Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Removing the Landmarks

Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Proverbs 22:28

Changing the boundaries of inheritance was a serious offense to God.  He promised to judge those who were in the habit of changing the boundaries for their own sinful benefit.  By doing so, they endangered future generations and subverted the poor and defenseless. Americans once inherited the marks of a society that feared the God of the Bible and followed His precepts, but today the popular media, working under a less than holy agenda, operates a vicious campaign to overthrow those boundaries, those values, those land marks that made this nation great. It is easy to see.  Pick a topic such as marriage, creation, or any other institution that the Bible upholds and you will see articles weekly that seek to change societies concepts of morality or strengthen those already operating in unbelief.

Abraham Lincoln, with keen insight into man's fickle heart, noticed the tendency to make change to our own detriment.  He also noted our inability to grasp the unchanging when he said, "“A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people, and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability. Laws change, people die, the land remains.”  While many are seeking to change our mores, values, and customs, God Almighty never changes.  The institutions that He established will long stand after this generation passes.  All attempts to change His mind or cast off His cords are foolish and futile. Marriage is one such value God established and it will outlast this generation that is ever seeking to change this ancient landmark.  

Many news outlets reported the story a couple weeks back of yet another celebrity proclaiming marriage to be a dead establishment.  Here is a link to the article.  Cameron Diaz says the institution of marriage is ‘dying’ « Entertainment  Marriage will not be done away with until God, Himself, says it is time to stop it.  It is certain that it will be around during the reign of Christ.  Why?  It is a shadow of the relationship of Christ to the church.  Like Israel who carried shadows of the cross with them wherever they went, God has placed certain reminders of our need of Him around us everywhere.  Marriage is one of those reminders.  Let's look at the first marriage.

God saw that Adam was alone and that it was not a good thing.  In His loving concern God took a rib and created Eve.  Jesus, the last Adam, was also in need of a bride.  As God wounded Adam's side in creating Eve, the side of Christ was wounded by a Roman spear from which blood and water flowed.  From this, the bride of Christ has been being made for 2000 years.  As Adam fell into a deep sleep, Christ slept the sleep of death for three days.  We know that He arose from the grave and has been drawing His bride ever since.  Very soon, all who believe will be attending the marriage followed by the great marriage supper of the Lamb.  Those left here on earth will be in awful tribulation as they try repeatedly to throw God out of their lives.  It doesn't work.  Christ returns with his bride and establishes His kingdom where this blessed institution will stay intact throughout His earthly reign.  

These constant chips at the values of society will change nothing.  God will not change His mind about marriage or whether it is between two men, two women, or "traditional".  He made marriage and it is as immutable as he is. He established and it will long outlast all attempts to do away with it.  Blessed be the Lord who has such power!  

 I will share a couple more of these articles soon on ideas our society is trying to change.  As a matter of fact, did you know there is no God?  At least a celebrity scientist, Stephen Hawking, told us that this week--again.  For a man who many hail as brilliant, that was certainly a foolish statement.  Come back soon and see why. 

The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
Hosea 5:10

Todays' Prophetic Headlines

Friday, May 13, 2011

A True Witness

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
2 Corinthians 11:23-31

What a week!  I spent most of this week at the hospital.  When I finally found time to write on my blog the service was down.  Did I also mention that my normal internet system crashed on my computer?  I am now using a provider that I am not very familiar with.  Finally, this has been one of those weeks when the Bible theorists have me going bonkers.  Who are these theorists?  They are those people who always have a theory about what they think the Bible says even though they have no visible fruit of a believer, or they are those who make judgments about others without really understanding what they are talking about.  Ever run across one?  I have met several this week.  Having been an educator for years, I have found it is important to always stay teachable, and I have also found that the more I think I know about God and His word, the more I realize that He and His word are beyond my grasp to fully understand this side of glory.  Always stay humble and teachable!

The first theorist I ran in to was telling me how he does not need to go to church and fellowship with others.  He added that the verse that says to "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together" may not mean what it appears to mean.  Remember the fruit thing?  Make sure that if you think like this that you have the fruit of the Spirit visible in your life.  How can you develop in these graces if you are shut off from others? 

