1Th 3:13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.
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Happy Valentines day, Alesia!
Friday, February 13, 2009
1Th 3:12-13
1Th 3:12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
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144 comments:
Praise God for answered prayer!
Sorry, Marge. I was a little slow with the new post. I've been dragging my feet of late.
The Frucht answers some criticisms of his Dispensationalism
(Re-post)
Kelly,
I agree it sure makes it confusing. The assumption of the age innocence would seem to make that case. David's child who died was still covered under David in regards to Corinthians 7:13. But this assumption is not made under the example of an unbeliever's child.
The example of the Israelites in the desert-they were still God's chosen people although being punished for their sins. They were not unbelievers.
So w/Corinthians it says the children are clean under one believing parent but unholy under two unbelievers.
Ok Grany-Can you ask your Rabbi? What is the Jewish thinking on this?
Corinthians 7:13,14 , “And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”
I suppose it doesn't matter one way or another because God is always just & whatever the truth is - is right.
The only benefit I could see if we knew that the truth was that the unbeliever’s children were not raptured-there would be an additional sense of urgency in our time to reach out to those unbelieving parents for the sake of their kids.
Of course we should have the heart of Christ & love everyone the same but I have to admit I usually unconditionally feel love for all children & I have to work a little harder feeling the same for some of the adults I meet.
If some people thought perhaps that if they were not walking right w/God then their children would be left behind-it may inspire them to seek Him out-especially @ this time when at least some people can sense something is going on & it isn't good.
If unbelievers or non-followers felt that their kids would be raptured w/their Christian friends-(if what they say is true)then no rush. If anything happens they'll work it out in the Trib & the young kids will be safe regardless.
What would be the feeling if you realized God's judgment & wrath began-you're Christian friends warned you-they are all gone & now you're looking into the eyes of your child? That child which is dependant upon you for everything & now you realize the consequence of your own foolish rebellion.
I don't know or have an answer but it sure gives me something to think about.
I just read the book of Lamentations last week & it was really hard for me to read that when the women were starving they would kill their own babies to feed others. The description is quite graphic of the horrors they faced under God's chastisement & judgment.
Nate,
Don't become anxious-the Holy Spirit will be your guide & He'll show you when to act @ just the right time.
Reading the experiences of Missionaries is always encouraging. They know what it's like to endure tough times & how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit & what happens when they didn't listen to that voice.
"The Heavenly Man", was good if you haven't read it & I'm sure there are many others. You probably even have some! Crack them back open (:
Lisa,
You are correct in that it is just not that absolutely positive in the scriptures about children under the age of accountability.
There are two verses that lead me to conclude that all children are secure. One is Matt. 18:10 which explains that all children are assigned guardian angels to protect them. These angels report continuously to God.
The other is Romans 7:9 where in effect Paul said that he had eternal life until he reached the age of accountability. You could say that God knew Paul would be saved, but I think he was using himself as a general example not a specific case. Based on these verses I believe that all children below the age of accountability are saved.
I know that many pastors of different denominations also believe that all children below the age of accountability are saved.
Many pastors also talk about all the aborted babies go straight to heaven without regard to the salvation of their parents.
I don't know if I'm right or not, but I sure hope so.
In His love,
Kelly
Nate, Shalom! With your permission, I'd like to post that list on Catholic Answers Forum, in the Christian/Catholic Persecution thread.
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Thanks for posting the link for that video, Nate. I've watched it 3 times so far and will probably watch it again.
Whatever happens, we DO have a life raft, Jesus Christ and His completed work on the cross.
Whatever happens, we are supposed to trust Him for ALL things and yeild to the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us as a down payment.
The video is a real eye opener as to what has been going on with regards to the economic crises!
Nate, Shalom! Towards the end of your post about all the Executive Orders, you mentioned a 3-part video, but there's no link to the videos. Can you post that link, please?
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Mac,
No worries :)
Just being happy in the Lord, is all.
Kelly,
Welcome, welcome! I'm enjoying your comments.
Yes, Nate where did you get this info? Can you post a link? Wow. I am not surprised to read this.
Grace
Shalom, all. Someone asked what I thought would be happening soon, and this is what I came up with:
My personal timeline goes something like this:
Early 2009: The War of Psalm 83. The nations that attacked Israel are decimated. The humiliating loss to Israel (again) coupled with the collapsing world markets leaves them open to revolt -- they have no time, energy, or money to try to attack Israel again (for the moment). Israel takes permanent possession of Gaza and the Golan heights, and occupies all the land along the border with Jordan for about 10 miles in, setting it up as a buffer/security zone.
Autumn 2009: The Oracle on Damascus (Isaiah 17) Syria's new regime attempts to launch a poison gas attack against Israel. Poison gas is a WMD, equivalent under international law to a nuclear attack. Israel retaliates by nuking Damascus. (Personally, I think they use neutron bombs -- high energy, low blast. Kills every living thing within a few miles but leaves most of the buildings intact.)
Autumn 2009 - Winter 2010: The War of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) Russia and Iran have mutual defense treaties with Syria. The destruction of Damascus occurred in spite of the best defenses the Russian military could provide. To recover its honor, Russia organizes and leads a huge army made up of many of the nations surrounding Israel, including Iran. When the army approaches Israel, it is destroyed in such a way as to make no mistake that Israel is under the protection of G_D. At the same time, fire will fall from heaven decimating the nations involved in this attack against Israel. Depending on the translation, either all the army is destroyed or four-fifths are destroyed, leaving one-fifth to return to their homes and tell people what happened. It will take seven months to bury all the dead.
August 2010: Peace treaties with what remains of the nations involved in Gog-Magog will have been ratified, and a representative comes to Jerusalem to confirm the peace treaties. The next day, work begins on the Third Temple. Forty-two months later is Dec. 2012.
Of course, I could be wrong about all of this...
Also, when this person asked what I thought about the "amero" coming soon, I wrote:
Possible, and getting even more likely as the administration works to drive our economy into the ground. For a while I thought Mexico's coming "failed state" status might preclude this possibility, but actually it increases it: Mexico becomes a failed "narco-state". The US, in order to protect itself, invades Mexico in an attempt to put these drug cartels out of business. Canada, being a free-trade partner, joins in. The resulting war collapses the US economy, dragging Canada's down with it, and in the reorganization, the Amero is born.
Just food for thought (although lately I think I need to stop feeding my thoughts and put them on a strict diet...)
Is there faith on the earth
Lisa
thanks for the links. I was too busy and too tired to read much last night. too busy treating people that I won't be able to treat once the full effects of the bill take effect.
Nate
I share and understand where you are coming from. I think about the same stuff. I think we as believers need to prepare for what is coming because it isn't going to be good.
I would assume all of us have asked our selves the hard question-when confronted with life or death choice for our selves over our faith what will our response be. however have you asked yourself what your response will be if it isn't your life on the line but someone else's?
when the government comes to coerce you into sending your child to public school instead of home school or christian school and be indoctrinated or face having them taken away what will your response be?
when the government starts trying to make you do things at work which are contrary to your faith or contrary to what you understand your call to be what will your response be? do you cave on somethings and not others? what kinds of consequences are you willing to accept for your faith in this area especially if it isn't contrary to your faith per se but perhaps contrary to what you understand your call to be? Do I, as someone called by God to do what I do, accept governmental mandates not to treat certain people because of their age, value to society etc.? to me that violates my call in part because of Christ's command to do unto the least of these and because I think all are valuable because they are created in God's image. so what kinds of losses will I endure if this comes to pass? fines? jail? or should I accept that for the greater good of more people there are just some people I can not treat?
these are just some of the things that I have thought about. do I have any idea how I will respond? for some yes I know how I would like to respond and how I think I should respond but for some no I have no idea.
Jim
love the scenarios. as to putting your thoughts on a diet....well isn't one diet enough? give up pizza and scenarios?
Fed obligations for debt EXCEEDS WORLD GDP!
Nate,
You know you & I are on the same page w/these things & have been from the beginning.
I see your point about the NAU & preparedness. World events are coming together so the Anti-Christ can arise & our Lord return.
Say all those Executive Orders were implemented here in the US.
Since we have been watching & are aware of the possibility-it would certainly not catch us off guard.
But in all honesty I wonder what role God has called us to do? What is His will for us in such an event? Whatever it is-is where we should be. So if it's standing on the tower crying out & warning what's to come then most likely we'll be the first to go. Unless, He has other plans & makes a way of escape. If it's running off somewhere-then He'll tell us @ just the right time. (From what I've read re:the Missionaries it's usually second's or hours before they are about to be captured.)
Isn't it the prophets who are usually killed 1st because no one wants to hear of God's judgment? Then the watchmen so that the enemy can sneak up w/o being noticed?
I remember what Perry Stone was encouraging. You're not going down until it's God's time no matter what adverstity presents it's self.
I was starting to read Ezekiel last night again & the watchman passages were no doubt stressed to him. Would it not take a strong trust/relationship w/the Lord & a courageous spirit to overcome the fear of speaking out before judgment & chaos strikes?
Read Ezekiel 3:16 to the end.
Blood would be required from Ezekiel if he didn't warn the 1st unrighteous & the 2nd fallen righteous man. (Another point to consider for those who think a righteous person can't fall &
loose their salvation.) The 3rd type was the warning of the righteous & the righteous heeding the warning-therefore they would live. (Only blood would be required from Ezekiel if the 1st & 2nd were not warned & fell but not the 3rd. Merely coincidence?)
As long as Ezekiel warned all three types of people he would deliver his own soul. So although God's Spirit filled Ezekiel-this warning from God I'm sure sealed the deal. How could you fear man more than God w/such a dire warning? (Yikes!)
Ezekiel, Jeremiah,& Daniel were all prophesying at the same time. Daniel was carried away in the 1st wave of captives & taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. Ezekiel was taken in the 2nd wave & living 200 miles north of Babylon. Jeremiah was left in Jerusalem as it was destroyed in the 3rd siege.
There was a remnant of Israelites who were faithful & spared from death & carried captive among the nations to shine in dark places.
So do you think there could be any parallels to our day if such an event should occur w/America?
Jib, Shalom! You wrote:
however have you asked yourself what your response will be if it isn't your life on the line but someone else's?
