Black Gold--Oil and the End of Days

And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

Deuteronomy 33:24

One of the prophecies of scripture that I have heard mentioned often since childhood was that of the land grant of Asher and the mention of there someday being a discovery of oil where this land grant exists.  There even seems to be a reference of this in the blessing of Jacob (Israel) over Asher in Genesis 49:20, "Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties."   Here the word fat (shamen) and the word rendered (No pun intended--well maybe a little) oil (shemen) are both related and from the same root word.  Many are so sure of this oil strike that some Christians have even invested in Israeli oil exploration.  

Some see this discovery of oil as being a catalyst for end time war scenarios.  If the rest of the world is starving for oil and a small country like Israel suddenly makes significant oil discoveries.....well you can see where that is going.  It is possible that Ezekiel, Zechariah and other prophetic books play this idea out.  However, it is more striking that we are actually seeing this concept play out before our very eyes.

Towards the end of last year there were reports that Israel had found massive natural gas reserves.  Usually these finds are not too far in front the discovery of massive oil fields.

Israel strikes gold with gas find | The Australian 

Israel Confirms Major Natural Gas Discovery - NYTimes.com 

Some oil has indeed been found, but there are many who believe this is but the tip of the iceberg.

Noble Finds Oil in Israel - Zacks.com

Central Israel Oil Discovery: 1.5 Billion Barrels - Good News - Israel News - Israel National News

Also, Israel applied for license to explore in new areas as well.

Oil and Gas News: Zion O&G Applies for Israel Exploration Permit

What is amazing is where these recent discoveries have been made.  As you look at the map above you can see the location of the Leviathan find.  Compare it to the territorial map above and you will notice that the finds are off the coast of Asher's territorial grant.  Even if we look at the future territorial grant of Messiah, it is still off the coast of Asher's land.  Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes.

Today, the news is rife with the second concept, that these discoveries could cause end time war scenarios.  The point--keep looking up, we are closer than you think! Sadly, however, the US immediately came out against Israel in the border dispute.  These type of statements have always triggered judgment.  Keep focused saints, the Lord is coming.

U.S. backs Lebanon on maritime border dispute with Israel - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Vice Premier: Iran, Hezbollah behind Lebanon protest over Israel sea border - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Lebanon says it will protect its borders a... JPost - Middle East

Energy War? Lebanon Warns Israel ‘Playing with Fire’ Offshore - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Destroying A New Generation

"And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel."

Judges 2:10

He is a master at deception isn't he?  He has been in the deceiving business for a long time and is so convincing that he even drew one third of the angels in a foolhardy rebellion against the Almighty.  Any human that thinks he/she can outwit Satan is foolish.  We only overcome his deception and lies by casting ourselves on Christ and His blood bought atonement, professing our allegiance to the Savior, dedicating ourselves to pursuing God's word, and by the constant direction of the Holy Spirit (who, by the way, never directs or teaches anything outside of the word He inspired).  One of the devil's oldest tricks is to infect the minds of children with godless philosophies and wickedness.  Once done, these young people grow to become tools in his arsenal of destruction, hate, and evil.

God also understands this as well.  He has pleaded with humanity repeatedly to teach children His word and His ways. He yearned for Israel to train their children with any and every available means. Consider the following scriptures which are a small sampling of the many dealing with the instruction of children: 

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."  Deuteronomy 6:6-7

"Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.  And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 11:18-19

God did not hide the judgment of Sodom from Abraham because He knew Abraham was responsible to teach his children the ways of God.  "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." Genesis 18:19

New Testament Christians are also instructed to train their children as well."And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."  Ephesians 6:4

