From My Perspective - - -
In the ISIS discussions and debates of this weekend about the role of the United States in Iraq and Syria, the point and counterpoint has been whether or not the American Military should have “boots on the ground” in those two countries. In this regard, the negative side of the debate argued regarding some level of troop strength remaining in Iraq in perpetuity. Perpetuity has the meaning of something that is perpetual and ongoing. One of the possible meanings is: “endless or indefinitely long duration or existence; eternity.” The argument references the reality that America has maintained a military presence in Germany since the end of World War II, as well as in Korea since the end of combat there. Would those troops be viewed as stationed there in perpetuity? It would appear that the only justifiable rationale for maintaining a troop level and presence in another nation would be to allow stability until self-government and a national military strength could be developed. A hasty departure could be costly in terms of lost opportunities and a senseless military involvement to establish a democracy for a people who need to know freedom.
If one does a quick review of Military History, there were efforts in the past where Nation A occupies and claims Nation B, or portions of it, as being/becoming part of Nation A. A current illustration of this is the action of Russia with Ukraine. In the past, this type of occupation lasts for a period of time but then comes to an end. In recent history, the dissolving of the USSR is an illustration. Independent nations and governments became viable and detached from the Soviet Union. Biblical History records a similar picture of foreign occupation and captivity of other nations and people. All of these occupations and captivities came to a point of conclusion, A thumbnail sketch of one illustration is the Babylonian Captivity. The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquered Judah in 597 BC. Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC and the scattering and captivity of the Jewish people began. Part of the desire of Nebuchadnezzar was to indoctrinate some of the noble youth. The Book of Daniel covers that aspect of the captivity. Those who were taken and exiled in Babylon would be in captivity for 70 years. The Persians conquered the Babylonians in 539 B.C., and Cyrus the Great of Persia offered to let the Jews return home. Those who did so went back in small groups, beginning in 538 B.C., and it was not until almost 20 years later that they turned to rebuilding the Temple. The project was finally begun at the urging of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Its completion, about 516 B.C., was considered to mark the end of the captivity, fulfilling the prophecy in Jeremiah 25:11 of 70 years of exile.
For people of faith, in perpetuity has significant import and validity. With hope and in confidence, Moses expressed the words contained in Psalm 90:1-2 (NKJV), “You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” In a similar way, David expressed in Psalm 103:17-18, “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children,to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.” In terms of redemption, I Peter 1:18-21 (ESV) states, “knowing that you were ransomed (redeemed) from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
The distinction one must make is between placing one’s faith in that which is permanent versus that which is temporary. If God and His Word are not in perpetuity, then one’s faith is vain and hope has no basis or foundation. One should identify with the declaration of II Timothy 2:19 (ESV), “But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: The Lord knows those who are his, and, let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." Consider these things with me.
In the ISIS discussions and debates of this weekend about the role of the United States in Iraq and Syria, the point and counterpoint has been whether or not the American Military should have “boots on the ground” in those two countries. In this regard, the negative side of the debate argued regarding some level of troop strength remaining in Iraq in perpetuity. Perpetuity has the meaning of something that is perpetual and ongoing. One of the possible meanings is: “endless or indefinitely long duration or existence; eternity.” The argument references the reality that America has maintained a military presence in Germany since the end of World War II, as well as in Korea since the end of combat there. Would those troops be viewed as stationed there in perpetuity? It would appear that the only justifiable rationale for maintaining a troop level and presence in another nation would be to allow stability until self-government and a national military strength could be developed. A hasty departure could be costly in terms of lost opportunities and a senseless military involvement to establish a democracy for a people who need to know freedom.
If one does a quick review of Military History, there were efforts in the past where Nation A occupies and claims Nation B, or portions of it, as being/becoming part of Nation A. A current illustration of this is the action of Russia with Ukraine. In the past, this type of occupation lasts for a period of time but then comes to an end. In recent history, the dissolving of the USSR is an illustration. Independent nations and governments became viable and detached from the Soviet Union. Biblical History records a similar picture of foreign occupation and captivity of other nations and people. All of these occupations and captivities came to a point of conclusion, A thumbnail sketch of one illustration is the Babylonian Captivity. The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquered Judah in 597 BC. Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC and the scattering and captivity of the Jewish people began. Part of the desire of Nebuchadnezzar was to indoctrinate some of the noble youth. The Book of Daniel covers that aspect of the captivity. Those who were taken and exiled in Babylon would be in captivity for 70 years. The Persians conquered the Babylonians in 539 B.C., and Cyrus the Great of Persia offered to let the Jews return home. Those who did so went back in small groups, beginning in 538 B.C., and it was not until almost 20 years later that they turned to rebuilding the Temple. The project was finally begun at the urging of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Its completion, about 516 B.C., was considered to mark the end of the captivity, fulfilling the prophecy in Jeremiah 25:11 of 70 years of exile.
For people of faith, in perpetuity has significant import and validity. With hope and in confidence, Moses expressed the words contained in Psalm 90:1-2 (NKJV), “You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” In a similar way, David expressed in Psalm 103:17-18, “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children,to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.” In terms of redemption, I Peter 1:18-21 (ESV) states, “knowing that you were ransomed (redeemed) from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
The distinction one must make is between placing one’s faith in that which is permanent versus that which is temporary. If God and His Word are not in perpetuity, then one’s faith is vain and hope has no basis or foundation. One should identify with the declaration of II Timothy 2:19 (ESV), “But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: The Lord knows those who are his, and, let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." Consider these things with me.
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