These are Heavy times..let us encourage one another

[thesunisout]

I've only been a Christian since 2010, but since then year by year I feel an increasing, encroaching darkness upon this world which is challenging my discipline more and more. I know that my life isn't anywhere close to what our brothers and sisters in the middle east experience, but nevertheless I feel besieged and often struggle to maintain a consistent walk with the Lord. Anyone else feel that way? This troubling verse comes to mind when I consider all of this:

Jeremiah 12:5

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?

I know only the Lord can give me the strength to get through these times, and that means making radical changes and spending more time in His word, and in communion with Him and in fellowship with fellow believers. I sometimes lack the heart to do this, I have to admit to myself and to you beloved. What can we do to break the bad patterns in our lives and get closer to the Lord?

 

[mnorian]

As you said; most of us Christians know to read the word; but His word tells us that the Joy of the Lord is our strength: Nehemiah 8:10: "Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

And how do we get and show the strength of the Lord? By singing His praises; as also in Nehemiah 12:42-43 the Joy of the Israelite's was singing and was heard at a great distance:

42-"also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director."
43-"Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off."

This time of the year when so much negativism is rampart; even or especially here at CF, and in the news; I have found, finding and singing new songs (maybe old but new to me) that Praise Jesus; strengthens me and brings cheer where there was sorrow. So in that context; here is a song that tells us to "hold on".

 

[Dan61861]

Stay strong brother, your post are very encouraging. Remember, we live under Christs' righteousness, under His wing. As we stumble along this walk, our Lord picks us back up and dusts us off.

The walk we have chosen is a difficult path. I am in my mid fifties now, understanding that my righteousness means nothing. I know our change will come, but not in this lifetime. The Lord is understanding with us, He knows our weaknesses. He created us and knows every hair on our head. It is God that we magnify, it is His glory alone.

These times are different, sin is growing, hate for Christians is growing. Look up and praise God, for we are one day closer to His return.

In Christ
Daniel

 

[jef1225]

I have been a Christian baptized and confirmed since 2008 and I too feel this way all the time. the world is full of chaos and I know there are those that have it far worse than I do, but ive had my share of bad luck since becoming a Christian. I have yet to feel gods presence in my life even though I do my best to keep the faith that hes there. I look at the overall state of the world and say I wouldn't blame him if he did he keep his distance. I know that's not how it works and that there is a plan in the works. I just must keep doing my best to follow the lord and savior the best I can and hope on my day of judgement the lord sees fit to allow me in to heaven with him. the devil is definitely not going to make it easy on us. that is why we are tempted by which tempts us non stop

 

[Dan61861]

Never stop praying, never stop reading God’s word. There will be times you may find it difficult. Yet, do it anyway. These two things, if you put them aside will not make the Lord drift from you. They will make you drift from the Lord.

In Christ
Daniel

 

[Xalith]

I started my "true" walk with Christ this past March of '15. I had a very powerful dream in mid '14 but I wasn't sure what to make of it; I barely knew anything about the Gospel beyond the very basics, I've never completely read the Bible, and I was living for myself and I was not going to church.

One night, a family member has a long talk with me about the Lord and I made a decision to follow Christ, and one of the reasons why is the unsettling number of youtubers having lots and lots of dreams about 2015 and 2016 being possibly the last two years of the world as we know it.

We see signs of it today, more and more people are stepping up with prophetic dreams. Did you hear about that Israelite 15-year old (?) boy named Natan who had a NDE who was taken up to Heaven? This boy came from a secular background, had almost no knowledge of the Torah and saw things he should never have known about.

How about the 200 year old prophecy from one of their women that said "When you see Russia invading a place called Crimea, you know the end is near. When you hear that Russia has invaded Constantinople, put your Shabbat clothes on and don't take them off -- the Messiah is due any moment."

Well.... Russia took Crimea last year, and right now, Russia is very angry at Turkey. Where's Constantinople today? That would be Istanbul, the capital of Turkey.

Why do we keep feeling that darkness is on the increase? Because it IS. Christ is trying to get the Church to Wake UP. He's coming for us very soon and so many people are going to be sleeping when He does. In fact, many churches teach Amillenialism, so they're not even expecting Him to come at all!

