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Posts Tagged ‘church falling away’

There is a lot going on, things have definitely sped up.  Some of these headlines may seem small but they are the beginning and feed into the big picture of what is happening all around us, that most that are asleep, have no idea are occurring as they are too distracted with the things of this world.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Christian Persecution

Egypt’s coup puts fearful Christians in a corner
It was nighttime and 10,000 Islamists were marching down the most heavily Christian street in this ancient Egyptian city, chanting “Islamic, Islamic, despite the Christians.” A half-dozen kids were spray-painting “Boycott the Christians” on walls, supervised by an adult.  

Surprise! IRS assault on churches started with Holder
The seeds of the IRS targeting of conservative groups were planted by Eric Holder in 2001 when as deputy attorney general under President Bill Clinton he convinced incoming Attorney General John Ashcroft to seize the building of a conservative megachurch, says the church’s retired pastor.  

Shameful: Even Putin calls to end Christian persecution, as Obama is ‘silent’
..you know “it’s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world” when Russian president Vladimir Putin becomes the leading voice for stopping the violent persecutions against Christians while the president of the United States stands silent.  

One World Government / Oligarchy / Police State

Congress Gets Their Obamacare Exemption
When Congress passed the health reform law known as Obamacare in 2010, an amendment required that lawmakers and their staff members purchase health insurance through the online exchanges that the law created. They would lose generous coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.  

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Wow, isn’t it just amazing how when you hear truth spoken that something inside you just jumps and kicks?  I believe that is the Holy Spirit.  But some people can look at the same words and feel nothing.  Patrick dives into that in his article below: Deception and Perception.

They want to believe and live the deception because the ramifications of true reality are too terrifying to contemplate.  Thus, the pleasant lie is chosen over the unpleasant truth.

Truer words have not been spoken.  I see and feel this everyday, as I am sure you do as well, when we try to wake people up or even broach the subject of the last days.

Bold truth being proclaimed always does have a sting, especially to those that deep down know it is true.

What we are seeing today is evil.  It is enveloping this world as I have never imagined it could.  You can not escape it.

This is not God’s choice.  It is the result of the choices of our nation.

What’s coming is not God’s desire that it should happen, it’s the natural consequence of a nation and world that’s rejected God in favor of rebellion against Him.  Sin always destroys. You cannot choose it without also choosing the resultant misery and judgment that comes with it.  Interesting that one of Satan’s names is the Greek word: Apollyon, which means “Destroyer.”

We need not hide our heads and deny what is happening. But Take Heart, do not be afraid.

We are temporary residents of this country only. Our eternal citizenship is in the kingdom of the Everlasting God.  All else will pass away.

So how shall we live then, in these uncertain times of evil?

Be sure to read Patrick’s full article below, it is extremely good and enlightening.  It will give you much to ponder.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Deception and Perception

By Patrick Wyett


When you woke up today, how did you see the world around you?

“Yeah,” you might say, “I know that things are getting bad.”

Do you? How bad are things getting?

Or better yet, how bad are things already?

The basic premise of the movie, “The Matrix” is that people are living in a completely fabricated lie, which most are unaware of.  Said deluded people are so programmed and comfortable with the lie that they can’t and won’t conceive of any other possibility. They want to believe and live the deception because the ramifications of true reality are too terrifying to contemplate.  Thus, the pleasant lie is chosen over the unpleasant truth.

At the time “The Matrix” came out, there were those who got it and enjoyed the movie and those who didn’t get it and thought the whole thing was confusing and pointless. Back then I had thought the movie served as a measure one’s intelligence; I was wrong. The movie served as a gauge of the viewer’s discernment, and concurrently, the level of their indoctrination.

One’s perception doesn’t alter reality, only the view of it.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4).

We live with a startling paradox. The word “politician” immediately brings to mind the vices of greed, corruption and lying to many. This doesn’t apply to all politicians, just most of them. Yet we want to believe that despite differences in rhetoric, party affiliation and proclaimed ideologies, that our elected officials─those same greedy, corrupt liars just identified─somehow want to do what’s best for our country.

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Amen!

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Cafeteria Christians

by Lea Sylvester


“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great [hidden] things which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, we will not hearken” (Jeremiah 6:16-17).

Surely we are living in the last days. This statement has been made for many years. As the prophets prophesied of events relative to the end-times (last days), and as Jesus Christ taught, those who are spiritually awake are aware that indeed, we are living in the last days. We know this because of the many prophecies and because of the words of Jesus Christ Himself. We are witnessing prophecy being fulfilled.

Jesus commanded us to “watch” numerous times. Why are we to watch and what are we to watch for? He wanted His church to be ready, to not be caught unaware, sleeping. Sad is the fact that most Christians are asleep today. They are lulled peacefully to sleep by the world. They will be caught unaware.

The question is, what should they be doing instead of sleeping? They should be developing such a close relationship with God that nothing could keep them from obeying Him or from hearing His voice. God is holy and God is sovereign. We don’t hear those words used that often any longer in reference to God. Sad.

“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding: which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not. Fear ye not me? Saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; thou they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone” (Jeremiah 5:21-24).

The passage of Scripture quoted above from Jeremiah describes most Christians today. We can also see that the condition of the churches and professing Christians further described:

“Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them, but they will not answer thee. But thou shalt say unto them, this is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction [instruction]: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth” (Jeremiah 7:26-28).

Doesn’t the passage above seem to describe most professing Christians in the United States of America today?

Yet we hear so many saying that this is a: “Christian nation.”  How can this be a Christian nation?  Christians have been apathetic, disobedient to the commandments of God, and have allowed God to be kicked out of this nation. Now eleven states have “approved” homosexual marriage! And, the president approves of it!

May I state here emphatically that God doesn’t care WHO approves”of it! God disapproves of it.

Our children are being taught “alternative lifestyles”: “Sex education” (beginning in kindergarten), and it has even been suggested that our children are not ours or even  (the parent’s) responsibility, but the state’s responsibility! And how many babies do we murder every day?  This is not even everything! Oh, come quickly Lord Jesus!

How can we possibly believe God that will not place judgment upon this nation?  If God punished His chosen people, Israel, don’t think for one second that He won’t punish the United States of America.

This nation was founded by: Godly people. People who were persecuted for their faith in Great Britain and who risked everything (and some lost everything including their families, children and their l (more…)

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The Lord has been putting on my heart a few things.  I have been working hard to tie them together and I think JD just helped me greatly.  The three things he has put on my heart through studying His word over the last week are:

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first – 2 Thes. 2:3

Then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. – Proverbs 2:5

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil – Isaiah 5:20

The Lord is amazing.  He says: “If you seek her (wisdom) as silver and search for her (wisdom) as for hidden treasures” (context mine)- (Proverbs 2:4)  Then you will discern the fear of the Lord.  We have to seek, meaning reading God’s word directly, and when we do, it is amazing what He reveals and how He reveals it.

2Peter below is one of the keys that JD laid out.  It is the passage on what we can expect and why.  The scoffers of Christs return are many and the intensity he mentions is so true, you can feel it.  If you even mention: prophecy, rapture, Christ, Gospel, Christs Return, or Judgement.  You will feel the intensity of the push back.  They do not want to hear sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3).

2 Peter 3:3-12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Coming Day of the Lord

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For [a]when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

A New Heaven and Earth

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and [b]its works will be [c]burned up.

11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Peter 3:5 Or they are willfully ignorant of this fact, that
  2. 2 Peter 3:10 Lit the works in it
  3. 2 Peter 3:10 Two early mss read discovered

I implore you to watch the full video, it is an amazing update on what we are seeing and why.

How far have we come?  We are mocked if we even bring it up.  We are called the evil ones, met with scorn.

We are at the hour.  Why?

The world is busy fulfilling their own evil desires, believing everything goes on as it has since creation.

Judgement is coming!  We must turn back to God.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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This is outrageous.  When I saw the headline I could only shake my head to the audacity.

What a better sign that our world is upside down than our Abortion Commander-in-Chief telling the leading abortion organization in our nation that he wishes God to bless them and their work – the murder of our children for the convenience of the parent’s life.

Evil is called good and good, evil!

Our nation has turned away from God and our founding roots.  Our nation was one of two in world history that at our founding we were consecrated in service to God.  We were founded as a Christian nation to serve God and fulfill His will and because of that commitment, we have been blessed beyond belief. 

However, we have turned from Him as a nation and are systematically driving him from every area of our public life and in many, their private lives.  His blessing and protection has thus been lifted.

We are living in the Days of Noah and the Days of Lot.  Evil is called good and good, evil as prophesied.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Obama to Largest Abortion Provider: ‘God Bless You’

President Obama ended his address to the largest abortion provider in the U.S., Planned Parenthood, by saying, “God bless you.”

“As long as we’ve got to fight to make sure women have access to quality, affordable health care, and as long as we’ve got to fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own choices about her own health, I want you to know that you’ve also got a president who’s going to be right there with you, fighting every step of the way,” said Obama. “Thank you, Planned Parenthood. God bless you.”

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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This man is not a Christian.

I do not know for sure what he is but I do know he is not a Christian in any shape or form.

Christ told us we would know them by their fruit.

Matthew 7:15-17

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will [a]know them by their fruits. [b]Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

Footnotes:

a. Matthew 7:16 Or recognize
b. Matthew 7:16 Lit They do not gather

I know of very few men that have done more against the Christian faith and ideals.  The deception is breathtaking to watch.

My gut just wretches at the thought of how much we have slide as a nation, a culture, and how fast we are currently sliding.

If you haven’t seen it, I would recommend highly checking out the movie Time changer.

It really puts into perspective how far we have fallen and the state we are in.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Obama urges Supreme Court to strike down federal Defense of Marriage Act

The Obama administration is asking the Supreme Court to strike down the federal law defining marriage as a union between only a man and a woman.

The request regarding the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act was made Friday in a brief by Solicitor General Donald Verrilli that argues the law is unconstitutional because it violates “the fundamental guarantee of equal protection.”

The high court is set to hear two cases next month on the issue: the constitutional challenge on Proposition 8, the 2008 California that allowed same-sex marriages in the state that two years later was overturned, and United States v. Windsor, which challenges DOMA.

Edith Windsor, a California resident, was married to her female partner in Canada in 2007 but was required to pay roughly $360,000 in federal estate taxes because the marriage is not recognized under DOMA.

The law “denies to tens of thousands of same-sex couples who are legally married under state law an array of important federal benefits that are available to legally married opposite-sex couples,” Verrilli’s brief in part states.

House Republicans also purportedly filed a brief Friday, arguing for the right to defend DOMA.

Obama’s move comes as no surprise, considering he said during his first term that he personally is in favor of gay marriage. And he ended the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, opening the way for gays to serve openly.

More recently, during Obama’s second inaugural address, he hinted at further action.

“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal,” he said.

The court is taking up the California case March 26 and has several options. Among them are upholding the state ban on gay marriage and saying residents of a state have the right to make that call.

The nine justices also could endorse an appeals court ruling that would make same-sex marriage legal in California, but it would apply only to that state.

Twenty-nine other states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage, while nine states and Washington, D.C., recognize same-sex marriage.

Public opinion has shifted in support of gay marriage in recent years. In May 2008, Gallup found that 56 percent of Americans felt same-sex marriages should not be recognized by the law as valid. By November 2012, some 53 percent felt they should be legally recognized.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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A pretty common question and an extremely relevant one for those of us that live in the U.S.

JD does a good job this week laying out the where and why.

But having pondered this myself, it just points to how amazing God really is.  That He could raise up a nation to be the most successful and powerful in the world in a mere 200 years.  One that has aided in spreading God’s Word throughout the world and helping the less fortunate while bringing them the Word of God!  It also glorifies God to see how quickly once we moved away from Him as a society things headed south.  It really was not us building the nation but God through us and through His blessing.  This revelation is why books like “The Harbinger” ring so true in our heart.  God’s blessing is important and as soon as you stray and turn from God, the key ingredient in success is removed.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

We’ve probably said those words a thousand times, be it in prayers, hymns, or scripture reading.  But did we ever stop to think of what they really meant?  Especially with all the calamity these days.  I hadn’t until I read the article below.  It is very timely with all of the talk about the end of the world, first the Mayan’s now the Pope.  The end of the world is on people’s minds.  God’s word has a lot to say about it if we would take the time to read it.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Dec 17, 2012

World Without End

The end of the world is scheduled for this Friday, December 21, 2012, according to the Mayan calendar, as analyzed by some. Many scenarios of what supposedly will happen on that date have for months–even years— been predicted by the purveyors of doom for Planet Earth. The Mayan “prophecy” goes basically as follows.

The Mayan civilization was extremely advanced in mathematics, engineering and astronomy. They also had an incredible understanding of time and space. Various calendars were in use to track time in linear progressions within cycles. The “Great Cycle” of the “Long Count” calendar equates to 5,125.36 years. The Current Great Cycle is due to be completed on the winter solstice of 2012, December 21. So, it has been interpreted that on this day, the Great Cycle ends, Time ends, so the Earth must end as well. (2012endofdays.org).

The Mayan “Long Count” concludes on the very day the sun lines up with the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It is said that (more…)

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I am really taken a back at how many are still asleep given all the signs we are seeing daily.  You really would need to be blind to not put two and two together.

In thinking about how I could better wake them up, God placed on my heart that it is probably due to one or multiples of three things:

1. They do not know God’s word through either not reading it or they read it, but it is the watered down interpretation of God’s Word (i.e. Message bible or others).

2. They are so distracted by things of this world: entertainment, new technologies, pursuit of money, etc.  That they are unaware of what is going on around this world.

3. Lastly, I think there are some that fall into Paul’s description in Romans 1:21-32.  They know what God asks of us but purposely do the opposite and take great pleasure in it.

People that fall into #1 or #2, I think we may be able to awaken, but I am fearful the majority left may fall into #3.  With everything going on in the world, it is hard to believe that they haven’t seen something that would shake or nudge them awake.

The real question is once they awaken where do they turn?  Is there a clear path to someone who can ramp them up?  Or do they go back to sleep?  Both sides are feverishly battling for these souls.

I just haven’t had many souls recently come back to me wanting to know more about what is going on.  Instead I am getting a strange sense of distance growing between me and those of this world that have yet to awaken.

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Jan 28, 2013

The Real Crisis

Crises and potential crises surround us during every waking moment. Except for those who are oblivious to what is going on in this nation and world today, the cultural and societal pathway ahead disappears into the anxiety-laden darkness of the unknown. Rather than take on the entire world and its problems in this regard, I will, for our purposes in this commentary, stick to analyzing the fearful future of this nation I love.

Most in America–and sadly, in the church (born-again believers)–falls into that category of the oblivious. Therefore, the crises, from their perspective, don’t exist. All the forewarnings of coming disaster seem issued to ears that will never hear and presented to eyes that will never see. Yet, at the same time, the crises, themselves, do create undercurrents of worry. Even the otherwise diverted masses notice, at least for fleeting moments, when societal dangers disrupt their world of shopping and entertainment–for example, the murder of the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Then, it is back to buying, selling, building, marrying, and giving in marriage, and the thousand and one other things that matter most to them.

Crises dominate the horizon politically, economically, and morally. As a matter of fact, they intertwine in such convolution as (more…)

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I read a statistic recently that really jumped out at me.  Americans on average spend about 140 hours each month in front of the TV.  Now I knew it was high but had no idea it was that high.  (There are 168 hours in a week!)

My heart really sunk when a couple of days later I read another article about how much time do we spend in God’s word.  Can it even be counted in hours for the week? or month?  We are jammed packed with one minute devotionals.  But do we spend anytime reading Gods actual word, and pondering it, studying it.

It hit me last week how far we have strayed from God’s actual word.  On Sunday our worship leader read the scripture from “The Message” translation (interpretation) of the Bible.  My wife turned to me and stated: “why do we need to recite an interpretation of God’s word when we have God’s actual word!”  I must say it was a brilliant observation, one I think we quite often overlook.  We spend so much time and money on interpretations, and none in God’s literal word.

So getting back on track, you have totaled up your hours for the week, how many of those are from God’s literal word?  (I (more…)

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Could not agree more…

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Posted by  The Right Scoop on December 17th, 2012 in Politics

I thought the Pope was supposed to be a Biblical man? If he is he should know that there won’t be true peace between Israel and the Palestinians and believing in some UN pipe dream for the sake of peace is fruitless. But even more than that he’s revealed that he also doesn’t understand Islam, which at its core wants to destroy Israel. And this is exactly what the Palestinians want.

Sheesh. I’m not trying to dis the Pope, but this is a problem:

TIMES OF ISRAEL – Pope Benedict XVI told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Monday that he hopes the Palestinians’ upgrade to nonmember observer state at the UN will hasten the international community into finding a solution to its conflict with Israel.

The Palestinian leader is visiting Europe to thank countries that voted for the upgrade. Abbas met with the Pope to praise him for supporting the Palestinians’ recent bid. All European Union countries except for the Czech Republic either supported the motion or abstained from the vote.

The Holy See is the only other entity to hold the status of nonmember observer state at the UN.

The Vatican had warmly welcomed the vote, and a Vatican statement said that “it is hoped that this initiative will encourage the commitment of the international community to finding a fair and lasting solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Abbas chatted privately with Pope Benedict for 30 minutes and then met with the Vatican’s top diplomats. (more…)

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Dale really hit the nail on the head with the article below.

