In his Altercation, Eric Alterman provides a few answers to the question, "Who is John Hagee?"You may recall that when Hagee was accused of being anti-Catholic recently, he reacted with "righteous indignation," and claimed that he had lots of fiends, oops, I mean friends, who were Catholics; or something like that.
I'm not sure he denied that he said this or that he didn't mean it when he said this: that Hitler and the RC church were part of a conspiracy to "exterminate the Jews."
I had not read his "anti-Christ" beliefs before so they were an enjoyable surprise. It's hard to believe he's serious, but he is. That's because he's quite obviously insane. Here's what Hagee has to say "On the Antichrist:"
"He's [the anti-Christ] going to make a seven-year treaty with Israel and set up his image to be worshiped in Israel. And that is where I'm convinced that a Jewish person who understands who he is shoots him, because the Bible says he's wounded in the head and recovers wondrously, emulating the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this point in time when he comes back to life he has the personality of a Hitler. He now pursues the Jewish people. The Jewish people then go to Petra, which is a place in Jordan that is a natural fortress. And that God is going to provide for them there protection from him. And as he gets ready to pursue him, the Bible says that he, the Antichrist, hears tidings from the east that disturb him. The tidings from the east is that... the Chinese army is marching up the Euphrates River, 200 million of them, and they're moving toward the battle of Armageddon, because they want the oil that will make them a superpower."
You can read more of Hagee's rantings here.
Just remember, he's as crazy as a loon! (So what does that make John McCain?)
2 comments:
One can only hope that these types are playing to an audience and do not actually believe what they say. I find it difficulkt to believe all the theories that speak of doom that has never happened. Why the long time lags? surely the world has been in trouble before now and God or Jesus would have intervened to reduce some of the problems of the world. Why would he concentrate only on the US? Why not Canada or Mexico? Would he not have come back to Jerusalem out of old time's sake or curiosity? Why has He allowed so much evil in His name? Surely He has the power to stop or change events. I am sure people have answrs but I do not understand such things.
Bob Poris
While I do not defend Pastor Hagee nor agree with all his statements, he is not arguing some crazy rhetoric or contrivance from his own mind. He is presenting the basic prophetic "big-picture" overview outlined in the Bible...the "Old" and the New Testament. Bob, I understand your questioning and no man can truely understand the mind of G-d, but Biblically speaking, evil is allowed to continue (for a time) out of G-d's respect for our free will. We chose to go after "knowledge" vs. remain in "love". The only times thus far G-d has intervened against this would be the giving of the Torah on Sinai and Jesus presenting himself as Messiah.
2 main ideas to consider as a test to the claims of the bible and teachers like Hagee: Jesus said: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20) There are Christians in every country of the world.
"Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." (Luke 21:24) May or may not be complete but the church is collapsing and Israel took control of most of Jerusale in 1967.
(re: Israel) "For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land." (Ezekiel 36:24) Declared a state in 1948 and immigration has been steady ever since.
"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be torn in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." -(Zechariah 12:2, 3)
Now considering especially the last passage, look at where we are today. The whole world is against Israel...a tiny, seemingly insignificant country. Is it really so crazy, after Christianity has spread throughout the whole world, as was directed, and Israel is now being brought back into the land and has taken control of Jerusalem (1967) that these claims made over 2000 years ago are really merely the rantings of crazy people? We are all struggling with the trials of "evil". We need to consider our options for "liberation" in the face of the truths we are confronted by in the real world.
Shalom,
G
Post a Comment