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WE ARE WITNESSES TO GOD'S FINAL PLAN... |
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www.prophecyfulfillment.com
The author of this site's politically incorrect, Scripturally correct comments is Raymond Finney, who is solely responsible for statements and conclusions.
| God has given us His plan for the end of the Age of Grace. We now live in the last days of this age. All prophecies pointing to Jesus' return have been sufficiently fulfilled for His return. He can appear in the clouds to call His faithful followers to join Him at any moment. In this Website, current news stories and ancient Bible prophecies are correlated to show that THE HOLY BIBLE IS TRUE, GOD IS REAL, and JESUS WILL RETURN. The true significance of events reported daily in the news media can be understood only by studying Bible prophecy. It is impossible to read Bible prophecy with an open mind without coming to an unshakable belief in God and His Son, Jesus the Christ (the Messiah). Prepare to meet Jesus— mankind's Savior— in glory and reward, not in shame and punishment. Warn others you know to prepare for His return. Persons who receive salvation through your efforts will be your spiritual children for eternity.
"Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done,...." Isaiah 46:9-10a [Says God the LORD] "Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isaiah 42:9 [The LORD said] "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...." Hosea 4:6a God's path of time extends from the beginning (eternity past) to forever and ever (eternity future). You occupy a miniscule speck of time and space on this path. The Bible should be your guide to walk along the path, as God wishes. The Bible tells you of the PAST in order that you may be guided by God's desires and teachings. Bible prophecy tells you of your FUTURE in order that you will not be caught unaware and will walk in God's ways until the end of the age. Travel well, my brother or sister! |
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HOW DOES CURRENT NEWS FULFILL ANCIENT BIBLE PROPHECIES?
DIRECTORY ... CLICK ON UNDERLINED GO PROMPT TO ACCESS WEBSITE TOPICS: | ||||
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| ANCIENT PROPHECIES — CURRENT NEWS: | ANCIENT PROPHECIES — CURRENT NEWS: | ANCIENT PROPHECIES — CURRENT NEWS: | ANCIENT PROPHECIES — CURRENT NEWS: | BEMA JUDGMENT PREPARATION: |
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CLICK, GO: Alcoholism, alcohol abuse
CLICK, GO: Antichrist and his kingdom CLICK, GO: Apostasy (falling from faith) CLICK, GO: Astrology CLICK, GO: Bowl Judgment, First CLICK, GO: Bowl Judgment, Second CLICK, GO: Bowl Judgment, Sixth CLICK, GO: China (Kings of the East) CLICK, GO: Christians: persecution of CLICK, GO: Communist China, N. Korea CLICK, GO: Droughts CLICK, GO: Drug abuse CLICK, GO: Earthquakes CLICK, GO: Epidemics CLICK, GO: Ethnic conflicts CLICK, GO: European Union (EU) |
CLICK, GO: Evangelism
CLICK, GO: False doctrines CLICK, GO: False Prophet CLICK, GO: Famines CLICK, GO: Financial system, one-world CLICK, GO: Gospel, spread of CLICK, GO: Government, one-world CLICK, GO: Hinduism CLICK, GO: Homicide bombings CLICK, GO: Infectious diseases CLICK, GO: Islam, Islamic nations CLICK, GO: Israel: destiny, conflict CLICK, GO: Jerusalem, struggle for CLICK, GO: Jews, anti-Semitism CLICK, GO: King of the North CLICK, GO: King of the South |
CLICK, GO: Kings of the East
CLICK, GO: Koran— excerpts of CLICK, GO: Knowledge, rapid growth of CLICK, GO: Magic arts CLICK, GO: Martyrs, martyrdom CLICK, GO: Miscellaneous items CLICK, GO: Muslim nations CLICK, GO: Noah, days of CLICK, GO: North Korea CLICK, GO: Occult, The CLICK, GO: Persecution CLICK, GO: Plagues CLICK, GO: Religion, one-world CLICK, GO: Roman Empire, revived CLICK, GO: Russia |
CLICK, GO: Seal Judgment, First
CLICK, GO: Seal Judgment, Fourth CLICK, GO: Seal Judgment, Second CLICK, GO: Seal Judgment, Third CLICK, GO: Sorceries CLICK, GO: Space wonders CLICK, GO: "Suicide" bombings CLICK, GO: Terrorism CLICK, GO: Trumpet Judgment, Fifth CLICK, GO: Trumpet Judgment, First CLICK, GO: Trumpet Judgment, Fourth CLICK, GO: Trumpet Judgment, Second CLICK, GO: Trumpet Judgment, Third CLICK, GO: Wars, rumors of wars CLICK, GO: Weather/ Climate Change |
Second in importance only to your salvation may be your Bema Judgment rewards. These rewards ("crowns") are seldom mentioned in many churches. Follow the teachings of Jesus, Paul, and others to receive these rewards. PREPARE NOW for treasures to await you in Heaven, if you earn them now. GO TO MY CROWNS to learn more. If you have questions or comments, please contact me by email, raymondfinney@charter.net, or by telephone, 1-865-984.1424. |
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RAPID SEARCH OF NEWS SOURCES AND OPINIONS...
DIRECTORY ... CLICK ON UNDERLINED LINK TO ACCESS CURRENT AND BREAKING NEWS SOURCES: | ||||
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| READ/ VIEW CURRENT NEWS: | READ/ VIEW CURRENT NEWS (continued): | READ/ VIEW CURRENT NEWS: | PROPHECY SITES: | COLUMNISTS/ ESSAYISTS: |
| RESIST MANAGED NEWS (PROPAGANDA)! If your only news sources are from the mainstream media, you probably know little of what is happening in the world. You regularly receive slanted, biased propaganda— often little more than political talking points— and important news may not be reported fully or accurately. Slanted (biased), incomplete news reporting is a form of censorship. To better understand truth and the world around you, scan through some of the following sites daily. Some of these sites present international and Christian viewpoints and reporting.
Brietbart USA British Broadcasting Company (BBC) UK CBN News USA Christian Post, The USA Christian Today UK Crosswalk.com USA Daily Mail UK DEBKAfile ISRAEL Drudge Report USA Financial Times UK Fox News Channel (TV) USA Ha'aretz ISRAEL Independent UK Infowars.com USA Israeli Newspapers Online ISRAEL Israel Insider ISRAEL Israel Today Magazine ISRAEL Jerusalem Post ISRAEL |
London Evening Standard UK
Middle East Media Research Institute USA Newsmax.com USA New York Times USA One America News Network USA OneNewsNow USA Prophecy Central USA Prophecy New Headlines USA Prophecy News Watch USA Pravda (English version) RUSSIA Telegraph UK Townhall.com USA USA Today USA Washington Post USA Washington Times USA WorldNetDaily USA FIGHT BACK! To complain about a biased program or news report which defames Judaism or Christianity, contact the program's sponsor(s). Sponsors financially underwrite programming through purchased advertisements. They want to attract your business, not to alienate you. A few complaints are considereed "the tip of the iceberg," probably representing many more who are offended but do not take the time to complain. In the following link, dozens of corporate logos are displayed. Click on the logo of the company you wish to contact, and you will be directed to that company's contact information: All My Faves. |
EXCELLENT MAGAZINE ARCHIVES:
Links to numerous MAGAZINES: Magazine Directory EXCELLENT NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES: Links to thousands of NEWSPAPERS: Onlinenewspapers.com ... Home page for: North American & Caribbean newspapers African newspapers South & Central American newspapers Asian & Middle Eastern newspapers European newspapers Australian & Oceanian newspapers GOOD BIBLE STUDY SOURCES: Amazingbible.org Blue Letter Bible Lambert Dolphin's Library Drudge Report Feed: Updated feed of current news reports. One America News Network: Independent medium which provides national television programming via its national cable networks. Whatfinger News: Aggregate link news site. Campus Reform: Superb news Website for college students. CONCORDANCE: Bible Tools: Retrieve Bible verses, Strong's numbers, words and phrases. |
Bible Prophecies Fulfilled
AboutBibleProphecy.com Bible Prophecy Update Hal Lindsey Report Koinonia House (Chuck Missler) Lambert Dolphin's Library Omega Letter (Jack Kinsella) Olive Tree Ministries (Jan Markell) Prophecy Central Prophecy in the News Prophecy News Watch Prophecy Update Rapture Ready Tracking the Birthpangs WorldNetDaily World Watch Daily (Bill Koenig) Jack Van Impe Ministries Voice of Evangelism (Perry Stone) Worldview Times |
Glenn Beck
Neil Cavuto (Your World) Mona Charen Ann Coulter Lou Dobbs Joseph Farah Suzanne Fields John Fund Bill Gertz Sean Hannity Hugh Hewitt Alan Keyes Charles Krauthammer Rush Limbaugh Rich Lowry Michelle Malkin Dick Morris Judge Napolitano (Freedom Watch) Thomas Sowell Cal Thomas Varney & Company Walter Williams OTHER: Gerald Cellente's Trends Research Institute Kurzweil Accelerating Intelligence Survivopedia — an "encyclopedia of survival skills" |
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★ BE FREE! I believe in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees free speech and a free press (press now called the media). In this Website, I present links to news stories in the uncensored, unedited manner as published. I use only Internet-accessible sources because of the Internet's wide availability to readers. I do not necessarily believe or support some of the statements contained in these reports. Unhindered access to a diversity of opinions and personal acceptance or rejection of any opinion is at the heart of the First Amendment and is a necessity for a free people. I reject elitists' political correctness, and I certainly reject governmental manipulation (censorship) of what the public is allowed to read or hear. You, the reader, should determine what to believe or not believe. We either have complete liberty or none at all.