All the nations problems, ALL of them, would be solved by turning back to God.  Not just giving it lip service, but reading His Word (The Bible) every day (twice a day) and bringing our issues and problems to go through prayer daily, starting every meeting with prayer to guide us.

It would only take one action to change course.  A leader to lead by example, not simply words.  What ever happened to the saying “actions speak louder than words”.  We have forgotten these simple truths as a nation.

One statement jumped out at me in Dales article about halfway through.

Nothing pleases Satan more than every time he can place a ‘wall of separation’ between God and people.

When we separate ourselves from God through turning away or succumbing to sin, not only do we miss out on the joy of our closeness to God (since he must pull away) but we also open ourselves up to Satan’s advances to gain more power and control over our lives by filling the void.

That is what we have seen as a nation when on that pivotal day in the 1960’s we expelled God from our schools.  It was the (more…)

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Imminent.  We hear it mentioned quite often but what does it mean and what is it like to live with the feeling of someone’s imminent return?

The article below is a good summary of what that means, what the Bible has to say about it,  and how we should be living our lives as believers in Christ today in anticipation of His return for his bride.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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January 4, 2013|1:35 pm

While the Mayan Calendar’s prediction that doomsday was on Dec. 21, 2012, was wrong, the Bible has a lot to say about Christ’s return – his return is mentioned in no less than 318 times in the 260 chapters in the New Testament, Laurie said in his message, titled “Things to do before the end of the world.”

What if we knew somehow that Jesus Christ will be back for us at 3 p.m. tomorrow? The pastor asked. “I’m sure we’d all be saints at 2:45 … We’ll be wearing our Sunday morning smiles and our come-quickly-Jesus attitude.” Though we do not know when Jesus is returning, “shouldn’t we have that same smile and that same attitude every day as if that were the day that Christ could come?”

Those who doubt Jesus’ promise to return due to the delay must read 2 Peter 3:9, Laurie suggested. The verse reads: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The pastor went on to say he prayed in 1970 that Jesus should come soon, “but isn’t it good that he didn’t?” Many among the audience received Jesus after 1970, he pointed out.

(more…)

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The summary done below by Thomas Ice steps back to view the work of the Bible as the amazing work that it is.  Once you begin to study it both in-depth as well as tying together the story you see the promise of the “rapture” or snatching away told throughout.

One of the knocks against the Rapture is that it is escapism.  I have never understood this as I feel it prepares the believer for the exact opposite.  Procrastination is not an option with imminence.

Peter and John both admonish their audience to fix their eye on the future return of Christ, resulting in Godly living in the present. (1 Peter 1:13 and 1 John 3:2-3)

1 Peter 1:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 Therefore, [a]prepare your minds for action, [b]keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace [c]to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:

a. 1 Peter 1:13 Lit gird the loins of your mind
b. 1 Peter 1:13 Lit be sober
c. 1 Peter 1:13 Or which is announced

The Rapture, “…my blessed hope…” (Titus 2:13),  is one of the major reasons why we gladly live for Christ today and prioritize our life in view of eternal values.

Please take the time to read through the article below in full.  It is a blessing and thought provokingly wonderful.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

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Friday, January 4, 2013

The Amazing Truth of the Rapture

Thomas IceBy Dr. Thomas Ice
Pre-Trib Research Center

When one sits back and contemplates the great truths contained in God’s plan for history as revealed in the Bible, it is truly amazing to contemplate such reality. A partial list would include the following: God’s creation out of nothing; God’s creation of angels and their role in history; man’s fall into sin; Noah’s Ark and the Flood; the tower of Babel; the call of Abraham; the Exodus and foundation of the nation of Israel; the up-and-down history of Israel, Christ’s first coming; His death, resurrection, and ascension; the founding of the church; and Christ’s promise to return to take His bride to heaven with Him at the rapture. These real, historical events are greater than any fictional account that the most creative moviemaker could conceive. So one day the Father will tell the Son to go and get His bride and at that moment every living believer, no matter where they may be, will be caught up into the clouds to meet the Lord, in order to be taken to heaven. This will truly be an amazing event.

Rapture

The Impact of the Rapture

Romans 11:25 indicates that the trigger point for the rapture will be when “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” The leading Greek lexicon of our day says the noun translated fullness in this passage means “that which is brought to fullness or completion; full number.” [1] Also, Acts 15:14 says, “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.” Thus, when that last Gentile convert comes to faith in Christ, the Church, the Body of Christ, will be complete and the rapture will take place. The full number of Gentiles will have come in and then our Lord will turn His attention to the salvation of all Israel (Rom. 11:26) during the subsequent tribulation period.

The rapture of the church will be a truly amazing event that will confound the world. Just think about it for a moment. How will the world who rejects the possibility that a God who does miracles is out there, explain the sudden disappearance of hundreds of millions of people all over the world in an instance of time? People that are left behind will generally not be open (more…)

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I think the article below is very eye opening into how the “Grand Delusion” that is spoken of in the Bible will work.  My initial thought was “Who in their right mind would label 2012 as the ‘best year ever’?”  It must just be a hook to get you to read but they are serious.  Sure they will elude to some negatives but are quick to minimize them for the bright side assessment.

Sure costs are rising, Brussels sprouts cost 70% more now than in January but who wants to eat those?  Really!!!  A 70% increase in food costs and we spin that positive.  I can see it in 2013, food prices are up 400%, but it has allowed us to keep all those new years resolutions to loose weight and we have a much more sustainable society now!

A few other key highlights: (my comments in italics)

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As I read Todd’s article several additional thoughts came to mind.  He brings up some excellent “root” causes for why we find our nation in the state it is today and especially why we are not able to reach the younger generations.  I believe they have become so “distracted” (deceived) with life and the things of this world that they are not even aware of what is happening in it, let alone prophecies of what is to come.  It is probably one of the most discouraging points for some one dedicated to waking others up to God’s word, but we must remember that with God all things are possible!

I am also reminded of the Days of Noah & the Days of Lot prophecy by Jesus in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24).  The turning point on Gay marriage and drug use sure do point to this prophecy.

Even with us living through these events I am amazed at how people, even fellow Christians, still do not make the connection between the Bible and the events.  Most just write it off to coincidence or something that has always occurred.  The rise of evil, (more…)

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So over the holiday weekend like probably at least half of you, I was away at a relatives house for the holiday weekend.  While there enjoying the festivities and giving thanks, I had the opportunity to attend Sunday service.  The minister was a young energetic minister that was a big fan of Christmas, he called it the “foundation of his faith” and he couldn’t wait for it to begin.  He had his 14.9 days of Christmas music loaded on his iTunes and began decorating Friday.  (I remember the day when I had this much energy.)

He chose to open his message on Luke 17:11-19 with a partial video clip from Charlie Brown’s Christmas special.  I have always loved Charlie Brown.  As I watched the characters run through their parts, I was amazed how much Christianity he was able to work into his cartoons (it was a different time then).  As much as I love the cartoon, I began to wondered where he was going with this message and how it related to Luke 17.  The short answer is being grateful, thankful and positive, not cynical.  He was dead on, we have become (more…)

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This is a great run down of the extremely fast moving string of prophetic events unfolding over the last week.

It is breath-taking how fast things are moving now!  Absolutely amazing, praise be to God!

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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Over the last few months there has been a lot of activity within the Church to pray, fast, repent, cry’s for our nation to repent and turn back to God.  It has always made me somewhat uneasy and when I participate, I feel worse.

Jack Kelly really sums up better than I could my gut feelings.  When I found and read the article below and shouted out “Praise the Lord” and I think I shed a few tears.

Deep in my soul I knew that this is a personal deal, not collective in the least.  I can not save you, you can not save me.  It is something between you and God and me and God.

I think too much energy has been spent praying for our will for our nation instead of for God’s will to be done as Christ prayed.  What ever that is, it is guaranteed to be better than anything we can come up with.  He will give us what we need to “occupy” until he returns to rapture us home.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Repenting On Behalf Of Our Country?

by Jack Kelly


Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. (Ezekiel 9:3-6)

The principle of marking those who would be protected from judgment was first mentioned in Genesis 4:15 when the Lord marked Cain as a warning to those who might try to kill him for murdering Abel.

It had also been hinted at when the Lord told Elijah He had reserved 7,000 faithful in Israel who had not succumbed to idol worship (1 Kings 19:18), but Ezekiel 9:4 stands as the clearest example in history of the Lord marking those who are His and protecting them from danger.  In the spiritual world the mark is a sign that the marked person belongs to the Lord and is off limits to anyone else.

Have You Been Marked?

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory (Ephes 1:13-14).

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (2 Cor. 1:21-22).

In these two passages Paul revealed that all born again believers were marked at the time they believed to show that they belong to the Lord.  It’s the spiritual equivalent of a rancher branding his cattle with his mark of ownership.  The presence of this mark will protect us like it has protected others He has marked throughout history.

(more…)

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This is an amazing article that really went straight to my heart.  He does an excellent job at removing the veil of deception from the emergent movement and showing how un-Christian their actions really are.

It is evil and makes me sick to my stomach when ever I read or hear it.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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One wonders whether Wheaton College believes that such programs befit a respectable teaching institution…. Burge’s comparison of himself with Jesus is preposterous and absurd.

While most Evangelical Protestants are generally friendly to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, there is a small band of Evangelical pastors and professors who want to line up all Evangelicals unilaterally on the Palestinian side. The most egregious example may be Anglican vicar Stephen Sizer, whose has chummed up with the likes of Naturei Karta and Iranian President Ahmadinejad. But Gary Burge probably wields the greater influence.

As “Professor of New Testament” at Wheaton College, where he has taught since 1992, Burge has taken whole generations of Evangelical students to such places as the Bethlehem Bible College for one-sided indoctrination in the Palestinian “narrative.” That is, the students are bombarded with typical Palestinian complaints about Israel. Encouragement to investigate the veracity of those complaints is lacking, let alone the history of Palestinian aggression against Israelis and the corruption and misrule of the Palestinian Authority.

Will those unfortunate students be able to cause Israel much harm? Maybe not. The harm done to impressionable young minds is another question. One wonders whether Wheaton College believes that such programs befit a respectable Christian teaching institution.

In March 2012, Burge was back at the Bethlehem Bible College to lecture at the so-called “Christ at the Checkpoint” conference. The very title of the conference betrays its misleading agenda. The idea was to underline that today if Mary and Joseph tried to visit (more…)

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Terry hits the nail on the head this week…

Joshua 24:15

New King James Version (NKJV)

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Nov 19, 2012

The Gates of Hell

A great number of those who name the name of Christ believe this season of presidential politics in America represents cumulative proof that satanic darkness is descending at a pace that makes coming judgment unstoppable. Every social issue involving morality that the born again hold dear has, they believe, observably been steamrolled by a juggernaut from the darkest regions forewarned of by the Bible. There seems little, if any, hope of culture as it has been known in this nation surviving the next four years.

Such is the general sense among those who were on the losing side in this election–not just among Christians. We can know this, because all fifty states have growing numbers of quite worried, unhappy citizens signing petitions to have their respective states secede from these United States.

While secession isn’t going to happen–and should not happen–the strong sentiment for doing so, rampant and growing, makes it clear that we are a nation divided. We remember that Abraham Lincoln–another president facing the United States’ split down the middle, (more…)

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Amazing message.

Over the last few months the verse “Not of this world but living in this world…” has been running through my head constantly.  It has been somewhat may mantra these days and a reminder of my (our) calling.

John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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We had a clear choice this year via our US national election.  I don’t think I have seen an election in my lifetime that the contrast was stronger.  Our stunning choice should be a wake up call to just where we are on the prophetic timeline.  Jesus warned us what the time period before his coming would look like.

Luke 17:26-30 (NKJV)

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

As I sat there listening to the results roll in, I felt scripture wash over me flooding my mind.  It was surreal.  It allowed me to zoom out and see the big picture, what had we as a nation just done.  There is more links between what is happening now and end times prophecy than I can list here.  Lets compare the scripture above to what we just voted in favor of as a nation.

We voted for abortion on demand, the killing of millions of children in their mother’s womb.  This is much like the evil cults of Noah’s and Lot’s time that would sacrifice their own children, yearly, to their “gods”. We are sacrificing our unborn for a lustful lifestyle (much like these ancient cults) and unburdened existence.  “We wouldn’t want our daughter to be burdened with a baby.”

We voted for free contraceptives and recreational marijuana use.  Basically promoting drug use and free sex for all, especially our youth.  We know that both Noah’s and Lot’s days were marked by extreme promiscuity and drug use.  The men that showed up outside Lot’s door wanted to have sex with the “new” men in town.

We voted for a strong homosexual agenda with our commander-in-chief, for the first time in history, opening supporting this sinful lifestyle.  This was something that marked both the days of Lot and Noah, with the latter being the only time in history (except for present day) that homosexual marriage was legal.

Pause a moment and let that sink in…

…the men outside Lot’s house also wanted to partake in these sinful acts as well.

We voted again for the least transparent administration we have ever had.  Deceptive to the core.  One that has blatantly lied to the American people and committed acts of treason on several occasions.  What was their reaction when caught?  They laughed it off and we as a nation laughed along with them and moved on.  Treason!, not the definition of “is” but treason.  Not only has there been a lack of transparency but the reverse, active deception, has been immense.

We voted for a man of lawlessness, that disregards our current laws of bankruptcy to give unions funds and leaves stock holders empty-handed.  He has demolished our home loan laws by forcing forgiveness of loans and leaving investors, again, empty-handed.  He has ignored our constitution at every possible turn.  The highest law of the land and the foundation we built this nation on.

We voted for a man who says one thing and does the exact opposite, time and time again, with nothing said about it.

We voted for the political party that voted to remove God from their platform three times!

They said NO to God three times!

Folks, step back and see the forest.

We are living in the days of Noah.

We are living in the days of Lot.

This was a huge sign for those that have their eyes open.  And now things are accelerating, roadblocks have been removed.

It was said that “the church” must take a stand this election cycle to reclaim our nation, founded on God and His word.

Look that the result.  We could not have had a clearer choice, two roads we could take, and which choice did our nation make?  The road of Sodom.  The road of Gomorrah.  The road of depravity, anger, and hate.  The road away from God.

No true born-again Christian could vote for this abomination and the path they are taking us down.

This was huge folks.  We just passed the last exit.  The harbingers have spoken.  The protection of the Lord has been removed.  We have not turned back to God in repentance, but have instead, stood in defiance of God and with the arrogance of man said “we don’t need God in our nation”.

We are hurling toward the tribulation, God’s judgement on this sinful world.  For those of us that are awake, we must keep our eye fixed squarely at all times on Christ Jesus, our redeemer.  Do not look back, do not look down, for the evil of this world is engulfing us.  Time is…  I almost said “Time is short.” but that does not express how close we are to Jesus Christ’s return for His bride.

The divided nation we see is biblical.  It is the hardening of hearts and the strong delusion of the Lord.

Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV1984)

Living as Children of Light

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NKJV)

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Every man and woman have made their choice, look at where we stand.  Which path do you stand on?  What a stark contrast we are.  Good and Evil.  But today evil is said to be good and good said to be evil.

Isaiah 5:20-24

New King James Version (NKJV)

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!

22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!

24 Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble,
And the flame consumes the chaff,
So their root will be as rottenness,
And their blossom will ascend like dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts,
And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

We must put 100% of our hope and faith in Jesus Christ, and no longer in our own actions or those of man, not even 1%.  We must focus on the will of God and not on our own.  Pray, and look up and lift up your head for your redemption draws near.

Luke 21:28 (NKJV)

28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

Great message from Grant, as I ponder his words, I can definitely see a pattern in my life.  As I drift in and out of my fellowship with the Lord, due to distractions and/or sin, I am always unsatisfied until I realize what I am truly missing.  How dense are we as man, that we keep making the same mistakes over and over.  What patience the Lord must have with us.

Maranatha, Lord Jesus come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Are You Satisfied?

By Grant Phillips


Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.” (Proverbs 27:20 NIV)

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 NIV)

Are you satisfied with your life? Thousands upon multiplied thousands of people today are not satisfied with their lives. Some are restless. Some are in abject turmoil.

Proverbs 27:20 above tells us that death is never satisfied. The open grave will always yearn for more. Even though about 140.4 million people are born each year, 56.7 million die each year (2010 statistics).

The same verse speaks of destruction, and destruction comes in many forms. War brings destruction. A wandering eye brings destruction to a family. Greed and murder bring destruction, and we could go on. Destruction is all around us, as is death. So too, destruction is never satisfied.

Where does all this originate? It comes from the human heart, for the heart of man, apart from Jesus Christ, is never satisfied.

Adam and Eve were not satisfied to have everything the Garden of Eden had to offer, but decided to disobey God and eat of the one lone tree He specifically told them to not eat from. Sin blanketed the world as a result.

Judas Iscariot was not satisfied to enjoy the fellowship of God, in the flesh, but preferred power and wealth instead. Suicidal death was his reward.

From the Garden of Eden to today, mankind has never been satisfied. He always wants more, even at the expense of others. Why can’t we be satisfied? Why do we always want more and more?

