elizabethprata

collapse, eu, eurogeddon, european union, lisbon Treaty

How what is happening in the European Union has prophetic implications in the near term

Posted on December 10, 2011 by elizabethprata

The prophecies are not just about pointing to literal events prophesied to happen, such as the destruction of Damascus or the attack by Iran and Russia on Israel. The prophesies also describe the states of mind and emotional turmoil that will accompany the conditions that God is setting up for His final pieces to be fulfilled. This essay is about the emotional and mental conditions that are prophesied and are already here. First, this excerpt from the Sydney Morning Herald–

EU leaders roll the dice as eurogeddon looms

‘Eurogeddon’? Interesting way to put it.

“Could the Euro be saved? After an all-night session of crisis talks Brussels, European leaders came up with a plan to tackle the growing debt crisis, but it split the European Union. According to the President, 26 were open to a new treaty with strict budget oversight, but Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain won’t be joining. … The treaty changes Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, proposed in Paris this week would have been inconceivable at the beginning of the crisis, since it requires states to cede a significant degree of economic sovereignty. It is a process that many observers, in particular the populist British media, say is well under way. German dominance of the euro zone, they say, with Dr Merkel as the unofficial but unchallenged leader of Europe, has already arrived.”

Ceding sovereign authority is a Tribulation condition, as the world is re-drawn into ten kingdoms with one currency. (Revelation 17:12, Revelation 13:16-17)

The article continues in easy-to-read fashion, focusing on Dr. Merkel as a person and a leader, and illustrating the rise of Germany (which is never good for Europe). She is known as The Iron Chancellor, and is seen potentially as the “savior of Europe”. No she is not the antichrist, that is going to be a man. (Daniel 7:24-25). But the profile of Germany’s prominence as a nation and its current leader at this juncture as the European Union teeters, is an interesting read, especially keeping in mind the role that Europe plays in prophecy as the revived Roman Empire.

The treaty they mention as the basis for their talks is the Treaty of Lisbon (Lisbon Treaty). “The Lisbon Treaty is the latest of the Treaties which, to date, have amended previous Treaties on the basis of which the Communities and the European Union were founded, such as the Single European Act (1986), the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty) (1992), the Amsterdam Treaty (1997) and the Treaty of Nice (2001).” (source)

Because European leaders are mentioning a treaty at this time, we wonder if the Lisbon Treaty is THE treaty, or THE covenant that Daniel mentioned the antichrist will make strong. I do not think that it is the same one.

Daniel 9:27 says: “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 at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

In the Hebrew lexicon, “covenant” is just what it says, a covenant or a league or a treaty. To make strong; is an interesting word translation: in the Hebrew it means “prevailed” and also “conduct himself arrogantly” and/or “to strengthen.” Given the Antichrist’s other qualities that also include flattery and arrogance (Dan 7:8, 7:20), we can see a picture emerge of this prophesied treaty in which this evil man boastfully pressures the other leaders into accepting a treaty in which his version prevails. The antichrist is one among many of the league who sets the treaty in place but he himself will not be made known until halfway through the 7 years of the prophesied length of the treaty, when he puts a stop to the sacrifices in the temple. But he will have been one of the group that strengthens the covenant three and a half years earlier, which dwindles the potential candidates from anyone in the world, to one who is involved with a covenant that is made strong by a small group of leaders. The Church may or may not be here to see the treaty being signed but we will definitely not be here to see the antichrist revealed. Personally, I’m looking for Jesus the Sinless One, not the Man of Sin.

In looking at the lexicon, (source), Daniel 9:27 is presented as a list in each phrase with definitions. Removing the definitions, the verse reads like this: “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 desolate, even until a complete destruction one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

To me, because the verse speaks of a covenant, a length of time, and in the same sentence the breaking of the covenant by breaking the sacrificial activities, the verse seems to indicate one is tied to the other. That the treaty will have in place a method for allowing sacrifices inherent as one of the clauses. If this is so, then the Lisbon Treaty is NOT the treaty the antichrist makes strong.

