Rewriting History

The weak–kneed U.N. cancelled an exhibition entitled ‘People, book and Land: 3,500- Year Relationship of the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.’ Why cancel it? Was it pornographic? No! Was it a lie? No! What then! It offended Islam. Why? Because this collection of Koran adherents are trying to deny Israel’s right to exist. This requires rewriting history, fabricating events and demonising people they hate.

Why should we worry?

Well, if we are Christians there is a lot riding on such lies and censure–ship. For if Israel didn’t possess the land then there is no King David (and others). No David means, there can be no Davidic lineage. Therefore Jesus Christ isn’t what the bible claims about Him. Namely, He is the descendent in the flesh of David; He is of the tribe of Judah. He was born in Bethlehem. Crucified in Jerusalem and rose from the tomb. And so I could go on. The credibility of the Bible and its historical accounts is also at stake. That in turn means every major doctrine of the Church can be dismissed. It is no light matter for historical truth as well as Biblical truth that Islam be held accountable for its falsification of history.

Islam has deliberately and consciously tried to erase evidence of Israel relationship to the Promised Land. The amount of destruction of artefacts from around the temple site is huge and tragic. The unceasing media blitz denying Israel’s right to exist fuels this endeavour. Unfortunately for them they will need to change a lot of Babylonian, Greek and Roman history, as well as their own for Israel is inextricably intertwined with them all.

There is a lot of social and general media concerns raised about bullying of children or in the workplace. Unfortunately the bully boys of the Taliban supporters seem to prevail when it comes to the U.N. and other political outlets. In many cases it is prevailing in and over the Church scene. However it is doomed to fail.

Within the pages of the first thirty–nine books of Scripture is a recurring theme. It points to God actively involving Himself in history. Why? ‘So that people will know that there is a God and He is not silent, indifferent or unjust.’ The events of the Passover were not only to point to Calvary and Christ it was to declare something to Pharaoh and Israel. What? ‘That they may God. Perhaps the place where this is most prominent is in Ezekiel. At least 71 times it is recorded that God has done or will do something specific so that Israel, the Nations, you and I might know Him and His word.

Therefore whether historical or prophetic what the Lord God has done or will do as declared through the Scriptures will be known. He has done this so you are without excuse. No one can plead ignorance. From Creation to Calvary and future events the Lord has declared His heart and mind. His purpose is for you to not merely have an intellectual bonanza but a faith commitment to Him through trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. The end result of all this is ‘So that they may know, from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the lord, and there is no other.’ Isaiah 45:6.

The deniers of history, especially Biblical history are in for a rude and tragic shock. They need to rethink their rewrite before it becomes an embarrassing shame and a millstone around their neck, forever.

The Music of the Cross

A world without good and meaningful music would be a world of despair, loveless and forlorn. Music can express the hope, expectations, thrill and testimony of love, adventure, mercy and grace. That is why Christians sing. That is why the Taliban don’t. They have nothing to sing about for they don’t have a Saviour, no Heavenly Father and therefore no hope.

What has given the followers of Christ Jesus music in their hearts? The unbreakable embrace of Christ and His cross and the testimony of His resurrection. The very symbol which is a stumbling block to Israel and stupidity to all else is for Christians their glory. Why? Because of the story it tells, the person it reveals, the victory revealed and the grace unsealed to the believer. The symbol of horror and death has become the Hallelujah anthem of Eternity. The cross not only transforms, it has been transformed. It marks many graves yet it has its upright pointing to heaven. Surely it’s a symbol that those who are dead and lying horizontal have, or could have had an upward hope of Heaven.

The Judeo–Christian faith is saturated with music. That which is sung isn’t a wasted endeavour for it is sung to and in the presence of the Almighty God. When you read the Bible, especially the Psalms, you realise the writers were voicing their heart, its love and fears, joys and tears to the Lord of Glory. How is it possible for the eternal, holy and just God to hear and enjoy the individual’s or the congregation’s song? Someone has taken away the ‘sound–barrier’ between earth and heaven. What was the ‘barrier’? Humankind’s personal and corporate sin with all such a word includes. Such sinfulness simply offended the holiness of God and caused our ‘music’ to be mere obscene noise to His ears.

The cross of Jesus Christ has given us unending songs of gratitude and glory to our Lord and Saviour. There our past was dealt with. There our future unlocked. There we were transformed from enemies of, to being children of God. There we were given a song to sing that could never be silenced. On the cross Jesus sang the terrible lament ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me’? That would have been our enduring refrain in eternal darkness if Jesus hadn’t been willing to step between us and the holy judgments of the Father. Jesus sang it in agony so that by the power of His righteous life and resurrection we can sing the Hallelujah chorus gratefully.

Disciples of Jesus Christ need to sing. The Psalms or Gregorian chants, popular hymns or choruses even such masterpieces as ‘The Messiah’ or Saint Matthew’s Passion (of Christ and the cross) offers such opportunities. The musical wonder of the cross is that there is always something new and fresh to sing about. As a person ages in their faith some songs grab the heart and mind to become personal favourites and godly testimonies. The wonder of the saving life of Christ personally grasped by faith comforts us in our darkest times while thrilling us in our joyous ones.

The music of the cross is about love and redemption. It covers grace and mercy whilst embracing justice and holiness. It testifies to the triune God fulfilling His word at great personal agony. The music can never die. The composer did so that we who were dead in sin might live. The melody of the cross doesn’t fade, it grows stronger despite all the attempts of the ungodly, the Taliban and foolish to silence it. How is that possible? Because of the great words the angels said and made into a song about Easter Sunday ‘He (Jesus) isn’t here (in the tomb) He is risen!’

The music of the cross must be a personal experience before it can be celebrated as a corporate testimony. Should you long to have that song in your life lift up your heart to Jesus and offer it to Him, no strings attached! He will accept it, transform it, tune it to His wave length and then listen to the song He gives you to sing.

Revelation 5:11–12 sums things up so beautifully and powerfully ‘Then I (John) looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that

Was slaughtered

To receive power and wealth
And wisdom and might
and honour and glory and
blessing!”

Now that is the finale of the Music of the Cross