Pertinent language of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;.... Pertinent language of God (Hosea 4:6): [The LORD said] "... my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. 'Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.'" ★ JOURNALISM R.I.P. An essential guardian of freedom has been a free press ("the Fourth Estate"). America's Founding Fathers championed (hoped for) journalists who would report news vigorously, accurately, and fairly. An informed electorate, then, could exercise political judgment to correct any excess or impropriety of elected officials. That vision is dying, as "journalists" increasingly become mere advocates, presenting only their biased opinions. News reports are commonly colored and distorted by these biases. I am reminded of Pilate's statement after Jesus' trial (John 18:38a): Pilate said to [Jesus], "What is truth?" Truth may be difficult to determine in news reports. This site offers numerous news sources from around the world, mostly avoiding highly biased American mainstream news sources. Personally, I trust little from what I see or hear from American news media. By reading multiple sources, you may come closer to truth. Read and listen to a variety of sources, and always question what you read and hear. Test news, which may be fallible, against the Word of God, which is infallible. In so doing, you are a student of truth (2 Timothy 2:15): Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing* the word of truth. [* "Dividing" literally means "cutting straight."] Become a warrior for (a revolutionist for) the truth of God: "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." (George Orwell, British author, 1903-1950) OWNERSHIP. This Website is owned by Raymond Finney of Maryville, Tennessee. All opinions are his. He may be contacted by email, raymondfinney@charter.net, or by telephone, 1-865-984.1424. All email inquiries and comments will be acknowledged (answered). This Website's commentaries are NOT copyrighted. Distribute in any manner you wish, except please do so in a manner respectful of God. | ||||
| GUESTBOOK (dating from December 13, 2009):
PLEASE SIGN this site's guestbook. Through your comments, strengthen other Believers' faith in the Savior and encourage them to work for Him, until He returns. VIEW this site's guestbook to read other persons' notes. 
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YOU ARE VISITOR NUMBER:
| ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS AND MESSAGES: Newsletters and messages from 2009 to 2011 have been removed to conserve space. Some more recent Sunday School lessons (since 2011) are stored in a document archive. Please CLICK here to be referred to the lesson archive. Then, please click on any underlined title (link) of interest to be referred to that document. None of this material is copyrighted. Please read, print, forward to others, or use in any Christ-honoring manner you wish. Help spread the Gospel!
NEW COMPILATION of some Sunday School (Bible study) lessons I wrote weekly (before 2017 retirement). GO TO www.eternalword.info. I am now retired from teaching (no more newsletters or archived lessons). REFERENCE ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV), © Thomas Nelson, Inc. All quotations from The Holy Bible are written in RED font color. All quotations from the Koran are written in GREEN font color. |
| WARS, RUMORS OF WARS, AND TERRORISM | ||
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| BIBLE PROPHECY | CURRENT NEWS | BACKGROUND: Jesus prophesied a world filled with wars, rumors of wars, commotions, and terrorism prior to His return to earth (see Jesus' Olivet Discourse in Matthew, chapter 24; Mark, chapter 13; and Luke, chapter 21). In Jesus' teaching, the Greek word ethnos has been poorly translated as "nation." A better translation is "ethnic group" or "people." This term accurately includes terrorist groups— small groups of people with, at best, only loose connection with any recognized national government. In this same teaching, Jesus identified others at war, using the Greek word basileia, which indicates "national governments." Thus, the end of the age will be marked by wars between nations and by terrorism. This situation precisely characterizes the present time. Note that Jesus said in this teaching that we should not be troubled— the end is not yet and these hostilities must occur. Peace is being sought by many, but all measures will ultimately fail because it is God's plan that war continues until Jesus returns. Why would a loving God permit war? Let God be God! Trust Him to do what is best, according to His plan, not what you would do if you were God. The Apostle Paul was troubled by God's mysteries, which he could not understand. In Isaiah 55:8-9, we are told that God's ways and thoughts are much higher than ours (which is a polite way of saying that we cannot understand God's mind). Perhaps, some day, answers to God's mysteries will be revealed to us in New Jerusalem (Heaven). Since World War II, there has not been a single day free of international war, civil war, or terrorism somewhere in the world. Islamic fundamentalists now hold the nations of the earth in expectation of the next terrorist attack. Especially affected are the United States ("the great Satan") and Israel ("the little Satan"), but increasingly European nations are being terrorized. The September 11, 2001 (9/11) attack on the United States by Islamic fundamentalists was a dramatic foretaste of the terrorism which undoubtedly will be inflicted on America, Western countries, and Israel. The meticulous preparation of terrorists and the war on terrorism being conducted in Middle East nations may have delayed additional attacks on America. More likely, though, the lull in repeat and successful terror attacks may represent God's pattern of judgment. God's judgment follows this sequence:
Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn has written an insightful book, The Harbinger, convincingly drawing a parallel of God's judgment on ancient Israel and modern America. Read a summary of Cahn's The Harbinger to see the important parallels between ancient Israel and modern America. Understand important Arabic words:
Iran is of special concern in the Middle East. Iran is led by Shiite Muslim leaders who believe that international chaos (war) will hasten the appearance of Imam Mahdi, the twelfth imam (sometimes referred to as "the Islamic messiah," although Jews and Christians should be offended by connecting the holy title of ho Christos [Greek: "the Christ"] or HaMashiach [Hebrew: "the Messiah"] to a man portrayed as the enemy of Jews and Christians). Accordingly, Iran is completing development of (or, has developed?) nuclear weapons and has promised to annihilate Israel. (But, Iran has agreed to contain nuclear weapons. Right? Or, is it hudna and taqiyya? And are we fools to believe anything the Iranians say?) And, the United States paid Iran billions of dollars in the previously mentioned agreement. Iran does not need to build missles and bombs, because we have made it possible for them to buy these implements of war from other enemy nuclear powers. Iran's fanatical government cares nothing about its own people, as any Iranian who dies in a holy war would be a martyr and would be taken into Paradise by Allah. The main goal of the Iranian nuclear program is to annihilate Israel (and other Western nations) and start a worldwide war. Shiite prophecies hold that the Mahdi will come during a time of worldwide chaos. (Read applicable ancient prophecies in Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 and 39.) A question that no government official will answer is: Why would Iran, which has more petroleum than it can ever use, need to develop nuclear "electrical power plants," and, especially, extend the program to produce weapons-grade uranium? Terrorists can easily cross America's porous borders (borders shared with Mexico and Canada), with little resistance (athough President Trump seeks to tighten border control). Once in America, they quietly establish cell groups, patiently waiting for the appropriate time to try to inflict great damage to America. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conceded there are hundreds or thousands of ISIS jihadis quietly sheltered in place, waiting, waiting, waiting,... waiting for a time to strike. (TAKE NOTE: No country resembling the United States can be found in end-time prophecy.) Other countries, especially in Europe (such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom), are also at risk. In 2011, we witnessed the Arab Spring, in which a number of governments were toppled. Politicians and their news media puppets talked breathlessly of "democracy," claiming the Muslim rioters only wanted (and deserved) American-style "democracy." Nonsense! First, America was not founded as a "democracy," but, rather, a constitutional republic. More importantly, though, America's Founding Fathers clearly established a government based on Judeo-Christian principles— not Islamic principles. Some of the Founding Fathers even stated that the new American form of government would be suitable only for persons of Jewish and Christian faith— and for no other faith. Peoples involved in the Arab Spring sought to embrace Sharia law, not Judeo-Christian Biblical law. Sharia is incompatible with "democracy." Even more important questions must be answered: What nation(s) or group(s) were behind the Arab Spring? What was the motive for overturning these governments? Will there be "democratic freedom," or repressive, theocratic rule? Although bad dictators were toppled, have the people benefitted; have Jews and Christians been put in much greater risk; is it more difficult (impossible) to deal with the new leaders? More recently, extremely aggressive, barbaric Islamic groups— including ISIS (also called, ISIL, IS, Daesh) — have swept through the Middle East. The intention of this new generation of Islamic warriors is clear. They wish to convert or kill all Christians and Jews, claim formerly Judeo-Christian lands as part of an Islamic caliphate, and establish Sharia law. Only God knows the future of the many terrorist groups. Most disturbing are the number of Americans and other Westerners who voluntarily leave their homelands to become "radicalized" and return as jihadists. America probably cannot be toppled by ISIS, but multiple terrorist attacks may cripple the nation and cause citizens to live needlessly in fear. One goal of terrorism is to cause a nation's citizens to live in fear and change their activities. Short of God's mercy, the only protection Americans have is the Constitution, but only IF this remarkable document is faithfully interpreted and followed. New types of warfare are being faced. Enemies are developing biological warfare tactics (spreading of deadly, infectious bacteria or viruses) by international air travel and other means. "Dirty" nuclear weapons can be easily, inexpensively manufactured. The electrical and communications network can be destroyed instantaneously by a low-altitude nuclear (EMP) detonation or by hackers working at computer keyboards thousands of miles away. Jesus told us that the world would see wars and rumors of wars prior to His return. (See first Scripture, reproduced below). Again, though, note that He said, "Such things must happen, but the end is still to come" [my underlining for emphasis]. Global financial collapse could be the "tipping point" for the collapse of nations throughout the world. Our money is "fiat" currency (from the Latin fiat — "let it be done"). Fiat currency has value only because a government decrees it has value— "let it be done." The American dollar, for example, is fiat money. America is hopelessly in debt (many, many trillions of dollars in admitted and hidden debt). There is real question whether America's gold reserves actually exist. Efforts are successfully being made to weaken the American dollar through international monetary maneuvers. Americans continue to trade in dollars only through faith, because there is no other option for them. Financial collapse could occur suddenly. Is there a sinister connection of the world's banking system, a few extremely rich persons, and international leaders to plan a world war through financial collapse? Since we are not privy to the plans of these people, we can only guess what their diabolical goals may be. IS THIS HOW AMERICA MAY END? Since most of this site's readers are Americans, I write this section primarily for Americans. Readers in other countries may face the same dangers, though.What is the fate of America? Many authors have discussed the alarming future of the United States. I will mention only a few.