I've tried telling people here in CF that He's coming and He's coming very soon, and I get met with Amillenialism and people basically saying I'm nuts because I believe that God means what He says in the Bible, especially the Book of Revelation.

Here's another tidbit -- ever notice the weird colors of the Horsemens' horses?

First Seal -- White Horse
Second Seal -- Red Horse
Third Seal -- Black Horse
Fourth Seal -- Green Horse

Have you ever noticed that the flags of the Muslim Nations have one thing in common (except for Saudi Arabia...)? Look at their flags.... they all have those 4 colors on their flags. What do the Muslim Nations want to do? They want to start the Caliphate, and to do so they will band together, claim that they are the true religion and they will set up a prophet (White Horse). Then comes War (Red Horse) when the actual real fighting breaks out (we are just seeing the beginning skirmishes right now), and then as they capture areas... Death comes. It is starting already -- beheadings, and other executions in ISIS-controlled areas.

The Green Horse? There's a flesh-eating sickness spreading in ISIS controlled areas right now, and since ISIS militants frequently refuse medical treatment, it is spreading rapidly. It leaves large festering wounds on the victims, the kind that the Bible appears to talk about.

Anyways, that's just a few snippets... the Lord calls us to watch and be ready:

Revelation 3:3: "If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee"

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I've only been a Christian since 2010, but since then year by year I feel an increasing, encroaching darkness upon this world which is challenging my discipline more and more. I know that my life isn't anywhere close to what our brothers and sisters in the middle east experience, but nevertheless I feel besieged and often struggle to maintain a consistent walk with the Lord. Anyone else feel that way? This troubling verse comes to mind when I consider all of this:

Jeremiah 12:5

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?

I know only the Lord can give me the strength to get through these times, and that means making radical changes and spending more time in His word, and in communion with Him and in fellowship with fellow believers. I sometimes lack the heart to do this, I have to admit to myself and to you beloved. What can we do to break the bad patterns in our lives and get closer to the Lord?

Go to the fountain and drink brother. We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. The zeal of your very first infilling is probably on low burn. My cousin who is a preacher taught me about this. He said initially, at our salvation, we burn high flame with zeal and joy. But, over time, virtue is drained as we minister to others, and we go on low burn, like embers that needs more fuel.That is where fasting and prayer comes in. Notice how our Lord would steal away, some times all night to spend one on one time with our Father. And Mnorian is right about singing praises to God. Sing praises to Him alone,hymns and spiritual songs of worship and adoration.Go to youtube and type in worship music. Sometimes it takes all day. Pray in the Spirit(tongues) to edify yourself. I find that I can pray longer when I do this.All of us get low on zeal sometimes. I have shared what I do. Sometimes I do not feel like reading the Word, so I listen to it. Recently I have found dramatized versions of the Bible on youtube, and that has also helped me stay filled. Here is one. It is the Gospel of St. Matthew word for word.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Here is a nice worship song.

Read Psalms 121 aloud. It chases the spirit of heaviness. One day I was feeling very heavy when I went to church. My pastor asked me what was wrong. I told him that I was feeling very heavy, like something was sitting on me. When service started the associate pastor read loud Psalms 121 and that spirit of heaviness just lifted and fled.
Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

 

[Alithis]

I've only been a Christian since 2010, but since then year by year I feel an increasing, encroaching darkness upon this world which is challenging my discipline more and more. I know that my life isn't anywhere close to what our brothers and sisters in the middle east experience, but nevertheless I feel besieged and often struggle to maintain a consistent walk with the Lord. Anyone else feel that way? This troubling verse comes to mind when I consider all of this:

Jeremiah 12:5

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?

I know only the Lord can give me the strength to get through these times, and that means making radical changes and spending more time in His word, and in communion with Him and in fellowship with fellow believers. I sometimes lack the heart to do this, I have to admit to myself and to you beloved. What can we do to break the bad patterns in our lives and get closer to the Lord?

hi thesunisout ..been a while .
the solution to your melancholy is found in the directives given us by the lord Jesus
GO OUT ,preach the gospel heal the sick cast out demons baptise people and make deciples .