The forefathers of this nation understood this concept much more than most understand.  Any who teaches that Christianity had nothing to do with the rise of the American education system is a liar!  Let me bluntly say it again, the precepts of God were so thoroughly ingrained in the youth of early America that liberal professors who counter-claim this are purposefully lying to promote their godless and sordid agenda with the aim of currently unhinging America from the God whose blessings we have enjoyed for over two centuries. One of the earliest pieces of legislation calling for the compulsory education of all children was written in Massachusetts being known as Ye  Olde Deluder Satan Act of 1647.  Along with other early American legislation from and the statements of the founding fathers and leaders, we can see they understood the enemy that seeks to destroy a new generation.    www.americareclaimed.org/elements/docs/documents/Old Deluder Satan Law(1647)p.pdf

Here are a few quotes to consider as evidence:

"Education is useless without the Bible." and "In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed....No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people." Noah Webster

“Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ” ~James Madison

“I speak as a man of the world to men of the world; and I say to you, Search the Scriptures! The Bible is the book of all others, to be read at all ages, and in all conditions of human life; not to be read in small portions of one or two chapters every day and never to be intermitted, unless by some overruling necessity.”  ~John Adams

It seems that many have forgotten the ways of the Old Deluder!  A short history lesson reveals that this is a strategy he has employed over and over!

He is currently working overtime to deceive the minds of children with godless foolishness worldwide.  In Muslim countries he is seeking to fill children with hate for any who denies Islam especially if they are Jews or Christians.

Consider this video!  Don't you think the enemy understands Judges 2:10?  

YouTube - ‪3 YEAR OLD MUSLIM GIRL YEARNS TO KILL INFIDELS

In Europe and America, there are those that now believe that teaching Christianity is actually evil.  No wonder God warned us that in the last day good would be evil and evil would be good!‏

For the sake of time, we will go back to America.  We started with a nation that was taught to fear God and run from evil.  Today they are taught to deny the Bible, ignore the roots of Christianity in the formation of the land and to espouse any teaching that contradicts scripture.  Just this week, California's legislature has passed a bill that calls for godless indoctrination of children about homosexuality.

California lawmakers pass bill to teach gay history - US news - msnbc.com

California shouldn’t be reluctant toward teaching gay history - Opinion - Daily 49er - California State University Long Beach

This issue also shows the formation of  a deepening chasm in America that is growing every day. 

Tennessee Senate OKs Ban on Teaching of Homosexuality | CNSnews.com

This is an issue that is too broad and too universal to attempt to cover in one post.  Yet, its worldwide pervasiveness points to one conclusion.  The Old Deluder is again attempting to destroy a new generation universally.  This is another great sign of the closeness of Christ's return!  Surely, Jesus Christ is Soon 2 Come again!

Where Is The US In Bible Prophecy?

It is a topic of great interest but little evidence.  Many have written books about it; furthermore,  many prophecy teachers are asked to give their best guess repeatedly.  Where is America in the Bible, or, more specifically, where is America during the Tribulation?  While some see symbolic interpretations in obscure verses that might suggest that the nation exists, it certainly is not a major player after the rapture and into Daniel's Seventieth Week.  How could a nation with such power just disappear from the world scene as it relates to the return of Jesus Christ? What makes this more puzzling is that America has been used as a vessel for the gospel for over two hundred years.  (Our Congress in September of 1782 paid for the printing and distribution of the Bible which earned it the nickname the Bible Congress!)   So what has happened?  Catastrophe?  Judgment? Collapse?  Civil War?  That's just it, the Bible gives us no clue!  We are left to surmise that something has happened causing the nation to loose its status as a world superpower.

For some time we have been informed that we are slowly losing that superpower status as one would expect if we suddenly vanish from the attention of the world in the last days before Jesus' physical return.  Consider the following articles:
America's Superpower Status Coming to an End 
An Obama Foreign Policy
US risks losing superpower status unless it tackles the deficit, Henry Paulson warns - Telegraph
It seems that the writing is on the wall and that there could be another government collapse as equally quick as that of the Babylonians to the Medo-Persians.


It is also certain that the hand of the Lord has pulled away to the place that we are seeing chaos in the same three areas ancient Judah did.  God promised that He would judge the government, the economy, and the religious life of ancient Judah and we currently are seeing this same trend in the US.  Let's consider these three areas for just a few moments.


