February 14, 2010

Middle East Problem in a Nutshell

The Arab-Israeli conflict has actually been brewing for over 4000 years. It began with Isaac and Ishmael, the sons of Abraham, escalated in the time of Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac, and continued through out the Old Testament.  It became a Muslim-Jewish conflict with the advent of Islam in the 6th century AD. But behind the scenes the real battle has always been a spiritual one, because ever since God chose the Jews as His people, Israel as His land, and Jerusalem as His city, Satan has been working overtime in an effort to take the land away from Him by destroying His people.  After all, he thinks Planet Earth is his.  So this is not just a political matter or even a religious one.  It's a spiritual matter and will not be resolved until Satan is defeated and the Lord Himself causes every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He (alone) is Lord.

(Phil 2:10-11)

February 7, 2010

National Review tried to put the economy in  perspective, noting, between 1789 and 2008, (219 years) the U.S. government borrowed a total of $5.8 trillion. If the Obama budget is adopted in full, federal borrowing will top $18 trillion in ten years. “…the [Congressional Budget Office] is projecting the 2010 monthly deficit of around $113 billion. This is not sustainable. Yet, this is not only an American issue, the major nations of the world are experiencing a failing economic phenomenon.  The Bible predicts that some day, a man is going to come and promise to solve much of the world's social, political, and economic problems. To have the whole world turn to the Antichrist for answers seems to imply that a time of chaos will sweep over the planet. We may be living “On The Brink” of that chaos. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. . ." (2 Timothy 3:1) Perilous times means, "no way out!"  Bible believing Christians do have a way out and it's through Jesus Christ.

January 31, 2010

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to build in the settlement cities of Ariel and Ma'aleh Adumim, as well as in Gush Etzion, in spite of the Obama administration’s insistence that they stop. Further, in meeting with four West Bank council heads, Defense Minister Ehud Barak stressed that settlement blocs are inseparable part of Israel in all future negotiations with Palestinians and vowed council heads can continue to authorize infrastructure construction. The Defense Minister stressed that the settlement blocs are an inseparable part of Israel in all future negotiations with the Palestinians. He said, "The Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea are regions that are dear to my heart."

January 24, 2010

Preparation for "The Mark"  A number of sources have revealed that hidden deep within the Health Care legislation that government leaders-- behind closed doors, far way from public view-- are preparing to impose on the citizens of the United States are frightening rules. According to one report, Sec 2521, Pg. 1000 - The government will establish a National Medical Device Registry. That sounds innocent enough until you keep reading the fine print. This new law, if fully implemented would provide the framework for making the United States the first nation to require each and every one of its citizens to have implanted in them a radio-frequency identification (RFID) microchip for the purpose of controlling who is, or isn't, allowed medical care in the country. Let's pray that this piece of legislation be removed from the final bill if Health Care Reform is voted on.

January 10 & 17, 2010

The devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti this week is a humanitarian nightmare with perhaps hundreds of thousands dead. Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors and aid workers. When catastrophic earthquakes hit there is always a debate on whether or not they are actually increasing. Some elaborate research says “no earthquakes are not increasing; we just have better technology in recording and communication of the data.” Others indicate that it depends on how one analyzes the data that determines the level of earthquake activity. The point that Jesus makes when forecasting earthquakes in the last days was not so much the increase but the awareness of earthquake activity in various places around the globe. Having said that, some research I did a couple of years ago yielded the following: you decide:

According to the U.S. Geological Survey

Decade of the 70’s: 44 EQ 7.0 or greater on the Richter Scale

Decade of the 80’s: 105 EQ 7.0 or greater on the RS {est. 58,880 deaths}

Decade of the 90’s: 154 EQ 7.0 or greater on the RS {est. 114,646 deaths}

Decade of the 00’s: 186 EQ 7.0 or greater on the RS (1 ½ to go) {est. 427,332 deaths}