The next genius that I ran into told me that Jesus was not the only way to heaven.  He faithfully attends church as a means of being a better person, and that Jesus came to better mankind by giving a good set of rules to live by.  Howbeit, if you are a good Muslim or Hindu (despite Jesus' own testimony that He is the only way) you will make it to heaven.  Be careful of this brand of heretic!  There seems to be more and more of them nowadays.  What they don't seem to understand is that the truths of God have to be outside of their own frameworks and making.  It is not their "truth" that counts but His.  God is an immutable God therefore His truth is just as immutable.  It changes you not vice versa!  You can't make His word say what you wish, but you take it as it is or you don't take it at all. 

The last one made me very angry!  He was one of those prosperity people that seemed to believe that those suffering overseas were doing so because of a lack of faith in the power of God to give them an abundant life.  He went on and on about how you should prosper as your soul prospers and how you should never have a pain not immediately healed or care not immediately met here in this world.  Tell that to thousands of Chinese Christians who work underground sharing the message of the cross--a message that has some suffering at the very core!  Tell that to the Egyptian Christians who are being shot or raped in the streets.  Tell that to the martyrs and saints in various countries around the world who share the message while shedding their blood.  Tell that to Paul!  He suffered severely for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  His abundance was in God's power operating in his life to do a work for heaven and not in the abundance of this world's trash.  Didn't Jesus say something about laying up treasures in places where moth and dust can't corrupt and thieves can't break through and steal?

Jesus and Paul were rescuers.  They both understood that sharing truth to those drowning in sin sometimes is risky just as saving one from drowning in the sea is risky.  Yet, Jesus saw us worth the risk for some gracious reason I have yet to find (don't you ever wonder who you were that He would love you enough to die for you on the cross?) and Paul saw the message of Jesus Christ as worth the risk of forsaking all to share!  I wish I could dwell here some more, but I don't have the space.  Take a few hours and prayerfully read 1 & 2 Corinthians and compile a list of things that this apostle laid aside for the furtherance of the gospel.   The souls of men, women, and children were of much more value to Him than the trinkets of this current age!  While you are reading that I guess I need to go back and prayerfully read through Galatians 5 again.  I also need to talk to Him about the fruit of patience again!  (Insert smile here).  It seems that this trying week has reminded me of just how much I need Jesus always!  God Bless

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Back Tomorrow!

I have a couple of church emergencies and surgeries keeping me from posting.  Hopefully, I will be back tomorrow evening.  SORRY!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Rapture Reminder

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:32-34

In my last post I ended with this statement, "Jesus is coming soon!  I just don't know when and neither does anyone else.  Yet, with the clear authority of the prophetic word behind me, I can tell you that it is soon, very soon!"  "What is it that makes you so sure," you might ask?  In Jesus' same sermons where He stated that you would not know the exact date He outlined the broader season of His return.  In other words, while no one can know the exact day, month, or year, it is possible to discern that His coming is near without setting a specific time.  There are several key indicators that let all believers know to be ever vigilant.  The bridegroom is coming so keep oil in your lamp.

 The anniversary of the chief beacon illuminating Christ's nearing return is just a few days away.  Israel will be celebrating its 63 birthday.  The reformation of the nation of Israel after being dispersed for over two millennia is the greatest evidence that we are in the latter days.  What a miracle!  No other nation has ever been crushed like Israel was and later returned to their historic homeland just as the scriptures said would happen.  Most Bible teachers will concur that this sign is the starting of the countdown to Christ's inevitable return. This extraordinary event took place on May 14, 1948.  America, a Christian nation, was the very first to recognize the fledgling country that was immediately attacked by its Arab neighbors.  The overwhelming odds at which they have won every war since then is a sign of divine care and another warning that God is bringing His end time scenario to fruition.  

Consider that 10 tribes were first carried away by the Assyrian Kings Tigath-Pilesar and Shalmaneser V in 732 BC and 722 BC respectively.  Yet, remnants of those "lost tribes" are now returning just as scripture predicted.  They are coming form China, India, Ethiopia and a host of other nations, but they are coming back.  Judah, or the Southern Kingdom, was carried away by the Babylonians and their capital, Jerusalem, was sacked in 597 BC.  Some seventy years later, Judah returned to its homeland only to be dispersed again by Roman Legions in 70 AD.  There has been no Israel nor Judah for nearly 2000 years.  More importantly, Israel became a nation again on the exact day as foretold in Bible prophecy.



