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Are You Prepared?

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:37:16 -0400

Could things be any more "in place" for a seven year covenant to suddenly appear?

As I watch the world events concerning Israel and the city Jerusalem, it is becoming obvious to me that things could get worse very quickly. It also makes me ask myself if I am prepared emotionally, spiritually and psychologically to endure the Tribulation (aka Daniel's 70th week).

Is Jesus addressing the Church in Matthew 24? In other words, is Jesus talking to us, the members of His Church, in Matthew 24?

Matthew 24:1-44 (NIV)
[1] Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.
[2] "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
[3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
[4] Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.
[5] For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
[6] You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
[7] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
[8] All these are the beginning of birth pains.
[9] "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
[10] At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
[11] and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
[12] Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
[13] but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
[14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
[15] "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--
[16] then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
[17] Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house.
[18] Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.
[19] How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
[20] Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
[21] For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again.
[22] If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
[23] At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.
[24] For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.
[25] See, I have told you ahead of time.
[26] "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.
[27] For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
[28] Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
[29] "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
[30] "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
[31] 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.
[32] "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
[33] Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
[34] I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
[35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
[36] "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
[37] As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
[38] For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
[39] and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
[40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
[41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
[42] "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
[43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
[44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

If the church is NOT addressed in Matthew 24, then the signs and warnings do not apply to us. However if the Church IS being spoken to by Jesus in Matthew 24, then you and I should be looking for these signs and heeding these warnings.

I believe the Church is either going to go through ALL of Daniel's 70th week (aka the post tribulation Rapture) or we are going to go through MOST of Daniel's 70th week (aka the pre wrath Rapture). There are many signs around us that seem to be lining up with the warnings of Matthew 24. I write this, not to alarm you, or cause panic, but rather to get us to consider the possibility...... and to start getting prepared.

The early stages of the birth pains of Matthew 24 will be a little uncomfortable, but in reality it will be exciting to us who realize the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a mere 7 years away! But as time progresses and we get further into the Tribulation, the birth pains will increase in intensity and persecution of the Church WILL begin.

I want to paraphrase from an expository sermon delivered by Pastor Mike Andrus on Matthew 24:

Why does God speak so often and in such detail about prophetic truth? Possibly because He knows how very easy it is for us to become so earthly minded that we are of no heavenly good. We have such a tendency to get totally immersed in our daily life; work, entertainment, sports, politics, family, friends. We begin to think this is all that matters, that this is all there is. There is nothing wrong with all these things but they are not all that there is. And they are not even the most important things. Bible prophecy (like Matthew 24) reminds us of the reality of the spiritual world. And there is a future we can hardly imagine. And God goes to great lengths to tell us about it.

Date: December 7, 2008
Sermon: Signs of the Second Coming
Scripture: Matthew 24:1-25
Speaker: Pastor Mike Andrus
MP3 version
PDF printer friendly version

Date: December 14, 2008
Sermon: Stage Four: Delivery
Scripture: Matthew 24:26-35
Speaker: Pastor Mike Andrus
MP3 version
PDF printer friendly version

These two sermons should be read or listened to by everyone who considers that we may be the generation to witness the literal fulfillment of the signs of Matthew 24 and are called to endure the Tribulation. The content of these sermons will help you to be prepared. Perhaps you could gather a small group of your friends to discuss them? Learn a lesson from the New Testament...... professional theologians were often the last to perceive the reality of the times they were living in.

Blessings,

Donnie

2011 - 2018 An Intriguing Date Range for Daniel's 70th week

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:26:47 -0400

This article is highly speculative, but it's a reminder that we should always be looking for the signs pointing to the Lord's Second Coming.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel 9:27 seems to suggest a seven year covenant will mark the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, or as many people call it, the Tribulation. The first 3 1/2 years (1,260 days) will start with the "Beginning of the Birth Pains." The second 3 1/2 years (1,260 days) will be much more difficult and is frequently referred to as the time of "Great Tribulation." In total, the 70th week of Daniel is 7 years in length.

The potential start date of Daniel's 70th week can be calculated fairly easily. Here's some simple math supporting the 7 year date range of 2011-2018:

1948 the year Israel was reborn as a nation.
+ 70 years (the length of time of a generation)
2018 the year of our Lord's return? 2018 will mark 70 years of Israel being a nation.
- 7 years of Daniel's 70th week
2011 the year that will mark the start of Daniel's 70th week?

Again, I am not date setting, merely pointing out an intriguing date range. If this date range is correct, then this coming season of autumn is the time we should be watching for signs that the beginning of the End Times are here.

The reason I say the autumn season is that there is also strong evidence that the end of Daniel's 70th week, on any given year, will occur on the Fall Jewish Feast days. For example, let's look at Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. Looking seven years ahead in the Jewish calendar, September 19, 2018 is Yom Kippur. This could possibly be the date that will mark the end of Daniel's 70th week. It is on this day that the Jewish people's sins will be atoned for and they will be reconciled to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. (Click on the image below to learn more about my views on the Feasts of the Lord.)

I want to recommend two powerful videos that suggest God is trying to get our attention. The first is just unbelievable. It may be THE most convincing argument supporting the 2011-2018 date range for Daniel's 70th week. (Click here, or on the image below to see the video of Mark Blitz explaning the significance of the upcoming blood moons/lunar eclipses.)

These eclipses would correspond to the middle of Daniel's 70 week, which will be a very bad time period for the nation Israel. The years 2014/2015 would be the mid-point of the 70th week and when the anti-Christ enters the Temple in Jerusalem and proclaims he's God.

Here is another very powerful video presenting natural disaster events that have occurred in the last few years. When viewed, you see how back to back to back the sorrows have hit. Has God begun shaking the nations?

Haggai 2:6-7 (NIV)
[6] "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
[7] I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty.

Finally, on September 29, 2011 Rosh Hashanah begins. This is the 63rd Feast of Trumpets since Israel was reborn and the prophecy of "this generation will not pass away until all these things have been fufilled" began. Exactly 7 years later, 2018, will mark 70 years since Israel was reborn.

Hmmmmmm. That's a lot to think about.

Donnie

Electronic Skin -- Mark of the Beast?

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:33:20 -0400

All of the technology advances in our lifetime border on mind boggling and I believe they are a sign that we are living in the End Times. Our lives are being lived at a supersonic pace. Jet travel delivers us from one continent to another in a matter of hours. Social networks and cell phones have resulted in the overthrow of several Middle Eastern Countries. Instant knowledge is a click away on the internet and electronic banking is becoming the norm. This rapid increase in our level of knowledge was unimaginable to people who were living a mere 100 years ago. Yet, in a vision to Daniel, Jesus Christ revealed to us that in the last generation travel and knowledge will increase.

Daniel 12:4 (NIV)
[4] But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

Our generation has witnessed a dramatic increase in both travel and knowledge.

The Bible also prophecies (warns) that some kind of advanced technology would be used the Antichrist and the False Prophet to control people and their money. It will involve some kind of mark on the person’s forehead or right hand.

Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV)
[16] He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,
[17] so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

This week the Antichrist and the “Mark of the Beast” made headlines in several newspapers including the Drudge Report

MARK OF THE BEAST? Electronic tattoo has medical, gaming, spy uses...

This new technology is called “electronic skin” and is a temporary tattoo that attaches to the skin to monitor people. Could this be the technology that the False Prophet will force on people, an actual “smart” mark or tattoo that gives people the ability to buy or sell?

The Bible specifically warns us not to take this mark because it pledges your allegiance to the Anti-Christ instead of Jesus Christ. The penalty for taking the mark?

Revelation 14:9-12 (NIV)
[9] A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,
[10] he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
[11] And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
[12] This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

This increase in technology is not a bad thing and I embrace it wholeheartedly, from my iPhone and iPad to electronic banking and blogging. But this story caught my eye as an example of how technology is fast providing the coming antichrist with the ability to control the finances of every person in the world. If this is not scary, I don't know what is!.

But the prophesied ‘increase in knowledge’ alone isn’t what’s catching my eye these days. It’s all the other signs occurring at the same time; wars in Africa and rumored war between Israel and Egypt, the dividing of Jerusalem and the potential UN recognized statehood of Palestine, the unfulfilled prophecy of the complete and utter destruction of Damascus in Syria, slumping markets around the world in Europe and the U.S. feeding economic fear, worldwide natural disasters of Biblical proportions, and even the approaching comet and asteroids. All of this together is what's keeping me up at night!