so many believers actually deeply desire to do this because the call is placed upon every single believer from within us by God
it is the not doing it which causes a sense of grief and impending doom .
and the reason most (not including the rebellious who simply don't want o and make any excuse not to ) do not go and DO what we have been told to go and do is simply that ..they do not know how . they reside i a church that barely does so if at all and are therefore not discipled in how to do this .
and the desire to do so ..mingled with a feeling of fear and illusion of being spiritually disabled from doing so causes a deep set grief and sorrow as it grieves the holy Spirit .

for a generation we have been taught that to be a believer means attending meeting on sunday ,mid week meetings .. more meetings singing songs and watching tv and movies on other days .
the reality is ..a life as a disciple is recorded for us in the book of act - this is what life as a disciple is supposed to look like and can .

first repent of sin in your life (i speak generically to all) dont harbour repetitive sin -cut it out and dont do it any more (god gives us the POWER of his spirit to do this ) then - read the book of acts and the bible like you have never read it before .. child like face value .
then .. the next time you're out and about .. and you see someone with a frown rubbing their head ..*smile* -ask them "excuse me are you in pain" im a believer in Jesus .may i pray for you .? do this until you find some one you lets you .. then ask them about their pain . lay your hand upon the pain and command it to "go" in jesus name . then ask them how it feels. is it gone
start small as your faith will be little , but it will grow. pray 1,2,3,4, times .. as you persist you will see them getting healed ,,God told us to do this so he will do it when we obey him. then when they get healed you will find they are very open (not all) to the gospel so tell them the simple gospel . "christ does for our sin lay in the ground 3 days and 3 nights and rose from the dead " (a supernatural power is in that message) and tell then the correct response to this message is.. repent and be baptized for the remission of sin and you will receive the holy Ghost .

it is that simple -go and do this and you will find you will enter the true battle but the joy of the lord will rest upon you as you begin to see him move more and more

i began doing this and after years of wondering where converts are ..in 3 months i have lead 5 people to the lord and on saturday will be baptising one of them in water ..

don't
let the but but but crowd discourage you - jesus said GO and DO it .. so ignore the crow that says BUT this and but that .. don't associate with that unbelieving fellowship - . just GO and DO ..its always been Gods will for us all ,bar none .

 

[pescador]

I started my "true" walk with Christ this past March of '15. I had a very powerful dream in mid '14 but I wasn't sure what to make of it; I barely knew anything about the Gospel beyond the very basics, I've never completely read the Bible, and I was living for myself and I was not going to church.

One night, a family member has a long talk with me about the Lord and I made a decision to follow Christ, and one of the reasons why is the unsettling number of youtubers having lots and lots of dreams about 2015 and 2016 being possibly the last two years of the world as we know it.

We see signs of it today, more and more people are stepping up with prophetic dreams. Did you hear about that Israelite 15-year old (?) boy named Natan who had a NDE who was taken up to Heaven? This boy came from a secular background, had almost no knowledge of the Torah and saw things he should never have known about.

How about the 200 year old prophecy from one of their women that said "When you see Russia invading a place called Crimea, you know the end is near. When you hear that Russia has invaded Constantinople, put your Shabbat clothes on and don't take them off -- the Messiah is due any moment."

Well.... Russia took Crimea last year, and right now, Russia is very angry at Turkey. Where's Constantinople today? That would be Istanbul, the capital of Turkey.

Why do we keep feeling that darkness is on the increase? Because it IS. Christ is trying to get the Church to Wake UP. He's coming for us very soon and so many people are going to be sleeping when He does. In fact, many churches teach Amillenialism, so they're not even expecting Him to come at all!

I've tried telling people here in CF that He's coming and He's coming very soon, and I get met with Amillenialism and people basically saying I'm nuts because I believe that God means what He says in the Bible, especially the Book of Revelation.

Here's another tidbit -- ever notice the weird colors of the Horsemens' horses?

First Seal -- White Horse
Second Seal -- Red Horse
Third Seal -- Black Horse
Fourth Seal -- Green Horse

Have you ever noticed that the flags of the Muslim Nations have one thing in common (except for Saudi Arabia...)? Look at their flags.... they all have those 4 colors on their flags. What do the Muslim Nations want to do? They want to start the Caliphate, and to do so they will band together, claim that they are the true religion and they will set up a prophet (White Horse). Then comes War (Red Horse) when the actual real fighting breaks out (we are just seeing the beginning skirmishes right now), and then as they capture areas... Death comes. It is starting already -- beheadings, and other executions in ISIS-controlled areas.

