A new report by the U.S. Save the Children organization claims about 10 million children die every year from easily preventable and treatable diseases. It added that more than half of those could be saved with what they term “basic medical services”.
The report found that more than 200 million children under age five lack the basic healt hcare services which include immunizations, antibiotics, skilled care at childbirth and treatment for diarrhea and pneumonia. The 55 nations surveyed in the study account for nearly 60 percent of the world's population of children under five and 83 percent of all child deaths.
The research also revealed the worst countries as Laos, Yemen, Chad, Somalia and especially Ethiopia, where a horrendous 84% of children lack adequate medical attention. On the other end of the spectrum was the Philippines, which does the best job of providing basic care. But even in the Philippines, 31% of the young children are under-protected, and families there pay 44 percent of general health costs. This, of course, leaves the very poor most vulnerable. Dr. Stephanie Sison, of Save The Children in Manila, says that mobilizing effective community health workers is the key to the success in the Philippines because they live in the community and are able to educate mothers directly.
The above statistics are almost too hard to comprehend in the United States of America. The U.S. health care system is still the envy of most of the world and is always a prominent issue for many families and especially in the political realm.
Former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee espouses that the nation does not have so much a health ‘care’ crisis as much as it has a literal ‘health’ crisis. The former Arkansas Governor feels that the 80% of money spent on dealing with chronic illness in older age could be dramatically reduced through better caring for the body long before most preventable troubles begin. He explains that, although the quantity of life for Americans is increasing, that the quality of their physical condition often leaves much to be desired. His views come from firsthand experience when he lost over 100 pounds after being told by physicians that he would die if serious evasive action was not taken – and quickly. His point is simply that healthy and moral lifestyles are key to both a better physical and better economic life.
Physical and spiritual health, and health care, issues have numerous similarities and contrasts. The most crucial contrast is that spiritual wellness is not the exclusive possession of those fortunate enough to afford to purchase it. John 3:16 declares it can be the property of any who come to Christ in faith. The apostle writes there, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Acts 2 substantiates this great truth in verse 22. “That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." Salvation is clearly for ‘whoever’ and not only for whoever can pay.
Scripture also speaks to the preventive and healing power of God’s living word. The Psalmist knew this well from experience when he penned his thoughts in chapter 119. First, he answered his own profound question in verse 9. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” Then Scripture's ability to hinder sin while still in the temptation stage is revealed through verse 10. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
During His earthly ministry Jesus did heal some that were sick. He occasionally even raised the dead. But His primary reason for doing so was to substantiate His deity and role as the Messiah. It was not to just relieve physical suffering. That was simply a loving by-product for those He miraculously touched. But His main task was always to heal the damaged souls of sinful men and women. He identified those in need in Matthew 9 and His unique ability to meet that crisis in Luke 19. Through Matthew’s gospel we read in verse 12, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Then Luke 10:19 He spoke of the purpose of the incarnation. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Christ knew, as only the Creator God could, that physical healing is desirable, but that spiritual health is essential! Only He could fully know the unimaginable horrors of hell and the unfathomable blessings heavenly.
The plan in the Philippines of mobilizing local health workers for increased medical success is a model for reaching the world with the soul-saving power of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-9 provides perhaps the Bible’s most effective and complimented pattern for successful evangelistic outreach and widespread spiritual health. “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.”
In a fallen world the existence physical agony will never be preventable. But in Christ, the universal plague and penalty of human sin is fully curable!
Bill Breckenridge
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Global Troubles, Biblical Peace
The tragedy in Myanmar defies imagination. The cyclone’s wind and water have killed 22,000 by rough current estimates, and countless more are missing. Compounding the disaster was the leftist government’s inaction to alert citizens of the impending catastrophe and refusing merciful aid in post-storm days because of political paranoia. Starvation and ravaging disease wait closely in the wings to potentially decimate thousands of survivors.
There is always a tendency to over react prophetically and assign some natural disaster to a particular end-time fulfillment, but several recent developments make the serious Bible student wonder whether the weather is an ally of the onset of predicted global disorders.
Both the Lord Jesus and the apostles forecast tortured times for planet earth in the end times. End times began from the coming of Christ according to Hebrews 1:2, but the end of the end times must be now with global indicators apparent.
There is a modern restored Israel (Ezekiel 38), now celebrating it’s 60th anniversary, Europe is conjoined by currency, passports and manufacturing standards (Revelation 13 & 17) and the kings of the east are troubling the world (Rev. 16:12), to name a few.
