OUT ON A LIMB... update

As I stated in my last post “OUT ON A LIMB”, posted last January 17, I predicted that the first five Seals of Revelation will be fulfilled in 2013.  Here is an update as of March 26, 2013…

SEAL 1... This prediction is fulfilled. Quote… “I believe that this year the current Pope will be replaced.  According to Roman Catholic tradition, the next and last Pope will take the name Peter.”

Jorge Bergoglio took the name Francis. However, St Francis’ first name was really “Giovanni”, his father gave him the nickname “Francisco”. Therefore, St Francis’ real middle name “Peter” has a lot more prophetic weight than “Francis”. Is Pope Francis I the Antichrist? Only God knows, but if he is... look for him to be a very nice man who will cleverly teach salvation destroying doctrine.  This, after all, is the true mark of the “Antichrist”. Also, as to the prophesy of St Malachy referring to his 112th and last pope as "Peter the Roman"... St Francis was from Piedmont, a major force in the unification of Italy. Piedmont’s capital Turin was actually the first capital of Italy. This historical fact connects St Francis and this current pope to the ultimate and final capital of Italy, Rome.

SEAL 2… This prediction is fulfilled. Quote… “God has already sent the “Great Sword” of Islam against apostate “Christendom” for the third and last time (Jihad III began - 2001). This war will continue with greater and greater devastations.”

Already this year, the vast number of lethal American drone strikes have rapidly spread from northern Pakistan, to many other Islamic countries.  Also, the pace at which the Middle East is rushing toward a Jewish-Islamic nuclear confrontation has dramatically picked up speed, with no real hope of stopping it.
 

SEAL 3… This prediction is now being fulfilled. Quote… “The economic collapse, global depression, and food shortages that began in 2008, will hit its climax this year, and will send the world into political chaos.”

America’s Federal Reserve, under its “Quantum Easing III” policy, is now printing and flooding the global economy with almost 100 billion dollars of worthless paper every single month.  This is a blatant attempt to hide the fact that the Global economy has already collapsed. The European based IMF (International Monetary Fund) has just forced Cyprus to actually steal personal wealth from private bank accounts, in a desperate attempt to shore up European banks.

SEAL 4… The fulfillment of this prediction may already be knocking at the door. Quote… “I really believe that sometime this year, a new and lethal bacteria or virus will be discovered. This global Plague may start slowly, but when it ripens and explodes onto the world, it will kill on the same scale as the Black Death and Spanish Flu.”

USA TODAY- A new family of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as CRE, is raising concerns across the medical community because of its ability to cause infections that defy even the strongest antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance is spread by mobile pieces of DNA that can move between different species of bacteria, creating new, drug-defying bugs.

SEAL 5… The fulfillment of this prediction has not yet come, but when it does it will be sudden and dramatic. Quote… “I believe that the long awaited Islamic Messiah, the “Mahdi”, will appear this year. When he does, he will consolidate all of Islam under his control. Beheadings will test the faith of Christians in all Islamic countries around the world.”


                                                   Continue to… HANG ON TO YOUR FAITH

 

OUT ON A LIMB...

THE END IS NEAR!! 

I know what you're thinking... Rick has finally gone off the deep end!  Well, maybe so... but, to my surprise, it seems that I am finally willing to go out on a limb and put my predictions where my mouth is.  Take it or leave it, but for what it's worth... based on prayer and my study of history, Biblical prophesy, and current events...  I personally believe that the first five Seals of Revelation will be fulfilled this year.

SEAL 1…  Today, the Roman Catholic Pope has no military power (no “Arrows”).  Nevertheless, through the Joint Catholic-Lutheran Statement  on Justification in 1999, he was able to finally silence his only real opposition, Martin Luther. The blasphemous hope of attaining a Christ-like holiness has once again poisoned the Church.  Today, the unique holiness of Christ is commonly rejected.  The “Holy Roman Empire” is back! 

I believe that this year, because of ill health, the current Pope will be replaced.  According to Roman Catholic tradition, the next and last Pope will in some way take the name Peter.  He will become the acclaimed leader of a united Protestant-Catholic Christian Church... and as all Popes have done, he will claim to be Christ's holy equal... and he will also claim to be the actual voice of God on earth.  However, this Pope will wield this power like no other has ever dared.   

SEAL 2…  God has already sent the “Great Sword” of Islam against apostate “Christendom” for the third and last time (Jihad III began - 2001).  This war will continue with greater and greater devastations. 

SEAL 3…  The economic collapse, global depression, and food shortages that began in 2008, will hit its climax this year, and will send the world into political chaos. 