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

This insatiable desire comes from a wicked heart, a heart that does not know God. The heart without God is an empty hole that longs to be filled, but only God can fill the vacuum that exists.

Some will come to God through His Son Jesus and find rest, while most will continue their vain attempts to fill the vacuum and satisfy the wicked heart. However, it is never filled. It is never satisfied. It keeps longing for more, and each demand gets greater with time.

The Lord had the Apostle Paul write the following words to his protégé Timothy:

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV)

Are we in the last days? Yes we are, the last days of the Church Age, and the heart of man isn’t getting any better. It’s getting worse.

Think about this.

When Hollywood first produced movies depicting murder, there were no “blood and guts” scenes, but in order to continue drawing the crowds, the scenes had to become more and more real. Today murder has left the silver screen and found its way into the neighborhoods of America, and they keep getting more gruesome. Why? The evil heart needs more to satisfy its desires.

The scary movies I watched as a child would be boring today. Yet, as a child, my heart would race as I watched them. Today, people are chopped up like lettuce for a salad, and the watchers crave more.

Sex used to be kept in the bedroom, a private issue between your parents. Now it’s taught in schools and practiced wherever the urge hits. Any sexual act imaginable can be found in not just sleazy dark places, but in your own living room. Yet the evil heart is not satisfied. It wants more.

Sexual acts of perversion are commonplace. Sex with animals, children, male/male, female/female, and even objects, they are all out in the open. And each depravity just becomes more shocking than the one before.

The most depraved acts one could imagine are committed on the streets of some of our large cities, and they keep getting worse.

There seems to be some kind of “law of nature” that says, “Each action must top the one before.”

Greed is like that too. The general attitude with most people is the more they have, the more they want. There is never enough money, or things. The evil heart always wants more. It is never satisfied.

An old saying goes like this, “Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.” That is exactly where we are today, always hungry for more. “My house isn’t big enough, I need a bigger one. My neighbor got a new car. Mine is three years old. I need a new one. My clothes are not in style. I need to go shopping. So I have ten of these, I want that one too.”

As we have seen, a heart that is not satisfied will long for more. Some things will produce destruction while others may just produce clutter, but they all depict a heart that is restless for God. The very soul of man needs God to satisfy the hunger of his heart. The sad thing is, most just don’t recognize what their soul really needs to be at rest.

In Isaiah 61:10 above, it is clear that our delight should be in the Lord. Only this will make our soul rejoice, because then we are clothed in salvation and righteousness, both from the throne room of God.

Food tastes good, but its consumption is only temporary. Drugs only mask the real problem and create others.

I ask again. Are you satisfied with your life? Has someone flushed the toilet, and you’re in it? Are you going down for the last count?

Maybe things aren’t quite that bad in your life, but you’re just not happy. You’ve tried hobbies, read books and even smelled the roses, but something is missing.

Jesus Christ is what is missing. No human being on this earth will ever be at peace until they come to Jesus to be born again (John 3:3). Jesus will give you a new spirit that will be filled with His own Spirit. Only then can you say with David:

“…My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalms 62:1NIV)

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” (Psalms 116:7 NIV)

But you say, “I’m a Christian, but I don’t feel satisfied. What is wrong with me?” You need to come to your Savior and Lord and ask of God the same thing David asked Him.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalms 51:12 NIV)

Accept the council of John in this verse.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

Then follow David’s advice.

I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” (Psalms 119:7 NIV)

Grant Phillips

grantphillips@windstream.net

My articles are posted at “Pre-Rapture Commentary” http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com and many are also posted at “Rapture Ready” http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html.

Even though I am very limited on time, I will respond to any who email me and request a reply, unless I sense they just want to argue.

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

I think we all have felt this at some point throughout our week over the last year.

The feeling of being alone yet surrounded.  Great message…

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

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Surrounded Alone

By Deborah Jackson


The title in itself is an oxymoron. Yet, that appears to be the position of the Christian today.  Surrounded by a faceless world in this dark, unfamiliar tunnel we move one day closer to the glowing light on the other end.
“For now we see through a glass, darkly but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known”  (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Though it should be so, it seems there is no longer a driving desire to minister to the lost in expectation of a clueless reaction.  It is more of a fight to survive the race and press forward.  People are angry for no reason.  People are hurtful without cause. Doing the “right thing” has escaped even the elder generation, the one generation that you thought you could count on.
There are loud voices everywhere haunting you with their perspective version of how all things evil are acceptable and in the same attempt trying to somehow justify it. God is love? Yes, He is. But I am pretty sure that he is not a happy God.
The old theory was to look for the best in people.  However, today, we see more of the worst right up front and when you meet a genuine person you are pleasantly surprised.  Although somewhat overshadowed, this in no way means that we are not amongst a multitude of Christians in this world.
God has not changed. Genuine Christians have not wavered. Jesus is still coming back.

So where do we go from here? As believers we have nothing to fear: Our future is secure.  Every, thread of our existence is still right in the palm of His hand.  If God did not know what is going to happen tomorrow, how could we trust our God today?  Our lives are filled with what ifs and daily losing control of things that were once just, “routine.” Yet while we may be surrounded “alone,” our faith still holds.
”For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
All that remains for us is to daily ask Him, “What do you need me to do or where do you want me to go today?”  For every soul that the Spirit is calling to Christ, there is someone in their path with the convincing message of amazing grace and salvation.

 

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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This is such a common question that I believe we have all struggled with at some point in time of our lives or if not yet will at some point.  The answer is so reassuring and strengthening of our faith.  Studying prophecy has a similar effect.  I wish more understood how powerful it is.  God laid out for us what will happen before it happened so we could strengthen our faith in Him and with assurance put our trust in Him.  He knew we would struggle like Thomas with doubts and would need some reassurance.  Prophecy is that reassurance and yet largely as a church, Christ’s Bride, we ignore it or worse scoff at God’s predictions that He put in place to reassure us of His power and authority.

Maranatha, Lord Jesus come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Is God In Total Control Of Everything?

by Jack Kelly


There’s a theory, only hinted at in Scripture, that Planet Earth had been the domain of Satan prior to his rebellion. Although he was only a created being, Satan was an enormously powerful dignitary in God’s Universe (Jude 1:9). He was the overseer of the Cherubim (the guardians of God’s Throne) and a leader of the angelic host. He was God’s most impressive creation (Ezekiel 28:12-15). Because of his position, his power, and his beauty he became proud and rebelled (Ezekiel 28:17, Isaiah 14:13-14), bringing about a judgment that destroyed planet Earth.

All this seems to have happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Hints of this in Scripture are

1) an alternate (and some say more literal) rendering of Genesis 1:2 reads, “But the Earth became formless and void”, rather than “and the Earth was formless and void.”

2) In Isaiah 45:18 the Lord said He didn’t create the Earth that way, using the same Hebrew word that’s translated formless in Genesis 1:2, but formed it to be inhabited. Putting these two points together hints at a judgment sometime after Earth’s original creation.

3) The angels already existed at the time of the Genesis creation account. They shouted and sang for joy when the Lord laid the foundations of Earth (Job 38:4-7) so they must have been created earlier. If so, then Satan must have been created earlier was as well.

4) The serpent seems to appear out of nowhere in Genesis 3:1 although there’s no mention of him in the creation account. Also the Hebrew word translated serpent comes from a root meaning enchanter, which could mean it was not an ordinary animal. And Eve didn’t seem to be reluctant to converse with him, indicating she might have recognized him for who he really was.

Let me hasten to add that I don’t believe in a pre-Adamite civilization. The Bible clearly calls Adam the first man (1 Cor. 15:45). It also says the animals were created on the same day as Adam (Genesis 1:24-26) so I don’t believe dinosaurs or any other animals preceded Adam’s creation.

After Earth sat submerged in ruin and darkness for who knows how long, God said “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3) and the six day Genesis creation process began. It helps to remember that the Bible is not a book about eternity, it’s about the age of man. As such it begins with the creation of the first man and ends when the Millennium ends seven thousand years later. It gives only vague hints about what happened before the Age of Man began and what will come after it ends. All we really know is that there was an eternity past and there will be an eternity future.

God’s first instruction to Adam and Eve was to give them dominion over Planet Earth, telling them to subdue it and populate it (more…)

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I came across this list of 25 prophecies that have been or are being fulfilled today.  I found it in a great book called “Queen of All” by Jim Tetlow.  I have been researching the Marion apparitions and their link to end times prophecy.

Toward the beginning of the book the author uses the 25 prophecies below to prove we can trust what the Bible says literally.  It really was an amazing list of which none were new to me but the list was so well laid out and in a concise format that I wanted to share it.

The Bible, God’s word, predicted these events and thousands of others over 2000 years ago.  Not one prophecy from the Bible has ever been wrong.  100% accurate and correct, I can’t think of many things these days that have a batting average of perfection, we all stumble at some point.  Only God is perfect as is His word, inerrant.  You can trust Him and His word till the end of this age of man.

Note: I added in the text of the referenced Bible verses for each prophecy that show the prophecy clearly as well as some additional comments.

I hope this strengthens your faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His word!

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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1. False Bible teachers would be money hungry.  They would be smooth talkers, have many followers and slur the Christian faith (2 Peter 2:1-3).

2 Peter 2:1-3 – (NKJV) – Destructive Doctrines – 2 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does[a] not slumber.

A growing number of TV evangelists epitomize this as well as many in the ecumenical movement.

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2. Mankind would be capable of destroying all life (Matthew 24:21-22).

Matthew 24:21-22 – (NKJV) – 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

Consider that when Jesus made this prediction the armaments of His day were swords and spears.  But today, with nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, it is possible to wipe out all flesh on planet earth.

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3. The use of nuclear weapons anticipated (Zechariah 14:12).

Zechariah 14:12 – (NKJV) – 12 And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem:

Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet,
Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets,
And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.

The neutron bomb melts (dissolves) its victims – just as Zechariah predicted 2,500 years ago.  This was unimaginable in Zechariah’s day.

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4. There would be a global cry for peace (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

1 Thessalonians 5:3 – (NKJV) – For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

Never has there been such a concerted, global effort to bring about peace at any cost as there is in our day.

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5. Global communication foreseen (Revelation 11:9-10;17:8).

Revelation 11:9-10 -(NKJV) – Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 17:8 – (NKJV) – The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

The Bible prophesies that the entire world will “see” certain events unfold.  The invention of the television and the deployment of global satellite networks during the 20th century allow news to travel the world at the speed of light for the first time ever.  Yet in John’s day, news traveled at the speed of horseback.

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6. The Christian gospel would be preached as a witness to all nations (Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10; Revelation 14:6).

Matthew 24:14 – (NKJV) –14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Mark 13:10 – (NKJV) – 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

Revelation 14:6 – (NKJV) – The Proclamations of Three Angels – Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—

Today, portions or all of the Bible have been translated into over 2,300 languages and dialects covering well over 90% of the world’s population.

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7. The possession of Jerusalem would be at the center of international turmoil (Zechariah 12:3).

Zechariah 12:3 – (NKJV) – And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Almost daily the world news reports on the conflict over Jerusalem.

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8. The fact that God once flooded the earth (the Noahic Flood) would be denied (2 Peter 3:5-6).

2 Peter 3:5-6 – (NKJV) – For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

There is a mass of fossil evidence to prove this fact, yet it is flatly ignored by most of the scientific world because  it was judgment form God on man’s wickedness.

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9. Russia (Magog) would rise as a military power in the last days (Ezekiel 38).

Ezekiel 38:1-6 – (NKJV) – Gog and Allies Attack Israel – 38 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.

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10. The nation of Israel would be born in one day (Isaiah 66:8).

Isaiah 66:8 – (NKJV)

Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day?
Or shall a nation be born at once?
For as soon as Zion was in labor,
She gave birth to her children.

On May 14, 1948 Israel became a nation.  Never in recorded history has a nation been dispersed for hundreds of years and then regathered.  Yet, God said it and God has done it before our very eyes!

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11. The Jews would begin to regather in Israel (Jeremiah 31:7-10; Ezekiel 37:21-22; 38:8).

Jeremiah 31:7-10 – (NKJV)

For thus says the Lord:

“Sing with gladness for Jacob,
And shout among the chief of the nations;
Proclaim, give praise, and say,
‘O Lord, save Your people,
The remnant of Israel!’
Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
And gather them from the ends of the earth,
Among them the blind and the lame,
The woman with child
And the one who labors with child, together;
A great throng shall return there.
They shall come with weeping,
And with supplications I will lead them.
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters,
In a straight way in which they shall not stumble;
For I am a Father to Israel,
And Ephraim is My firstborn.

10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,
‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’

Ezekiel 37:21-22 – (NKJV)

21 “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.

Ezekiel 38:8 – (NKJV)

After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.

Over five million Jews have returned to Israel in recent times!  This unlikely prophecy alone is unmistakable evidence of the Scriptures’ Divine inspiration.

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12. The Jews would regain control of biblical Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:6; Luke 21:24).

Zechariah 12:6 – (NKJV)

In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.

Luke 21:24 – (NKJV)

24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

This happened in 1967!  As a result of the 6 day war.

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13. Asia (the kings of the east) would be capable of deploying a 200-million-man army during earth’s final days (Revelation 9:14-16; 16:12).

Revelation 9:14-16 – (NKJV)

14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

Revelation 16:12 – (NKJV) – Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

Bear in mind, when John penned this prophecy 2,000 years ago, there were only an estimated 170-400 million people on the entire planet.  Yet today, according to the CIA, China alone has 281 million men fit for military service!

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14. Egypt would exist in the last days – but only as a lowly third world nation (Ezekiel 29:14-16).

Ezekiel 29:14-16 – (NKJV)

14 I will bring back the captives of Egypt and cause them to return to the land of Pathros, to the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. 15 It shall be the lowliest of kingdoms; it shall never again exalt itself above the nations, for I will diminish them so that they will not rule over the nations anymore. 16 No longer shall it be the confidence of the house of Israel, but will remind them of their iniquity when they turned to follow them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord God.”’”

Egypt was on of the world’s greatest ancient civilizations.  Yet today, as prophesied, Egypt remains, but only as an impoverished nation.  To show how amazing this prophecy is, compare modern Egypt to the tiny nation of Austria.  Egypt has ten times more land area, and a population eight times greater than Austria.  Yet, Egypt’s Grow Domestic Product is only one-fifth of Austria’s GDP.

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15. Your would become increasingly rebellious (2 Timothy 3:2-3; Mark 13:12; Isaiah 3:4-5, 12)

2 Timothy 3:2-3 – (NKJV) – For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

Mark 13:12 – (NKJV) – 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

Isaiah 3:4-5 – (NKJV)

“I will give children to be their princes,
And babes shall rule over them.
The people will be oppressed,
Every one by another and every one by his neighbor;
The child will be insolent toward the elder,
And the base toward the honorable.”

Isaiah 3:12 – (NKJV)

12 As for My people, children are their oppressors,
And women rule over them.
O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err,
And destroy the way of your paths.”

No comment necessary.

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16. Homosexuality would be flaunted at the end of the age.  Jesus warned that the last days would be like the days of Lot – who lived in wicket Sodom (Luke 17:28-30).

Luke 17:28-30 – (NKJV) – 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

We know that the root of Sodom’s sin was pride and complacency (Ezekiel 16:49) – as it is today.

Ezekiel 16:49 – (NKJV) – 49 Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

However, Sodom’s lasting infamy stemmed from their aggressive homosexual sin (Genesis 19; Jude 1:7).

Genesis 19:4-9 – (NKJV)

Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”

So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.”

And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door.

Jude 1:7 – (NKJV)

as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Today the homosexual agenda is flaunted and forced upon our entire society.

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17. Epidemic drug use predicted (Revelation 9:21).

Revelation 9:21 – (NKJV)

21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries[a] or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Footnotes: a.Revelation 9:21 NU-Text and M-Text read drugs.

The Greek word translated sorceries is pharmakeia which can also refer to drug use, both illegal drugs and mind-altering drugs.  The use of illegal drugs and the dispensing of mind-altering drugs has risen sharply during our current generations.

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18. Sorceries – referring to witchcraft, magic, or occult practices used to enchant and deceive – are also anticipated in the last days (Revelation 9:21; 18:23; Isaiah 47:9-15; Micah 5:10-15).

Micah 5:10-15 – (NKJV)

10 “And it shall be in that day,” says the Lord,
“That I will cut off your horses from your midst
And destroy your chariots.
11 I will cut off the cities of your land
And throw down all your strongholds.
12 I will cut off sorceries from your hand,
And you shall have no soothsayers.
13 Your carved images I will also cut off,
And your sacred pillars from your midst;
You shall no more worship the work of your hands;
14 I will pluck your wooden images from your midst;
Thus I will destroy your cities.
15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury
On the nations that have not heard.”

Today, interest in the occult is flourishing.

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19. Financial systems would depend on numbers not cash (Revelation 13:17-18).

Revelation 13:17-18 – (NKJV)

17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

Remember, this prophecy was made 2,000 years before our computer-driven society.

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20. Many would call themselves the Christ (Matthew 24:5).

