Hi Margery. I once emailed Rock Harbor Church asking them where in the bible does it explain how Isreal, during the tribulation, gets from being scattered by the antichrist for 3.5 years to be back in Jerusalem for the valley of decision battle, Armageddon. They were very detailed. And quite helpful. They were not able to answer my question. But in our discussion, they said something about Matt 24:31 in such a way I did a double take. And asked them to explain that more. They saw that Matt 24:31 as Isreal being collected from all nations and brought into the Matthew 13:24–43 store house. That was the first time I ever heard that view. And it made such awesome sense. I did not get my question answered. But I walked a way with a very beautiful paradigm in scripture. One that has cross resonated with several themes in the bible that make a lot better (and in some cases: different) senses. I also really enjoyed Brandon's counseling series.
Over time though, my eschatology started to shift slightly away from his focus though. I appreciated he was one of the first pastors to discern that COVID leaked out of a lab in the early days of COVID. Which i am grateful for. But his generic end time blueprint became very different than mine. I had been of the John Haller school of discernment for quite a while, but this also seemed to be viewing age of grace end times through a Revelation tribulation filter. And although dear sister i well understand this approach, and use to be hook/line & sinker of ready heart in that view, I still see Revelation/Tribulation oriented themes playing out. But my major end time rudder direction is quite other than the Revelation/Tribulation filter view.
So although I enjoyed watching this video because i do share some concerns Brandon does (I even posted those very concerns originally in another thread days ago), I am quite relieved and appreciative that i don't do eschatology like how he does. This video reminded me of the relief of not tracking like that. I was genuinely relieved...lol. I respect evangelicalism for being awake enough to care. But there are some points i'd like to make in my overall sense about this video.
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First off, right after the video i checked out the comments to it. And there are a lot of most were appreciative. But here was the very first one:
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@JesusLordofmylife 1 day ago -- Pastor, whatever is happening, GOD APPARENTLY IS ALLOWING IT!!! God is in control. No worries here on my end! God is supreme and sovereign. Amen!
I think that is important to start with because it is not as if Brandon is not trusting God. That is not what i take from that comment. Several replies to it were saying that Brandon is not worried but just sharing what is happening. And i see that. But what does stand out to me about this comment is something else. This is nothing new from me. But perhaps in contexts along the way it can hopefully become clearer...or i recant...lol. One of the two.
So, its not that i see a view like Brandon's as coming from not trusting God. But it does interest me in how a comment like this might be perceived to be suggesting that. We can't know his heart. But this feature of where this comment is coming from, to me, is somewhat of a social artifact attesting to something deeper. And that, to me, is the commentary upon views like this video providence might be making. To me, providence is super loud today. And a very raw corollary to end times themes. To me, providence addresses a potential blind spot in the church.
When the video started, it introduced the strengthening of the Abraham Accords. And to be honest dear sister, I did have to remind myself, "Oh yeah, the church sees that as a bad thing." I literally have to remind myself to think that because of where much of evangelicalism is coming from in regards to that. I'm not alone in this. But for sure understanding the providential place of the Abraham Accords is a minority view from what i have seen. So like, in a way, i was kind of shocked with cold water in the face to have to realize once again that great portions of evangelical watcher views don't seem to process Abraham Accords too well, in my estimation. But i am glad that it at least concerns them. Because if not at least that, I believe the church would be in much worse shape today. So I am appreciative that even though i see differently, what i can take heart in is that watchers are awake. Amen.
So I guess here is kind of the rub with me. What i see is providence laying the ground work for Ez 38. Which is not necessarily providence heavy. Its prophetic heavy. But even though it is starring the church in the face, our Ez 38 sensitivity meters seem to be broken to some extent. Because in general the watcher community does not seem to know how the Abraham Accords ties in with Ez 38. Can you imagine if the church were to be telling one story about end times, while a different story rather unfolds instead. And we bring up Abraham Accords (recognizing it) as though it is something not attached to Ez 38. And thus, we never make the connection.
But what seems to get connected instead tends to be: "Yeah but listen to us provide warnings about what is going on with all that. " While simultaneously not having any idea how it potentially (and radically so) most likely is THE very infrastructure for Ez 38. Sometimes it almost feels like to me like that church is saying: "Yeah Ez 38 is a thing to watch for. But check this out. I got something really juicy." Almost like the church is trying to upstage simple prophecy. And it is in that sense I believe that comment in Brandons video attests to as a social artifact of our day. That we may literally be living in a time where watching can at times to seemingly insert itself. And potentially override very basic prophetic alignings.
Should we be worried that Trump might be an engine to strengthen the Abraham Accords? My eschatology is utterly counting on it. Without Saudi normalization, we are decades away from Ez 38. With it, minutes. So to me to have a paradigm story that runs alongside prophecy inserting itself in the mix seemingly trying to avert it puzzles me. I know this is not something done on purpose. Its just that if the Revelation/Tribulation view permitted Ez 38 some elbow room, seeing how providence might work in all this gets light years easier and clearer. Because God gave us the most detail in the Ez 38 prophecy. The more it looks like that (and boy does it ever), the more we can understand prophecy. But wait. There's more!!! That expression is often stated in selling vitamix machines in infomercials. But it does not necessarily have to be something we do with prophecy. I'm proud of Brandon for saying several times that he does not get it. But something is up. I'm glad he recognizes this about his takes.