As an example of this chaos in the political realm, let's consider the President's recent statements about Israel, Jerusalem, and the '67 borders.  It has led to events that show a wide gap in how the administration and other government leaders view the situation. Earlier this month, in response to Obama's statement, the South Carolina State House of Representatives unanimously endorsed a resolution of support for Israel which alluded to the Israeli's maintaining control of the West Bank and Jerusalem by God given right. 
2011-2012 Bill 4339: Israel - South Carolina Legislature Online  
S. Carolina Legislature Unanimously Endorses 'United Israel' - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News  

Furthermore, the US Senate warned that funding for the Palestinian Authority would be cut if they pursued a vote in the UN for statehood thus bypassing the peace talks. US Senators warn of aid cutoff if... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics Many Jewish and Christian groups across the nation spoke up with great disdain at the President's remarks.  Jewish Americans ponder support for Obam... JPost - International


In an effort to save face and protect his position, the President has apparently decided to counter those who oppose his treatment of Israel.   
Obama campaign to go on the offensive against conservative critics of Israel stance - The Plum Line - The Washington Post
» Obama Forming an ‘I Really Love Israel’ PR Squad To Try and Rescue Jewish Vote - Big Government  


If the administration is fighting to show its support, then why did it allow Israel to be listed as a terrorist harboring nation?
United States puts Israel on its terror ... JPost - International
Also, why is there an attempt to court the Muslim Brotherhood at the same time?
Obama welcomes the Muslim Brotherhood
U.S. to expand relations with Muslim Brotherhood - The Washington Post
This has led to more strain on our relationship with Israel and to statements from the Muslim brotherhood that they will not talk as long as there is any American support for  Israel.  What a mess!
Wiesenthal Center slams US ... JPost - Jewish World - Jewish News
Muslim Brotherhood to U.S.: Stop Backing Israel and We'll Talk - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News


There are also voices beginning to arise in protest of the organized liberal attack on Christianity in America.  This gap is ever widening as well.  It seems that our servicemen can't even have a Christian burial anymore. Houston Veterans Claim Censorship of Prayers, Including Ban on 'God' and 'Jesus' - FoxNews.com
Why should they, some contend, since we have a wall of separation between church and state? (That statement is not found in the US Constitution but in a letter from Jefferson assuring a Baptist group that no single denomination would be endorsed as the national denomination.) We are not nor ever have been a Christian nation in their view. At least this author below thinks so (as well as many others across the land).  Notice that this article ran on Independence Day.  No bias there!
My Take: Why the U.S. is not a Christian nation – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs
Now consider the other side of this gulf.  The Governor of Texas has called his state to repent and seek God's guidance in Christ's name.  Surely, this will bring a liberal fire fall!
Republic Heritage: Texas Governor Calls America to Fast, Pray and Repent



Finally, there was also talk this week of a split in the state of California. Southern California Pushes for Secession - ABC News While it may seem ludicrous to some, this is a serious sign that there are grave problems in our nation.  It has been about 150 years since the nation faced such a polarization of beliefs and values.  We all know what that led to don't we? 


It appears that there are some serious concerns about the health of this nation. Such fragmentation points to a our need for a new Great Awakening with severe contrition.  It may also point to the dissolving of a great nation as it fades from the world scene to make way for the major players of the Tribulation.  These may be signs that the event or events that cause a reduction to America's involvement in the End of Days is near. That would be a further sign that the Lord is about to recall His ambassadors and open the way for a tough seven years. Either way, call on the Lord while it is still called today.  Surely Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

Going Too Far

Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.

2 Kings 23:26

Is it possible for a nation, state, local church, or some other type of corporate body to go too far into sin so that the judgment of God will fall regardless of serious attempts for revival?  This is a sobering question.  We do know that God was willing to withhold judgment on Sodom for 10 righteous, but we also know that He did not find them.  He was willing to grant Assyria a reprieve as well after the preaching of Jonah at Nineveh, but we know that later they too were destroyed.  Will America receive judgment regardless of efforts to revive the land?  I hope the answer is no!  I love this land, but the sin of the nation is grave.

