Just a Thought - 02/3/2021

Greetings to all in the name of He who holds the seven stars in His right hand (Rev.2:1)

What a blessing it is to learn that COVID vaccines are being made available to Californians everywhere. Please continue to check your eligibility for registering for an appointment. The youngest and healthiest among us may be the last to receive their vaccine but thank God it seems to be coming sooner than later.

As always, in these 'Just a Thought' blogs, I try to raise one or two issues of interest to me and hope that they would provoke your thoughts as well. Some issues may be of a political nature and others may have biblical/prophetic implications, but all should be of concern to bible believers. There is always so much that I would like to share, but my lazy demeanor coupled with my distaste for writing prohibits me from expressing any more than my usual number of words. That said, I trust that you will find the following of some interest to you, my dear readers.

It was disappointing for me to view recent news coverage in which the Biden administration proudly announced a commitment to public displays of 'Gay Pride' as newly appointed Secretary of State Anthony Blinken lifted a ban on rainbow 'gay rights' flags being displayed at US embassies around the world. I am wondering why it has suddenly become so necessary for the multi colored 'gay rights' flag to be flown alongside our sacred red, blue and white "Stars and Stripes" banner. Our long standing Judeo-Christian culture has been turned on its head! Are we now proudly demonstrating to the world that America is a "gay nation?" Or that we support "gay rights?" Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that protection must not be afforded to the gay community here in the US, but with a LGBTQ population of less than 5% of all Americans, what can be the rationale for waving the "gay rights" flag next to our sacred banner? I am ashamed that the "gay rights" flag is now being flown alongside the flag to which all Americans pledge allegiance. Just so you know, our previous administration through defense Secretary Mark Esper banned the rainbow flags as well as confederate flags at US embassies as well as military bases.

"The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols" - Mark Esper

Vice President Pence defended Esper's policy calling it the "right decision". Pence further said the following:

"When it comes to the American flagpole, and American embassies , and capitals around the world, one American flag flies."

Perhaps undoing the Trump's ban on such flag displays, is Biden's way of expressing his disagreement with his predecessor. Just a Thought!

Secondly, what did fashionable Kings in Israel wear 3000 years ago? The colors purple, red and blue were prominent in their wardrobes. Tel Aviv University discovered reserved pieces of cloth from King David and King Solomon's time at ancient copper mines in the Timna Valley in Israel's southern Negev desert. The colors on the scraps of cloth have been preserved thanks to the very dry climate in the area. The colors are true royal purple and blue from shellfish - three species of mollusk native to the Mediterranean Sea. According to the Song of Songs, King Solomon had a carriage made from wood brought from Lebanon whose seat was upholstered with purple cloth, and now for the first time, rare evidence has been found confirming this. Jesus Himself would have worn the white and blue prayer shawl. Animal based dyes are regarded as very prestigious, and served as an important indicator for the wearer's high economic and social status. Much has been learned regarding the production of such ancient dyes and of course this new knowledge will be employed in the making of blue, purple and red for the 3rd Jewish temple. This is exciting for Israelis who look forward to rebuilding the temple that would accommodate their coming "messiah". Christians are also excited by the find, as the rebuilding of the Jewish temple points to the rapture of the church. I too, am excited.

As we discussed some time ago at our facility in Spring Valley, Israeli Rabbis are still keenly observing two red-heifers. In Jewish theology, the red-heifer is essential to the rebuilding of the third Holy Temple in Jerusalem and will be needed to be sacrificed to complete the ritual of purification for the Temple. Jews believe that there have only been nine true red heifers in the past and the tenth will herald the construction of the third Temple. Several red heifers have been born in the past, but have been disqualified for not meeting the biblical requirements. The heifer must be born from a natural birth and be entirely red with no more than two non-red hairs on its body. It must also never have been used for any labor or have been impregnated. Please take the time to review the theology of the red heifer in Numbers 19. Of course, the two red heifers now under observation can be discarded at any time should a disqualifying blemish appear on their bodies. You can well imagine that both Jews and Christians are following the rabbis' weekly observations of these heifers.

Israel is presently preparing itself for a possible war with Iran should the Biden administration re-enter the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, abandoned by President Trump. This measure, also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal completely favors Iran while placing Israel and the Middle east region in serious jeopardy. I would not take the time here to explain the details of the deal here, but do suggest that you investigate for yourselves why President Trump shunned it in the first place. It is well known that although President Biden has not spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu since January 20th (when the PM made a congratulatory call to our President) he has been in frequent contact with the Palestinian leadership in Israel. This should not surprise anyone as it is also very well known that loud pro-Palestinian/anti Jew elements in the US congress are to be appeased.

There is so much more I would like to say regarding today's disparaging remarks made by Biden's press Secretary on the newest branch of our military - the space force along with our President's disturbing comments on the recent brutal killing of two FBI agents in Florida. I would however pause here and give you the opportunity to discover for yourselves some of the important events taking place in our country and abroad.

Just a Thought

Pastor Chandroo