the ottoman Empire. 28L  

 On November 2, 1917, during the First World War, British policy became committed to the idea of establishing a Jewish homeland and state in Palestine. Of course, the Brits, being a Christian nation, were well aware of the biblical covenant established though Abraham and Isaac to grant the Land to Israel.  There was a mild influx of Jews to the area.  Other happening took place, for instance, in 1920 Babylonia ’s name was changed to Iraq; also, Kuwait and Syria, at that time, became  countries.  What about Kurds in Iraq? Actually there are nearly 20 million Kurds living in mountainous, rim areas in Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and southeastern Turkey. They have never attained the status of an independent state. The Kurds are a non-Arabic people who are mainly Sunni Muslims.  The Iranians are mainly Shiite Muslims and this is one of the main problems they cause as they try to influence Iraqi Shiite Muslims, politically. 38L  

early-on, due to famine in the land of Canaan, the Israelites migrated to Egypt. Unfortunately, the Israelites ended-up enslaved by the Egyptians. After about 400 yrs, God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and eventually, Joshua, Moses' assistant, was chosen to lead the Israelites into the promised land of Canaan. The Israelites grew in number and were miraculously helped by the Lord in defeating their enemies and in protecting themselves from hostile countries.

King David, who as a teenager defeated, the giant, Goliath, in battle was made King over Israel. During his reign, the promised land was well occupied by the Israelites. When God granted the promised land to Abraham and his descendents, the land far exceeded the land area of Palestine. The actual borders of the land are stated in Gen 15:18-21,  On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt [Nile] to the great river, the Euphrates.” 49L  

God also told the Israelites in Exodus 23:22-31, “If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.

  My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out.

  Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces.

  Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,

  and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.

  "I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.

  I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. 60L

  But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.

  Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.

  "I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the River. I will hand over to you the people who live in the land and you will drive them out before you." 65L  

I included these verses that you might see how God instructed and helped Israel in a miraculous way. And notice 2 important factors: God said the Israelites were to gain the land little by little. That’s a good word for all of us to live by.  The second thing, God promised the people of Israel if they would be true to Him, Yahweh [Jehovah] God, and obey His word and His commands and do what pleased Him, He would heal them and keep sickness from them.  This is especially important for us today, when we are faced with nuclear attack, bioterrorism and pandemic plagues such as bird flu, small pox and who knows what else. If you are worried about survival, you may want to rethink which God you are serving. Are you serving Yahweh [Jehovah] the God of Israel and true Christian believers, or are you putting your trust in one of the many false God's being worshiped around planet earth. There is one true God and His Word is found in the Bible. All other "religions" are the efforts of individual men who had, or have built a form of religion on their imagination. Some of the founders of these imagined religions have quoted the Bible and copied biblical concepts to help build their religions. The Bible, Yahweh [Jehovah] God's Word,  it never quotes or copies other religions.

God does not change, nor does he play favorites. What He does for one person, He will do for others. 73L  

My friends, I will produce one more program about Israel and the Promised Land. It will be part 3 of this series. In it, I will show you how Israel built their Temple twice on the temple mount in Jerusalem only to fall into sinful lifestyles, which angered God and as a result he allowed foreign nations to expel the Israelites where they were taken into captivity.  After the second temple was destroyed, the Jews  were scattered amongst 64 different nations on planet earth.  77L  

As I close this program today, I want you to know God loves you, as does His Son, Jesus of Nazareth.  There’s a better life waiting for you if you will just put aside your reasoning and come to Jesus believing by faith that He will forgive your sins and give you eternal life when you die. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to “know” you are right with God and have eternal life? You can make this decision right now. Let me help you pray. Pray this prayer with me. Lord Jesus, I will turn from my sins. I ask you to forgive my sins and to come into my heart and become the Lord of my life. Help me to live a life that pleases you. Amen. 84L

Closing:  by Craig Burnett.com: Radio/Television announcer [ Nebraska ]  

Israel and the Middle East  

Opener, Illustration:  A big winner in the US military’s war against insurgents in Iraq has quite likely been Iran. Here is why. First, The US defeated and removed Sadam Hussein , Iran ’s archenemy and rival. No more worries for Iran. Then, we defeated and removed the Taliban from Afghanistan which was a relief to Iran, since the Taliban was a threat to Iran’s border. Thirdly, Iran’s population is mostly Muslims of Shiite persuasion. This causes bonding and cooperation attempts to influence the Shiite majority in the population of Iraq.  Iran is an Islamic state, a theocracy bent on spreading their strict views and religious laws and influencing surrounding countries in the Middle East and whoever else will accept their views.  8L  

Hello, all of you out there! This is Rick Lawrence. This is part 3, in this program series of Israel and the Middle East .