While much of his focus is on how we cannot trust Islamic nations, it is a wee bit spooky to somewhat presume this seer place of geopolitics. It seems in places to have ear marks of our age known for being young men on youtube with a podcast microphone. Where any of our random thoughts can be pontificated right from our living room couch while wearing a bathrobe and rant. "Hey America, I got an o p i n i o n." That is not how i see Brandon at all. But that kind of is the era we live in. It is kind of like that out there. I understand faithful brothers who study prophecy would be expected to have a seat at the table. And i understand the concerns well with terror supporting Islamic nations. Amen. But world class diplomacy seeks to do this: Encourage Saudi Arabia to join the world market as a means of helping them to mature in respecting world enterprise. In other words: "If you want to be billionaires, learn to play nice to your consumers lest they go somewhere else." Then there is Neom. An AI city build for tourism in Saudi Arabia to replace depleting oil supplies. What Saudi Arabia is doing there (of which 1/4 of the world building resources is currently stationed) is developing a government of that city overseen by its multinational investors. So that the West feels safe to go there. Their future depends on what the world thinks about their bad human rights record. This is the diplomatic age we live in now.
Its not a perfect world. And drawing lines in the sand are necessary. But world economic power has to deal with countries that have bad human rights records. There are things like sanctions and other means to punish bad behavior. But interacting with world powers honoring their national sovereignty is kind of how the world works. And, since God created nations, respecting the sovereignty of a people (albeit unruly ones) is actually honoring God's created order within the context of the fall. Lets say America gets more powerful. Doesn't it make economic diplomatic sense to curry power to influence better directions for other nations? That is kind of one way to steer the world away from WW3. Love hopes all things.
I understand Brandon would see this as naive. I would have agreed with him in 2011 that it seems like the themes of the world are testifying to the playing out of Isaac vs Ishmael (Arab Spring). But if diplomacy can better form alliances through working with aspects of the Arab world to stay off to some degree the inevitability of rogue Islamic states having nukes, its better sense then if America is to be an economic interest, rather than a wallflower. In hopes to be helpful on some features in this regard, Brandon mentions several nations hating America. There is truth to a degree with that. But just some thoughts internationally from a diplomat perspective...
Libya
While there was a period of strained relations with the US during Muammar Gaddafi's rule, especially after the establishment of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), Libya's current relations with the US are more cordial and cooperative, particularly in the area of security. The situation is complex, with ongoing efforts to establish a stable and unified government in Libya
Sudan
The U.S. and Sudan entered into a bilateral dialogue on counterterrorism in May 2000. Sudan has provided concrete cooperation against international terrorism since the September 11, 2001, terrorist strikes on New York and Washington.
Turkey
While Turkey is a key NATO ally of the United States, there's a noticeable undercurrent of anti-American sentiment within the country, particularly among some segments of the public. This sentiment is often tied to perceived US foreign policy interference in regional affairs, such as the Kurdish issue.
Tansunia
While there are some Tunisians with unfavorable views of the U.S., it's not accurate to say Tunisia is entirely anti-American.
Pew Research Center data shows a roughly even split between those with favorable and unfavorable views. There's also a significant portion that wants stronger ties with the U.S. or sees the U.S.'s role in Tunisia as positive.
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In some ways, it would seem that the views expressed in this video can be perhaps border line archaic political perspectives somewhat. I understand Brandon's heart. I feel for it. I think he is right about Islam. But if Trump is attempting to unite Israel with greater Arab nations regional peace through American strength and ties to the Arab world, and is able to some degree pull that off...what should we say? "No, lets keep Israel isolated." The story the Abraham Accords tells me is that the Arab world is coming of age to consider Isreal in making money together. Israel is one of the top technologies developers in the world. Saudi Arabia is jealous for their technology. And had plans of strong diplomatic relations with Israel in building commerce travel rout venture. In great part (other than the Red Heifers), it would appear Hamas attacked Israel in 2023 to put other Arab Nations against Saudi Arabia (or rather to just stir the pot so Saudi Arabia backed away from Israel) because they were warming too much up with Israel. Iran knows if the Saudis join the Arab Accords, so will many other nations in the Arab region. Which will leave Iran alone. Not Israel. It's not a fix all. And there may be great hostilities against Israel from many Arab countries. But to the degree it is in their best interest to work with Israel, they shoot themselves in the foot to harm Israel. That is the Middle East emerging. More than the one Brandon sees. I can appreciate Brandon's passion and concern. But he would not make a very good secretary of state. To partner with Saudi Arabia is to have leverage over Iran. To have the Abraham Accords with Saudi Arabia, is to reduce Iran to inevitability. Thus, Oct 7th.
We know Iran has a huge role in Ez 38. So no matter how offset they become, they will be a major player in end times. But the Abraham Accords is legitimatley diplomatic channels to genuinely stabilize the middle east. We know it won't last. But evangelicalism does not seem to recognize its hour and purpose...and yet prophesies stories. I could be wrong. Perhaps Trump is one big phatty sellout. In that event, yes America will be in great trouble. But from what we have seen of Trump over the years, it would appear that he wants people to see himself as a Trump ventriliquest doll on too supportive of Isreal and the whole world testif
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I’m not sure we are reengineering anything…just seeing plainly things play out that the Bible says will happen. Just watching and seeing and not liking what we see. I think I understand your reference to Phil 4:8 but one of the things to think on would be things that are true. And seeing and thinking upon the truth is going to result in joy but also sadness.