So what does all this Euro/EU brouhaha have to do with prophetic times? First of all, it is setting conditions that will allow the antichrist to come to power and be accepted by the world. If Angela Merkel does not ‘save the European Union’ it will be all the more a devastating collapse. Secondly, it has to do with this, a condition that is prophesied:

This: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” (Luke 21:25)

I’ve mentioned before that the ‘sea and the waves roaring’ in my opinion has to do with the populations in unrest. A figurative tsunami of anger and outcry, if you will. I believe this because in Isaiah 17:12 mentions the definition of sea when it is used figuratively, “Oh, the raging of many nations–they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples–they roar like the roaring of great waters!” Interestingly it is from the chapter of Prophecy of the destruction of Damascus, an event that is also predicted to happen in future times, which is almost presently upon us.

The word perplexity literally translates as “I am in difficulties, am at my wits end.” The Greek word aporeo is from a compound word, “to have no way out, i.e. Be at a loss (mentally) — (stand in) doubt, be perplexed.” In the Luke verse, the Greek word for roaring is literally, “rumor or report“.

So now let’s put the Luke verse together. You can picture the people roaring as currency crashes, or hyperinflation arrives, or anger as their leaders are in perplexity as to how to solve these unsolvable issues. Don’t forget that there will also be a lengthy period of wars and rumors of wars. You know how wearing rumors are. If a rumor ever swept your workplace that layoffs are coming, you know the emotional exhaustion that accompanies rumors and reports. The longer it goes on the more angry and upset you get. You know how relieved you feel when you get actual information and actual solutions. Even if you are one who got laid off you almost feel relieved because now at least you can make plans and go forward. Now magnify that feeling by all the world’s population and the global distress and perplexity over years of time, and you have a picture of the state of mind of the people of the world that accepts the antichrist.

The verses from Isaiah, Luke, and Daniel illustrate both literal events and states of mind that lead to the treaty’s signing, and the attendant relief that accompanies this seeming resolution. Now this last quote from investor Jim Sinclair, interviewed this week on the events in the European Union about the currency and financial issues in an article titled Why the financial system is imploding:

“There is no one out there who has a plan that has a practical application which can change what is now. There is no practical solution being offered. There is no politician who has the courage to do the necessary and if the necessary was done, the system is so fragile that it would totally implode.”

No one has an answer! Perplexity… Rumors… Reports… Anger… Fear… An entire continent is consumed with feeling these things, and it does not bode well for the immediate future.

Or, as the Sydney Morning Herald titled it in the article I opened with: EU leaders roll the dice as eurogeddon looms.

“Implode”, “Eurogeddon” … and when they ‘roll the dice’, we already know from the bible that what comes up is snake eyes.
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eclipses, moon

Impossible sight on Saturday’s eclipse

Posted on December 9, 2011 by elizabethprata

One of the signs Jesus said to look for in the nearing of the end of the age is signs in the sun, moon, and stars. That verse is found in Luke 21:25. Actually, there is a LOT of astronomical activity prophesied to occur during the Tribulation, especially the end. But first, take a look at what impossible sight the second full lunar eclipse of this year will bring:

When to Catch Tomorrow’s “Impossible” Total Lunar Eclipse
“The moon passes through the southern part of the Earth’s shadow, which gives the “eclipse” effect, (fortunately not of the vampire variety) in the early morning and will last about an hour. Depending on cloud coverage and light interference, there will also be a chance to see a selenelion, an effect deemed “impossible” by celestial geometry. A “selenelion” (or “selenehelion”) occurs when both the sun and the eclipsed moon can be seen at the same time. Astronomers note that during an eclipse, the sun, the earth, and the moon are in a straight line in space. But due to atmospheric refraction, which causes the human eye to perceive astronomical objects higher in the sky than they are in reality, there will be a short window (one to six minutes) when you might be able to spot the sun rising in the east-southeast and the full, eclipsed moon setting in the west-northwest. The lunar eclipse is scheduled to be visible in Phoenix at around 7:20 a.m., with the selenelion visible during the first three or so minutes.”