Oh, and one more thing, the Jewish Fall Feasts are approaching; Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) is Thursday, September 29. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is Saturday, October 8. And Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) is Thursday, October 13. Could this be the start of the End Times calendar and will the birth pain ‘dominos’ begin to fall? Only time will tell, for no man knows the day or the hour.

Mark 13:22-23 (MSG)
[22] Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. [23] So watch out. I've given you fair warning. -- Jesus

Blessings,

Donnie

Potential Consequences of a Palestinian State

Sat, 14 May 2011 12:23:02 -0400

Potentially, big news is brewing in the Middle East. The Palestinians are planning to force the U.N. to decide on whether to recognize a Palestinian state. This will involve a vote on the issue of Palestinian statehood based on the pre-1967 borders this September. If it passes, the United Nations will be recognizing the Palestinian Authority as a country.

In response, the United States is going to host a summit in Washington D.C. on July 11 where officials representing the U.S., the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia will attempt to devise an “international peace plan” in hopes it will be enough to dissuade the Palestinians from pursuing a U.N. vote in September.

If this summit fails, and Israel is forced to give up their land to the Palestinians in September, the nations of the world will be guilty of ignoring the warning message of the Old Testament prophets which is very clear… DO NOT divide the land of Israel!

President Shimon Peres warned that this written peace agreement on Jerusalem will cause a “world war.”

Joel Rosenberg agrees;

“It may look like a brilliant idea to divide the City of Jerusalem….to divide Judea and Samaria – a.k.a., the West Bank – away from the State of Israel….to give away the Golan Heights….as it seemed brilliant to some to give away the Gaza Strip in 2005….but let there be no mistake: the Word of God warns us in no uncertain terms that judgment is coming for all who divide Israel….and divide Jerusalem….and scatter, oppress and mistreat the Jewish people.

As I say this, the United Nations is preparing to hold a vote in the next few months to divide Jerusalem and the rest of Jerusalem and unilaterally declare a sovereign Palestinian state. For many, this seems wise and fair and just…..but willfully disobeying the Word of God is never wise….never fair….never just….and it comes with consequences.”

How serious could the consequences be? This forced Palestinian State and the subsequent dividing of the land of Israel could be the prophecy sign that launches us into the End Times. How would we know for sure? We would look for a couple of specific indicators: a signing of a 7-year peace covenant between the nations and Israel, along with discussions around the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the restarting of animal sacrifices. Both of these signs would signal the arrival of the Antichrist and the beginning of the Daniel’s 70^th week.

Blessings,

Donnie

The World is not going to end May 21, 2011

Sat, 14 May 2011 10:33:00 -0400

You probably have heard this... May 21, 2011 is the date that Harold Camping claims is "Judgment Day" and the date of the Rapture. Apocalypse soon, says US Preacher.

It is really important to take the Bible literally. This is true whether we are seeking knowledge about salvation, or any other topic, including prophecy. Concerning salvation, Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father, but through me," He meant it. There is simply no other way. Concerning prophecy, He commanded us to WATCH for very specific signs that will alert us that the End Times has begun. We are never told to predict dates; in fact, we are told that the specific day and hour are known by no man, only the Father has this information.

We are given specific prophecy signs for several reasons. One of these is so that we will not be caught off guard. Unbelievers will be caught off guard as they will not understand the literal seven seal judgments, the seven trumpet judgments, and finally the seven bowl judgments predicted in the Book of Revelation. As terrible as this seven year period will be, we will know and understand the times and the seasons if we take the Bible literally. The return of Christ will not surprise us like a thief, because the Lord has told us exactly what will happen. He has told us what to look for. First, look for a seven year peace agreement with Israel. Second, He has told us how to recognize the Antichrist. Exactly 3 1/2 years after the seven year covenant is signed, the Antichrist will put an end to sacrifice. He will then enter into a wing of the rebuilt temple and set up an image of himself (The Abomination of Desolation) for the entire world to worship. And exactly 3 1/2 years after the Abomination of Desolation, Jesus will return to the earth, destroy the Antichrist, and set up His Millennial kingdom.

Another reason we are to know the signs is to keep us from following false teaching and false prophets. The World is not going to end May 21, 2011. There are literal prophecy signs the Bible says we will see that will alert us to the Second Coming of Jesus. Most of them have not yet occurred. We have not seen the signing of a seven year peace agreement between Israel and the Antichrist. We have not seen the rise of the Antichrist, nor the False Prophet. We have not seen the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. We have not seen the re-establishment of animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount. We have not seen the Antichrist proclaim himself God in the Temple (aka the Abomination of Desolation). We have not seen the Two Witnesses who will call fire down from heaven. We have not seen the Mark of the Beast instituted. The river Euphrates has not dried up. Gog from the land of Magog has not invaded Israel. All of these signs predicted by the Bible will occur before Jesus returns to set up His heavenly kingdom on earth.

We live in very exciting times and we could be on the verge of the beginning of Daniel's 70 week, but you need to know the facts before sounding the alarm.

Blessings,

Donnie

Israel's Critical Security Needs for a Viable Peace

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 17:02:00 -0400

The first four of the seven Jewish feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks). The final three holidays (Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short fifteen-day period.

Amazingly, Christ's First Coming occurred in precise relation to the Passover Feast.  In like manner, I believe Christ's Second Coming will occur in precise relation to the Fall Feasts. These autumn feasts prophetically point to Messiah's future work especially with the nation Israel. In other words, Jesus will literally fulfill the Fall Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.  That means, He will return sometime around the Fall Jewish feasts.

Why is this significant to us?  Daniel has prophesied a seven year period that precedes the Lord's return.

Daniel 9:27 (NIV)
[27] He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him".

The signing of a seven year covenant with the Antichrist will mark the start date of Daniel's 70^th week.  While we cannot know in advance the year in which Daniel's 70^th week will begin, we can expect to see the signing of this seven year 'peace' agreement to occur in the fall of any one year, in the September to October time frame. Needless to say, I watch the activities of Israel especially during the fall of any year.

We do not know the exact day or the exact hour of Christ's return. But, as a pregnant woman does not know the day or the exact hour of the birth of her child, she does know when she is in the ninth month. She knows when the time is close. That said, the return of Christ will not surprise us like a thief, because the Lord has told us exactly what will happen. He has told us what to look for. First, look for a seven year peace agreement. Second, He has told us how to recognize the Antichrist. Exactly 3 1/2 years after the seven year covenant is signed, the Antichrist will put an end to sacrifice. He will then enter into a wing of the rebuilt temple and set up an image of himself (an abomination) for all the world to worship. And, Jesus has told us that, exactly 3 1/2 years after the Abomination, He will return to the earth, destroy the Antichrist, and set up His Millennial kingdom.

Could Fall 2011 be the start of the most exciting time in the history of the Church? Time will tell...

Israel, in any future agreement with the Palestinians, has a critical need for defensible borders. This video outlines the threats to Israel from terrorist rockets, ballistic missiles, and conventional ground and air threats from the east.

The "1948 Generation"

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:18:00 -0400

In 1948, the nation of Israel was reborn and then Jacob's descendants regained control of Jerusalem.

Amos 9:14-15 [14] I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. [15] I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.

The people of Israel, scattered throughout the world since the destruction of their temple in 70 A.D., were brought back into the land and re-established as a nation.

Deuteronomy 4:25-31 (NIV)
[25] After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time--if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God and provoking him to anger,
[26] I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed.
[27] The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.
[28] There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.
[29] But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
[30] When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.
[31] For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

This miracle, the fulfillment of this sign, has caused many of us to wonder if we, "the 1948 generation" are going to witness the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The reasoning is fairly simple to follow; a generation, the amount of time an average person lives, is around 70-80 years. (1948 + 70 years = 2018).

The Bible commands us to watch and states that the generation that sees the beginning of the birth pains will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled and Jesus returns. We have several "signs" recently that have grabbed my attention; great earthquakes in diverse places, devastating tsunamis, and technology explosion. But what we haven't yet seen is equally important; the rise of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, a Jewish temple being rebuilt so that animal sacrifices can be restored, the identity of Mystery Babylon and the final ten nation empire of the Antichrist (revived Roman Empire).