That was a very common tactic with the NKVD (under Stalin) and the KGB (post-WW2). It reminded me of a French movie from 1969 called "Army of Shadows". (It was released on DVD by Criterion Collection in 2004. Definitely a must-see if you want to get a feel for what life might become.) It was about a French Resistance group, the "Army of Shadows." At one point, the lone woman of the group is captured. Throughout the movie we see that she's carrying a photo of her daughter. She keeps saying that she needs to get rid of this, it's too dangerous to keep, but she never does. When she is captured, the Gestapo find the photo. They tell her that since her daughter is 17, she is the right age to be sent to work in the army brothels on the eastern front. It was this threat to her daughter that broke her and caused her to betray her comrades. I will admit: this would be the hardest threat for me to resist.
As for forcing your kids to go to public school for indoctrination, sure, I'd let them go. Fer cryin' out loud, what do you think the Catholics had to put up with for centuries?! In this country, if there wasn't a parochial school, the Catholic kids had to go to the public school. It was always a struggle, because you had to be sure your kids were being taught the Catholic viewpoint at home, but hundreds of thousands of Catholic families did that. That's what the parents (i.e., the mother) had to do. It lends new meaning to "being in the world but not of it."
It also wasn't just in America. If you ever meet someone with the Irish name Shaughnessy, buy them a drink. Back in Ireland, for centuries, teaching children about Irish culture was forbidden by the English -- no Irish language, no Irish history, nothing. The Irish, then, relied on the Shaughnessies. A Shaughnessy was a hedgerow teacher, usually itinerant, who would gather children into a hedgerow between fields or next to the road and teach the children to read, write, and to know their Irish history. The hedgerows were usually thick enough that even from the road next to it you couldn't see anyone in there. If a shaughnessy was caught, they were executed on the spot as a rebel. (The British found that when they sent a shaughnessy to prison, they usually wound up teaching the other prisoners.)
So, yes, teaching your children Christian values can be done, if you're willing to make the effort.
Also, I probably need to give up both the pizzas and the scenarios. The pizzas are too salty and I usually wind up using too much sugar on the scenarios. (Although I could probably use Splenda...) Also, there's the age old problem of finishing your scenarios, then there's too much milk in the bowl, so you pour in some more scenarios, etc.
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U.S. links Moscow help on Iran to missile shield
G7 strains to couple crisis response and free trade
Iran next target, warns Israeli diplomat
Solana says Gaza cease-fire possible this week
Solana preempts US dept of State... Clinton to meet Russian FM in March: Solana
G7 finance ministers reject protectionist measures
Wikipedia: Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between nations, through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other restrictive government regulations designed to discourage imports, and prevent foreign take-over of local markets and companies. This policy is closely aligned with anti-globalization, and contrasts with free trade, where government barriers to trade are kept to a minimum. The term is mostly used in the context of economics, where protectionism refers to policies or doctrines which "protect" businesses and workers within a country by restricting or regulating trade between foreign nations.
Europe and the Protectionism Trap
Financial Crisis for Beginners
Turkish PM: Israel election results paint 'very dark picture'
Putin says relations with Turkey 'priority' for Russian foreign policy
Russia and Turkey signed a joint declaration to promote a new stage in relations
Russia, US should jointly create global ABM systems--
Medvedev, Obama may meet in London
Russia hopes to expand ties with Bolivia
Sanhedrin calls to abolish laws that contradict Torah
KELLY,
Please let me speak to your comment to me that you were no longer politically active and just signed a few petitions now and then. The impression I got in reading your remark was a rebuke for my encouraging people to let their voices be heard in Washington, D.C. I took your remarks with me to bed last night, prayed about them, then went soundly to sleep and this morning I knew I was to address it in a loving manner.
First of all, you choose the Apostle John to reference in a latter comment and I found that comment this morning after breakfast. --- "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you bound yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch forth your hands, and another will bind you and take you where you do not wish." John 21:18"
That reference seemed kinda strange considering that John later was on the Isle of Patmos because of his stand against the governing sovereign. John had opposed this dignitary to such an extent that the attempt was made to boil him in oil, or so the tradition and ancient history tells us. Whether this is true about the oil treatment, it is definitely true of John's very strong stand against the party in power. He was then exiled to Patmos where he received the Revelation of Jesus Christ. His exile was punishment for his stand and behavior speaking against the ruler at that time.
I believe and I will always believe, until the Holy Spirit directs me otherwise, that we are to oppose evil and those who are used for the devil's purposes. I do not believe we are to be fearful of anyone, or their power over us because we do not belong to the power of this world. We are here by the Grace of God to accomplish what he has set before us and that is the salvation of people for the Kingdom and to protect what Christ has already won on earth for all believers.
If this isn't true, why did this statement come from the body of believers in Jerusalem after Peter and John were admonished and ordered by their magistrates,elders and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, as quoted from Acts. 4:6 Including Annas the high priest and Caiaphas, John, Alexander and all others who belonged to the high priestly relationship, not to speak in Jesus Christ' Name again” after they had addressed the lame man at the gate and administered healing to him?
“Acts 4:.23 After they were permitted to go, [the apostles] returned to their own [company] and told all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 And when they heard it, lifted their voices together with one united mind to God and said, O Sovereign Lord, You are He Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them, 25 Who by the mouth of our forefather David, Your servant and child, said through the Holy Spirit, Why did the heathen (Gentiles) become wanton and insolent and rage, and the people imagine and study and plan vain (fruitless) things [that will not succeed]? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand in array [for attack] and the rulers were assembled and combined together against the Lord and against His Anointed (Christ, the Messiah).
27 For in this city there actually met and plotted together against Your holy Child and Servant Jesus, Whom You consecrated by anointing; both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and peoples of Israel, 28 To carry out all that Your hand and Your will and purpose had predestined (predetermined) should occur. 29 And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, 30 While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.
32 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all. 33 And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all.”
One of the reasons for the mess of our government at this time in history is we heard the same worldly admonishments in the late 50's and early 60's. Then we heard the same thing in the 70's that there was nothing we could do to change government and good Christians didn't get involved in politics. We also believed that the rapture was going to happen any day now because Israel was once again a nation. We had some great crusades and souls were won and people rededicated their lives and got back in fellowship with God and his families. Then there came a great falling away because people became disillusioned and that allowed a turning away from the power of God's word. Still going on today.
Apathy and giving in to evil doers is wrong; totally and forever. We are paying the price for bad advice from the pulpits of America and the religious group. Germany is guilty of the same thing as relates to Hitler and the war that brought about the death camps for the Jews. God turned his back on the Apples of his eye because of their rebellion and their turning to other gods. They walked out from under His covering by their actions, time and time again. They didn't obey and that is rebellion. They were to obey His words, not the worlds. Then they had to submit to the authority over them because of their rebellion. That authority was not godly but they brought about their own destruction as the fruit of their actions. In fact, most of the acts of judgment against the Jewish people is because they failed to keep God's commandments. Then they got angry with God but the end of the story is glorious and that is what will come about when He intervenes in their life.
We do not know how long we will have before God sends His Son Jesus back for the Bride but until then we are to fight the good fight of faith in all arenas. We were expecting Jesus to come for us back in the 30's and the 40's also and Hitler was the ultimate antichrist of that day. He will come when we least expect him but we are to go on working until he does issue that shout.
We are to encourage, instruct/teach, love/respect, and admonish each other in love to the truth of the Word of God. But we are held accountable for the evil that we allow to take root and prosper in our daily world. Abortion, self love, immoral behavior that ushered in the conditions that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah over. Jesus told us to contend for the faith until he returns. Contending is a great word to do some research on.
We also have the same kind of battles recorded in the New Testament. Paul did a beautiful job of fighting this corruption of God's purposes when he addressed the counsel in Jerusalem and also, in all of his travels contending for the Gentiles over the intimidation of the Jewish mandates that Gentiles have to undergo all of the Jewish customs in order to be part of the body of believers, the Church, that was being established. Jesus submitted to the Priest's guards in the final scene in the garden but that was because His time had come for his final act of obedience. What about his attack on the money changers in the temple. No holding back then. What of his addressing the woman caught in adultery? The list goes on and on. For that matter, this USA was the result of righteous men fighting off tyranny. God blessed them and the USA. We have begun in earnest, the same falling away and rebellion that the Jews did; why would we expect to be rewarded for our inaction when he told us and gave us examples of fighting for the Kingdom of Heaven against the forces and power of evil?
So, for me, to resist evil is still very much a part of my Christian walk and I believe that when the time comes for my retirement it will be put in MY heart by the Holy Spirit to pass on the torch and take my place in the group of witnesses that encompass the new generation. Fighting the good fight of faith is not based on my feelings, it is based on mandates and commands by the Father. That leading came only from the Holy Spirit who will not say or do anything other than what Abba tells him or shows him to do.
You have served gloriously, no doubt, and I commend you for doing so. Maybe my retirement will be soon or maybe we will all be evacuated very, very soon. Whatever, God is the one in control and not I. So, please rest assured that I am in no way allowing fear to gain any place in my walk; I do not encourage others to be fearful in any situation; the salvation of many is still my daily goal and I love the beauty of transference that accomplishes this miracle; and that I will serve until I draw my last breath to fight the good fight of faith and encourage all other believers to do likewise. I truly do appreciate your reminder yesterday evening and it does remind me to give more time to winning the lost to the Kingdom of Heaven while here on earth. With my retirement from the working force of this world, I have plenty of time to do both.
I don't hold myself up as a beacon for anyone else but only that they see Jesus Christ and his mighty victory for their life.
Shalom
Grany, nicely said.
You know, Hitler published Mein Kampf prior his holocaust activities. People read it. It was a best seller. He actually outlined his plans, yet no one stopped him.
I will not sit back and let my country go to the toilet without venting to our elected officials.
And when nut jobs publish materials, or publicly declare Israel and our country as enemies.. satan's if you will, to be exterminated, I will stand with Israel and say, "No, never again, not if I can help it."
I've already faced the facts that I could very well lose my life for proclaiming the truth, but God will always be with me.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb discussing what's for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb willing to contest the majority decision
Benjamin Franklin, 1755
JUST as Jesus was immediately preceded by the prophet John the Baptist, who was alive at the same time as Christ, so too the time of Antichrist—in mimicry of Christ—will be preceded by forerunners who will "Prepare the way of the [Antichrist and] make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth…" (Luke 3:4-6)
And they are here.
Mark Mallett, The Forerunners
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Great Grany 5, and Campsmore,
Absoltely the truth! Amen!