Matthew 24:5 –  (NKJV)

For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

Jesus was an itinerate preacher who never traveled outside the tiny nation of Israel and He had the audacity to say that many would come in His name, claiming to be the Christ.  And yet today, as foretold, multitudes within the New Age Movement, Eastern religions, and the cults call themselves the Christ.

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21. The final generation would be open to receiving a mark on their right hand or on their forehead (Revelation 13:16).

Revelation 13:16 – (NKJV)

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,

Consider how the up and coming generation is tattooed, pierced and marked with all kinds of insignia.

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22. People would reject the sound doctrine of the Word of God and follow the doctrines of men that appeal to their own lusts (2 Timothy 4:3-4; Acts 20:29-30).

2 Timothy 4:3-4 – (NKJV)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Acts 20:29-30 – (NKJV)

29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Jesus also predicted that there would be many hypocrites within the church (Matthew 24:48-51; Matthew 7:22-23).

Matthew 24:48-51 – (NKJV)

48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 7:22-23 – (NKJV)

22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

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23. Blasphemy would be common (2 Timothy 3:2; Revelation 16:9, 11, 21).

2 Timothy 3:2 – (NKJV) – For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Revelation 16:9 – (NKJV) – And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

Revelation 16:11 – (NKJV) – 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

Revelation 16:21 – (NKJV) – 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

Consider how often people use their Creator’s name (God, Lord, or Jesus Christ) as a curse word.  Fifty years ago, Hollywood seldom used God’s name in vain.  Today, nearly every movie contains blasphemy.

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24. Sexual immorality would be rampant (Jude 1:18; Revelation 9:21).

Jude 1:18 – (NKJV) – 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.

Keep in mind, Jesus said whoever looks to lust has already committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:28).

Matthew 5:28 – (NKJV) – 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Today lust is marketed in every conceivable venue.

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25. Men would mock the warning signs of the end of the age saying that these signs have always been around (2 Peter 3:3-4).

2 Peter 3:3-4 – (NKJV) – knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

The Bible even reveals their motivation, they love lust.

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If you haven’t  accepted the gift of Salvation:

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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An insane amount of prophecy headlines this last week.  A lot of them are being overshadowed even by the new media with the US election nearing.  Make sure you check these out, we have a ton of activity going on with regard to prophecy.

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Putin’s New ‘Fortress Russia’
Moscow is cozying up to China, supporting the Assad regime in Syria and ignoring the Iranian nuclear race. The Kremlin is hard at work to create a sphere of influence along its periphery and a “pole” in the multipolar world that would stand up to Washington.-Putin is implementing a “Fortress Russia” policy, which is based on repression at home and confrontation abroad. It is used to justify a $700 billion military buildup.

A place for Jews on the Temple Mount
The state of affairs on the Temple Mount is intolerable and untenable.-A way must be found to enable Jews to exercise their right to commune with their Maker, without further stoking hatred and intolerance. In fact, there is a simple and very practical solution to this predicament: build a synagogue on the Temple Mount where Jews would be free to pray as they wish.

“#UnBonJuif”: Twitter deluged with French antisemitism
Jewish and anti-racist organisations in France have threatened to sue dozens of Twitter users for posting antisemitic jokes and statements on the site using the hashtag #UnBonJuif (“a good Jew”). Many tweets mocked the Holocaust, said “a good Jew is a dead Jew” or contained other racist statements which are illegal under French law.-Antisemitic violence has grown in France by 45 per cent in the first eight months of 2012.

Small earthquake rattles western Nebraska
The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 3.6 earthquake happened at 11:21 p.m. Wednesday. It was centered about 18 miles northwest of Hyannis (heye-AN’-us). Grant County Sheriff Shawn Hebbert told The Omaha-World Herald (http://bit.ly/Rbu3zF ) that some people felt the quake, saying it woke them up. The sheriff says he didn’t feel a thing.

East China Sea tension: China conducts naval exercises
China is conducting naval exercises in the East China Sea, state media report, amid heightened tensions with Japan over islands both claim. The exercises are aimed at “sharpening response to emergencies in missions to safeguard territorial sovereignty”, state-run Xinhua news agency said. They involve 11 ships and eight aircraft, including vessels from marine surveillance and fisheries agencies.

EU leaders agree to one banking overseer
EU leaders agreed to create a single banking overseer for the eurozone that could aid ailing banks, but Germany and Britain balked at some details. The 27 EU heads of state and government agreed “on a political framework for the end of 2012 and a gradual implementation in 2013” of a new EU single supervisory mechanism, European Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly said after the first day of a two-day EU leaders’ summit on resolving the eurozone debt crisis. The commission is the EU’s executive body.

Moderate earthquake rattles Egypt, felt in Israel
5.0-magnitude quake comes two days ahead of Israel’s large-scale preparedness drill..

Assad launches new wave of air raids, pounding key Syrian town
Syrian regime warplanes launched a new wave of strikes Thursday on the northwestern town of Maaret al-Numan, seized by rebels last week, an AFP correspondent reported. Fighter jets began overflying and bombarding Maaret al-Numan, located on the main Damascus-Aleppo highway, in the early hours of the morning, targeting the strategic town and its periphery.

More Believe In Space Aliens Than In God According To U.K. Survey
More than 33 million U.K. citizens believe in extraterrestrial life, compared to just over 27 million — less than half the country — who believe in God. That’s the result of an online survey of 1,359 adults who were asked a variety of questions ranging from belief in alien visits to Earth, suspicions of UFO cover-ups, belief in extraterrestrials vs. belief in God, and whether or not men actually landed on the moon.

Gallup study: Only 3.4 percent of US adults are LGBT
A new Gallup survey, touted as the largest of its kind, estimates that 3.4 percent of American adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The findings, released Thursday, were based on interviews with more than 121,000 people. Gallup said it is the largest study ever aimed at calculating the nation’s LGBT population.

(more…)

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Jack Kelly lays out a great comparison below of who the Tribulation is for.  I really like his concise explanation of the different audiences that are present in the Bible.  The majority of confusion surrounding prophecy comes when you do not take the time to put the scripture in context but also identify who the audience is that Jesus and/or God is speaking too.

It is the purpose of the tribulation that always kept coming up when I first started studying prophecy many years ago.  Some of the interpretations just didn’t make sense as to why it was needed.  Christ’s act of grace on the cross is all that we need, as the church, for salvation.  It allowed God to forgive us of our all of our sins: past, present, and future.

Just think about that for a moment…

How powerful is that?  He forgave through one-act of selflessness, all our past sins and our present sins, but also all of our future sins.  We are redeemed!  That to me is just mind-blowing.  He knows our heart and our actions before we even do them.  He knows we will struggle with sin while we are still in this world, but through Christ we have overcome!

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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The Tribulation’s Purpose Vs. The Church’s Nature

by Jack Kelly


Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matt. 25:13)

Those who shy away from the study of prophecy are fond of quoting the above verse as their justification.  But earlier in the same passage, the Lord had admonished all who read His words of prophecy to understand them (Matt 24:15).  In addition the Apostle Paul wrote that the events leading up to the end of the age should not take believers by surprise (1 Thes. 5:4) implying that we should be familiar with them.

Since the Bible cannot contradict itself, Matt. 24:15 must have been aimed at a different audience than Matt. 25:13.  And sure enough, a closer look reveals that both the implied timing and the intended audience of the two Matthew passages are different.  Matt. 24:15  was intended for everyone who would ever read the passage, but in Matt 25:13 the Lord was only speaking to people remaining on Earth at His Second Coming.  We know this because it follows Matt. 24:30 which describes the 2nd Coming.  Matt. 24:36-37 confirms the context to be the 2nd Coming, as does Matt. 25:1.  Of course in 1 Thes 5:4 Paul was addressing the church, who will not be on Earth at the 2nd Coming, but in the presence of the Father (1 Thes. 3:13).

What both the Lord (Matt.24:15) and Paul (1 Thes. 5:4) were saying is that while we won’t know the exact timing of things, we should understand the sequence of events leading up to the Day of the Lord. And perhaps no event in the sequence is more controversial than the Rapture of the Church, especially as it relates to the Great Tribulation.

It seems to me that the first thing we should do in trying to obey the Lord’s commandment to understand all this is to clarify two things, 1) the purpose of the Great Tribulation, 2) the nature of the Church.

The Purpose of the Great Tribulation

The phrase Great Tribulation makes reference to a specific event, not a general condition. While the Lord warned the disciples (more…)

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Pete goes through a lot of the prophecies we are seeing the stage set for.  The headlines he lists are also reflecting the times we live in.  It is a great read, sobering for the saved, and scary to those unsaved.  It might also be a bit jarring for those that don’t believe in the pre-trib rapture.  His last few paragraphs really jumped out at me and rang true, the end is near.

Maranatha – Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

-myblessedhope

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Something Big is Going On – Part 3

By Pete Rose


In the past two articles in this series I have focused mainly on current events such as …

  • Unexplained movements of troops and military equipment
  • Massive ammunition purchases – 1.7 Billion rounds plus – by government agencies, most of it for the Department of Homeland Security
  • The NDAA authorizing indefinite detention of US citizens just on suspicion, no hearing, no trial, no due process
  • Obama issuing one executive order after another seizing control of practically all the nation’s resources, infrastructure, food production, transportation, communication
  • And more…

Some recent developments – from Web reports

  • *Coastal military bases being evacuated over back roads under cover of darkness, cover story is expectation of massive coastal flooding
  • Obama-appointed court overturns permanent injunction on NDAA indefinite detention clause (Yes, all three judges on this court were appointed by Obama)
  • *Obama makes deal with Iran, they will announce a stop to uranium enrichment in return for relaxing of sanctions before the election
  • Huge sinkhole in Louisiana continues to grow, officials worry about huge reserves of liquid butane, propane stored in nearby salt domes amid concern the domes may be tied in with the New Madrid fault
  • Gulf stream has stopped, BP oil spill blamed, will have drastic effects on weather (this dates back to 1910)
  • *Staged bank collapse supposed to take place in late October, all banks will close, credit cards, debit cards, food cards will not work, checks unusable, all money in the banks will be frozen
  • And now, HR6566, a bill directing FEMA to prepare for the possibility of mass fatalities!

*I have no confirmation for these… I’m just putting them out for whatever they’re worth.

In this article I want to focus on prophecies pointing to these events. I have bolded all scriptures and references for ease of locating them.

Bible prophecy in all cases may be taken at face value. These are inspired by the Holy Spirit and can be depended on. Non-biblical prophecies must be judged as to source and accuracy. There are a lot of the latter around today, so be careful what you believe. If you have conflicting prophecies concerning the same event, one or the other has to be false, and both may be. These prophets must be judged based on their past record of accuracy and the witness of the Holy Spirit. If someone makes a specific prophecy and the prophesied event doesn’t happen as prophesied, this person likely prophesied out of his own heart and not by the Holy Spirit, and is not to be believed.

That said, let’s take a look at some Bible prophecies. There are many, many prophecies concerning the end times, so many I will not have room to cover all of them here. But I will try to hit the most important ones.

A quick overview

There is a wealth of prophecy about end time events and conditions in Matthew 24 and Luke 17, and the book of The Revelation focuses almost entirely on end time events. 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 3 provide information on the rapture. 2 Thessalonians 2 warns of the fate of those who are left behind, and gives some clues about the timing of the rapture.

The book of Daniel contains several prophecies concerning the end-times. Some believe Psalm 83 prophesies an end-time attack of nations immediately surrounding Israel, some say it is already fulfilled. It could be both are true, some prophecies do have both a near and a distant fulfillment. Isaiah 17 prophesies the cataclysmic destruction of Damascus and surrounding territory. Ezekiel 37 gives a graphic word picture of the restoration of Israel in the vision of the dry bones. Ezekiel 38-39 describe the end-time invasion of Israel by Russia and the outer band of nations surrounding Israel. Zechariah 14 tells of Christ’s return to Earth and gives a description of the battle of Armageddon. Psalm 2 tells of the rebellion of the heathen, and the judgment that awaits them. Isaiah 11 gives a description of conditions that will prevail during the Kingdom age, the Millennium.

Now some specifics

Daniel 12:1-4 gives some important details of conditions in the end times:

[1] And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. This speaks of the great tribulation which is to come on the whole Earth after the Church is gone. Its purpose is to purify Israel and bring its people into proper relationship with God.

[2] And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” This refers to the resurrection of the just at the time of the rapture, and the resurrection of the unsaved at the time of the Great White Throne judgment. There will be a second resurrection of the just at the end of the Tribulation, as I understand it, of those who were saved during the tribulation and were killed for their faith.

[3] And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” The wise are those who have trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and their brightness is their reward who win souls to Christ.

[4] And thou, o Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end:… Until recent years, portions of the prophecies of Daniel have been sealed, that is their meaning could not be understood except in the context of current events when the time of their fulfillment was close at hand.

…Many shall run to and fro, … Until about the middle of the 18th century all travel was either on foot or with the aid of some sort of animal. With the advent of the railroad and the gasoline engine, all that changed. Now nearly everyone has a car capable of doing 70 miles per hour or faster, we have airplanes which routinely travel at 600 miles per hour and rocketships which have taken men to the moon and back.

…and knowledge shall be increased. Knowledge has increased more in the past century than in all time beyond put together. Sadly, much of today’s knowledge is being used for evil and not for good, such as universal spying, better and more efficient ways of killing people, and genetic tampering on food crops, now known to sicken both people and livestock, and having the potential to contaminate the gene pool worldwide, potentially resulting in famines with the potential to starve millions to death. Genetic tampering, mixing genes from unrelated species, was what ultimately brought on the flood of Noah’s day, because the entire genetic makeup of the world had become corrupted and only Noah and his family remained uncontaminated. This tampering is explicitly mentioned in the apocryphal books of Enoch and Jasher.

Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, chapter 3 verses 1-5, tell of the moral conditions of our day.

[1] This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. Sounds just like conditions today, doesn’t it? And much of this has come about just in my lifetime.

2 Thessalonians chapter 2 tells about the coming of the Antichrist, and gives a hint concerning the rapture. I recommend you read the entire book.

[6] And now you know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only he who now letteth [withholds, restrains]will letuntil he be taken out of the way. [8] And thenshall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they might believe a lie; [12] That they might all be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (Emphasis added.)

In verses six and seven we have the Restrainer. We believe this is none other than the Holy Spirit dwelling in all born again Christians in this world. Since we are all sealed with the Holy Spirit, the only way the Restrainer can be removed is to remove us, the Church, the Ekklesia, the called out assembly of believers in Jesus Christ. Then and only then can the Antichrist be revealed (verse 8), and there is a massive push on right now for the formation of one world government and one world religion, to be led by this evil man. All the events I have made note of in my previous articles in this series are setting the stage for that eventuality. The Department of Homeland Security procuring 1.7 Billion rounds of ammunition, FEMA camps equipped with guillotines, FEMA being directed to make preparations for massive fatalities, cover stories of expectation of mega-catastrophes, what does all of this tell you? Something BIG IS going on. Verse 9 tells who is behind all of this, none other than Satan himself. Verses 10-12 tell of the fate of those who have willfully rejected Jesus in this age, they won’t get a second chance once the rapture has come and they are left behind. They will all fall prey to the delusion that the antichrist is God, and will all be condemned with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tell of the rapture, how it will happen.

[16] For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The dead will arise and join us who are still living, we will all receive our glorified bodies and in an instant be caught up together to join Jesus in the air, to be escorted to Heaven. I recommend you read the whole chapter.

1 Corinthians 15 gives an in depth discussion of the resurrection, then details what will happen to us when that event happens:

[51] Behold I show a mystery; we shall not all sleep [die], but we shall be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [23] For this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality. So it will all happen in an instant, Greek Atomos, the smallest possible division of time. A nanosecond, a New York Minute. (What is a New York Minute? That’s the time between when the light turns green and the cabbie behind you blows his horn. Joke! It’ll happen much quicker than than a New York minute.) Read the whole chapter.

The gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, gives many details of things that will be happening just before Jesus returns for His own. Wars and rumors of wars. Nation against nation and tribe against tribe (verses 6-7). Persecution (verse 9). Betrayal (verse 10). False prophets (verse 11). Many of them nowadays.

Verse 12: Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Lots of that already, and much worse to come.

[13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. This is tribulation prophecy. Those who receive Jesus after the rapture and maintain their faith to the end of the tribulation shall be saved. That is not for this present age.

[14] Gospel of the Kingdom preached to all the world. This will happen during the tribulation. God’s grace again, not willing that any should perish, but that all should find repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Sadly, many will refuse it.

[15] Abomination of desolation in the holy place… Hasn’t happened yet. This will happen sometime around the midpoint of the tribulation. Tribulation events continue through verse 31.

Be aware that not all of the events of Matthew 24 are in chronological order. The parts concerning the rapture follow the parts about events during the tribulation, but precede the latter in their happening.

Now the key-Israel’s restoration as a nation:

[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know summer is nigh: [33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. [34] Verily I say to you, this generation shall not pass, until all these things be fulfilled.