There are so many signs showing the coming of Christ that it would be impossible to list them all, so here are just a few dealing specifically with Israel itself.  Not only would the nation of Israel be restored, but also the lost language of Hebrew would be restored as well according to Zephaniah 3:9.  Ezekiel discussed in chapter 36 that the land that had been barren without the people of the promise would bloom, prosper, and thrive.  Look at the green in the Negev in the photo below and you can clearly make out the green borders of Israel from the surrounding nations.  Isaiah also mentioned that the desert, the Negev, would blossom like a rose.  Israel, is one of the chief exporters of roses in the world--want to guess where they grow?  Here is a quote from flowers-israel.net, "During the past, when people think of Israel, they usually see the image of Christ and a hot desert. However, recently, this is not what the country is perceived by other people. When they hear the country being mentioned in conversations, the image that comes to their minds are flowers. The reason for this is that the country is a known flower exporter."  



If I tell you every sign of Christ's return now, there would not be a need to have a blog showing the nearness of His coming, so I guess we will look at the huge number of signs that reveal Jesus is Soon2Come in other posts.  One of them is definitely false prophets who try to predict actual dates for His return.  Don't be deceived either way.  He is coming so be ever watching.  Just don't join with those who are in error as to a specific time. 

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.    
Matthew 24:24

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Rapture--May 21st! ?????


Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:42

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:13

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Acts 1:7

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2

What do the following dates have in common with May 21st, 2011?  Here they are: March 21, 1843, March 21, 1844, October 22, 1844, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1942, 1975, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000. These are just a few of the times when different "prophets" have decided to disobey scripture and set a date as to the LORD's return or rapture of the church.  Apparently, these men need to work on their comprehension skills because the Bible is very specific in the above scriptures that Christ's return for the church is to be a veiled event.  These and other scriptures with the same message clearly warn against date setting.

So why do Bible geniuses feel the need to set dates over and over and over--ad nauseum?  The same pride of life that drew Eve to the fruit compels these "scholars" to be the person who determines the right date! Their actions, however, are in violation of the Word of God.  They are setting up doubt and confusion about all prophecy for those uninformed or unknowing by their continual predictions.  By repeating the error too often they destroy many of the people that they think they are trying to warn.


So you will know, this is not a complete list of dates since many have tried to predict the Lord's coming repeatedly throughout church history.  For instance, there were those who had 1000 AD and 1033 AD as dates for Jesus' coming.  The reasoning in that day was that the kingdom of Christ is 1000 years so it would be on the anniversary of His birth or death years. In 1070, Jesus was supposed to come on the anniversary of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.  That date didn't work out either.  The point is that the hypotheses for the rapture timing are as infinite as the dates being set and the knuckle heads who keep setting them.  The Lord, who is all wise and ever truthful, has many reasons that He has not told us the exact day.  Here are three.



First, God is not a huge fan of false repentance.  He wants the hearts of men to freely come to Him for forgiveness so that they may have a genuine relationship with Him.  The Lord also spoke often about mouthing that you know Him while your heart is far from Him.  If He published the day and hour of His return, think of the revival that would take place!  Do you remember the rapture hoax on Rosh Hashanah, 1988 (If you are old enough, of course)?  Of all of the dates, this one seemed to have some of the most logical arguments.  It was 40 years from the time of Israel's formation, and that was but one of the 88 reasons for '88 being the year of the rapture.  How many churches filled up with people repenting at the last minute only to realize they were duped--again?  What happened to all of those conversions?  I do remember churches holding 24 hour prayer vigils and being packed from front to back--it is a very clear memory (Just so you will know--I was not in a prayer room worried that Jesus was coming back on that day either).  God doesn't want mankind to enjoy sin and then come sliding into the kingdom seconds before it is too late.

What if you were the devil?  Wouldn't you be working overtime to deceive humanity if you knew for sure that Jesus was coming back at a specific time.  Can you not see that is exactly what Satan is doing?  Do you remember the story of the little boy who cried wolf a few too many times?  This is the tactic the enemy of men's souls is using.  By getting foolish preachers to continually announce the rapture (like Harold Camping who had earlier predicted September, 6th, 1994 on his radio program) on a specific date, he causes men to put their guard down before the real rapture of the church takes place.   We are on the verge of Jesus truly calling His bride home with prophecy coming true around us in every sphere imaginable, but people who have heard it all before many times feel no conviction to trust Jesus for the pardon of their sin.  They are fulfilling another prophecy without even realizing it.  They are asking, "Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter 3;4".