The Green Horse? There's a flesh-eating sickness spreading in ISIS controlled areas right now, and since ISIS militants frequently refuse medical treatment, it is spreading rapidly. It leaves large festering wounds on the victims, the kind that the Bible appears to talk about.

Anyways, that's just a few snippets... the Lord calls us to watch and be ready:

Revelation 3:3: "If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee"

This color theory is exactly the kind of thinking that gives all Christians a bad name, and not only among unbelievers. If one wanted to it would be easy enough to think up a similar theory about the red, white, and blue colors of predominantly Christian nations such as the US, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and others. We are told in both the Old and New Testaments to 1) love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and 2) love our neighbor as our self. This current wave of hatred directed at a group of jihadists who do NOT represent Islam is contrary to the commands of God. It is as wrong to do so as it is to blame Christians for the acts of terrorism committed against others, from the Oklahoma City bombing to the mass shooting in Charleston. Hating others is NOT a Christian value!

 

[Xalith]

This color theory is exactly the kind of thinking that gives all Christians a bad name, and not only among unbelievers. If one wanted to it would be easy enough to think up a similar theory about the red, white, and blue colors of predominantly Christian nations such as the US, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and others. We are told in both the Old and New Testaments to 1) love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and 2) love our neighbor as our self. This current wave of hatred directed at a group of jihadists who do NOT represent Islam is contrary to the commands of God. It is as wrong to do so as it is to blame Christians for the acts of terrorism committed against others, from the Oklahoma City bombing to the mass shooting in Charleston. Hating others is NOT a Christian value!

......where did I say to hate anybody?

I merely pointed out that it is strange/uncanny/weird that the colors of ALL the Muslim Nations' Flags (except one) are the exact same colors as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation.

I never said we should hate Muslims because of this, but rather, we should be on the lookout for signs that the end is arriving. Jesus told us to be watchful for the signs that He has given us. Yes, he said Love God and Love Everybody Else as ourselves, and I never said to the contrary.

However, we also have a divine commandment to Watch and Be Ready. You can't Be Ready if you're not watching for the signs He gave you. Ignoring something like that is also disobeying what He said to do.

My saying the flags match the colors of the horsemen has nothing to do with my opinion of the Muslim people. On the contrary, I want Jesus to poke their hearts and get them to convert (we've seen/read/heard of stories of Muslims to this day converting, even some jihadists!) before it is too late. But yet at the end of the day, we must also recognize that the signs are here, and God is telling us "It's really close."

 

[pescador]

......where did I say to hate anybody?

I merely pointed out that it is strange/uncanny/weird that the colors of ALL the Muslim Nations' Flags (except one) are the exact same colors as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation.

I never said we should hate Muslims because of this, but rather, we should be on the lookout for signs that the end is arriving. Jesus told us to be watchful for the signs that He has given us. Yes, he said Love God and Love Everybody Else as ourselves, and I never said to the contrary.

However, we also have a divine commandment to Watch and Be Ready. You can't Be Ready if you're not watching for the signs He gave you. Ignoring something like that is also disobeying what He said to do.

My saying the flags match the colors of the horsemen has nothing to do with my opinion of the Muslim people. On the contrary, I want Jesus to poke their hearts and get them to convert (we've seen/read/heard of stories of Muslims to this day converting, even some jihadists!) before it is too late. But yet at the end of the day, we must also recognize that the signs are here, and God is telling us "It's really close."

You didn't specifically say that we should hate Muslims but saying that the colors of the Muslim's nations flags just happen to match the colors of the four horses of the apocalypse is certainly putting those nations in the worst possible light. What do you say about the red and white colors of the Indonesian flag -- a predominantly Muslim country? Aren't they the colors of Jesus' blood and his gleaming white post-resurrection robe? Intentionally or not you are making a very derogatory comment about various Arab (not Muslim) nations. If you don't believe that's the case why not relate your finding to an Arab person?