Natural phenomena focus additional attention on prophecy. Christ spoke of ethnic strife, earthquakes, famines and disease in Matthew 24:7. Revelation predicts the greatest earthquake ever (Rev. 16:18). Evidently tsunamis and howling winds will impact coastal areas as Luke 21:25 says and Rev. 7:1 implies. Peter predicts earth’s end will be with a torrid heat and huge explosion (II Peter 3:10-12).
Presently, there are clusters of earthquakes in America’s midsection and off the coast of Oregon. A terrible cyclone has ravaged Myanmar. Southern Chile has suffered a violent volcanic eruption. Starvation and disease are constant collateral threats. AIDS ravages Africa, and a recent epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease has sickened 2,000 children in China and killed 28. Health officials warn we are running out of antibiotics to control news viruses. Global economies face wrenching fuel and food prices.
As their character of concern and compassion should always dictate, Christians will pray and seek effective solutions. Should things spin beyond human control through natural or manmade disasters, spiritual safe harbor presently and eternal deliverance eventually is always available in Christ who said, "In the world you will have tribulation (meaning pressure); but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
In a world of often-failed peace plans, I resort to a verse I discovered early in my Christian life. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
To a world grown weary with tension and pressure, Christ still calls, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).
Dave Virkler
There is always a tendency to over react prophetically and assign some natural disaster to a particular end-time fulfillment, but several recent developments make the serious Bible student wonder whether the weather is an ally of the onset of predicted global disorders.
Both the Lord Jesus and the apostles forecast tortured times for planet earth in the end times. End times began from the coming of Christ according to Hebrews 1:2, but the end of the end times must be now with global indicators apparent.
There is a modern restored Israel (Ezekiel 38), now celebrating it’s 60th anniversary, Europe is conjoined by currency, passports and manufacturing standards (Revelation 13 & 17) and the kings of the east are troubling the world (Rev. 16:12), to name a few.
Natural phenomena focus additional attention on prophecy. Christ spoke of ethnic strife, earthquakes, famines and disease in Matthew 24:7. Revelation predicts the greatest earthquake ever (Rev. 16:18). Evidently tsunamis and howling winds will impact coastal areas as Luke 21:25 says and Rev. 7:1 implies. Peter predicts earth’s end will be with a torrid heat and huge explosion (II Peter 3:10-12).
Presently, there are clusters of earthquakes in America’s midsection and off the coast of Oregon. A terrible cyclone has ravaged Myanmar. Southern Chile has suffered a violent volcanic eruption. Starvation and disease are constant collateral threats. AIDS ravages Africa, and a recent epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease has sickened 2,000 children in China and killed 28. Health officials warn we are running out of antibiotics to control news viruses. Global economies face wrenching fuel and food prices.
As their character of concern and compassion should always dictate, Christians will pray and seek effective solutions. Should things spin beyond human control through natural or manmade disasters, spiritual safe harbor presently and eternal deliverance eventually is always available in Christ who said, "In the world you will have tribulation (meaning pressure); but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
In a world of often-failed peace plans, I resort to a verse I discovered early in my Christian life. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
To a world grown weary with tension and pressure, Christ still calls, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt 11:28-30).
Dave Virkler
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
More Superhero Films?
They are known as ‘Super Heroes'. They received life through the Marvel comic books, some of which can be quite valuable today depending on the issue. But in the last few years some of these fictional characters, once confined to the printed page or in cartoon form, have made their way to theatres and have enjoyed great success.
But Marvel Comics has now announced plans for even more of the highly successful films, plus an 'Iron Man' sequel to follow the current box office hit that grossed 100 million dollars in its first weekend. The future films will feature the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and eventually Ant Man.
The idea of a good and powerful being who protects the innocent and triumphs over evil began long before the first Marvel version hit the news stands. The Scriptures clearly describe one who alone possessed the motive and ability to fully defeat evil in the real world. This stunning feat was made possible through his perfect life and sacrificial death rather than the raw force often portrayed by Marvel Comic’s super characters.
John 3 reveals the primary role of Jesus Christ. It was to expose, confront and destroy evil. Verse 8 reads, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Then Colossians 1 describes why Jesus Christ is the ultimate ‘Super man’. Verse 15-17 says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”
In other words, God’s Son was ‘the’ super man’ because He was, at the same time, a perfect man and the supreme God of creation!
The Apostle Paul offers his insight in Philippians 2 about how Christ would achieve such an astonishing feat. Verse 8 reads, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” This mysterious concept is not easily understood but clearly taught in Scripture. In theological terms it is known as the ‘Hypostatic Union’ and it forms one of the great foundations of the Christian faith.