This week (4.14.11) something very significant was announced. This coming September we may witness the birth of a Palestinian state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that his government will stand firm against any international pressure to reignite the Israeli-Palestinian peace process by accepting the PA's (Palestinian Authority) unilateral conditions.

Speaking at a Likud Party Passover toast, Netanyahu said, "We will stand for our principles and fight those who try to dictate terms that would strip us of security and peace."

Netanyahu's comments followed recent reports suggesting the UN will discuss the Palestinian demand for statehood recognition in its coming General Assembly meeting in September.

Palestinian statehood can only be accomplished by dividing the land of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem, and this could bring about significant prophetic pain.

Zechariah 12:2-3 (NIV)
[2] "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.
[3] On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.

Israel is the apple of God's eye. God is not done with Israel and she is the focal point of end time prophecy. We, the Church, should be laser-focused on God's promises and in our defense and support of Israel.

Blessings,

Donnie

Thoughts about Hell and Bell

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:53:00 -0400

Here's what I am thinking about this week...

A Rabbi in Jerusalem has asked permission to perform an animal sacrifice on the Temple Mount during Passover which occurs in two weeks. Guys, it's coming. I know that many of you don't think we should take this prophecy literally. Maybe not this year, but God's Word is clear on this sign (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15).

Here's a story that will keep the end times meter a buzzin. Renewed efforts have begun to give Palestinians a portion of Jerusalem and, of course, the peace initiative includes dividing the land That is what the Bible predicts will eventually take place. According to Zechariah's prophecy, the battle over the division of the land and the city of Jerusalem is set to continue right through to the tribulation period (Zechariah 12:2-3). Joel Rosenberg is reporting a Palestinian State as early as September.

I have been thinking a lot this week about Rob Bell's new book, "Love Wins." I read through it once and really enjoyed it. I'm going to do a second read this week and jot down my comments in the margin. My initial thoughts..... this preacher loves well. And that is a very good thing! Second, he has asked hard questions I have asked in silence. I can't imagine any person not struggling with the wrath of God and everlasting hell. But, from my perspective the Bible teaches it. Romans 1 teaches that God's wrath is demonstrated when He allows human beings to pursue all kinds of sin, which eventually will destroy them. The Book of Revelation teaches the 7 Bowl judgments are God's undiluted wrath to be poured out on unrepentant men at the end of Daniel's 70th week.

For the time being, Bell gets a pass from me, at least for a while. My daughter attended his church for four years while at Calvin College, so I got to sit under his teaching as well as listen to his sermons on the internet. He is the real deal.

Rob Bell Comes Clean!!!

Questions: Do we break fellowship with good people over their belief of hell? Is Bell's view of Jesus' work on the cross pretty sound, but just a little too all inclusive? Why would we discard someone who is true to the gospel in preaching Jesus Christ as the only way? Are we ignoring his position on the essential doctrine and dividing on a minor doctrine? Hmmmmm. Lots to digest. BTW, I have always thought my father probably was in hell. Not that he wanted to go, but he made so many really bad choices throughout his short life. Even though his priest told me that my father had made a good last confession, I just couldn't come to terms with his death bed confession. Upon finishing "Love Wins", I shut the book and began thinking about who will be there to greet me when I arrive in Heaven. For the very first time I had new hope that allowed me to imagine my father as a part of that group, waiting for me to get there. Powerful thought. If you have lost a loved one, and you are unsure of their standing before God, rest assured that Jesus is looking for ways to get them in, not keep them out.

Blessings,

Donnie

The final Kingdom of Antichrist -- The Revived Roman Empire

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:00:00 -0400

Prophecy is given to allow the final generation to watch for specific signs and allow enough time to prepare. The truth of the matter is that the exact details of some of the prophecies will not be understood until they are upon us. One such prophecy is the nature of Antichrist's final world empire which is referred to as a "Revived Roman Empire."

The most familiar view is the one that says the Antichrist will arise from 10 nations from the Western leg within the European Union. This view teaches that the coming kingdom of the Antichrist will arise from the western nations like Italy, Spain, France, England, Germany, Greece etc.

There is another, fast-growing opinion of those who suspect the Antichrist's kingdom will come from an Eastern Coalition of nations, an Islamic Caliphate. Those who hold to this position claim that the Antichrist will come from the Eastern leg of the Revived Roman Empire represented by a combination of the Babylonian, Persian and Grecian Empires. These are essentially the Islamic nations of the Middle East and Africa, and include Syria, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Turkey etc.

I am seriously leaning toward the latter. Why? The Antichrist is repeatedly called the "Assyrian." The city of Babylon, referred to in Revelation 17 & 18, is located in Iraq. Could it be that Daniel's "King of the North" will take Iraq once the U.S. pulls out? Will this be a sign for Christians that we are beginning Daniel's 70th Week? Here are some very good articles to give you something more to think about.

The Return of Nimrod?

Antichrist from the Middle East?

The Revived Roman Empire - Kingdom of the Antichrist?

On 3.26.11 I received this email from a reader:

The Islamic Caliphate revival during the End-Times is gaining much attention from highly influential Christian pastors and they are even brave enough to explain and teach it to their large congregations and national radio Christian audience! Dr. John McArthur is one such pastor and his sermon is easy to follow. It can only mean that his heart is moved by the LORD to prepare his flock for what is to come. You could hear a pin drop in that church the silence is deafening. Joel is very grateful to Dr. McArthur as he has been influenced by Joel's ground-breaking understanding of Islamic Eschatology and what it means to Israel and the Church. Take a listen and here is the link below:

http://www.joelstrumpet.com/?p=2488

Blessings,

Donnie

Earthquake prediction: Seismic Window 3.19.11 - 3.26.11

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:54:00 -0400

In 1990, a scientist, Dr. Iben Browning, warned of an imminent earthquake along the New Madrid Fault. The date he predicted came and went. He was wrong and there was no quake. He caused considerable alarm for people living around the fault, and even though folks scoffed at his inaccurate forecast, they actually were better for having prepared for it. Why? His prediction sparked dialogue around their preparedness. They didn't want to take any chances with their families, so in order to protect them, they all geared up and made sure they had disaster supplies on hand. In the final analysis, Iben Browning forced everyone to personally think about experiencing an earthquake... just in case.

I believe we are living in a time that is forcing everyone to think about things we probably scoffed about in the past. "Breaking News" seems to occur almost every day. It's not just the heart-breaking earthquake we witnessed in Japan, it's the frequency and magnitude of the earthquakes and tsunamis that we are witnessing daily on the nightly news. It's the unholy hatred the world seems to be developing toward the nation Israel because they refuse to divide and give up the land God promised to them. The past few weeks we began witnessing the upheaval of many Muslim nations in the Middle East. Stories abound about the declining global economy, overwhelming national debt and talk about the formation of a cashless society. People who have never talked about Bible prophecies are suddenly quoting the Book of Revelation, and wondering if the "Beginning of the Birth Pains" spoken of by Jesus have begun. Why? They want to be able to protect their family and loved ones... just in case.

This week another scientist, Jim Berkland, has joined Iben Browning in the earthquake predicting past time. His credentials? For starters he predicted the "World Series" earthquake of 1989. Not too shabby. Dr. Berkland now has my attention. These two videos explain his distinctive pattern of prediction which hinges on changes in magnetic fields, gravitational tidal pulls of the moon and planets, dead fish, beached whales and the equinox. Check out these videos on future earthquakes along the Ring of Fire.

Earthquake Prediction 2011 Jim Berkland - A Major Earthquake in North America Imminent

Earthquake Prediction - California - Fox News - 2011

The primary reason I am bringing this up ... he is predicting a major quake will occur in the upcoming "Seismic Window" which is Saturday March 19, 2011 through Saturday March 26. Right or wrong, forewarned is forearmed.

No question, the Bible says they are going to be more earthquakes as we approach Jesus' coming.

Matthew 24:7-8 There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Mark 13:8 There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

So, let's deal with the earthquake thing first. How do we prepare? Below are a couple of sites that can help you prepare for a disaster.