For your edification you might want to read this article: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-pan-arab-flags.html

 

[Xalith]

You didn't specifically say that we should hate Muslims but saying that the colors of the Muslim's nations flags just happen to match the colors of the four horses of the apocalypse is certainly putting those nations in the worst possible light. What do you say about the red and white colors of the Indonesian flag -- a predominantly Muslim country? Aren't they the colors of Jesus' blood and his gleaming white post-resurrection robe? Intentionally or not you are making a very derogatory comment about various Arab (not Muslim) nations. If you don't believe that's the case why not relate your finding to an Arab person?

For your edification you might want to read this article: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-pan-arab-flags.html

So, if I get you right... we shouldn't point out facts, because "it paints people in a bad light"?

Okay, what about the fact that the Eschatology of Islam vs the Eschatology of Christianity match, but are told from opposing points of view?

It's fact -- the Qu'ran/Sunni and the Bible are on opposing sides when it comes to their Eschatology. Does that mean I'm painting Muslims in a bad light? Not really, I'm just stating fact.

If I say that Detroit has the worst crime rate of any city in the USA (if it isn't #1, it isn't far away last I read up on it), am I painting Detroit in a bad light, or "hating" on the people who live in Detroit?

We all know that the populace of a nation does not always agree with their government (how low is Obama's approval rating these days? lol). I am not hating on Muslims, the Muslim people, or anybody who lives in those countries. I was merely pointing out a straight and simple fact.

So please don't bring up the Political Correctness stuff. Check it at the door.

EDIT: And how the flags came to be is irrelevant. God knew ahead of time what the flags of the nations involved in the war against Israel would be, and all I'm saying, is maybe He threw the colors of the flags in there as a clue.

 

[pescador]

So, if I get you right... we shouldn't point out facts, because "it paints people in a bad light"?

Okay, what about the fact that the Eschatology of Islam vs the Eschatology of Christianity match, but are told from opposing points of view?

It's fact -- the Qu'ran/Sunni and the Bible are on opposing sides when it comes to their Eschatology. Does that mean I'm painting Muslims in a bad light? Not really, I'm just stating fact.

If I say that Detroit has the worst crime rate of any city in the USA (if it isn't #1, it isn't far away last I read up on it), am I painting Detroit in a bad light, or "hating" on the people who live in Detroit?

We all know that the populace of a nation does not always agree with their government (how low is Obama's approval rating these days? lol). I am not hating on Muslims, the Muslim people, or anybody who lives in those countries. I was merely pointing out a straight and simple fact.

So please don't bring up the Political Correctness stuff. Check it at the door.

EDIT: And how the flags came to be is irrelevant. God knew ahead of time what the flags of the nations involved in the war against Israel would be, and all I'm saying, is maybe He threw the colors of the flags in there as a clue.

You're not stating an objective fact you're stating your own personal belief. Your saying that "God knew ahead of time what the flags of the nations involved in the war against Israel would be, and all I'm saying, is maybe He threw the colors of the flags in there as a clue" has no basis in fact. You're using the most difficult book in the Bible to paint the Arab nations in a very, very negative light. There is no mention of flags in Revelation! Your exegesis is poor, to say the least.

And I will never check my "political correctness" at the door, as you put it. You are simply putting your conservative political views in front of what Scripture says, while I believe what God's word clearly says! When I see Scripture used to attack other people, regardless of who they are, I know that is contrary to his will. -> Jesus told us to love people not offend them. <-

BTW, what do you have to say about Arab Christians? Are they included in your condemnation of the Arab nations?

 

[Xalith]

You're not stating an objective fact you're stating your own personal belief. Your saying that "God knew ahead of time what the flags of the nations involved in the war against Israel would be, and all I'm saying, is maybe He threw the colors of the flags in there as a clue" has no basis in fact. You're using the most difficult book in the Bible to paint the Arab nations in a very, very negative light. There is no mention of flags in Revelation! Your exegesis is poor, to say the least.

And I will never check my "political correctness" at the door, as you put it. You are simply putting your conservative political views in front of what Scripture says, while I believe what God's word clearly says! When I see Scripture used to attack other people, regardless of who they are, I know that is contrary to his will. -> Jesus told us to love people not offend them. <-

Nations != People.

A Nation can go to war against the will of its people. Kinda like, you know, how the majority of voters were against GW Bush's war on Iraq over their imaginary WMDs?

