The Real History of the Middle East

The Real History of The Middle East - Jack Kinsella - Omega Letter Editor – www.omegaletter.com

We are constantly amazed at the number of people who write in complaining that we are too pro-Israel and 'what about the Palestinians -- are you ever going to stand up for them'? It is hard to do when they haven't a leg to stand on historically. And even harder when they take the stand that killing Jews for being Jews isn't racist, but that Israel fighting back is genocide.

But Hal asked me to do a little digging and see what's what. Does Israel have a right to exist? Who owns the land? Is it Arab land? What is historical Palestine? This is what I ended up with.

The Palestinian Authority has never revised its Charter calling for Israel's destruction or denying its right to exist. Oh, they convened a meeting to discuss it. Then they said they had a meeting and agreed to change it. That was as far as they went.

Like going out to dinner with a friend and saying, 'how's business?' and then trying to take a tax deduction for the bill as a business expense.

The Arab world claims Israel is an 'occupying power'. The Durban Conference, in it's modified declaration, makes the same explicit statement.

What about the claims of the Arabs to their homelands? The same British government that created the modern Arab world in 1920 at the San Remo Conference in Italy -- by decree -- also created a Jewish homeland the same way at the same conference.

And the Jewish Palestine of the Balfour Declaration as confirmed at San Remo encompassed a much bigger chunk of ground than Israel claims today.

We saw the global reaction when Iraq tried to undo the British freehand redrawing of the map of the Middle East when he reclaimed 'Province 19', or what the British have called 'Kuwait' since 1899.

It's important to remember also that Iraq was both 'Mesopotamia' and 'Palestine' until the British created the modern state Iraq, carving it out of a number of different Arab 'provinces' - there were no countries, just provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The British completely forgot to draw borders for Kurdistan.

The Kurds were no happier about it than were the Arabs of the Ottoman Empire that the world now refers to as the 'Palestinians'. Nobody at the UN is calling for the redrawing of that map.

Three fourths of what became Iraq were Assyrians of Mesopotamia who woke up one morning as 'Iraqis'. And where is the UN's indignation at Saddam's ethnic cleansing of the Kurds? Israel never wiped out any villages [Kurdish, Palestinian or otherwise] with poison gas.

Or is this all Jewish propaganda? Better tell the Arabs. Most of this is on the Arab-Net website, as well. They'll want to revise that.

And Jordan was created by the British in 1921 as Trans-Jordan. Is it not really Jordan at all?

What is really hard to find in history is a nation of Palestine. If we use Palestine as it was under the Ottoman Turks from 1517 to 1917, there is no Jordan, Syria, or Lebanon. I haven't heard those countries offering to dissolve themselves and give the land to Arafat.

At the beginning of the 20th century, 'Palestinian' cities included Acre, Jerusalem, Amman, Damascus and Baghdad.

Syria was created by the British and subsequently given to France as the French Mandate. The Syrians declared independence after the British left in 1946, two years before Israel did the same thing. How are they different? They are both historically 'Palestinian'.

Either both the Arab Middle East and the Jewish homeland are equally valid, or equally invalid, since both were created by the same power at the same time. You can't have it both ways. But facts don't seem to bother the UN or the Arabs much. It seems when facts get in the way, they are dismissed as 'Jewish propaganda'.

The Palestinians chose Arafat to stand up for them. They don't need our help. Arafat's done quite a job at Durban. Israel was the only nation singled out for condemnation for its 'racist, genocidal practices'.

Maybe the concept that Jews practice 'racial superiority' doesn't bother the UN, but since I know Jews of virtually every single race -- including those from Arab countries, it does me. The main argument against Israel, from the Arab perspective, is that the Israelis stole the land from the 'native' people of the region.

First, the question of the 'native' people of the region. The Book of Psalms, chapter 137, penned three thousand years ago by a Jew [actually an 'Israelite' -- a play on words? I think not], says,

"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." -- Psalm 137:6

The Jewish sacred writings of antiquity refer to Jerusalem some 767 times, compared to the Koran, which does not mention it once.

Americans don't like to remind themselves that we stole the land from the Indians, but nobody denies what a 'native American' is.

One would guess it's all in how you define 'native' but I wouldn't try that one on the Apaches -- or even the Mexicans, when referring to most of the American Southwest.

The only reason we aren't behaving as the Israelis are is because the Mexicans aren't setting off bombs in Safeway supermarkets across California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico because we 'stole' them from Mexico.

But what do you think America's response would be if they did? Would the UN call Americans a single 'race' in order to lay charges of genocide, racism and ethnic cleansing against the Mexicans?

America is the 'great melting pot' consisting of every race, creed and religious perspective under the sun. So, too is Israel.

Melchior's statement that the Jews are being castigated on race when they are people 'of a particular birth, irrespective of their faith, and those of a particular faith, irrespective of their birth' is accurate.

And therefore hardly 'racist'.

Any Arab argument about Arabs being second-class citizens in Israel is immediately counter-balanced by the record of human rights extended to Jews in Muslim countries.

