The Bible Teaching Ministry of David Hocking
“The Word of our God shall stand forever” Isaiah 40:8

Archive for March, 2006

ELECTION RESULTS – ISRAEL

Wednesday, March 29th, 2006

The final results of the elections in Israel to form a new government and parliament (Knesset) have resulted in a “divided” country and far less support for the new party Kadima than once anticipated. Instead of 40 seats in the 120 member Knesset, they received only 28. This in spite of the polls in recent weeks that indicated the opposite.

The Kadima Party of acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and its 28 seats is now faced with developing a coalition government that will give them the majority of seats – 61 are needed. The Labor Party of Amir Peretz received 20 seats and they have indicated a desire to join the coalition provided they receive authority over what they call “socio-economic” issues. The Meretz Party of Yossi Beilin received 4 seats and the Arab members comprise another 10 and presumably they will join the new governement which seeks to divide the land further and to divide Jerusalem. The total if this occurs would be 62 seats and give Ehud Olmert the position of Prime Minister. Israeli President Katsav is the one who formally recognizes the new Prime Minister based on the coalition government that will be set up.

The big surprise in this election was the 12 seats obtained by the new “Israel Our Home” Party of Avignor Lieberman. He immediately declared that by the next election they will become Israel’s ruling party!

One of the sad results of this election was the demise of the influence of the Likud Party of Benjamin Netanyahu. Of course, the new Kadima Party which Ariel Sharon set up before his coma decimated the Party. They are still a force to be reckoned with after capturing 11 seats. If the “so-called” right wing parties decide to form a coalition government, it appears they might be able to form a bloc of 51 seats in the new government. They are called “right-wing” because of their opposition to the Road Map and the giving up of more land that God gave to the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Bible prophecy scholars and teachers are watching these events closely as they affect the situation in Israel and the Middle East. The problem of Hamas still remains and many Israeli leaders are skeptical of trying to negotiate with an enemy dedicated to their destruction. Hamas has refused to recognize Israel and will continue (according to its own words) the barrage of terror attacks against Israeli citizens.

We can expect that the “quartet” (United States, United Nations, European Union, and Russia) will now put intense pressure upon Israel to give up most of its land and return to pre-1967 borders and give East Jerusalem as a capital to the Palestinians.

The support of Israel in these difficult days is of major concern to all Bible-believers. In praying for the peace of Jerusalem when there is little evidence of any peace, increases our longing for the return of the Messiah of Israel, our Lord Yeshua, the Prince of peace, Who will set up a kingdom that will NEVER be destroyed! To Him be all the glory and praise!

WHEN DOES IT BEGIN?

Friday, March 24th, 2006

Subject: “WHEN DOES IT BEGIN?”
Scripture: I Thessalonians 5:1-10

The term “the Day of the LORD” is used 25 times in the Bible. It is the day of God’s vengeance and wrath upon a world that has rejected Him. It is God’s revenge on the nations of the world for their attitudes and attacks upon Israel.

The question of “When does it begin?” has troubled believers throughout history. It is not an easy matter to resolve. Many have set dates only to be exposed as false prophets or misguided interpreters of Scripture.

The following views are held by Bible teachers throughout history:

(1) It began in 66 AD and ended in 73 AD – involves the Roman war and destruction of Jerusalem (preterist)

(2) It begins and ends with the Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Messiah (post-tribulation)

(3) It begins with the removal of the two witnesses and ends with the end of the Tribulation (mid-tribulation)

(4) It begins with the pouring out of the bowls of wrath – seven last plagues (pre-wrath)

(5) It begins with the opening of the sixth seal (sixth seal)

(6) It begins and ends with the 70th week of Daniel and refers to the Tribulation – seven years (pre-tribulation)

(7) It begins with the start of the Tribulation period and continues until the end of the Millennium (all future events)

1A. IT WILL COME AS A SURPRISE!
I Thessalonians 5:1-3 – “thief in the night”
cf. II Peter 3:8-10