How may America be destroyed? If America is destroyed prior to the rise of the Antichrist, how may this occur?
A good summary of ISIS (ISIL, IS, Daesh) is provided in a box at the end of a telegraph.com article. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES:
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NEWSWATCH CHECKLIST. Watch for the following issues relative to this section:
SEE List of Ismalic Terrorist Attacks by year, region, and casualties, beginning in 2001 (the page shown in this link) and continuing in subsequent pages (links) until the present time. The "religion of peace" applies only to Dar al-Islam (the House of Islam), but not to Dar al-Harb (the House of War). Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims (and even apostates, Muslims who do not worship Allah appropriately) are hated by Islamic jihadis and are subject to execution to appease Allah. Can a true jihadi accept a world, until all persons live in Dar al-Islam?
Click on underlined title to read details.
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ISRAEL (DESTINY OF AND STRUGGLE FOR)
JERUSALEM (DESIRE OF MANY AND SOURCE OF CONFLICT) JEWS, HATRED OF (ANTI-SEMITISM) | |
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| BIBLE PROPHECY | CURRENT NEWS |
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BACKGROUND: All end-of-the-age prophecy revolves around:
(1) God's Covenant people (the Jews), God's Covenant Land (Israel), and God's Holy City (Jerusalem), at a time when the Jews occupy Israel (after return from dispersal among the nations); and (2) The way the world's nations treat the Jews. Many important Bible prophecies have been fulfilled since May, 1948, including:
After the 1948 re-establishment of Israel, God promised to provide victory for Israel against all future enemy attacks. Israel is now under Divine protection. All of her enemies will eventually be destroyed, although the tiny nation must endure tremendous trials. The return of exiled Jews to Israel fulfills multiple prophecies. The intense hatred of the Jewish nation in the last days sets the stage for great wars against Israel, with God— and God only— rescuing Israel from "certain" defeat. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Genesis 12:2-3: [The LORD speaking to Abram, who would be re-named Abraham, said] "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Only Jews and Christians can be accepted into fellowship with God. Only Jews and Christians have a right to own Jerusalem and Israel. Others who claim Israel and Jerusalem, e.g., Muslims, have a counterfeit claim. The Arabs' inheritance is land to the east of Israel, i.e., the Arabian Peninsula (see Genesis 16:7-15; 17:20-21; and 21:17-21). The Arabs' gift from God is not His Covenant relationship, but His grace for salvation— a gift available to every person in the world. Jesus of the Holy Bible is not the same as the Prophet Isa of the Koran. Jehovah of the Holy Bible is not the same as Allah of the Koran. Do not be confused by apostate "Christians" who vainly try to make Christian and Koranic teachings equal. Such "equality" is akin to arguing that dogs and cats are equal because they both have fur. Amos 9:11-15: "On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name," says the LORD who does this thing. "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God. EXPLANATION: Prior to 1948, present-day Israel was a sparsely populated, impoverished, unproductive wasteland. Since the Jews' return in May, 1948, the land has become a vibrant, productive, modern, democratic country by the grace of God and in fulfillment of His promise to the Jews. Zechariah 12:2-4, 6: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. In that day," says the LORD, "I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. |...| In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place— Jerusalem." EXPLANATION: God will not permit Israel to be defeated in battle after the Jews' final return to the Covenant land (which happened in 1948). Nations of the world will turn against Israel and hate the Jews, but they cannot— they will not— defeat Israel because an all-powerful God will defend the Jews and defeat providentially all of the Jews' enemies! Psalm 83:2-8: For behold, Your [God's] enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more." For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also has joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot. EXPLANATION: This list of ancient peoples is the same list of Arab/Muslim nations now fanatically desiring to push the Jews into the Mediterranean Sea, that the nation of Israel will never exist again. Ancient place names in which these enemies of Israel lived (live) and modern equivalents are: Edom: ancient Palestine between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba— Edomites were descendants of Esau, twin brother of Jacob (Israel); Ishmaelites: Arabian Peninsula— Ishmaelites were descendants of Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar; Moab: land east of the Dead Sea in present-day southwest Jordan— Moabites were descendants of Lot and his daughter; Hagrites: similar to Ishmaelites (see above), Hagrites lived in desert land east and south of ancient Palestine (Israel)— Hagrites were descendants of Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar; Gebal: mountainous land of Edom (see above) south of the Dead Sea, now called Djebal; Ammon: an ancient kingdom east of the Jordan River in present-day northwest Jordan; its capital, Rabbath-Ammon, was on the site of present-day Amman, Jordan; the Ammonites were descendants of Lot and his daughter; Amalek: Amalek, Esau's grandson, gave rise to Israel's perpetual enemy, the Amalekites, an ancient nomadic people in Canaan and the Sinai Peninsula; Philistia: ancient land in southwestern Palestine along the important Egypt-Syria trade route— its people were the Philistines, long-standing enemies of the Israelites; Tyre: ancient Phoenician city on the eastern Mediterranean Sea in present-day southern Lebanon; and Assyria: an ancient Asian civilization, which included much of the land between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, and as far south as the Persian Gulf. Many believe this psalm prophesies the first of end-time wars. This war is often called "The Psalm 83 War" or "The Inner Circle War." Some even suggest this war may have already started with Israel's neighbors waging war against her. Ezekiel, chapter 37: SUMMARY: The LORD gave Ezekiel a vision: He saw a valley littered with many dry bones. The LORD said He would restore the bones. They were joined together and were covered with flesh, appearing as men and women, but they did not breathe. Then, breath came to them from the "four winds," and the assembled forms had the breath of life. The LORD said that these bones depicted the whole house of Israel. The LORD promised to bring His people back to the land of Israel. Ezekiel was then told to take two sticks of wood, writing "Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him" on one and "Ephraim's stick belonging to Joseph and all of the house of Israel associated with him" on the other. Ezekiel was told to unite the two sticks into one because they would never again be divided. Then, "David" will be King over them and they will follow God's laws. COMMENT: This important prophecy, written nearly 2,600 years ago, surely was written for our time. In AD 70, Roman legions defeated the Jewish people, destroyed their Second Temple, and either slaughtered the Jews or carried them into captivity (first in Rome and, then, throughout the world with the collapse of Rome). This worldwide dispersal, covering nearly a nineteen-century period, is known as "the Diaspora." The Jews remained dispersed until May, 1948, when they returned to re-establish Israel (the dry bones becoming flesh). Since 1948, the Jews have re-built Israel under one government (the two sticks joined as one in Ezekiel's vision), and God has promised they never again will be defeated. Jews from all parts of the world (the breath from the four winds— the four cardinal points of the world in Ezekiel's vision) have come to Israel. Rule under "David" will not occur until the Millennial Kingdom, when Jesus Christ will rule the world and all nations will know and worship God. (Jesus was from the House of David— see Jesus' genealogy in the Gospels— and was sometimes called "Son of David.") Deuteronomy 30:1-5, 7: [Moses spoke to Israel] "Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God drives you, and you return to the LORD your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the LORD your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the LORD your God has scattered you. If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers. |...| Also the LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you." SUMMARY: As present-day events spiral out of control, one country (Israel) and one people (the Jews) are and will remain at the center of the world's turmoil— exactly as foretold in The Holy Bible by the writings of prophets thousands of years ago. The descendants of two sons of Abraham— Isaac and Ishmael— will continue contending for the land given by God to Abraham and his son Isaac. As The Holy Bible clearly states:
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (the Jews) are the rightful heirs of the Covenant land (Israel) and God's Holy City in that Land (Jerusalem). This inheritance continues through David and Jesus Christ, so that engrafted, or "adopted," Jews (Christians) — the "wild branches" in Paul's explanation of God's olive tree (see Romans 11:15-29, 32) — are also the rightful heirs of the Covenant Land and Jerusalem. The descendants of Abraham and Hagar, Ishmael, Esau, Lot, and the sons of Abraham and Keturah— present-day Muslims— are not the heirs of Israel and Jerusalem. The Holy Bible clearly informs that the struggle between Jews and Christians and their enemies will increase dramatically prior to the return of the Messiah; that the conflict between followers of the God of Israel (Jehovah for Jews and Christians) and other gods (Allah for the Muslims and secular humanism for others) will take peace from the earth; and that mankind will not achieve lasting peace until the return (the Second Coming) of Jesus the Messiah. Expect wars, rumors of wars, and violence to continue in the Middle East and elsewhere until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to bind Satan and stop the warring nature of man. Expect Jews to continue coming home to Israel from all parts of the world to fulfill prophecy of an Aliyah (Aliyah = "rising up [to go home]") of Jews in the last days. RELATED REFERENCE SITES: + The Mitchell Report (April 30, 2001)... Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-finding Committee Final Report.