SEAL 4...  I really believe that sometime this year, a new and lethal bacteria or virus will be discovered.  This global Plague may start slowly, but when it ripens and explodes onto the world, it will kill on the same scale as the “Black Death” and “Spanish Flu”. 

SEAL 5…  I believe that the long awaited Islamic Messiah, the “Mahdi”, will appear this year.  When he does, he will consolidate all of Islam under his control.  Beheadings will test the faith of Christians in all Islamic countries around the world.  

Please note... that  God's four severe judgments against apostasy (Ezk 5:17, 14:21) contained within the first five Seals of Revelation, have been poured out on Christendom twice before.  (1) Economic collapse and catastrophic crop failures  (2) Deadly diseases  (3) The wild beast empire of Islam rising as God’s hand of judgment  (4) The bloody sword of Islam bringing the destruction of the apostate people and the martyrdom of the faithful remnant by beheading, have already occurred during Jihad I that started in 690 AD, and also during Jihad II that began in 1453 AD.

 

                                                                     HANG ON TO YOUR FAITH ! 

 

 

IGNORANCE... The Price of Apostasy

It is essential for all Christians to understand the chronology of Christ’s return, because knowing what the Bible says would happen shortly before Christ’s return, and seeing it actually happen, builds up our faith in the Word of God, encourages us to draw closer to our Savior, and motivates us to reach others before it’s too late. 

However, it is simply impossible to understand the chronology of Christ’s return, if we don’t understand that Judgment begins with Christ’s Church.  “It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God, and if it will begin with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”  (1Peter 4:17)  “The Son of man shall send out His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then the righteous shall shine out like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mathew 13:41-43)

The “Book of Revelation” is a letter warning about the apostasy that was already spreading through the Churches of the first century.  The letter is a terrible rebuke to all apostate churches, and a loving encouragement to the faithful remnant.  It describes the judgments that will be poured out on the earth shortly before Christ’s return.  The four judgments contained within the first five “Seals” in the Book of Revelation, will be poured out on Christendom, (1) Economic collapse and catastrophic crop failures  (2) Deadly diseases  (3) The sword of Islam rises as God’s hand of judgment  (4) War brings the destruction of the apostate people and the martyrdom of the faithful by beheading.  (note that these four judgments have already been poured out on apostate Christendom twice before, during Jihad I that started in 690 AD, and Jihad II that began in 1453 AD) 

Then... Seal six and seven, the Trumpet judgments, and Bowl judgments will be poured out on the rest of the world because of unbelief.  We must remember that the devastating judgments described in Revelation do not reflect God’s eagerness to pour out his wrath against evil people.  These judgments are to be poured out slowly at first, and then gradually increased to devastating levels.  This merciful plan of God was designed to give His people and the rest of the world a last chance to turn back to a saving faith in their Savior.

However, I am extremely sceptical that today's arrogant Christians, who have chosen to believe that they can actually attain personal Christlike holiness, can ever find true HUMILITY again... and repent. 

It is the apostasy of Christ’s Church that is causing these devastating judgments to come upon us.  Ironically, however, this pride-filled apostasy is also causing the Church to remain completely blind to the fact that these judgments are already being poured out…  “Remember therefore what you have received and heard, and keep it, and repent.  If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.” (Revelation 3:2-3)

 

                                                                      AMEN !

"SANCTIFICATION"... Fact or Process?

A relationship to God measured by growth toward sanctification (holiness) must eventually shift the foundation of that relationship from Christ's covering, to my own holiness. My motivation for battling sin also shifts to a self centered pride in achieving my goal. Pride forces me to look for evidence that I really am becoming more and more like Christ. Pride also forces me to measure my progress against that of others. Soon, my Christian life becomes a pride filled pursuit of personal holiness, based on faith in myself, and not in God's Son. When I finally get comfortable judging myself to be holier than others, it becomes impossible for me to identify with them as a fellow sinner. If I can no longer identify with others as a fellow sinner, I have proof that my faith has truly shifted from Christ, to my own holiness.

THE TRUTH IS... if we are not absolutely holy, fully and completely sanctified, we dare not approach a holy God. The  question then becomes... Is sanctification a lifelong PROCESS? ... or... Is sanctification a FACT OF FAITH? Scripture clearly teaches that we can approach God now, and being able to approach God now, refutes the idea that  sanctification is a lifelong process. Being able to approach God now proves that we already are fully and completely sanctified by our faith in Christ.

