Wars & Rumors of Wars

This video is a summary of recent events which are of interest to those who follow Bible Prophecy as it relates to Today. I think you will find it interesting.

Biblical Eschatology or the study and teaching of Bible Prophecy has become extinct in most churches. For many reasons Pastors and Teachers are either unfamiliar with or uncomfortable with Bible Prophecy. This happens as End Times Prophecy is in the process of being fulfilled before our very eyes.

Even now, as we see the unholy alliance between Russia and Iran along with our former friend and ally, Turkey, we are witnessing the of the massing of the Peoples who will attack Israel only to be dramatically defeated in an End Times sign that Israel still belongs to God and His special people.

The recent events in Syria do even more to solidify Russia’s influence over the Middle East - filling a void left open by former President Obama who’s naive and destructive foreign policy completely destabilized the region opening the door for Russia to become the primary influence there.

The issue of Syria’s WMD was brought to the fore again just days ago. Once more, Obama’s feckless foreign policy resulted in Syrian dictator Bashar Assad retaining possession of a large cache of Chemical and Possibly other WMD. These weapons are holdovers from the huge shipments of ordinance etc moved at night by truck from the various Chemical Weapons facilities maintained by Saddam Hussein. CNN broadcast military night vision surveillance of convoys of trucks miles long leaving Iraq. Ironically, nobody seemed to remember this when the military found only small caches of WMD in Iraq during the 1999 Iraq invasion. Even today the common misconception is that Bush lied in order to steal Iraqi oil. This seems silly since Iraq was, and still is, one of our smallest suppliers of oil. There is little doubt left in my mind that the Enemy, Satan, has complete control of our Mainstream News and Information Networks.

But, I digress. These Wars and Rumors of Wars as well as the increasing persecution of Christians and Jews throughout the world (Palm Sunday a number of Coptic Christians were slaughtered by Muslim Jihadists as they worshiped in St. Mark’s church in Egypt.) the growing violence worldwide, the growing, all inclusive One World Religion embraced by Pope Francis along with a number of Mega-Church Pastors in the US and the destabilization being caused by the Muslim invasion of Europe, the European monetary crisis, BREXIT and the growing divisions here in the United States… I could go on.

Among those who study Bible Prophecy it is widely acknowledged that we are living in a time unlike any other before. It is true that many times in the past it seemed the “End” was near, however only now does the world possess the technology, the Weapons and the necessary alliances to completely fulfill all of the prophecies describing the end of the time of the Gentiles and the time of God’s Judgment and the pouring out of HIS wrath on a world that rejects HIM.

Those of us who believe this are often accused of being doomsayers, sensationalists and even un-Christian. All of this is as far from the truth as the East is from the West! The entire point of prophecy is to exhort the Body of Christ to focus on being about The Father’s business. It’s about the urgency of bringing the Gospel to as many as possible and it’s about the blessed and merciful hope we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My prayer is that we study about the end times in such a way that it gives us a deeper passion for the people that do not know and are not following Jesus. That is where we all need to focus our efforts.

With that said I will leave you with the word of God. Be blessed.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.   (Read More...)

Mark 13:32 - But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Matthew 24:7 - For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Luke 21:11 - And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Matthew 24:1-51 - And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.   (Read More...)

Joel 2:28-32 - And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:   (Read More...)

1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Matthew 24:6 - And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Revelation 13:16-17 - And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:   (Read More...)

2 Timothy 3:1-4 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.   (Read More...)

Luke 21:25 - And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

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.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,   (Read More...)

Revelation 3:3 - Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Daniel 12:4 - But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

2 Timothy 3:1-17 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.   (Read More...)

Matthew 24:21-22 - For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.   (Read More...)

Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

2 Peter 3:3-4 - Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,   (Read More...)

Love Grows Cold

Because Lawlessness will Increase, the Love of Many Shall Grow Cold

The title above references an inciteful article on Understanding the Times website. I would suggest you read it at some point as it touches on most of the subjects I will be addressing in this article.

Love Grows Cold

Don’t worry! For, while this article begins in darkness it ends in the White Light of our Savior’s coming! First, however, we have to discuss the raging hatred sweeping across America, Europe and the rest of the world.

