The Art of the Deal…With God
Though I love Rock music, testimonies from Rock musicians about their pacts with the Devil in exchange for fame are more abundant than I prefer to think about. On another front, God does make deals, and the Bible is replete with the terms of such deals.
In fact, in many instances, these are promises from God. What was Trump’s motive in declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel and the eventual moving of our embassy there? Is he cutting a deal with God in exchange for blessings on himself and America? I think this is exactly the case.
Do you find the historical hatred for Israel completely illogical? That’s because it’s a spiritual issue and Israel is ground zero for the historical spiritual warfare between good and evil that will culminate at Armageddon. Israel, one of the smallest nations in the world, if not the smallest, is an ongoing cup of trembling for the world; it doesn’t make any sense at all unless you view it from a biblical perspective.
God’s terms for a blessing contract regarding His people is pretty straight forward and simple: as stated to the father of the Jews, Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” For many examples among myriads, If you know the details of what happened to the German people post WWII, it is an absolutely brutal testimony that invokes undeserved pity. Throughout history, God hangs those with the gallows they prepare for the Jews and in turn heaps additional blessings on the Jews. Historically, EVERY attempt to destroy them only adds to their strength.
Once a people with no land at all and dispersed throughout the world, they are not only the smallest country in the world, but one of the most powerful politically, militarily, and economically.
It’s one of the easiest deals Trump has ever made in his endeavor to “make America great again.”
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
The hatred for Israel, especially where I’m from, is deplorable.
The smallest country in the world is the Vatican, 0.2 square miles (I think to fit the pope’s former headgear, worn until the sixties, which was called the Papal Tiara). What. Ever. But, Paul, I understand exactly what you mean. God is not done with Isreal, as so many Protestants (and those who simply hate Israel because they are Jewish and because there’s a God connection) believe. How many times have you heard the drivel in some church or whatever, “We are the new Israel”? Well, pass the bacon burgers, thanks, and I’ll go for the snip next week . . . not.
Concerning those deals musicians, especially guitar players, supposedly make with the devil. I think it’s physically impossible, and I think LSD, mushrooms, truckloads of pot, alcohol, rubber ducks, and maybe a demon of some sort could be involved. Bob Dylan made a “pact” of sorts, the legend goes (especially on those discernment “Christian” blogs), but should one who knows music investigate the Bob’s career, it is rather clear that he simply progressed with the times and . . . practiced a lot, a heck of a lot. Should one listen to him today (reaching for cough syrup involuntarily; respectfully), it’s obvious that the devil’s blessing has left him decades ago. That’s folklore (anything to sell stuff). One also can’t physically “sell” your soul to the devil nor is there some fight between God and the devil about your soul (I think it was the overrated Chris de Burgh who dreamed at that tale to sell music.)
That many musicians further a dark agenda is true, but that’s for another day.
I went to the “Crossroads” and made a deal with some weird-looking dude who was hanging around there. “I want to play guitar like no one’s ever done before,” I said. “Not a problem,” he replied. “Go home and it will be so.”
Have you ever played a one-string guitar? No one can play it like I can.
Found the De Burgh song: It’s called “Spanish Train” and although just a song, it’s filled with fabrications and unbiblical nonsense. Anything to sell LPs back then. YouTube and naked women to sell their rubbish were not around back then. So De Burgh used the devil. Woo. Waa! Publicity! Scandalous! Just like the Charlie Daniel’s band and “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” (Ya, I also don’t know why. I mean, of all the places…)
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Suppose we give Protestants a country. Oh, wait, they already have California as HQ.
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I have noticed in a ‘secular’ forum discussing politics and current affairs that when Israel comes up as a subject, the hatred of the country, and I don’t think that is too strong a word, soon surfaces. Even my remaining functioning brain cells picked this up. It is bordering on the irrational. Those who normally deplore what Muslims sometimes do suddenly forget that and would gladly hand Israel over to them for destruction.
This is a spiritual problem rather than a political one. Their abhorrence of Israel reflects a rage against the God whom they say does not exist. In a way it is fascinating to watch.
This is not the same thing as criticising the policies of the Israeli government of the day, just as you might do with the actions of any country in the world.
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You are right, Ken. It is mostly a spiritual matter; a God matter. And it is hatred all over again: The Auschwitz Blues, so to speak. But we’ll talk again when Jesus returns, as He is going to return to Jerusalem and not Los Angeles or Perth or Beijing (too much smog), and things are going to be fascinating. And you and I and every born-again Christian are going to be part of the action. Ken, when Jesus returns to rule and judge, it’s not going to be Xbox of PlayStation stuff.
In my city, a certain upmarket chain store was boycotted and people were stopped from entering it because the shop had dared to carry some items and lovely kosher stuff from Israel. It’s hatred, plain and simple. Luckily, we did not much care about the intimidation and supported the shop.
What saddens me is the moral decline (as foretold in Scripture) in Israel. Think certain “parades,” etc. They still are stiff-necked people concerning the Messiah, aren’t they? But this is important: I think Israeli women, in general, are super attractive. Yes, off topic as can be but important!
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“In my city, a certain upmarket chain store was boycotted and people were stopped from entering it because the shop had dared to carry some items and lovely kosher stuff from Israel. It’s hatred, plain and simple.”
You would think they would have thought differently after Apartheid. Some things never change I guess.
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Andy, the government of the country you’re referring to hates Israel to the very best of my knowledge. Even crazy archbishops from that place sing the praises of Palestine, I have heard. Communism, mass-intimidation, ethnic-motivated murders, and terrorism are four of that country’s favorite pastimes, I have heard from very reliable sources.
Oh, but “God is in control,” didn’t you know?
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We’re still hung up on Israel as a country? Galatians 3:28 means “there are NO MORE borders in Christ!” No more Jew nor Gentile. As humanity, through Christ, we’re ALL Israel.
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