Paul said... "...we HAVE BEEN sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all..." "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who ARE sanctified." (Hebrews 10:10-14) About entering into the very presence of God, Paul wrote... "Since therefore, brethren, we have CONFIDENCE to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus..." ".. .let us draw near with a sincere heart in FULL ASSURANCE of faith..." (Hebrew 10: 19-23) "And such CONFIDENCE we have through CHRIST toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God." (2Corinthians 3:4-5)

And, finally, for those who would dare waver from absolute  faith and trust in Christ alone, Paul said this... "How much severer the punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under-foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he WAS sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews  10:28-29) God knows that it is impossible for us to become holy. To be holy, everything we THINK, SAY and DO must agree with the Law of God and the will of God… EVERYTHING! This is impossible for us! Only Jesus was  capable of this kind of sinless perfection, therefore only Jesus is HOLY. "...Thou ALONE are HOLY..." (Revelation 15:4)

Jesus said very clearly in (John 8:23-24) that "...unless you believe that I am He (God), you shall die in your sins." We MUST believe that Jesus is God! But... how is it possible to believe that Jesus is God, and truly honor him as God, if we also believe that we will one day be just like him? Nowhere in Scripture, did God say that anyone could ever be like him.

The truth is... it is IMPOSSIBLE for a true Christian to believe that they can be like Jesus! If we try to do it, and we're honest about it... we will soon discover that we're forced to  either believe that Jesus is someone other than God, which according to Jesus, assures us that we will die in our sins without hope of salvation. Or.... we must join with Satan, and believe that we actually can be like God, which also guarantees that we will die in our sins without hope of salvation! This popular idea, that we can believe that Jesus is God, and at the same time believe that we can become just like him, is very dangerous! What is not dangerous is to believe what the Bible actually teaches. Jesus is God... and NO ONE will ever be LIKE GOD!

Sanctification is a fact of our faith in Christ Jesus! There is no separate process of sanctification! You can choose to believe this or not. But, before you make up your mind, shouldn't you listen to what Jesus himself said about sanctification? On the road to Damascus, Saul (Paul before his conversion) is confronted by Christ.  Out of the brightness of Christ's glory, Saul is blinded physically at the same time he is given spiritual vision and faith in the truth. Christ himself said, that those Saul (Paul) will reach with the gospel, will be among those who "...HAVE BEEN sanctified by FAITH IN ME..." (Acts 26:18)

 

                                                                                 AMEN !

New Years Resolution... EMBRACE THE TRUTH !

Today, sincere seekers of Christ are absolutely beleaguered with sermons, books, radio messages, and contemporary Christian songs that proclaim the Christian walk as a lifelong struggle toward Christlikeness and personal holiness. Is it any wonder, that Christians who have discovered the wonderful blessedness of resting completely in Christ, seem to be few and far between. It's sad but true, that Christian churches are increasingly filled with people who get completely swept away with the newest teaching that promises to somehow transform their continued failure into a true Christ-like holiness. Therefore, filled with a false hope and a false faith in themselves, these people will NEVER find true rest and security in Christ.

Salvation has absolutely nothing to do with us taking on the likeness of Christ. Salvation is centered on CHRIST taking on the likeness of US! (Romans 8:3)(Philippians 2:7)  He, in our  likeness, lived a perfect life as an acceptable human being. He alone passed the test. It's only through God's immeasurable love and grace and mercy, that we are given the opportunity to put on the glorious covering of Christ, the robe of acceptability. This precious gift of Christ's covering, is ours only as long as we confess our need for it. We must die completely to any and all hope of ever becoming acceptable to God within ourselves. All of our faith must remain in Christ alone... FOREVER!

We dare not allow even a speck of self centered hope to rise up out of the grave. "For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law (through my own ability), then Christ  died needlessly." (Gaiatians 2-.18-21)

THIS IS THE TRUTH... The moment our faith shifts to our own potential to become Christ-like and holy, we strip  ourselves of the robe of Christ's holiness. (Galatians 5:4) Paul said, that even the simple act of receiving circumcision, obligates us to keep the whole Law, and severs us from Christ, and his grace and mercy. It's not the physical act of circumcision. Paul was circumcised, and Paul was a  Christian. Paul is clearly warning us not to let our heart drift from absolute faith in Christ. Our faith can either be in the protection of Christ's perfect holiness, or in the protection of our own potential holiness… BUT NOT BOTH!

