UNDERSTANDING THE ISRAELI-ARAB-U.S. CONFLICT

A LOOK AT THE BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED

PART 5: THE SACRIFICE FOR THE PEOPLE: The Coronation of the People’s King

By Ernest Clevenger

This fifth and last study in this series is the time to try to bring everything together. In order to do this, I will ask you to recall a few of the things I discussed earlier. There are some critical differences between what Muslims, Zionists (Jews) and Christians believe and practice both as to what is generally accepted by the three specific groups and also within each of the groups. Christianity has the larger Catholic, protestant, and independent segments with many subdivisions. Zionists have Orthodox, conservative, reform, liberal and non-observant segments with many subdivisions. Muslims have Sunnis and Shi’ias sects with many subdivisions. And, there is the New Testament church.

We have pointed out that a large part of the problem between these three main groups stems from basic differences in religion and from the desire to possess the land of Palestine, the Holy Land. The claims on the land arise from the interpretation of specific promises made to Abraham and his descendents. The differences in religion arise from what is accepted as God’s Word and the final authority for worship, social action and to a large part political action.

Religion to be viable must be more than a few rules to follow and a few acts to perform. It must be a way of life. Most religions ask adherents to adopt a certain way of life as described by the tenants of that religion. Zionists seek to follow the Old Testament edicts and anything else is not kosher. Christianity seeks, for the most part, to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles as described in the New Testament. Muslims have a strict religious philosophy based largely on the Qur’an that is a religion, but really more than a religion; it is an ideology that has a very strict social and political agenda.

Our interest in these studies has centered largely on Islam and how it directly affects us rather than on the conflict between Zionists and Christianity interpretations. Islam’s agenda is based upon a larger goal than the land of Palestine. It has a global objective built into its religion. Everyone who is not Muslim, in a Muslim’s way of thinking, is an unbeliever (infidel) and must be subdued by domination, slavery , death, or be converted.

To capsule some of the things previously discussed a table of differences between Muslims and Christians has been included in the outline below. The table does not include every difference, only some of the more obvious and perhaps the more important ones.

After the crucifixion of Christ on Calvary he arose from the dead to appear among men. His death and resurrection is well documented in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as well as the epistles of Paul. Luke, in the book of Acts, continues the account in chapter 1 beginning with verse 1.

Acts 1:1ff.

The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

They were told to stay in Jerusalem and to expect the baptism of the Holy Spirit in a few days. The Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost. Pente in Greek is the word for "five" and here means 50; Pentecost came 50 days after the Passover. Since Jesus ascended 40 days after his resurrection and the Holy Spirit came 50 days after his resurrection that means they had to wait ten days in Jerusalem. Why wait ten days? What was so important that they had to wait ten days. Why could not the Holy Spirit come immediately after the ascension of Jesus to heaven? The answer lies in the book Revelation. It has a vastly different picture of heaven than the one presented in the Qur’an; and yet, Muslims say they accept the Bible (or at least parts of it) as God’s Word.

Muhammad claimed to have in a vision ascended into the heavens, seven of them, and to have received from Allah instructions regarding when to pray. Heaven by Islam is also called "the garden" and "paradise". Some of the descriptions of heaven in the Qur’an are:

Surah 72:8. And we pried into the secrets of heaven; but we found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires.

Surah 56: 7-44. And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.

8. Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand;- What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?

9. And the Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?

10. And those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).

11. These will be those Nearest to Allah.

12. In Gardens of Bliss:

13. A number of people from those of old,

14. And a few from those of later times.

15. (They will be) on Thrones encrusted (with gold and precious stones),

16. Reclining on them, facing each other.

17. Round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness) [eternal youth],

18. With goblets, (shining) beakers, and cups (filled) out of clear-flowing fountains:

19. No after-ache will they receive therefrom, nor will they suffer intoxication:

20. And with fruits, any that they may select:

21. And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.

22. And (there will be) Companions (maidens) with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,-

23. Like unto Pearls well guarded.

24. A Reward for the deeds of their past (life).

25. Not frivolity will they hear therein, nor any taint of ill,-

26. Only the saying, "Peace! Peace".

27. The Companions of the Right Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Right Hand?

28. (They will be) among Lote-trees without thorns,

29. Among Tall trees with flowers (or fruits) piled one above another,-

30. In shade long-extended,

31. By water flowing constantly,

32. And fruit in abundance.

33. Whose season is not limited, nor (supply) forbidden,

34. And on Thrones (of Dignity), raised high.

35. We have created (their Companions) [Maidens] of special creation.

36. And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), -

37. Beloved (by nature), equal in age,-

38. For the Companions of the Right Hand.

39. A (goodly) number from those of old,

40. And a (goodly) number from those of later times.

41. The Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?

42. (They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water,

43. And in the shades of Black Smoke:

44. Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please: Apparently, hell is a part of heaven, according to this; and, maidens seem to be a powerful attraction to get to go to heaven quickly.