WISDOM AND TRUTH IN TWO SENTENCES: "If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel." Quotation attributed to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu STATISTICS FOR AMERICANS TO UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF TERRORISM IN ISRAEL: Consider the following:
THE ABSURDITY OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT'S DEMANDS: In addition to shameful neglect of Iran's nuclear ambitions, the Obama administration pressured Israel not to build in eastern Israel and Jerusalem, fully expecting this land and city to be given to "Palestinian" insurgents. Consider an alternative demand: Suppose Mexico, wanting return of the southwestern United States to Mexico (which was annexed by force), befriends a foreign power (China, for example). What would America's reaction be to Chinese demands that building and settlement in Dallas, Houston, and other Texas cities cease, pending the soon return of Texas and other southwestern land to Mexico? In truth, Mexico's claim to the southwestern United States has far more validity than "Palestine's" claim to Israel. AMERICA'S DANGEROUS FOREIGN POLICY: The United States has joined other nations (the United Nations, the European Union, and Russia) in demanding that Israel accept the Two-State Solution. This "solution" would:
More tragically, this "solution" is directly contrary to Biblical commandments. Ancient prophecies foretold the anti-Semitism of Israel's neighbors, as they sought to have the name of Israel be remembered no more (see Psalm 83). God promised that He would return the sons and daughters of Zion to Israel in the last days, and they would forever be one nation under one "king" (government), never again to be divided and ruled by "other kings" — other governments (see Ezekiel 37:21-28). God foretold that Jerusalem would be the focal point of strife in the last days, but that He would destroy any nation that tried to divide Jerusalem and Israel (see Zechariah 12:2-3, 9). In the previous executive administration, President Obama bowed to Muslim dictators and other leaders, but showed contempt for Israeli prime minister Netanyahu. Recall that anything resembling America is absent in end-time prophecy. The only hint of America I can find in Scriptures is in Ezekiel 38:13. Here, the "young lions" of Tarshish stand back and debate (United Nations?) the unprovoked, surprise invasion of Israel by Magog (Russia) and her Muslim confederates of Persia (Iran) and other nations (see Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39). "Tarshish" is of uncertain location. Some researchers believe Tarshish may be Spain (or even England?). If so, the Americas were mostly explored and settled by "Tarshish," and are obviously younger ("young lions") than their parent countries. Are New World colonies Tarshish's "young lions?" Hal Lindsey has taught for years that the United States must fall in order that the Antichrist's government may rise to prominence. Is America's changing attitude toward Israel fulfilling God's promise of a curse against any person who (any nation which) curses His people Israel (see Genesis 12:3a)? Is America "cursed" (awaiting God's judgment) because of our attitudes toward Israel in favor of Israel's enemies? Read Jonathan Cahn's The Harbinger, based on an Isaiah 9:10 prophecy, as he draws a chilling comparison between ancient Israel and modern America, with America's protection being removed on September 11, 2001 (9/11). PRAY FOR Jews, Jerusalem, and Israel. Click back arrow to return to this Web page. |
NEWSWATCH CHECKLIST. Watch for the following issues relative to this section:
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| EUROPEAN UNION (EU) — THE REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE | |
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BACKGROUND: [COMMENT: Some prophecy students believe that the Antichrist may come from the European Union (EU) — the revived Roman Empire. With the Brexit vote and other EU nations threatening to follow Great Britain, the EU may be severely weakened. Other prophecy students believe that the "ten kings" — and, the Antichrist— may come from the ten world regions proposed by the Club of Rome, United Nations, and others. The Antichrist could come from the revived Roman Empire, as many think, because the former Roman Empire encompassed predominantly Christian land in Europe as well as Muslim land in the Middle East and northern Africa. Others belive he could come from a Middle Eastern origin— a Muslim? a Jew? Scriptures state that he will be revealed, which hints a mystery unknowable by students of prophecy.] The Jewish prophet Daniel was the slave of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. The king had a troubling dream about a magnificent statue. With God's guidance, Daniel was the only one who could interpret the dream. This interpretation is found in Daniel, chapter 2. Even though the Book of Daniel was written more than 2,500 years ago, the prophetic interpretation of the dream has been inerrant in predicting great empires that would affect Jews from Daniel's time to the present. Why would there be any reason to believe that the remaining portion of the prophecy will not be fulfilled in our future? The statue's parts represented successive kingdoms:
NOTE 1:
John envisioned a similar scenario in Revelation, chapter 17. Nebuchadnezzar's dream continued. The legs of iron continued into feet made of iron and clay. These feet represent either the European Union (EU) — interpretation 1, above, or global governments, interpretation 2, above. End-time governments will be a mixture of strong nations (iron) and weak nations (clay). Iron and clay do not mix well together, just as strong and weak nations in any international confederacy do not mix well together. We are now at this point in history. The toes on the statue's feet, representing the ten divisions of the world's nations, comprise the Antichrist's government. This portion of the dream will not be fulfilled until the Tribulation. The Club of Rome, based in Switzerland and composed of an unelected (self-appointed), elitist group of environmentalists and social engineers, has divided the world into ten regional divisions as the beginning of a plan to limit population growth and energy use (that is, to save us from ourselves and create a future world to their liking). SEE MAP of the Club of Rome's divided world. Could this Club of Rome plan represent the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar's statue? Nebuchadnezzar's dream continued. A Stone cut out of a Mountain without hands will crush the toes. (Know that a mountain represents a kingdom in prophecy.) Daniel's prophetic Mountain is God. The Stone is Jesus, and this part of the dream prophesied the immaculate conception of Jesus (coming from God the Father without a human father). This Stone (Jesus) will crush the only part of the statue in existence at Jesus' appearance at the end of the Tribulation— the toes, representing the Antichrist's government, all other kingdoms (governments) having faded from existence. Then, the statue will collapse— no more governments of man will ever exist. This crushing of the Antichrist will be at Jesus' Second Coming (at the Battle of Armageddon). The Rock (Jesus), then, will become a Mountain covering the entire earth, representing Jesus' rule during the Millennial Kingdom. NOTE: This Rock, and other Scriptural references to this Rock, form the basis upon which the Christian Church is founded. Many erroneously interpret Matthew 16:16-18 as having Jesus establish the Christian Church on the Apostle Simon bar Jonah (nicknamed Cephas [Aramaic] for "stone" or Petros [Greek] for "stone, small rock"], but review of all Scriptures indicate that Jesus established His church on Himself (petra [Greek] for "bedrock, large rocky structure"), not Peter (Petros Greek for "stone"). People of faith can honor the Apostle Peter's contribution to the early church without re-writing Scriptures to accommodate their theological assumptions that Peter was the first pope and Jesus' Church was built on Peter. Fulfillment of the final part of Daniel's prophetic interpretation began in 1948— the year Jews were allowed to return to Zion to re-establish Israel after nineteen centuries of dispersion into other countries (the Diaspora) and the same year that dozens of other end-of-the-age prophecies were fulfilled! European countries were war-weary (two world wars had been fought on their continent in three decades), and they were frightened that they were sandwiched between two nuclear powers (USA and United Kingdom to the west, USSR to the east). Three small countries— Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg— formed the Benelux Federation, which now has grown into a multi-national alliance of nations, the European Union (EU). The EU now occupies much of the land formerly occupied by the Roman Empire. Most of the EU has a single monetary system (currency) — the euro ( ) — which is the first time this has happened since the collapse of the Roman Empire many centuries ago. The EU is building armed forces, but may rely heavily on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the future. The EU is actively engaged in international affairs, and seeks to replace American diplomacy and influence. The EU was growing economically stronger, but recent events have dampened European prosperity some. NOTE 1: The EU is presently experiencing significant economic problems, as socialist nations always experience. Debt and poor economies have caused financial difficulties in at least the "PIIGS" nations (Portual, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain) — (which represent the weak nations, the clay in the statue's feet), and have caused strong nations of Germany and France, (which represent the iron in the statue's feet) to bail out their economies. No one knows the future economic condition of the EU. Will the EU recover? Will the EU collapse, along with the economies of other nations, including the USA? NOTE 2: Some prophecy students believe the Antichrist will be a Middle Easterner (Muslim? Jew?). The above scenario is not negated by this interpretation. The Roman Empire extended through some present Islamic nations and Israel. SEE maps of the Roman Empire in AD 8, 47,and 117. The CE (CE = "Common Era") designation in these maps is the scholarly (Christ-minimizing, Christ-replacing) substitution for AD (AD = Anno Domini = "Year of the Lord"). In addition to the preceding trappings of a world superpower, two other events are shaping the future EU:
The situation thus described sets the stage for the Tribulation. A powerful people— with great military, technical, and economic might, not guided by the words of God and antagonistic toward Jews— (whether the EU or another world power) will be led by a charismatic man, the Antichrist, to make war against God's people. The European Union has fallen on hard times. A great threat is the stated goal for Islamization of Europe, and Islamization is rapidly occurring in many European countries. Muslims are dramatically re-shaping the culture and religion of Europe. Only God knows how long the E.U. will stand.
REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: (Daniel 2:41-43): [Daniel said] "Just as you [Nebuchadnezzar] saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay."
RELATED REFERENCE SITES:
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NEWSWATCH CHECKLIST. Watch for the following issues relative to this section:
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| THE ANTICHRIST AND HIS GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE FALSE PROPHET AND HIS FALSE RELIGION The Unholy Trinity: Satan, Antichrist, and False Prophet | |
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BACKGROUND: Since Satan's expulsion from Heaven, he has been and remains God's enemy. The angels who fell with him (demons) have tried to defeat God's plans and God's people. This battle between the good of God and the evil of Satan will intensify as Satan's time grows short. The evil of Satan will become especially intense and wicked during the Tribulation. (Two theories exist: Pre-tribulation rapture/ resurrection: The Tribulation is a seven-year period beginning after the Rapture/ Resurrection and immediately prior to the Second Coming of Jesus. Mid-tribulation rapture/ resurrection: The Rapture/ Resurrection occurs during the mid-portion of the Tribulation, leaving the greatest horrors for the last three and one-half years.) I favor the pre-Tribulation theory. There are other theories which seem nonsensical to me, and I will not bother the reader with these theories. There will arise a man, the Antichrist, who will promote Satan's kingdom during the Tribulation. He will be aided by the False Prophet (an apostate Christian? apostate Jew? other?), who will fashion a new religion to worship the Antichrist and Satan. Some scholars believe the Antichrist will arise from the European Union (the revived Roman Empire). Others believe he will be a Midddle Easterner (apostate Muslim? apostate Jew?). The Roman Empire covered many present-day nations, including Great Britain, western Europe, Mediterranean nations, and the western part of the Middle East, extending to Egypt. Again, SEE maps of the Roman Empire in AD 8, 47, and 117. The CE (Common Era) designation in these maps is an attempt to replace the Christ in the calendar. Those of us not ashamed of Jesus use AD (AD = Anno Domini = Year of the Lord, rather than CE). The Antichrist certainly will do Satan's bidding, as Satan attempts to establish an earthly kingdom to thwart Jesus' return. Every plan of Satan (through the Antichrist) will be an evil counterfeit of God's plan. Thus, in his kingdom— a counterfeit imitation of God's Kingdom in Heaven— Satan will establish an unholy trinity, a blasphemous imitation of the Holy Trinity. The Unholy Trinity will be composed of Satan, who will attempt to replace God the Father; the Antichrist, who will attempt to replace Jesus the Christ; and the False Prophet, who will attempt to replace the Holy Spirit. The Antichrist will be the First Seal Judgment of the Tribulation, described in Revelation (see Revelation 6:1-2) as the rider on the white horse. The Antichrist will come to world prominence when he affirms a false peace pact between Israel and her Middle Eastern enemies. At heart, he will be a man of war, and this false peace pact will be short-lived. The Antichrist will march into Israel and defile the third Jewish Temple (as did his prototype, Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 BC). The influence of the Antichrist will be widespread throughout the world, as he works to establish a one-world (global) government, a one-world cashless financial system, and a one-world sham religion. Not all of the world will follow him, though. Anything at the present time which attempts to unify the world in government, finance (economy), or religion may serve to prepare the minds and hearts of people to accept the ultimate global power scheme of the Antichrist during the Tribulation. Watch for the "spirit of the Antichrist" to usher in the actual Antichrist. Jesus warned us to not be deceived by and follow false christs (see Matthew 24:4-5; Mark 13:5-6; and Luke 21:8). In The Holy Bible, the Antichrist is given several descriptive names, following. Only in John's first epistle is he called "the Antichrist."
REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: See the above-cited Scriptures for descriptions of the Antichrist. I will not use space to expound further on the Antichrist and False Prophet. A description of the False Prophet (the Beast out of the Earth), including the infamous mark of the Beast instituted on his behalf, is found in Revelation, 13:11-18. RELATED REFERENCE SITES: See: Charter of the United Nations Applied Digital Solutions Company has developed a miniaturized, implantable device, which can store personal data and generate radio frequency transmissions— VeriChip™; a miniaturized, implantable power source, which generates electricity from body heat (Thermo Life™); and an implantable GPS device. While this company may be completely innocent of any future collaboration with the False Prophet, these devices represent the type of technology which likely will be used as the mark of the Beast (see Revelation 13:16-17). Advertisements and news articles for these products are presented to show that technology for the mark of the Beast is now available: VeriChip™; Thermo Life™; and GPS implant. Humanist Manifestos I and II (American Humanist Association) FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS— HOW LONG CAN THE NATION LIVE ON CREDIT?
Why mention this issue in this section? America is financially bankrupt (more than 21-trillion dollars in admitted debt, and growing rapidly). Her leaders are addicted to reckless spending and accumulation of more debt, which is a bipartisan failure. Much of America's spending is non-discretionary and cannot be rescinded without significant social and political chaos. No politician will consider reducing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, etc. As America plunges deeper in debt, she will be "owned" by other interests— interests which will steer America and other nations into the one-world economy and government that will mark the Antichrist's regime. Debt may even cause America to be plunged into war. (It was World War II that caused recovery from the Great Depression. Ironically, Adolf Hitler's maniacal and evil bid to dominate the world was far more effective than F.D. Roosevelt's alphabet soup agencies in the Great Depression recovery.) Jesus' return is at the door! Be concerned not about having money in your pockets, but having rewards ("crowns") in Heaven! Worldwide financial collapse may lead rapidly to food and energy shortages, civil unrest, and other distresses which will be present before Jesus' return. The "trigger" for the "perilous times" of Paul's prophecy— the "trigger" which may cause the return of Jesus— could be global economic collapse. Such collapse has already begun and may progress rapidly. Read the dire prophecy of economic collapse in James 5:1-6. National leaders do not know how to correct the coming financial collapse. Consider Luke 21:28: [Jesus said] "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Part of the global chaos the Antichrist will likely need to tackle in his seven-year plan will be the restoration of economic confidence through his one-world government and one-world economy, including a cashless society, operating through the "mark of the Beast" (see Revelation 13:16-17). Will the Antichrist's seven-year treaty also provide sharing the Temple Mount between Muslims (to keep the Dome of the Rock) and Jews (to build the Third Temple)? It would be funny, it it were not so sad: Twenty Questions— Government Studies That Will Leave You Scratching Your Head (Senator Jeff Flake, May, 2016). Unfortunately, this oversight report only barely touches the surface of government waste, fraud, and abuse. NOTE: In this section, I include articles about the economy, especially the American economy. Prophecy scholars for decades have taught that the United States must fall before the Antichrist's reign. End-time prophecies, e.g., James 5:1-3 and the early Seal Judgments in Revelation, chapter 6 also warn of economic collapse. The United States could collapse economically, rather than militarily. America's collapse could start a domino effect, with other nations collapsing. For Americans concerned about the exploding national debt, part of America's debt stems from an imbalance of trade— especially trade with future enemies (China, for example). Read labels. If a product reads, "Made in [a nation which is/ will be America's enemy]," do you really want to trade with a potential enemy? Is such trade a treasonous act, even if small in nature? You may wish to see: MadeInUSAForever.com, a site which list products made only in America. Readers in other nations may have similar sites. Help your nation's economy and workers by refusing to trade with future enemies. Finally, consider the words of Adolf Hitler: "The best way to take control over a people and control them utterly is to take a little of their freedom at a time, to erode rights by a thousand tiny and almost imperceptible reductions. In this way, the people will not see those rights and freedoms being removed until past the point at which these changes cannot be reversed."