The radical Islamists claim to be 'People of the Book' - the 'Book' being the Bible, including the Old Testament. Yet they say Israel has no right to exist as a nation. They should take a look into the 'Book' they claim to follow.

"Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever." Jeremiah 31:36

I am not one to say Israel is right no matter what. But the starting point for discussion is that Israel has a right to exist, and they have a right to determine the terms of their own existence. As we do in America. Until that happens, one cannot begin to discuss the Palestinian claim.

Vladimir Putin, the former president of Russia said in a news conference, speaking of the ongoing suicide attacks in Jerusalem, "Nothing can justify terrorist attacks against civilians". Apparently, the UN believes some things do. I am surprised to find myself in agreement with the Russians, but there is a first time for everything.

Miraculous Story from the Highlands Mexico Camp

No one ever told me that when I became a child of God that I would be able to live such an incredible life! I was told about eternal life and I embraced that gift, but no one said anything about how amazing this life here and now could be.
I cannot even imagine how wonderful Heaven is going to be in His presence some day, because to see His Spirit move in the lives of these OSY is like a taste of Heaven for me. It is so powerful. I trust that every one who reads this has had at least one moment in their lives where they have experienced such a tangible moving of the Spirit of God.
I just witnessed again, His power and His grace. I witnessed that release of the guilt of our sin and the cleansing power of God's unconditional love and forgiveness of sin. Young people who 10 hours earlier had no interest in the things of God and could only think of the fact that we had taken away their drugs and alcohol and were asking them to follow a structure program, were now wiping away tears and bowing their heads and asking for forgiveness for the mess they had made in their lives and the sin that they had embraced.
Erika was one of those young people. In a camp of 490 OSY with 3 different gangs present, our staff was stretched to control and guide them. They were the rowdiest, most disrespectful group of OSY we have ever hosted up to this point. When you have had more than 14,000 young people come through this program that may give you an idea of how "bad" they were.
But in spite of all that, God's Spirit moved - He honored the proclamation of His Word and the faithfulness of His witnesses. Erika and 116 others made a profession of faith. Erika's story is so typical to many of these youth that I hesitate to share it for fear that our hearts can become accustomed to the pain, anguish and details of these stories that they no longer move us. But how can I be quiet? - my God moved, and people responded! I have again witnessed the miracle of His salvation!
Since she was a child she was physically and sexually abused by her father. He is no longer in her life as he moved to the United States and has no contact with her at all. Her mother is in jail. And now as a 21 year old she is a mother of 2 but not married. She arrived high and wreaking of activo.
Today I counseled Erika in regards to eternal security, and baptism. I will never forget this counseling moment because of how intent she was on every word and the life that just sparkled from her eyes was so captivating - she exuded the new life in Christ. She could not wait to be baptized.
There were so many radical changes that took place in this girl's life in this OSY camp experience. She renounced her following of the saint of death - and proclaimed "I feel free!" Reminding me of the truth of God's Word in John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
The tattoos she carries will be a constant reminder of those dark hopeless days when she trusted in death, but the new life she has in Christ has so filled her and transformed her that she no longer fears this saint of death but knows that her Savior is stronger.
I watched Erika in the last session in the last hour of the camp. She was on the front row of her team and she was singing with all her heart the words of the song of praise that was being sung. She sang with passion, she had a smile on her face and she never asked for her drugs, they were no longer needed - she was a miracle in my eyes.
I still stand in awe of the power of the Gospel. Tomorrow, Lord willing we will welcome another 500 OSY here and witness once again the moving of God's Spirit as He rescues the perishing and transforms lives with His love, mercy and forgiveness.
Thank you for helping us to be here and witness His goodness and bear record of the miracles that are taking place in the lives of people like Erika.
-Allen & Aase Owens

Mark Milioni: Proud To Be A Patriot!

BBC graduates across the globe are "world class" church leaders.
Mark Milioni grew up in Albion, Michigan where his dad was pastor of the First Baptist Church. After graduation from high school Mark joined the local police force. He and his wife came to Baptist Bible College in the Fall of 1985. Since 2003 Milioni has been the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Midina, Ohio. Under his leadership the church has shown consistent growth numerically, financially, and spirituallyPastor Mark brings seasoned pastoral experience to FBC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry at Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO; a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Bible at Luther Rice Seminary, Atlanta, GA; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership from Regent University (ABD), Virginia Beach, VA. .
First Baptist Church currently averages 650 in worship, with a budget of 2 million dollars, and see an average of 60 baptized per year. Mark is excited to see many young families with great kids getting involved with their church. Two BBC graduates are also employed by the church. Nate Harmon and Nate Day are greatly responsible for the blessings the church is experiencing.
Of his time at BBC, Pastor Milioni writes: “I love BBC. To this day I am so thankful for the education I received at BBC. After becoming a youth pastor at my home church a month after graduation in 1988 I unexpectedly became the Senior Pastor two months later. Because of my education at BBC I could stand and defend my faith and protect my church. Because I had ecclesiology I could stand and lead my church in the face of those that didin’t believe in pastoral leadership. Because I had soteriology I was able to withstand those that came in with both hyper-Calvinism and Armenian theology. Because I had pneumatology I was able to explain the scriptures to the charismatics that had come into our church.
Because I had great training, because I had been given an example of hard work and great preaching, God used it all and helped me to experience success after success in ministry. BBC impacts my life and ministry every day. My staff is from BBC. My background, my friends, so much of my life has been influenced by this place. BBC gave me a love for God’s word, a desire to win souls, and a passion to grow a great church. Our world, our country needs Baptist Bible College more now than ever before.”
Mark Milioni
Proud to be a Patriot!