I also believe we need to say along with Queen Esther; (Esther 4:16b)
"If I perish, I perish."
Jesus gave His all. Can we do any less?
Nate, thanks for the great link. Boy, he has hit the nail on the head and it all started back in 2002.
Kinda condensing it, you can bring about a great depression by just saying so and destroying everyone's confidence in this country and it's people. Kinda like telling a kid that there are boogie men in the basement so they won't go down there.
So, if you can talk a depression into happening, can we talk resurgent markets and a return to stable economy the same way? Depends on how loud you can out shout the liberal democrats.
Grany
Grany - FANTASTIC comment at 1:11!
Couldn't agree more.
and to yours too Lori
Nate - you rock, brother. Thanks
I pledge to continue evangelizing & serving the Lord. Not serving Barack Obama. (What in the world?)
Did you all see that video on Mallett’s blog? What kind of heart string pulling, tear jerking, brain washing, sheeple gathering propaganda was that?
Grany, has there been a time in our nations history when the public was called serve the President? I thought he was suppose to serve the people?
This is getting creepier by the moment.
Jim C. I take it then Mark may think Obama is paving the way like John the Baptist? I had that same thought before myself but we can probably throw in Tony Blair & a few others as well.
Is God really in charge today?
Lord, in the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Even they will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will roll them up like an old coat. They will fade away like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will never grow old.
Hebrews 1:10-12 NLT
Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!"
Exodus 14:13-14 NLT
About this week's promise
Wars, starvation, disease, natural disasters—when we see all the pain in the world, it is easy to wonder if God is really in control. This passage assures us that however unpredictable, fearsome, and seemingly out of control the world is, Christ is Lord and King of all. Although we fully understand how he exercises his authority over daily events, we can trust fully that eternity is his and that we, adopted children of God, will exist in eternity long after the present trials are over.
adapted from TouchPoint Bible with devotional commentary by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers, Tyndale House Publishers (1996), p 1083
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Mary Emma
Maranatha!
Just reading some of the posts from the last day or so and I agree...great 1:11 post, Grany!
I might be mistaken, but I don't think any of what you wrote in your beautiful and powerful comment contradicts anything Kelly said. I think what Kelly was trying to say was that we ought to not trust or put our faith in government; instead we are to trust Him.
No form of earthly government has all the answers.
We will have to wait for Him to return and set up His government, and we find that even during the 1000 yr reign some problems still creep in.
The bottom line is for us to continually seek and trust and repent and turn to Him and He will make our paths straight.
Lisa, Shalom! Yes, I definitely think Mallett believes Obama to be a modern John the Baptist. One thing I find interesting is that Jesus needed only one forerunner to announce His coming; the Evil One needs many, many more; a cacophony to try to drown out the sound of G_D's Truth.
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Finally!
Israel links truce with Hamas to soldier's release
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Donna, I really didn't have any trouble understanding what Kelly said to me. Neither did the Holy Spirit. But thanks anyway.
JIM C. Had a dream about you early this morning and it involved your health. Get very serious about your current battle and like you said, don't bring it down too fast but don't neglect it either. Blindness can accompany diabetes and there are now some wonderful new meds offered in the treatment.
I thought I would share this with everyone here and you can do with it as you please. Believe or not sort of thing.
In the black community were I live and scattered throughout the area, there is a very definite understanding regarding our newly elected head of the government. These people are all very devout and evangelizing members of various denominations, even some who hang out with Jim C. The consensus among them is that the leader is not the AC but he will usher in the AC during his term. They are not glory seekers and would be alarmed if they knew I was telling this on a blog site. They fully realize that the real thing will have to use human flesh to bring about his presence. A fatal head wound would do nicely and the resurrected one would indeed be the real thing.
Now before anyone gets on their high horse and makes fun of these True Believers in Jesus Christ, I want to say this; they have the evidence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them daily, hourly, and by the minute. The deaf hear, the blind see, the agents of darkness are cast out and the dead are raised up. Death is not a welcome member of this group. Not meaning that they go around raising the people who have lived their life to completeness but death leaves the scene when these women begin to pray. They are on intimate terms and relationship with the Holy Spirit and it shows.
They are not living in sin, have their only hope in Jesus Christ and proclaim the gospel where ever they go. They have church in Wal-Mart and everyone gathers around. They have church where ever the people are and the unsaved are being saved. About 1990 these same women were in cold, dead churches that went through the motions and Suddenly, happened to them. They have never been the same since then. Even my pastor knows they are genuine and though he was reluctant to preach anything that related to these days, after they got finished praying for him one night, there is no power on earth or under the earth that can stop him now.
Ready or not, HE'S COMING! Listen, I can almost hear his footsteps now!
Grany
Two things here:
1) Has anyone heard anything about the earthquake that hit northern New Jersey last night? I was very surprised to see that little blue square on the US map this morning. It was only a 2.4; still, I don't think they happen THAT often.
Has anyone heard anything about the quakes in Reno, NV? They seem to have suddenly stopped.
2) Has anyone else seen the TV ads for the Salvation Army, with people speaking the words to "Amazing Grace"? It's not on YouTube yet; when it is I'll post a link to it.
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Received this from Debka:
Obama backs Israel unity government headed by Netanyahu
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report
February 15, 2009, 9:14 AM (GMT+02:00)
US president Barack Obama has bought Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu's program for attacking the Palestinian issue by first building a strong West Bank economy, DEBKAfile's Washington sources report. For its execution, Washington is in favor of Netanyahu forming a unity government in partnership with Kadima's Tzipi Livni and Labor's Ehud Barak.
Messages to this effect reached the three Israeli leaders over the weekend. It was picked up on by the outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert, who invited Netanyahu to join his next consultation with Livni and Barak on handling the Hamas truce talks in Cairo. Making it a foursome effectively starts the transition between the Jerusalem administrations.
Our sources also reveal that the White House decided after due deliberation to put the Palestinian peace issue on a back burner in the first year of the Obama presidency. Its top priorities must now be the economy and Afghanistan-Pakistan. The president's national security adviser Gen. James Jones argued that anyway, the Palestinians are split between two rival administrations and the potential Palestinian state is fragmented between the Gaza enclave backed by Iran and the and the West Bank which is headed by a weak leader, Mahmoud Abbas. The basic conditions for peace diplomacy are therefore lacking.
Special Middle East envoy George Mitchell was therefore instructed to focus on plans for establishing a firm economy on the West Bank with several hundred million dollars of US aid. Taking the opposite direction from previous Israeli governments, the Likud leader persuaded Washington that giving West Bank Palestinians a sense of prosperity would produce more results than going straight for the tough issues such as settlement evacuation. With a robust economy, the Palestinians have a better chance of building healthy government.
Mitchell was also directed to expedite the creation and training of a Palestinian security force to sustain a pro-Western administration on the West Bank.
With these two elements in place, the Obama administration hopes the future will throw up a Palestinian leader able to take over from Mahmoud Abbas and lead negotiations with Israel for a peace serving both their interests."
Hi all;
Just wanted to post a quick update on Bill. Thank you all for the prayers, he has made it through the surgery and has been in ICU for about a week. Have not gotten any other news on his condition.
Grany;
Thanks for that uplifting post @8:34. That is a true encouragement when things look so dark!!
Maranatha!
Grany,
These Christian ladies believe Obama as the John the Baptist of the AC in his current bodily state?
That he could get a "head wound" die and then be resurrected into the AC? The AC needs a body & Obama's could be it?
Or did I read more into the statements?
If so, that's quite an intriguing thought. It does make some sense though. Haven't some prophets (whether real or not-don't know) had dreams/visions of Obama being killed @ some point? My libral Obama supporting friend consistantly mentions she's afraid someone is going to try & kill him.
I shrug it off & think not - but some people are already truly worried about it.
Perry Stone just released a new teaching on Presidential cycles & I think he goes over-Clinton/Bush & what Obama's may entail. Now I wonder what he thinks about the current "cycle" aspect of his Presidency.
Ah! Found the Salvation Army "Amazing Grace" ad:
Amazing Grace" ad
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Lisa, in response to your question:
"These Christian ladies believe Obama as the John the Baptist of the AC in his current bodily state?
That he could get a "head wound" die and then be resurrected into the AC? The AC needs a body & Obama's could be it?"
Nope, they didn't say John the Baptist or anything to do with John. They feel that with this presidency and the personalities involved will be the breaking down of the weak Christians to the degree that it allows the AC to come on the scene. The ushering in is simply due to the time frame. Not that Barry is the AC or will be! They are meaning the End of the Church Age and the beginning of the tribulation that comes because of the rebellion against God and His son.
Please don't get caught up in the John the Baptist thing. Show me scripture Lisa that says a John type is coming to usher in the AC. Don't put something in there that doesn't exist. No matter who says it, if God's Word doesn't then it isn't the truth. Interpretation out the door! God hasn't fooled around with allowing us to be able to discern events so far and he won't withhold this one either.
Chill girl! as my friend Jim C. says.
The one to get the mortal head wound is the AC and no other. Barry is a great speech giver, smiles pretty and is probably pretty smart but I am more concerned about who is controlling the strings.
grany
Lisa, Shalom! Don't forget that the "head wound" and "resurrection" could be symbolic. (Personally, I think it MUST be symbolic, since the Evil One cannot create or give physical life.) Imagine if it turns out he was criminally involved with shady real estate deals in Chicago before he became a Senator. If he's impeached and possibly removed as President, that could be seen as a "mortal head wound". If he then becomes a major player in the EU, that would be his "resurrection". We also have to consider that with so many "forerunners", that Obama could be heavily involved with another forerunner, and it's THAT person who has the head wound, etc.
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I still don't believe the Forerunner position. Scripture to back it up please.
Grany
Kinda sorta goes back to the passage I depend on so very much:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Grany, Shalom! I believe Lisa is referring to the 2nd beast of Rev. 13:11-12 --
Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb's but spoke like a dragon. It wielded all the authority of the first beast in its sight and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.
The dragon (the Evil One) of Rev. 13:1 gave authority to the beast that came from the sea (the first beast); this second beast is also given equal authority but isn't above the first beast. Instead, this second beast promotes worship of the first beast. So this second beast has the anti-role or the anti-type of John the Baptist. The second beast comes out of the earth, i.e., it is already present, as opposed to the first beast who arrives from off-stage (out of the sea.) Therefore the second beast will be a current player, someone who is already alive and known at the time of the first beast (as John the Baptist was alive at the time Christ made His Self known), and who assumes or is given the power and authority of the first beast (such as a vice-president or vice-premier, or a Member of Parliament [MP] would do when assembling a new cabinet).
