AVIZANDUM: Peace in the Middle East

Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective. and take matters Abyssendum The small territory we know as Israel is located in the center of the world. the small country. has seen the great movements of human history.

Armies have marched through it as they traveled from Africa to Europe and vice versa. In my church office, I have a map prepared by National Geographic describing the Eastern Mediterranean, which features Israel as well as Lebanon and Syria. as the crucible of history Few regions on earth could match the Eastern Mediterranean for drama. Its story, written in stone and blood over five millennia, sweeps through history. on the wings of empires.

Egyptian, Phoenician, Hittite, Assyrian, Canaanite, Israelite. Babylonian Persian, Greek, Roman. Byzantine Christian. out of Muslim and Ottoman all ruled in this territory between the Nile and the mountains of Anatolia. It's deserts.

Echoing with the voice of God, seared the legacies of Abraham's faith. Judaism. Christianity and Islam into Human history. End quote. The map goes on to refer to the dramas of today many of them written after World War I, By colonial powers of Europe, who occupied the lands of the fallen Ottoman Empire.

I love to look at the map and be reminded of the piece of real estate selected by our sovereign God. I'm reminded of the covenant God made with Abraham and his offspring in Genesis seventeen, verse eight. I will give to you and to your offspring after you, The land of your sojourning. all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession. and I will be their God.

What a glorious promise and not yet finally fulfilled. We continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. and that Hamas and Israel's other enemies will be decisively defeated. but we know that any peace treaty at the moment will not hold for too long. As followers of Jesus, we look forward to his return in majestic power and glory.

Then he will set up his reign on earth for a thousand years. This is the millennial kingdom of the world. Of our Lord Jesus Christ. The chronology is mentioned in Revelation nineteen and twenty. In my eschatology, I am premillennial.

believing that the Lord Jesus Christ will return prior to the thousand year reign on earth. The enemies of the Antichrist will then be destroyed. And Christ will institute a reign of righteousness and peace. on the whole earth. What a staggering event The Prince of Peace.

will rule. The prophecies of the Old Testament will then be fulfilled. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge. of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Zechariah writes, And the Lord will be king over all the earth.

On that day the Lord will be one. and his name won. Amos writes Plowman shall overtake the reaper. and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed. Amos confirms that God will restore the fortunes of my people Israel.

I will plant them on their land. and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them, says the LORD God. I am looking forward to this kingdom. There appears to be a rise in postmillennialism, which is the belief that the millennium will occur during the last thousand years of the present age, or the thousand years may just be symbolic of a long period of time. We see this with such groups who believe that the world is getting better.

that the Gospel will be triumphant throughout the whole world. that the world will be Christianized, and that followers of Christ will usher in the kingdom of God. then Christ will return. But this is a very false view. The Church does not bring in the kingdom of God.

The only ones who can overthrow the kingdoms of this world and institute the kingdom of God in its full consummation. Is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. We can't usher in the kingdom but are commanded to go to all of the nations and make disciples.

So peace is coming to the Middle East. In a future day Israel will possess all of the land. And that nation will look on him whom they have pierced.

So that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. In heaven. and on earth and under the earth. And every tongue confess that That Jesus Christ is Lord. To the glory of God the Father.

What peace and stability this gives to us as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Jesus the King is coming back. He shall rule with perfect peace, justice, righteousness and power. Even so come. Lord Jesus.

Avazando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.