2A. IT WILL COME AS A SNARE!
Luke 21:34-36

3A. IT WILL COME AS A SHOCK!
Luke 17:26-30

4A. IT WILL COME AS A SEPARATION!
Matthew 24:37-41; Luke 17:31-36

1B. A separation of FAMILIES
Mark 13:12

2B. A separation of WORKERS
Matthew 24:40-41

5A. IT WILL COME AS A SUFFERING!
Matthew 24:19-20; Mark 13:17-20

6A. IT WILL COME AS A SEDUCTION!
Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24; Mark 13:22
II Thessalonians 2:1-3 – “falling away first”
I Timothy 4:1; II Timothy 3:5

7A. IT WILL COME AS A SURVIVAL!
Matthew 24:21-22, 34-35

CONCLUSION
The Bible clearly warns us and admonishes us to watch and be ready – Matthew 42:42, 44; 25:13; Mark 13:32-33, 35-37 – precisely because we do not know the day or the hour when it will begin.

THE NEED OF PRAYER

Tuesday, March 21st, 2006

On March 28 (Tuesday) Israeli citizens will be going to the polls to elect a new Knesset and a new Prime Minister. The new Kadima Party which takes a very liberal stance in relation to giving up God’s covenant land to their hostile enemies is leading right now in the polls. Some of Israel’s newspapers are biased toward them and against Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud Party.

In our opinion, Israel’s leadership needs to return to the LORD GOD of Israel and total confidence and belief in the Bible! It is our prayer that such a position will dominate the people’s hearts as they go to the polls. We call upon all of God’s people to pray earnestly for His will to be done and if possible under the present set of circumstances to place Bible-believing men into positions of leadership in the LAND that God never takes His eyes off of – Deuteronomy 11:12. The LAND belongs to the God of Israel (Leviticus 25:23) and He has clearly given it as an “EVERLASTING COVENANT” to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 17:7-8; Psalm 105:8-11).

IT IS TIME TO PRAY!

WHAT ABOUT JERICHO PRISON?

Thursday, March 16th, 2006

The “big” news this week involved the IDF’s siege of the Jericho Prison which was supposedly under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority. Since Hamas has taken over the leadership they said that the murderers of Israel’s former Minister of Tourism (at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem in October of 2001) would be released. The PA had promised that this would not happen. A mock trial was held by the late Yassir Arafat for these murderers from Islamic Jihad terrorist group. It was a tragic trial, clearly revealing the hypocrisy of the Palestinian Authority. Now, just four and a half years later, Hamas was going to release them!

The Israeli Defense Forces beseiged the prison for about 13 hours and captured all of them along with some other notorious terrorists. Now, the world is once again condemning Israel for this event. Israel plans to put them on trial in Israeli courts and do it right.

That fatal day in October of 2001 was witnessed by the Tour Group of HOPE for TODAY under the leadership of Dr. David Hocking. In fact, the assassination occurred on the same floor of the hotel where Dr. Hocking was staying. In spite of the conflicting press reports about the tour group being in panic and leaving the hotel for another location (some said they left the country over this event!), no such thing took place. The HOPE for TODAY group continued to stay at the Hotel for several days, and even continued on their tour of Israel the very day of the assassination. Their confidence was in the LORD GOD of ISRAEL, and the group was characterized by peace and calm, contrary to the reports of many newspapers.

Once again Israel does the right thing and the world objects! If this event happened in any other country there would be high praise and commendation for the swift and bloodless siege that resulted in the capture of the terrorists.

Here again is another example of the hypocrisy that governs the nations of the world with respect to God’s people – ISRAEL!

It will be very interesting to see what happens in the elections in Israel that take place in a few days. It is our prayer that the Israeli people will stop the surrender of God’s covenant-land and return to the LORD GOD of ISRAEL in repentance and total dependency upon Him!

DON’T BELIEVE THE LIES!