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GT, Great news about Bill! I'll keep praying.
Grany, I'm keeping an eye out on my BG (blood glucose) and I'm getting it down. Normal range is between 90 and 120, with 100 being optimal; yesterday at dinner it was 135! (Much improved over the 570 I started with!) Did you get my latest Paranoia Update?
Grany, I think the "Forerunner" position is implied in scripture, not directly called by that name. If the AC is to be the opposite of Christ, then when Luke:3-4 speaks of paths being made straight and filling valleys and leveling mountains, it's not in the life-giving way of Jesus. To quote from Mark Mallett,
The Antichrist’s paths are being "made straight" by forerunners who are removing obstacles to his "culture of death." The valleys they fill and the mountains they make low are the differences between man and woman, mankind and animal kind, between one religion or another: everything is to be made uniform. The winding roads of human suffering are to be straightened, made wide and easy by offering "solutions" to end all suffering. And the rough ways of dying to sin and self will be razed and paved over with a shiny and guiltless surface where sin does not exist and self-fulfillment is the ultimate destination.
In this interpretation, we have many forerunners for the AC, whereas Jesus had only one.
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A new faith needed to unify humankind as we march into future
Afghanistan President says he is becoming tired
Saudi's king envoy meets Syrian FM
Peres meets Russian FM
Jordan's king urges enhanced EU, US roles to spur Mideast peace
Breaking Intell.G7 Ends Talks with Pledge to Stimulate Global Recovery
Crisis leaves Russian ambitions thwarted at Rome G7
Sarkozy: I want Obama to engage in Iran talks with `spirit of firmness`
Iran accuses Bahais of having ties with Israel
Report: Obama to Drop Sanctions On Iran
Russia FM: Israel must preserve Peace Process even with a right-wing gov't
Russia planning 2009 Mideast peace conference
Russia offers India 320 combat helicopters
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE51E1KJ20090215?sp=true
U.S. fends off Israeli pressure, decides to help plan 'Durban 2'
Slow Obama stance on Iran nukes worries Israel
Hamas and Fatah try to form "unity government"- Last parag. kneecapping should be kidnapping... lol
Israeli, Californian Firms Sign World's Largest Solar Deal
Rev 13:3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed...
Grany,
Don't worry- I'm a chill in.
You mentioned these were Spirit filled ladies & I was trying to understand the bottom line of what your words conveyed.
You write beautifully but there are times when I read your words & I have to stop and think-& what is she really saying? Then I read it over again a couple times but still don't completely "get it."
The 2nd time your explained it for clarification I "got it" immediately.
Hopefully you can be patient w/us dense minded straight forward types. (:
I never realized Led Zepplin was suppose to be a Christian rock band. Led Zeppelin (Christian Band) I used to have some of their records & listen to them as a youth but apparently never made that connection. The "rockers" in High School loved them & many of those people were definately playing w/the Occult.
A friend & I had spun it backwards and heard it say "Red Rum" over & over in a higher & higher tone. Freaked me out to no end so I never spun a record backward again!
Lisa, you laying claim to being dense minded? No you are not! You are a child of God and he has your intelligence covered. My problem because I type as I think and sometimes in my mind I have already formed my conclusion but fail to express or lay it out when I type. Long time of writing technical papers. Do you know that I used to have a terrible time writing a letter to my mother and dad because they all sounded like business letters or a run down on financial report. Used to make my mother furious and now that I have read some of the ones that she kept, I understand why.
So, help keep me on track, will you!? I read Jim's explanation again and now I finally got it about the Head wound thingy. I have a very difficult time keeping all of the characters lined up with the right hats on in the Time of the Anti-Christ and company. If they happen to cross my path before their time, I have to remember to growl at them for good measure.
I have been reading this afternoon and seems a lot of people are really getting serious about their Christian walk. One of the missionary groups that I keep in touch with are over whelmed by the size of the group seeking help in understanding what is going on. One group in the Philippines is an example of this growth. Another one is the efforts in South America getting ripe for revival. My two friends who are retired Wycliffe missionaries from Columbia share a lot of their material with me and it makes me feel very sad that we waste our time in the USA with groups who meet solely for the purpose of tea and crumpets and allow the gospel to just relate to them and no others.
Well, tomorrow is another holiday and I don't think I can handle three days vacation from nothing. Gotta go get hubby settled, treat his poor sore head (skin cancer burn offs) and then get the rest of my chores rounded up.
Shalom one and all,
Grany
Lori, Shalom! RE: your post of 1:31 PM; no, it is kneecapping. Hamas didn't kidnap Fatah members, they either killed them (often in the hospital beds where they were recovering) or they crippled them by shooting out their kneecaps, marking them for future reference.
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Jim, RE your post at 6:58pm.....
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nate,
GOD BLESS YOU!
This is a very well done slide show.
Some of us (including me) might argue about what constitutes "the Church" but other than that, I think all of us would agree with this summary of the Gospel. (Place your mouse on each slide and click to progress through.)
The Gospel Message
One more from the same web site.
There might be a more divergence of opinion on this one but I think it is still well grounded in God's Word.
The Second Coming
This is a really scary article about demonic influence:
The Dark Backward: Demons in the Real World
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I'd like to throw out a general question to everyone. I think it's safe to say that most of us here at the cave believe strongly that we are living in the "end times."
If asked by another believer, what would you say are the top signs that we are indeed close to the Rapture and/or the 2nd coming of Christ (without of course debating the timing of those events)?
I'll take a stab at it but I really want to hear what others think. (I'm an eschatological amateur compared to most here.) Scripture references would be helpful if you could supply them as well.
1.) The rebirth of Israel and regathering of Jews back into Israel.
For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. Ez. 36:24
2.) The Temple must be rebuilt in order for the Anti-Christ to stand in it and desecrate it. It sure appears that it could be rebuilt soon. See:
http://www.templemount.org/
http://www.templeinstitute.org/index.htm
Matthew 24:15 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
3.) Increasing hostility towards the Gospel and persecution of Christians
Matthew 24 and Revelation 13 (whole chapters)
4.) Increasing apostasy
2 Thessalonians 2:3
5.) Our current economic situation makes this world ripe for acceptance of the anti-Christ and a one-world government.
1 John 2:18; Revelation 13 (whole chapter)
Nate, keeping you in my prayers.
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Nate,
I just wanted to thank you for entrusting us with your expressed honesty. I don't have the words to describe how much you touch me with such openness other than it warms my heart-puts a smile on my face & I just think Wow! Glory be to God! For you brother & how He shapes us all into the image of Christ.
Transparency takes great humility & you may have more of that than you realize. (:
Jim G.
In addition to those things you mentioned-this is the one that sticks out in my mind:
Matt 24:32-35 "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Is This The LAST Generation?
A couple videos from Lionheart.
Radical Islam Over Runs London Streets
Libera - Onward Christian Soldiers
(Good one to know about:)
Quote from the Koran: "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth [i.e. Islam] (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued" (9:29).
FYI re:Syria
Assad (the name means "lion" in Arabic and was chosen by Assad to replace his actual family name of Al Wahash, which means "beast")
He was born in Damascus, Syria on September 11, 1965.
Wahash
English translation: Beast, Lonesome, desolate, barren
Check out the table towards the bottom of this page.
Parallels between Jesus Christ and the Antichrist
Nate,
God bless you dear brother for your honest words. Thank you for sharing them! I saw your comment over at Look Up Fellowship on the post about the FEMA camps too. It is great to "run into" people at the places I visit too! I have had a sense of urgency to get together with fellow believers too. More than just our regular church and small group stuff that most of us do. I am still waiting on the Lord to lead us to that group or church. I am inclined to jump in and not wait on the Lord but I am still praying and waiting for Him to put my family together with a body of believers.
Bless you today
Diana
I'd like to share a word of encouragement from Pastor Bob Coy of Calvary Chapel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Courage. Do you have it? If so, how much? And is it enough?
I ask these personal questions because I think we may be entering times that will call for courage on the part of God’s people. Actually, all times demand courage from Christians.
I write today, not as a guy who has always had bravery come naturally and easily. In fact, the first time I was ever given the opportunity to stand up in church and speak, I almost died from nervousness and panic. (That’s a story for another letter.)
So what is courage? It’s a word that the dictionary defines this way: “The state or quality of mind that enables one to face danger or fear with self-possession, confidence, resolution, and bravery.”
Courage is a word that comes to us from two words in the original root languages.
The first half of the word courage is built upon the Latin word for “heart.” And the second half is related to Latin for “trust.” That means courage is basically heart trust.
When you are being courageous, you are trusting in your heart in a certain truth. And that truth is so strongly embraced, so wholly believed, that you are willing to do anything necessary, even to the point of death.
So how important is this characteristic today?
I think it’s more than just important right now. It’s imperative. It’s vital because in this world today, you and I, as Christians, must do things that nobody else wants to do. We must say things nobody else wants to say. And we must be something nobody else wants to be.
Why? Because we have Christ in us. And Jesus is the bravest, most daring man to ever walk the planet. Think about it. What kind of courage did it take to do what He did? To go to the cross, hang, and die for the collective, accumulated sins of the world?
That courage lives in the One who lives in us. And it’s that kind of courage that separates us from the rest of the world.
No Weasels or Wimps
Of course, antonyms of courageous include “fearful, cowardly, spineless, and yellow. I’m happy to say that those are not words that describe me today. Nor should they. Why? Because, in this world of weasels and wimps, a son or daughter of God must stand out. I want to be different. I suspect you do, too.
I want to have the kind of courage that says, without reservation, “I’m your man God. Feel free to call on me. After everything You’ve done for me, I would love to have the chance to prove to You that I’m not a disciple who would deny you under pressure.”
What does Christian courage look like? For one thing, it looks like the resolve to meet danger without reservation or retreat.
What would we do if, like Daniel, we found ourselves in a nation that made praying to the one, true God a capital offense? Might we find a way to rationalize moving our prayer meetings to the basement and to start blessing our restaurant meals with our eyes open?
“After all, doesn’t the Bible say to pray in secret, in our closet?” we might be tempted to argue.
