BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN

ZECHARIAH  1 

14-15

So the angel who spoke with me said to me 

"Proclaim  saying thus says the Lord of Hosts.

I am zealous for Jerusalem

and for Zion with a great zeal.

I am exceedingly angry with the Nations at ease.

"Good heavens" exclaimed the smartly dressed young man sitting at a corner table as a drenched senior citizen staggered through the coffee shop doorway.   " Pam" he shouted waving his hand in her direction.   

Pam was always surprised but ready when people recognised her and she had no idea who they were.

The young man stood up and respectfully pulled back a chair.   "Please join me" he said "It's my lunch hour."    Still unaware who the stranger was Pam was grateful for the seat.    "Let me get you a coffee and something to eat,  oh and by the way Jerusalem 2008 ring any bells"

Suddenly she remembered the friendly young man in the tour group.  They had met around three times that week in the Holy Land.   He was staying in a different hotel.   Apparently very comfortable compared with their rather shabby room, but this was the great adventure for two seniors, they intended making the best of their rather short, hectic tour of the Holy Land.

Balancing two coffees and chicken ceasar wraps he made his way back through the tables, dodging shopping bags as he went.  "Sorry, I do remember you now" said Pam "you were baptised in the Jordan.   I'm hopeless at names, always have been, but I don't usually forget a face. 

He smiled "we went our different ways at Stanstead remember.   I went home to London and you and your friend went on to the Travel Inn for the night.   

Gradually the memories came back.   She remembered he wore a "wide brimmed hat" and was very different from the other tourists.   He had time for the two "oldies" and that was appreciated when every mass get together of the tour group seemed to be a rather noisy, jumbled and at times frenetic experience.

"Hard to believe how fast prophecy is taking place isn't it" she said.   "It's only to be expected" said the young man.   Very much a case of Matthew 24 "wars and rumours of wars" he said smiling sadly.

"Yes" said Pam "but what gets me,  is its okay to indoctrinate youths to chuck stones, use catapults and other missiles and take aim at the IDF.    After all most of the IDF soldiers are young men.  And isn't it just amazing how the reporters are there when the IDF are attempting to restrain them.   Don't the kids just howl when they get caught.   What are the IDF supposed to do - just stand there.   It makes my blood boil.   Loads of negative publicity where Israel is concerned.   Without the Iron Dome there would have been terrible casualties for Israel.   I thank God for the Iron Dome.   Of course all the media on R.T. concentrate on is any sign of retaliation on Israel's part.   Whereas Hamas use their own people as human shields.   

She continued "If my child had been chucking stones or whatever he would have got a swift slap off me.   You don't use kids to fight your battles.    There are no winners in war, only losers.   It's time they got round the table and started talking peace before God decides to deal with the nations that come against His people"   It was time for another slurp of coffee.  The sweet smell of the solid wood decor and the aroma of coffee was a delight to the senses.  

"It's not going to change until Yeshua returns" said the young man.   "We can see biblical prophecy unfolding before our very eyes."   "True" replied Pam.   "We are on the same wave length".

"Mmmh, that chicken wrap was gorgeous thank you very much, what a treat" said Pam.  "I certainly didn't expect that blessing."  She continued   "as far as I am concerned it doesn't really matter either way.   We can't stop this.   We are christians, real christians not counterfeits.   We have to trust the Lord.   He has my life and yours in His hands.   I have nothing to lose and along with true christian brothers and sisters everything to gain.   

The other night I was reading Pilgrims Progress again.   This time it was Part 2, Christiana's journey with her four children.   I had sneaked a look at the end of her journey just to see if she got safely home.   That was cheating so I went back to the beginning.   The interpreter tells her, (here Pam paused) I'll paraphrase she said smiling.   That she must learn how to suffer and take on board "wrongs" without complaining.   He uses the slaughter of a sheep as an example.  Good advice and precisely why there have been many beheadings in the Middle East.    But that didn't stop that sinking feeling and the need to cry out "How long Lord"

Revelation 6 - 9 - 11
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long O Lord, holy and true until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?
Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were was completed.

