Hal Lindsey Media Ministries - Hal Lindsey -
It's called "Identity Politics."
It is dangerous. Those who engage in it are contributing to the destruction of our great nation. Those who promote it in government, the media, and international relations are doing so for their own political and financial benefit.
But they are playing with fire.
Why do I believe "Identity Politics" is so dangerous? Well, Jesus Himself thought it threatening enough that He warned us that in the last days it would be prominent.
He said that in the days just prior to His return, "...nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." (Matthew 24:7 NASB). To modern ears, those sound the same, but Jesus made an important distinction. "...Kingdom against kingdom...." means country against country. "...Nation against nation...." means people group against people group.
People group can also mean "race" or "tribe." Usually, these "people groups" identify with one another because of race, but people groups can identify with one another because of gender, language, or many other things.
Though much -- if not most -- of identity politics is instigated and manufactured for the express political benefit of the Leftists, nonetheless it is fracturing the United States.
At last week's demonstration against free speech that took place on the Boston Common, a woman was photographed carrying a protest sign. It read: "My heroes are queer immigrant female people of color."
That's identity politics in a nutshell.
In the last century, identity politics resulted in Jim Crow laws, segregation, and the systematic exclusion of African-Americans from U.S. politics. It was the philosophy that engendered the Ku Klux Klan and Planned Parenthood.
For a while, it seemed to mostly disappear, but in the last few years it has made a roaring comeback.
The site of its most dramatic resurrection may surprise you: American universities. Judging people based on their race or gender permeates academia.
White nationalists saw this and rejoiced. So did the newest group of public racists -- black supremacists. They had both been judging by race all along, but now they have seized upon identity politics for their own exploitation. And with great success. Identity politics now dominates the mainstream media and reaches into the Congress itself.
But God has a better way. The Bible gives us three reasons not to participate in identity politics.
First, we are all sons and daughters of Adam. Acts 17:26 says, "He has made from one blood every nation (people group) to dwell on all the face of the earth." President Trump observed that very thing in his inaugural address, "...whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood...."
Second, we are all made in the image of God. What better reason to treat everyone with dignity and respect?
Third, Jesus Christ died for the sins of everyone. I John 2:2 tells us, "He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."
Jesus Christ paid a ransom that we can never begin to fathom. And He paid it for every person born into this world. That makes each of us priceless.
Galatians 3:28 says that in Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (NASB)
Ephesians 2:14 tells us, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made them both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation." (KJV)
In these days of rage and fear, Jesus alone is our peace. Despite our outward differences, in Christ we are one.
But identity politics is not confined to America. It is raging through societies and countries across the world.
In the last decade, we've seen a new surge in Jews returning to the Holy Land from Europe. Just as the Bible predicted. But they are not doing it because they want to fulfill Biblical prophecy. They are fleeing to Israel because Europe has once again become a dangerous place for them.
Nazis again roam the streets of Germany. French Jews are attacked in their own businesses.
A recent study by YouGov shows that 33% of Jews in Britain have thought about leaving Britain. They no longer feel safe there.
40% of British Jews say that they hide their faith. They're afraid of anti-Semitic attacks.
No doubt the arrival of massive numbers of Muslim migrants has contributed to the increase in animosity toward British Jews. But I've documented on previous Reports the anti-Semitic beliefs of several British leaders. And it seems to be getting worse. Last year's election of a practicing Muslim as mayor of London does not bode well for any reversal of the tension that Britain's Jews are beginning to feel.
In the United States, people on both the Left and the Right have expressed outrage over the anti-Semitism of the neo-Nazis in Charlottesville. But the rising hatred of Israel and the Jews on American college campuses promises to pose an exponentially greater danger to American Jews and the State of Israel than all of the neo-Nazis in America ever will.
Add to that the growing anti-Jewish sentiment of the far Left and I see the potential for new persecution of Jews in America.
There are almost as many Jews here as there are in Israel. I believe many of them may soon decide it's time to go to the land of their Fathers. Sadly, Charlottesville and Boston may be a preview of things to come.
Finally, on this week's program, I want to tell you about the greatest hellfire and damnation sermon ever preached.
It was the Sermon on the Mount.
In it, Jesus declared that it wasn't just what you did on the outside that was a sin. He said that sin includes what goes on inside your heart and mind.