I believe this is our opportunity to display Daniel-like character and Daniel-like courage.
In First Chronicles 28:20 we read:
David said to Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; and don’t fear or be dismayed, for the Lord your God - my God - will be with you. And He will not leave you or forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.”
Take note of that phrase, “. . . until you have finished all the work . . .”
David told his son to be strong and courageous because the Lord God would be with him until all his assigned work was complete.
The same is true for you and me. In a way, there’s an expiration date on us.
Yes, you can’t see it but God has stamped a unique date on me. A year, a month, and a day. In grocery store terms, it’s the day I’m “best if used before.” After that date, I’m dead. On that very hour which God has predetermined and predestined–I’m out of here. But until that day, I am indestructible.
I can go everywhere He tells me to go. Do anything He tells me to do. Weather any storm. Remain standing after any battle. Whatever He asks me to do, I can do it. Why? Because it’s Christ in me Who gives me that strength.
Once that truth really sinks in, you approach even the most uncertain or volatile of circumstances with an attitude that says: “Hey Lord, if You want me to do this, I’m Yours. I’m all in. In fact, there’s nothing else I’d rather do.”
Why? Because such a believer has only one valid fear—the fear of not being in the center of His will. For the Christian, that’s the safest place on earth. If God has called you into a war zone, the truly dangerous place to be is on your couch watching Seinfeld reruns!
In His Strength
Courage! We need it in this hour. More than at any other time, a lost and deceived world needs us to rise up boldly and say, “God, in Your strength, I’ll say what You ask me to say, do what You ask me to do, and be what You’ve called me to be.”
Of course there is much more to share about operating in biblical courage in the last days than I could possible fit into a letter. That’s why I want to make a teaching of mine available to you titled, oddly enough, “Courage.” It’s from my “Character Class” series and, though I taught it several years ago, I believe it is more timely and important than ever. Click here to listen to "Courage."
As always, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you how much your prayer, support and encouragement means to me. Thank you so much for keeping your connection to the Active Word strong and vital.
We’re living in times in which we need each other more than ever.
In closing, here’s my prayer for you and me today:
Lord, if we have found ourselves with a heart of cowardice of late, we pray, please change us. Encourage us. May we not live another day in fear concerning circumstances for You are God above all. And Lord, as You pour into our hearts today, may we be found faithful. For your glory in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Stay in touch.
Until the whole world hears . . .
Pastor Bob
I pray this encourages you and your families as it has mine.
In His love,
Kelly
Nate,
If I were honest too I have shrunk from the courageous anticipation of serving the Lord I had a few years ago. I have given into fear of what the future brings and pursuit of what makes me feel comfortable. Thank you so much for opening up.
Kelly, great message. I went to the website for CC Ft Lauderdale and will listen to the message on courage he talked about tonite. I think that the message is very fitting for this conversation.
Grace
Here is the devotional for today too:
Thorough Obedience
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. -Numbers 33:55 (NKJV)
God isn't into doing things halfway. When He tells us to do something, He does so with the expectation that we go all the way with it. This is perfectly illustrated in the instruction that He gave to the Israelites as they were about to cross over into the Promised Land.
We need to remember that this land of promise was filled with pagan people and satanic societies. Archeological excavations show us that the original inhabitants of this land were involved in the most unbelievable sort of behavior. Infant sacrifice, bestiality, ritualistic torture-it was all a part of the accepted lifestyle in the land.
For this reason, God commanded the Israelites to go in and completely annihilate these cultures, no exceptions and no half-measures. If they didn't, God warned them that they would suffer consequences. They would be the proverbial thorn in their sides and cause their eventual ruin, which is exactly what happened as Israel's history played out.
When God tells us to do something, He wants us to go all the way with it. Not because He's mean, but because He knows what's best for us. He wants us to thrive in the long run and live thorn-free. But this doesn't happen on its own. It takes a commitment on our part to go all the way with an understanding that partial obedience is really disobedience.
Don't misunderstand, this doesn't mean we need to be perfect. But the desire to follow through in obedience ought to be our priority. If we're not thoroughly obedient, then we'll suffer the consequences.
Discuss, Dig, Decide
Discuss the importance of complete obedience. Share with your group a time you saw the consequences of partial obedience.
Dig into Numbers 33:50-56. What was the cost of Israel not following through with God's specific instructions? How is that price still being paid today? How does this passage open your eyes to the necessity of full obedience? Where in your life are you partially obedient?
Decide to encourage those in your group to full devotion and dedication to Christ. Let everyone share what they believe God is calling them to do, and then together go to the Lord in prayer, asking for the courage to be entirely obedient to that calling from Him!
Grany, Shalom! Some thoughts about your posting of yesterday at 3:09 PM, talking about places ready for growth. For reasons I'm not ready to go into now, I think one place that will just explode is Japan. Right now, Christians amount to less that 1% of the population, and religious faith of any form is looked on with suspicion. It truly is a pagan country, in the original sense of the word, and I believe G_D's Word is going to fall on that land like a healing rain.
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Nate,
A good article.
However, it is my position that;
"we should work as if Jesus wasn't coming back in our lifetime...and expect Him to come back at any hour."
God bless you, and may you experience perfect shalom!
Nate, awesome post...
Jim, my sister-in-law is Japanese. She explained to me that Buddism is rapant in Japan. For everything that happens in your life, you are expected to give a certain amount of money to the temple.
Most Japanese that participate, see it as a very greedy, secular religion. "It's always about the money."
So when our brother introduced her to the Lord, she was hesitant. She was not used to something being offered for free. It was difficult for her to accept the free gift of salvation, but in time she did.
They had a beautiful Christian wedding. Years later, they both work in DC and have two beautiful little boys.
Japan is ripe for the picking... I know the Four Gospel Track is available in Japanese. We sent one to her family. I pray that there is a move of the Holy Spirit over those islands.
Here's an old article from 4/10/08, but why is the US sitting on this?
3 to 4.3 Billion Barrels of Technically Recoverable Oil Assessed in North Dakota and Montana’s Bakken Formation—25 Times More Than 1995 Estimate—
Nate, Jesus didn't even begin his ministry until he was 30 yrs old. Many others God called were 40+ yrs old before they were ready.
(Maybe NOW is the time God will fine tune His church.)
A pastor mentioned that in "these days"- new converts may be brought along quicker than in times past for the sake that there is not much time left.
And embarressing- In all honesty I feel that quite often. What I say to myself is- If something I express can help another then I'm going to say it no matter how I feel about it.
And after it is said what great joy it brings when indeed-the words did matter to someone.
(I'm on web restriction today because I watched too many videos & used up my alloted download capacity. So I don't know how this post is going to come out-acting strange.)
Kelly, I LOVE that Courage sermon-thanks for sharing it! I'm going to print it off & bring it to my Revelation Bible study group.
We all should not forget that God created us for just this time in History.
If He created us for it then He's going to equipt us for it.
Remember Rev 21:8 "He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly......."
Has anyone seen this yet?
U.S. TO HELP REBUILD CITY OF BABYLON IN IRAQ
Mac,
Yes, I did see it earlier today. Another reason, why it may be a little while longer until the rature...in my opinion :) Because Babylon is going to become a great city, in the end times. And I believe it is the ancient city of Babylon, being refered too. And not New York City, like a few Prophecy Teachers claim. (also Switzerland is taught by one very famous Prophecy Teacher, to be Babylon)
Although...I could be wrong :) It wouldn't be a first for me.
May God's rest, along with His perfect shalom, be upon all.
Yes, I agree, I think this great city will be in literal Babylon, too.
One teaching I often think of is Jimmy DeYoung's; he teaches that first the confirmation of the peace treaty occurs, then the first 3 1/2 years the headquarters of the Antichrist will be in Rome, then midway the Antichrist will go to Jerusalem where the Abomination of Desolation will occur, then the AC will be headquarterd in Babylon for the last 3 1/2 years.
Regardless, it is all interesting!
Luk 12:11-12
"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
New toilet tax in OZ
unbelievable
I got one very impt question...when did Australia start getting called OZ?
Nate, thanks for putting your feelings and thoughts out there. Praying for you, buddy. Pray for me too - as we should all pray for each other.
Hey Nate,
Great idea about posting our goals for where we can witness or areas to serve in in the next few months. I'm in.
One caveat though, I don't remember if you are married or not, but I would strongly suggest you consider taking your wife (or another couple from your church) with you when you get into the serious part of the witnessing and sharing with your female co-worker. Counter-transferrence can occur in a witnessing situation.
To everybody else,
Hola, Jenny and I are still here lurking impolitely. I don't have any earth shattering comments to post, but our church is in 2nd week of revelation study and care group is doing Tommy Nelson's Daniel study. Cool huh?
God bless you all.
In His Grip,
Scott
Pakistan caves to Sharia Islamic law in parts of turbulent NW
The Magic Mountain
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MoD denies secret nuclear warhead plan
Obama Naïveté at the U.N.
Related: Durban Declaration and Program of Action Full Text PDF
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Kudrin says U.S. supports Russia WTO, OECD entry
EBRD, Ukraine sign deal on $174 mln Chernobyl grant
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Barak tells IDF: Iran nukes are existential threat to Israel
Livni: Give up half of "Land of Israel"
NKorea hints at rocket launch as Kim turns 67
G7 provides few answers to economic crisis
Failure to save East Europe will lead to worldwide meltdown
New Wave of Films Tackle Globalization Head on
EU mediation needed in border dispute, Slovenia says
EU neighbour Ukraine at risk of going bust
Sarkozy wants to choose own seat at NATO summit ...literally!
Former astronaut speaks out on global warming
Tunnel near Al-Aqsa Mosque
Bibi, Livni seek coalition crisis 'savior' "possible saviors to break the deadlock included President Shimon Peres, Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman and even US President Barack Obama"
Campsmore, The Nagasaki Martyrs are the best known of the Japanese Christian martyrs. But during the period where westerners were not permitted there was no accurate count of the number of people who died for their faith, and the many, many more who were imprisoned, exiled, or dispossessed. We do know from a judge's journal that between 200,000 and 300,000 people were executed at one time by one imperial decree. And yet, 200 years after Westerners were expelled, when Westerners returned they found a hidden Church (Kakure Kirishitans -- Hidden Christians) still keeping faith.
This is one reason I think Japan will undergo a spiritual revolution, shedding its materialistic exterior and following the example of those Japanese Christians of 400 years ago.