Red Cross Store: Emergency Preparedness Kit

Earthquakes: Are You Ready?

As I reviewed all the necessities in these disaster kits, I thought of one additional item they did not mention... a Bible. If we are approaching the End Times a literal translation of the Bible is a must. It will serve you in many different ways. First, it will provide you with the road map to get you to the final destination, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! And as you read the prophetic books/passages (e.g. Daniel, Ezekiel 38-39, Joel, Zephaniah, Zechariah, Matthew 24, Luke 21, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Revelation) take them as literally as you can. Don't try to allegorize them, Let them stand on their own. In the long run, that approach will serve you best. If someone tells you that God didn't mean what He said, ask them "Then why didn't He say what He meant?" Trust me, He said exactly what He meant, and when the time comes, we will realize His Word is "truly" spot on!

Blessings,

Donnie

Mark 13:36-37 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:41:00 -0500

A massive earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on Friday March 11, 2011. It was the strongest quake in the area in nearly 1,200 years. The scene is apocalyptic, right out of the Book of Revelation.

Jesus warned the believers to watch for specific signs that would take place as His return drew near. He said that chaotic and strange weather would be widespread and rampant.

Luke 21:25-28 (ESV)
[25] "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
[26] people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
[27] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
[28] Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

He also likened these signs to birth pangs.

Matthew 24:7-8 (ESV)
[7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
[8] All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

There is no doubt we are seeing an increase in strange weather and "natural" disasters. And, as delivery time draws near (Jesus Second Coming), we can expect the birth pangs will increase in both intensity and frequency.

The Rapture Index

As I ponder the chaotic headlines, it seems to me that the last days may be approaching exactly as the Word of God prophesied thousands of years ago. These signs we are seeing should serve as a wake-up call for believers that Daniel's 70^th week (aka The Tribulation), which is God's time of judgment, could begin at any moment. Don't forget that the Church is commanded to watch for these signs. Don't ignore them!

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

And fear not...

Psalms 46:1-3
[1] To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
[2] Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
[3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

Blessings,

Donnie

In our Community Group we continue to focus on the Lord Jesus. Here are my Hebrew 2 notes...

HEBREWS 2:1-4

WARNING #1: DON'T DRIFT AWAY FROM THE TRUTH OF SALVATION

This warning is the first of five warnings signals in the Book of Hebrews. The warning is this: Don't drift away from the truth of Salvation.

Strong Warning #1 -It is critical that we keep a firm grip on this great salvation message of Jesus. If we ignore it and drift away into false teachings, there is simply no escaping God's judgment! (2:1-4)

Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

This is a sober warning that arises from what was revealed in Chapter 1. The author called his readers to pay careful attention to the truth they had heard so that they wouldn't drift away into false teachings. In the context he is talking about two specific truths that he has just revealed.

First, don't drift away from who Jesus is; The end - the appointed heir of all things, the beginning - the creator of all things, the middle who is holding all things together, He is the express image of God, Jesus said "he that has seen me has seen the Father, He is the radiance of the image of God - He is light, he provided forgiveness when died for our sins and He is today, sitting at the right hand of the Father because His redemption work is done.

Second, as great as the angels are, He is superior to them: He has a greater name, He is worshipped by them, He has greater authority, He has completed a greater work and He has a greater position.

Hebrews 2:2-3 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, [3] how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

The writer now expands on what He specifically wants us to pay attention to; The great salvation message which was announced by Jesus. In order to drive home the point he draws a contrast between the Old Covenant, which was instituted by the ministry of angels (Gal 3:19), but this new message, was delivered by Jesus.

Q: If you lived under the Old Covenant, what happened when you broke the Law? You were punished. Disregard of the Old Covenant brought judgment. Now, something greater than the Old Covenant has been announced. If disregard for the Old brought judgment, disregard for the gospel message of salvation will bring greater judgment.

Why? Because something greater than the Law was announced by Jesus - the gospel of grace, the great plan of salvation. This salvation announced by Jesus is greater than the Law itself, because keeping the Law could never save anyone.

So, the point of the warning is this... if you neglect this salvation message of Jesus, there is simply no escaping God's judgment.

John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (There's the salvation message)

[18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. (There's the judgment the writer is warning us about.)

Turn back to Hebrews and let me ask you a Q:

How do we know if we are losing our firm grip and ignoring the salvation message. What are the signs we look for to determine if someone is drifting away from the Lord?

Remember the parable of the wheat and the tares? The best way is to examine our fruit, our attitudes, and our actions. Openly neglecting the truths of Jesus, habitually returning to ungodly life styles, not reading God's Word, lack of prayer, making decisions without seeking God's perspective. These are all examples of one who is losing a firm grip on the great salvation truths.

This warning is not saying you can lose your salvation. However, there are people who know the truth about Jesus, and may even intellectually accept the fact He is who He claimed to be, but they are not willing to commit their heart and life to Him. And when intense persecution or suffering arrives, and it had with these Hebrew Christians, there are some who may renounce their faith in Jesus. The author of Hebrews is extremely concerned about this possibility and I am here to tell you that is exactly what is going to happen in the end times as well.

WHY IS THE NEGLECT OF JESUS SALVATION TRUTH SO INTOLERABLE?

Neglect is intolerable, first because this salvation message was given by Jesus himself. We have been given far more evidence and clarity than our O.T. counterparts. This goes back to Hebrews 1 where we learned that in these last days God has spoken through His Son.

Second, we have the complete Word of God that records multiple eye witness testimonies. And his disciples confirmed it.

And third...

Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The message was confirmed by signs, wonders and many miracles of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit gifted men with power to confirm the message.

At the three periods of human history, when Scripture was being written, the time of Moses, the time of the great prophets and the time of Jesus and the Apostles, there were corresponding periods of signs, wonders, miracles and healings. Why? This was to make it clear to men that God himself was speaking.

The greatest of these periods of signs and wonders was the third one when the gospel was being spelled out so clearly. And the book of Hebrews warns, "How shall we escape if we neglect a salvation so clearly confirmed by God?" The answer is, of course, that we cannot.

Final thought: The writer of Hebrews regarded these miracles as the powers of the coming Age...

Hebrews 6:5... who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age...

I anticipate that in the end times, the period of miracles and signs will return.

Rev. 11:3-6 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." [4] These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. [5] If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. [6] These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Like prophets of old the two witnesses will be able to do supernatural miracles, and fire will destroy those who will try to harm them (Rev. 11:5). Like Elijah they will have power to stop rain, and will have power like Moses to turn water into blood and to bring on plagues (v. 6). In the midst of the unbelief, apostasy, and satanic power of the Great Tribulation these two witnesses will be a threat to the entire wicked world for a literal period of 1,260 days

COUNTERFIET POWER IN THE END TIMES

2 Thes. 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,

Rev. 13:13-14 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. [14] Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Rev. 16:14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.

Rev. 19:20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur...

HEBREWS 2:5-18

JESUS, GOD'S SON, WAS MADE LOWER TO BECOME OUR BROTHER

Hebrews 2:5-8 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. [6] But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

[7] You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor [8] and put everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

MAN'S DOMINION AND DESTINY SPOILED

Verse 5 opens with the fact that God does not intend to turn over the administration of the world to His angels. According to the Bible, the angels are not going to be ruling the world to come. Their present superiority over man is temporary. Perhaps this is why Satan hates mankind so. Originally, man was given authority over all creation. Perhaps that did not sit well with Satan, the glory of God's creation and caused him to be consumed with pride and fall.

The author quotes David, speaking of mankind... He was made a little lower than the angels. The word "Little implies both "lower by a little" and "lower for a little while." Man was created only one rung down on the ladder from the angels, who are so great in might and power. And even that slightly lower state is only for a little while. 1 Cor 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels?

Q: What was man's intended destiny? We were not created to live in a fallen, sin filled world. We were not created to die. Man was created to rule. (Gen 1:26). Man is not what he was meant to be. Why? Because Adam and Eve sinned and brought death upon the whole creation. We lost our dominion. At the present time we do not see everything subject to man. Most of the animal kingdom is not tame. Nature is extreme, controlled by no man. Disease is rampant. And it isn't that man isn't trying to rule. We risk our lives to climb mountains, explore seas, even conquering space. But our destiny was spoiled due to sin.