A saving faith in Christ, cannot ever be divided! A person who has trusted completely in Christ, and has died completely with him on the cross, simply has no independent life to make holy. As a true Christian, our only hope is to be with Christ when we leave this life, and until then, our only goal should be to glorify only Christ. (Philippians 1:21-24)  

However, as we learn to walk in our reborn “spirit”, where our love for God resides, we do indeed change and become a different kind of person who sins less. Our complete faith in Christ and his covering, gives us a close and confident relationship to God, and this close and confident relationship  gives us a growing desire to not give place to our dead “flesh". However, our sinning less is still not holiness. Our sinning less, is simply the natural result of a close relationship to God. (Romans 8:10)(1Peter 3:18)

                                                                               AMEN!


... And have a faith-filled 2013

The "TRINITY" is not a mystery

The Bible provides overwhelming evidence that there was, is, and will always be only one God… “Jehovah”.  First of all, (1Chronicles 17:20)(Isaiah 44:6) and (Isaiah 45:18 & 22) make it absolutely clear that there is no God except Jehovah alone.  In (Isaiah 43:10) Jehovah says that…“Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continues to be none.”  Jehovah declares in (Deuteronomy 32:39)…“See now that I, I am He and there are no gods (lesser gods) together with me.”   Also (Genesis 2:4)(2Kings 19:15) (Isaiah 45:18) and (Isaiah 48:12-13) make it clear that Jehovah, alone, with his own hand, created the heavens and the earth.

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The Biblical passages in (Deuteronomy 4:39)(Psalms 139:8)(Isaiah 66:1)(Jeremiah 23:24) and in (Acts 17:27) prove beyond any doubt that Jehovah is in the heavens, in the earth, and even in Sheol, all at the same time.  This attribute of God is called “omnipresence”.   The fact that God can be infinitely everywhere, in a specific limited place, and in a particular person, all at the same time is easily proven. 

In (Genesis 18:1-33) Jehovah himself appeared to Abraham in a visible, physical, and human-like body.  Read it for yourself!  The Bible also teaches that the “Son” is the visible image of the invisible and omnipresent God (Colossians 1:15).  Christ Jesus is the incarnation of the eternal “Son” (Hebrews 13:8) and the exact representation of Jehovah’s very being (Hebrews 1:3).  (Colossians 2:8-9) warns us to not be lead astray by those who would deny that the fullness of God dwells in Christ bodily.  (Isaiah 9:6) clearly reveals to us that the child born in Bethlehem was the “Mighty God and Eternal Father”.  Jesus himself said in (John 14:8-9) that …“He that has seen me has seen the Father also.”  Finally, in (Matthew 1:23) we are clearly told exactly who was born to us…“Look!  The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will call his name Immanuel, which means, when translated, ‘With us is God.’”

The undeniable truth of scripture is that Jehovah exists eternally as the “Father”, as the “Son” who appeared to Abraham, and exists now as our Savior Christ Jesus, and Jehovah also exists as the eternal “Holy Spirit”.  “Now Jehovah is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom.” (2Corinthians 3:17) 

The word “Trinity” is not in the Bible.  However, the fact that Jehovah exists as the “Father”, the “Son”, and the “Holy Spirit”, is irrefutable.  To deny this fact, is to deny Jehovah himself.  That’s exactly why Jesus so clearly instructed his disciples to baptize in the name of the “Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).  

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

In (Isaiah 43:11) and (Isaiah 45:21-22) Jehovah irrefutably declares…”besides me there is no Savior”.  In (John 10:30) Jesus says…”I and the Father are one.”  The “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29 & 36) had to be completely spotless, without any blemish of any kind.  And God alone is holy (1Samuel 2:2) and (Isaiah 43:3).  Jesus in (Luke 18:19) makes another irrefutable statement… ”God alone is good”.  Therefore, if Jesus is not God, he cannot be good, and if he is not good, he cannot be sinless, and if he is not sinless, he cannot be the sinless “Lamb of God”.  Jesus said this in (John 8:23-24) to those who did not believe him to be God…“You are from this world, I am not from this world.  Therefore, you will die in your sins.  For if you do not believe that I am He (Jehovah) you will die in your sins.” “See now that I, I am He, and there is no god with me”. (Deuteronomy 32:39)
 

A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT

At this time of year when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Christ, let us all take time to really think about why our Savior came...

 

 

 

 

 THE ONE MINUTE BIBLE

 

 

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.  He imprinted on the DNA molecule His
amazing plan for all living things.  Then, God created all life on this planet after its kind.

  

 

*

 

 

In the beginning… Adam and Eve were created to live forever on a perfect paradise Earth.