The highly religious of His day were stunned to hear that "good works" were not enough to get them into heaven.
Jesus showed that the Law of the New Testament went far beyond the Law of Moses. It focused on the thoughts and intents of the heart!
In fact, it is the most definitive and exacting law ever given to man. It is impossible to live up to and fulfill to the letter.
In fact, it is so difficult that the most influential of all of Christ's followers -- the Apostle Paul -- was reduced to utter despair. He cried out, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:25 NASB)
That's bone-deep despair!
You see, the law makes all of us realize that there is no human effort that can save us. It points us to Christ because it does not permit us to hope in ourselves.
But thanks to a merciful God, Paul's despair is immediately followed by hope! In the next verse he said, "Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus our Lord! ... There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 7:25-8:1 NASB)
When we are "in Christ Jesus," the law is finally done with us. So why can't we let go of it?
If the Law of Moses was impossible to keep (and it was), what on earth makes us think we can keep the laws of the New Testament (that demand purity of thought as well as deed)? That's a million times tougher!
The Jews in Paul's day tried to be righteous by obeying the Ten Commandments. Today, we've made a list of rules for being a "good Christian." It doesn't work.
Galatians 2:21 makes it perfectly plain: "If righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (NASB)
So how can we live a righteous and obedient life? Romans 10:4 tells us, "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (NASB)
The answer to a righteous and obedient life is to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will produce God's righteousness within us!
Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.
By the way, if you are interested in studying these things more deeply, I discuss them thoroughly in my book, Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth.
God Bless,
Hal Lindsey
"Duck and cover" training in public schools, evacuation drills to nearby shelters, brisk gas mask and "nuke-pill" sales, and backyard bomb shelter construction. Sounds like the 60s, doesn't it?
Well, it's not the 60s, it's August 2017 in Guam, South Korea, Japan, and even a few places in the United States.
And all in response to threats from a pudgy, third-generation dictator in the hermit kingdom of North Korea.
Kim Jong-un threatened to nuke the island of Guam (U.S. territory and site of a massive U.S. Air Force base). President Donald Trump responded with no ambiguity. He said that if Kim even attempted such an action, it "will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen."
The Left (and quite a few Republicans) scoffed and accused President Trump of false bravado and even reckless endangerment of America.
But the response apparently took Kim by surprise. (Plus the fact that China and Russia seemed to take it seriously.) No American President had ever spoken to Kim or his dad or his grandpa like that in recent memory.
A few days later, North Korea reconsidered and declared that they wouldn't actually nuke Guam, they would just plop four missiles into the waters off Guam's coast. Just to show they could do it.
Then U.S. Defense Secretary James "Mad Dog" Mattis confirmed President Trump's warning. He told the world that if Kim even flinched his trigger-finger, it was "game on!"
Kim and his generals apparently held a quick confab and decided to revise their previous position. North Korea then announced that it would go easy on the United States this time and scrap its plan to even lob the previously mentioned four missiles.
However, Kim warned the President that NK would be watching him closely and if he tried anything fishy, everything was back on the table and they'd reconsider their full range of options -- including nuking Guam or even the United States itself. Please forgive me for allowing a little sarcasm to seep through. I find it interesting, though, how just a little bit of standing up to bullies seems to yield favorable, and quick, results. Something we've not seen from an American President for far too long.
There has been considerable debate as to whether the standoff with North Korea rose to the level of the 60s "Cuban Missile Crisis." There are many differences. For one, with Cuba the USSR was trying to establish a forward nuclear base within the Western Hemisphere -- just 90 miles from the coast of the United States.
Secondly, the Cuban sites would have been under the direct control, operation, and supply of the Soviet Union -- and we had a pretty good idea about the massive, and immediate, nuclear capabilities of the USSR.
On the other hand, North Korea is not in the Western Hemisphere and we remain uncertain as to the specific nuclear capabilities it possesses. Further, Kim is not under the overt tutelage of an enemy sponsor nation like China or Russia. In fact, just a few days before, both of them voted for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea.
Which, incidentally, was a major (almost unbelievable) foreign policy achievement by the Trump Administration. But if you listen only to the mainstream media, you probably heard nothing or next-to-nothing about that aspect of the UNSC vote.