✔ WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE (FOLLOWED BY THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION) OCCUR? Bible students fix the timing and length of the Rapture, followed by the Tribulation, differently. Leading theories are the Rapture occurs seven years before the Tribulation (pre-Tribulation) or in the middle of the Tribulation (mid-Tribulation). Much of the confusion seems to center on the meaning of "the last trumpet," which I believe the mid-Tribulationalists mis-interpret Scriptures. I cannot account for all of the timed sequence events in the mid-Tribulation theory. To accommodate all such events, one needs seven prophetic years (7 x 360 = 2,520 days), not 3.5 years. Daniel's "seven days" (a shabua), Jesus' revelation to the Apostle John, Ezekiel's Gog-Magog prophecy, and other Scriptures require seven years to play out. Numerous Internet articles have been posted. I present a very few posts, which argue for a pre-Tribulation Rapture:
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NEWSWATCH CHECKLIST. Watch for the following issues relative to this section:
CONSTITUTIONAL CHECKLIST. The United States was born in revolution against the British crown in the late eighteenth century (Revolutionary War). America's Founding Fathers considered Great Britain to be despotic. Soon after the founding of the United States, a Constitution was adopted. A Bill of Rights (ten constitutional amendments intended to protect citizens against governmental excesses) was soon adopted. See: Bill or Rights text. These founding documents have been a model for government, balancing necessary powers of a government with rights of the governed. America's constitutional government is incompatible with the Antichrist's totalitarian government during the Tribulation. As we rush toward the Tribulation, watch for measures to dismantle or weaken the Constitution. These measures may include excesses of laws and regulations, court decisions, and executive (presidential) orders. As distressing as these breaches of constitutional government may be, they are reassuring that the return of Jesus grows closer each day. I present a very brief outline of some endangered constitutional safeguards:
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| THE KINGS OF THE EAST | |
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BACKGROUND: Christians, Jews, and the West in general have three potential enemies in the east— Communism (China and North
Korea); Islam (a wide swath of countries extending through northern Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East); and Hinduism (primarily India).
China and other Far Eastern countries presently may feign peaceful co-existence with the West because the trade imbalance provides a surplus of Western money to feed burgeoning populations and build military strength. Part of this trade imbalance is due to countries such as China and North Korea, which sell weapons to Middle Eastern countries— enemies of Israel and the West, including the United States— with no moral constraint. Untold millions of young men are available for military service, in part due to China's one-child policy which has resulted in a surplus of male children. The Bible prophesies that an army of 200-million soldiers from the Far East will advance toward Israel immediately before Jesus' Second Coming (see Revelation 9:15-19). Several scenarios can be imagined, including: China and North Korea may form the nucleus of an army to fight the West; or, Islamic countries may form the nucleus of an army to fight Israel and the West; or, Hindu countries (India) may form the nucleus of an army to fight Islamic countries (an unlikely scenario); or, coalitions of these powers may form an army to fight Israel and the West. War could erupt at any moment in the Far East. China could attack Taiwan, which would create a diplomatic and military crisis for the United States. India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, periodically threaten to re-ignite their hatred for one another. North Korea, led by an irrational "clown," makes warring gestures toward South Korea, threatens America, and rapidly develops nuclear weapon and missile technology. Thus, Eastern powers, acting singly or together, could easily fulfill the westward-advancing army that wages war immediately before the Lord Jesus Christ returns. The Euphrates River historically has been a barrier against ground troop movement between the east and west. In the 1990s, Turkey built a system of dams— the Atatürk Dam being the largest— which can stop the flow of water in the Euphrates River, making troop crossing much easier. China has been building a daunting engineering Trans-Himalayan highway, which would facilitate troop movement from the Far East toward Israel. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Revelation 9:13-21: Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. SUMMARY of verses 17 TO 21: John described the horde advancing through Asia toward Israel. He tried to explain instruments of modern war, which would have been very strange to him, in terms people of his time could understand. For example: fire out of the mouths of their "horses" could represent tanks; and the fire, smoke, and sulfur that killed a third of mankind surely could represent nuclear warfare.
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NEWSWATCH CHECKLIST. Watch for the following issues relative to this section:
Click on underlined title to read details.
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PERSECUTION OF GOD'S PEOPLE MARTYRDOM BECAUSE OF FAITH | |
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BACKGROUND: The Christian Church has suffered great persecution since being founded on the Day of Pentecost in ca AD 33. The Roman Empire tried to stamp out the Church through nearly two centuries of horrendous persecution, but the Church grew faster than the Romans could martyr Christians. During the Dark Ages, Christians turned on themselves, as a corrupt Catholic Church sought to stop the Protestant Reformation, but the Church remained intact. In the past century, enemies of Jesus Christ— especially Muslims— have tried to remove Christians from "their" land through forced conversions to Islam or death, but the Church has grown steadily in some of these areas. The harder Satan has persecuted and continues to persecute God's people, the more resolute and numerous Christians have become! And, of course, the Jews have always been terribly persecuted in the past and presently.
The Holy Bible (in large part, the books of Daniel and Revelation) tells of an evil government during the seven-year Tribulation. This government may come through the United Nations. This one-world government will be headed by the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and will be established to accomplish Satan's bidding and to oppose God in Three Persons. Before the Tribulation begins, Christians will be removed from the earth by the Rapture (pre-Tribulation interpretation). God will not leave the earth without hope, though, and He will raise up 144,000 Jewish evangelists and the Two Witnesses to proclaim His Gospel message of grace (salvation through Jesus' blood sacrifice) throughout the world. Many millions will be converted to faith in Jesus during this time. The Antichrist's government will ruthlessly hunt down these recently converted Christians, and they will be martyred (murdered). All the puzzle pieces are falling into place to fulfill in the very near future the prophetic scenario outlined above. Consider these facts: Although unbelievably dysfunctional at the moment, Europe is building a powerful federation of nations (the European Union). Europe is mostly apostate, with little practice of Christianity in many countries and with anti-Christian hostility in some countries. Europe's long-standing anti-Semitism is intensifying. Europe is increasingly allying with Muslim nations, which hate Jews and Christians. Even in America, the Judicial System, some members of Congress, the State Department, many members of the media, and members of the entertainment community are strongly biased against Christianity. The world is ready for the Antichrist and the unmerciful persecution of Jews and Christians he will unleash. Satan will execute his plan for a few years, until he is defeated by Jesus the Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, at His Second Coming! NOTE THIS: A 2002 book review*, summarizes the bloodshed of Christian martyrs during the twentieth century. In the two millennia of Christian history, more than 70-million Christians have been martyred (murdered) solely because of their Christian faith. Of these, 45.5-million (65 per cent) of martyrs lost their lives during the twentieth century. Most recent Christian martyrdom has occurred because of Communism and Islamic and Hindu fundamentalism (extremism).
Note the difference in attitude between Christian martyrdom and Islamic martyrdom:
REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Genesis 3:15a: [The LORD God said to the serpent, or Satan] "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed;...."
For a printed copy of the VOM [Voice of the Martyrs] Prisoner List, send the request along
with your name and address via email to basic@vom-usa.org. To read accounts of early Christian martyrdom as recorded by Sixteenth Century historian John Foxe, see Foxe's Book of Martyrs. PRAY FOR the persecuted church. GO TO this Web page to sign up for FREE subscription to Voice of the Martyr's Prisoner Alert email update. Send copies of The Holy Bible to persons throughout the world, including persecuted Christians:
PRAY FOR the Persecuted Church. |
NEWSWATCH CHECKLIST. Watch for the following issues relative to this section:
See OPEN DOORS' 2018 WORLD WATCH LIST REPORT. Christians are under extreme, ever increasing persecution in much of the world, and little is being done about it. Many persecuted Christians are poor and brown-skinned— persons unlikely to garner sympathy of Western politicians and church pastors/ congregants. Click on underlined title to read details.
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APOSTASY (FALLING FROM FAITH), "AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH" | |
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BACKGROUND: Apostasy, or falling from (stepping away from) faith, is characteristic of the end of the Age of Grace. Faith is weak to almost non-existent in many formerly Christian countries, including much of Europe and part of the United States. Many people who state they are Christians do so because of a meaningless encounter with religion (example: infant baptism), but they never read and study the Holy Bible, pray, worship, praise God, congregate with fellow Christians, or seek God's forgiveness of sins. To be a follower of Jesus, one must walk daily with Him and apply Biblical principles to all life experiences.
Jesus outlined the Christian Church ages in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. The last church type addressed by Jesus in Revelation 3:14-22 is the church in Laodicea, which represents the predominant church at the end of the age. Jesus had no praise for the Laodicean church because of its lukewarm faith and efforts. Even today, some church leaders deny the basic tenets of Christianity, while living a life which follows and glorifies Satan, rather than God. (There are several tenets of fundamental Christian beliefs all Christians should readily embrace.) Many people, busy with personal life issues, do not find time to consider their relationship with God. Because of their lack of faith, failure to seek salvation and redemption from sin, and following "idols" (any pursuit which is more important in life than the worship of God becomes an idol), they will die a spiritual death (the second death— death of the soul in Hell), as did people in Noah's day die a physical death (the first death) from the flood. Shamefully, some "Christian" pastors combine Christianity and Islam into a bastardized religion— "Chrislam." In Chrislam, there is reading from both the Koran and the Holy Bible, there are prayers to Jehovah and to Allah, and there is taught that there is more than one way to eternal life. Jesus and New Testament authors had much to say about such false teachers. When these false teachers meet their Divine Judge, they will begin an eternity of remorse over their corruption of God's Holy Word and their attempts to lead Jesus' followers astray. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Matthew 24:10, 12: [Jesus said] "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. |...| And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."Matthew 24:37-39: [Jesus said] "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." EXPLANATION: Day of Noah refers to the way mankind behaved before the flood. The world will be destroyed twice— by water (flood) in Noah's time and by fire in the future. Noah's time is described in Genesis 6:5-7a: Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man...." Mankind, except for Noah and his family, was destroyed by the flood. The next destruction of the earth will follow the Millennial Kingdom, and was foretold to Isaiah (see Isaiah 65:17) and John (see Revelation 21:1). God will cleanse (purify) the earth of any remembrance of man's sinful activities before sinless New Jerusalem (Heaven) descends to a newly created earth and heavens (see 2 Peter 3:10-13). Luke 18:8b: [Jesus said] "... Nevertheless, when the Son of Man [Jesus] comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Peter 3:3-9: ... scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Revelation 3:14-16: [Jesus said] "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God [Jesus]: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.'" |
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| EVANGELISM (SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL) | ||
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| BIBLE PROPHECY | CURRENT NEWS | |
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BACKGROUND: The majority of Christian churches will become the lukewarm churches patterned after the church in Laodicea (see Revelation 3:14-22). Such churches distress Jesus ("I will vomit you out of My mouth"). Paradoxically, a minority of Christian churches will become the vibrant, ministering, evangelical churches patterned after the Church in Philadelphia (see Revelation 3:7-13). Such churches are loved by Jesus. The Philadelphia-type church will spread the message of Jesus as Lord and Savior and the loving grace of God the Father to all parts of the world before Jesus' return. Even though evangelical Christians are in the minority, impressive evangelism is now magnified because Gospel messages on radio, television, satellite, and Internet blanket all parts of the earth (see Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20).