  

 

*

 

 

In the beginning… There was no “Judgment” or “Demand for Perfection”.  Adam and Eve had a relationship to God based on GRACE and MERCY.  GRACE is receiving the blessings of God that we don’t deserve. 

MERCY is not receiving the judgment of God that we do deserve. 

 

 

*
 

 

However, filled with pride, and trusting in their own “Human” perfection, Adam and Eve were easily deceived into believing that they also possessed sinless “God-like” perfection.  Despite God’s stern warning
that eating from the tree of judgment would cost them their gift of eternal life, Adam and Eve
slapped away the loving hand of God, and deliberately ate from the tree.  Adam and Eve
failed the test, lost the gift of eternal life, and died.

 

 

*

 

 

Adam and Eve willfully chose to eat from the tree of God’s judgment.  Therefore, the requirement of sinless “God-like” perfection has fallen to everyone who came after.  In order for this deadly curse
to be lifted, someone born of a woman, had to actually pass this impossible test.

 

 

*

 

 

This hopeless situation is exactly why our Savior came.  Our Savior became one of us so that He, in our place, could pay the penalty for our sin, and pass the impossible test of sinless perfection.  Therefore, the curse brought by Adam and Eve has been removed.  If we truly admit our helpless situation, and choose
to trust completely in Christ’s atonement and His sinless perfection… we will no longer face
God’s judgment.  Those who truly trust Christ in this way, are covered with the robe of
His sinless perfection, and are protected from God’s judgment…

 

FOREVER!

 

 

*

 

 

Grace and Mercy, and the free gift of eternal life is now available again to every human being on the planet.  All anyone has to do, is to acknowledge their own obvious imperfection, and cry out to God for mercy. 
This anyone, anywhere in the world can do!

 

 

*

 

 

Unfortunately, prideful arrogance in the human heart has proven to be a tough nut to crack.  Many of those who claim Christ still choose to revere Him as their example and not as the Savior of sinners, and continue
to take pride in the false hope of their own potential to measure up to Christ.  Therefore, pride-filled
people around the world continue to slap away the loving hand of God, and willfully choose
God’s judgment instead of the gift of... Grace and Mercy, Salvation, and Eternal Life.

 

 

*
 

 

WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE ?






 

EXPLAINING "DEATHS" and "RESURRECTIONS"

Despite overwhelming Biblical evidence to the contrary, "Millennialists" are still convinced that the "deaths" and "resurrections" described in chapter twenty of the book of Revelation, give them proof of a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on this condemned planet.  However, their so-called proof is easily refuted.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the SOULS of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." (Re 20:4) 

Notice that here within this passage it is the SOULS which live and reign with Christ.  Where do these living souls reign (reside with Christ)?  "When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"  Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." (Re 6:9-11)  These martyred souls live and reign with Christ IN HEAVEN!

But, when were these Christians beheaded for their faith?  The answer is quite obvious... SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING!  John the Baptist was "beheaded".  So was Paul, and every martyered Roman citizen who came to faith in Christ.  Even after the so-called conversion of Constantine, Christians continued to be beheaded if they refused to conform to the new Roman version of Christianity.  Then, there was the Mohammedan beheadings that began in the early 600's and continue even to this day.

Where did Paul expect to be after his own death?  "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor.  Yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.  For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and BE WITH CHRIST, which is far better." (Phil 1:21-23) 

But, how can this soulish life be considered a resurrection?  "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..." (Ga 2:20)  The "first death" is spiritual, and the "first resurrection" is also spiritual.  Because, Christians don't die!  "But God, who is rich in mercy... made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..." (Eph 2:4-6)  "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall NEVER die. Do you believe this?" (Jn 11:26)

Despite what Millennialists would like to believe... there is only ONE physical resurrection.  And that is immediately followed by the eternal judgment and damnation of everyone  who is not found in the Lamb's Book of Life.  "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

Rest completely in Christ... make sure YOU are in the Book.

ONE COMING - ONE ARMAGEDDON

There is NOT going to be a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on this doomed and dying planet.

"But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  But don't forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, and the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 

Therefore since all these things are thus to be destroyed, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?  But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness." (2Pet 3:7-13)

Notice that Peter NEVER describes some sort of a millennial reign of Christ on this planet.  Peter clearly says that at Christ's coming, HIS ONE AND ONLY COMING, this earth will be judged and destroyed.

"How can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house." (Mt 12:29)  "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the Living one, and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I HAVE THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HADES." (Re 1:18) 

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.  And he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while." (Re 20:1-3)  Satan has been bound like a dog on a chain since Christ's atoning death and resurrection.  Satan and his demons can only do what they are allowed to do.  