Earthquakes of 8.0-9.9

80’s = 4

90’s = 6

00’s = 13 so far for 2008

January 3, 2010

According to Debkafile (an Israeli Military Intelligence source) in a December 10, 2009 report entitled “If attacked, Iran wants Syria to hit back at Israel. . .” The article suggested that the largest Iranian delegation ever witnessed in Syrian history recently arrived in Damascus to form a strategic partnership between Iran and Syria against Israel. According to the report, Iran expects an Israeli attack within one month and wants Syria to commit to joint military action against Israel. Interesting, Iran and Syria confirmed a military pact on 12/11/09. The stage is set for the fulfillment of Isaiah 17:1, Psalm 83, and Ezekiel 38 & 39, Obadiah 1:18, and many more. The sign posts are all up and pointing toward the nearness of the seven-year tribulation period ending with the campaign of Armageddon and second coming of Christ. That means the rapture is in view. Get ready 2010 may be the year!!

December 27, 2009

RAPTURE AND SECOND COMING CONTRASTED

1. At the Rapture Jesus is coming for His Church

(John 14:1-3 & 1 Thess. 4:14-17)

At the 2nd Coming He comes with His Church

(Col 3:4; Jude 14 and Rev. 19:14)

2. At the Rapture Jesus comes in the air

(1Thess, 4:16, 17)

At the 2nd Coming He comes to earth

(Zech 14:4)

3. At the Rapture only Christians will see Jesus

(1 Cor. 15:52 & 1 John 3:2)

At the 2nd Coming every eye will see Him

(Rev. 1:7)

4. The Rapture happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye

(1 Cor 15:52)

The 2nd Coming happens slowly - it will take some time

(Zech 12: 10; Acts 1:11;Matt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7)

To be continued. . .

December 20, 2009

The Wise Men were representatives of the Persian priestly clan, the Magi (originally one of the six tribes of the Medes). Some of their contemporaries believed in astrology and the black arts (the word "magic" comes from the same root as "Magi"). But these men were apparently true believers who knew and honored the Hebrew Scriptures. One can not help but wonder how they knew the Scriptures and why God revealed the "Christmas Star" to them. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Biblical story of Daniel is that this young prophet who was able to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream about future world empires (Daniel 2), was honored by Nebuchadnezzar by making him the chief of his "Wise Men" (Daniel 2:48). From this position Daniel undoubtedly influenced many to believe in Jehovah and the Hebrew Scriptures. They were aware of the prophecies of a coming Messiah through whom all the world would be blessed. Unlike the Jewish people, the Persians did study the skies to understand the course of the stars. Some believed in astrology - the wrong idea that the stars influence the activities of our day to day lives. Others, like these Wise Men, were true scientists who studied Astronomy. When they saw a fascinating series of conjunctions during a two year period of time, they related it to the Biblical teaching that God would use the stars as "signs" and seasons (Genesis 1:14) and the Messianic prophecy that a "star" would come out of the tribe of Judah. (Numbers 24:17).

December 13, 2009

All the 300 plus prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ were all fulfilled literally. It makes sense that if all the prophecies of Christ's first coming were fulfilled literally then all the prophecies concerning His second coming will also be fulfilled literally. Just a quick review of a few of His first coming predictions and fulfillment: Born of the seed of woman (Gen. 3:15 - Gal. 4:4), Born of a virgin (Isa 7:14 - Mat. 1:1-25), Seed of David (Jer. 23:5 - Luke 3:31), Born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2 - Mat. 2:1-6). It’s interesting when you see the Christmas decorations begin to go up on Main Street and the Malls, you know that Thanksgiving must be near. In the same way when you see the signs for the second coming of Christ you know the rapture must be near. There are no signs for the rapture of the church; however,  there are many signs for the second coming (rumors of wars, terrorism, earthquakes, diseases, economic changes etc.). Therefore, we are witnessing signs for the second coming now! That means the rapture must be near. We may not know the exact day but we are aware of the general time. "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42

December 6, 2009

War Looms In Middle East

The headline in Tuesday’s Haaretz (Israeli Daily Newspaper) read, "EU to recognize East Jerusalem as capital of Palestinian state."  It's an ominous development for those who think Jerusalem should remain the "undivided, eternal capital of the Jewish state."  Here's an excerpt from the article.  Jerusalem is waging a diplomatic campaign to keep the EU from issuing such an endorsement, but diplomats close to the EU deliberations believe it is virtually inevitable. In addition, Joel Rosenberg, middle east expert believes a major war is coming to the middle east soon that will affect the whole world. He believes that war will occur within the next 12 to 18 months.  The prophet Zechariah wrote nearly 2,500 years ago that God was going to cause the nations around Jerusalem to tremble when they seek to control her. They will stagger like a drunkard according to Zechariah’s prophecy (Zechariah 12:13).  2010 may prove to be the year we see the beginning of the of this prophecy fulfilled. Stay tuned!