Also, re: the 3 billion barrels of oil: I remember reading about that back when the story first broke, and I also read some stories about the changes that were going on in these small North Dakota towns that were going through booms. Now that the price of oil is back down to $40/barrel, I don't know if there's as much interest in developing these oil fields.
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This was posted at the Omega Letter site:
Member Comments:
A member sent the below to me in e-mail.
Prayer is our answer...we do not wage a war against flesh and blood.
As Paul put it worry about nothing and pray about everything....
------------------------------
II Chron. 7:14
AFTER A DAY OF CONTEMPLATION AND SOUL SEARCHING, I HAVE DECIDED TO REACH OUT TO MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TROUBLING ME FOR A LONG TIME.
OUR NATION IS/HAS BEEN ON THE SLIPPERY SLOPE TO HELL FOR A LONG TIME. IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU WILL FIND CORRUPTION, GREED, MORAL DECAY AND A STEADY MOVE AWAY FROM THE THINGS THAT MADE US GREAT. THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED ARE NO LONGER OUR BACKBONE. HOWEVER, WE CAN REVERSE THIS TREND.
IN GOD'S WORD HE STATES,"IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND."
I AM CONVINCED THAT WE MUST PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND ITS LEADERS AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS. SO I ASK YOU TO JOIN ME IN THIS PLEA TO OUR LORD.
WOULD YOU PLEASE SEND THIS TO AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK, (SEND IT TO ALL OF THEM). ASK THEM TO PRAY EVERYDAY. 25 TO THE 5TH POWER IS 9,765,625 PEOPLE. IMAGINE IF EACH PERSON REACHES TEN OTHERS.
IF YOU DO AND THEY COMPLY, WE WILL LIFT UP MILLIONS OF PRAYERS A DAY TO OUR CREATOR. HE WILL HEAR US AND IN FAITH WILL ANSWER.
Let me just add a quote from Ronald Reagan - "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." I truly believe this is why the United States of America is in the shape we are in today.
Most people have forgotten that we are ONE NATION UNDER GOD! Let us as Christians stand up and remind people of this.
Mac,
I sent that letter out this morning also. Nate, I followed your lead for the subject matter.
I will be praying for open doors and a soft heart for witnessing to your co-worker.
Grace
This week's promise: God is in charge of the world
How can God be in charge when some rulers are such tyrants?
The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he turns it wherever he pleases.
Proverbs 21:1 NLT
God's authority
God rules his creation. Nothing is outside his authority—not even the leaders of the nations and kingdoms of this world. No person is placed in a position of power outside of God's will. This can be a great comfort when we see leaders take over in various places, especially leaders with whom we do not agree.
So what does this mean for the cruel tyrants of the world? It means that they too are under God's authority. Satan may author their evil acts, but their wrongdoing can only occur within the boundaries God sets. Why those boundaries are where they are for some nations is a question only God can answer. But we can rest assured that no power is in authority outside of God's plan. God always accomplishes his will, even through the most wicked leaders. God is always the final authority.
WISE WAYS
How will you pray today for the leaders of your country, as well as for leaders around the world?
Today, Lord, may I trust that you are the sovereign authority over all that happens in my nation. May I trust you, even as I work on your behalf.
adapted from The One Year® Book of Proverbs by Neil S. Wilson, Tyndale House Publishers (2002), entry for February 21
Thank you for such upliftine posts and suggestions!!
uplifting, that is! :)
Also a reminder of God's willingness to answer the prayer of believers:
Genesis 18:25b-26
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."
While we can remind people of our nations covenant with God, we can also remind God of His promise to protect His people that are living within the His covenant.
It works both ways.
Have a great day, and keep fighting the good fight of Faith!
correction: no "the" between within and His.
Jim G.
That chart you posted re: the New Age Christ was really good. I was shocked that it mentioned Rome & the Catholic Church to play a part in his "coming out" party.
Then I read on to the link of the
The Day of the Lord article & there is another chart re:the battle of Gog & Magog. Then look at the timeline which is interesting. Don't many of us typically assume the seals are the start of the 70th week & & year Trib?
Well-look @ this time line. What if they are not & the 1st 5 seals are broken before the Day of the Lord begins.
Malachi 4:5, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
Take a look & see what you think.
Gog & Magog would still happen before the 7 year Trib but the 1st 5 seals would not be catagorized in this time period. The "Day of the Lord" would still include the full 7years & not just the 2nd 1/2.
***What this may imply is that we are in the "seals" right now or close to it.
Global financial crisis hits hard in Dubai
Non-State Actors vs. the Westphalian Model
Japanese Finance Minister Resigns After Seeming to Be Drunk at G-7 Summit News Conference
Financial crisis tests European Commission authority
Prague courts Obama for April visit
Russia, China sign energy accords
Russian missile defence to Iran on hold till meeting with Obama
Iran minister seeks missles on Russian trip
ElBaradei says Iran, Syria not cooperating enough
IAEA Chief: Israel Impedes Nuclear Disarmament
Israel's Peres to meet parties before naming premier
Arab Secy Gen: Arab initiative won't last if Israel continues foot-dragging
Jordan Turns Against Israel in Hague
'Jordan's bid for IDF war crimes petition comes from kingdom opponents'
Mashaal: 'Israel responsible for blocking Egypt's effort's to broker truce'
Israel assassinating Iranian nuclear scientists in a covert war
Israel's last ditch effort to destroy ... itself
Large swath of Palestine land seized
Obama promises Palestinians he'll protect 'biblical heartland' ends with a history lesson
Egyptian army, air force conducts Sinai war games
Delegation of US senators arrives in Syria to meet with Assad
Expose: 'Educational' TV a Leftist Teacher
Revival or Rapture and Israel’s Leadership Precariously Perched
SOLANA met US Secretary of State Hilary RODHAM CLINTON
Babylon's future written in its ruins
AoC discusses Turkey's global importance
AoC plans 2nd forum
The new world order "Biden entered to a standing ovation, paused to engulf Javier Solana, the European Union’s foreign policy representative, in a bear hug, and chatted for long minutes with Henry Kissinger. Then he headed to the podium to deliver a basic message: Obama wants to make America a more deserving partner for its traditional allies."
"If you control the oil you control the country; if you control the food you control the population." -- Henry Kissinger
Doomsday seed vault's stores are growing
Video of an amazing 12 year old.
In Prophesy in the News today J.R.Church brought up the fact that "Marek Halter " is to accompany the Pope & Shimon Peres @ the Pope's visit to Israel in March.
Marek Halter claimed that in 1993 he delivered a letter from Peres to the Pope. Within Peres promises to Internationalize Jerusalem granting the United Nations political control of the old city & the Vatican hegemony of the Holy sites within. The UN would give the PLO a capital within its new territory & East Jerusalem would become a type free trade zone of world diplomacy.
It was included in the secrete clauses of the Declaration of Principles that was signed in Sept 1993.
A little info on Halter:
His picture/Bio
Hamas 'would recognise' pre-1967 Israel
Marek Halter's Search for the 'Righteous' of Nazi Europe
I really need all of your prayers today. Things are really, really bad financially and hubby is in big financial trouble with the stock market. Threatening to sell our home or get a reverse mortgage. Homes are not selling for anything near their real value let alone market value. I am trying really hard not to be caught up in this fear driven mess but I am having a very difficult time. Anger is almost ready to blow Mt St. Helene's eruption right off of the biggest ever.
Please pray.
Grany
Grany,
I'll be praying-I know exactly what you are going through.
My D.H. just announced that our business manager convinced him NOT to sell our house right now because
#1 It's the worst possible time to sell. #2 Renting a home would be the same expense as our current mortgage payment (although utilities would sure be less) & we would no longer have that write off.
Therefore-since he did save enough $$ when the going was good-hopefully he will start making some $$ before what was saved all runs out.
So although the current news of not putting our home on the market now is a relief-(after D.H. freaking out for months)I feel like we are still on borrowed time.
(He also was looking into the Reverse Mortgage!)
I pray that the peace of the Lord be upon you during this time of testing & tribulation.
Your hubby will go through whatever it is he'll go through. You know to rest in the Lord. It's the only thing we can/should do. It's a fight between our anxious flesh & resting in the promises & the spirit of God.
(And even though the dark cloud of selling our home is somewhat lifted-I still fight becoming anxious over this whole economic scenario.)
Lisa, thank you for your words of encouragement. I have been at my wits end trying to address the real issue in all of this and today, it just all fell apart. My dh is addicted to Wall Street trading and as much as I have prayed, counseled, and tried to forestall the addiction, nothing has come from it. Just wasted efforts. I keep reminding myself that God's word tells me that dh is covered with me in his covenant but some reason, the threat is bigger than my ability to see the coverage.
I feel like Nate spoke about the other day. I am naked, sore and bruised by the battering of this life. Trying to figure out and overcome all things by my own power and resolve is not working. I know that God is hearing my prayers and petitions for others but the answers I need or think I need, are not forthcoming. But all day long, in my inner most being, this keeps playing over and over, "God is still on His throne, and he will not be mocked!" So, I have given it to Him because we are unable to do anything about anything. If this is the big break apart of this country, we can wail into the wind until the rapture and it will serve no purpose. We have to remain steadfast in our faith in God and His Word. Not as man gives it to us but as He has directed and graciously given us his promises.
Someone walked out from under God's protection and my worry is, what did I do?
Grany
Grany,
These promises belong to you:
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalm 23
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:8-15
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19-20
These and many more verses all belong to you.
In His Love,
Mary Emma
Grany,
Just for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XFepyqO7b4&feature=related
In His love,
Mary Emma
Grany;
I am praying for your situation.
He has it under control even when we somtimes don't see it!
Maranatha!
Grany, I am praying for you. Alesia and I will keep you in prayer.
Grany,
When the dirty old devil attacks me with his dirty old tricks, I sing this song with John Starnes:
"Whisper Jesus."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Hv6Al435I&feature=related
Heaven's peace really does flood my soul. And Satan flees.
In His Love,
Kelly
Day of the Lord (I don't think that last link worked.)
Who read Earthquake Ressurection? This proposed timeline may line up with that thought.
Jib, you read it, right? I went over & highlighted this "Day of the Lord" article today & it's making some sense to me. Anyone else?
Grany- your "wail into the wind" comment-that just about says it all.