Christ’s voluntary sacrifice broke the bonds of evil while addressing the penalty for humanity’s sins. Beyond that, His loving redemptive actions also allowed those who trust Him to themselves become heroes of the faith. This is something graphically portrayed in Hebrews 11. After referring to some of the better known saints of the faith, the author widens the field starting in the 36th verse. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented - of whom the world was not worthy.”
Any who seek out a real life hero and flawless role model today need not spend their hard earned cash at the theatre in order to bond for a few hours with some fictional heroic character. Instead, they need look no further than to God’s Son.
Jesus Christ is the only perfect and complete role model. His love for a spiritually damaged race of men led to His incomprehensible heroics upon a cruel Roman cross. But His great work of redemption also includes constructing those who know Him and faithfully follow Him into real-life heroes of the faith.
Bill Breckenridge
But Marvel Comics has now announced plans for even more of the highly successful films, plus an 'Iron Man' sequel to follow the current box office hit that grossed 100 million dollars in its first weekend. The future films will feature the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and eventually Ant Man.
The idea of a good and powerful being who protects the innocent and triumphs over evil began long before the first Marvel version hit the news stands. The Scriptures clearly describe one who alone possessed the motive and ability to fully defeat evil in the real world. This stunning feat was made possible through his perfect life and sacrificial death rather than the raw force often portrayed by Marvel Comic’s super characters.
John 3 reveals the primary role of Jesus Christ. It was to expose, confront and destroy evil. Verse 8 reads, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Then Colossians 1 describes why Jesus Christ is the ultimate ‘Super man’. Verse 15-17 says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”
In other words, God’s Son was ‘the’ super man’ because He was, at the same time, a perfect man and the supreme God of creation!
The Apostle Paul offers his insight in Philippians 2 about how Christ would achieve such an astonishing feat. Verse 8 reads, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” This mysterious concept is not easily understood but clearly taught in Scripture. In theological terms it is known as the ‘Hypostatic Union’ and it forms one of the great foundations of the Christian faith.
Christ’s voluntary sacrifice broke the bonds of evil while addressing the penalty for humanity’s sins. Beyond that, His loving redemptive actions also allowed those who trust Him to themselves become heroes of the faith. This is something graphically portrayed in Hebrews 11. After referring to some of the better known saints of the faith, the author widens the field starting in the 36th verse. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented - of whom the world was not worthy.”
Any who seek out a real life hero and flawless role model today need not spend their hard earned cash at the theatre in order to bond for a few hours with some fictional heroic character. Instead, they need look no further than to God’s Son.
Jesus Christ is the only perfect and complete role model. His love for a spiritually damaged race of men led to His incomprehensible heroics upon a cruel Roman cross. But His great work of redemption also includes constructing those who know Him and faithfully follow Him into real-life heroes of the faith.
Bill Breckenridge
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Finish and Finished
She had just won $400,000 in a second-place finish in the world’s greatest horse race. But galloping off the stress in the run down of that tortured Kentucky Derby oval, Eight Belles, the only filly in the race, snapped both front ankles and was euthanized within minutes. It is a stunning win tempered by a tragic loss. Even first-place horse Big Brown threw his rider on looking at the stricken Eight Belles.
The "post mortems" range from discussions on horse breeding practices to the quality of the running track and even to suspending jockey Gabriel Sanchez if it is determined he had any knowledge that his horse was in trouble during the actual race. If the latter proves true, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the $400,000 second place prize money returned. Other discussions address the imbalance of upper body weight against spindly equine leg bones.
Eight Belles enters the record books at the apex of victory and the depths of loss. Sports writer Jerry Izenberg of The Star Ledger ended his sober column, "She was born to run, and she was determined to catch Big Brown. She died trying."
Races of any kind, especially this one, somehow focus biblical truths of the Christian’s competition on the track of life. The twin notations of victory and death at least faintly reflect the Apostle Paul’s last words in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." He declares that as he finishes the race, he’s going to die.
Other race course passages stress the supreme finish line focus despite any cost. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
For some believers across the centuries, the race guaranteed death, but the Heavenly prize was worth it as Revelation 12:11 says of their victory over the Evil One. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
In Christian competition, the highest prize awaits those who persevere first in the Lord’s commendation as Matthew 25:23 promises: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."
A life well-lived also guarantees permanent rewards. "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit," that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them"’" (Rev. 14:13).