Revelation 20 - 4
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.  Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.
And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

As I was researching music on the internet I came across a very appropriate song  "You are my hiding place" a duet by a young couple in a church in Hickory Grove Baptist Church (North Campus) Charlotte. N.C.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzqpkMJxyss that is how modern christian music should be.   It was pure and sincere and nothing like the whacky show biz so called worship.   Honestly you would think you were at a rock pop concert.  Do they realise how Holy God is.   It's more like pagan worship.   If you get a chance pick it up and look at the comments.   The girl is dressed modestly in what could be described as a "frock coat" which is a darn site better than the half naked crutch hugging jean clad barbies I have seen in the past.   

The young man smiled "now that is interesting.   Can you recommend a church in the area, I'm new to these parts so it is difficult?   "Sorry" said Pam "I wish I could.   We are down to small informal groups of like minded christians.    We meet now and again, but you are very welcome to join us any time, here's my number and she scribbled her details on a serviette.      

"Are you the leader" the young man enquired.  "Heaven forbid no" exclaimed Pam "I have never had any agenda where leadership is concerned, we have no other leader but Jesus.  I am merely a watchman and hostess when my turn comes around.    We always place an empty chair in the circle as a mark of respect for our Lord.   We are just the shepherd's sheep.   We have a young builder, a plumber (very handy for the group) a vicar who refused to "do it their way" and paid the price.   Not that he ever regrets his decision but he has had enough of the leadership game.   Sally is a teacher.   Jerry is a G.P.   They have all had issues with the status quo.    Pam giggled "actually we are quite self sufficient when you think about it"   Along with a couple of single parents that's it.   When we go above twelve someone breaks off and starts another group.   That way we remain hidden and out of the attention of undesirables and the religious establishment who are hell bent on twisting scripture and heading in the direction of "all paths lead to God" - the Interfaith brigade.

"What made you leave the bright lights?" asked Pam.  

"Just generally sick of city life and everything connected with the establishment,  fraudsters, the blatant hypocrisy, lies and the "me first" attitude" he replied.

"Well" said Pam "I've only been here twelve years and I am still considered 'not from round here' but no matter.  It amazes me some people never move out of the place where they were born.  I'm a bit of a gypsy myself.   But my next move will be the smoothest - HOME to where I really belong.   You are very welcome to join us when you have the time and inclination.   There is no condemnation if you are busy.

We don't put God on the back burner in our lives for a particular day, we walk with Him,  talk with Him and pray to Him every day.    Friday night is convenient for most of us.   Saturday (Shabbat) we do our own thing but I don't do any housework or shopping, I rest as my God commanded.   We takes turns researching the internet for videos.   Jacob Prasch is a particular favourite with the group along with old sermons of David Wilkerson, David Hunt and Derek Prince who had strong links with Israel.  All with the Lord but they live on thanks to videos freely available on You Tube.  Jacob is still on the planet under the protection of the Lord.  We discuss current affairs and enjoy laughing at the vagaries of human nature.   We all fall short.   We are all sinners, but thankfully we have a merciful forgiving God.  

Pam gazed out of the shop window at the rain still pouring down and hitting the window.   "Time to catch the hourly bus home.  Its lovely to see you again.  It's Tim isn't it?.  Finally she had remembered his name.    "Yes" he replied.   She glanced at the young man she had met over seven years ago.   Still a true child of God.   "Take care Tim, keep in touch.   Either here or in His Kingdom.    There's a C.D. called "Great is Thy Faithfulness by Phil Driscoll on You Tube.   Love the guy.  We all need encouragement for the days ahead.   It certainly lifts my soul.

An elderly man watched the pair as they left the warm coffee shop behind.   He was eavesdropping on their conversation.   They were full of hope their faces lit with a special glow.  "There must be something in this Jesus of theirs" he muttered to himself.   He watched the faces of the passing public.   Stressed, anxious, not a smile in sight.  The queue at the cash machine was lengthy,  yet they stood patiently waiting in the pouring rain.  How long before the money runs out and the queue turns into a riot.       A small voice whispered "they have no HOPE".

IT IS TIME TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD.

BEFORE TIME GETS RIGHT WITH YOU.