So, are we without hope? What is the answer to this sin problem? How do we reclaim our destiny that we lost due to sin? The answer is Jesus!

MAN'S DESTINY IS NOW SECURED BECAUSE OF JESUS

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

We are not without hope because Jesus has recovered our destiny. He became man and tasted death for everyone of us. Jesus experienced death and conquered sin. He was forsaken by God His Father, so that you and I don't have to be forsaken. The price of reclaiming our destiny was the passion and death of Jesus. This is how he brought mankind back to glory...

Hebrews 2:10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Now Jesus is called the author or the captain of our salvation. And we are told that He was made perfect through suffering. Q: How was Jesus made perfect through suffering? His perfect obedience to suffering made him a perfect leader, a perfect captain, the perfect author of our salvation. Jesus did not need to suffer for His own salvation, he completed the work necessary for our salvation.

He was the pioneer who blazed the trail for us, and now He is at the other end of the path pleasing with us to come with Him. And He knows how difficult the path is. He knows it's full of suffering and heartache. He experienced it first hand. He asked the Father to remove the suffering if there was any other way! He can empathize with us because He went through it. And for that reason, He now calls us brother.

JESUS BECAME IDENTIFIED WITH MAN AS A BROTHER

Hebrews 2:11-13 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. [12] He says,"I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."

[13] And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."

Angels are never called our brothers, but Jesus is. The point is that because God has adopted all believers as his children, Jesus calls them his brothers and sisters.

JESUS BECAME IDENTIFED WITH MEN IN ORDER TO...

To deliver men from death and the Devil.

Hebrews 2:14-18 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. [16] For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. [17] For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. [18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Satan's wrath against mankind is demonstrated in the end times.

HEBREWS 1:1-3 JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S ULTIMATE REVELATION & HEBREWS 1:4-14 JESUS CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:04:00 -0500

Friends:

I taught a Bible study this week and it is such an important subject, I thought I would share my notes with you. I want to give credit to Pastor Michael Andrus who shared his Hebrew sermon notes with me years ago. His thoughts were the basis for putting this lesson together.

Thanks Mike, you're the best!

Blessings to all,

Donnie

HEBREWS 1:1-3

JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S ULTIMATE REVELATION

He is superior to all other communication from God in the past

The believers who received this letter were living in the midst of very difficult circumstances. First, they were transitioning from the Old Covenant to a New Covenant. Leaving our old ways and entering into a new way can be difficult for all of us. They were leaving the old covenant ways, and its temple worship to a new covenant of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Second, the first century Christian-Jews were undergoing intense persecution. Many, because of their faith in Jesus, had been cut off from their Jewish families and friends. They were considered "unclean" in the strongest possible sense.

Nor did these Hebrew Christians fit into the anti-Semitic, Nero-ruled, Roman empire. They were being mocked, scourged, and imprisoned by the Romans.

At first, these Christian Jews joyfully accepted the persecution (10:34), but after a while their endurance began to weaken (10:35-36) and the situation seemed to be so unbearable it was actually tempting some of them to turn their backs on Jesus.

So, the book of Hebrews is a book written for Christians who are struggling. And as we all know from personal experience, persecution and suffering has the potential of opposite effects on people. It can either stimulate them to greater faith and renewed spiritual vitality, or it can discourage them and produce spiritual lethargy and paralysis. It seems like the latter was the experience of most of the recipients of this letter. They had lost their first love, they had become discouraged, and they had quit growing and maturing in their faith.

The principal message of Hebrews is this: "Let us go on to maturity." In order to achieve the goal the author follows a plan which involves three primary factors - heavy doctrine, strong warnings and practical application. (See outline) The doctrine covers the bulk of the first 10 chapters. The warnings, of which there are 5 primary ones, are scattered throughout the book. And the practical exhortations fill the final chapters.

The single greatest roadblock to spiritual maturity is an inadequate view of Jesus Christ.

Not even persecution will sidetrack those who understand the incomparable greatness of their Lord and Savior. So the writer opens the book with a brilliant defense and reminder of the uniqueness of Jesus and continues that theme chapter after chapter.

In the "heavy doctrine" section the writer begins the book by explaining that Jesus is superior to all other communication from God in the past. He then tells us Jesus is superior to the angels. And He is superior to the great prophets and priests of the Old Testament, including Moses. He is also superior to the Law, the 10 commandments and the liturgy of the Old Testament. In fact, the book is written to teach us that Jesus is superior to anyone and anything, everyone and everything and He alone is the only source of salvation. Jesus Christ is our perfect priest and perfect sacrifice and any person who believes in Him will stand forgiven before God.

In fact, the theme of Hebrews is this: Understanding the Superiority of Christ: the key to the believer's Maturity.

Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

Many times and in various ways God has revealed Himself. Q: What are some of the diverse ways God spoke to people in the past?

In Genesis, he spoke by angels. Abraham had dreams and spoke to the Angel of the Lord. Moses, a burning bush. He spoke through a long line of prophets using miracles, visions, dreams, many different times and many different ways.

But all these ways of communicating were inadequate. Why? Because each of them were merely channels of truth. The prophets could talk about God, and tell us what he was saying, but man, you and I, desperately needed a personal confrontation with God Himself. So, in these last days, God decided to speak in a way He had never spoken before... through His Son, Jesus. Jesus was constantly correcting the misunderstanding of the prophets message... "you have heard it said, but I say unto you... When men get involved, we complicate things with our traditions.

Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

God's ultimate and final revelation was given through Jesus. All the revelation before Jesus was often misunderstood and incomplete. But with the arrival of Jesus, the message was complete and it was superior. An understanding of God is now possible by looking at Jesus.

And why is the revelation of Jesus superior to all the other revelations? Because of who He is. And it was directly from God himself.

Q: So, who is Jesus and why is He superior?

Fact #1: He has been appointed the heir of all things. He is the end. What does that mean? It means, that He, and His kingdom, is the goal or the purpose of the entire universe. The kingdom of God is going to be set up on this earth someday in the near future. The prophets and the Book of Revelation God have revealed some aspects of this glorious kingdom. That day will occur when Jesus returns to earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords over heaven and earth. In the end, it all belongs to Him.

Fact #2: He made the universe. He is the beginning. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the creator of all things, including the angels as we will see in a moment (John 1:3, Col 1:16). Naturally, if Jesus is the creator, then He is God!

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory

and the exact representation of his being

sustaining all things by his powerful word.

After he had provided purification for sins,

he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Fact #3: He is the radiance or brightness of God's glory. What is God? God is Light!!! The Bible teaches that there is, surrounding God, a glorious brilliance. (Rev 21). It's a light so bright, it is unapproachable by man. In God's kingdom on earth we are told there will be no sun or moon. Why? Because God Himself will light the universe, through the outshining of Jesus.

Fact #4: He is the exact representation of God's nature. The express image of God. Jesus perfectly mirrors God. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. Jesus said, "He that has seen me has seen the Father" (Jn 14:9). Jesus is the total and complete expression of God in a human body. So, what is God like? Well, what was Jesus like? You can not love God and reject the Son. It's a package deal. To know God is to know Jesus. He is God!!!

Fact #5: He sustains or upholds all things by the Word of His power. In essence, this is telling us he is not only the beginning and the end, but He is the middle too. He holds everything together. Q: What's holding all those little atoms together? Coulombs law of electricity tells us that opposite charges attract, and positive charges repel. Take a magnet and try to put the positive pole against the positive. What happens? In an atom, you have positive charges that are being held together. They call it atomic glue. I call it Jesus. What happens if you release all the positive charges of an atom? Tremendous explosion of an atomic bomb. Jesus is the force that holds all this together. He holds everything together by what he says... powerful words! He got the whole world in His hands. He's got you and me brother, in His hands.

Fact #6: He provided purification of our sins. He, by Himself, made "atonement" or sacrificed Himself for our sins. He alone hung on the cross and died for our sins, providing the perfect remedy for our sins... sins which separate us from God. Because of this fact, the Father is now satisfied and we can have eternal life if we believe on Jesus. The way to God the Father, for sinful man, has been established through Jesus, God's Son. Jesus in the garden prayed that if there was any other way that redemption could be possible, please Father, let this cup, this cross death would pass by. There is no other way!