The greatest activity of any Christian church is the spread of the Gospel message to a lost world. While a Christian church may engage in such activities as social dinners, sports, and so forth, it is spread of the Gospel that follows Jesus' commission for His Church. Jesus gave few commands for His followers— deny self, take up the cross, and follow Him. Complicated rituals and rules of Christian churches stray from the simplicity of Jesus' invitation. The late Billy Graham was a successful, beloved evangelist. His messages were simple, easily understood, and repeatedly carried the simple message found in John 3:16. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Matthew 24:14: [Jesus said] ""And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."COMMENT: Since "all nations" have at least some access to the Gospel of the Kingdom, Jesus' prophecy has been fulfilled, and "the end" can come at any time. Mark 13:10: [Jesus said] "And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations." COMMENT: "Gospel" comes from a compund Greek word: good + message (news). The Gospel is the good news of the Messiah's birth, life (ministry), death, and resurrection. Matthew 28:19-20: [Jesus said] "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Revelation 3:7-8, 10-11: [Jesus said] "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens:" I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. |...| Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."[ WHY IS THE GOOD NEWS SO HARD TO FIND IN NEWS MEDIA REPORTS? The Gospel is called "the Good News" because it tells the world about God's grace and His plan of salvation to save sinners from eternal death. Efforts to save souls and help people in Jesus' name go virtually unreported in the national news media. Any hint of negative news or scandal within the community of faith will be copiously, gleefully reported, though. Satan has hardened the hearts of news media reporters, editors, and executives. Consider:
Therefore, it is difficult to find news stories in the national media outlets which tell of a Church of Jesus Christ being preached throughout the nations to all peoples. This lack of message is due to selective, biased, hate-filled editing by the media. Neither Satan nor a biased news media can stop evangelism, though. Every moment of every day the messages of God's grace and the blood sacrifice of the Savior Jesus Christ reach the world through personal, radio, television, and Internet ministries. There is Good News in the earth, even if the news media refuse to acknowledge the good news. I like the "Shoe" cartoon strip. "Shoe" is (was? is it still published?) about birds whose lives center around a newspaper, the Tattler-Tribune. Several years ago, the cartoonist, Jeff MacNelly, wrote a book, 27 Years of Shoe: World Ends at Ten, Details at Eleven. I am amused by the book's title. If we wait for the news media, government, and many pastors to warn us about the end of the Age of Grace, we will be "an hour late." That is why God called those who worship Him to be watchmen and sound the trumpet of alarm for our neighbors, as written in Jeremiah 6:17a: [Says the LORD] "Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'...." Read also Ezekiel 33:1-9, which tells of our responsibility to watch for others and the judgment for failing to warn others of coming danger. It is up to Jesus' followers— those who watch for the return of Jesus— to sound the trumpet of alarm and warn others of the soon return of Jesus for His church (His followers or believers), so that they will not perish (die the second death in Hell). A modern invention, which facilitates evangelism, is the Internet. GO TO this site to view a worldwide distribution of Internet sites. Another important invention of modern communication is television. I remember reading a National Geographic magazine several years ago about the isolation of parts of eastern Asia. Small, Chinese-made color television sets were being watched, even in what would seem the most primitive living standards in the world. The Gospel will be preached by many means before Jesus returns! Read The Story of Jesus, and share with others. The "JESUS" film has been one of the most widely circulated evangelical tools:
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★ ATTENTION! There are many reports of Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere converting to Christianity after they see (in a dream or vision) a Person they believe to be Jesus the Christ. SEE some of these accounts accessed through a Google search engine aggregation. Perhaps Jesus is supernaturally causing these salvations when conventional mission efforts have failed (2 Peter 3:9): The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Is the Holy Spirit intervening in the hearts and souls of the lost because we Christians are not accomplishing God's will with enough vigor? Click on underlined title to read details.
Move cursor over headline to pause stream; click "Read on..." to read article. | |
| SORCERIES | ||
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BACKGROUND: Many people in developed countries, including countries in North America and Europe, share certain features:
They are exceedingly rich by world and historical standards. They typically are not required to work from dawn to dusk to eke out a meager living, as in former times. Rather than rejoicing in their good lives, many become bored and disillusioned. They use their abundance of wealth and leisure time to yield to Satan's temptations by turning to drugs— and, alcohol is a drug— and other sinful activities to fill their meaningless days and to dull their senses. Instead of being grateful for riches and leisure time, they do not help their neighbors in need and they do not serve God. These bored people abuse alcohol and other drugs, participate in astrology and various demonic spiritual delusions, waste their lives on meaningless electronic games and social networks, spend their days satisfying only themselves, and follow Satan deeper into darkness. They truly live "as in the days of Noah" of which Jesus warned (see Matthew 24:37-39). The Bible prophesied there would be many persons involved in "sorceries" at the end of the age. Interestingly, the word poorly translated sorceries, sorcery, or magic spells in various Bible versions is the Greek word pharmakeia. The pharmak- (pharmac-) root is familiar to every person, as it relates to drugs (pharmacy, pharmaceutical, pharmacist, pharmacology, etc.). There is recent mania to legalize marijuana. This drug is not harmless for many reasons. Side effects of particular interest to globalists include: study difficulties (reduced ability to learn and retain information); apathy, drowsiness, lack of motivation; personality and mood changes; and inability to understand and think clearly. There are other alarming side effects of this "harmless" drug, which in reality is a "gateway drug" to the use of even more dangerous drugs. To the future Antichrist's totalitarian government, a population of apathetic, fuzzy-headed, ambitionless, and agnostic/ atheistic subjects is an ideal flock of sheep for the evil shepherd to lead wherever he desires. I can almost hear it now: "The Antichrist is cool, man. Let's smoke another blunt." One of the reasons the future Babylon the Great will fall is her use and exportation of pharmakeia (see Revelation 18:23-24). This Babylon, "destroyed in one hour," represents man's governments which rebel against God. America and other nations cannot continue to sin against God, while expecting to avoid His wrath. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Revelation 18:23-24 (my underlining): [A mighty angel said] "The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery [em>pharmakeia] all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth." |
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COMMENT: Any reader must be aware of the drug problems and other addictive, Satan-inspired sins abounding in society (such as, pornography, adultery, and fornication). Local newspapers are filled with drug busts and alcohol-related traffic accidents. Because of common knowledge among readers, most stories about "sorceries" are omitted from this Website.
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| EPIDEMICS, PANDEMICS, PLAGUES | |
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| BIBLE PROPHECY | CURRENT NEWS |
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BACKGROUND: Evil and unrepentant mankind will endure epidemics and plagues during the Tribulation.