The fig tree is a prophetic symbol of Israel. The putting forth of leaves is symbolic of the nation of Israel, scattered all over the world for nearly 2000 years, being restored as a nation in May 1948. Verse 33-Jesus makes the point, when you see all these signs happening, wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, storms, moral collapse etc. and you see Israel restored as a nation, know that the end is near. Jesus described this period as being like birth pangs, starting off mild and infrequent, then increasing in both intensity and frequency until the baby is born. The pangs are now increasing at an exponential rate, and things are rapidly coming to a head. Then verse 34 gives a very big hint to the approximate time of the rapture-the generation that sees all these things begin to happen will not pass away until all is fulfilled. And all means all the way up to the end of the tribulation period, at least another seven years after the rapture. According to the Bible the usual lifespan of a generation is 70 years, if by strength, 80. It has now been close to 63 years since Israel once again became a nation, and if the rapture were to happen today there would still be at least seven years until the end of all that Jesus prophesied.

No man knows the day and hour (the exact time) of the rapture, but I truly believe He is telling us we will know when that time is near. I believe that we are in that time now.

Verses 37-39 give some clues as to what things will be like at the time of His coming.

[37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking. Marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so also shall the coming of the Son of man be.

Noah preached for some 200 years while the ark was being constructed, and nobody listened. When the flood came, only Noah, his family, and the animals brought into the ark, were saved. So it is in the days leading up to the rapture, it’s business as usual for the world and will be right up until the rapture. And very few people are paying any attention.

[40] Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken, the other left. [41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; one shall be taken and the other left. A perfect picture of the rapture.

[42] Watch therefore for you know not what hour your Lord doth come. This I believe is another clue to the timing of the rapture, it will come at a time when no one is expecting it. Once the tribulation is underway, things are going to be anything but business as usual. It will be chaos. Once we’ve received Jesus our salvation is assured, nevertheless if we don’t live it out, we can lose our reward. See 1 Corinthians chapter 3 for details.

1 Thessalonians 5:9: For God hath not appointed us to judgment, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. More assurance of our eternal salvation in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:10, from Jesus’ seven letters to seven churches: Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them who dwell upon the earth.

This was addressed to the church at Philadelphia, generally considered to represent the believing church in the world at this time, and is another argument in favor of a pre-tribulation rapture. It is one of seven letters from the Lord Jesus to seven churches of His day, usually thought to be representative of various conditions of churches through history, from His day to our day.

There’s much more about the tribulation and the end times especially from Revelation 4 and onward, and another hint of the pre-tribulation rapture, and all the plagues God will pour out on the world once we are gone. It tells among other things of a totalitarian dictator who will seek to control the whole world, and we are seeing preparations for that in progress in this day and time. And this is what I have been seeking to emphasize all the way through this series.

We are in critical times. Preparations for the one world government are well underway and the big push is on. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 we must be gone before the antichrist can be revealed, and that can only mean one thing in the context of today’s events: The time of the rapture must be very close. There is only one way you can prepare and be ready for evacuation in the rapture, and that is to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. The only way you can do that is to let go of your sins, turn to Jesus and invite Him into your life by an act of your will. If you have never received Jesus into your life and the rapture happens, you will be left behind and will go into the tribulation period. Yes, a great multitude will be saved in the tribulation but for most it will be at the cost of their physical life. Revelation 20:4 speaks of the souls beheaded for their witness of Jesus and the word of God. This is as real as it gets. I have seen the reports of guillotines in the FEMA camps and I believe they are real.

But don’t think you can willfully reject Jesus now and expect to be saved after the rapture. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 plainly says if you’ve done that you will be sent strong delusion, and you will believe the lie that the antichrist is God, and you will be cast into the lake of fire where he is going, to be tormented in flames for ever and ever. Believe me you don’t want to go there. And you don’t have to.

This is your watchman-on-the-wall warning. The horn is sounding. The enemy (Satan incarnate) is coming. Don’t let him take you. Trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved and rescued and safe from the enemy. Do it now! Reject Jesus and the enemy sooner or later will get you and take you to hell to live forever in eternal torment.

Romans 10:9-13: That if thou shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord is rich unto all who call upon him. [13]For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The choice is up to you, You must decide for yourself. I can’t do it for you. Do it today, do it now.

Pete Rose

email: wvhillbilly737@suddenlink.net

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In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

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Over the last year it has become harder and harder to have a conversation about faith.  I have felt a hardening of positions on both sides.  we see this in politics too.  On the faith side, it stands out to me that more and more, we feel as if we may suffer some fallout from sharing our faith and the Gospel.  Not outright persecution but blowback from differences in opinion, and a general feeling that we need to keep it to ourselves.

What Jeff shares in the article below is something I have felt to varying degrees over the last couple of years.  It’s roots come from the doctrine of the Emergent church.  The ideas are infecting our chruches and leading many off the narrow path.  We need to pray that through us planting seeds, God can pull them back onto the correct path.

Maranatha – Come quickly Lord!

-myblessedhope

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False Sense of Security

By Jeff Patty


I had a short discussion the other day with a co-worker concerning Biblical matters. It’s not the first time, and it probably won’t be the last. It became a little heated, but the co-worker seems to like heated arguments, and he seems to be more desiring to push peoples’ buttons than usual. I believe the reasons are twofold. One, he has a liberal view of Christianity, and two, he has a liberal view of politics. And as the election gets closer, he gets more aggressive and outspoken about all his liberal beliefs.

I like my co-worker; he’s funny and can be caring. And I also love and care for him as a person. But, his liberal views of the Bible and his liberal interpretation gravely concern me. You see, he claims to be a Christian and seems bold at times in proclaiming it. And at times he will say things that I totally agree with and it seems like he’s getting a grasp on the Word. But then he’ll start talking to someone, and it’s so unbiblical it’s scary! Yet he’s convinced he’s right and he’s convincing others at work that don’t know any better that he’s right. Something I like to say about people who treat the Word like this is, “They treat the Bible like it’s a salad bar. They take what they want and leave the rest.” This perfectly describes my co-worker.

I’ll give some examples of what I’ve overheard and even had brief discussions with him about. Once I heard him say very boldly that, “The book of Revelation is a pile of horse****!” Another time he said, “John the Revelator must have gotten ahold of some bad mushrooms on the Island of Patmos, because he was crazy! He believes prophecy is total nonsense. And the other thing of great concern, he has no problem with profanity, especially using the Lord’s name in vain. I don’t know how many times a day he does, I just know that I hear every form of it at least two dozen times each day at work. Minimum! It’s the same as you or I saying, “and, or but, or the” while making a statement. And he never shows any remorse or guilt for the profanity. The only thing I’ve ever known him to show guilt for is gossip. Which is good, and it’s something we all probably struggle with to some degree and should feel guilt for and ask forgiveness for but the profanity isn’t an issue for him.

Neither is sexual immorality. He is a big supporter of anything and everything homosexual. He’s single and has never been married and he’s in his early fifties. I’ve even heard him state a couple of different times that he still hopes to meet someone and get married someday and he knows God has someone for him whoever HE or SHE may be. The first time I heard him say that, I convinced myself that I didn’t hear him right. He wasn’t talking to me, I just overheard him, and so I dismissed it. The second time I heard him; there was no mistaking what he said. This is one of the scriptures he leaves out or throws away, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” Romans 1:26-27 (KJV)

He listens to and follows a couple of famous pastors or, “Life Coaches” as they like to be called today, that feed people what I like to call, “Cotton Candy and Kool-Aid.” Fluff. Even though I would never introduce him to the following people, he would love the “Religious Left” teachings of Brian McLaren and Rob Bell. My co-worker hates the Jews for “occupying the Palestinians’ territory,” and he believes God is a God of love and would never send anybody to Hell. And at other times he even says there is no Hell. So if he ever becomes aware of McLaren and Bell, he’ll have their collected works. Both of these men are a big part of the emergent movement that is destroying Christianity. McLaren and Bell are the types of teachers spoken of in 2 Peter 1:1-2: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (KJV)

He recently recovered from lung cancer and it almost appears that he was miraculously healed. He claims it was through the power of prayer. Maybe it was, I don’t know. He says he must have a purpose, that’s why God has spared him, more than once. He’s had a lot of other close calls. Maybe. But I can’t help but think: maybe he was spared to deceive people. You see, I believe that Satan has the power to heal. He tries to imitate God. They’re pale imitations for sure, but he is able to imitate to some degree. A fascinating and frightening book that I highly recommend is, The Beautiful Side of Evil, by Johanna Michaelsen. In it she talks about when she was involved in the occult with a psychic healer and learning the craft, and how she witnessed many healings of individuals. Some were healed for only short periods of time, others for very long periods of time. Even before she became born-again she felt an evil presence during these sessions. Once she was saved she knew the healings were demonic. Now I’m not saying my co-worker is possessed, but I do believe that because of his preaching of another gospel, he could be being used to lead people astray. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Gal 1:6-9 (KJV)

Like the “Religious Left,” my co-worker seems to have an animosity towards anyone who exposes conservative Christian values. We’re seen as hateful, intolerant and judgmental. And it’s not just him but anyone else with his worldview. I’m convinced that this type of attitude and treatment will become more pronounced and accepted in the near future. I believe the day is quickly coming when it will be dangerous for a true believer to voice his or her convictions in this country, even in a small town like mine.

I haven’t written this article to judge my co-worker or belittle him. I’m sincerely concerned for his soul. He truly believes he is saved yet, the evidence suggests otherwise. I fear he has a false sense of security. And what really bothers me is, in my experience, these are the types of people that are the hardest to reach. If it’s someone who maybe isn’t necessarily an atheist, but they don’t claim to be a Christian, you can present them with the Gospel. Build a foundation. But for someone who believes they are a born-again Christian, whether through heritage or just saying it, it’s hard to say anything that doesn’t offend them or put them on the defensive. I will readily admit I have a hard time knowing how to talk to this particular co-worker and anyone else of a similar mindset. Where I work, and the area where I live, it is populated with a huge amount of people with this mindset, yet their lifestyle isn’t remotely Christian. Quite the opposite. But they believe they have secured a home in Heaven. Maybe I’m naive. Maybe it’s this way everywhere. I fear that it is. It’s a symptom of the condition of our churches. Churches that are all too willing to feed on cotton candy and kool-aid.

I will pray for my co-worker and others like him, and try to set a godly example and be a good witness. That may be more effective than words.

www.jeffpatty.com

jeff@jeffpatty.com

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

A lot of articles this week so far, may prophecies in play…

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Ukraine takes aim against ‘gay propaganda’
the bill would prevent anyone sending out a message that there is nothing wrong with being gay – whether in a newspaper editorial, a public speech or parade. This bill’s authors have cited films like Brokeback Mountain as an example.

Pro-‘gay marriage’ ads labeled ‘con job’
The ads feature heterosexuals promoting homosexual marriage. According to an Associated Press report, one ad features a husband and wife talking “fondly” of a lesbian couple in their neighborhood; another a pastor talking “supportively” of same-sex unions; and still another a married couple wanting “fair treatment” for their lesbian daughter. But missing from the ads are … homosexuals.

Iran a factor in early Israeli elections, says Rubin
A U.S.-born Israeli author and former politician says it was a “wise” political move by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call for early elections in Israel.

Congress sets hearing as conflicting reports cloud Benghazi terror attack
Congress, angered by reports that the State Department failed to take seriously threats by Al Qaida, plans to investigate the storming of the American consulate in Libya in which four diplomats were killed.

Turkey threatens force as ‘worst-case scenario’ to change Syrian regime
Turkey has suggested that it would invade Syria to end the regime of President Bashar Assad. For the first time, Turkey has warned of what its president termed a “worst-case scenario” in Syria. Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Ankara would continue to attack Syria to protect against shelling and other operations against Turkey.

Syrian rebels capture Hizbullah fighters ‘in full combat gear’
“The 13 Hizbullah fighters, in full combat gear, were manning security and military checkpoints in the Homs countryside,” FSA spokesman Fahd Al Masri said. “They were not on a religious, tourist or family visit to the region.” Over the last two months, FSA has captured scores of Hizbullah operatives in Syria. FSA said many of the detainees had been assigned to quell Sunni rebel operations around Aleppo, Damascus and Homs.

Earthquakes in North Texas in late September were just flukes
The three earthquakes that shook North Texas late last month left many mildly rattled residents scratching their heads. North Texas is not on any major fault lines, and area residents are likely more familiar with tornadoes than other violent natural disruptions, but the two earthquakes that struck West Dallas and Irving on September 29 registered a 3.4 and 3.1 on the Richter scale, respectively. A third quake in Irving the next day registered at 2.1

American seismologist predicts an increase in seismic activity in Baku and on the Absheron peninsula
At the International Seismology Conference taking place in Baku American scientist and seismologist Robert King has informed that in Baku and Absheron peninsula it is expected an increase in seismic activity as a result of compression fracture between the Minor and the Greater Caucasus.

Mali Islamists ‘buying child soldiers, imposing Sharia’
Islamists who seized control of part of Mali are amassing money from ransoms and drug trafficking while imposing Sharia law, says a senior UN official. They are also buying child soldiers, paying families $600 (£375) per child, Ivan Simonovic said after a fact-finding visit to the country. Islamic extremists seized two-thirds of Mali in March when a military coup plunged the country into chaos.

Russia Won’t Renew Pact on Weapons With U.S.
The Russian government said Wednesday that it would not renew a hugely successful 20-year partnership with the United States to safeguard and dismantle nuclear and chemical weapons in the former Soviet Union when the program expires next spring, a potentially grave setback in the already fraying relationship between the former cold war enemies.

Islam appears to spread in Haiti, a country where Christianity and Voodoo hold sway
What’s helped pull her through all the grief, she said, has been her faith, but not of the Catholic, Protestant or even Voodoo variety that have predominated in this island country. Instead, she’s converted to a new religion here, Islam, and built a small neighborhood mosque out of cinderblocks and plywood, where some 60 Muslims pray daily.

Magnitude-5.3 earthquake shakes Costa Rica
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake occurred at 6:19 a.m. (8:19 EST; 12:19 GMT) and was centered eight miles (14 kilometers) north-northeast of the town of Nicoya. The epicenter was about 22 miles (35 kilometers) below the surface.

Putin seeks to expand energy and military ties with Iraq, reviving Soviet-era relationship
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday pushed for closer energy and military co-operation with Iraq, seeking to rebuild ties that withered after Saddam Hussein’s downfall and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Panetta: US sends forces to Jordan
The United States has sent military troops to the Jordan-Syria border to bolster that country’s military capabilities in the event that violence escalates along its border with Syria, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday. Speaking at a NATO conference of defense ministers in Brussels, Panetta said the U.S. has been working with Jordan to monitor chemical and biological weapons sites in Syria’

Ignoring threats, Jordanian sworn in as Israel envoy
The new Jordanian ambassador to Israel, Walid Obeidat, was sworn in Monday before King Abdullah after rejecting threats from his powerful clan not to accept the job. The ceremony was attended by Jordanian Foreign Minister Naser Judeh. Obeidat chose to ignore his family’s threats that they would “disown” him if he agreed to serve as ambassador to Israel.

Pope Benedict XVI prays in Arabic for the first time
The Arabic blessing – the first time the language has been used at such an event – was part of a Vatican attempt to reach out more to Christians and Muslims in the Middle East.

Anti-Semitism on the Temple Mount
A young British Jewish student was reportedly accosted by Wakf officials, who demanded that he remove his yarmulke, which they said they found to be “offensive.” Rather than get into an altercation, the student chose to leave, later telling reporters that, “I have experienced anti-Semitism in England, but I never thought that in Judaism’s holiest site I would be subjugated to such discrimination.”

MP: Turkish army can reach Damascus for three hours
In the event of a war with Syria, the Turkish army will need only three hours to reach the country’s capital Damascus, Turkish TV channel Beyaz TV quotes MP from the ruling Justice and Development Party Samil Tayar as saying on Wednesday. MP emphasized that Ankara is fully ready for military actions.

Russia warns against use of force against Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Wednesday, Oct 10, that the use of force against Tehran would spell the end of the negotiating process on Iran’s nuclear program, RIA Novosti reported. “Time and again we hear threats that if there is no progress on Iran’s nuclear program only one option will remain – the use of force. We hope that will never happen,” he said.

Texas schools punish students who refuse to be tracked with microchips
A school district in Texas came under fire earlier this year when it announced that it would require students to wear microchip-embedded ID cards at all times. Now, students who refuse to be monitored say they are feeling the repercussions. …Hernandez said in an interview with Salon that subjecting herself to constant monitoring through an RFID chip is like being branded with the “mark of the beast” – a reference to the Bible’s apocalyptic Book of Revelations.

Almost 40 Earthquakes Hit Near Reykjavík
The epicenter of the earthquake swarm lies to the southeast of Bláfjöll. On Friday, the area was hit by a stronger earthquake of a magnitude of 3.8, ruv.is reports.

Are Businesses Quietly Preparing for a Financial Apocalypse?
As investors, we can infer quite a bit from corporations’ inability (or unwillingness) to deploy their cash. For one, it indicates that business have assumed a very defensive stance. Cash, of course, is a buffer against uncertainty – the uncertainty that business slows for any reason. Management wants a healthy cash reserve with which to pay the bills and remain liquid should anything unexpected happen.

No Currencies Will Survive What Lies Ahead, But That’s OK
The Portola Group, warned about a chaotic future where, “Along the way, various currencies will become the safe haven of the day, but none will survive what lies ahead.” He also cautioned, “No amount of printing or economic growth can prevent our destiny of currency destruction and entitlement collapse.”