As for the previously mentioned celestial activity that is prophesied for the end of time:

Isaiah 13:10 The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.

Ezekiel 32:7 When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light.

Joel 2:30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

Joel 2:31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD

Luke 21:26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

And those are just a few of the verses that prophesy the celestial bodies’ strange action. All this to say that God is in control. He is in control of all demons, angels, government systems, heaven, people,…and celestial bodies. He created the moon to reflect light of the sun that He gave us. At His timing, He will shut the light. Keep looking up. Christians will see the brightest light of His glory at the rapture, unbelievers will see the lights go out. In His love, He allows you to choose on which side you will remain: light…or dark.
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eu, euro, lisbon Treaty

Friday blurbs: news and commentary

Posted on December 9, 2011 by elizabethprata

It’s Friday, I’m eating pizza. It’s time to kick back. Here is a short roundup of the AMAZING news we are seeing across the wires this busy week.

All the high-falutin politicos in Europe met in emergency session overnight yesterday, finally breaking at 5AM. They are trying to save the Euro currency. There are downgrades, threats of downgrade, banks teetering, and more debt than they can shake a Greek-Irish-Portuguese-Italian-Spanish stick at. So they met…and failed to unanimously resolve the financial and economic issue looming as a bomb. Revelation 13 shows us that at some point the world will accept a one world economy and a one currency. For that to happen, many have speculated that individual national sovereignty will have to have gone by the wayside, or that the economic problems will have become so impossible that this solution seems buy comparison a good one. Speaking of impossible problems, in the last days they will be so hard to solve they will cause men to be in distress and perplexity (Luke 21:25)

UK blocks changes to Lisbon Treaty to resolve Euro sovereign debt crisis
“The UK has blocked changes to the Lisbon Treaty, which was seen as a potent weapon aimed at saving the Euro currency. The Lisbon Treaty was signed by representatives of 27 European Union member sates on 13th December 2007, which aimed at reforming EU functioning and replacing the Constitutional Treaty that was rejected by the French and the Dutch in 2005.”

Italy at Breaking Point, Merkel Calls for ‘New Europe’
To an extent the taboo on a country leaving the 17-member currency bloc was already broken at the G20 summit in Cannes last week, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Sarkozy both effectively said that Greece might have to drop out if the euro zone’s long-term stability was to be maintained. Italy has replaced Greece at the center of the euro zone debt crisis and is on the cusp of requiring a bailout that Europe cannot afford to give. But the latest discussions among European officials point to a more fundamental re-evaluation of the 12-year-old currency project — including which countries and what policies are needed to keep it strong and stable for the next decade and beyond — before Europe’s debt crisis manages to break it apart. … “This is not about a two-speed Europe, we already have that. This will redraw the map geopolitically and give rise to new tensions. It could truly be the end of Europe as we know it.”

Plan B: Printing presses on standby to beat euro’s demise
“Central banks in eurozone countries are making contingency plans for the possible collapse of the euro.Demand for money-printing services is expected to soar as old national currencies prepare for a come-back.”

Signs in the sun, moon, stars…Luke 21:25
Impossible eclipse
Second full lunar eclipse for this year. [T]here will be a chance to observe an unusual effect, one that celestial geometry seems to dictate can’t happen. The little-used name for this effect is a “selenelion” (or “selenehelion”) and occurs when both the sun and the eclipsed moon can be seen at the same time. But wait! How is this possible? When we have a lunar eclipse, the sun, Earth and moon are in a geometrically straight line in space, with the Earth in the middle. So if the sun is above the horizon, the moon must be below the horizon and completely out of sight (or vice versa). And indeed, during a lunar eclipse, the sun and moon are exactly 180 degrees apart in the sky; so in a perfect alignment like this (a “syzygy”) such an observation would seem impossible. But it is atmospheric refraction that makes a selenelion possible.