Thursday, March 16th, 2006

Subject: “DON’T BELIEVE THE LIES!”
Scripture: I Timothy 4:1-2

I Timothy 4:1-2 – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”

LIES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL

1. Abraham offered Ishmael, not Isaac, on Mt. Moriah! Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 12; Hebrews 11:17; James 2:21

2. The Jews never owned the Temple Mount – it is an Islamic holy site! II Samuel 24:18-25

3. There never was a king named David!
Psalm 78:70-72; 89:34-37 (mentioned 1085 times in the Bible)

4. The Jews never built a temple on the Temple Mount and there never was a king named Solomon! I Kings 6:1; II Chronicles 3:1-2

5. The city of Jerusalem never belonged to the Jews –
it was and is a holy site for Muslims.
(Jerusalem is mentioned 811 times in the Bible; not once in the Quran!) I Kings 11:36; II Chron. 6:6

6. The land was and is called “Palestine” until the modern State of Israel occupied it. Matthew 2:20-21 – The name “Palestine” was not officially given to the land until the 2nd century AD when Hadrian named it after the Jewish Revolt under Bar Kochba to offend the Jews by naming it after their ancient enemies – the Philistines.

7. The modern State of Israel was started by Jews who took land away from the Palestinians!
The Jews were given a homeland by international agreement but never took any land away from anyone!

When the holocaust Jewish survivors came to Israel, Egypt told some 300,000 Arabs to leave their homes in Palestine for a few days while the armies of seven Arab nations would wipe out the Jews. When they lost the war of liberation in 1948, the Jews invited all of these “refugees” to return. Some did; others did not. The Jews paid huge prices for land from a few Arab landowners – mostly swamps, desert land that was filled with rocks.

There never were a Palestinian people, culture, nation, or language. There never was an Arab state on that land. The late Syrian leader, Hafez Assad, said: “There is no such thing as a Palestinian people; there is no Palestinian entity – there is only Syria!”

8. Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel, not Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is the only capital Israel has ever had, both from ancient times to the present day!

LIES ABOUT THE LAND

1. Israel forfeited its right to the land by their disobedience and sin! Leviticus 26:40-45

2. This land belongs to Islam! Leviticus 25:23

3. God’s covenant to Israel about the land was conditional and temporary!
Genesis 17:7-8; Psalm 105:8-11

4. If the Jews give up land to the Palestinians, it will bring peace!
The policy of “land for peace” has failed 9 times! Psalm 83:2-5

5. There is nothing unbiblical about dividing the land between the Jews and the Palestinians! Joel 3:1-2; Daniel 11:36-39

LIES ABOUT ARABS

1. All Arabs are Islamic! Over 50% are Christians!

2. All Palestinians are Arabs.
Many Palestinians (those who have lived in this land prior to 1948) are Jews. Most of today’s so-called “Palestinians” are Jordanians who lived on land held by Jordan from 1948 to 1967.

3. Most nations in the Middle East are Arab nations!
Most nations are Islamic, but not Arab. The Arabs live within those nations. Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and even Saudi Arabia, are not Arabs. The Arabs are the direct descendants of the 12 sons of Ishmael, the son of an Egyptian handmaiden named Hagar – I Chronicles 1:29-31

4. Jewish settlements are being built on Arab land.
No settlements have ever been built on confiscated or privately-owned Arab land. The land upon which they exist was given to Israel by God, and the modern State purchased much of this land from Arab land owners who never lived in this land.

5. The Middle East problem is between Jews and Arabs! The problem is between Jews and Muslims who are committed to the destruction of the State of Israel and the extermination of the Jewish people.

LIES ABOUT GOD’S PROMISES

1. The modern State of Israel is NOT a fulfillment of Bible prophecy! Ezekiel 37:11-14; Amos 9:13-15

2. God has forsaken Israel because of their sin and disobedience! Isaiah 41:8-9, 17; 49:13-16; Romans 11:1-2

3. God rejected the Jewish people for crucifying Jesus!
Matthew 20:18-19; Luke 18:31-33

4. God’s promise of salvation to Israel was conditional, based on their performance and obedience! Romans 11:25-27

LIES ABOUT JESUS

1. God has no Son! Psalm 2:6-7, 12; Proverbs 30:4

2. Jesus was a Palestinian Arab and an Islamic Prophet! Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 2:4-11

3. The Messiah is never called “God” in the Jewish Bible! Psalm 24:7-10; Isaiah 24:23; 44:6

4. Jesus predicted the coming of Mohammed!
Islamic scholars teach that the Greek word “parakletos” in John 14:15-16 means “one whom people praise exceedingly” – actually it means “one called alongside of” – Islamic scholars teach that it refers to Mohammed as the other “Comforter” because his name in Arabic means “the praised one.”
5. Jesus was never crucified or resurrected! The Qur’an says in Surah Nisaa, verses 157-158: “and surely they slew him not, but Allah raised him unto himself” – Matthew 20:18-19; Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 15:3-4

