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Question # 61... What is the symbolic identity of the white horse rider pictured in Revelation 6:2? Isn't it a picture of Jesus Christ?

Answer.... The White Horse Rider in Revelation 6:2 is in fact a fore-glimpse of the Antichrist. Sadly, most Christians misidentify this character. That is because he is a master-deceiver. Actually, this white horse rider is the coming leader of the Last Days world wide empire. He is the "prince that shall come", mentioned in Daniel 9:26. We should remember that the Antichrist shall attempt to mimic Jesus Christ in many ways. (Matt. 24:5) He will appear on the world stage as a "man of peace", but in reality he is a deceiver who conquers through craftiness. (Daniel 8:25 ) The picture of him riding his white horse carrying a bow without any arrows conveys the symbolic picture that he will be a forger of peace alliances, for the express purpose of forging a world union. The word for "bow" used in this context is the Greek word "toxon", which means a simple token. Ironically, the bow of Noah's flood established a "tokos covenant" between God and mankind. The white horse rider will also arrange a "token covenant" with many. ( Daniel 9:27 ) This white horse rider is the charismatic man of peace that will confirm the covenant with Israel for seven years. But, as indicated by Amos the prophet, this white horse rider will be cut asunder. Amos 2:15-16 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself. ( Nimrod, the first prototype of Antichrist was known as the great Hunter, and was symbolically represented carrying a bow ) Jesus Christ doesn't appear on the world stage until the very end of the Tribulation period, in Revelation 19:11, when he destroys the armies of the Antichrist. Then, at that point in time, he will confirm His Covenant with his people Israel! Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Question # 62... Why shouldn't Israel be forced to give back territory that they took in war?

Answer...Israel is being coerced into relinquishing land to nations that have initiated a number of wars against them. Israel has never instigated any of the previous wars, by which she gained the territory in dispute. One of the major inhibiting factors for a nation launching a war against ones neighbor is the prospect of losing. If we take away the cost of losing a war, then nations will more readily go to war. The Geneva Convention of 1947 stipulated that nations could not legally "occupy", or take over the territory of another nation by force. However, when attacked by offensive nations, this rule should not apply. Unfortunately, the entire world refers to the territories that Israel has accumulated in wars with her Arab neighbors as "occupied territory". This terminology carries with it the connotation that Israel is the offending country, but in reality, if Israel had not been so fortunate to not only repel the attacks, but actually win the wars launched against her, Israel would simply not exist. Would there have been any outcry from the nations for Israel after her destruction? What good would it have done after the Arab armies destroyed Israel? Furthermore, there is also the Divine working of Bible prophecy relative to anything connected with the nation of Israel. Israel is the only nation in the entire history of mankind that has an actual deed for its homeland. God is moving through the events of history to restore his people back unto himself. The miracle of the rebirth, and survivability of the nation of Israel in the Middle East is evidence that God has undertaken his providential plan to fulfill his covenant with Israel, and through Israel to bless all nations of the world.

Question # 63... How can you defend Israel, in light of the fact that they are building settlements on land that formerly belonged to Palestinians? Isn't it only fair that they cease from building on occupied lands, land that was taken from their enemies?

Answer... The land being used by Israel for settlement construction is land that Israel acquired by defeating the nations that in an unprovoked manner attacked them. ( spoils of war ) Israel, unlike the previous possessors of the territory in question does at least permit the Palestinians to become citizens of Israel, with all the privileges of a democratic state. To the contrast, the states of Jordan, Egypt, and Syria have never incorporated displaced Palestinians into their societies. There are no refugee camps within Israel. The Palestinian people have been deprived of satisfactory living conditions by their own leadership, not by Israel.

Question # 64... What about the Palestinian refugees? Isn't Israel responsible for the squalid conditions that many Palestinians live in? Doesn't Israel bear the responsibility for uprooting these people from their homes?

Answer... The Palestinian refugee problem was created by the nations of Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, etc. that launched four wars against Israel. Israel did not cause the refugee problem. Why is it that there is never any mention of Israeli refugees from these wars? Shouldn't the Arab nations that launched the offensive campaigns against Israel be liable for compensating Jews that were displaced in their countries? There is no fallout concerning Jewish refugees because Israel assimilated displaced peoples from hostile countries into Israel. Why doesn't the Arab nations do likewise? The Arab leaders directed the Palestinians peoples of 1948 to evacuate their former homes so that they would not be in the path of Arab armies seeking to destroy Israel. It is true that Israel should accord all rights and privileges to Palestinian citizens that live lawfully under Israeli law. Also, the UN and the US has donated many millions of dollars to the PA to help build homes for Palestinian refugees, but those monies never reach the Palestinian peoples needs because the PLO hierarchy does not use it to enrich the infrastructure of daily living.

Question # 65... How can there ever be peace between the Jews and the Arabs? They have fought for thousands of years. It seems to me that it will continue forever this way, as I can see no possible solution to their conflict.

Answer...Peace will only exist between the people of Israel and their neighbors when the people on all sides come to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and King. This is the reason that religions can only exasperate the hope of true peace! Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and without the heart-knowledge of the salvation of God, then peace can only be temporarily sustained through powers of enforcement. Peace between Jew and Arabs, and the whole world will be imparted by a "change in mans heart" that can only be effectuated by the miracle of God's providential Grace.

