Good point on this by you both . It’s not a requirement. So enjoy the reprieve
Amen. And to the extent this is God's unmerited favor, amen. I can appreciate that. And I do consider that there is mercy, kindness, and a great grace of God to lets say not super judge America. We deserve He might. And His realtime "stay" on our nation is something, as we just had Thanksgiving...to be thankful for. Amen.
Even if we look over the cooridors of time, I believe it is still good to see His grace all along the way. Why would He permit such grace as to make this country the most powerful country known to human history? It is a great grace to consider and walk in His goodness over. Amen.
And I think it is good to be reminded of this. Because in times like these, we might be focused on so many other things too. It would seem of course though most profound that we be thankful especially in times like these.
When we get excited about things eschatologically, sometimes the simple beautiful sweetness of His favor might tend to be overshadowed by the theater playing out in front of us. But as I shared in my other post, Ez and Hosea as end time fabric would seem to as well keep a watchful eye perhaps in how the mercy demonstrated to us in practical terms this election cycle winks also at just how deep and vast an ocean depth He may be all about that aside from its current episode.
In some ways I am jealous to see our current trend as His mercy. I can sense there is freshness in awakening to it in real time afresh and anew. Amen. I say "jealous" just meaning like I admire the experience. And see in part I could be more impacted by that. For it is a good thing to be impacted by. In some ways, I believe it might be more special and more honorable and more blessed to know very little from an eschatological perspective. And rather just experience the lovely gales of His winds of mercy upon our faces. That is to be highly cherished. Amen.
However we might discover His grace, mercy, and kindness anew, and even consider what looked liked we could have just sank into the ocean as a nation metaphorically, what I am reminded of is something I remember when I had some detailed studies on the origins of America. Even back to the first president, Washingon, I remember coming across a letter he wrote mentioning how America should be a haven for the Jews who had suffered in various other cultures over the centuries. And a rest for them from such wanderings in diverse cultures not always so friendly toward them. And I wonder if maybe in part this is why America has flourished as it has over the centuries. That we had it in developing notions to be a reprieve for the Jews. And then of course ironically see a greater extension of America being such a bullwork backbone in defense of Israel for so many decades. Which would also, no matter how we slice it, be a grace. Because we could have been a people like any others over centuries that demonstrated more humanity in governance than the era of kings and queens. That America be found (based on her foundation upon religious freedom) to consider the essence of religious freedom (that we are free to express our faith toward God without oppression) and extend that sensibility to the Jews. For it would seem fitting, as sin ridden as America can be, that we also were graced by God to have such profound thought upon religious freedom which in its honest attributes naturally have a diligence of offer of it also to the Jews. I mean in regards to our formation, that we might be a people that would exercise intent to that end.
I was never interested in eschatology for like 25 years. Not the slightest. But as I noticed things around 2016 that seemed to be off in our world, I did find myself wondering. If I were to guess a most poetic license use of Ezekiel 33:11/Hosea 11:9 in our context today, it would seem that a constitution that enabled organic real and sacrifical endeavor toward Israel to be somewhat a thing perhaps to be on display before a hurting and uncertain world. Something like if the US Constitution afforded empathetic heart toward wandering Israel in America's foundation, it might also be something perhaps even more cherishable in defense of her (Israel) in times coming close to a very difficult obstacle course she soon will face. And as much as we might see it beneficially a reprise for us, perhaps all the more for Israel...in part because of us. This is almost like a politically incorrect way it would seem to notice. But nevertheless it would seem to be something to take note of. And particularly so if Israel is in cue to absolutely benefit from it. Which would in some ways describe our current context, no doubt.
. . . . .
For me it had not been so much a surprise. I would imagine it to have been a surprise to me had I discovered that America tanks without any horizon to heal. Not so much because we are America and deserve to be the champions of the world or something (which reminds me of an essay called Saudi's in Bikinis -- a very well crafted literary homage to the reasons why America should cease and disist any imperialistic thought). But more so I reckon from the place of understanding that God might bring Israel to a more solid place. One of the more memorable people I met while posting at JDF was a man that went by the avatar name, Uturn. I actually came to JDF because of JD's stance on Ez 38 in late teens of the 21st century. His updates were really interesting on that. Coming from an American Reformed background of not really noticing all that much about Ez 37. So it was rather eye opening for me to consider a potential of Ez 38. So I guess on that note it seemed fitting that as JD had leaned in other direction and focus Uturn arrived on the scene. A man who tracked Ez 38 developments forming by thousands and thousands of datapoints, demonstrating how things are taking shape and how close we might be. I guess in an overall respect, I would say the overarching theme while at JDF for 4 years seem to be most accented by an Ez 38 like theme.
And although we tend to associate this event for Israel in perspectives of apocalyptic occurrence, it has been interesting to note that it is the most detailed section of scripture dealing with any one prophecy. And it would seem so, if it were to be that which might have significant weight in how it might anchor our age in the providential journey through prophecy. Like lets say if we had nothing else clear, what could be most clear would be rubber meets the road connections discoverable by world events demonstrating a trackable map of perhaps things most evident to discover about our age...and timing. And I guess having been kind of somewhat stuck in that mindset, I also become aware of how things might pertain to that event.