Obama’s ring: ‘There is no god but Allah’
…the ring Obama has been wearing for more than 30 years is adorned with the first part of the Islamic declaration of faith, the Shahada: “There is no God except Allah.”

No tsunami threat from southwestern Pacific quake
A preliminary 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck 452 miles northwest of the Balleny Islands region early this morning at 2:32 a.m., but presented no tsunami threat to Hawaii, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Magnitude 4.5 earthquake rattles Montreal area, no reports of damage
An earthquake rattled the Montreal region early Wednesday, waking up some people but causing no injuries or serious damage. The magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck shortly after midnight and was centered about 23 miles (37 kilometers) southeast of Montreal, said Natural Resources Canada seismologist Allison Bent in Ottawa.

US-Israel reportedly discussing joint ‘surgical strike’ on Iran
Israel and the US are reportedly working on a limited joint attack on Iran aimed at setting the country’s nuclear program back several years without inflaming the region, a source close to talks between the nations said.

Study: One-Third Of Adults Under 30 Have No Religious Affiliation
One-fifth of American adults have no religious affiliation, and this number is increasing rapidly. The number of Americans who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a fast pace. One-fifth of the U.S. public – and a third of adults under 30 – are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling.

Official: Syria debating full military mobilization
President Bashar al-Assad of Syria held a meeting today with his regime’s army leadership to discuss the possibility of a full general military mobilization to face the prospect of war with Turkey, according to a senior Syrian official speaking to WND. The official said no decision has been taken about whether to mobilize all branches or to call up the reserves, citing an argument at the meeting that Syria doesn’t want to be seen as taking the first major step toward war.

Al-Maliki eyes $5 billion defense deal with Russia
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki set off for Moscow yesterday to sign a $5 billion contract for the sale of weapons including fighter jets, helicopters, anti-aircraft missile systems and armored vehicles to Baghdad, according to a Russian newspaper. If the deal takes place, Iraq will be among five largest importers of Russian arms, according to Pravda.

Egypt’s President Mursi pardons ‘revolutionaries’
Egypt’s President, Mohammed Mursi, has pardoned all those arrested since the beginning of last year’s popular uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak. A post on the president’s official Facebook page announced an amnesty for crimes and misdemeanours committed “in support of the revolution”. The decree could lead to the release of several thousand people.

IMF sees ‘alarmingly high’ risk of fresh global slump
“Risks for recession in the advanced economies are alarmingly high,” said the Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook. “The intensity of the euro area crisis has not abated as assumed in previous projections.”

Earth’s outer layers may be spinning over molten core
At various times in Earth’s history, the planet’s solid exterior — its crust and mantle layers — has apparently drifted over the planet’s spinning core. To picture this, imagine that a peach’s flesh somehow became detached from a peach’s pit and was free to move about over it.

UAE: Gulf must tackle Muslim Brotherhood threat
Gulf Arab countries should work together to stop Islamist group the Muslim Brotherhood plotting to undermine governments in the region, the United Arab Emirates’ foreign minister said on Monday.

Obama announces César Chávez monument
Obama traveled to Southern California on Monday to announce the establishment of a national monument to the Mexican-American union organizer César Chávez, while offering Hispanic voters a subtle nudge less than a month before Election Day.

Indonesia Earthquake: Maluku Hit By 6.3-Magnitude Quake In Eastern Indonesia
A strong earthquake shook parts of eastern Indonesia on Monday, sending residents and hotel guests running out of their rooms, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Indonesia’s meteorology and geophysics agency said there was no danger of a tsunami. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured magnitude 6.3 and was centered 139 kilometers (86 miles) southeast of Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, at a depth of 34 kilometers (21 miles).

6.0 earthquake strikes off northwest Mexico – USGS
“We felt it hard, and it shook the building like we’ve never felt before,” said Rafael Ines, an editor at Los Mochis paper El Debate. “It was a pretty hardcore shake.”

Call to Separate Jews, Arabs on Temple Mount
The call came less than an hour after a rabbi and two Jews were arrested on suspicion of “praying” on the site, just hours before the start of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. One of the two Jews had three of his children with him at the time. In addition, an Arab was arrested in connection with violent riots on the site that had taken place two days earlier in which worshipers hurled rocks at police as they left the mosque after prayers.

 

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

Another packed week of prophecy headlines…

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Three Star General: Muslim Brotherhood Has Infiltrated Our Government
U.S. Army Lieutenant General (Ret.) William Jerry Boykin claims that individuals with connections to the Muslim Brotherhood hold security clearances in both the Pentagon and the Department of Defense. Boykin says Republicans should have listened to Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn), who was correct to be concerned over possible Muslim Brotherhood ties of Huma Abedin, Sec. of State Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff.

AP Interview: Ahmadinejad pushes new world order
fter an hour of fielding questions about Syria, sanctions and nuclear weapons, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had enough. Now, he said, it was his turn to choose the topic — his “new order” which will inevitably replace the current era of what he called U.S. bullying.

Iran official: ‘Big war’ means Mahdi’s coming
For the first time, Iran’s highest-ranking military official has tied the reappearance of the last Islamic messiah to the regime being prepared to go to a war based on ideology. “With having the treasure of the Holy Defense, Valayat (Guardianship of the Jurist) and martyrs, we are ready for a big war,” Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said, according to Mashregh news, which is run by the Revolutionary Guards.

Skewed polls indicate Obama’s in trouble – not Romney
The absurdity of the skewed sample models in those polls is one thing, but what conservatives need to understand is that polls skewed to heavily favor Democrats logically point to one very important fact – Obama is in big trouble.

Muslims protest at US Embassy in Bangkok
Islamic protesters have pushed barricades and confronted police in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok during a rally against a video produced in the United States that denigrates the Prophet Muhammad. About 300 police officers were maintaining order Thursday as around 200 men and boys rallied.

Honeymoon Over as Markets Brace for Volatile Times
The message from this week’s sell off in global stock markets could not be clearer: The summer time rally, fueled by optimism over central bank stimulus measures, is now over and it’s time to brace for a period of renewed volatility and uncertainty, analysts say. …A retreat in global markets, which have seen stellar gains over the last three months, reflects a shift in sentiment among investors, analysts say.

Fed Virtually Funding the Entire US Deficit: Lindsey
The latest round of extraordinary Federal Reserve stimulus is risky and leaves little room to maneuver should another crisis hit, economist Lawrence Lindsey told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Wednesday. Lindsey said that with the Fed purchasing at least $40 billion a month in mortgage debt through QE3, “they are buying the entire deficit.”

Half of Israelis ‘fear for the state’s existence’ if war breaks out with Iran
Something has evidently happened to Israelis’ famed self-confidence: Only a quarter of those questioned said they do not fear for the state’s future in a scenario in which Israel and Iran go to war.

Creepy anarchists plot Halloween terror
In a creepy posting, the Occupy movement is calling for a “Halloween night party” in Washington, D.C., next month in which protesters are asked to wear masks to “trick or treat” Congress and “party like we’ve never partied before.”

Meet the world’s first transhumanist politician
Transhumanism is a philosophical doctrine that aims to continuously improve humanity. It promotes science and technology but with people at its centre. Ultimately, it aims to free humanity from its biological limitations, overcoming natural evolution to make us more than human.

Volcano erupts with smoke on Sumatra
Mount Marapi’s eruption on Wednesday is its strongest since August last year, when its status was raised to level three out of four. Suparno, who uses one name, says there is no plan for an evacuation because the nearest villages are far beyond the danger zone of three kilometres from the crater.

Sumatran earthquakes in April were part of tectonic plate breakup
The first of the quakes, a magnitude 8.7, was 20 times more powerful than California’s long anticipated “big one” and tore a complex network of faults deep in the ocean floor. The violence also triggered unusually large aftershocks thousands of miles away, including four off North America’s western coast. “It was jaw-dropping,” said Thorne Lay, a professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UC Santa Cruz. “It was like nothing we’d ever seen.”

Deputy FM: US, Israeli red lines on Iran growing closer
The US and Israel are continuing to work on defining “red lines” for Iran’s nuclear program, even if they are not publicly notifying Tehran or the world, deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Thursday. …Ayalon said Jerusalem’s and Washington’s positions regarding Iran are drawing closer together, despite a recent public spat …over the US’s refusal to set an ultimatum on Iran in public.

Netanyahu pledges fitting response to Ahmadinejad speech
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu left hours after Yom Kippur Wednesday night for New York to address the UN, pledging to give a fitting response to Iran’s desire to “sentence us to death.”

Anti-cuts protests erupt on streets of Athens and Madrid
Demonstrators have clashed with police on the streets of Athens and Madrid in an upsurge of popular anger at new austerity measures being imposed on two of the euro zone’s most vulnerable economies.

Strong earthquake jolts Alaska’s Aleutian Islands
Seismologists say a strong earthquake has jolted Alaska’s sparsely populated western Aleutian islands. There are no immediate reports of injury or damage from Wednesday’s earthquake. Its magnitude was initially reported as 6.9 but officials later revised that to 6.4.

France to Eliminate Words ‘Mother,’ ‘Father’ From Documents
A proposal to legalize gay marriage in France would also abolish all references to “mothers” and fathers” in official documents. Under the draft bill, same-sex marriages would become legal, and gay couples would have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples. The bill would also do away with all references to “mothers and fathers” in the civil code and replace them with the gender-neutral term “parents.”

Romney: Ahmadinejad is ‘voice of unspeakable evil’
His comment came a day after the Iranian president, in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, said Israel had “no roots” in the Middle East, and that the Israelis “represent minimal disturbances that come into the picture and are then eliminated,” and following comments from senior Iranian military officers threatening war with Israel.

Israel comes to a halt for Yom Kippur
Israel came to a virtual standstill at sundown Tuesday as Jews began observing the start of the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the 25 hours of fasting and contemplation known as Yom Kippur. Israel’s security establishment and emergency services have been put on high alert Tuesday ahead of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

Russia suspends import and use of American GM corn after study revealed cancer risk
Russia has suspended the import and use of an American GM corn following a study suggesting a link to breast cancer and organ damage. Separately, the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA), has ordered its own review in to the research, which was conducted at a French university.

Mexican Volcano Popocatépetl Eruptions Increase
At least 26 eruptions accompanied by steam and gas, as well as a volcano tectonic quake were registered as a consequence of the Mexican volcano Popocatépetl activity during the last hours, it was reported Tuesday. The National Center of Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) said eruptions were of low and medium intensity with no ash expulsion in any of them.

Five People Suspected to Have Contracted SARS-Like Virus in Denmark
Hospital sources said five people have manifested symptoms of a SARS-like virus. They have been taken and admitted to the Odense University Hospital in central Denmark. The five suspected patients are now undergoing medical examinations for signs of infection from a new strain of corona virus.

Viral Disease Chikungunya Affects 100 Residents in Southern Philippines
A new viral disease “chikungunya” has affected over a hundred residents of two villages in Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Victims showed symptoms such fever, rashes, joint pain. The World Health Organization (WHO) described Chikungunya as a viral disease. It can be transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The name “Chikungunya” refers to the “stooped” appearance of those suffering with joint pain, WHO added that its symptoms–in the form of high fever, joint pain, joint swelling, rash, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and fatigue–appear between 4 to 7 days after the patient has been bitten by the infected mosquito.

6.2-magnitude earthquake rattles Mexico’s southern Baja California coast
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake rattled the southern part of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula Tuesday and was felt strongly in the city of La Paz.

Egypt paper launches campaign against Prophet Muhammad cartoons
An Egyptian newspaper has launched a campaign against the obscene cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad published by the French magazine, Charlie Hebdo. Al-Watan, a secular daily, published 13 cartoons on Monday under the slogan “Fight cartoons with cartoons”. One shows a pair of glasses through which the burning World Trade Center is seen, with the caption: “Western glasses for the Islamic world”.

New type of Swine Flu detected in Ontario not related to US outbreaks
The infection was caused by an H1N1-variant virus, which is not the swine flu virus that has been jumping from pigs to people in the United States this summer.

U.S. reports first death from new swine flu; 288 cases of H3N2 in the last year
The CDC says the person had multiple health problems, which can raise an individual’s risk of suffering from severe influenza if he or she is infected. The CDC is also reporting an additional 12 human cases of H3N2-variant flu, bringing the total since last July to 288.

Yosemite hantavirus warning now includes 22,000 visitors; 3 dead
U.S. officials recently sounded a worldwide alert, saying that up to 10,000 people were thought to be at risk of contracting hantavirus pulmonary syndrome after staying at the popular Curry Village lodging area between June and August.

New SARS-related virus believed to have killed at least one and left another in critical condition
The germ is a coronavirus, from a family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as SARS, the severe acute respiratory syndrome that killed some 800 people, mostly in Asia, in a 2003 epidemic.

President Obama Declares The Future Must Not Belong to Practicing Christians
the President of the United States declared that the future does not belong to practicing Christians. Already, the media and the left are in full denial, probably based on their general lack of understanding of theology. This would have been a gaffe had Mitt Romney said it. But with Barack Obama, he’s just speaking bold truths.

Earthquake shakes northern Afghanistan
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck in the northern Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan on Tuesday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The quake hit at a depth of 33 kilometres some 48 kilometres (30 miles) southeast of Kunduz, capital of Kunduz province, in the early afternoon, according to a preliminary report by the US Geological Survey.

More countries restrict Internet to stifle critics: report
Government restrictions on the Internet have risen over the past year around the world as regimes use violence against bloggers and turn to censorship and arrest to squelch calls for reform, a new report from a U.S. advocacy group has found. Pakistan, Bahrain and Ethiopia saw the biggest rollbacks in Internet freedom since January 2011 and were among the 20 countries out of 47 assessed by Freedom House that declined in their rankings.

In New York, defiant Ahmadinejad says Israel will be ‘eliminated’
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday Israel has no roots in the Middle East and would be “eliminated,” ignoring a U.N. warning to avoid incendiary rhetoric ahead of the annual General Assembly session. Ahmadinejad also said he did not take seriously the threat that Israel could launch a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, denied sending arms to Syria, and alluded to Iran’s threats to the life of British author Salman Rushdie.

Threats from Iran that it will attack the forces of the U.S. or any country that tries to take out its nuclear program are not mere boasts, experts sa
Security forces will be standing by on Tuesday and Wednesday at cemeteries, synagogues and prayer sites and thousands of police officers will be fully deployed and stationed at city entrances, areas with large crowds and sensitive locations.

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

I have been struggling over the last few years with feeling like I don’t fit in to any of the churches we have belonged to.  This has weighed heavily upon me as the Spiritual Leader of my family.  I take the Lord’s word very seriously.

The feeling has just been that things just aren’t right, not foundational enough, as if we are drifting when we try to assimilate with the other members.  I have seen flashes here or there but nothing solid that I feel I want to anchor my family to.

I have been told by friend and family that I just need to get more involved and the reason that I don’t feel comfortable is that I am not truly part of the “family”, but that doesn’t resonate well when I search my heart.  It is deeper than that.  The reasons I have resisted are captured well in the articles below.  I couldn’t have summed them up better.  I feel like I am being called to something bigger, something I can anchor my family on.  I am just not sure where that is.  Until I find out, we will stay immersed in the word of God during this journey, trusting in Him alone.

I share these words and the two articles below in hopes that they resonate with others that are on the same path as me, maybe in a similar state.  I was asked recently how I come up with the posts that I put up here.  I don’t think I answered him clearly at the time but I can tell you I feel led to these topics by the Holy Spirit.

This morning I sat down at six something in the morning (later than normal), and starring through sleep weary eyes at my Bible.  I prayed for the Lord to show me his will and give me discernment as I usually do each day.  I wasn’t sure what part of the word I should read this morning so I started flipping through the new testament of a new Bible I had purchased.  The title of the section for Philippians 3:18 – 4:1 caught my eye.  I can’t even tell you offhand what the title was but I started reading. When I was done, I felt as thought the Lord had shown me what I needed.

Did I know exactly what that was?  No, but I have found through faith that if I ponder those verses throughout the day, He will lead me where He wants me to be.  Some days it is clearer than others.  Today I know it was crystal clear at about 9am.  When I got to about 80% of the way through Tucker’s article below, there it was Philippians 3:18 – 4:1 with the words “stand fast” underlined.  It all became clear.  The other articles I had highlighted to post later today aligned perfectly to what I read and was feeling in my soul.

Again, I share this because I want others to know that the Holy Spirit does work in our lives every day.  Is it a voice from above, a vision, or a dream?  No, nothing that dramatic for me, it is simply a feeling, a thought, or a prompting, that if I listen to it (this is key) then I can know God’s will for me that day and feel at peace.

We need to quiet this noisy, busy world and slow down enough to hear it.  And it isn’t going to be something large most of the time.  There is a reason Jesus used the analogy of sowing seeds.  Seeds are small, tiny in a lot of cases, but they grow into enormous plants.  The same is true of the gospel, we are simply asked to sow the seeds (i.e. plant the seed).  God’s word and the Holy Spirit make it grow. So maybe this post and article are the seed for someone, or maybe you are feeling the same as me and this encourages you as it did me to stand strong, stand fast.