A unique factor in the land of Palestine is that three different religions made up of the  Jews, Christians and Muslims have established and laid claim to certain Holy sites and monuments in Israel. As a result we often hear Palestine referred to as the “ Holy Land.”  Abraham was occupying the land of Canaan around 4,000 years ago.  Although some Jews remained in the land, many Jews migrated to Egypt to escape a severe famine that struck Canaan and surrounding countries. Eventually, the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites and used them as a hard labor force. They spent about 400 years in Egypt , then, around 1200 B.C.E, Jehovah God raised up Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt thru the desert and to border of Canaan . 18L

Joshua, Moses assistant, was subsequently chosen to lead Israel into the Promised Land, the land of Canaan, which later became known as Palestine.  Many wars and skirmishes were fought as Israel settled, once again, in the Land. King David, was chosen as King over Judah and Israel – who portioned the land. Israel lived in the North and Judah in the south. Eventually, David defeated the enemy tribes that lived in Jerusalem, and Jerusalem became Israel’s capitol. 24L  

Under Solomon, son of King David, who succeeded his father as King, Yahweh God led Israel to build a temple in honor of Him. The Temple was built on temple mount, but Israel fell into back sliding and Idol worship and God allowed them to be captured and expelled from the land and led into captivity by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Eventually, Cyrus, King of Persia allowed the Jews to return to Palestine and rebuild the temple which was the second temple built on the temple mount. 30L

Israel was all right for a while, but as they prospered, they lapsed further and further from Yahweh, their God. Once again he allowed the temple to be destroyed and the Israelites to be expelled from the Land. They were scattered throughout the world among 64 different nations where they had remained for about 2,500 years – until the year 1948.  Daniel and Ezekiel, the prophets who wrote books of the Bible’s Old Testament, foretold that Israel would be allowed to go back and settle in the land of Palestine . It happened as foretold in 1948. There was a flow of Jews and their families back to the land and on May 2, 1948 they became a nation, once again, with their own flag and parliament and military.  38L

God has spoken to people on planet earth and the Bible is his Word. The Bible tells us all about him, and what his plan is for our lives.  In the Bible, we find out that each of us can freely choose our eternal destiny.  We can choose eternal life in heaven with God, or eternal separation from God, with punishment in Hell.

The Bible says that Jesus Christ shed his blood on the cross, and through his death on the cross, provided for the forgiveness of our sins. He opened the way for us to have eternal life in heaven through him.  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 ). 46L

Many people have been distracted by world religions, or with peer pressure to follow prescribed forms and rituals and have no knowledge of biblical Christianity. They have not learned about God's plan and promises for the people of planet earth. They would be shocked to find that the Bible says their is only one way to forgiveness and eternal life and that is through Jesus, the Christ.  Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Most world religions and cults were founded by a single person. The Bible, however, was written by over 40 different people on three continents who contributed their inspired writings.

The difference between true Christianity, world religions and cults is that true Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with God.  He is a personal, heavenly Father to all true believers. The Bible says over and over that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus, was God’s Son who was born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. It was not a sexual act, but a spiritual and physical miracle. Jesus, was God in a human body, here on earth. 59L  

About 600 years after Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection and his ascending [being taken up] into Heaven, Mohammed was born in Saudi Arabia.  The Muslims claim he was visited by The angle Gabriel and supposedly through other means received revelations from a God named, Allah. Mohammed quoted and copied a great many things from the Bible which he quotes in the Koran. An interesting fact, others quote and copy things from the Bible to support their claims, but the Bible never quotes or copies other religious sources.65L

The major shrines and Holy places of the Muslims are in Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia . The third holiest place to Islam is the dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque nearby; both shrines were built on the temple mount where Israel’s temples once stood. 68L

 After WW 2, the US and Britain became a staunch allies of the Jewish state, the only capitalist democracy in the Middle East. Any nation or religious entity who attacks Israel will probably suffer defeat by Israel. If they do not, they will be faced with the combined militaries of the US and Britain who remain defenders of Israel. 70L  

The Palestine Liberation Organization was created in 1964 with the goals of creating a Palestinian state and destroying Israel . Hezbolla and Hamas factions are extremist Islamics who have hatred for Israel and the United States . Most of the Islamic nations refuse to recognize Israel as a nation and teach and preach hatred for them and all who are allied or support Israel. Their goal is the spread of hatred and eradication of Israel from the land of Palestine. And of course, it would seem  the prime goal of radical Islam is to create a worldwide Caliphate or Islamic state, which will rule the world.

Yahweh [Jehovah] God has spoken in the Bible and said He has caused Israel to return to the land and for a final time and they will never again be dislodged. The logical inference is that those who curse and persecute Israel and try to remove them from the Promised Land will face the wrath of Yahweh [Jehovah] God, the God of Israel and of Christians.  A very dangerous warning to the nations is found in Genesis 12:3. "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." This is Yahweh God's warning to anyone who trifles with Israel in the Land.

 It would appear irrational and unwise for anyone to transgress the True God and His warnings in the Bible. 80L  I’m out of time, my friends. For more historical info: see "two peoples, one land" -- this link is displayed at the end of this page.

Right now, while you are listening to me, why don’t you make a decision and commit your life to Jesus, Son of the Living God, Yahweh [ Jehovah] as English translations of the Bible call Him. Let me lead you in prayer. Pray this prayer: Father, God, I repent and turn away from my sins and ask you to forgive me. I now accept Jesus into my heart as the Lord of my life. Please help me to live a life that pleases you, Jesus. Thank you for giving me eternal life and a new spiritual beginning as a spiritually born again Christian. Amen. 86L

Closing:  by Craig Burnett.com: Radio/Television announcer [ Nebraska ]  

Miscellaneous --

understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict --

 Click on the link below, or type the address in the box where you type web addresses to access websites:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/nation-world/mideast/

   
                  
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