Choose Life

October 7th will mark a year since Hamas unleashed a most brutal attack on the nation of Israel. More than 5,000 rockets, followed by  motorized hit squads. This was not war. It was pure, unvarnished evil! Murder, rape, execution. Horrors beyond the pale! Israel’s response was swift and decisive. Swift, in that it began immediately. Decisive in that they had a clearly defined objective. Eliminate Hamas. More the idea or the stated goal of Hamas, to destroy Israel! This can never be allowed to happen again. Never!

Hamas, hereafter a reference to the idea of Hamas, has never understood the impossibility of their intent. God Himself had given these “children of Israel” the very land that they (Hamas) is hell bent on taking from them. Regardless of the size or scope of their devices, the land will and forever more belong to the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That is what The Book says.

The Book means nothing, says Hamas.

The Book that has endured through the ages, challenged by an unbelieving world, outlawed, burned, obscured through informational design. Yet, The Book remains, despite the best efforts of its detractors. 

God Himself has given The Book, synonymous with “His revealed Word”, first to the Jews, then to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord.

You can see it can’t you, the deck is stacked against Hamas. They cannot win! They cannot and will never be able to destroy Israel, just as they could not and can never destroy The Book. Matthew 24:35 says this, “For I tell you truly, heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”

Hamas, and in all its previous iterations, has and will continue to fail to exterminate the Jews. They are under Yahweh’s devine care. 

If only we had more bombs, more troops with greater commitment. If only we had a nuclear weapon. “No weapon formed against them will prosper” Isiah 54:17.

Will Israel suffer at the hands of Hamas? Yes. Will they be conquered by those arrayed against them? Never! How frustrating!

The Book foretells a time of great trial when all the world will rise up against Israel. The time and the season will be easily read by those paying attention. 

The Prophecies, as these are sometimes called, point to a great and a final battle between Israel and its enemies. In fact, these prophecies suggest that she will stand alone, without allies. This great battle will be far greater than Hamas versus Israel. Indeed, when the forces of darkness raise their fearest assault on the aligned forces of righteousness, they too will certainly be defeated. Not at the hands of Israel, but under the feet of the return of The King! “He will make His enemies His footstool” Psalms 110:1.

On that day, the war will be over. Hamas, Hezbellah, whatever moniker, whatever flag, they will all bow.  “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord” Philippians 2:10-11.

Sadly, that day will also see the curtain fall on the only hope for evil men to find heaven. Acts 4:12 says “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

This invitation to choose life is open now to whosoever will, “to the Jews first, then to   the Gentiles” Romans 1:16. To put a finer point on it, Jesus, the very  Son of God, said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man come to the father (heaven) except through Me” John 14:6.

What follows this fierce and final battle is a wedding feast like no other. Those who have chosen eternal life in and through Christ Jesus, will be welcomed into “the new heaven and the new earth” Revelation 21:1. They will sit down with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords for what has been foretold as the marriage feast of the Lamb. They who have been made  righteous by the blood of the Lamb are invited to share in the feast that will have no end! So beautiful!

Evil has no place at the table. From top to bottom, evil has been forever defeated. Evil’s intent has not changed. It will take hostages into the very fires of hell itself! 

We can see this all coming. It has never been so clear and so close. If you find yourself being led captive down the highway to hell, here is some very good news. You don’t have to go! Really! That easy? “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10.

No, this is not easy! Getting into eternal hell where the fire is never quenched and your conscience never dies. Now that’s easy! Just keep doing what you’re doing. Highway to hell.

On the other hand, to say yes to Jesus. Now that is not hard. It’s downright impossible! Evil, some call it sin, it has us. We, you, me, we are all guilty. God demands that we do right. He always has. You know the score. “We all have sinned, and fallen short of His expectations” (Romans 3:23). Guilty as charged.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23. 

Seems pretty hopeless doesn’t it. We are caught up in a train destined for hell. Did I mention good news?

“Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13. Stop the train. I want to get off! Next stop, where mercy meets grace! The place where The King and His bride (that would be us, you, me, everyone who calls upon Him) will soon be sitting down for dinner!

The choice is clear. Do nothing and suffer unending, unimaginable agonies in hell. Or, choose life. Accept the truth of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, as your full and complete payment for your place at the eternal table of the Lord Christ. “In [His] presence there is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalms 16:11.

To those who are paying attention, the times and the season appears to be incredibly late.

This messages is brought to you by the Creator and Sustainer of all that is. Contrary to popular belief, there is only one way to life eternal. None other than Jesus. 

Find Him today, and live.