We ARE being called to be part of His Remnant Church.  I feel the call.  Do you?

Maranatha! – Lord Come Quickly!

-myblessedhope

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The Rise of the Remnant Church I

By Tucker Whitaker


Definition: Remnant – that which remains, or is set apart. A distinct part of a larger whole.

In these last days, I believe God is still doing a work that will impact the world. I believe He is calling out a Holy Remnant Church, dedicated to Jesus Christ and focused on doing His work during these last days. I believe God is raising up a church that is committed to Him and His cause who are a holy remnant, a group of people who are steadfast and sure of their God.

The Remnant Church I’m speaking of has no relationship to replacement theology, nor to the Adventist remnant theology, nor to the theology of the modern day Judaizers who claim to be Christians yet require adherence to Old Testament Jewish laws. The Remnant Church is at the core of the True Church… the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ set apart from the apostate churches that dominate the world today.

Today, many are witnessing, and are becoming a part of an interesting phenomenon, where folks are leaving the structure and security of “traditional” organized churches, denominations and memberships, to follow hard after God. This extraordinary migration is little understood by establishment Christianity.

Perhaps the Lord Jesus Christ is calling His Remnant Church to Himself at the end of this age to worship and teach in simplicity and doctrinal purity. Perhaps the desire to be obedient to the Word and to understand Bible Prophecy and to fulfill the great commission and the great commandment has birthed an early church understanding of what it truly means to follow Christ. Perhaps God is preparing a people to stand and hold forth truth in a world where people and “churches” are consumed with materialism, prosperity, self centered pursuits and desires, and tolerance for those things that are unbiblical. Perhaps a time of final testing for the true church and Israel is upon us, a time for the Remnant Church to “Stand” for Christ. Whatever the ultimate reason, folks are coming out, and almost immediately they understand the need to adapt to this new and extraordinary environment where the Sufficiency of Christ is taught, that Christ alone is indeed all they need.

Today, the mainstream churches have turned away from the gospel and are full of wickedness; they have embraced the world and humanistic ideals. In what were the houses of God, there is no power or spiritual authority, and in fact, there is no presence of the Lord at all. But I believe there is a remnant of people, a Remnant Church, comprised of those who are diligently seeking to understand the scriptures, all of God’s Word.

The Remnant Church is that part of the Body of Jesus Christ that knows they are sons of God, and that are hearing from and following the leading of His Holy Spirit. Within the Remnant Church there is coming a deeper intimacy (more…)

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Did you know in the Jewish Talmud (Sanhedrin 97b) that there is a list of ten signs called the “Birthpangs of the Messiah”?

Modern rabbis admit they don’t know why the signs are called this but as Christians, especially Christians that are “watchmen” and study prophecy, these should be very familiar.  See what you think.

Birthpangs of the Messiah – (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97b)

  1. The Jews will return to their biblical homeland and the desert will bloom.
  2. The world will be in a state of complete degradation.
  3. Truth will decrease and lies will prevail.
  4. Inflation will be out of control.
  5. There will be fewer and fewer wise and righteous people.
  6. Many Jews will give up the hope of redemption.
  7. The young will treat the old with disrespect.
  8. Learning will be rejected because people will desire a life of ease.
  9. The whole world will turn against Israel.
  10. The Jews will fight each other (the secular against the religious).

The Talmud also adds that God will defeat Israels enemies in the war of Gog and Magog and confirm the nation of Israel is God’s chosen people (Ezekiel 38 and 39).

Is that amazing or what?!

It is like a checklist of what we are seeing today.

Not one of those items listed is not being done today and/or at some point of fulfillment.

We as Christians recognize these as the birthpangs that Jesus and his disciples wrote about to describe the time leading up to the tribulation, book-ended by the formation of Israel in 1948 and the climax at the confirming of the seven year peace agreement to officially begin the tribulation period and Daniel’s 79th week.

The good news for us is that Christ will return before that time to remove His church (bride) from this world to protect us from the coming wrath.

Maranatha – Lord come quickly!

-myblessedhope

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Excerpts from the post above were taken from a book by Ken Johnson, “The Rapture pg 48.  It is an amazing book that I would recommend everyone to purchase through the hyperlink above.

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If you have not asked Christ into your life, the essential gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and that He was raised on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  Believing this is the only qualification for salvation.  We are sinners in need of a savior.  Jesus died for our sins, and to prove that His death was sufficient for us,  God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead is our assurance that He will raise us, too.
 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:3-4). 

 

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Key headlines for today… some big ones…

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Don’t attack Iran, Russia starkly warns Israel and U.S.
Russia has starkly warned Israel and the United States against attacking Iran, saying Moscow sees no evidence that Tehran’s nuclear program is aimed at developing weapons, the Interfax news agency reported on Thursday.

Syrian General: We’re Protecting Europe from Islamists
A Syrian general in charge of operations in west Aleppo has told AFP that Europeans are exhibiting “blindness” in supporting the rebels against President Bashar Assad’s regime. Assad’s forces are “the last dam that is holding back the flood of Islamists in Europe,” he said.

Savage: Dems rejection of God ‘the turning point’
“Can you imagine, a nation founded on the principles of God is being taken over by a party that despises God, denies God’s existence and wants to stab Israel in the back in order to support the Islamists who would kill the Jews and drive them out of the Middle East?

Invisible Russian submarine
In June-July, the Akula-class submarine, an attack warship capable of carrying long-range ballistic missiles, travelled in the Gulf of Mexico patrolling the US coast. The US satellites and hydro-acoustic sensors failed to spot it. The US Navy spotted only the submarine’s tail when it was leaving the waters of the Gulf.

Fuji time bomb: Volcano to erupt under pressure
Japanese scientists predict Mt. Fuji will blow due to new tectonic pressures that are higher than when the volcano last erupted more than 300 years ago. Estimates say the eruption will affect more than 400,000 people and cost over $30 billion.

Drought Withers U.S. Corn Crop, Heats Debate on Ethanol
Predictions for a bumper crop in May withered 26 percent by August. Scarcity has pushed corn prices to all-time highs. Farmers are plowing under scorched fields, and cornhusks are blowing across roads. The mandate, meanwhile, amounts to a requirement that 42 percent of this year’s crop be pumped into gas tanks.

New energy between Cold War foes Turkey, Russia
Russia and Turkey, which were Cold War adversaries, are finding common ground on energy despite ongoing diplomatic disputes. Turkey has agreed to allow Russia’s South Stream gas pipeline to cross its territorial waters, and Russia is investing $20 billion to construct Turkey’s first nuclear power plant.-“It has been a relationship driven by mutual economic gain.”

Islam’s Ancient Divide Fuels Middle East Conflicts
They began as a cry for freedom in the Middle East, but the Arab rebellions have become increasingly characterized by an ancient sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. SPIEGEL examines how the power struggle between the two groups is sparking new fears along old frontlines.

US congressman confirms high-level US-Israel spat over Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blew up at the US ambassador last month because he was “at wits’ end” over what he sees as the Obama administration’s lack of clarity on Iran’s nuclear program, a US congressman who was at the meeting said.

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

If you’re not certain you’re saved, here is what you should do, right now:
  1. Acknowledge that you have sinned against a holy God and ask for forgiveness (even if you don’t feel you deserve it) (Rom. 3:23).  Genuinely feel the pain of your sin and be willing to turn from it (repent) (Acts 3:19).
  2. Believe in your heart and mind that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for you (John 3:1-18) in your place, and was raised back to life.  There is no one else you can turn to (John 14:6): “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”
  3. Confess that you are trusting Jesus as your personal Savior.  Since Jesus is alive, you can talk to him.  This is called prayer.  So talk to him right now, in your own words, accept his invitation to know him.
It’s simple faith through grace, the kind of faith a little child would have.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
Welcome brother or sister in Christ!  This is just the start of the journey, we are called to live in this world but not be of this world.  Begin studying God’s word (the Bible) daily to give you the strength and wisdom to live this calling out.  There are many sites like this that can help you as well.

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Don’s article below is a great example of why we need to understand the audience and culture / makeup of the early church when studying God’s word.  It is invaluable and without it much misunderstanding can occur.

I often hear the charge leveled that Christians that believe in dispensationalism and the rapture do not believe in restoration but exactly the opposite is true.  The literal interpretation is the only way to read the bible.  God will restore this planet and He will rapture His church to fulfill His word.  Great article.

I have included the full text of Acts 1:1-11 that Don references below.  It would be good to review it before jumping in…

Acts 1:1-11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Introduction

1 The first account I [a]composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had [b]by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To [c]these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. [d]Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for [e]what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized [f]with the Holy Spirit [g]not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

The Ascension

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into [h]the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into [i]the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Footnotes:

  1. Acts 1:1 Lit made
  2. Acts 1:2 Or through
  3. Acts 1:3 Lit whom
  4. Acts 1:4 Or eating with; or lodging with
  5. Acts 1:4 Lit the promise of the Father
  6. Acts 1:5 Or in
  7. Acts 1:5 Lit not long after these many days
  8. Acts 1:10 Or heaven
  9. Acts 1:11 Or heaven

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The Early Church Believed in the Restoration

By Don McGee


Most in the church today deny even a remote possibility that the earth will ever be restored, and that the kingdom of God will ever have a place on such an earth. They further deny that God will ever install Israel as the pre-imminent nation on this refurbished earth. They believe the church is the only real kingdom of God, and belief in such a restoration is therefore erroneous. I believe this is a quantum leap from the viewpoint of the early church.

The early church did not see itself as an entity so spiritual and other-worldly that it did not, or could not have a place in the restored earth’s temporal future. Nearly all early Christians were Jews and they were very familiar with God’s promises to the patriarchs and with the words of the prophets. So, they had no reason to believe the kingdom of God, of which the newly birthed church was a part, was limited to what happened after Pentecost. They also understood that the church, whose existence and purpose were in the mind of God before the foundation of the world, did not void that aspect of God’s kingdom having to do with Israel. And it is in that context that the early disciple’s final question to Jesus before He left them had to do with restoring the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6).

That, however, changed when Gentiles began to be added to the church. Many of the early Gentile converts were from Asia Minor and Grecian Europe whose cultures had been under the strong influences of mystical religions, Gnosticism and various other pagan philosophies for generations. What makes this an important point is that those new Christians brought some of those old pagan beliefs with them as they came into the church. The apostle John forged a very strong argument against those insidious influences as seen in his letter we call 1 John.

The foundation of the Gnostic belief system is that the physical world is entirely bad, and is thus of no concern religiously. Only that which is spiritual is considered important. Of course, this opened the church door to all kinds of problems including rampant immorality. Thus, when those new believers encountered Old and New Testament scriptures having to do with the restoration of this physical earth and the presence of a physical earthly kingdom, they could not reconcile those texts with their ingrained Gnostic and mystic backgrounds. In due course, as some of them rose to places of leadership in the church, they fostered the spiritual, non-literal interpretation of prophecy, and it easily caught on.

Why was it so easy? To answer that question would require more space than that available here, but one of the major reasons was the influence of anti-Semitism. From early on Jews have been blamed for every malady Europe and the Middle East faced. Whether disease or natural disasters, it did not matter; it was the Jew’s fault. The result was that it was too much of a leap to admit, or to even consider that the earth will be restored, and that the pre-imminent nation will be a restored Israel. In this way contempt and hatred of the Jews skewed the interpretation of scripture, especially any text that pointed to the future glory of the Jews and the ascendency of Israel (e.g. Zechariah 8:23).

Most people attending mainline churches each Sunday, even self-labeled conservative churches, do not realize that their denominations are in lock-step with Islamic policy regarding Israel. Today not only do the Muslims blame the Jews for everything, but most of the Christian churches, denominations and councils, also. The unspoken, yet clearly evident thought is that the Gentile world, even the Gentile church, would rather not see this earth restored if that means a Jewish presence, much less if it means their being the pre-imminent nation.

Consider the question the disciples asked Jesus just before He ascended to heaven, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” His answer was, “It is not for you to know the times or the epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8)

In order to side-step a thorough investigation into this question, the church universal shrugs it off claiming that the disciples were confused, did not understand what they were asking and that Jesus’ answer proves there will never be such a restoration. I don’t think so. Read verses 1-5.

Jesus had spent the forty days since His resurrection teaching His disciples, and there is no doubt He was addressing some very important things. One might wonder how much of what we think is important today was on His list. Luke, however, leaves no question about what He taught — it was all about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

With that in mind consider that Jesus was the greatest teacher in all history, and that His disciples were receiving the most important instruction any group of disciples could ever hear, for they were to be the first with the message that would turn the world on its ear. We can be certain Jesus made no mistakes, was very clear, and would insure none of them would be confused when it was all over. To say they were confused is to miss that fact. It is obvious their question was in context with what Jesus had been talking about for 40 days.

So, why did they ask the question? Probably several reasons, not the least of which is that they were on the Mt. of Olives. They would have easily connected the prophet’s words, what Jesus had been teaching for 40 days, the exact spot where they were standing and that they were in the very presence of the prophesied King! What Jew would not have made the connection? They were dead on in their thinking, and Jesus’ answer actually reflected that point. It is clear He did not rebuke them for their question, for His answer had to do with the timing of the restoration and not the fact of the restoration.

The above is a section of the Mt. of Olives east of the Temple Mount’s Eastern Gate. For thousands of years Jews have been buried here because they know Messiah will return to this spot when He comes to set up His earthly kingdom, and they want to be resurrected there and then. Being Jews themselves, Jesus’ disciples were very familiar with those issues, and saw no contradiction between those prophecies and Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom. Nor did Jesus.

Well, what about the restoration? Basically, it encompasses two major aspects, the restoration of the earth and the restoration of Jerusalem, Israel as the city of the Great King — the capital of the world.

In Acts 3 Luke gives the account of Peter and John and the lame man who was healed. This caused quite a stir among both the people and the religious leaders, and in Peter’s message to the crowd he reminded them that the suffering of the Messiah was predicted by their prophets and was fulfilled in Jesus. In the next sentence Peter told his Jewish audience of repentance, removal of sin, times of refreshing and that God would send Jesus the Messiah. The modern church often overlooks how Peter used the word Messiah (Christ) instead the word “Savior”. He further says Messiah will remain in heaven “until the period of restoration of all things”; the period the prophets wrote and spoke about. The Jews had no need of an explanation for that term, for they were familiar with it and with its use by their ancient prophets. In fact, this is the time Paul had in mind when, about 25 years later, he said in Romans 8:19-22 that all creation longs to be set free from its slavery to the curse of corruption.

The restoration will include many things such as the elimination of war (Isaiah 2, Micah 4) and the removal of the curse (Isaiah 11). Israel as a nation will finally recognize that Jesus is indeed their Messiah (Zechariah 12), and Jesus will be King over all the earth with all the world going to Jerusalem to worship Him (Zechariah 14). David will be resurrected and will be installed over Israel as their prince (Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24ff).

God’s prophets and some of His New Testament writers wrote about this coming time of restoration, but they did not mention its duration. It is not until we get to Revelation 20 that God tells us through John that it will last 1000 years. This period is followed by Satan’s last rebellion, the great judgment of the unsaved, the destruction Peter told us about (2 Peter 3:10) and the eternal state with the new heavens, the new earth and the new Jerusalem.

One of King David’s greatest admonitions is for God’s people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), for when there is “peace within her walls and prosperity within her palaces” then the entire world will experience the same. In these last days it is arguably true that when there is no peace in Jerusalem, there is no peace in the world. And, such peace will not happen in the church dispensation, for the church cannot deliver what she has not been given the right, ability or authority to deliver. Such peace will be by the hand of the Prince of Peace; His hand only, and He will do it in person.

I once saw a painting that was supposed to be a portrayal of Jerusalem at peace. The view was from the Mt. of Olives looking across the Temple Mount. Beams of light shone through beautiful clouds with the Star of David formed by the varied texture of their shadows. The buildings were brightly colored, and splendid greenery covered the mount. However, in the middle of the picture was the Islamic Dome of the Rock. Without questioning the intentions of the artist, his understanding of God’s prophets and current events was severely limited. When real peace comes there will be no Dome of the Rock and no Al Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.

The question of the disciples in Acts chapter one is no surprise in that it is not the first time they had asked Jesus about His kingdom. In Matthew 19:23ff we find another account of Jesus teaching His disciples about the kingdom of God. During that conversation Peter reminded the Lord that they had left everything to follow Him, and he wondered if there would be anything for them in His kingdom. Jesus did not impatiently sigh and rebuke him for his question. In fact, His answer was very clear about the coming “regeneration”.

Three things jump out of that text regarding the regeneration. First, there is going to be one. Second, it will be inaugurated when Jesus sits on His thrown. Note, too, Revelation 3:21 about His throne being distinguished from His Father’s throne. And third, the 12 apostles will sit upon their own thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Gnostics reject this hands down, and most modern Christians also. But, mere rejection in itself does not explain away the temporal context of both the question and Jesus’ answer. If Peter’s question would have been out of order Matthew would have recorded Jesus’ correction for all future Christian generations to see and clearly understand. That did not happen.

