At what point does a thinking person become concerned with nuclear proliferation in the Middle East?
March 10th, 2010
At what point does a thinking person become concerned with nuclear proliferation in the Middle East? This Tuesday both Israel and Syria announced their intentions to produce atomic power plants, ostensibly for peaceful energy-generating purposes in their nations. And of course the world has been warily keeping an eye on Iran as it proceeds with its own nuclear power program. And now word on the street is that Egypt, Jordan and United Arab Emirates are also eager to develop their own nuclear power. And who’s to blame any of them? After all, nuclear fission is environmentally cleaner than coal-burning, avoiding the belching of fossil fuels into our atmosphere, thus theoretically reducing global warming and its effects. The small matter of nuclear waste storage, of course, is a perplexing down-side to atomic power. But viva nuclear fission—and a brave new world precariously balanced on the edge between peaceful energy and nuclear weaponry.
Will our civilization eventually destroy itself in a nuclear holocaust? I had a gentleman once explain to me that Jesus was hinting at nuclear destruction when he spoke the words of Luke 21:26—“‘Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” Does Christ warn of apocalyptic nuclear proliferation? That isn’t how I read his somber words.
But while Holy Scripture is silent on the reality of nuclear fission, it is not a stranger to unbridled divine power. In fact the word it uses is the Greek dunamis, from whence comes our word “dynamite.” And it is not a coincidence that Paul seizes that word to describe the spiritual nuclear fission at Calvary: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the [explosive] power [dunamis--dynamite] of God” (I Corinthians 1:18). All the explosive spiritual-moral power of divinity was concentrated in the split-second fission at the cross—wherein the spotless and pure life of the incarnated God, Jesus Christ, became the moral receptacle for every sin every sinner like you and me has ever committed. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us” (II Corinthians 5:21). Or as the ancient prophet described that explosive Calvary exchange: “And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
Truth is, there is no greater power in the universe than that unleashed by God for sinners at the foot of the cross, where the darkest guilt and the foulest sin are obliterated. “O let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy [nuclear fission] that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back to the Father’s house. Motives stronger, and agencies more powerful, could never be brought into operation” (Steps to Christ 21—if you would like a free copy of this classic, see the offer at this website).
No wonder my friend Roger Morneau taught me to read the story of the cross (Matthew 27:24-54) every new morning. What better way to ensure spiritual nuclear proliferation? And who more powerful to enlist as your Savior, Protector and Friend than the Jesus of Calvary?
March 13th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. Acts 16:25
March 20th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
what is the significance of the birthright in Esau’s story?
March 20th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
the study bible lacks sidenotes following it’s mention.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Hi Pastor Nelson,
This is a bit off topic. Sorry.
I liked your study on the Investigative Judgment on 3abn this morning. However, I’m very surprised at your use of the NIV. It has over 5000 omitted words and changed words, and changed doctrines. You tried to make a case for John 5:24, in that the NIV is “more correct” because it says “will not condemn”
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
As you can see, the NIV does not translate this any better, unless you count against the archaic renderings of some words. I mainly use the KJV2000 and the AKJV, which does not omit words nor change meanings and doctrines.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life (AKJV).
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life(KJV2000).
Additionally, the NIV does injustice to Daniel 8:14:
Daniel 8:14 (New International Version)
14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”
Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, For two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. (KJV2000)
Reconsecrated does not carry the same meaning as “cleansed.” We know that Jesus cleanses the Most Holy from sin during the IJ. I’m assuming you do believe Jesus entered the Most Holy in 1844? Even if you do agree “cleansed” is correct, it may not help the new believer who wants to study this and has an NIV.
Now to Hebrews:
Hebrews 9:12 (New International Version)
12He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Here the NIV has Jesus entering the Most Holy at His ascension, I don’t believe that was Paul’s intention under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Is it any wonder that Desmond Ford likes these liberal Bible versions, and recommends them in relation to the IJ?
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
(KJV2000)
My opinion is that the NIV actually changes doctrine on these two verses. The original languages also agree. You may also be aware that Hort and Westcott in the 19th century are responsible for making most of the changes to the Minority text, both A and B manuscripts, that although only make up about 6% of old manuscripts, are used for almost all liberal versions, including the NIV.
In addition, Hort and Westcott are also well known to have participated in séances during the times they did this work, so the directions for the changes in Bible versions came from demons. A good book on the subject is: “The King James Bible and Modern Versions,” by Vance Ferrell, which can also be downloaded free on the Amazing Discoveries website.
On today’s sermon, you also made reference to the fact that Satan really attacks the IJ. Yes he does.