Significant events which take place in the natural often reflect what is happening in the spiritual realm. The Persian Gulf War is such an event. It is essential that we understand this war because the prayers of the church can be more powerful in effecting world events than all of the politics and weapons combined. Effective prayer moves God, and He is the One who controls the affairs of men. The following are a few of the natural parallels which I believe we should consider in relation to their spiritual applications:

 
 We continue with our study of how love is the foundation of the kingdom economy. Because we are told in I Corinthians13:8 that “love never fails,”

We are going to spend the next few weeks examining the lessons from the recent elections because we probably will not get a greater illumination of the times than this for a long time.

Amazingly, right after Israel absorbed the lessons from Achan's sin and their initial defeat at Ai, the next main event in the conquest of the Promised Land was their deception by the Gibeonites. This, too, was the result of presumption on the part of Israel's leaders. Indeed, presumption is a difficult habit to break.

Now it came about when they had finished circumcising all the nation, that they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed.

 

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.

 

Last week we discussed how the evil kingdoms are built on unrighteousness and injustice, but in the beginning they may appear even more righteous and just than God’s kingdom. Without question, God’s standards of righteousness and justice are pure, true, and right. They extend to the heavens and to eternity. They are the very definition and standard of these, and always will be. Even so, the devil usually sets the stage for his unrighteousness and injustice by at first seeming to be even more righteous and just than God.

         The Book of Revelation was not meant to be a mystery, but to be understood. Its name means “what is revealed,” not “what was hidden.” However, there are some basic keys to understanding it. These are the same keys to understanding all revelation in the Bible. We will begin our study of this book with the first of these keys—the first statement made in Revelation:

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ.…”

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).

         The only way to have a Christian worldview is to abide in Christ so that we see with His eyes, hear with His ears, and understand with His heart. As we are told in Ephesians 4:15: “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” This is the daily resolve of a true disciple—to learn of their Master, becoming like Him and doing the works He did.