Finally, it detracts from the message of the cross.  It seems that these "believers" have no clue what they are talking about to the lost world.  As a result, they do mock, laugh, and ridicule.  If we don't know the date of His return, surely the message of the cross is just as silly they reason.  Look at this article as proof. Atheists Mock May Rapture Prediction with "Rapture Party" Sadly, without Jesus Christ covering their sin this will not be funny to them in 1000 years if they do not repent.  Very few godless people will take the time to separate those truly following scripture from those in error.  To them, they are all the same.  Furthermore, these false prophets are actually strengthening them in their unbelief.

Jesus is coming soon!  I just don't know when and neither does anyone else.  Yet, with the clear authority of the prophetic word behind me, I can tell you that it is soon, very soon!  Jesus Christ is Soon2Come! 

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1 Peter 4:7

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Revelation 16:15

Monday, May 2, 2011

If Osama Bin Laden Could Preach Today

"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


I recently had seen the video testimony of a man who is a tribal chieftain living on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Walid Shoebat's website.  This man said that Osama Bin Laden had recently been in the habit of riding a horse to nearby mosques and preaching about jihad against the US and Israel.  Were those same men in the mosques be allowed to hear this man, Osama, preach after the grave, they would hear a much different message. 






It is clear that no one can determine the ultimate fate of another who has died.  We simply cannot see like the Almighty sees.  Yet, men die as they lived for the most part.  If you held to the tenets of a false ideology or religion it is doubtful that you would call on the true means of salvation in the last few minutes of your life.  Also, the fate of those who die without Jesus Christ is very clear!  They will be held temporarily in a pre-trial confinement facility called hell and after a divine appointment at the Great White Throne Judgement, with Jesus Himself on the throne, they will be tossed into an eternal lake of fire.  Yes! It will be the one with those nail scarred hands that you will have to give an account to if you die without God's only means of redemption since all judgment is committed to the Son (see John 5:22 & 27).  What are you going to say to Him who sits on the throne of creation if you have spurned and rejected the free gift offered to you by his atoning death?  At any rate, what are the odds that Osama Bin Laden repented of his sins and called on Jesus Christ to save him in those last few seconds of the fire fight that took place early on the 2nd of May in Pakistan?  It is certain that he would be preaching a different message if he were able to speak to us about his experience without the blood covering of Jesus after death.  I wonder what he would share?


I am sure that he, too, would attest to Christ being the only means of salvation.  Who else has done what Jesus has?  Who has healed the leper, made the lame to walk, caused the deaf to hear, and the blind to see?  Who else has stood at the funeral bier of a dead son or daughter and brought them back to life, or stood at the grave of a friend dead four days and brought him back with the simple words, "Lazarus, come forth!"? Who else was dead Himself and arose four days later in fulfillment of prophecies made up to 1000 years before His birth as a man?  Who else has been  the subject of so much scrutiny that has caused his death and resurrection to be studied and attested to by even the most hostile witnesses of His day through today?  Simply put, there are 39 secular accounts of Christ's death and resurrection outside of the pages of the Bible.  Also, there are scores of accounts of His miracle working power--so who in all of history is like Him?  That is why Osama would come back attesting to the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord!


Osama would also proclaim that he had lived a lie and followed demonic delusions aimed to keep men in the darkness about Messiah Jesus.  He would tell all men that there are not 72 virgins waiting for cowards who blow up buildings while killing and maiming the innocent.  His testimony would tell of mocking demons laughing and taunting those whom they have helped to willingly remain blind to the true source of life eternal while carrying out the bidding of the fallen cherub, Satan.  His message would mention that Satan is a very real fallen angel and not an impersonal country like America or Israel.  He would tell of Satan's hate for humanity and his attempts to continually rob the world of peace while offering many hellish alternatives to men wanting to reject the cross.


Speaking of Israel, Osama would affirm the truth that the covenant land currently in possession of the Jews belongs to them and that all efforts to bring an immediate peace should be followed while assuring that Israel should control Jerusalem and much more covenant land than they currently possess.  I could see him before the UN now addressing the sham of a peace process currently underway and the rejection of any other state on the land that God promised to Israel. He would no longer advocate the genocide of the Jews. He would be a preacher of true righteousness found only in Jehovah T'sidkenu--the LORD our Righteousness.  Furthermore, he would call for an immediate clearing of any structure on the Temple Mount.  You see, he would understand that God keeps His promises and that the greatest promise for our generation is the return of Jesus to that very spot some day, so Osama would be one of many witnesses that the city of Jerusalem is the city of the Great King, the Son of David, the Son of God--Yeshua Ha'Mashiyach.  