Question # 66... Doesn't the outpouring of complaints against Israel at the UN Conference on World Racism in Durban, South Africa ( Sept. 1-9, 2001 ) exhibit the fact that Israel is regarded world-wide as today's biggest perpetrator of racism?

Answer... The World Conference on Racism exposed the fact that this whole world harbors hatred for the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and the Messiah that God sent unto this world to redeem the world. Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I ( God ) lay in Zion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence: (Jesus Christ) and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. The conference on racism was representative of the real racists in the world. Jesus Christ died for all tribes, nationalities, colors, and backgrounds. God utilized the nation of Israel as the vehicle of lineage for sending his son into this world. Jesus Christ was born a descendant of Israel. That is a fact, and God is going to utilize the nation of Israel once again to bring true peace to this world. Those who hate Israel stand diametrically opposite God's divine plan for Israel. Yes, Israel has a lot to learn, but the peace of this world depends on God's working with that nation!

Question # 67... Is the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center and on the Pentagon depicted in any way in Bible Prophecy? I have heard that it might be symbolized in some way.

Answer... The specific act of the September 11th terrorist attack on America is not literally depicted in the details of Bible Prophecy. Rarely does the Bible allude to a specific and particular event like this attack in a direct manner. The September attack was just about as dramatic as the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, but neither may be found in Bible prophecy. However, each set the stage for historical upheavals that that may be found in Bible Prophecy. The 1941 attack set in motion the events of WWII that culminated with the rebirth of Israel, which was a significant prophetic event. The attack of September 11th was an event which may catapult the world into the next dramatic stage of Bible prophecy. But, we will have to watch closely to see what develops. The attack on the WTC does seem to symbolically prefigure the prophecy of Revelation 18 regarding the destruction of the commercial center of the world in the Last Days, but the "Babylon the Great" catastrophe is much broader in scope than the September attack.

Question # 68 ...Were the attacks on New York City and Washington D.C actually caused by God as some Christian leaders have suggested?

Answer... No, God did not cause those attacks to happen, nor has he ever caused an act of evil to occur. However, we must always remember that all of humanity is a rebel by nature. Without the presence of God working in humanity to instill righteousness, evil would run roughshod throughout the world on a constant basis. In reality, God's spirit and law work to avail to mankind true peace. But, when mankind ignores the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and ignores the wisdom of God's law, then humanity is allowed by God to experience the natural ramifications of their own sinful nature. God works to restrain the evil in our world, but he does not impose his will upon humanity. Therefore, evil can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. But, in the end analysis, God will judge everyone and then destroy evil. All are accountable to God, whether they do good or evil! During the Great Tribulation, God will completely remove his "Restrainer of evil" ( II Thes. 2:7 ) from this world, and allow mankind to vent his evil nature. But, then Jesus Christ will return and bring justice to the world. However, a nation that has been built on a Christian foundation and forgets God's law will find itself in the gun-sights of God's righteous judgment, just as exemplified in Israel's past history. God judges all nations through the course of history, and will exact final judgment on the nations of today's world according to their interaction with Israel. The attacks upon America were caused by Satan, and he will cause anyone that allows him to gain a foothold, to act in an evil manner.

Question # 69… Are all Muslims inclined to Holy War? Do they all believe in waging Jihad against Christians and Jews?

Answer……. No, not all Muslims believe in waging military Jihad. Some interpret Jihad as being a mission for waging spiritual warfare within themselves. There are actually three types of Muslims: Secularists, Moderates, and Fundamentalists. The Koran, the holy book of Islam, is used by each group to justify their own way of theological thinking. Secularists are Muslims who do not have a working knowledge of the contents of the Koran and only know a verse or two to justify the means of enjoying life. Moderates know the Koran but seek to make their faith relevant to modern life. They try to reconcile the contradicting verses in the Koran in such a way that Muslims may tolerate Jews and Christians living among them. Fundamentalists are those who want to apply the more extreme verses of the Koran to the very letter. These verses supposedly came to Muhammad after he was strong militarily and after he realized that the Christians and Jews were not becoming followers of his new religion. They do practice militaristic Jihad!

Question # 70 .... I have seen where you have indicated that Jehovah and Allah are not merely different names for God. On what basis do you make this claim?

Answer……. There are hundreds of reasons that I could elaborate on as to why the Islamic God “Allah” and the Biblical God “Jehovah” are not identical, but the simplest, and most basic reason is because of the following fact: The Koran states concerning Allah: Proclaim: He is Allah, the Single; Allah, the Self-Existing and Besought of all. He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none equal to Him in His attributes. (Surah 112:2-5)

Allah says: They (Christians) allege: The Gracious One has taken unto Himself a son. Assuredly, you have uttered a monstrous thing! The heavens might well burst thereat, and the earth cleave asunder, and the mountains fall down in pieces, because they ascribe a son to the Gracious One; whereas it becomes not the Gracious One to take unto Himself a son. (Surah 19:88-99)

Whereas the Holy Bible states concerning Jehovah: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

So the fact of the matter is that Allah begat no Son, while Jehovah is the Father of Jesus Christ! This is a most important distinction. For if God almighty has no Son, then he could not send him to become a propitiation for the sins of mankind. And without Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection, there would be no offer of God's Grace, nor the manifest demonstration of God's love.

( To deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is serious ) I John 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.


Q&A 71-80 Q&A 61-70
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