  


This is not about personal repentance.  We do know that even Manasseh, a man who led Judah into terrible sin, repented and was accepted by God when he humbled himself after being captured by the Assyrian King, Ashurbanipal.  "And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,  And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God."  (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)  What a message of hope!  This man promoted false gods and witchcraft.  He murdered the righteous in the land and had Isaiah sawn in two. He lived in gross rebellion for 50 years yet God heard his cry for forgiveness.  What a merciful Savior!  However, this is personal repentance and the topic is corporate punishment.  According to the text verse above, God still judged the land for the sin of Manasseh although the man responsible for the judgment repented.  Here is an important lesson to learn, God may forgive the sin but he seldom forgives the consequences!

God forgave David, but he lost a child, had a son rape his daughter, had another murder the rapist who later stole his throne and was killed in an ensuing battle.  These were all the consequences of his murderous and adulterous affair with Bathsheba.  God forgave Samson, but He still died with the Philistines.  God even forgave Saul the persecutor of the church, yet as an apostle he suffered beatings often.  God forgave Jacob for deceiving his brother, but Jacob was still deceived by his father-in-law, his wife (whose sin led to her own death due to a curse by her husband), and his sons who sold their brother, Joseph,  into slavery while lying to Jacob about his death.  Galatians 6:7 puts it best.  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Manasseh had killed all of the righteous servants of God.  This created a spiritual vacuum that was hard to overcome.  Manasseh's son, Amon, never did repent and was assassinated.  His grandson, Josiah, did lead a great revival, but it may have only been superficial.  Josiah did hold off the judgment for a short time, but it still fell eventually.  This is the very message of 2 Kings 23.  The text is discussing the overwhelming reforms of Josiah.  It was amazing to see the degree to which this great king humbled himself and led a national revival, but right in the middle of the text is the above verse, verse 26.  The spiritual vacuum created by the wretched acts of Manasseh was too great and there were not enough people left to sincerely repent on behalf of the nation.  Soon Babylon's troops would arrive and the nation would be carried away as punishment for their national sin.  The temple that was defiled with multiple altars to false gods would be razed and left as an empty field.  God, however, was merciful and promised a return.

Outdoor Wicca (witchcraft) altar and service at the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co.

What an abomination!

  

What a parallel exists today.  Just last weekend churches in America read from the Koran while  promoting Islam and the Koran from their pulpits.  This act of provoking the Almighty was even committed in our national cathedral.  Shared Faith Service at the National Cathedral | NBC Washington  We know that the nation has been murdering babies in the womb for decades and that there are those who are redefining marriage to their own destruction.  We are the number one distributor of pornography in the world.  Child sex trafficking in the US is on the rise.  The courts and godless organizations are working overtime to try and erase our Christian roots and abolish any references to the God of the Bible in the public arena.  The name of Jesus Christ is mocked and spit upon everywhere.  Just yesterday, I tried to witness to a man who calls himself Gay Jesus.  The list of sins committed by this once Christ fearing nation seems to grow daily.  Where is it leading?

This Fourth of July, pray!  Pray for mercy!  Pray for God to break the hearts of our national leaders and the people of the land.  We cannot survive without a national awakening!  We must turn to Christ!  Time is short.  Have we already crossed the point of no return?  Only God knows, but it doesn't look good!  Pray!

Israel and the Middle East--God's Prophetic Timeclock

Jews from "Lost" Tribe of Manasseh in India to Return to Israel

Britain: Iran testing missiles w... JPost - Iranian Threat - News

Police to restrict Temple Mount entry am... JPost - National News

Godlessness in America

Bill Mandating California Schools Teach Gay History Is a Lesson in Controversy - FoxNews

UN and Global Government

North Korea to Chair UN Disarmament Conference - FoxNews.com

A Message of Hate

"Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness."