The "thousand years" is symbolic of the time of Christ's "patience" toward humanity.  Every believer who has died since the repentant thief on the cross, has been symbolically reigning with Christ in heaven.  But Christ's patience is not eternal, he is coming... soon!

The battle of Armegeddon is first described in (Re 19:19-21). This account is from our earthly perspective, where we see the ultimate judgment of  the beast Islamic empire, and its leader, the False Prophet.  The passage below describes the spiritual loosing of Satan that leads to the battle of Armageddon.  

"And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city (Jerusalem).  And fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them." (Re 20:7-9) 

However, the loosing of Satan described above, actually takes place at the sounding of the 5th Trumpet, which will start Islam's war of nuclear terrorism.  "Then the fifth angel sounded.  And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.  And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace... And thus I saw the horses in the vision... and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.  By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed... " (Re 9:1-2 and 17-18)

We must fervently pray for God's people in Israel.  The long feared invasion of Israel by a massive army of fanatical Muslim fighters, will indeed be a horrific nightmare of death and bloodshed.  However, it turns out that the actual battle of Armageddon isn't really much of a battle.  Our Savior, standing on Mount Zion, instantly destroys the massive Islamic army with the sharp sword of his awesome and deafening voice.

"And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new."  He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon."  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Re 22:20)

FINAL INVASION of ISRAEL

 

The "Arab Spring" revolts have given radical Islamic forces the opportunity to take control.  Make no mistake though... radical Islam is not in control.  It is God who is now setting the stage for the final Middle East conflict.  Christ is returning soon.  Israel, who rejected her own Messiah, is now being prepared for a loving and gracious opportunity to accept her Savior before judgment falls.

 

"And I will bring them against you (Israel) from every side, the Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, and all the Assyrians with them (and Persia)." (Ezk 23:24 and 38:5)  The precise territory held by the countries on the map below, were once controled by these empires. 

"Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am against you, O Gog (Islam’s Leader), I will turn you about and put hooks into yourjaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords, Persia (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan), Ethiopia (Ethiopia, Sudan) and Put (Libya, Egypt) with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer (Turkey) with all its troops, Beth-togarmah (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan) from the remote parts of the north with all its troops--many peoples with you." (Eze 38:3-6)

 

With this vastly overwhelming number of troops, Islamic forces will easily sweep through Israel and surround the Old City of Jerusalem.  It is here, on Mount Zion, that Christ Jesus, himself, will stand and defend the faithful of Israel who have turned to him.  "And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads." (Re 14:1)  These survivors (the 144,000) represent believers in Christ from all of Israel. (Re 7:4-8) 

"For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved.  Even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.  And this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." (Ro 11:25-27)

Pray that, in these dark days, Israel will indeed turn to her Savior.

BIOFUEL, FOOD RIOTS, and the NEW CALIPHATE

The US and EU continue to push for more and more food to be turned into Ethanol and Biodiesel.  This has led stock market investors to bet heavily on a continual rise in food prices.  The graph above clearly shows that at the exact moment when Biofuel speculators jumped into food commodities, the Food Price Index skyrocketed.  In 2008 and 2011, the results were food riots around the world, especially in the Middle East. The riots in Arab countries today, are much less about freedom, and much more about EMPTY STOMACHS.

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On December 13, 2011, The New England Complex Systems Institute in Cambridge reported that global food prices were about to cross the threshold that they had predicted would spark world-wide riots. A few days later, Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in Tunisia, which did indeed spark the “Arab Spring”.  Today, this violent regime toppling movement continues to spread throughout the Middle East.

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Egypt's choice of Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi for president marks the first time a modern Arab nation has elected an Islamic leader. So what does this decision mean to the Brotherhood and the world? Morsi's win rocked the Middle East.  Dori Gold, Israel's former ambassador to the U.N. says that "The victory of Mohammed Morsi in the Egyptian presidential election is really a regional earthquake in the Middle East.  Morsi's victory will be felt far beyond Egypt."

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"The Muslim Brotherhood is going to give a shot of adrenaline to radical Islamic groups across the world, particularly in the Middle East but also in Europe," he said. And Gold says that's why the truth must be told about the group's intentions. "Today, this organization is global and behind terror groups like Hamas, the Palestinian faction controlling the Gaza Strip.