As I write this, the standoff with North Korea seems to have eased for the moment and everyone is breathing a sigh of relief.
Of course, the tragic terror attacks in and around Barcelona and, before that, the Leftist-engineered (I believe) crisis in Charlottesville pushed North Korea off the front page for now. But the world still must contend with a nutjob who controls up to sixty nuclear weapons and is trying desperately to develop (or buy) the technology to deliver them to the United States.
So things are not going to get easier anytime soon. Just as the Bible prophets predicted for these days.
But, as former Secretary of State and Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton once reminded a group at the European Union, we should "never waste a good crisis."
So there are many on the Left side of the political spectrum who are using the North Korean standoff to attempt to restrict the President's constitutional authority to act as Commander-in-Chief. Though they will not openly say so, their actions belie their motives. In their "concern" that President Trump may recklessly engage in nuclear warfare, they want to pass legislation to require him to get Congressional permission to order certain military options.
Of course, the President's prerogatives in that area are granted by the U.S. Constitution, but I believe this move dovetails with others to reveal a general attack by the Left on the Presidency itself.
For example, recently the President tweeted, "The United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."
Now that was just a tweet. No formal policy change has yet been announced. But already the Commandant of the Coast Guard has implied that he will be insubordinate and not obey any directive that changes the military's policy on transgenders.
Admiral Paul F. Jukunft said that the Coast Guard will "not break faith" with transgender individuals. Even if he is ordered by his Commander-in-Chief to do so? It's not like the military's transgender acceptance policy is a longstanding military tradition (Oh yeah, taxpayers are also currently required to pay the exorbitant costs of making the service member's sex change!). The rule has only been in place about a year!
Furthermore, one Commander-in-Chief arbitrarily decided to do it and it was okay. Another Commander-in-Chief decides to undo it and it's not?
The net effect is that a ranking member of the U.S. Armed Services has openly implied he will defy the constitutionally-mandated civilian control of the military. Of course, he is now a superhero to the LGBTQs and Democrats.
The issue of civilian control of the military goes to the heart of our constitutional republic. This has the earmarks of another constitutional crisis in the making.
Finally, on this week's show I ask the question: "Why do human beings sin?"
The Apostle Paul indicates that there are two things at work within a non-believer to make him sin. The first is his sinful passions -- sometimes called "the sin nature."
The second thing that pushes us toward sin is, ironically, the Law itself. Rebellion against the Law produces what the Bible calls "sin."
The Law shows us that we cannot measure up to God's standards of right and wrong. We cannot justify ourselves.
That's why all men need the redemption from the curse of the Law that Jesus purchased for us by His death on the cross.
There is no other way for man to enter heaven.
August 25th, 2017
Though we do not want to think about it, and some will deny its existence, there is a worldwide phenomenon happening right now. It is ripping apart nations, communities, and even families. It's called "Identity Politics."
It is dangerous. Those who engage in it are contributing to the destruction of our great nation. Those who promote it in government, the media, and international relations are doing so for their own political and financial benefit.
But they are playing with fire.
Why do I believe "Identity Politics" is so dangerous? Well, Jesus Himself thought it threatening enough that He warned us that in the last days it would be prominent.
He said that in the days just prior to His return, "...nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." (Matthew 24:7 NASB). To modern ears, those sound the same, but Jesus made an important distinction. "...Kingdom against kingdom...." means country against country. "...Nation against nation...." means people group against people group.
People group can also mean "race" or "tribe." Usually, these "people groups" identify with one another because of race, but people groups can identify with one another because of gender, language, or many other things.
Though much -- if not most -- of identity politics is instigated and manufactured for the express political benefit of the Leftists, nonetheless it is fracturing the United States.
At last week's demonstration against free speech that took place on the Boston Common, a woman was photographed carrying a protest sign. It read: "My heroes are queer immigrant female people of color."
That's identity politics in a nutshell.
In the last century, identity politics resulted in Jim Crow laws, segregation, and the systematic exclusion of African-Americans from U.S. politics. It was the philosophy that engendered the Ku Klux Klan and Planned Parenthood.
For a while, it seemed to mostly disappear, but in the last few years it has made a roaring comeback.
The site of its most dramatic resurrection may surprise you: American universities. Judging people based on their race or gender permeates academia.