The stage for these judgments is now set. Infectious agent pandemics can sweep the earth with amazing speed, facilitated by worldwide airplane travel and evil terrorists. HIV (the AIDS virus) infected millions of persons in a few years. More recently, infection with Ebola virus and other pathogens caused worldwide distress. Consider the even greater worldwide impact, if HIV or Ebola virus were spread by an airborne route (virus hybridization). In this scenario, one infected passenger could infect an entire plane of passengers, each of whom in turn would infect persons in their communities, each of whom would in turn.... Consider global spread of a deadly virus (such as Ebola virus). Scientists are capable of synthesizing and hybridizing viruses, perhaps creating viruses for which no natural immunity exists. Hostile governments are weaponizing bacteria and viruses. Russia, although unable to weaponize the Ebola virus, has successfully weaponized a related virus, the Marburg virus. Many tons of pathogenic organisms (smallpox virus, for example) are stored for possible use as biologic weapons of mass destruction. Most (all?) countries stopped smallpox vaccinations a few decades ago. This vaccination cessation seemed a smart move at the time, but may be catastrophic in the future, as many millions of persons have no smallpox immunity. The Internet guides terrorists on ways to weaponize the anthrax bacillus from dead animal carcasses. Weaponized anthrax is available to many hostile governments. Airport security is more illusion than fact. For example, an infectious terrorist (not yet exhibiting symptoms or taking saporon to mask fever) could board a plane for London, New York, Paris, etc. This terrorist could travel from Africa or the Middle East, exposing hundreds of passengers. These passengers, then, would continue their journeys throughout Western nations, infecting many persons. Many bacteria, once easily treated with antibiotics, are now resistant to virtually all antibiotics. When antibiotics fail, people will succumb to infections now considered readily treatable. With Tribulation wars and famines, people will be even more susceptible to epidemics (due to malnutrition and impaired immunity). The environment is always at risk for invasion by hordes of insects and other destructive pests, further worsening famines caused by the wars, droughts, and infections of the Tribulation. WORD STUDY:
— — — — — * The Greek word translated "pale" (chloros) implies a greenish or yellowish-green color. ** "Beasts of the earth" may indicate diseases carried by animals. For example, malaria is a leading cause of death in the world. The malarial parasite is transmitted by an animal, the mosquito. People do not die from a mosquito (animal) bite, but they die from the infection carried by the biting animal. Revelation 9:1-11 foretells the fifth trumpet judgment, in which demonic locusts are released from the bottomless pit to torment those "who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads" with extremely painful, scorpion-like stings for five months during the Tribulation. Revelation 16:2: So the first [angel] went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Revelation 16:3: Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. COMMENT: Could this judgment be the Red Tide we now experience, or a similar infestation of the ocean waters? RELATED REFERENCE SITES: CDC News Updates:HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Tuberculosis Prevention News Update The Global Infectious Disease Threat and Its Implications for the United States Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) If you want access to the best and latest scientific studies in health-related topics, go to: Google Scholar PubMed Both of these sites are superb. In either site, find a search box. Enter the word or phrase of interest in the search box, and the world's medical literature is immediately opened for your use. Google Scholar is probably more extensive and contains more articles from around the world. Of the archived medical journal articles, you can read either the entire article or at least pertinent information— backgroud of authors and abstract (abstract = summary of article's finding and conclusions). |
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| FAMINES, DROUGHTS | |
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BACKGROUND: Famines and droughts are major problems now. During the Tribulation, however, the earth will be gripped by unprecedented famines and droughts, and these conditions— representing judgments of God (the Third and Fourth Seal Judgments) — will be intensified by worldwide wars and plagues (epidemics) of a magnitude never before experienced on earth.
REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Matthew 24:7b: [Jesus said] "...There will be famines...."
Mark 13:8c: [Jesus said] "...and there will be famines...." Luke 21:11b: [Jesus said] "[There will be] ... famines...." Revelation 6:5-8: When [Jesus] opened the third seal, I [John] heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine." When [Jesus] opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. COMMENT: A denarius was the wage of a common laborer in the first century. A quart of wheat is sufficient to bake a small loaf of bread. What John saw was this: A working man would need to labor all day for just enough to provide barest sustenance for himself, with nothing left to support his family's meals or other living expenses. The fact that the oil and wine were not harmed may mean that these luxury foods can still be purchased by the wealthy (old proverb: "the rich get richer, while the poor get poorer"), regardless of the famine, but the grains eaten by the poor will be in short supply. Old, but interesting articles:
RELATED REFERENCE SITES: + National Drought Mitigation Center. + U.S. Drought Monitor + World POPClock Projection [up-to-date world population estimates] + 2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics |
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| EARTHQUAKES | |
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| BIBLE PROPHECY | CURRENT NEWS |
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BACKGROUND: Earthquakes have long accompanied God's judgments and announcements. Jesus prophesied great earthquakes prior to His return. It is estimated that more than 3.3-million earthquakes shake the earth each year. Most earthquakes are small. Many cannot be felt, but can be identified with seismographs. Some people claim that earthquakes have increased during the last century, but others argue that the recent "increase" in earthquake activity reflects better detection (more seismographs around the world) and better reporting (global satellite communication). Jesus' prophecy is fulfilled either way. That is, people of the world are made increasingly aware of earthquakes in different places, whether earthquakes occur more frequently or are reported more easily. At the beginning of His Olivet Discourse prophecy teaching, Jesus qualified His prophecies: "You will hear...." He did not say, "You will personally experience...." Increase in knowledge about global earthquake activity also fits Daniel's end-time prophecy about people going here and there to increase knowledge (see Daniel 12:4). Remember also that the tectonic plates are unstable and active, and massive shifts in these plates (causing severe earthquake activity) could occur throughout the earth in the days or weeks immediately preceding Jesus' return.
Explanation of the Richter scale:
The death toll associated with the larger earthquakes depends upon population density, construction practices for residential homes and public buildings, associated fires, and other factors. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Matthew 24:7b: [Jesus said] "... There will be ... earthquakes in various places."Mark 13:8b: [Jesus said] "There will be earthquakes in various places.... These are the beginnings of birth pains." Luke 21:11a: [Jesus said] "There will be great earthquakes... in various places...." RELATED REFERENCE SITES: Earthquake Search, U.S. Geological Survey, search for global, national, and local earthquakes Earthquake Lists and Maps (Records), U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Statistics (2000 - present), U.S. Geological Survey |
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Because earthquakes are so common, only the largest earthquakes— those associated with many deaths, widespread property damage, or large tsunami production— will be cited in this Website. See chart showing an increase in severe earthquakes, as we approach the return of the Lord: USGS Worldwide Deadly & Destructive Earthquakes between Magnitudes 6 and 8. Similar information may be obtained at: Historic Worldwide Earthquakes— Sorted by Date. Weekly occurrence of earthquakes may be monitored at: Recent Earthquakes. See information about a major expanse of volcanic and seismic (earthquake) activity: Pacific Ring of Fire.
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| WEATHER, CLIMATE DISTURBANCES | ||
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| BIBLE PROPHECY | CURRENT NEWS | |
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BACKGROUND: Some climatologists warn that the earth is undergoing "climate change" (whether man-made or due to natural processes). Other climatologists deny this claim, citing manipulated or selective use of weather data. The climate-change cult warns of greater number and strength of storms, which has not yet happened. The one constant of climate is climate change— climate always has changed, always will.
The earth undergoes periods of warming and periods of cooling. SEE Global Temperature Trends From 2500 B.C. To 2040 A.D., in which a chart represents at least 78 major temperature swings from 2500 BC to AD 2040. Most climate changes occurreed before man's activities could influence the climate. Do man's activities significantly alter climate? The unsolvable debate is whether man is (that is, man's activities are) presently affecting the climate primarily through fossil fuel consumption (production of greenhouse gases). This question seems to me to be unsolvable by the long-accepted scientific method. Unless we could create two parallel earths— our present earth as a test earth and an identical earth free of human activity as a control earth— this question probably cannot be resolved with scientific certainty. Climate models, with all of their problems (including "adjustment of data" to make the models fit observed data), will dominate our discussion. Climate debate has taken on features of religion, with climate "believers" and climate "deniers." Jesus warned that there will be severe storms prior to His return. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:25b: [Jesus said] "... on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;...." |
COMMENT: Major storms occur at irregular intervals. Major storm systems can develop within a few days. Therefore, lack of recent storm activity provides no assurance that the return of Jesus is in the distant future. Look for changing weather patterns— increase in strength and frequency of storms and unusual weather occurrences.
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INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE, WONDERS IN SPACE | |
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| BIBLE PROPHECY | CURRENT NEWS |
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BACKGROUND: The present time is marked by an unprecedented explosion of knowledge. At the time of the prophets and Jesus, the base of knowledge doubled over a period of many centuries. The base of knowledge now doubles over a period of a few months at most. Computers and worldwide communication systems foster rapid growth and dissemination of knowledge.
Marked advances in astronomy— including the Hubble telescope— permit us to see the far reaches of space and to increase knowledge about the universe God created. Our astronomy tools reveal that the beautiful universe is, in fact, a hostile place. There are large heavenly bodies— asteroids and comets— flying through space at great speed. These bodies have frequently struck earth, and can strike (and will strike) again. Great energy is imparted by one of these strikes. This energy, kinetic energy, is determined by the formula K = 0.5(mv2), where K is the measurement of kinetic energy, m is the mass (weight), and v is the velocity (speed). The destructive power of these extraterrestrial objects is in large part imparted by the great velocity (speed) these objects attain before striking earth. Catastrophic damage (equal to many nuclear bomb detonations) can occur. Debris thrown up and fires caused by such a collision would simulate the well-popularized "nuclear winter." The dust and smoke would darken the sun and alter the color of the moon. REPRESENTATIVE SCRIPTURES: Genesis 1:14-15: Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so."Daniel 12:4: [The angel said] "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." Joel 2:30-31: [The LORD replies] "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." Luke 21:11: [Jesus said] "And there will be ... fearful sights and great signs from heaven." Revelation 8:7-12: The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!" RELATED REFERENCE SITES: SpaceWeather.com This interesting site provides information about solar storm activity. Solar storms (sunspots) progress through an eleven-year cycle. A massive solar flare (coronal mass expulsion) directed at the earth could destroy electronic instruments/ machines and electrical grid infrastructure. ?" |
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| MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST |
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See Quotes on Liberty and Virtue. We are losing both liberty and virtue! |