Syrian Rebels Behead Catholic Priest

Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime have beheaded a Catholic Priest - Father Francois Murad. This is reported in the Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2352251/Horrific-video-shows-Syrian-Catholic-priest-beheaded-jihadist-fighters-cheering-crowd.html

So why are western countries supporting these groups, some linked to Al Qaeda, and giving them arms if they react in such a brutal manner against Christians? The western governments seem to have descended to the level of Lenin's 'useful idiots,' whereby we are in danger of selling rope to our enemies so that they can return and hang us.

Remnant Theology versus Supercessionism

I have recently been looking at the concept of Remnant theology in regard to the relationship between Israel and the Church following a discussion with a Bible College lecturer. This is something that needs development I believe. The picture of God calling out a Remnant of Israelites who are faithful to Him is found throughout the Old Testament. In the New Testament a faithful remnant for instance is mentioned in Romans 11 'So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.' (Romans 11:5).

John J. Parsons has a useful article online that discusses this in a reasonable manner Remnant Theology versus Replacement Theology, although it is necessary to do some more work in defining exactly what is meant by Replacement theology and the Church, and Remnant theology and Israel. Too often this debate is coloured by inaccurate stereotypes and woolly definitions. 

Israel and World War Three

In the 1950s William Carr outlined a plan that Albert Pike - Freemason and Satanist - developed for three world wars. Commonly, known as the Pike - Mazzini letter of 1871. For lovers of conspiracy theories this is an intriguing topic (William Guy Carr, Pawns in the Game (CPA Book Publisher reprint (nd), (although Carr signs his introduction Oct. 13, 1958), p. XV).

 

The website ThreeWorldWars quotes Carr as follows 'Albert Pike received a vision, which he described in a letter that he wrote to Mazzini, dated August 15, 1871. This letter graphically outlined plans for three world wars...' See http://www.threeworldwars.com/albert-pike2.htm

 

It goes on 'The Second World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences between the Fascists and the political Zionists. This war must be brought about so that Nazism is destroyed and that the political Zionism be strong enough to institute a sovereign state of Israel in Palestine...'

 

'The Third World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences caused by the "agentur" of the "Illuminati" between the political Zionists and the leaders of Islamic World. The war must be conducted in such a way that Islam (the Moslem Arabic World) and political Zionism (the State of Israel) mutually destroy each other...'

So, if this letter is to believed then the second world war was fought to help establish the State of Israel, while the third war is to be fought to destroy Israel and Islam - and also destroy the faith of Christians through new atheism and nihilism.

 

Terry Melanson has however done a good job in highlighting the problems with this thesis, tracing the ideas back to the suspect work of Cardinal Caro y Rodriguez of Santiago.
http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/Articles/Pike-Mazzini_Three-World-Wars.htm

 

However, Melanson's work is incomplete and the source of Carr's research has not yet been identified because Carr makes different claims than the threeworldwar website claims. According to Carr the blue-print was worked out between 1859, and 1871 for three world wars.

 

Whether or not the work is real and genuinely attributed to Pike, it does make testable predictions about future events. Watching events unfold in the Middle East one wonders if the blue-print is being followed carefully and that there is great danger for the State of Israel, Islamic states, and for Christians who have placed such faith in that State. Many of us who are concerned with the direction the Zionist project is heading have called for peace, justice and reconciliation, but is another agenda unfolding? Time will tell. 

BBC bans film that discusses Jewish presence in Holy Land post AD70

The BBC has banned a film that discusses continued Jewish presence in the Holy Land post AD70. This film seems to challenge the origin of the modern Palestinian populace, suggesting in part it derives from an ethnic Jewish community. Dr Siam Bhayro finds the decision strange even though he doesn't agree fully with the conclusions. BBC criticised for banning a controversial film on the history of Palestinians and Jews

Passover and Easter

It is noteworthy that a number of Christians today enjoy partaking in Jewish Passover or Seder meals. Is this appropriate for Christians? I would suggest that if this is an act of remembrance of the work of Jesus upon the cross then there is essentially little wrong with it. Jews remember their ancestors’ slavery in Egypt as they take part in this community meal, and for Christians the communion is a remembrance of the work of Christ upon the cross. There is then a close correlation between communion and the Seder meal. Indeed the symbolism is clearly there in the New Testament, just as Moses led the people out of slavery in Egypt so Jesus leads us out of the bondage to sin and death. However, there are a couple of comments that might be raised. Firstly, some of the traditions of the Jewish Seder meal seem to be an elaboration on the Exodus account, although not necessarily wrong. But I would suggest there is a lot to be said for the simplicity of the Mosaic account. Secondly, there is some debate over whether the last supper is really a Passover meal, or just a traditional Jewish meal. This is because Jesus was seemingly crucified on the eve of Passover, and the meal took place the day before. At the meal Jesus explained the symbolism of the wine as his blood poured out and the bread as his body broken for us.
   The account of the Passover meal can be found in Exodus 12. We see the Israelites in Egypt are told to prepare a meal and eat it in haste. They are instructed to kill and roast a year old lamb over an open fire during the evening, and then eat all of it after sunset. That which is not eaten should be burnt. The meal should also consist of unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The blood was to be applied to the doorpost and lintel with a sprig of hyssop.
   We can see imagery of Christ’s sacrifice in the Passover, but as noted there is a debate around the last supper and whether it really was the Passover meal, or just a traditional Jewish meal. At the last supper we read of the bread and wine, but no lamb or bitter herbs. However, Christ was himself the sacrificial lamb, and just as the Passover lamb was tied to a stick and roasted over the fire, so too Jesus was nailed to the cross and raised up in darkness, but what of the fire? In some sense the Law of Moses is a fire. Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly and then was roasted in front of the Law of God as he bore our sins upon the cross. Jesus was also offered the bitter herb of hyssop mixed with vinegar. Remember, Moses told the Israelites to paint the blood on the doorposts using hyssop. And as Jesus said at the last supper, the fruit of the vine was symbolic of his blood. Jesus then tasted the bitter herb as the ‘blood’ was applied to his head and he provided the bread of his body.

Galloway scores an own goal...

George Galloway, Respect Party MP for Bradford West, has missed an opportunity to debate the Middle East crisis, and speak up for Palestinians. Instead he stormed out of a debate in Oxford University Christ Church College because he found out late that his opponent was an Israeli citizen. Bloggers have accused him of being anti-Semitic as a result, and there is little defence I wish to offer here. Surely, in Respect, one should be willing to argue a case against opponents. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/feb/21/george-galloway-debate-israeli-oxford

Syria's children are suffering most due to civil war

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/syria-children-conflicts-biggest-casualty-030801222.html

We need to remember the suffering of all people irrespective of nationality and creed and pray for peace.