Newsletters

Justice Defiled
(The FORGE newsletter_December_2011)

2 When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw Dinah, he took her and raped her. 3 His heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. 7 Meanwhile, Jacob's sons had come in from the fields as soon as they heard what had happened. They were grieved and furious, ... (Genesis 34:1-29)

Justice of God was Defiled
Dinah was raped by Shechem, son of Hamor in Shechem. The meaning of Dinah (דינה) in Hebrew is “justice.” The root is “to rule” or “to judge”. The meaning of Shechem (שכם) is “a ridge of land”, “to load up”, “to start a new beginning”. And the meaning of Hamor (חמור) is “ass”. Shechem was the son of an ass who might have power and authority as ruler but not the wisdom or justice of God. He trampled Dinah; the justice of God was defiled by his fleshly desire.

The World Loves Defiled Justice
Interestingly, his heart was drawn to Dinah after she was defiled. This world seems to be similar to Shechem, who doesn't like the justice of God but loves defiled, twisted and trampled justice. Some of our world leaders have been using their authority unjustly, but they justify themselves. Now quite number of countries have been unsettled because of this defiled justice.

When justice is defiled, grief and fury arise, as in Dinah's brothers. It is difficult for us to control our emotion when we face defiled justice. Recently we have seen this kind of grief and fury among peoples in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Palestine, Israel, London, Greece, Italy, etc..

When justice is defiled, people use God's name, God's word and God's law to justify their own deceptive justice. Dinah's brothers suggested that they would give their sister to Shechem as his wife if every male were circumcised. They lied and used the sign of God's covenant in order to kill them. In history, many Christians killed unjustly in the Name of Jesus and were killed in his name. Even now many people may deceive and destroy in the name of God and may be deceived and destroyed in the name of God.

When justice is defiled, people become violent and start killing and looting. Dinah's brothers were just shepherds, but two of them took their swords and attacked the city. They killed every male and looted the city because the justice of God wasn't there. Justice already was defiled and the two brothers acted with their own justice.

When justice is defiled, people don't want to listen to God and each other, and also disunity takes place. Two brothers of Dinah were Simeon(שמעון) and Levi(לוי). The meaning of Simeon is “listening” and of Levi is “united.” When they heard that Dinah was raped, they didn't listen to anyone and they separated themselves from their father and even the rest of brothers while they were killing Shechemites. If we don't listen to God, we might be like Simeon and Levi, and divide and destroy others although we are sons of God.

Waiting, Listening & Unity
The beginning of this disaster was that Dinah went out without listening (no Simeon) and went alone (no Levi). If Dinah had listened to her father and gone with someone, she would have been fine. If we don't listen to God and are not united, God's justice may be defiled and trampled. She should have waited for her brothers; Simeon and Levi. Often I don't want to wait, instead I want to do NOW even though there is no Simeon and Levi with me, because it is quicker, easier, freer, more exciting and riskier. It causes damage to myself and the community.

Where there is defiled justice, people are living according to their own justice and fleshly desire, and deceiving, misusing, hurting, looting, killing, and destroying each other. But there is a Redeemer who redeems, restores and renews this broken justice through his broken body.The restoration of this justice is to start listening to him and unifying with him.

A Global Public Authority and A Central World Bank?

The Vatican called on Monday 24^th October 2011 for the establishment of a "global public authority" and a "central world bank" to rule over financial institutions that have become outdated and often ineffective in dealing fairly with crises. This 18 page document has been created by the Vatican's Justice and Peace department.

It called for the establishment of "a supranational authority" with worldwide scope and "universal jurisdiction" to guide economic policies and decisions. It said that such an authority should start with the United Nations as its reference point but later become independent and be endowed with the power to see to it that developed countries were not allowed to wield "excessive power over the weaker countries."

Even though I do not have wide and long range political and economical perspective, this is clearly an indication of the end times 'one world government' referred to in the Bible, which will control all financial activity. (Revelation 13:16-18) I don't know why the Vatican is so interested in this world political and economical realm. But we need to know that Jesus has commissioned us to make disciples of the nations and be aware of the anti-Christ when the time is getting nearer. If you want to read more about it, here is the link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/45013499

Fighting on Men but Firing on God in Egypt

1. 27 Egyptian Christians Killed
Three Church buildings were burnt down recently by Muslims, but the Egyptian authorities didn't do anything to protect Christians. On 9^th October, Christians gathered and demonstrated against the government. Twenty-seven people were killed during the clashes between demonstrators and the Egyptian army. After the deaths, Egyptian Christians declared three days fasting and prayer across the country even though they were mourning and grieving.

