Just a Thought - 09/17/2020

"you'd have an explosion - an absolute explosion in the region, not just in the West Bank and perhaps even in Israel Itself, but throughout the region. The Arab world has enormous interest in the Haram al-Sharif, as it is called, the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock and it is a holy site for the Arab world." - John Kerry, President Obama's Secretary of State, January 5th, 2017

How wrong can one be? The exact opposite of John Kerry's prediction has happened. The US embassy move to Jerusalem has opened up the door for trade and peace negotiations in the Middle east and just two days ago President Trump signed two such agreements with Bahrain and the UAE. The country of Oman is currently contemplating the normalization of relations with Israel and may do so very soon. I strongly suspect that because of vice president's Biden's promise/threat to re-instate the horrible Iran Nuclear deal, the Saudis would soon be driven to normalize relations with the Jewish State as well. As you all know, the Iran Nuclear Deal works AGAINST the security interests of Israel and promotes fear among the Sunni Arab nations. Perhaps when we meet at FHG to discuss bible prophecy, we may explore these ideas some more. Please keep your eyes on Israel and the ME as what is currently happening there is a clear fulfillment of prophecy.

Today I would like to share a simple thought with you. My thought is derived from the following two verses of scripture:

"And so it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest..."- Joshua 3: 14-15

Those who travel to Israel are often shocked when they first lay eyes on the Jordan river. Compared to the mighty Mississippi, the Nile or the Amazon, Jordan looks like a little trickle. During some months of the year, the lower Jordan can become so narrow and shallow that one can simply walk across from one bank to another. When the snow on mount Hermon begins melting however, the river widens and deepens throughout most of its length with some parts as deep as 15 feet.

I have had the opportunity to conduct baptism services at the Jordan river and it's always such a joy to see believers' faces as they emerge from the water. Some are smiling, other cry, but they all are so happy to have been baptized in the waters of the Jordan as our Lord. I remember in 2017, pastor Brinker was assisting me with the baptisms of many on our tour bus and at the end of the proceedings, he confessed to me his belief that his own baptism in the Jordan would seal his salvation. Of course, he was elated when I baptized him, but in my frustration over his confession, I refused to explain that Christian baptism is borrowed from the Jewish custom of ritual cleansing in a mikveh and does not save anyone. In 2015, I had yet another discouraging experience. Deacon Jt kindly agreed to assist me with the Jordan river baptism. It was summer, the weather was close to 90 degrees and the water was warm. As we were just getting ready to enter the water, the deacon started to tremble. On asking whether he was cold or feeling sick, he reminded me that he couldn't swim and was deathly scared. I held his hand until we were in about 3 1/2 feet of water and hurried through the service. I made sure not to accept any help from any FHG member in 2017 and so enjoyed a very pleasant baptism service with a wonderful brother in the Lord, Pastor Steve. Should the good Lord allow us, I will be conducting yet another baptism service at the Jordan river in June of 2021. Everyone is more than welcome to join our Israel, Turkey and Rome 2021 tour. You may choose to complete the entire 19-day tour or any part of it. Kindly let me know of your interests.

When Israel completed their journey from Egypt, they approached the Jordan crossing during the spring time as per verse 15 cited earlier. The river was overflowing its banks and crossing it was an impossible task. One month earlier or one month later would have made a much easier Jordan crossing, but the Lord God timed the Israeli crossing for the spring harvest season when the river posed a formidable feat. Why? Why did our Lord God bring the Israelis to the river crossing at a time when the water was most treacherous? Please allow me to offer my thoughts here.

My suggestion: The Lord wanted the Hebrews to enter the promised land by way of a divine miracle. It would boost their faith in their God and provide them the courage to 'take the land.' He also wanted to convey the important message that He was with Joshua just as He was with Moses, under whom another body of water stepped aside to allow for Hebrew crossing. I believe that whenever we are faced with an insurmountable problem while we are in the will of God, we need not fear. He oftentimes brings us to an impossibility to show us His love and His power and to rekindle our faith in His ability to overcome any problem.

Finally, it seems reasonable to me that the Hebrews' entering the promised land by way of a divine miracle, is a model of what will happen at the rapture of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ

Just a Thought

Pastor Chandroo