6. Jesus will return at Armageddon and kill all non-Muslims; he will marry and have children, live for 19 years and then die! Revelation 1:18; 19:11-16

7. Jesus is not God!
John 1:1, 3, 14; II Corinthians 5:19; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:6; I John 5:20

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends
of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22

DUAL COVENANT THEORY?

Wednesday, March 1st, 2006

It was rather startling to read the recent Jerusalem Post article that had as its headline “FALWELL: JEWS CAN GET TO HEAVEN.” The article states that Jerry Falwell of the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, and the Chancellor of Liberty University with thousands of students, has agreed with the position of John Hagee from Cornerstone Church in San Antonion, Texas, that Jews can be saved without believing in the Messiah! it is called the “dual covenant” theology. It is the belief that God has a separate plan for Jews to be saved and that faith in the Messiah is not required.

But, whoever wrote this article in the Jerusalem Post did not check with Jerry Falwell who has never met the Rabbi was quoted in the article and who is involved in this new alignment between Jews and Christians. Jerry Falwell has already denied that he ever agreed to such a position. He still supports Israel and believes that the Jews are God’s chosen people, but he also still believes that all peoples, Jews and Gentiles alike, must believe in the Messiah of Israel in order to be saved and go to heaven. This is simply another example of how the Internet is being used today and the damage that can be caused by bad journalism that does not seek the truth from the parties involved or mentioned.

Christian leaders who supposedly have offered their support of this “dual covenant” belief include Jack Hayford, Paul Walker, Rod Parsley, Benny Hinn, Geroge Morrison, Kenneth Copeland, Steve Strang, Gary Bauer (Family Research Council of James Dobson), and Matt Crouch (Trinity Broadcasting Network). But, were these men consulted before their names appeared in this manner?

But, what about this so-called “DUAL COVENANT” theory? Does God have two plans of salvation? Can Jewish people be saved without believing in the Jewish Messiah?

Does the Bible teach that salvation for the Jew is different than the Gentile? Absolutely NOT! Genesis 12:1-3 (the very covenant they keep mentioning) is not only a covenant about a NATION and a LAND, but about a DESCENDANT of Abraham Who would bless all nations! The argument of Galatians 3 which quotes this Genesis passage is clear – it is referring to the salvation which only the Messiah of Israel can bring. He was a “LAMB slain BEFORE the foundation of the world” says Revelation 13:8. Isaiah 53 makes it quite clear that a single Jew (called the “servant of the LORD”) is the only One Who can save us from our sins! The pronouns are NOT plural – they do not refer to the Nation of Israel (also described as the “servant of the LORD”) but to the Messiah alone!
Verse 6 of Isaiah 53 says “the LORD laid on HIM the iniquity of US ALL.”

In Isaiah 45:22 the Messiah says, “LOOK UNTO ME, AND BE YE SAVED, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: FOR I AM GOD, AND THERE IS NONE ELSE.”

In Psalm 2:12 we read “KISS THE SON, LEST HE BE ANGRY, AND YE PERISH FROM THE WAY, WHEN HIS WRATH IS KINDLED BUT A LITTLE. BLESSED ARE ALL THEY THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM.”

Have Christians forgotten the arguments of the Book of Romans, which quote voluminously from the Tanakh (Jewish Old Testament)? Romans 3:22 tells us that “the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto ALL and upon ALL them that believe: FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.”

Romans 6:23 says that “the gift of God is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.” John 14:6 quotes the Messiah Himself and says “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, NO MAN (Jew or Gentile) COMES UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.”