Proverbs 30:20

It is very popular today to accuse any who oppose homosexual marriage as a preacher of hate.  So is there a message of hate involved with standing against homosexuality, homosexual "marriage", and the breakdown of the biblical institution of marriage?  Read a few quotes from some of the attached news articles as proof of these accusations of Bible believers being haters.  

"Apparently, the SDFPC thinks it is okay for Jesus-loving students to badger and belittle gay and lesbian students."  Sioux Falls school district policy against bullying opposed by SD Christian group - Sioux Falls atheism | Examiner.com 

"According to CREDO -a “progressive” San Francisco-based firm that mobilizes liberals to action on a variety of causes – the American Family Association is a bad, bad bunch of people. In fact, CREDO refers to the group as “a Mississippi-based conservative Christian organization that’s so vehemently anti-gay, they’ve been identified as a ‘hate group’ by the Southern Poverty Law Center.""

Nikki Haley And The Holy Rollers :: :: FITSNewsFITSNews

"Is this another example of anti-gay, zealout pro-creationists trying to eliminate the LGBTIQ community from being able to use public-geared facilities?" 

Anti-gay group flies hate speech banner during Disney Gay Days - National GLBTQ Issues | Examiner.com

"It's not about the Baptists, not about the Catholics alone, or the Lutherans, or the Evangelicals, or any other denomination, but rather the head of the denomination, and his name is Jesus, as every president up until 2008 has acknowledged and we pray it in Jesus' name."

***This article said nothing about the man's speech towards gays.  It was more about the Precious name of Jesus with the anti-gay pastor line used as a hook to draw a readers attention.

Anger After Controversial Anti-Gay Pastor Recites Prayer at Minnesota State House - FoxNews.com


"And in his statement, DiMarzio complained that proponents of the bill "have demonized people of faith…and identified them as bigots and prejudiced." Hmm, certitude in the superiority of your beliefs over others': nope, no bigotry there."  
Gay Marriage Continues To Rile New York Religious Leaders: Gothamist

I guess I agree!  There is a message of hate in the Cross.  Jesus' death was all about God and what He hates.  The nails, the beating, the lashing, the being spit upon and mocked; it was all about hate.  Leaving heaven where you are constantly revered and adored as you rightly should be was all about hate.  God humbling Himself as a man and becoming obedient unto death was a great act of hatred.  God so hated sin and its effects on humanity that He had to act.  Jesus proved how much He hated sin with every drop of His precious blood.  God understands how sin destroys mankind and sends those snared by sin and without the only appropriate propitiation for sin to a place of eternal destruction.  So in His hatred of sin and its consequences, He sent His ONLY begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to become a sin offering for us.  The Bible says it best.  "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."  (2 Corinthians 5:21)  The apex of Christ's gospel is that God hates what sin does to His divine order. 


John 3:16 has an opposite message implied.  For God so hated sin that He gave His only begotten son...


So why the text verse above?  It seemingly has nothing to do with this argument, or does it?  It shows the reaction of the guilty.  Those caught in the clutches of sin need to justify their lifestyle in an attempt to assuage the guilt they feel.  Just as an adulteress claims that her actions are not wrong, so does any who accepts sin willfully in clear violation of God's teaching (There seems to be a lot of this going on lately with a variety of sinful actions).  After doing that long enough, they sear their conscience to the point that they can no longer detect the debilitating effects of sin in their life.  Just as those in Lot's day in the town of Sodom who called him judgmental as they tried to beat his door down in order to rape angels (Genesis 19), those who are guilty of sin and wish to remain in it vengefully often label those who share truth as a bigot and a hater.  Whether the sin is gossip, envy, lust of any form (including homosexuality), or any other transgression clearly outlined in scripture, those who wish to remain blind will accuse those who see clearly from God's word and by His Spirit as being intolerant.  