As discussed in the above referenced article from Understand the Times, Satan has increased both the quantity and the ferocity of his attacks on Christians, Jews and Israel. Worse, more and more churches are turning inward, focusing on feel good sermons and seeker friendly programs. Far too many, fearing the growing hate or worse, trying to fit in with this fallen world, have embraced the perversion and humanist universalism so prevalent in our culture. Sadly these churches have far too much in common with the Laodicean church as described by our Lord Jesus Christ in Rev 3:14-21.

When I first read Christ question whether He would find faith on the Earth in Luke 18:8, I thought, “well, I guess we have a long way to go before things get that bad…” However, in just a few short years the Church went from a respected voice of morality to a silent, divided and confused body which allowed the media to chose as the representative of Christ, various apostates who preach the false gospel of “we all worship the same god” and “if there is love then gender doesn’t matter to a loving god.”

Satan has played his hand well. He has driven those Churches still dedicated to Biblical truth underground. Who would’ve ever thought that in the United States, a nation founded on Biblical principles and where the First Amendment to the Constitution ensures the Free exercise of one’s religion, that a Christian business woman would be driven out of business and financially ruined through fines and government overreach simply because she chose to exercise her religious beliefs and decline to provide a floral display for a Homosexual wedding - even though she happily referred them to someone equally qualified. This was an act of hatred, not of homosexuals, not even of the Business Owner, but hatred of Jesus Christ. The key word: Hate

Hate. Hate for Christians. Hate for Trump. Hate for White Men. Hate for Jews. Hate for anyone who holds an opinion that doesn’t pass the current Progressive litmus test. Hate disguised in seemingly positive terms such as: Inclusive, Freedom, Tolerance, Choice, Social Justice, Equality. These terms which were once part of a movement defined by the words Liberty, Equality and Freedom and espoused by men such as Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King’s dream was of a time when men would no longer be defined by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Unfortunately his dream of non-judgmental liberty for all has become a nightmare of Censorship and Intimidation for anyone with opinions which fall outside the constraints set by the self-annointed Social Justice Warriors who decide those who are fit to speak and those who are not.

An era of Neo-Fascism has fallen upon this country and it is driven by Hate. The hate I just described. The so-called Progressives as defined by former President Obama and by Hillary Clinton are so rabid in their fanatical devotion to the warped ideals of the Progressive movement that they are blind to the fact that by their very actions such as silencing dissenters by any means, bullying and intimidation, judging persons by their race (caucasian) that they are violating the very principles of open and free dialog, race blindness and freedom of speech and an exchange of differing ideas without rancor, which their party claims as its founding principles. These self-proclaimed Social Justice Warriors appear completely blind to their own Hypocrisy as they blockaded the entrance to a Seminar on Civil Liberties by the openly gay editor of Breitbart On Line, an alternative Internet news source well known for breaking a number of the past few years biggest stories. The protest became so violent the speaker had to be rushed out of the venue to another building where he broadcast his speech via live feed to the former venue. The protesters claimed victory, yet in doing so they caused fear, violence and mayhem, throwing molotov cocktails and explosives at police, burning and vandalizing buildings and terrorizing the UC Berkeley campus, once the home of free speech. Now apparently home only to Fascist Style Censorship.

This seemingly irrational hatred for Christians and Jews and others, who oppose the Progressive platform of Socialism, Same sex Marriage, Gender bending, Genderless bathrooms and showers, and censorship on speech, the written word and, if they had their way, thought itself. The limits Progressives are willing to impose are truly frightening and the term Neo-Fascist truly applies.

Any Christian reading this will recognize that what we are seeing is Spiritual in nature. A great war is raging in the Heavenly Realms as Paul explains:

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This can seem very intimidating or even scary and all this talk of the hatred building up and manifesting in this country can seem very disturbing. What we, as Christians must remember is that the war is already won. Jesus scored the final victory on the Cross there on Calvary. Everything we see going on around us points to the soon coming of our Lord and Savior to Snatch us away, up and out of this fallen world where we shall forever be with Him.