Fact #7: He sat down at the right hand of God. Why did He do that? He rested, because His work was complete. There was nothing more He needed to do. Jesus sat down because His work of redemption was complete. Remember His words on the cross? "It is finished." This is why God said, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him."

Q: Why do you think the author of Hebrews made such a point of Jesus' deity to these Hebrew Christians?

Q: What impact do you think these words should have on us, who are considering returning to our old ways and rejecting Jesus?

HEBREWS 1:4-14

JESUS CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS

Q: What is the relationship between the angels and Jesus?

Today, we will see that, as great as angels are, Jesus Christ is vastly superior to them. He has a greater name than theirs. He is worshipped by them. He has greater authority. He has greater work. And He has a greater position. He is in a totally different category.

Hebrews 1:4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Beginning with Hebrews 1:5, there is a series of quotations from the O.T. in fact there are seven, and six of them are from the book of Psalms. These are very important because the writer is using them to enforce his point that Jesus is superior over the angels. Why is that so important?

Because, apparently in the first century, false teachers taught that God could only be approached through angels. And some taught that Jesus was the highest angel of all. Today, some cults teach very similar error. Jehovah's Witness's teach Jesus was Michael the archangel. Mormon's teach Jesus was Lucifer's brother. But in this passage we clearly learn that Jesus is in a totally different category. He is not an angel that has been elevated to a higher state. He is in a totally different category.

Quote #1 and #2 are from Ps 2.

Hebrews 1:5

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

"You are my Son;

today I have become your Father"?

Or again,

"I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son"?

Q: What do you think the point of these quotes are? The writer is establishing the fact that Jesus is one with the Father. The Father told this to Jesus because He alone has an intimate relationship with the Father the angels do not enjoy. Jesus is called "Son" a title never given to an angel. I would suggest to you that "today" is a reference to the incarnation, His birth into the world. "Son" is his incarnation title, yet He has existed from eternity past.

Quote #3:

Hebrews 1:6

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

"Let all God's angels worship him."

What is the relationship between Jesus and the angels? Angels are commanded to worship Jesus because He is a superior being. We never read of the Son of God worshipping anything, but we find the angels worshipping Him...

Rev. 5:11-14

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they sang:

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!"

[13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!"

[14] The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Quote #4:

Hebrews 1:7 In speaking of the angels he says,

"He makes his angels winds,

his servants flames of fire."

FACTS ABOUT ANGELS:

Let's talk about the nature of angels for a moment: What is an angel?

Hebrews 1:14

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

The word angel simply means "messenger." Angels are ministering spirits who run the Father's errands and help carry out His work on earth. Most of their interaction with us is of an invisible nature, because they are spirits, but occasionally God allows them to make themselves visible. He calls them "winds and fires" referring to them as powerful forces. This indicates their sweeping and swift effect, which man can not control.

Ø They are created beings, who applauded God as He did his creative work. (Ps 148:2,5; Col 1:16; Job 38:6,7)

Ø Angels are immortal, they never die, and have no need to reproduce (Mark 12:25)

Ø There are a very large number of them.

Ø They protect a favored class of human beings, God's people (Mt 18:10, Hebrews 1:14)

Ø There is joy in the presence of angels when one sinner repents (Lk 15:10)

Ø When the church prays, angels are sometimes dispatched by God to answer those prayers (Acts 12:7)

Ø Angels are sometimes used by God to discipline believers like Balaam (Numbers 22:23)

Ø Angels sometime attend church in disguise, which should provide motivation for Christians to show hospitality to strangers (Heb 13:2) Look at the person sitting next to you. What do you think? Any possibility?

Ø Angels are fascinated by our plan of redemption (I Peter 1:12) They have never seen anything like it. They see the amazing way God has solved the problem of sin and are astounded. You see, when Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels fell, they were given no second chance. They have no plan of redemption. They are going into the Lake of Fire. But God give mankind a second chance. He desires to forgive our sin and restore us to the fellowship we had in the Garden of Eden.

Ø Angels escort believers to heaven when they die. Lazarus was carried to Abraham's side. (Lk 16:22)

The conclusion we draw from all this information is that angels are amazing creatures, great in might and power, but as great as they are, Jesus is vastly superior. And He alone should be worshipped.

Quote #5 is from Ps 45:6;

Hebrews 1:8-9

But about the Son he says,

"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,

and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.

[9] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy."

Now here is an interesting thing. God calls Jesus God. John called Him God in John 1. But Ps 45 tells us that there is one coming from the line of David who will rule the world in righteousness. According to the writer of Hebrews, the is the Lord Jesus. God the Father has not given the right to rule the earth to any angels. Jesus is superior to the angels because He alone rules the universe.

Quote #6 for Ps 102:25-27;

Hebrews 1:10-12 He also says,

"In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

[11] They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

[12] You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

and your years will never end."

Jesus created all matter and built it into a vast and measureless universe. He is the authority over all creation. And the day is coming when He will roll up the present heavens and earth. They will wear out. This earth is not permanent. I believe in a very short time, Jesus will introduce a new heavens and a new earth, for his saints to live in for all eternity.

Quote #7 from Ps 110:1;

Hebrews 1:13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

"Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet"?

Someday, you and I will see the all Christ's enemies bowing before Him.

Philip. 2:8-11

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death--

even death on a cross!

[9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

[11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

This position of highest honor is known only by Jesus Christ, He who is superior over everything and anything.

Video: The Middle East Problem

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:02:00 -0500

Middle East Turmoil 2/19/11

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 10:20:00 -0500

Friends;

I had stopped posting the last few months as I didn't see much happening concerning prophecy. Well, that's certainly changed recently and so I am re-engaging.

Every believer is called to watch for the signs of our Lord's coming.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

We often struggle with the timing of our Lord's return, but I think the specific prophecy signs we are to look for are picking up again, and they are increasing in frequency. Specifically, the recent upheaval in the Middle East has caught my eye. Could this turmoil be the start of the formation of a 10 nation Muslim confederacy of some kind? Scripture teaches us that the Antichrist's rise to power will consist of a ten-nation confederacy that is totally opposed to the God of the Bible and that confederacy will rule over the entire earth as it seeks to wipe Israel off the map.

Daniel 7:23-25 (ESV)
[23] "Thus he said: 'As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
[24] As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.
[25] He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

So, let's begin by asking the question, "What does the future hold for Egypt?"Short term, no one can be sure, but I have read that the individuals who start a revolution are not the ones in power when the dust settles. And that's what really concerns me. The overthrow of Egypt may merely be a small piece of a much larger plan. I am not sure who originated this revolution, but make no mistake that behind the scenes is the Muslim Brotherhood.

US Columnists Warn Against Muslim Brotherhood

If the specific Old Testament end times prophecies concerning Egypt are about to find fulfillment, here's what to look for.

In the Book of Daniel, the end times are predicted. We are told there will be a King of the North (The Antichrist), who will invade the land of the King of the South (Egypt).

Daniel 11:40-45 (ESV)
[40] "At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through.
[41] He shall come into the glorious land (Israel). And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites.
[42] He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
[43] He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train.
[44] But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction.
[45] And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

From the scriptures above you can see that what's happening in Egypt today is not the fulfillment of these verses. The Antichrist has not yet come to power nor has this 10 nation alliance been formed, but the revolution in Egypt may very well be the beginnings of the formation of the 10 nation Muslim confederacy.

Another important fact in this scripture is that once the Antichrist does come to power he will begin another Jewish genocide (verse 41) and then move on to Egypt (verses 42 and 43).

What we do know today is that the tide of Muslim extremism is rising and multiple governments are facing upheaval. This is taking place in the nations that surround Israel and none of them are a friend to Israel. Take a look at this map!

A Wave of Revolution

How is all this happening so quickly? The power of the new social network has transformed the entire world and things are happening in hours and not months.This causes me to ask the question, "could this be the deadly weapon, the great sword referred to in Revelation 6 that helps give rise to the Antichrist?"

Revelation 6:3-4 (ESV)
[3] When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"
[4] And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

Here is a good rule of thumb when trying to understand what all this chaos might mean as it relates to the End Times. Keep your eyes on Jerusalem. God's holy city will be the focal point if we are truly approaching Daniel's 70th week. That's where all the prophesied turmoil will play out.

