September 14, 2006: I couldn't have said it better ...
This week, Pastor Brian decided to share an article he discovered at The Middletown Bible Church. The article below is the taken from their website under the doctrine section.

A Contrast Between
Mohammed and Christ

The Incomparable Christ

Nearly 2000 years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a lowly woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter. When He was about 30 He taught and preached. 

This Man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held public office. He never had a family. He never traveled over 200 miles from His birthplace. While only in His 30's He was sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had--the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave. Three days later this Man arose from the dead--living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Saviour whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God. 

Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history into two eras. One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him. Our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection. This one Man' s life has furnished the theme for more songs, books, poems, and paintings than any other person or event in history. Thousands of colleges, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been founded in honor of this One who gave His life for us. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the governments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned have not changed the course of history as much as this One Solitary Life. (Author Unknown)

“But these [things] are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have LIFE through His Name” (John 20:31).

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The Middletown Bible Church
349 East Street
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 346-0907 
More articles under Doctrinal Studies

September 5, 2006: Israel: What in the world is going on? Part III

Last time I promised a final summary about the things we've been talking about concerning Israel and the problems in the Middle East.

First, are we close to the unfolding of those events the Bible prophesied about? There is no way of knowing. The fact that, since 1948, there has been a State of Israel is significant, because a repopulated state of Israel in the Holy Land is necessary for the events described in the Bible to take place. But Israel has been kicked out of it's land and has returned before, so perhaps the same thing might happen again before the prophecies are ready to be fulfilled. But my guess is that this is the time. It seems that Jews from all over the world have this burning desire to go to Israel...it's almost as if they are being drawn there.

The Bible describes Israel's repopulation of the land as being a gathering apparently orchestrated by God (Ezekiel 38:8). After the rapture of the church, the Bible describes the final invasion of Israel, and the nations involved in it (Ezekiel 38:1-6). I find it interesting that the ancient equivalents of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt are NOT mentioned as taking part in this invasion. When Israel was first formed almost all of those countries declared war on her; but now, only Syria is openly interested in invading her. This seems to indicate that even Syria will give up this idea in the future, and that the core states surrounding Israel will accept her existence and be over their present hatred. However, Iran (Persia), Libya, and the Sudan (ancient Ethiopia) WILL participate in the invasion. When this invasion happens, it will, at first, be a complete "success" for the enemies of Israel.

So, what then? The current problems Israel is having with Syria and Lebanon seem to be passing; but Iran, Libya, and others will remain enemies of Israel until the end. It seems to me that while some pieces of this puzzle are falling into place, some others need more time. No, the current problems in Israel and Iraq are not the beginning of Bible prophecy unfolding; but they are evidence that the region is unsettled, and that one day, in perhaps the not to distant future, just when we all think the problems are solved, things will unravel and the ending events of history will start to unfold.

My guess is that we still have some time, but not a lot...but I am a fallible man: Jesus, who is infallible, said for us to '"watch: for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man will come."

~Pastor Brian

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