November 29, 2009

Today is the first Sunday of Advent in most of the liturgical churches. Advent (from the Latin word adventus, means "coming") is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. The theme of readings and teachings during Advent is often to prepare for the Second Coming while commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas. The exciting thing for us is that every one of the 300 plus prophecies about Christ’s First Coming were literally and totally fulfilled; therefore, the hundreds of Second Coming prophecies will be literally and totally fulfilled as well. The Advent season is a time of anticipation and excitement both in remembrance of the First Coming and the Second.

November 22, 2009

The United States has always been a friend and ally of Israel’s and I believe that’s one of the reasons America has been so blessed. God promised that he would bless those who bless Israel (Genesis 12:3) That promise has never been rescinded, but has been restated many times in the Bible. The second part of that verse is still valid also and has been proven accurate throughout history, “I will curse those who curse you.”   It’s sad to see the current administration of the U.S. turn it’s back on a good friend (Israel) while at the same time bowing to foreign dignitaries, kowtowing to China, and siding with Islamists bent on Israel’s destruction. According to Gary Bauer ‘The Obama White House and the State Department reacted to Israel’s routine construction announcement to build homes for it’s citizens in it’s own city of Jerusalem as if it were a declaration of war. Administration spokesmen repeatedly bashed Israel during press briefings for endangering peace. How? Does the president see some moral equivalence between Jewish homes and Palestinian homicide bombers?” We need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but also pray that the current administration would repent for going against God’s Word for Israel and Jerusalem.

November 15, 2009

Doomsday 2012???

Many believe that ancient prophecies indicate that change is coming. Big change. Predictions vary widely about what will happen. They range from total, all-out apocalypse to some kind of quantum shift in human awareness and consciousness. Yet they all agree that big change is coming for planet earth and the human race. And they appear to all focus on one specific day—December 21, 2012—the final day on the Mayan long count calendar. Never before have so many people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints pinpointed one day as the expiration date for human civilization. It’s like Y2K gone wild. While there are many issues surrounding 12.21.12 the bottom line is this—while the Mayans knew a great deal about astronomy and calendars, they did not know the future. No man does. Only God knows the future, and He has not revealed any "specific dates" for either the Second Coming of Jesus or the end of the world (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44). Of course, some unusual things could happen on or near December 21, 2012, but whatever occurs it won’t be the end of the world, the mass extinction of humanity or some quantum leap to a new level of human consciousness. Don’t panic or be drawn away to rash, impulsive actions by those claiming to know the exact date of the end of the world. They don’t know when the world will end. Only God knows, and He isn’t telling anyone on earth. I recommend Mark Hitchcock's book, 2012, the Bible and the End of the World.

November 1 & 8, 2009

US admiral concerned about China military buildup

HONG KONG — A U.S. Navy admiral expressed new concern over China's military buildup and urged Beijing to be clearer about its intentions. With China's military growing at an "unprecedented rate," the U.S. wants to ensure that expansion doesn't destabilize the region, Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan told reporters on a visit to the Chinese territory of Hong Kong last week. Donegan acknowledged the possibility of a Chinese aircraft carrier, but also said he was concerned with anti-access weapons. This class of weapons includes missiles and submarines that can threaten U.S. forces in the region and prevent us from responding in the event of a crisis. His remarks echoed the concerns of other U.S. military leaders who have said the growth in China's military spending — up almost 15 percent in the 2009 budget — raises questions about how Beijing plans on deploying its new power. "I am absolutely concerned," Donegan said. A series of confrontations involving vessels from the two navies has raised concerns over China's rising determination to defend what it sees as its territorial interests in the South China Sea, where the U.S. has long operated as the major international power. The Admiral should be concerned because the Bible predicts the “Kings from the East” will be major players at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16)