New Church Plant in Marysville, Ohio

Bible Baptist Church of Marysville began in the Marysville High School with afternoon Sunday services at 2:00 pm in August of 2007. We knocked doors and invited people the month of July and began having church. Our mother church (Bible Baptist Church of Wilmington) sent people to help visit and to be at the first afternoon services in order to give support. We moved to the American Legion building in September and began having a full schedule of services, with our first Sunday morning attendance of 48 people from the Marysville area.
From that time until April of 2008, the church grew from about 40 people to almost 100. It was at this point that Bible Baptist Church chartered and took a very big step of faith. Our existing building that we were renting was only temporary at best, and we had to set up and tear down the entire church on a weekly basis. So, we were praying for a place and the Stockyard Steakhouse and Saloon had just went out of business January of 08. I can still remember looking through a dark building on a Monday night with the owner and seeing all of the bar items, hung where I would be preaching if we were to lease the building and thinking surely God would not put us here! Oh, not to mention in the other half of the premise there was a working brewery that would still be in operation for about 9 months after we moved into the building that we are still currently using for our church.
But God was in the move and the church signed a two year lease for more money than we had coming in on a monthly basis, but that is where faith comes in to the picture. God has continued to bless Bible Baptist and provided every need, as now the church is averaging nearly 200 people in attendance every Sunday morning and the offerings have almost doubled since the day we signed our lease. We have seen God work with over 2,000 salvation decisions through outreach efforts of our people and 164 people baptized into the church.
The church supports 14 missionary works along with 3 other new church plants. We are truly an example of God using the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and how He has chosen the weak things to confound the mighty.
All the glory belongs to Him!
Jeremy Stout
Pastor

Arlington Baptist College - Dr. D. L. Moody

Arlington Baptist College is turning the corner from a declining enrollment and financial distress. The college has posted a substantial increase in enrollment for both the fall and spring semesters of 2009-10. There is still a great need for financial improvement but it has made great strides in getting and staying current with financial obligations. From a deep financial hole at the beginning of the summer of 2009, by the end of the fall semester, ABC was current on salaries and financial obligations.

The spirit on campus is high; the students are eagerly involved in their course work and Christian service; the Holy Spirit of God is meeting with us in every chapel service and an authentic spirit of revival is permeating our campus. We have re-instituted the intercollegiate sports program with men's basketball and ladies' volleyball. We have organized student ministry teams called "Impact Teams" which are ministering in area churches. We have visitation projects for small and newly organized churches in our area in which our students go out and do visitation for these local bodies. Our students are also actively involved in their own local churches and are putting into practice what they are learning in classrooms. We have broadened and expanded our scholarship offerings. Seventeen of the twenty goals that we set for the first year of our five-year plan have been completed.

Substantial remodeling has been done on our campus buildings. This is through the help of work teams from area churches as well as an insurance claim resulting from past storms. The student dormitories, chapel, library, Entzminger Building, Alumni Building and staff house have all been given new roofs and much needed repairs.

Our prayer and goal is to end this fiscal year with a positive balance. Once this is accomplished we will be making application for additional accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This move will greatly enhance our recruiting efforts and will enable us to start a one-year Bible certificate and a two-year Associate of Arts degree. Our desire is to effectively prepare servants for Christ for the local church even if the student desires to finish a degree elsewhere in a degree program that we do not offer. Any financial help that you may be able to render will be greatly appreciated so that we can see this come to pass.

The often over-used cliche "New Day" can appropriately be used in relation to Arlington Baptist College. We are committed to the absolutes of the Word of God; we are grateful for our rich heritage; and we are passionate about reaching this world for Jesus Christ. We refuse to be caught up in the struggle between being overly "progressive" or "traditional." Instead, we are simply seeking to prepare a Generation of Giants for Christ that are authentic, passionate for Jesus, grounded in the Word, relevant to the culture that God calls them to, and consumed with a love for lost souls.

We can reclaim this nation for God! We can make an eternal impact globally! We can through the grace and power of Almighty God!

Straight Ahead!

Dr. D.L. Moody
President - Arlington Baptist College

Address:
Arlington Baptist College
3001 W. Division
Arlington, Texas 76012
www.abconline.edu
(817) 461-8741