For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)
We're living in times in which darkness and danger are creeping in at the turn of every new page of history. This is an era in which terms such as "terror" and "terrorists" are constantly on the lips of ordinary citizens, and the drum beat of war can be heard on every continent. It's a period of history in which people are crying out for peace, but there is no peace.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. 1:8 NIV)
The memory of that plane ride is one that will linger with me throughout my life. It was the summer of 1988. I normally sleep on cross-Atlantic flights. But for some reason, I couldn't sleep on that particular flight. My seat by the window became a sanctuary. I silently sat there praying and seeking God's face. I was headed to one of the spiritually darkest countries in the world - Romania.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. (Rev. 19:11 NIV)
There was recently an interesting press report about a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan. He was a committed fighter for his brand of radical Islam and gave himself to shooting and killing his fellow countrymen in the opposing Northern Alliance. He believed the "evil" West and all of their friends had to be destroyed.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. (Rev. 19:11 NIV)
Have you ever wondered why Jesus was so upset with the religious leaders of His times? He forgave prostitutes, healed the sick, and set the demon possessed free. But He continually rebuked the religious scholars. What was it that upset Jesus so much about the Scribes and Pharisees?