If you are in this sin or caught in any other, as William Cowper so eloquently penned, "There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains."  Jesus Christ did not die to leave you marred and wallowing in the very sin that bound you and is destroying you, but He died for you in love to set you free and cleanse you from all that separated you from God.  Ultimately, the message is one of love and hope.  He just requires you to agree with Him about your sinful condition and to repent and believe.


As far as standing in the streets with a sign saying "God hates fags", that is hate.  It is not the true message of Christianity nor does the God of the Bible sanction it.  God loves you and wants you to turn wholeheartedly to Him for forgiveness and cleansing.  It would take too long to outline where that idea on those placards is coming from, but it has the same source as the notion that God made you to be a sinner caught in homosexuality, drug addiction, pedophilia, or any other wrong.  Turn to Jesus!  He loves you and desires to set you free.  He is also Soon2Come! 

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Ephesians 2:13

And The LORD Came Down

"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."

Genesis 11:1-9

The above text was written in a literary structure commonly referred to as a chiastic pattern.  This structure is a device that the ancients often used to highlight a main topic, action, or idea and the pattern is often found in scripture in both testaments.  The subject is the center of the pattern and the stress is on this main idea so that the reader will know that it is the major event, idea, or concept to focus on.  Let's briefly outline the structure in these verses to find this middle place.  (The word "chiasm" is related to the word "cross" so that the word itself explains the idea of a center point.)

a.  Introduction--Verse 1--The Earth is one in voice under one Lord.

  b.  The people settle in a single area in rebellion to God's command to go out and multiply--verse 2.

c.  The people say let's make brick and mortar rather than choosing solid stone thus unifying ourselves (that which God made and further rebellion)--verse 3.  

d.  The people say let's join together to build our own unacceptable means to heaven which is terribly rebellious--verse 4.

*Verse 5 is the center of the structure--the stress is on the Lord coming down!

d.  God says your rebellion has not escaped the eyes of Heaven's Throne and I will not allow you to unite against Me (the unacceptable is rejected and destroyed)--verse 6.

c.  God says I will come down and confound your plans and cause your unity to cease--verse 7.

b.  The LORD scatters the people around the earth--verse 8.

a.  Conclusion--The Earth has many voices but still only ONE LORD!  Verse 9  

Yesterday we saw another example of the earth unifying itself against the LORD of all creation.  Another state has chosen to accept an abomination rather than to submit to God's plan.  Men and women are deciding that the first institution that God ordained--marriage (a shadow of salvation, God and Israel, Christ and the Church)--is now an institution that they can decide to redefine willfully against scripture as they wish.  It is one of many indicators that humanity is trying once again to unify itself against the Holy One.  From abortion, gay rights, pornography, euthanasia, divorce, and a whole host of other rebellious acts, humanity is on a collision course with the stress of the LORD coming down.  Like at Babel, God sees all of this. He even used this prophetic chiasm to outline that Heaven sees and God will act.  Where does that leave you!

What Utter Blasphemy!

I was sitting in a restaurant in Greenville, SC yesterday having lunch with beautiful wife, Melodie.  We were discussing some of the sermons we had heard in our state campmeeting and discussing the coming of the Lord.  Also, I had shared this outline with a friend of mine who is very much a mentor just a day or so prior.  Finally, I was thinking about Peters' sermon in Acts 2 as I wrote about yesterday.  That is when it hit me!  Regardless of your choice, the Lord is coming!  How He comes to you, as friend or foe, is your choice.  When the church unified themselves in prayer the Lord came down in a mighty and dramatic way in Acts 2.  When the world unified itself against the Lord in Genesis 11 He came down in a mighty and dramatic way as well.  When He comes, are you going to be found united with Him or in rebellion against Him?  Are you going to forgive your brethren, set aside petty differences, and seek the Lord as never before for the souls of men, or are you going to persist in your rebellious ways and act like a carnal worldling?  Either way, the Lord is coming down!  Get ready!  It is soon!  Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!   