Could you say the USA as a nation went to war against Iraq? Sure, you can. Our military went in because they were under orders to. Could you say the American People went to war against Iraq? No, you can't... because the majority of them were against the war in the first place.

BTW, what do you have to say about Arab Christians? Are they included in your condemnation of the Arab nations?

I'm not condemning any person, much less a Christian, regardless of what political borders they happen to live within.

As far as "facts"... I stated fact and then based upon those facts, my opinion.

Fact: The Bible names the horses as White, Red, Black, and Green.
Fact: These same 4 colors are present on the majority of the flags of the nations surrounding Israel.
Fact: The Bible says that Israel will be beset by her enemies "on all sides".

These are all straight up, simple facts.

It isn't too unreasonable to make a guess that the enemies that beset Israel on all sides are the very people who hate the Jews, who very vocally hate the Jews.

The colors of their flags just happen to be the same colors as the horses of the horsemen. I don't think that's too far-fetched to think that God was talking about Jihadists. Yes, there are plenty of non-Jihadist Muslims in those nations, right now.

But will that be the case next year? Two years from now? Three years from now? ISIS is still spreading and they have made their goals quite clear -- they want the Caliphate and they want to kill the Jews first, and the Christians second. What if ISIS really does end up spreading over most of those nations, and we do end up seeing a scenario where Jihadists surround Israel on all sides and end up coming out of all of those nations?

Am I being hateful in saying this? No, I'm stating simple fact and possibilities/opinions derived from these facts.

 

[AHH who-stole-my-name]

I like this. One excellent idea for a post. my hats is off to the OP.

Have you guys ever heard Joel Olstein. I listen to him on satellite radio and encouragement is his middle name.

 

[pescador]

Nations != People.

A Nation can go to war against the will of its people. Kinda like, you know, how the majority of voters were against GW Bush's war on Iraq over their imaginary WMDs?

Could you say the USA as a nation went to war against Iraq? Sure, you can. Our military went in because they were under orders to. Could you say the American People went to war against Iraq? No, you can't... because the majority of them were against the war in the first place.



I'm not condemning any person, much less a Christian, regardless of what political borders they happen to live within.

As far as "facts"... I stated fact and then based upon those facts, my opinion.

Fact: The Bible names the horses as White, Red, Black, and Green.
Fact: These same 4 colors are present on the majority of the flags of the nations surrounding Israel.
Fact: The Bible says that Israel will be beset by her enemies "on all sides".

These are all straight up, simple facts.

It isn't too unreasonable to make a guess that the enemies that beset Israel on all sides are the very people who hate the Jews, who very vocally hate the Jews.

The colors of their flags just happen to be the same colors as the horses of the horsemen. I don't think that's too far-fetched to think that God was talking about Jihadists. Yes, there are plenty of non-Jihadist Muslims in those nations, right now.

But will that be the case next year? Two years from now? Three years from now? ISIS is still spreading and they have made their goals quite clear -- they want the Caliphate and they want to kill the Jews first, and the Christians second. What if ISIS really does end up spreading over most of those nations, and we do end up seeing a scenario where Jihadists surround Israel on all sides and end up coming out of all of those nations?

Am I being hateful in saying this? No, I'm stating simple fact and possibilities/opinions derived from these facts.

This post is significantly different from your original. Even though I still think it is a real stretch to say that the colors of the horses have a connection to the colors of the flags, you now refer to the nations that geographically surround Israel instead of all the Muslim countries. As I pointed out earlier there are many countries whose inhabitants are predominantly Muslim that do not have red, white, black, and green as the colors of their flags. BTW, the color green that you refer to is not the rich green that signifies Islam, but a sickly, pale green which is why the horse is referred to as pale horse.

Aside from this exegetical error, the hermeneutics are still faulty. The Bible makes no connection between the four horses of the apocalypse and the nations that surround Israel. If the text refers to those nations it would say so, but it doesn't. There are no flags and Islam isn't mentioned anywhere in the Bible (for the simple reason that Islam didn't exist when the Bible was written). Reading this kind of hidden meaning into what the Bible says can lead to any kind of secret message that you want but that doesn't mean it's true. God is not the author of confusion.

 

[MWood]

Any person of any nationality that converts to Islam is a Muslim. Muslim is not a nationality, but a faith/religion.