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Why 911?

 

In the book of Judges we see that God appointed Gideon to help bring a measure of revival, restoration, and blessing to Israel, a nation suffering through a period of economic, social, and military upheaval.  In Judges 6:12 the angel of the Lord spoke to a reluctant Gideon by saying, "the Lord is with you".  These words were meant to encourage Gideon to lead Israel into better times, but they didn't.  Gideon seemed a bit confused.  In Judges 6:13 he answered the Lord.  "If the Lord is with us, why is all this happening to us'?  Gideon couldn't figure out why the Lord would allow one disaster after another to come upon His people if He indeed was with them. 

 

As we look back in history, we know why Israel was experiencing those disasters.  Not so with Gideon.  He lived in an era of Israeli history when Israelis were so far removed from the knowledge of God and His ways that his question made perfect sense to him.  Gideon didn't know that Israel was being disciplined by the Lord.  Judges 6:1 says, "Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years He gave them into the hands of their enemies".  In Biblical terms, disaster is often used by God to bring people and nations to repentance and subsequent restoration and salvation.  Gideon viewed such disaster as being negative.  God viewed it as a means to a positive end.

 

Things haven't changed since Gideon's day.  People are still asking the same question.  After 911, especially in America, people were asking, "if there is a God watching over us, why did He allow 911"?   I ask, "did America do evil in the eyes of the Lord prior to 911 that would have prompted a Judges 6:1 response by God"?  

 

There are two issues to consider at this point.  The first is the Abrahamic Covenant.  God decreed that whoever blessed Israel would be blessed, and whoever cursed Israel would be cursed. (Genesis 12:1-3)  The second issue concerns the title deed to the present disputed land of Israel .  God claims ownership to the land. (Isaiah 14:25, Jeremiah 2:7, 16:18, Ezekiel 36:5, 38:16, Joel 1:6, 3:2)  Israel merely "occupies" the land because God has given her the  authorization to do so.  Herein lies the evil I believe America participated in as would have been seen in the eyes of the Lord. 

 

On September 13, 1993, in Washington D. C., U. S. President Bill Clinton hosted the signing of the Oslo Accords.  President Clinton stood alongside PLO chairman Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to witness the signing.  I, along with much of the world watched this historic ceremony on TV, and, I'm convinced the Almighty watched from His vantage point.  The intent of the accords was to divide Israel in exchange for peace.  It has been called "land for peace".  Israel would forfeit certain  territories in exchange for peace with the Palestinians.    

 

As host to the signing ceremony, and as a prime backer of the accords, Bill Clinton stood in agreement to divide God's land.  As in the days of Gideon, President Clinton and those standing with him were so far removed from the knowledge of God and His ways that they had no clue what they were doing.  President Clinton led others in robbing God, dividing up His land, and attempting to nullify another historic treaty which we call the Abrahamic Covenant. 

 

Those witnessing the signing of the Oslo Accords also knew nothing of what the Israeli prophet Joel prophesied centuries earlier, and that includes Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.  Joel 3:1-3 states that "in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of  Jehoshaphat.  There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land".  

 

Nations have been scattering Israelis and dividing their land for centuries.  That's nothing knew.  However, what is knew is this.  According to the prophet Joel, when the Lord begins to "restore the fortunes of Israel", as He is now doing, the nations of the world will attempt to "scatter Israelis and divide their land", as they are doing now.  Well, for the first time in more than 2700 years, God is now in the process of "restoring the fortunes of Israel".  And, as Amos 9:15 states, when this happens, Israel will never lose her land again despite these attempts to take it from her.  The process of "restoring the fortunes of Israel" will conclude when Jesus returns to end this present age.  Therefore,  Joel's prediction about dividing the land of Israel is prophetically relevant.  Joel might well have predicted the Oslo Accords and other similar accords that have been enacted in recent years.  The words "in those days and at that time" found in Joel 3:1 might well refer to "our days and our times".  That's quite amazing.

 

You judge for yourself.  As host and main supporter to the Oslo Accords that was signed on September 13, 1993, in Washington D.C., would President Clinton's actions be considered evil in the eyes of the Lord?   If they were, we know the answer to "why 911"?     

 

As in the case of Israel and other nations throughout history, disasters initiated by the Lord, although seen as being negative by man, are meant to be a positive step towards national repentance and subsequent restoration and salvation.  Has 911 brought America and the nations of the world to repentance?   Obviously not.  Therefore, according to Joel 3:2, "all nations" will be dragged into God's final judgment against them in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, otherwise known as the Valley of Jezreel, or Armageddon. 

 

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