And another scary point for you to consider is that the United States of America (long-time ardent supporter of Israel) is joining this anti-Semitic sentiment with a screwy stance before the UN.

In sharp reversal, U.S. agrees to rebuke Israel in Security Council

Have we lost our minds? We are rebuking Israel as all her surrounding enemies are calling for her destruction? The Muslim brotherhood is denying the first holocaust and threatening the next holocaust. Is anyone in Washington paying attention to some very clear warnings in scripture concerning Israel in the last days?

Zechariah 12:2-3 (ESV)
[2] "Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples. The siege of Jerusalem will also be against Judah.
[3] On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.

Zechariah 12:9 (ESV)
[9] And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

Friends, start speaking up. Stand by Israel. If this is the beginning of the end, it's going to get a lot worse.

Blessings,

Donnie

2/20 update from Joel Rosenberg: Mahmoud Abbas is trying to force a U.N. vote to condemn Israel for building "settlements" on territory the Palestinians claim is theirs but refuse to sign a peace treaty to get. The good news: the Obama administration is threatening to veto the resolution if it comes before the Security Council. The bad news: the U.S. is proposing to condemn Israel in a different manner to appease Abbas and the Islamic world.

Aug. 21 Deadline for Israeli Attack?

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:47:00 -0400

John Bolton: Russia's Loading of Nuke Fuel Into Iran Plant Means Aug. 21 Deadline for Israeli Attack

Friday, August 13, 2010 01:41 PM

By: David A. Patten

News that Russia will load nuclear fuel rods into an Iranian reactor has touched off a countdown to a point of no return, a deadline by which Israel would have to launch an attack on Iran's Bushehr reactor before it becomes effectively "immune" to any assault, says former Bush administration U.N. Ambassador John R. Bolton.

Once the fuel rods are loaded, Bolton told Fox News on Friday afternoon, "it makes it essentially immune from attack by Israel. Because once the rods are in the reactor an attack on the reactor risks spreading radiation in the air, and perhaps into the water of the Persian Gulf." Read More

Donnie's Remarks

The prophecy signs have been relatively quiet the last few months, (no seven-year covenant, no temple, no sacrifices etc.) but I still believe we are in a window where Daniel’s 70^th week could begin (see timelines below). Accordingly, this story definitely caught my eye. Russia and Iran are probably the two nations prophesied by Ezekiel 38 & 39 to form the Gog/Magog alliance. Many believe Iran’s nuclear plant is the means to arming themselves for a future invasion of Israel.

John Bolton is hawkish and a lover of Israel. He poses that Israel is on the horns of a dilemma and is being forced into a go/no-go attack on Iran. The deadline for the Israeli attack on Iran is August 21, 2010.

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/John--Bolton--Iran--Nuclear--israel/2010/08/13/id/367449

CNN warns that we may be fast approaching the reality that Israel is going to act against Iran soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87IQSG2vORw

If Israel attacks, it could be the trigger point indicating the 7 year countdown has begun.

See Prophecy Sign #14

Netanyahu turns to Bible in tussle over Jerusalem

Sun, 16 May 2010 09:59:00 -0400

In the News…

Reuters. By Dan Williams. Thursday May 13, 2010

JERUSALEM - Beset by questions about Jerusalem's future in talks with the Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached for the Bible on Wednesday to stake out the Jewish state's contested claim on the city.

Netanyahu told a parliamentary session commemorating Israel's capture of East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 war that "Jerusalem" and its alternative Hebrew name "Zion" appear 850 times in the Old Testament, Judaism's core canon.

"As to how many times Jerusalem is mentioned in the holy scriptures of other faiths, I recommend you check," he said.

Citing such ancestry, Israel calls all of Jerusalem its "eternal and indivisible" capital -- a designation not recognised abroad, where many powers support Arab claims to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

The dispute is further inflamed by the fact East Jerusalem houses al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third-holiest shrine, on a plaza that Jews revere as the vestige of two biblical Jewish temples.

Heckled by a lawmaker from Israel's Arab minority, Netanyahu offered a lesson in comparative religion from the lectern.

"Because you asked: Jerusalem is mentioned 142 times in the New Testament, and none of the 16 various Arabic names for Jerusalem is mentioned in the Koran. But in an expanded interpretation of the Koran from the 12th century, one passage is said to refer to Jerusalem," he said. Read More

Donnie’s Remarks…

What time is it?

Anyone who reads this site knows that God’s Word is complex, especially when it comes to prophecy. For instance, I think the Book of Daniel predicts the first coming of Jesus the Messiah… to the day. Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy sevens (70 x 7 weeks of years = 490 years) teaches us that it was exactly 483 years from the going forth of the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem, to the coming of the Messiah. When Jesus arrived on the scene, the Jewish leaders should have been looking for the Messiah.

Daniel 9:24-27 (ESV)
[24] "Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
[25] Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
[26] And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
[27] And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

Reading the passage below, you see that on Palm Sunday Jesus fulfilled another prophecy that every leader should have understood.

Zechariah 9:9 (ESV)
[9] “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

I find it very interesting that the Lord held the leaders of Israel accountable for their inability to recognize the time and the signs of His first coming.

What about us? Are we going to be held to the same standard of accountability? Are we expected to know the season of the Lord’s coming? I know the Lord made reference to not knowing the exact hour or day of His return, but shouldn’t we have a general idea and understanding of what we are to be looking for? Absolutely!

I want to make you aware of something in the Book of Daniel. God’s Word is so incredibly accurate that it can have multiple layers of meaning. Such is the case with the Daniel 9 passage quoted above. In the last few months, I have come to realize Daniel’s “seventy sevens” has a second layer of meaning and application. Daniel’s seventy sevens can also be translated seventy “Shavuots.” We would say, seventy “Feasts of Pentecost.” That means the Daniel 9 passage could be teaching this… From the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem (which occurred on Nov. 29, 1947) to the coming of the Anointed One (The second coming of the Messiah) shall be 70 Shavuots or 70 Feasts Day of Pentecost.

The Jewish feast day of Shavuot is celebrated in the spring. This year it falls on May 19 which will make it the 63^rd Shavuot or Pentecost since the decree was given to rebuild Jerusalem in 1947. That means we could be entering the final seven year period. Date setting is a hazardous game to play and this could be some kind of incredible coincidence, but on the other hand it may be something that we should take note of. So what should we be looking for in the next few weeks/months? The announcement of a seven-year peace agreement of some kind with the nation Israel, ongoing discussions regarding the dividing of the city of Jerusalem and the re-institution of animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount. We should also begin to see the rise of a little horn (the Bible calls him the Assyrian) who will begin to make war north of Israel. Also, earthquakes will continue to increase, as will wars and rumors of wars (the beginning of the birth pains).

I also believe that just before the end times begin, the book of Daniel will be unsealed for the final generation to have better understanding of the events they will be enduring.

The most amazing 'coincidence' of all is in Daniel 8 where we learn that the Antichrist’s time of authority in the end times will last for exactly 2300 days.

Daniel 8:13-14 (ESV)
[13] Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, "For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?"
[14] And he said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state."

From this year’s celebration of Pentecost (May 19, 2010) to Sept 2, 2016 is exactly 2300 days! This date could mark the end of Daniel's 70th week.

Daniel 12:12 teaches that there will be 45 additional days immediately following the tribulation. During this period three Jewish holidays will occur: The Feast of Trumpets /Rosh Hashanah (Oct. 3, 2016), the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur (Oct. 12, 2016) and the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot (Oct. 17-23, 2016). Could this be the period of time when Jesus will return and fulfill the Jewish fall feasts?

Click for more on Daniel's timeline: Daniel's Timeline

Temple Institute wants to Offer Biblical Passover Sacrifice

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:34:00 -0400

In the News...

Israel National News. by Maayana Miskin. March 21, 2010

(IsraelNN.com) The Temple Mount Institute has filed suit in its fight for the right to sacrifice a sheep on the Temple Mount prior to Passover, as commanded in the Torah.