Perfecting the Pre-Trib Rapture
Kathy-Have you read this before? Quite good.
Great Grany 5,
"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."
Psalms 27: 13, 14
A couple of verses that were dropped in my heart for you, when I read about your attack today.
Remember the song, God Can Make A Way? Really it's a chorus :)
"God can make a way, where there seems to be no way..."
God bless,
Love,
Marge
Nate, I'll watch those "Operation Blackjack" videos tomorrow so I don't freeze up my Computer-but I read all the type.
Then I couldn't resist reading about the Denver I. Airport after I saw the picture of that red eyed Mustang I posted a few days ago.
Wow-all the other info posted & the fact that it was built w/a 88.5square mile, 8 level, underground, high-security fortification. (And they say it was a construction error-Right! That is so ridiculous!)
Grany,
Praying right now!!! Speaking and praying these verses for you!!
Ahh...we all love you so much!!
Mary Emma, Kelly, Nate and Marge, such fantastic verses.
The nudge from the Lord to me over the last few weeks is to just soak in the Word of God. It is my strength and protection against the LIES that the enemy tries to feed us.
Nate, God does create and give us the desires of our hearts and when those desires line up with His will it is amazing what happens. You go for it!! I will be praying and rooting for you!
Tell me how you share the gospel. Do you have certain verses that you have tucked away for the right moment? My biggest desire and yet my biggest fear is sharing the gospel. I have really given into the fear lately. Your commitment has really inspired me.
Grace
El Shaddai
Grany, I am praying for your peace during these times.
Perhaps the Lord is using your husband to mess up the system more when the rapture occurs. More defaulted debt for the banks to deal with. I expect that we will all graduate soon, but if not, we do know that God will enable us to live in peace, whichever state or province we are in.
thanks all for your prayers regarding last Friday nite. I was surprised to find very young kids there, so I had to use more innuendo, but I was told that the message of forgiveness and restoration for Bathsheba came thru very clearly. Only the Lord knows the results, but I am at peace.
We heard from our real-estate agent yesterday, and he said that a number of people were looking at our place this week. But other than that, none of his other properties are getting any action at all. He is running very low financially from this drought as well.
God bless, and thanks all for the links. I will write more when I finally get a good connection at my office
Wayne
Grany,
Praying for you tonight. My sweet grany is with the Lord right now so just the name "grany" makes me want to hug you! :) You will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight as I go to sleep and when I wake in the middle of the night like I always do.
Lord bless all of you and thank you so much for sharing of yourselves here. Don't know what I would do without some likeminded believers at least on line
In His Love
Diana
Grany, know that you, Jim and the rest of your family will be in my prayers, too.
"Be still and know that I am God"
Psalm 46:10
I've not seen that article before Lisa. It doesn't make me change my position. I'd like to delve a little further into why he thinks Rev. 11:14 makes the prewrath timeline fall like a deck of cards. I'll do some research and get back to you.
Wilma, I love Isaiah 41:10. "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Grace, for years I experienced the same emotions as you. A great desire to share the gospel, but great fear also. James MacDonald's definition of faith was instrumental in helping me get past my fear. "Faith is believing the word of God and acting on it, no matter how I feel, because God promises a good result." Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of salvation for everyone who believes. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. People aren't going to come to faith in Christ unless someone tells them the good news! I thought and thought on that. Then I put my desire to share the gospel, to act on God's word, and my fear of doing so under the umbrella of that faith definition - even though I'm fearful, God promises a good result. I do our laundry at the laundromat. So many people are there that probably have never heard the gospel. I stepped out in faith, simply went up to a gal and asked her if anyone had ever told her the good news of Jesus Christ. We ended up chatting, I gave her a tract. I will confess, I don't think I did a very good job, but I acted on what I knew the Lord wanted me to do and I walked away with great joy in my heart. I have done this several times now. I have gotten smiles and an opportunity to share the good news and I've gotten "Thanks, but I'm good." It's getting easier each time I step out in faith and act on what I know the Lord desires of me.
I wouldn't freak out too much about Denver
1-the AC will rule the world from Babylon. it would be a stretch to say that Denver is Babylon
2-was the airport built after the book the Stand came out or at least the movie. If so it stands to reason that an artist rendering would be put on a wall depicting something from the movie or book. As to airports having art-it was all the rage for a while. the airport in columbus was "gifted" some strange sculpture which was put at the airport-brushstrokes in flight if I recall. The Phoenix airport has a small art gallery, it also has display cases which rotate themes such as costumes from recent operas etc. I have seen high end pottery and other such things there also.
3-as to the design-may be it has to do with wind currents and other mountain tops to provide the safest way in and out of the airports. high altitude airports are dicey creatures, very easy to end up smeared on the side of a mountain
while I can't say one way or the other that somethings don't have secret meanings I also think it is distracting to Christians to get caught up in it. we know a one world government is going to come on the scene. it may come through tragedy it may come through global financial meltdown but it is coming it has been prophesied to be so. may be some of the conspiracy theories have some truth to them-it really doesn't matter to me-I know WHO wins and that is what counts. I think getting caught up in these theories can also lead to a spirit of fear.
we have all, including me, been posting and saying fearful things over the last week as someone recently pointed out to me. I'm not talking about real personal concerns like losing one's house but concerns about government, the new world order-things we have little to no control over. While it is certainly part of talking about the end times I think we dwell too much on it. We know it's coming. being concerned about it, freaking out about, obsessing about secret masonic meanings to things which may or may not have secret meanings etc isn't going to stop it from coming and I think can be used by Satan to distract us from our true mission which to tell others about Christ.
Nate
way to go for the witnessing. good that you have a Christian boss.
Grany
shot you an email
I suppose many of you have already seen this, but just in case, and because I found it exhilerating, I wanted to share.
An End-Times Debate at Oxford
Written by: Dr. Thomas Ice
In August, 2008 I received an e-mail from the Oxford Union Society in England wanting to know if I would participate in a debate concerning the following motion: "This house believes the end is nigh." After consulting with some friends and colleagues, I accepted the invitation and the event was scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2008. I subsequently journeyed across the pond and attended this event hoping to provide some testimony for the cause of Christ. Thus, I am providing a report of my trip to such a prestigious environment.
Oxford
Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second oldest in the world, next to the University of Paris.[1] The name of the university is the same as the town in which it resides. Oxford is about 60 miles northwest of London. It is hard to pin down an exact date for the founding of Oxford, but it is known to have sprang-up in the late 1100s.[2] Oxford, like most European Universities, began when different colleges began to be established in the town. Thus, today the University is made up of "38 independent colleges, and 6 permanent private halls."[3] "Academically, Oxford is consistently ranked in the world's top 10 universities."[4]
The debate was sponsored by the largest student organization affiliated with the University—the Oxford Union Society. The Oxford Union is said to be "the world's most prestigious debating society." "It was founded in 1823 as a forum for discussion and debate, at a time when the free exchange of ideas was a notion foreign to the restrictive University authorities. It soon became the only place for students to discuss political topics whilst at Oxford."[5] Its debate chamber is very similar to the British Parliament at Westminster that many Americans have seen on C-Span and for good reason. Many members of Parliament first honed their debating skills at the Union while students at Oxford. Many famous world leaders and spokesmen have appeared at the Union, including Jerry Falwell in June 1984. Dr. Falwell debated the Prime Minister of New Zealand, David Lange on the morality of nuclear weapons. The event was televised all over the world and Dr. Falwell was heckled by the students for his views.[6] Winston Churchill once called the student audience at the Oxford Union "callow ill-tutored youths."[7] Other than a few occasional frowns from the audience when I stated biblical truth, responses toward me while at the Union were hospitable. In fact, I received the second loudest applause, out of five speakers, when I finished my opening statement.
The End is Nigh
There was a panel of five debaters at our event. The other four included in the order of our presentations John Micklethwait, Editor-in-Chief of the Economist; a science professor from Oxford whose name I cannot recall; Vinay Mistry, Manager of Exposure Management at Lloyd's of London Insurance; and Philip Stott, Professor Emeritus of Biogeography at the School of Oriental and African Studies in Oxford, and a former editor of the Journal of Biogeography.
John Micklethwait went first and spent half of his time talking about what the word "nigh" meant. He did not take a conclusive stand and simply talked about some of the geopolitical problems facing the world. The second person was the science professor who spoke about some of the problems the world faces from a scientific perspective, but did not really draw any conclusions. I was third the third speaker. Number four was Vinay Mistry from Lloyd's of London who spoke about some of the great risks the world faces from an insurance perspective, including the threat of global warming. The final spokesman was Philip Stott who thought the greatest threat to the human race was still an epidemic of some disease. Stott also ripped global warming and said as a liberal he was embarrassed that fellow liberals have fallen for the greatest hoax of all time. He hoped that in the next decade that issue would fade into the background and we could get on to more important things. He received the loudest applause.
Secular Apocalypticism
No surprisingly, I was the only one advocating a biblical perspective concerning the question. The rest took a secular approach to doomsday that is often called secular apocalypticism. This view arose shortly after the development of nuclear weapons and holds that man is now capable of destroying himself. Previously, Armageddon had been seen as a religious issue, but now man has supposedly evolved to the point where he could now destroy the world. The invitation letter from the Oxford Union included the following statement from the perspective of secular apocalypticism:
The development of nuclear power and threat of nuclear war partially caused the conception of the Doomsday Clock in 1947, which now reaches perilously close to midnight of mankind. Since then, the potential dangers facing humanity have grown to include the specter of environmental catastrophe; . . . the risks of climate change—indeed, some suggest human civilization is poised to change utterly out of recognition as a result. . . . the economic risks of "Peak Oil" may strike at the very heart of modern society; our reliance on petrochemical goods and services ties us to a continually growing consumption of oil, one which we may not be able to continue—and one endangered by instability in the Middle East. It is thus no surprise that in these threats many see the end of the world.[8]
As I noted in the debate, the problem with secular apocalypticism is that it leaves God out and exalts fallen mankind. Therefore, there is no basis in truth to evaluate anything that is happening today and certainly no way to know if the end is nigh.