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"The ultimate agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood is pretty clear. They speak about it, although not on American network television. The actual goal of the Muslim Brotherhood is to re-establish the Caliphate... a GLOBAL caliphate," Gold said.
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During one campaign rally, prominent Egyptian cleric Safwat Hagazy claimed the dream of the Islamic Caliphate is being realized by Dr. Muhammad Morsi and his supporters. "Our capital shall not be Cairo, Mecca or Medina. It shall be Jerusalem." 

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The New Islamic Caliphate is coming and, through nuclear terrorism, it will mean Islamic rule throughout the entire world... Impossible you say?  It will happen sooner than you can imagine... just as the Bible predicted!

Pray! 

BIOFUEL - CRIME and PUNISHMENT

Producing biofuels, ethanol (corn) and biodiesel (soybeans), is America’s most outrageous national sin since slavery. Due to the lies of man-made global warming, environmentalists are now cheering the burning of food in order to produce so-called clean energy. While the poor and hungry around the world starve, our nation's fertile plains, that once fed the world, are now growing food so that we can burn it in our cars. America, once generous, once blessed, is now risking God's wrath.
 

Seduced by lucrative subsidies from America and the EU, global corporations are buying up vast amounts of fertile land in South America and Africa. Poor and starving villagers, with empty stomachs, are forced to longingly stare at acres and acres of fenced off food crops destined to be burned in our cars. There is simply no greater sin that this!
 

God clearly promised that those who care for the poor out of their abundance, will be blessed. “He that hath a bounty shall be blessed, because he gives of his bread to the poor” (Prov 22:9) “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat, I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink” (Mt 25:34-35)
 

God also warned that those who ignore the plight of the poor and hungry will be punished. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom… fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters, but she did not strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” (Ezk 16:49) “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand… Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat, I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink” (Mt 25:40-42)
 

Robert Zoellick, the head of the World Bank, has recently said… “Ethanol cars run on human misery. Fill up with E85, starve a child.” And… "While many worry about filling their gas tanks, many others around the world are struggling to fill their stomachs."
 

The Los Angeles Times ran this article on 7/17/12… “The drought gripping the Midwest and about 80% of the country is the most widespread since 1956, stoking massive wildfires and decimating the nation's breadbasket crops, according to a report released Monday by the National Drought Mitigation Center. Drought conditions led the Department of Agriculture recently to declare natural disasters in more than 1,000 counties in 26 states.
 

Last year, crop insurers paid record claims of about $11 billion for weather-related losses, including major losses in CORN and SOYBEANS, said David Graves of the Washington-based American Assn. of Crop Insurers. This year's losses could surpass that easily, “given that the drought is developing in CORN GROWING REGIONS, including Illinois and Indiana, he said.”
 

Cheap, clean and renewable energy from Biofuel is a myth. Biofuel requires enormous amounts of energy and vast amouts of precious water to produce. Without budget busting government subsidies, Ethanol and Biodiesel would already be labled as failed technologies. 

Nevertheless, our current president is deliberately crushing proven energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal, while encouraging and expanding the insanity of producing Biofuels. We, in America, are morally and Constitutionally responsible for our elected leaders.

 

Pray that, in November, we will have a good, decent, and God-fearing Christian man (or woman) to vote for.

REST !

What makes Christianity completely unique among the vast assortment of cults and religions? It is that Christian believers have absolutely no part in their salvation. Christians can do nothing! They must rest completely in the finished work of their Savior. Once we have confessed our utter sinfulness, and cry out to Christ for mercy, even the faith to believe is not our own! "...for by grace have ye been saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God..." (Eph 2:8)

Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you REST." (Matthew 11:28) REST... it's such a wonderful word, such a beautiful concept, and it paints such a marvelous picture in our minds. The ultimate rest, of course, is resting in Christ. But... what does it really mean to rest in Christ?

To answer this very important question, we must first understand the true meaning of God's Sabbath. Because as Paul says... "...there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His..." (Hebrews 4:9-10) Our Great God and Savior would not have rested, if there were anything left to be accomplished for our salvation. Unfortunately today, most Christians believe in a personal ongoing sanctification process that God must finish when they get to Heaven. Sadly, this belief definitely puts Christ's atonement into the category of unfinished work.

But... what does sanctification have to do with God's Sabbath Rest? EVERYTHING! God established the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath. It was a sacred sign to His people, that he alone would be the one to make them holy (sanctify them). God’s people MUST rest in the understanding that they can do absolutely nothing to make themselves holy in God’s sight. And, if we try… we are simply proving ourselves to be an evil unbeliever.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites… you must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I AM THE LORD WHO MAKES YOU HOLY. Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death, whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of REST, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.” (Exodus 31:12-15).