White nationalists saw this and rejoiced. So did the newest group of public racists -- black supremacists. They had both been judging by race all along, but now they have seized upon identity politics for their own exploitation. And with great success. Identity politics now dominates the mainstream media and reaches into the Congress itself.
But God has a better way. The Bible gives us three reasons not to participate in identity politics.
First, we are all sons and daughters of Adam. Acts 17:26 says, "He has made from one blood every nation (people group) to dwell on all the face of the earth." President Trump observed that very thing in his inaugural address, "...whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood...."
Second, we are all made in the image of God. What better reason to treat everyone with dignity and respect?
Third, Jesus Christ died for the sins of everyone. I John 2:2 tells us, "He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."
Jesus Christ paid a ransom that we can never begin to fathom. And He paid it for every person born into this world. That makes each of us priceless.
Galatians 3:28 says that in Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (NASB)
Ephesians 2:14 tells us, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made them both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation." (KJV)
In these days of rage and fear, Jesus alone is our peace. Despite our outward differences, in Christ we are one.
But identity politics is not confined to America. It is raging through societies and countries across the world.
In the last decade, we've seen a new surge in Jews returning to the Holy Land from Europe. Just as the Bible predicted. But they are not doing it because they want to fulfill Biblical prophecy. They are fleeing to Israel because Europe has once again become a dangerous place for them.
Nazis again roam the streets of Germany. French Jews are attacked in their own businesses.
A recent study by YouGov shows that 33% of Jews in Britain have thought about leaving Britain. They no longer feel safe there.
40% of British Jews say that they hide their faith. They're afraid of anti-Semitic attacks.
No doubt the arrival of massive numbers of Muslim migrants has contributed to the increase in animosity toward British Jews. But I've documented on previous Reports the anti-Semitic beliefs of several British leaders. And it seems to be getting worse. Last year's election of a practicing Muslim as mayor of London does not bode well for any reversal of the tension that Britain's Jews are beginning to feel.
In the United States, people on both the Left and the Right have expressed outrage over the anti-Semitism of the neo-Nazis in Charlottesville. But the rising hatred of Israel and the Jews on American college campuses promises to pose an exponentially greater danger to American Jews and the State of Israel than all of the neo-Nazis in America ever will.
Add to that the growing anti-Jewish sentiment of the far Left and I see the potential for new persecution of Jews in America.
There are almost as many Jews here as there are in Israel. I believe many of them may soon decide it's time to go to the land of their Fathers. Sadly, Charlottesville and Boston may be a preview of things to come.
Finally, on this week's program, I want to tell you about the greatest hellfire and damnation sermon ever preached.
It was the Sermon on the Mount.
In it, Jesus declared that it wasn't just what you did on the outside that was a sin. He said that sin includes what goes on inside your heart and mind.
The highly religious of His day were stunned to hear that "good works" were not enough to get them into heaven.
Jesus showed that the Law of the New Testament went far beyond the Law of Moses. It focused on the thoughts and intents of the heart!
In fact, it is the most definitive and exacting law ever given to man. It is impossible to live up to and fulfill to the letter.
In fact, it is so difficult that the most influential of all of Christ's followers -- the Apostle Paul -- was reduced to utter despair. He cried out, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:25 NASB)
That's bone-deep despair!
You see, the law makes all of us realize that there is no human effort that can save us. It points us to Christ because it does not permit us to hope in ourselves.
But thanks to a merciful God, Paul's despair is immediately followed by hope! In the next verse he said, "Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus our Lord! ... There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 7:25-8:1 NASB)
When we are "in Christ Jesus," the law is finally done with us. So why can't we let go of it?
If the Law of Moses was impossible to keep (and it was), what on earth makes us think we can keep the laws of the New Testament (that demand purity of thought as well as deed)? That's a million times tougher!
The Jews in Paul's day tried to be righteous by obeying the Ten Commandments. Today, we've made a list of rules for being a "good Christian." It doesn't work.
Galatians 2:21 makes it perfectly plain: "If righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (NASB)
So how can we live a righteous and obedient life? Romans 10:4 tells us, "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (NASB)
The answer to a righteous and obedient life is to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will produce God's righteousness within us!
Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.
By the way, if you are interested in studying these things more deeply, I discuss them thoroughly in my book, Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth.
God Bless,
Hal Lindsey
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