All of this is to be in seven heavens (firmaments) Surah 2:29. It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.

In contrast to these Islamic descriptions of heaven, the Bible in the book of Revelation, depicts heaven as the dwelling place of God, Jesus the Lamb and the Sprit of God and the home of the saved. We are introduced to this place by the Apostle John’s vision of the Throne of God and the coronation of Christ the King. John starts his record with the announcement of who gave him his message. Several things need attention as we visit the coronation of Christ the King through John’s revelation.

To assist you I have borrowed a chart from William Hendricksen’s book, More Than Conquerors, published in 1940, by Baker Book House; a book that is a commentary on Revelation. This chart on your outline gives some reference points to understand the Universe governed by the Throne of God. As we move through John’s description, I will point out where we are in the narrative by the numbers you see on the diagram, by the pictured points of reference, and by the letters "F" and "L". Also, watch for the change of the description of Jesus as the story unfolds.

Revelation 1:4-8

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, "says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation 4:1-11 John's Vision of God's Throne

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must [shortly] take place after this." 2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne [the "F" in the center of the diagram stands for God the Father]. 3And He who sat there was like a jasper (Circle #1) and a sardius stone (Circle #2) in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald (Circle #3). 4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads [these are numbered 5 in the diagram]. 5And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. [The seven lamps in the diagram are on the stand between one of the four living creatures and the sea of glass like crystal]. 6Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures (Circle #4) full of eyes in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

11"You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

Revelation 5:1-14 Worthy Is the Lamb

1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?" 3And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb [depicted in the diagram by the letter "L"] as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals; For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth."

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels [depicted in the diagram by the circle marked 6] around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

[Now you know where we get the theme for the great hymns, Worthy Art Thou and Holy, Holy, Holy.]

13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, [depicted by the seventh and outermost circle] I heard saying:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"

14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

This magnificent scene of the coronation of Jesus, the Lamb, the King of Kings had to take place prior to the establishment of the church. Although Jesus had been given all authority both in heaven and on earth, he still had to be formally installed as the head of the church, as the Lord of Hosts, as the King of the Universe, and this is the depiction of that coronation of the People’s King.

Paul put it this way in Ephesians 1:22,23: After noting that the entire universe is governed by the Throne, that is, by God through the Lamb, when the Lamb ascended to heaven, he sat down at the right hand of God,

"far above all rule, authority, and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And he—God, the Father—put all things in subjection under his—Christ’s—feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fill all in all."

In all the accounts up to this point you will have noticed that everyone praising the Lamb said of him, He is the one who was, who is, and who is to come. Well he came, and did as promised, he provided the way for every person to be blessed by God, saved from their sins by repentance, confession, baptism and a new life, and have a place in the City with foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

The Kingdom of God, the church, is open to anyone willing to obey God and keep his commandments. This is the blessing God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the purpose of the Messiah, the seed of Abraham and David, coming into the world. Those of us in the church today are the recipients of this promise, citizens in the kingdom of God and of Christ, heirs according to the promise. Whose land is the territory of Palestine (?) is a moot question in view of the greater aspect of the promise God made to Abraham.

In proclaiming the Kingdom of God on earth, John in Revelation 11:15-18 (ASV) underlines the sequence plainly by writing:

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:

"We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,

The One who is and who was,

(NU-Text and M-Text omit and who is to come because He came)
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth."

Turn back to the account of the establishment of the church in Acts 2.

The apostles and others had been waiting in Jerusalem for ten days while Jesus was crowned King of Kings, and "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"

It meant that God was keeping his promise made first to Abraham in the long ago. The church was now established. From the very first day, representatives from all over the world were being invited to participate in the Kingdom of God, the church, over which Christ reigns, making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). These facts from the Bible are the main cause of the conflict between those believing in Christ and those subscribing to Islam. Islam teaches that NO INTERCESSION CAN TAKE PLACE WITH GOD.

Surah 2:48. Beware of the day when no soul can avail another soul,
no intercession will be accepted, no ransom can be paid, nor can anyone be helped.

Islam teaches that "to believe that anyone, other than God, can intercede on our behalf to have our sins forgiven or our wishes fulfilled, is to set up partners with God. This is idolatry. The Qur’an proclaims that ‘All intercession belongs to God’ (39:44), and that there will be ‘no intercession on the Day of Judgment’" (2:254).

The solution to the conflict is for everyone to teach and to live the Christian life in the hope of heaven with God for an eternity, and let God be the Judge of everyone.