We know Israel will be hit by Ez 38 when it is settled and not at war. So any notions of maybe seeing it suddenly occur now would seem to be somewhat premature. But on some level it would make sense if things settle down for them sometime soon. And they are more so in a posture of rest, that they might in that peace and safety be the most vulnerable. Their peace and safety no doubt would on its face be a real peace and reprieve. A solace and sanctuary. And in that respect this somewhat caused me too to wonder if what in some eschatological views known as "false peace" might actually be this same reprieve for Israel approaching. With that as a hypothesis, working backward, it would make sense America would be made great again. As a mercy from God, amen. But it would seem perhaps as a mercy and moreso perhaps for Israel. And if all of that is leading into a peace and safety for them, knowing what likely follows soon thereafter, it likely be another grand overture of Ez 38 formation along the way.
And since we don't know exact rapture timing, should the Lord tarry long enough for the church to witness this, it would seem possibly for cause that God extend and afford Israel quite a reprieve in considering their true Messiah. One last great time before they be exposed to their 70th week. I mean it would make sense that God offer to Israel a chance not to go there. We know prophetically most of Israel will. But this whole thing makes me somewhat wonder if Israel might have a unique opportunity to rapture with the church. Generally we look at rapture timing as when the last gentile repents. And from our POV this makes sense. But since Israel is back on the map and back in some significant ways, it would seem too perhaps that maybe a rapture delay be as much for Israel as it would have been thought to be for the last gentile. And this kind of brings overtones of Romans 11 into view perhaps. That it would be ironic to see a rapture in the context of gentiles, while perhaps its timing most profoundly imbedded in the most impossible of options. So that Israel have unprecedented opportunity to rapture themselves. It almost feels like I am writing a comic strip irony in expressing it this way. But as inaccurate as this view may be, is at least in how much sense a view like this might resonate though too.
In that respect, it would have been a shock to me had not America the runway to improve. While much of watcherdom awaits a collapsing of America and resurgence of Europe, we get Trump and MAGA. Like some eschatological party crasher...lol. I laugh because it does seem on some level (should this be in any arena as true) an "of course" palm slap to the forehead that God would be like this. Which also brings some overtures in contrast to my Americanized version of the Reformed perspective. Where the insistence was upon a lofty thought, that God would even dare care for such a sinner as I. And not that He should. But what seemed to be somewhat missing in that dance, for me (over time) was that of course-ness of a God that sacrificially gave us Jesus Christ--would, of course, care. For it was the most intimate revealing of who the Father is in the Son. Consistent with One who seeks 1 lost and leaves the 99. In that POV, yeah, I guess it would be more of a shock to have shown His Son to us and then was not all that interested in His creation and their salvation. I mean when looked at in this way, its like impossible that God would not. So if this is making sense on some level, this is where I might parlay something of this signature type into the US Constitution as it relates to Israel and their protection, survival, and flourishing. Like on some level, not to be presumptuous (because we may not know what we may not know), there is a particular essence of what I have come to term the "of course-ness of God," as an end time providential hermeneutic of sorts I guess. So I reckon, seeing too presumptively like that can lead the flesh to Christian Nationalism. And maybe making no room for this leads to all eyes on Satan "potential?" But for me while I was traveling the USA trucking, in the mid teens of the 21st century (like a year before I began to consider eschatology) I came across an emphasis on 2 kings 13:14-19. Recognizing that much of my Christian life had been under a similar banner of walking by faith to be desired, it became painstaking clear that there is absolutely not just an "of course-ness" to Him, likely...but something maybe light years beyond that even it would seem (Hebrews 2:3-4 comes to mind). So naturally, as struck to the heart over my own life realizing I did not shoot many arrows into the ground, subconsciously (I imagine) also considered this radiance of His heart in end times. Not something considered as much. And when it seems it has, NAR is more than happy to take it into the next country and make a Christian Nation out of it. While the conscientious believer might look at NAR and say, "Wow those horses. This is the same presumption of Isreal in the first century." And this would be reasonable to be opposite toward. But if Ez 33:11, and Hosea 11:9, and Heb 2:3-4 including 1 Kings 13:14-19 are on the table and might have weight in our day, we know what it doesn't look like as NAR is wearing. But it just seemed to be something somewhat more connected to a Romans 11 providential mirror, than perhaps a tribulation mirror. Perhaps something potentially found between those two metaphoric pieces might just be (Gen 15:17) God passing between them. As JD is known for saying..."That's my story...and I'm sticking to it." lol.
Although I am always open for other. Or more conventional. Worst case scenario perhaps is to see America made great again, and let that just be the story. As grateful we may be, amen. This may be enough. For maybe we won't see days beyond that. But I just see a lot of controversy over the USA affirming why we should not make it such a focus (which I find ironic). And from the looks of things may likely be a blinding focus. So as not to get hopefully all caught up in that, I try to see things creatively. Maybe too much so. But we did not cause ourselves to be born at such a time as this. Only God knows. I guess we'll see. Thanks so much for letting me ramble. But if I am anywhere at all near being over "some" target, it would just seem to be a fitting time also to post a little "the things that are not" like motif graffiti. The pun there being America being "not" by being great again...lol. Wow. If nothing else, it would seem the irony is rich. Blessing much.