This Derby tragedy is a painful sports footnote, but the passing of the Christian victor eternally crystallize life’s victories. As the old hymn says, "This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise, To seize the everlasting prize, And shout while passing through the air, Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer."
At the close of a thrilling evangelistic service I held years ago, the pastor exclaimed, "All this and Heaven too!" When a great believer was breathing his last, a close friend said, "He’s dying full of life." The epitaph of a notable mountain climber who perished in a try for the summit, read, "He died climbing."
Our Christian prayer and passion hopefully matches Paul’s. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Shortly before he died and went to Heaven, I leaned in close to my father’s face (another Paul) and asked him if he had a final word. He feebly and quietly said, "Fought … a good … fight …" He had run out of mortal breath, so I finished it for him. "… finished the course … kept the faith … a crown of righteous is laid up for you…"
David Virkler
The "post mortems" range from discussions on horse breeding practices to the quality of the running track and even to suspending jockey Gabriel Sanchez if it is determined he had any knowledge that his horse was in trouble during the actual race. If the latter proves true, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the $400,000 second place prize money returned. Other discussions address the imbalance of upper body weight against spindly equine leg bones.
Eight Belles enters the record books at the apex of victory and the depths of loss. Sports writer Jerry Izenberg of The Star Ledger ended his sober column, "She was born to run, and she was determined to catch Big Brown. She died trying."
Races of any kind, especially this one, somehow focus biblical truths of the Christian’s competition on the track of life. The twin notations of victory and death at least faintly reflect the Apostle Paul’s last words in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." He declares that as he finishes the race, he’s going to die.
Other race course passages stress the supreme finish line focus despite any cost. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
For some believers across the centuries, the race guaranteed death, but the Heavenly prize was worth it as Revelation 12:11 says of their victory over the Evil One. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
In Christian competition, the highest prize awaits those who persevere first in the Lord’s commendation as Matthew 25:23 promises: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."
A life well-lived also guarantees permanent rewards. "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit," that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them"’" (Rev. 14:13).
This Derby tragedy is a painful sports footnote, but the passing of the Christian victor eternally crystallize life’s victories. As the old hymn says, "This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise, To seize the everlasting prize, And shout while passing through the air, Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer."
At the close of a thrilling evangelistic service I held years ago, the pastor exclaimed, "All this and Heaven too!" When a great believer was breathing his last, a close friend said, "He’s dying full of life." The epitaph of a notable mountain climber who perished in a try for the summit, read, "He died climbing."
Our Christian prayer and passion hopefully matches Paul’s. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Shortly before he died and went to Heaven, I leaned in close to my father’s face (another Paul) and asked him if he had a final word. He feebly and quietly said, "Fought … a good … fight …" He had run out of mortal breath, so I finished it for him. "… finished the course … kept the faith … a crown of righteous is laid up for you…"
David Virkler
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A Proclamation
In searching for President Bush’s National Day of Prayer proclamation, I looked at several other recent presidential proclamations. As of April 29, there have been about 30 in 2008. Many presidential proclamations are issued each year, sometimes as many as 100 annually, and some are understandably obscure or even somewhat trite and probably the result of some political pressure to gain legitimacy by presidential attention.
On April 15, President Bush signed an Education and Sharing Day, USA, 2008 proclamation. The high-sounding notation is particularly interesting because the day it honors, according to the proclamation, "pays tribute to the unique efforts of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe helped create numerous education and outreach centers, which continue to provide social service programs and humanitarian aid at home and around the globe."
After his death, the United States Congress awarded the Rebbe the Congressional Gold Medal. His global efforts at education in things Jewish to prepare for the coming of Messiah is known as Chabad. Around the date of the his birthday, Congress and the President issue annual proclamations honoring him. President Bush was convinced of Schneerson’s significant international educational impact to issue another complimentary proclamation on April 15 to honor his accomplishments.
What most will never know is that Schneerson was proclaimed by many Jews as the Messiah. Researchers claimed he could trace his lineage on both sides of the family all the way back to King David. He was the seventh and last (because he had no male heirs) in the Hasidic Lubavitcher spiritual dynasty reaching back into Russia.
When I was in Israel some years ago, huge banners at the Western Wall proclaimed Schneerson as Israel’s redeemer. Trim cards were available at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport also welcoming him as the Jewish Messiah. During his lifetime, some Israeli lawmakers were snookered into routinely signing a birthday card for him that basically announced him as the Jewish Messiah.