Distressing News

New York Becomes the Sixth State to Legalize Gay Marriage - FoxNews.com

Judge Blocks Indiana From Cutting Funds for Planned Parenthood Over Abortions - FoxNews.com

Gay pride flag flying over Richmond Fed building - wtvr

Transgender Teen is Voted Prom Queen at Florida High School - FoxNews.com

Five Words That Could Save the Church - FoxNews.com  BUT THE BIBLE IS NOT WRONG!!!

The Gay Pride Flag at the Richmond Federal Reserve--And you wonder why our economy is in shambles? 

   

Forgotten Elements

First, I want to thank everyone for their prayers, concern, and their notes to me.  There are three discs involved with the neck pain and I am scheduled to see a neuro-surgeon on the 28th.   I am doing better as far as pain. There are still some problems from holding my arms up to the keyboard, but I am going to get through it.  Also, this month has been a very busy month as well.  I am writing this from the SC Church of God Campmeeting where Melodie and I have been all week.  Perry Stone and Tommy Bates have been doing a great job in the evening services.  The morning services have also been very challenging as well.  


I want to share a few thoughts on some forgotten elements that you don't hear preached often.  It is apparent to anyone that the Apostle Peter was being mightily used by the Holy Ghost to preach after the events early in Acts 2.  If he was so anointed, then much of the preaching that is done today should contain some of the same thoughts,if not all of the thoughts, frequently since the Spirit is immutable and the message is the same as what is needed today.  Also, there should not be any teaching that denies these core concepts since this is more than a prepared sermon from a master speaker, but God, Himself, is using this man mightily in such a way that three thousand turn to Him after this single message.  There are many claiming to be speaking by God's anointing, but their words do not have the same important teaching as that which Peter and the other apostles shared throughout the Bible.  In essence, they are fulfilling the warnings of Christ and the scriptures that there would be deceivers and false prophets in the last days of the church age. 

First, like many others and our Lord Jesus Himself, Peter preached that there was only one acceptable means to heaven.  Look at a portion of Acts 2:22! It says, that He was, "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God..."  Furthermore, he states, "that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36b)  The idea is simple!  There is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ and the bloody cross of Calvary.  Anyone who shares a message that hails another prophet or religious path to God is nothing but a liar, deceiver, tool of Satan, and/or a heretic.  If, as some well known "Christian" preachers teach currently, that we are all God's children and we will someday all gleefully make it to heaven whether we accepted Christ or not, then why did the apostles and early martyrs of the Church shed their precious blood to preach a salvation all would someday attain anyways at some point in the future?  They endured terrible suffering for the gospel as many are still doing today.  These liars are making a mockery of those who commit and have committed wholly unto Jesus to the point of death.  The apostles could have shut up and kept their ideas about Jesus to themselves since we would all make it to Heaven in the sweet by and by.  No!  My friend, do not allow this delusion in your life.  As Peter would say later in a sermon in Acts 4, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)


Second, the Holy Ghost did not dance around sin for fear of hurting someones feelings.  We do need to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit and be kind and loving, but there is a time when we should speak clearly with harsh truth even as Peter did.  Look at this verse, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."  (Acts 2:23) Can you imagine this rough fisherman standing square footed in the very crowd that contained folks who just weeks ago shouted, "Crucify Him" and pointing his finger in their face as he said this?  Where was the political correctness here?  Where was the concern for their feelings?  Sometimes, we need to be more concerned about the lost than to hide behind demonically inspired excuses.  You need not go everywhere shouting at sinners but you had better learn that there are times when a strong, unyielding witness, directed by God, is needed.  The same Holy Ghost who told us to be loving also said that, "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."  (Proverbs 27:5-6)  So what is the missing element at the core of this harshness?  Repent!  When was the last time you heard a message calling men and women to repent of their sin and accept Christ?


Finally, Peter discussed the unending reign of the Son of David and the Son of God found in one person, Jesus Christ.  He knew that there was coming a day when the Savior would return and restore all things.  It is coming!  Are you ready?