Assume Crash Position

I was scanning the news today when I ran across a story that contained these words:
"[The] Sunni militant fringe ... characterize Shi'ites as kafireen -- atheists, or godless" saying that is the reason Sunni Muslims are so willing to attack and kill Shiite Muslims. Everyone by now is aware of the ideological gulf between its Sunni Muslims and the Shi'ite Hizbollah militants who are fighting Israel. The battle between these two Muslim factions could be an example of what Jesus said would happen as we come closer to the time for His return. Matthew 24:7 recprds, "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ..." In reality, the "kingdoms" of Islam are against each other.

However, the next statement (24:9) in Matthew's Gospel is quite chilling. Referring to those who follow Christ, Jesus says, "Then they will deliver you (Christians) up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." The same nations who were at each other's throats, will suddenly band together to focus their attention on a common enemy -- US! And the thing that seems most likely to precipitate that unholy union is the Church's support of Israel. The same news story that reported the conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims had this to say, "It's been widely decided by jihadists in general ... that even though Hizbollah has a special agenda, nonetheless we can make a common front with Hizbollah because the priority should be given to fighting Israel ... we still have to make a common front with them because they are fighting the worst enemy."

Bitter enemies -- fighting and killing each other one day -- willingly unite the next day to fight anyone who loves and supports Israel. We are on a collision course -- perhaps it's time to assume crash position. And what is that? Being fully clothed in the armor of God, standing firmly on the Truth of His Word, eyes fixd on Jesus, hearts consumed with love.