2. 70,000 Egyptian Christians Night of Prayer
Last Friday evening on 11^th November, 70,000 Egyptian Christians, across the denominations, gathered together to called out Jesus' name and worshipped him for 12 hours in Cairo. It was awesome and there was such amazing unity and powerful presence of God. They were declaring Jesus' name; “Yesua” for about 10 minutes constantly. Please, please watch it. These are the links: http://www.facebook.com/Pray1111 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr66Yk8uBbc
(This information about the number of attendees is from Egyptian secular newspaper sources; Youm El Sabee.)

3. A Historical Election in Egypt
After 30 years of oppressive rule, Egyptian MP election is coming on 28^th November. Please pray with us that the righteous people and those who fear Jesus may be elected. Also the voters may not be biased by emotion or wrong relationship but may stand on the ground of justice.

4. Isaiah's Prophecy about Egypt is Being Fulfilled
2 "I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian— brother will fight against brother, neighbour against neighbour, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. 19 In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the Lord at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a saviour and defender, and he will rescue them. 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 25 The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance." (Isaiah 19)

New World Alliance Rising against Israel ?

1. Russian Embassy (?) in Jericho
When I went to Jericho in Israel in October 2011, a Christian brother took us to a building which is called “Russian Museum”. They started this building work in January last year. 300 Russian workers came to build it and it took about 9 months and they opened on 10^th October 2010. (10-10-10) The original plan was to build a “Russian Embassy” in Jericho but in the end they changed the name; “The History of Russia and Islam Museum”. Even now some Russian workers are living in Jericho after the building work. Also the Russian president already made two official visits to Jericho.

Jericho is a very strategic city throughout history. When people invaded Canaan, they had to attack Jericho first because Jericho is not only the gate of the land but also the invaders needed water and food. Jericho has got enough water and food because Jericho is a permanent oasis.

2. Changing International Relationship
Recently the picture of international relations around the world has been changing dramatically; between Iran and Russia, Iran and Turkey, Iran and Egypt, Iran and China, new official relationships have been established. In history, we never seen international alliances between these nations, but if we look at the Bible carefully, we may understand about this formation of new alliance.

3. God is Gathering All Nations
We need to understand history because God has called us to build His Kingdom here on earth. God is gathering all nations in order to judge them. Also God is calling His army but in the end God himself will rise up fight against his enemies. (Joel 3:2, Ezekiel 38:4-6, Zechariah 14:2-4)

It is written in the Bible that the nations of the world will fight against Israel but it is very important for us to know the timing. If we don't know God's plan and purposes, we might be against God through our prayers. It was God's will for Israelites to be taken to Babylon in Jeremiah's time. (Jeremiah 28:2-3,16, 38:2-4) But the leaders arrested Jeremiah and confined him because they thought he was betrayer, yet he was right.

4. Ezekiel's Prophecy about Israel and Nations is Being Fulfilled
The Israelites were exiled to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC by the Babylonians. After 70 years captivity in Babylon, God brought them back to the promised land according the Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 29:10), but they were scattered again across the world after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans. But God has been gathering them back to their promised land. (36:19) He is giving them a heart of flesh and removing their heart of stone. (36:24-28) He is restoring His army although they look like dried bones. (37:1-14) He will bring international armies to attack Israel but God will show his power and they will know the God of Israel. (38:4-6, 22-23, Joel 3:2, Zechariah 14:2-4) People will know the Holy God through Israel and the day is coming. (39:7-8) And God's glory will be revealed. (39:21-22) He will pour out his Spirit. (39:29) In the end His glory will enter Jerusalem by the Eastern Gate. (43:1-4)

And I will turn you back, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with you. (Ezekiel 38:4-6/ MKJV)

5. God is calling His Warriors
“Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. Beat your ploughshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, 'I am strong!' Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, Lord!” (Joel 3:9-11/ NIV)