"The command to perform a Paschal [Passover] sacrifice is a positive commandment; the punishment for failing to perform it is 'karet' [lit. -- 'cut off', meaning that a person is cut off from the Nation of Israel], and it can be performed only on the day before Passover and only on the Temple Mount,” the organization explained in a petition to the Supreme Court. Fighting the group's request are the Israel Police, who argue that the sacrifice would lead to Muslim riots and thus threaten public safety.

Jews have the right to offer animal sacrifices on the Temple Mount under Israeli law, the organization claimed. Israelis are guaranteed the right to freedom of worship, and Israel prides itself in allowing members of all faiths to access their holy sites.

In previous years, the court has ruled that the right to freedom of worship is outweighed by the consideration of public safety, and has forbidden the Paschal sacrifice.

The Temple Mount Institute also took the opportunity to take police to task for barring Jews and Christians from the Temple Mount following Muslim riots. “The Israel Police is giving rioters a 'prize' and encouraging them to hold violent riots and disturb the peace, on the one hand, and is discriminating against Jews and members of other faiths and trampling their human rights – the right to freedom of movement and freedom of worship – on the other,” the organization accused.

The Institute asked the court to order police to explain why Jews are barred from the mount when Muslims riot. Read Story

Donnie's Remarks....

There is simply no way I could not post this story. If any kind of sacrifice would occur on God's Temple Mount, it is most definitely prophetically significant.

UPDATE as of 3/22/10: State: Passover Sacrifice Would Provoke Muslims

UPDATE as of 3/24/10: Supreme Court: No Passover Sacrifice Again This Year

(IsraelNN.com) The Supreme Court has rejected a petition requesting that Jews be enabled to offer the Passover Sacrifice this coming Monday, the eve of the holiday. Similar petitions have been submitted and rejected in recent years.

Tuesday evening, a rally demanding “freedom of Jewish worship” on the Temple Mount was held in downtown Jerusalem. The organizers also demanded to be allowed to celebrate this coming Passover holiday on the site of the Holy Temple by offering the Paschal sacrifice.

They noted that according to Jewish Law, the Holy Temple does not need to be built in order to resume the sacrificial offerings. They emphasized accordingly that the Temple Mount organizations are not trying to change or make modifications to any existing structures on the Mount, but rather aim to receive permission to build a temporary altar, which would be dismantled immediately following the Passover Offering. Read More

Stay tuned....

See Prophecy Sign #6

PM, ministers meet to discuss US crisis

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:29:00 -0500

In the News...

By Jerusalem Post.Com Staff. March 13, 2010.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu convened his top ministers for a meeting Saturday evening to discuss the fallout of an announcement on construction in Jerusalem made during the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden.

During Biden’s visit, the Interior Ministry announced that 1,600 housing units will be built in Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood.

Biden initially condemned the move but on Thursday said that after Netanyahu apologized to him the crisis was behind them.

Related
EU may use trade ties to force Israel into peace talks

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, however, called Netanyahu on Friday and scolded him over the incident.

Saturday evening, the Anti-Defamation League took the administration to task saying in a statement it was “shocked and stunned” by Washington’s “public dressing down” of Israel. Read More

Donnie's Remarks...

Tragically, the US/Israeli relationship took a very bad turn for the worst this weekend. Hillary Clinton warned Prime Minister Netanyahu that the relationship was at risk unless Israel toed the Obama administration's line in renewed talks with the Palestinians. This administration clearly wants Israel to divide Jerusalem. Apparently the crisis is spiraling out of control to the point that the US ponders denying Israel arms needed for conflict with Iran.

This, along with so many other events that have happened in the last few weeks that are equally significant, are causing me to pause and take notice. Devastating earthquakes are unquestionably on the rise. God's Temple Mount continues to be front page news. Jewish organizations that promote the reestablishment of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem wrote a letter to the Jerusalem District police commander asking him to allow the offering of the Passover lamb sacrifice (Passover begins on March 30, 2010). Their request has been rejected but to even consider the attempt of a sacrifice on the Temple Mount this year is phenomenal. (If approval is granted, I suspect they will employ a model of the biblical altar constructed by the Temple Institute in Jerusalem.) And the rebuilt Hurva Synagogue in Old Jerusalem opens this week which some Jews believe point to the rebuilding of the Third Temple. Is all this some wild coincidence? It could be, but then again...

From a prophetic point of view I am looking to a very specific event that may result from all this: a 7 year peace agreement. The book of Daniel teaches us the first sign we are to look for to indicate the End Times have begun is a seven year peace agreement! The details of the agreement are not clear in scripture, which means the Lord did not think them important to share with us. However, if we see a seven year agreement signed in the next few months, I think it will mean Daniel's 70th week has begun! Keep watching!

Daniel 9:27 (NASB77)
[27] "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."

See Prophecy Sign #7

UN worried by Temple Mount clashes

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:29:00 -0500

In the News...

By ABE SELIG, JPOST.COM STAFF AND AP. March 6, 2010.

The United Nations Security Council expressed concern overnight Friday after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian rioters, Israel Radio reported.

Israel has crossed every red line and made prospects for peace even dimmer in clashing with Muslim worshipers on the Temple Mount, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement released Friday evening.

Abbas said Israeli security forces, which he termed the “occupation army,” were “provoking” members of other faiths in a way that could “set off a religious war in the region.” He warned that “Israeli escapades” in east Jerusalem would have repercussions not just in the city and the Middle East, but also in Muslim world. Read More

Donnie's Remarks...

Violence around the Temple Mount is escalating and there is talk that a religious war may be brewing. Muslim authorities are calling on the international community and the Quartet on Middle East peace -- the European Union, the United States, Russia and the United Nations -- to "pay heed to the gravity of the Israeli violations and the threat they pose to the region now and in the future."

The Temple Institute News Update reports what Minister-without-Portfolio Bennie Begin has to say about this: ‘'We will never relinquish the Temple Mount. Speaking Monday (Feb. 4, 2010) at a gathering in Jerusalem, he said the city's status as the capital of Israel has been undermined over the last few years. Far ranging plans have been put on the negotiating table, not only in east Jerusalem, but proposals have been made for Israel to relinquish Jewish sovereignty over Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives, and the City of David," Begin went on to say that "in the name of the Israeli government, such proposals and ones like them will not be considered under any condition."

Zechariah gives us a specific prophecy sign concerning the city of Jerusalem. This city will become a major problem for the entire world just prior to the Lord's return.

Zechariah 12:1-3 (NASB77) [1] The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him, [2] "Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. [3] "And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

The rebuilding of the temple is also one of the key prophecy signs that Christians should watch for to indicate if we are approaching the End Times. In Biblical times, the temple was the center of Jewish worship and the only place where Jews were to offer sacrifice. This push to allow Jews more access to the Temple Mount will continue to escalate their desire, and ultimate demand, to build the Third Temple. I believe that soon the Temple Mount, the rebuilding of the Third Temple and animal sacrifices will be at the heart of the Middle East conflict.

See Prophecy Sign #6

The Boogeyman Bomb

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:45:00 -0500

In the News...

Foreign Policy. BY SHARON WEINBERGER. February 17, 2010

It's a scene fit for a Hollywood movie: A terrorist group launches a nuclear weapon from a ship off the coast of the United States. But instead of directly hitting a city or military installation, it detonates miles above the ground, seemingly causing no damage. Almost instantaneously, the lights darken over a large portion of the United States, cars stop in the middle of the road, and computers go dead. Panic ensues and the nation is soon economically and militarily crippled, sent back to the pre-modern era.

This is the catastrophic scenario depicted in the opening scene of a 1980s-style public service announcement released last year by EMPACT America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to "protecting the American People from a nuclear or natural electromagnetic pulse (EMP) catastrophe." Read More

Donnie's Remarks...

Where is the United States in prophecy? How is it that the most powerful nation in the history of the world is not clearly mentioned as a key player in the end times? One scenario could be that the USA is no longer the superpower of the ages as a result of some kind of EMP attack that brings us to our knees and leaves us vulnerable.

I believe one reason the United States remains so great is that we have always been faithful to a biblical promise that results in God's blessing:

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV)
[1] Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. [2] And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

I tremble for America if we cease to support God's beloved nation Israel and her capital city Jerusalem in the coming days of Middle East turbulence.

See Prophecy Sign # 11