As fearful as the world may seem at this point in time we must remember that our God is Sovereign Psalm 17:7 So, put away all fear and doubt. Live in the light of Victory in Jesus Christ. Now is a time to be in prayer, in the Word and regular Fellowship with your brother and sister Christians. We do not know how much time we have left to be about our master’s work but we must reach as many as we can before it is too late. The Harvest is Vast, but the Workers are Few. Mat 9:37 I would say the workers are very few and we are working against the false teachers abounding in this era of Itching Ears. 2Titus 4:3

In closing I include this exhortation from Understand the Times below. I think you will find it encouraging. These are exciting times!! We are privileged to see God’s final plans coming together like pieces of an exquisite jigsaw puzzle. Prophecy written thousands of years ago is materializing right before our eyes and every morning when I read the headlines I am amazed at the awesome power of our God. Here is the excerpt from the article I referenced:

Because Lawlessness will Increase, the Love of Many Shall Grow Cold

There is much we can do. We should never miss an opportunity to make our voices heard. Volunteer in a ministry at your church. Join a Bible study. Turn out -- armed with prayer -- at town hall meetings near you. If you're a pastor, ask to open with prayer. The sound of howling from the audience might be deafening, as one pastor found out recently at his town hall meeting, but God will use the name of Jesus for His glory. God gave a victory to Christians and to Israel in this last election, and we do not want to lose one inch of ground.

Start a Good News Club in one or more of your local schools. Remember, the Satanic Temple is targeting schools with their Satan clubs -- we don't want to be missing in action!

Stock local food shelves, support community thrift stores or visit the lonely in nursing homes near you.

Social media is a powerful tool and you can use it. Get on Facebook and set-up a new page targeting some kind of evil you hate. Approach people with love and a good measure of biblical wisdom, and tell God you can't wait to see what He will do. There is something for everyone -- some action you can take -- and you will be fighting the good fight, blessing others, and obeying Jesus.

Don't fall for the satanic lie that you are weak or a failure or too sinful to do anything for God. He loves you, forgives you, and will use you today. Go forward and don't look back.

Prayer is the key to strength, courage and victory. The Word of God is the sword that will drive evil back, and that includes the wisdom that comes from studying it. We are stuck here, for now, fighting the spirit of the age -- the prince of this world and all his forces -- but we are not alone. "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you....Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:18, 27)

If you are not a Christian but you feel the call upon your heart to accept Jesus Christ as your savior then I pray this will help you to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior:

Paul the apostle wrote:

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

We must be spiritually born-again:

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born-again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him,”How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born-again'” (John 3:3-7)

When we ask Jesus to forgive us our sins and truly repent, then we become born-again and saved. It is a good idea to pray a sincere prayer of confession and repentance. The words don’t really matter, but the genuine intent of the heart does matter. Upon salvation the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us and it is by His power and strength we are able to leave behind the ways of the world and live more godly lives. .

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

When you do this, the Bible tells us through the apostle Paul:

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38- 39).

If you have questions or are not quite sure about the issue of Salvation feel free to message me or visit:

www.carm.org or www.raptureready.com

Both of these resources have wonderful question and answer sections which I found invaluable as a young Christian.

Thank you All and may God’s blessings be upon your life and upon those you love.

Mark

The Trump Question

The Trump Question

I know that right now Donald Trump is riding on a high of public opinion in this run up to the Republican Primary. His popularity is undeniable, transcending race, rich, poor, even political affiliation. Why?

To me the answer is simple: He says and does what people have been wanting from their Representatives for years. Unlike the typical candidate, when someone from the press or one of his opponents says something negative or derogatory about Trump or his campaign, true or not, he doesn't just politely protest. Instead he aggressively goes on the verbal attack, changing the focus to his opponent who he then typically insults. Often his responses are humorous. Getting people to laugh at your opponent or the issue or accusation, even if it is truthful, basically negates it.

Trump has made this an art. Scolding the media, even the moderators during the debates. He is bombastic and bullying. The reason this seems so refreshing to people is that for years Conservatives, particularly Christians have been singled out by a biased media. Instead of aggressively fighting back against biased statements or insinuations prior candidates, and even many of those running this very year, knuckle under, afraid to confront their opponent or interviewer. Trump has been well schooled in this in the Shark tank of multi-billion dollar business. Making the kind of deals he does and dealing with corrupt govt. officials, greedy real estate agents, incompetent contractors and banks wanting a piece of every dollar Trump has had to develop a kill or be killed method of making the deal. This translates well to the campaign format. It makes him formidable in the area of tit for tat media politicking.