Although Schneerson never traveled to Israel, his adherents built him a house on the outskirts of Tel Aviv patterned after his residence in Brooklyn, NY in expectation of his messianic appearance in Israel. I saw highway billboards in New York State that portrayed him as the likely Jewish Messiah. Followers around the world had their beepers activated awaiting his announcement as Messiah.
Schneerson suffered a serious stroke in 1977, and he died of a heart attack in 1994 at age 92. He was buried in Brooklyn, and some followers expected him to rise from the dead. Some believe he can send special messages from beyond the grave. Full-page ads in major publications still imply that his coming was the onset of the Messianic age.
Jewish mysticism, especially regarding messiahs, has historically far outstripped any Christian expectation of Messiah’s return. Large numbers of people are deeply involved with the Kabballa, an occultic search for the meaning of creation and life.
How can so many Jews really believe Schneerson was or still is the Messiah? First, general belief is that Messiah need not be divine but a specially endowed human being.
Second, Jesus Christ, the real Messiah, forecast such deception in John 5:34. "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive."
The Bible predicts that Antichrist will one day come. Anti is really "ante" meaning a perfect fraud or stand-in. If modern Jews can be so deceived into accepting a stroke-ridden, heart-attack stricken human, think what a real Antichrist will do in working astounding miracles. "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Consider Revelation 13:13-14. "He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived."
The April 15 proclamation has a happy ending, as do all presidential proclamations. It ends, "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second" (emphasis mine). Every proclamation is issued "in the year of our Lord" meaning from the birth of Christ. According to the last book of the Bible, our Lord is Jesus Christ who is exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Dave Virkler
On April 15, President Bush signed an Education and Sharing Day, USA, 2008 proclamation. The high-sounding notation is particularly interesting because the day it honors, according to the proclamation, "pays tribute to the unique efforts of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe helped create numerous education and outreach centers, which continue to provide social service programs and humanitarian aid at home and around the globe."
After his death, the United States Congress awarded the Rebbe the Congressional Gold Medal. His global efforts at education in things Jewish to prepare for the coming of Messiah is known as Chabad. Around the date of the his birthday, Congress and the President issue annual proclamations honoring him. President Bush was convinced of Schneerson’s significant international educational impact to issue another complimentary proclamation on April 15 to honor his accomplishments.
What most will never know is that Schneerson was proclaimed by many Jews as the Messiah. Researchers claimed he could trace his lineage on both sides of the family all the way back to King David. He was the seventh and last (because he had no male heirs) in the Hasidic Lubavitcher spiritual dynasty reaching back into Russia.
When I was in Israel some years ago, huge banners at the Western Wall proclaimed Schneerson as Israel’s redeemer. Trim cards were available at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport also welcoming him as the Jewish Messiah. During his lifetime, some Israeli lawmakers were snookered into routinely signing a birthday card for him that basically announced him as the Jewish Messiah.
Although Schneerson never traveled to Israel, his adherents built him a house on the outskirts of Tel Aviv patterned after his residence in Brooklyn, NY in expectation of his messianic appearance in Israel. I saw highway billboards in New York State that portrayed him as the likely Jewish Messiah. Followers around the world had their beepers activated awaiting his announcement as Messiah.
Schneerson suffered a serious stroke in 1977, and he died of a heart attack in 1994 at age 92. He was buried in Brooklyn, and some followers expected him to rise from the dead. Some believe he can send special messages from beyond the grave. Full-page ads in major publications still imply that his coming was the onset of the Messianic age.
Jewish mysticism, especially regarding messiahs, has historically far outstripped any Christian expectation of Messiah’s return. Large numbers of people are deeply involved with the Kabballa, an occultic search for the meaning of creation and life.
How can so many Jews really believe Schneerson was or still is the Messiah? First, general belief is that Messiah need not be divine but a specially endowed human being.
Second, Jesus Christ, the real Messiah, forecast such deception in John 5:34. "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive."
The Bible predicts that Antichrist will one day come. Anti is really "ante" meaning a perfect fraud or stand-in. If modern Jews can be so deceived into accepting a stroke-ridden, heart-attack stricken human, think what a real Antichrist will do in working astounding miracles. "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Consider Revelation 13:13-14. "He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived."
The April 15 proclamation has a happy ending, as do all presidential proclamations. It ends, "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second" (emphasis mine). Every proclamation is issued "in the year of our Lord" meaning from the birth of Christ. According to the last book of the Bible, our Lord is Jesus Christ who is exalted as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Dave Virkler
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