For Israel, resting COMPLETELY in the sign that God alone would be the one to make them holy, was not a suggestion, it was MANDATORY! This sign of their future sanctification found its fulfillment in our Savior Christ Jesus, who is the substance of the sign, and the Lord of the Sabbath. (Colossians 2:16-17) (Mark 2:28) Our resting COMPLETELY in Christ, the fulfillment of the sanctification promise, is also not a suggestion, it is also... MANDATORY!

In (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus tells a parable about the kingdom of Heaven. In this parable about the marriage of the King's Son, poor, shabby, and imperfect people are provided with special wedding robes to cover their own filthy garments. This special gift of the King, makes them all acceptable to be at the wedding of his son. However, one man refused to put on the special robe, and he was immediately "cast out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth". The meaning of this parable is quite obvious. In Heaven, imperfect people are made acceptable by their covering, their ROBE that covers their sin and shame, and protects them from judgment.

Are you still hoping to be made perfect? Do you expect to be able to stand before God wrapped in your own holiness? GOOD LUCK!

MOSLEM or CULTIST

God warned his people that if we turn our back on him, he will stop blessing us. As we start to feel the consequences of our rebellion, we call on God to help us, however, he will not hear us! “Sound the alarm! The enemy (Islam) descends like an eagle on the people of the Lord, for they have broken my covenant and revolted against my law. Now they plead with me, ‘Help us, for you are our God!’ But it is too late. The people have rejected what is good, and now their enemies will chase after them. The people have appointed kings (presidents) without my consent, and princes without my knowledge.” (Hosea 8:1-4)

Can we finally stop pretending that Barack Hussain Obama is a Christian… “President Obama failed to release a statement or a proclamation recognizing the national observance of Easter Sunday, Christianity’s most sacred holiday. By comparison, the White House has released statements recognizing the observance of major Muslim holidays and released statements on Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Hajj, and Eid-ul-Adha.” (AP)

It now seems that our only other choice for president is Mitt Romney, a leader in the Mormon Cult. Romney is not just a member of the Mormon Church, he is a BISHOP! He not only listens to what Mormons believe, he teaches what Mormons believe. Romney actually believes that Jesus is the brother of Lucifer, and Romney also believes that he will one day be a god who rules over his own planet. Seriously!! This is our only choice this year?

Since Obama has been president, America has suffered a continual economic depression, a barrage of tornados, hurricanes, droughts, fires, floods, and other disasters. Is this just a coincidence? I don’t think so. I believe that God has taken his hand of blessing off of our country. We will not survive as a blessed country if we don’t elect a real Christian this November.

But… if our only choice is a Moslem or a Mormon cultist, how can we vote with a clear conscience? We, as Christians MUST pray that the delegates pledged to Romney, will not actually cast their nomination votes for him at the convention. If Romney does not get the required number of votes on the first round, he will not get the nomination. The convention will be opened to other candidates to come forward and win the nomination. This, as Christians, is our only hope.

Pray for our nation!

DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY... part 3

There will NOT be a Pre-Trib Rapture before the “Great Tribulation” begins.

The “Great Tribulation” already started in 690 AD. The exact timetable for the start of the Great Tribulation was given to us by the prophet Daniel. “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.” (Dan 12:11) The regular sacrifice was abolished when the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Temple in 600 BC. Add 1,290 years (prophetic days) to 600 BC, and that brings us to 690 AD. Today’s abomination on the temple mount, the Dome of the Rock, was completed (set up) in 690 AD.

Jesus confirmed Daniel’s prophesy when he warned of great tribulation… “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the temple mount), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.” (Mt 24:15-21)

Islamic Jihad I against apostate Christendom began in 690 AD. Jihad I ended 45 years later in 735 AD after the defeat of Islamic forces at the battle of Tours, led by Charles Martel of France. “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!” (1,335 days = 45 years EXACTLY)

The “Rapture” takes place at the Last (Seventh) Trumpet. “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Mt 24:31) “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last (seventh) trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1Co 15:51-52)

What happens in the Book of Revelation just before the sounding of the last (seventh) trumpet? The Two Witnesses that were killed in the streets of Jerusalem are resurrected and RAPTURED up to Heaven. The very next moment the seventh trumpet sounds, and the rest of us are also caught up to Heaven.

Pre-Trib supporters claim that God would not pour out his wrath on his people. Therefore, the Rapture must take place before the Great Tribulation begins. This is a completely bogus assumption, since God’s wrath is not poured out until the BOWL JUDGMENTS. “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the WRATH of God.”