Most of the media and few candidates have had that experience in dealing in an aggressive and intentionally confrontational manner. In fact, until now, Republicans have always shied away from confrontation fearing a public backlash. Trump doesn't care and he is willing to go in front of the American people and completely lambast a popular media personality such as Megyn Kelly. Because he is able to dominate the narrative - successfully portraying himself as the injured party by bulldozing through the media's attempt at damage control and forcing the issue - he is able to win the public opinion.

But what about the man. What kind of man is he and what kind of President will he make?

I admit, I have grave concerns in this area. Mr. Trump likes to boast of his accomplishments and his arrogance is undeniable. I have never heard him give credit to God for his success or his talents. Trump is perfectly happy to take all the credit and then some. Also, while his confrontational manner may be beneficial at this point as he slogs his way through the mud slinging of the left and even his own party how will it serve him when he is dealing with Vlad Putin over the placement of nuclear missile launchers? When his decisions are questioned will he listen to experienced council or bulldoze through. Most importantly, does he consult with the Lord? Ever?

Another significant problem is that when it comes to our government, the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, our military and its chain of command, the separation of powers and on and on - Trump has little or no clue. His entire focus has been on business. Now, his knowledge of the law regarding trade, commerce, taxation etc. seems sound. But there is more to governance than business law and the board room. I am concerned that the learning curve with Mr. Trump will be such that issues which will require his immediate attention and action will languish as he tries to get up to speed. This is bound to be compounded by his arrogance and air of 'knowing enough already'.

Part of this is not his fault. Obama, when he leaves, will have left our country tottering on the edge of a precipice. One wrong move and WWIII will erupt with us the target of Russia, China and Iran. We have a financial time bomb with seconds left on the clock and our nation is socially divided to a degree not seen since the civil war.

His fault or not the challenges facing the next President will require finesse, sound judgment and a mature and calculating thought process. It will require a statesman who knows when to bend and when to strike.

Mr. Trump is a shrewd businessman. I see little if any of the statesman in him. Instead, I see a thin skinned braggart who retaliates by calling people names and when faced with legitimate criticism, changes the subject to his many accomplishments. I see a man who calls himself a Christian but does not  behave like one. All this said you might think I don't care for Trump. That is not true. As I listed earlier he has some important qualities that will serve him and the country well if he is elected. I certainly would take him over any of the Democratic candidates any day. However, I have my concerns. I also have concerns with the other candidates. The only real contender is a man I do not feel is Constitutionally eligible for the position - Ted Cruz. However, it must be noted that the Democrats rammed Mr. Obama through who, even excluding evidence his citizenship was surrendered when he lived in Indonesia, is still, Constitutionally, not a natural born citizen of the United States (his father was not a US citizen). However, because the Democrats ignored the Constitution does not make it appropriate to make exceptions for Mr. Cruz who was born in Canada.

Ultimately we must place our faith in God as we prayerfully consider our choice in this Primary. As citizens of a country where it is incumbent on the civilian populace to decide on who will represent us, we must engage in the process. Christians must not use the excuse of "the Church doesn't have a place in politics." Well, in a Representative Democracy that is not true at all. In fact it is the DUTY of the Church to help the people in making a Biblically Sound decision not just on Candidates, but on legislation as well. For too many years the Church has remained silent, now look at the moral condition of this country!

It is time for a new Moral Majority to sound out on the issues - wielding the influence of the millions of Christian voters in this country - to check the moral decline in this country and its government and hold our Representatives accountable. 

I will close with scripture:

James 4:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Jeremiah 9:23,24  New King James Version (NKJV)

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Psalm 49:6-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Those who trust in their wealth

And boast in the multitude of their riches,

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,

Nor give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of their souls is costly,

And it shall cease forever—

9 That he should continue to live eternally,

And not see the Pit.

Proverbs 28:26 New King James Version (NKJV)

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools

but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Psalms 146:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

Do not put your trust in princes,

nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.