It is beyond question that we are looking for the rapture of the church. Yet, we are also looking forward to the restoration, the regeneration. We will rule with Jesus on a restored earth where peace will abound, the media will not be biased, Islam and all other religious and cultural threats will be gone, mortals will not govern, but will be governed, no profanity will be heard in family restaurants, children will not be threatened by bullies or sexual deviants, fishing ponds will abound, lakes and streams will be clean along with the air…the list could go on. That is why Jesus calls it the “restoration”, or “regeneration”. I cannot say what anybody’s specific job will be, but we can know this: it will be much better than anything this wretched, evil and miserable world has to offer. Maranatha!

 

csm01@att.net

 

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

If you’re not certain you’re saved, here is what you should do, right now:
  1. Acknowledge that you have sinned against a holy God and ask for forgiveness (even if you don’t feel you deserve it) (Rom. 3:23).  Genuinely feel the pain of your sin and be willing to turn from it (repent) (Acts 3:19).
  2. Believe in your heart and mind that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for you (John 3:1-18) in your place, and was raised back to life.  There is no one else you can turn to (John 14:6): “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”
  3. Confess that you are trusting Jesus as your personal Savior.  Since Jesus is alive, you can talk to him.  This is called prayer.  So talk to him right now, in your own words, accept his invitation to know him.
It’s simple faith through grace, the kind of faith a little child would have.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
Welcome brother or sister in Christ!  This is just the start of the journey, we are called to live in this world but not be of this world.  Begin studying God’s word (the Bible) daily to give you the strength and wisdom to live this calling out.  There are many sites like this that can help you as well.

Read Full Post »

The article below by Lea Sylvester points out some of the real issues with newer Bible translations.  Especially those that are more paraphrased than translated.  The Message Bible is in the cross-hairs of Lea’s article and I can not disagree with his points.  There are a lot of misleading changes.

I am not in the King James only camp and tend to read multiple translations when I study scripture.  Translations I use are the King James Version, the New King James Version, English Standard Version Bible, New American Standard Bible, and New International Version Bible(1984).  Most of my reading has been done lately with the ESV and NASB as I find them to be the most literal translation but I do enjoy the NKJV (also in the literal camp) for reading and have not really settled on a single favorite format yet.

If you have questions about the different translations and what the differences are check out the book:

How to Choose a Translation for All its Worth: A guide to understanding and using bible versions by Gordon D Fee (ISBN-13 978-0310278764).

It is not really prescriptive of telling you which one to use but more telling you what the strengths of each are and where their weaknesses are.

The Message is definitely not on my list for a lot of the same reasons Lea Sylvester states below.  The Bible should be the Literal Truth, the word of God.  If you want commentary or paraphrasing, that is what study bibles (with notes) or various commentaries are for.

Keeping them separate is important so you can clearly understand what God says (God’s words) and what man says about God’s word.

Also it is important to understand the culture and context in which the books of the Bible were written.  A lot of the idioms and sayings get lost or glossed over if we convert everything to our current days language.

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By Lea Sylvester


Having studied God’s Word for 30 years now, I have learned that the only “tool” one really needs in order to understand the Bible is the guidance of the Holy Spirit, discernment (from the Holy Spirit) and studying passages in context. A concordance is a handy research tool, too. Each study brings new things to light.  We should seek God with all of our heart and one way to know Him better is by studying His Word.  The Bible “interprets itself” and if one seeks to understand it, God reveals incredible messages contained within His Word. Even so, many professing Christians say that they can’t understand The Bible.

Because of this and other “reasons” various translations of the Bible have come and gone over the last 30 years. Several “translations” have not only made it “easier” for a person to understand passages, but have changed the entire meaning of passages. Therefore, they do not understand the “meaning of passages” better; they aren’t even getting the meaning of them at all because they have been removed or changed.

The creation of false Bible translations is the most obvious way in which the Word of God has come under attack recently. For instance, “The Message Bible” (published by NavPress of Colorado Springs, CO; publishing arm of The Navigators) is sold as a translation, it is a paraphrase that is meant to be reader-friendly, but it distorts the meaning of Scripture. Some noted Bible scholars have noted the losses to the Word of God in “The Message Bible” and have referred to them as “paraphrased lies.”

(more…)

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Here are some of the key headlines related to prophecy over the last couple of days.

On a side note, the USGS has stopped posting the ability to pull reports on earthquakes over time.  I had been tracking them each week and we are seeing multiple 6.0+ and even 7.0+ earthquakes every week now.  We use to see just a couple each year.

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New energy between Cold War foes Turkey, Russia
Russia and Turkey, which were Cold War adversaries, are finding common ground on energy despite ongoing diplomatic disputes. Turkey has agreed to allow Russia’s South Stream gas pipeline to cross its territorial waters, and Russia is investing $20 billion to construct Turkey’s first nuclear power plant.-“It has been a relationship driven by mutual economic gain.”

The Democrats of 2012: For Israel, Is the Party Over?
The party — certainly the convention — seems firmly under the control of those ambivalent about, if not outright hostile to, the State of Israel and its people.

Democrats Undemocratically Bring Back God and Jerusalem
There’s nothing like trying to reinsert language about God and Jerusalem that you removed and then tried to put back to fix your broken image, only to be booed by your own delegates who clearly aren’t fans of either God or Jerusalem… to show the country what you really stand for.

Earthquake swarm detected north of Virgin Islands
Between 3 a.m. Monday and continuing throughout the day Wednesday, more than 50 very minor to moderate earthquakes were recorded near Latitude 19 degrees north, north of the Virgin Islands, according to a statement VITEMA issued Wednesday. Those tremors included a 5.2-, 4.6- and 4.7-magnitude earthquake between 3 and 5 p.m. Wednesday.

‘Something really wrong’ with fish die-off along Lake Erie: officials
Colby said he’s never smelled such a sewage stench on the lake and he’s never seen anything like the scenes of large dead fish littering the beach.

West Nile virus death toll in US jumps by a third
The death toll from US cases of West Nile virus, which has killed scores of people, has risen by nearly a third in a week, according to health officials. Eighty-seven people have now died from the mosquito-borne illness, up from 66 the week before, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Feds Say Mobile-Phone Location Data Not ‘Constitutionally Protected’
The Obama administration told a federal court Tuesday that the public has no “reasonable expectation of privacy” in cellphone location data, and hence the authorities may obtain documents detailing a person’s movements from wireless carriers without a probable-cause warrant.

Israel readies ‘secret weapon’ for Iran attack
Israel sees Iranian nuclear weapons as an existential threat, and plans are in place to carry out strikes to cripple the nuclear program by the middle of next month.

Jerusalem And God Vote Gets Booed At Dem Convention
Delegates and members of the Democratic party booed after former Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH) discussed God and moved to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Rivlin: Obama only put J’lem back in platform for votes
The addition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital to the Democratic platform does not make up for the party’s original intentions, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said on Thursday “I have no doubt that [US President Barack] Obama put Jerusalem back in his party’s platform out of political and electoral considerations and because of the sharp criticism from Israel and the US,” Rivlin stated.

Turkey accuses Syria of ‘state terrorism’
Turkey accused Syria of “state terrorism” Wednesday after a sharp spike in the death toll from the Syrian civil war, and Iran came under new scrutiny with the U.S. alleging that Tehran is flying weapons to President Bashar Assad’s regime across Iraqi airspace.

Syria troops ‘bombard Aleppo districts’
Security forces have shelled parts of Syria’s second city of Aleppo, killing at least 19 people, activists say. Troops began to bombard the districts of Bustan al-Qasr, Marjeh and Hananu before dawn. Many of those killed were reportedly women and children.

Convention floor erupts as Dems restore references to God, Jerusalem in platform
The floor of the Democratic National Convention erupted Wednesday over a sudden move to restore to the platform a reference to “God” and recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital — after heavy criticism from Republicans for initially omitting them. Democrats, though, were hardly in agreement over the reversal. A large and loud group of delegates shouted “no” as convention chairman, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, called for the vote late Wednesday afternoon.

Gaza: Israeli Airstrike Kills Three Militants
An Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip late Wednesday and seriously wounded a fourth, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials. Israel said the militants had been preparing to launch a rocket to attack Israel.

Iraq Rejects U.S. Claims That Iran Using Airspace to Send Arms to Syria
U.S. officials were angry today over reports that Iraq is allowing Iran to use its airspace to supply the embattled Syrian regime with military equipment, but Iraq demanded evidence to back up the American accusations.

Anti-Christian Hate Speech Spews From The Palm Beach Dem Chair
Here are a couple of the offensive comments made by the Palm Beach Democratic Chairman: “I’m Jewish, I’m not a fan of any other religion than Judaism.” “The worst possible allies for the Jewish state are the fundamentalist Christians who want Jews to die and convert so they can bring on the second coming of their Lord.”

Islamic Council: Record Number of Muslim Delegates at DNC
An estimated 100 Muslim delegates from 20 different states are in Charlotte, the group said in a press release, which pointed out that only a “handful” of delegates attended the Republican National Convention last week in Tampa.

Powerful Earthquake Hits Costa Rica
A magnitude-7.6 earthquake shook Costa Rica Wednesday, with the U.S. Geological Survey saying the 8:42 a.m. quake struck about 38 miles (60 kilometers) from the town of Liberia and 88 miles west of the capital, San Jose.

Strong earthquake rocks Costa Rica
A strong 7.9 earthquake rocked Costa Rica on Wednesday, rattling buildings and cutting power in some areas of the capital of San Jose, a Reuters correspondent and the U.S.G.S. reported. The major quake near the Pacific coast was centered about 50 miles south of Liberia, Costa Rica, and was at a depth of 12.4 miles. A Caribbean-wide tsunami watch is in effect, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Iran will seize back assets from Great Satan: Iran Cmdr.
A senior Iranian commander has censured the blocking of Iran’s assets by the US as “economic terrorism” and reaffirmed Tehran’s determination to seize its national wealth back by all means necessary. -The Iranian commander noted that the US must be gullible to imagine that it has looted Iran’s assets permanently, adding, “They should be sure that we will seize back our assets from the Great Satan.”

Iran says it treats Israeli military threats as American
Iran makes no distinction between U.S. and Israeli interests and will retaliate against both countries if attacked, an Iranian military commander said on Wednesday. -“The Zionist regime separated from America has no meaning, and we must not recognize Israel as separate from America,” Ali Fadavi, naval commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was quoted as saying’

Erdogan: Israel strike on Iran – ‘apocalypse’
An Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear installations would cause an “apocalypse,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. “But I’m sure that I don’t want to see anything like that happening in the region because in this day and age, that region needs peace and prosperity and stability,” the Turkish leader told Amanpour.

Dems drop language on Jerusalem from platform
Democrats have dropped from their platform recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a move that has opened President Barack Obama to criticism from Republican rival Mitt Romney.

Rebels hit army headquarters in Damascus
Syrian rebels said they planted bombs inside the Syrian army’s General Staff headquarters in central Damascus on Sunday as President Bashar al-Assad’s forces bulldozed buildings to the ground in parts of the capital that have backed the uprising.

Flights on alert as volcano erupts in central America
No evacuations have been ordered, but aviation authorities have been alerted about a potential ash cloud, and air traffic is expected to be hindered.

Quakes hit hydropower plant area in Quang Nam
Experts at the plant are analyzing data collected from earthquake observation stations in the area but have yet to announce how powerful the quake was on the Richter scale, said Tran Van Hai, head of the Management Board of Hydropower Project 3.

Hundreds of homes damaged in Philippines quake
More than 800 homes and businesses were damaged when a 5.6-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern Philippines early Tuesday, officials said.

Earthquake swarm detected north of Virgin Islands
Between 3 a.m. Monday and continuing throughout the day Wednesday, more than 50 very minor to moderate earthquakes were recorded near Latitude 19 degrees north, north of the Virgin Islands, according to a statement VITEMA issued Wednesday. Those tremors included a 5.2-, 4.6- and 4.7-magnitude earthquake between 3 and 5 p.m. Wednesday.

U.S. bases targeted if Israel hits Iran
Iran “would not be forgiving” if Israel were to attack Iran. He said the United States would be held responsible for any Israeli attack. Israeli leaders have raised the possibility of a unilateral strike against Iran, and the United States says it will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons capability.

Iran: Zionists spread homosexuality to control world
A report in a state-controlled Iranian paper last week asserting that the “Zionist regime” “spreads homosexuality” across the globe in order to pursue its goal of world domination has sparked fierce criticism from experts on Iran because of its homophobia and anti- Semitism.

Russia Prepared for Possible Economic Meltdown – Putin
“In the United States, the engine of the world economy, the situation looks better but macroeconomic indices that are vital for the economy’s sustainability are no better than in Europe. Their debt state [in the United States] is 104 percent [of U.S. GDP],” he said.

U.S. Social Security orders 174,000 hollow-point bullets
It didn’t take long for the internet to start buzzing with conspiracy theories after the Social Security Administration posted a notice that it was purchasing 174,000 hollow-point bullets. Why is the agency that provides benefits to retirees, disabled workers, widows and children stockpiling ammunition? Who are they going to use it on?

UN Raises Alarm Over Global Food Prices
Global alarm over the potential for a food crisis of the kind seen in 2007/08, when price protests and riots occurred in a number of countries, has escalated in recent weeks. The fears are prompted by a severe drought in the US Midwest, which has sent grain prices to record highs, fuelling a 6% surge in the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) July food price index.

Revolt Is Our Only Option
… the vagueness of critical terms in the NDAA could enable the federal government to interpret the law in a way that authorizes them to label journalists and political activists who interview or support outspoken critics of the Obama administration’s policies as “covered persons” who have given “substantial support” to terrorists or other “associated groups.”

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Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

If you’re not certain you’re saved, here is what you should do, right now:
  1. Acknowledge that you have sinned against a holy God and ask for forgiveness (even if you don’t feel you deserve it) (Rom. 3:23).  Genuinely feel the pain of your sin and be willing to turn from it (repent) (Acts 3:19).
  2. Believe in your heart and mind that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for you (John 3:1-18) in your place, and was raised back to life.  There is no one else you can turn to (John 14:6): “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”
  3. Confess that you are trusting Jesus as your personal Savior.  Since Jesus is alive, you can talk to him.  This is called prayer.  So talk to him right now, in your own words, accept his invitation to know him.
It’s simple faith through grace, the kind of faith a little child would have.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
Welcome brother or sister in Christ!  This is just the start of the journey, we are called to live in this world but not be of this world.  Begin studying God’s word (the Bible) daily to give you the strength and wisdom to live this calling out.  There are many sites like this that can help you as well.

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Excellent series, it is amazing all that is coming together, converging, all at once.

I am not sure I agree with Pete on all of the topics yet, but it is interesting to look at all the theories at once.  See the big picture that we don’t get in this sound bite world.

I have learned through discernment, that just because something sounds crazy or impossible at first glance, does not make it any less the truth.  A lot of prophecy looked crazy or impossible 10-15 years ago but now makes perfect sense.  For God all things are possible.

And there is probably a “logical” explanation for much of the conspiracy topics listed below.  But as we have seen from studying scripture, what appears logical alone, when put into context, can appear very illogical.  All I know is that with the amount of deception that is in this world today, you can only count on God’s truth.  We were warned over and over to not be deceived.  Keep an open mind and be watchful.  We must stay focused on Jesus Christ and God’s will for our lives until He comes for us as promised.

We probably won’t know a lot of the truth until we get to the other side.  But here in this world now, the key is discernment and prayer.  Take everything back to God’s word (the Bible) and God Himself through prayer.  The Holy Spirit will not lead you astray…

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

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Something Big Is Going On

By Pete Rose


It appears something very big is about to happen on the world scene. Things are coming together at warp speed, and for those who are paying attention it is becoming quite clear it isn’t for our good. If you want to know what’s really going on, check the alternate news sites like Drudge Report, Prison Planet, Natural News, World Net Daily and Infowars. Another good site is Raiders News Update─a compilation of news stories related to Bible prophecy. You’ll get the real scoop on what’s happening on the world scene at these and similar sites, which you’ll never find on the mainline media like CNN, ABC, CBS, etc.

Financial

At the moment I am writing this, the U.S. national debt stands at nearly 16 (T) trillion dollars, and growing exponentially. That’s over $50,000 apiece for every man, woman and child in the U.S.A. If the nations holding this debt─mainly China─were to call it in: It would almost certainly cause the worst monetary collapse in history.

Billionaire George Soros has sold off some $50 million in corporate stocks and has purchased over $100 million in gold.

Billionaire John Paulson “is buying gold like crazy,” and now has 46% of his $24 billion fund in gold.

Central banks are also grabbing up gold like crazy, having bought 157.5 metric tons of gold just in the last quarter, a 138% increase over the same quarter last year. Apparently these people know something big and bad is about to happen, and are preparing for it the best they know how.

Prison Planet’s Alex Jones reports that globalists have planned a staged bank collapse for late October in an attempt to bring in their dream of a new world order, one worldwide government. I can neither confirm nor deny this, but if and when it happens it will probably cause the worst panic in history. Major rioting and a collapse of society as we know it are definite possibilities.

Domestic Terrorism/Staged Attacks

The FBI has issued a list of characteristics to be used to identify potential terrorists. This list includes among other things people who are conservatives or patriots, people who have weapons, people who stockpile food, and even people who pay cash for coffee.

(more…)

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