A Biblical Perspective
An abbreviated version of my input at the debate went something like this: We all want to survive! In order to survive we have to have hope. The Bible provides hope based upon reality. The Bible, which is God's revelation to mankind, tells us who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. God's revelation in the Bible is totally unique. All other religions in the world are based upon a philosophy or ethics and are not grounded in historical reality. The Bible certainly has a philosophy or theology and it clearly has ethics, but the Bible claims to be God's revelation to mankind, thus it is rooted and grounded in history. If God did not create the heavens and the earth in six days, if Adam did not fall into sin, if the global flood did not occur, if the call of Abraham and the Exodus did not happen, if Jesus Christ did not live, die, rise from the dead and promise to return, then you can take your Bible and throw it in the nearest recycling bin. BUT THESE THINGS DID OCCUR!
How does the past relate to the future? Prophecy is history written in advance. About a third of the Bible was prophecy when it was written. About half of prophecy was fulfilled at Christ's first coming and half will be fulfilled in the future. Just as there were over 100 specific prophecies fulfilled by Jesus at His first coming, including His place of birth, what Jewish tribe He would descend from, even the time in history when He would show up according to Daniel 9:24–27. Bible prophecy painted a profile of what the Messiah would look like in history and Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled those prophecies in history.
Since the prophecies of Christ's first coming were fulfilled literally and historically, so also will the prophecies surrounding His second coming. Therefore, one who studies the Bible is able to develop a profile of what things will be like before Christ returns. First, the next event on the prophetic calendar is the rapture of the Church when genuine believers in Christ will disappear from planet earth and be taken to heaven. Then, after the rapture, a seven-year period known as the tribulation will take place and there are hundreds of biblical passages that speak of that time. Even today we see signs that God is preparing the world for that time.
Tonight I want to call our attention to three major indicators that the end is nigh. First is the reestablishment of the nation of Israel. No other people in the history of the world have ever been removed from their homeland, scattered across the globe, maintained their ethnic identity, and then returned to their original homeland. No one has ever done this except Israel, God's nation. Second, for the first time in history, we are seeing that Globalism is actually being implemented in our own day. The Bible predicts a global government during the tribulation. Third, the rise of the European Union appears to be a forerunner to a revived Roman Empire that Daniel and Revelation predict will be the center of the coming global government.
Conclusion
As the night progressed, I was able to briefly state the gospel to my fellow debaters and audience. We fielded a number of questions from the audience and had some give and take between the five panelists. Overall the tone was one of politeness even though some of the students made faces when I would state clear biblical truth about man's fallen nature, the gospel, and specific prophecies. I was able to talk with and share the gospel with the other debaters and many students for two hours after the debate. I don't know how often there is a gospel witness at Oxford in the days in which we live, but I am thankful for this opportunity to spread a little light in these last days. Maranatha!
The entire article plus end-notes can be found on the Pre-Trib Research website.
Maranatha!
Kelly
Shalom, all! After reading a number of posts on the Catholic Answers Forum-End Time Speculation thread that spoke of difficulty in prayer and spiritual malaise (isn't that something you put on ham sandwiches?), I posted this comment, and felt inspired to repost it here. Gotta dash to my Diabetes Class, so no time to edit; it appears as I wrote it there. TTYL!
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Shalom, all! With what I've been reading here and on a number of other web sites I frequent, would it be safe to say that many people are feeling the weight of spiritual oppression? Increased temptation, increased sin, decreased prayer?
If so, then REJOICE! The Evil One isn't going to waste time on you if it knows you're already in its pocket! The fact that it feels threatened enough by your faith to dedicate troops to attacking you means that your faith is strong enough to resist and overcome these attacks.
If so many people are being attacked spiritually at the same time, it also means that something big is coming, and the enemy is launching a barrage to soften us up for the invasion. Stay faithful, and use this knowledge to increase and improve your spiritual life through more frequent prayer, more frequent Confession, and more frequent reception of the Eucharist.
Remember: The Enemy Cannot Defeat Us, for We Are Beloved Of G_D!
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Lisa, this is the statement that I’m looking at from that article…
“The Pre-Wrath view crumbles in the face of Revelation 11:14, which clearly places the midpoint of the 70th Week three-and-a-half days prior to the end of the sixth Trumpet judgment. The clear layout of the book of Revelation also assures us that the midpoint of the 70th Week cannot come before the sixth Trumpet judgment, because the mid-Trib events of the death of the Two Witnesses, the flight of the Jews from Israel, and the brief triumph of the Antichrist all occur after the sixth Trumpet is described in chapter nine, and before the seven Bowls are described in chapter sixteen.”
I’m not quite following how the author places the midpoint of the week 3 ½ days prior to the end of the sixth trumpet, nor how he places the flight of the Jews and the triumph of AC after the sixth trumpet.
From Daniel 9:27 we learn at the midpoint of the week is when AC stops the sacrifices…
“And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate.”
Jesus refers to this in Mt. 24:15 – “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…flee…”
The flight of the Jews occurs at this point…halfway through the week. Jesus then instructs that the great tribulation begins – this is when AC will have his triumph, persecuting Israel and believers. The breaking of the sixth seal, the cosmic disturbance, the sign in the sun, moon, and stars still hasn’t occurred yet. And then there is still the seventh seal, all the trumpets and all the bowls yet to come.
I still see Mt. 24 as a simple and clear teaching to the church as what to look for prior to the Lord’s return and the rapture of the church. Mt. 24 has a reference to the end of the age and it falls after the great tribulation. He tells us in Mt. 28 He will be with us till the end of the age. Doesn't it make sense that the DOTL falls at the end of the age? We are raptured and then God's wrath begins to fall. We are not destined for His wrath, but we in this world we will have tribulation and persecution.
Good God's Day from Okieland everyone!
I haven't read any comments this morning but before I went to bed last night, I came back to tell you all that I now in the phase of life where I get to practice what I have believed and preached to others all of these days. I read a couple of precious comments directed to me and I want you to know that it really all spoke to my heart, so greatly that my rest came easy last night. I sucked in your prayers and feasted on the wonderful presence of the Lord in my kitchen where I keep my main computer. Then I saw Kelly's comment and clicked on the link that took me to youtube.com and the most wonderful presence filled my sould as I heard "Whisper Jesus". That just melted my fears, my tears dried up and I can never thank you enough, all of you!
I am going to catchup with all of your conversations now and I just want to tell you, you are all loved very much and I do consider you a very precious gift from my Abba. Not only to me but to the whole world. You know each comment and each prayer offered up to our Heavenly Father is answered in ways beyond our comprehension but God is truly still on the Throne and this scene will play out to give Him the Glory.
Thank you, each and everyone! The prayers you spoke for me probably included many, many others going through the same thing. Again, thank you!
Grany
"Let us begin to understand this: What will happen to faithful churches and the faithful remnant in the Last Days? What should we expect? There are various teachings that could explain some of this; for example, the Maccabees. However, we're looking at it now from the point of view of the Babylonian Captivity."
"Egypt, Babylon, & the Palm of God"
Kyrgyz ruling party approves U.S. base closure
Obama left to clean up mess in Afghanistan
Spain promises a transformational EU presidency
EU moves against 6 states over deficits
EU commissioner lashes out against protectionism
EU Court: Fleeing Dangerous Countries a Ground for Asylum
Germany open to bail-out of a eurozone country
Germany passes draft bank nationalization bill
Former FBI told law enforcement &Homeland Security personnel a network of Islamic organizations are working to incrementally implement Islamic law in the US
Clinton Says U.S. Seeks Unity With Muslim World
Pope to visit Amman mosque during Mideast tour
Syria reportedly stepping up production of chemical weapons
Assad: Syria wants better ties with US
Ahmadinejad calls for new world order
Iran claims to have built drone with range of 1,000 km
Iran still not cooperating on nuclear programme: IAEA chief
Iran begins privatization of second-largest bank
Turkish Cypriot parliament decides to hold early elections on April 19
'Turkey's Place is Alongside Iran'
Possibility of early elections in Ukraine depends on further events
Five tons of bombs stolen in Gaza Strip: UN
Islam expert: Conflict seen as mainly religious
Jerry Golden: You're in trouble, big trouble. But there is good news
Sudan, Darfur rebels sign peace deal
Japan PM wants settle territorial dispute with Russia
China has the whole package
The New Book Banning (Fahrenheit 451?)
The American Family Association (AFA), a pro-family group based in Mississippi, has encountered resistance in its attempts to air a television special called Speechless: Silencing the Christians.
Lisa, you may (or may not) find this interesting.
The Day of the Lord
My two cents re Peter Goodgame - I looked at his Perfecting the Pre-Trib Rapture about 3 years ago and I must admit that it intrigued me at the time. If you follow some of his earlier articles at other websites, you can see that he's developed this idea over time and he’s been heavily influenced by the Earthquake Resurrection concept. David Lowe’s book was interesting but it did not convince me. Peter has picked out the 6th seal because of the global earthquake. But even using his model and taking a close look at the first 4 seals I don’t see how he gets around 1 Thessalonians 5:2–3. Also note that the suddenness of the DotL is associated with labor pains.
I have to agree with Kathy –I don’t catch his reasoning re Rev 11:14. I must be missing something.
Grany, glad you're feeling a little better. Still holding you up in prayer.
Good posts, Jim C, Mary Emma, Kelly et all. Thanks.
Dr. John McLean presented a paper at the 2008 Pre-Trib Conference entitled, "The Chronological and Sequential Structure of the Book of Revelation."
I thoroughly enjoyed it (probably because that is what I've always believed too).
Here's the web address:
http://www.pre-trib.org/article-view.php?id=373
Grany,
I am so glad to hear you sounding like your old self again. I too will keep you in prayer. The body of Christ needs you in tip top shape to strengthen and encourage us as we work til He comes.
In His love,
Mary Emma
Maranatha!
Here's how I understand the "peace and safety" and then sudden destruction in 1 Th. 5:2...
At the Great Tribulation which starts at the AofD...there will be peace and safety for those aligned with AC. Not for believers and Israel - they will be undergoing great persecution, however, those who flee Jerusalem, God will put into protection in the wilderness. The sign of the end of the age/DOTL occurs...peace and safety is then granted to the church via the rapture. Any believers who flee Jerusalem will be raptured. Sudden destruction then falls upon the earth dwellers, those who aligned with AC. Their peace and safety is gone. "The woman" who is being protected in the wilderness will still be in protection during the DOTL judgments.
Several great articles at The Bible Prophecy Today Blogspot
So glad you are doing better Grany!
Thanks for posting the article, Mary Emma. I printed it all out and will read!
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New post is up. Verses taken from John MacArthur's devotional.
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