I returned home from the mainland yesterday and have spent the day unpacking and doing laundry; preparing to go back to work. I’ve missed writing on my blog, but, had a wonderful time with my family and my new granddaughter. On the flight home last night, I had the opportunity to start reading a book called “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization” by Anthony Esolen. It was given to me as a birthday present by a friend recently and my trip to the mainland was the perfect opportunity to dig in to it. I loved the bold title of the book and couldn’t wait to find out what it was all about. By the time the flight was over, I had made my way about half-way through the book, and though I haven’t finished it yet, I had read enough to know that I was impressed.
I’ve been thinking about it all day, how civilization has been shaped. Where we’ve been and where we’re headed. As I looked about the airplane last night as I was reading, I couldn’t help but notice how many people were glued to one electronic gadget or another, whether it was the inflight movie, an i-pod, or lap top and wondered how many of them had really thought about this question; where we’ve been, where we’re headed – and how many of them would even care, if ask.
In Mr. Esolens book he traces the influence prior civilizations have had on western civilization. He begins the book with the Greek civilization, then moves on to Rome. In chapters 3 and 4, he deals with the impact Israel and the Church has had on Western civilization and civilization as a whole. I was particularly impressed by two of the comments he made in chapter 3.
“But God’s promises, in the Old and New Testaments. stretch not only to the future but to the consummation of the world. That world is going somewhere. All nations shall worship the Lord, says Isaiah, prophesying the peaceable kingdom of he Messiah to come …”
“But in Israel, the development is mainly in the future, and is a threat to the powers that be.”
I thought these were extremely interesting observations. For the unbeliever, the world is chaotic and undefinable – not necessarily going anywhere – it just is. For the believer, the world is one of purpose and of assurance; a world which is going somewhere. And this makes all the difference. For it is this thought, a world going somewhere, that drive the powers-that-be mad. For a world with purpose and direction is at cross-purposes with those of a secular society whose governing body believes their is no higher authority beyond themselves and that of the State.
In the days to come, as last days events unfold, pressure on society and individuals will reach unprecedented levels. For this reason, it will be extremely important that we as believers keep these two fundamental things in mind: 1) God has a plan and will see it through to completion 2( Israel is the key to that plan.
Because both Israel and those who hold a Biblical world view are coming under attack, the day is approaching when we may be called to account on both these issues. These could be the defining moments of our Christian walk. Pray with me now, that we will be ready and that we, as believers would sense the presence of Jesus in our lives and the power in his name in ways we never have before. For this world is going somewhere and each day that passes brings us one day closer to his glorious return.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee! Psalm 122:6 Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
Cindy, it is good to have you back! I’ve just recently started to enjoy your blog. Thanks for being a friend to Israel. I’ve been involved with Jewish ministry for many years and have often prayed for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem. It is refreshing to come to a site like yours and receive the truth about what is going on in the world right now. It is like a drink of fresh cold water on a hot and muggy day! May the Lord continue to give you wisdom and insight as you report the truth to those who love to hear it.
By: Robert DiStefano on June 16, 2010
at 3:18 pm
Hi Robert, Thanks so much for your encouragement, you really made my day! I truly feel blessed to be standing along side you in the ministry of the King! Cindy
By: cindybythesea on June 16, 2010
at 4:35 pm
I always thought myself, that “consummation” meant destruction at the end. But the more I’ve been studying lately I think it is referring to a marriage that is sealed.
Consummation Con`sum*ma”tion (k[o^]n`s[u^]m*m[=a]”sh[u^]n), n.
[L. consummatio.]
The act of consummating, or the state of being consummated;
completion; perfection; termination; end (as of the world or
of life).
[1913 Webster]
The marriage supper of the lamb
By: Michael333 on June 16, 2010
at 4:16 pm
Welcome back to the blogosphere, sista! I was delighted to see you come up in my ‘reader’!
Your observations are right-on. As with so many other things, secularists sense something serious in these matters — though they would never state them in the terms you have. For example, various friends and acquaintances strongly self-identify as “progressives”, a label which is meant to be self-evident, but which begs some questions, e.g.:
Progressing towards what, exactly?
And further, how will we know when we’re “there”?
And related to that: Who has the authority to say, definitively, how far we still have to “go” and when we have finally “arrived”?
All of those are relatively easy to answer according to scripture. For those who reject it, and the God who inspired it, their answers are likely to be as confusing, contradictory and chaotic as the master they serve.
By: ultraguy on June 16, 2010
at 5:42 pm
Dear Cindy.
I have been studying Bible propechy for the past 5 years. And I must say that I find your website a delight to read and very informative. I wish to refer to your post regarding the sighting of the whale of the coast of Tel Aviv. Counting the days from 8 May, the day of the sighting I was searching the news on 17 June (40 days from 8 May) for news regarding Israe and came upon an article in the Jerusalem Post, claiming the following : In his address to the Israeli nation on the recent occasion of the country’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared, “Israel can only truly rely on itself.”
Obviously, and with good reason, he was reminding his nation and people that they cannot depend on the United States or anyone else in the international community to defend them, if and when Iran tries to fulfill its threats to “wipe Israel off the face of the map.” Netanyahu quoted Theodore Herzl, the respected Zionist leader of 100 years ago, who said, “Don’t rely on help from strangers, don’t trust the charitable, and don’t wish for stones to grow soft.” And Netanyahu added, “A nation that wishes to stand tall must place all its trust in itself only.”
It seems from this that Israel has not come to repent and depend on GOD, but has decided to depend on itself rather.
How I wish that Israel could have turned the way Ninive did.
Greetings
Sandra (RSA)
By: sandra peijper on June 18, 2010
at 6:44 am
Welcome back!
“A world going somewhere”
Yes. When are people going to start asking, “Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?”
;P
By: Jay on June 18, 2010
at 8:59 pm
Just wanted to say glad to hear your trip was such a blessing.
By: tam Z on June 20, 2010
at 6:00 am
[…] “In the days to come, as last days events unfold, pressure on society and individuals will reach unprecedented levels. For this reason, it will be extremely important that we as believers keep these two fundamental things in mind: 1) God has a plan and will see it through to completion, 2) Israel is the key to that plan.” Read more… […]
By: A world going somewhere (via Cindy by the Sea) « The Sovereign on August 5, 2011
at 6:52 pm