Consider Romans 10:11-13: “For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on HIM shall not be ashamed. For there is NO DIFFERENCE between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved.” How could the Bible make it any clearer? Romans 11:25-27 makes it very clear that one day in the future, the partial blindness on Israel will be removed, and the One Who will take away their sin is the Deliverer Who comes out of Zion.”

Galatians 3:28-29 says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s (Messiah of Israel), then are ye Abraham’s SEED, and heirs according to the promise.”

How can anyone ignore the clear evidence of the Book of HEBREWS? The whole argument is how the Person and work of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) is the only way to forgiveness and everlasting life!

It is hard to believe what is happening in our “so-called” evangelical world of today! The compromise, the lack of clear Biblical understanding and teaching, the substitution of man-made opinions and interpretations for the clear facts of the Bible is utterly amazing! May God return us all to the preaching and teaching of the Bible itself – NOT what we think, but what it actually says!

We also are confident that Jerry Falwell, Pastor of the large Thomas Road Baptist Church and Chancellor of Liberty University, holds to the integrity, inerrancy, and inspiration of the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible. May those who have contributed to this kind of journalism understand the danger of what they have done and offer a sincere apology to those who were addressed in this public newspaper.

WE ALL NEED PRAYER!

REWARDING TERRORISM

Wednesday, March 1st, 2006

What a week this has been on the world scene! Both the United States and the European Union have given millions to the newly-elected Hamas terrorist party that has now been officially sworn in as members of the new Palestinian Parliament – with 74 out of the 132 seats!

Terrorist attacks continue in Israel with Israeli citizens being murdered. The consequence? Iran pledges $250 million dollars to Hamas! The European Union transfers $120 million ($144 million US dollars) euros to the Palestinian Authority now ruled by Hamas!

This past weekend Israel escaped a potentially dangerous situation when rockets fired by Palestinian terrorists in northern Gaza just barely missed an elementary school and a gas station. The reward? More money pledged to the terrorists!

As the United States ponders the strange and secret deal of the Bush Administration (now exposed) to transfer the management of several US ports of entry to the Islamic Dubai Ports World, we now learn that they will NOT allow any products from Israel to enter these ports of the US! What? Is anyone aware of this violation of the long-standing commitment of the United States of America to its only democratic ally in the Middle East – the Nation of ISRAEL? These ports include New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and several that were not mentioned by the US Administration along the southern borders of our country. WHAT IS GOING ON? Our country is being manipulated by our leadership to give in to Islamic pressures and to ignore the clear statements of Islam about their desire for world domination and the annihilation of the State of Israel and the killing of all Jews (as well as Christians)!

While the US Administration continues to reassure its citizens that the war in Iraq is achieving its stated purposes to produce a free and democratic society, this week saw the region plunged into chaos and anarchy as the battle accelerated between Sunni and Shiite Muslims – hundreds have been killed.
If that wasn’t enough tragedy, the situation surrounding Darfur in the Sudan has deteriorated in an horrendous way! The killing of 200,000 civilians has now spread across the border into Chad. Islamic gunmen from Darfur have crossed the desert and entered Chad stealing cattle, burning crops and killing anyone who resists. The lawlessness of this situation has driven over 20,000 Chadians from their homes, making them refugees in their own country. The United Nations has promised to send troops to protect civilians but it will take months to achieve it. The Bush Administration says that NATO should help “shore up” a failing African Union peacekeeping mission there – but all this talk is not helping anything – people are being systematically killed, and the goal of Islam to dominate all of Africa continues unchecked!

The overall ratings of the Bush Administration have dropped to its lowest level ever. The issue of selling the control of our ports of entry is not supported by 2 out of every 3 Americans, and polls show that almost 60% of Republicans are against the Administration on this issue.

Bible believers realize that the LORD GOD of ISRAEL is working His prophetic plan in this world and things ARE heading toward Armageddon. It is time to preach the gospel without compromise! The world needs to know that there is hope in the Savior, our Redeemer, and our coming King! May God give us all wisdom in these difficult days!


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