Of the many other things that this man would relate would be a sincere and heart felt apology to the families and friends of those whose deaths he caused.  He would be like Zacchaeus and spend his fortune paying restitution to those affected by his murderous acts of terrorism.   This man would become one of the greatest voices for true peace in the world and the center of his message of peace would be the peace with God that mankind can have if they accept the cross of Christ. He would affirm that a man's choices here on earth have eternal consequences and that the wrong choices lead to certain destruction apart from God.  Oh!  How this man would preach Jesus!  If only he could be heard today! 


"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 14:6

Today's News

Saturday, April 30, 2011

"What will ye do in the end thereof?"

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 5:30-31

The condition of the land of Judah was so deplorable in God's eyes because the shape of the "church" was so deplorable.  It was this fact that showed the impending judgment of God was upon them soon.  Of course, we know that the Jews were not called the church at this time, but in our parallel of Jeremiah 5 to today we are investigating the church in America, and there are many ways that the church in the US is in the same condition as believers were in the days of Jeremiah.  It is this apostate church that has become ineffective, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.  Here are a few of the reasons that Jeremiah could not find enough righteous to convince God to hold off His hand of discipline.


False Profession--"And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely." Jeremiah 5:2  Many in the land had a false profession of faith in Yahweh.  They claimed "salvation" but did not manifest the fruits of an ongoing relationship with God.  Is is not the same here in America?  A recent survey of Americans found that 70% believe that they will go to heaven.  Furthermore, of those who go to church, many hold to universalism--the idea that all will eventually be saved.  Many Born-Again Christians Hold Universalist Views, Barna Finds, Christian News, The Christian Post



Wrong theology-- "They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:"  Jeremiah 5:12  At the core of universalism is an error about God and His attributes.  He is seen as so loving that He longs to graciously give heaven to all men regardless of a profession of faith.  No matter how sinful men are, a "loving" God would never judge or send men to hell.  Ancient Judah could not see that their troubles were sent by God in a loving attempt to bring repentance.  Contemporary America is following the same path.  We forget that this very loving God is also utterly holy and will not have sin in His presence.  He also is a correcting Father who will send judgment.  Maybe with the top 10 worst disasters in American history happening in the last two decades, we might ought to see if we have offended His holiness?


False teachers-- "And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them."  Jeremiah 5:13  Not only have more cults and false teachings erupted here in America in the last 100 years, but now the church has grown too undiscerning to weed the truth from the error. Judah seems to have had their share of false prophets just as we do here in the US.  Find me 10 TV "Evangelists" that plead for the lost to turn to Jesus Christ and the cross on a consistent basis.  It will be hard since the majority of teaching is self help, high esteem, get rich and satisfied in this world "preaching".  


Sinful ministers-- "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked:"  Jeremiah 5:25-28a  Part of the message of these verses is still focused on false prophets.  Please take notice of the prophets in Jeremiahs day focused on amassing wealth.  God was not impressed. He called them wicked men.  Is it me, or is it hard to find a preacher who endorses living their faith anymore?  


A wrong view of ministry and service-- "... they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge." Jeremiah 5:27b
If all of the preaching is about me--then who is serving the LORD?  Who is being a servant to the lost?  Who is serving the hurting in the community?  Sometimes I think that we should take the word "service" off of a meeting at the church house since very little true service is done there!  


A love of sin-- "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so..."  Jeremiah 5:30  The people had grown so accustomed to a watered down relationship with God that they could not see that there was not a relationship at all.  God was calling for repentance, but they would not heed His call.  So HE asks the question, "and what will ye do in the end thereof?"  


Today's news


Man Arrested Outside Calif. DMV for Reading His Bible Out Loud | The Blaze
Church Touts Homosexuality as a Gift, Not a Sin, Christian News, The Christian Post *****
Tennessee Considers Banning Teaching Homosexuality in Elementary Schools - FoxNews.com
Former Obama Adviser Van Jones Helping to Push 'Human' Rights for Mother Nature - FoxNews.com
US: 61% Support Defending Israel - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News
Report: Abbas’ Holocaust-Denial Dissertation Widely-Taught in PA - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News
South Tries to Pick Up Pieces as 339 Dead From Tornadoes - FoxNews.com
Kahlon: Annex W. Bank in response to unilateralism