Israel the burdensome stone…Zechariah 12:3

Risk of Israel, US strike on Iran has tripled’
“The chance of a military strike on Iran has roughly tripled in the past year, the senior geopolitical risk analyst at Barclays Capital said on Thursday.”

Israeli Planes Attack Gaza Targets
“Israel carried out more airstrikes in Gaza early Friday, killing one Palestinian, as militants fired more rockets into southern Israel. Tensions flared after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Thursday killed two Palestinians whom the military described as terrorists involved in a plot to attack Israelis and Palestinians fired salvos of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel.”

Europe bears watching because the antichrist is supposed to emerge from that empire (Dan 9:26). It is also an example of how the world may end up divided into ten kingdoms (Rev 12:3), the EU being one of those prophesied blocs from which one of the kings is supposed to emerge from. A collapse of Europe’s currency and/or banks would certainly figure prominently into the coming one world economy. Magog is also a prominent member of Ezekiel 38-39 and if you notice, Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin is suddenly in the news a lot. There is a second lunar eclipse this year happening on Saturday, one that contains a once thought impossible and now known to be an extremely rare sight. The Muslim Brotherhood is taking control of Egypt, one of the only two nations holding a peace treaty with Israel and a nation that is specifically mentioned in Tribulation and Millennium prophecy as a nation under desolation then is welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

The Lisbon Treaty of Europe is at center of the EU disintegration, whereupon the leaders are struggling mightily to figure out a way to amend it to reflect the new necessities of financial management. I don’t think the Lisbon Treaty of Europe is THE covenant that Daniel said the antichrist will confirm, namely because the Lisbon Treaty isn’t set for 7 year period nor makes any provision for sacrifices in the temple, as the verse from Daniel seems to allude to. (“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; ” (Dan 9:24a)

Yet, look at what is happening to our world in light of prophecy! Jesus said when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift your heads, for your Redemption draws near. (Luke 21:28)

comfort

Take comfort in the Lord

Posted on December 9, 2011 by elizabethprata

I am rejoicing in the Lord. Even in dark hours, He is there. Even in sickness, He is there. Even in sadness, He is there. He rejoices when I repent, He chastises when I sin, but He comforts when He knows I need Him. He brings His Book to life, knowing just which verse will suffice to both reveal His character and wrap me in His love. He is perfect. He is the best Father to have.

theology

Islamic Cleric Bans Women from Touching Bananas, Cucumbers to Avoid ‘Sexual Thoughts’

Posted on December 8, 2011 by elizabethprata

I don’t even know what to say to this. Thank goodness International Business Times does.

“In a ridiculously repressive and absurd proposal, an Islamic cleric residing in Europe has said in a ruling that women should not touch or be anywhere close to bananas and cucumbers, in order to avoid ‘sexual thoughts’. An unnamed sheikh was quoted in a religious publication, el-Senousa News, as saying that if a woman wished to eat cucumbers or bananas, it should be sliced into pieces, preferably by her husband or father, before she eats them. Egyptian English news site Bikya Masr reported the proposal. According to the report, the sheikh has also added carrots and zucchini to the list of apparently immoral and blasphemous fruits and vegetables.”

The one true God, not the false god of Islam, said, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

I have been posting lately on the spiritual underpinnings of The Daniel Fast, which are a doctrine of demons and a doctrine of men, not of God. The Daniel Fast is an incorrectly spiritualized corporate church activity in which congregants are urged by their pastor or leadership to adhere to a specific list of foods and to avoid other foods, for three weeks. For those who believe I am too picky, if you want to know how far satan can take a false doctrine regarding food, this is it. Once you are off the narrow path, it gets wide very quickly.
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bestiality, homosexuality, military, perversion

Sexual sin of a culture is illustrative of nearness of judgment

Posted on December 8, 2011 by elizabethprata

Homosexuality. Boy, oh boy, is that a loaded topic these days. But it shouldn’t be. It is clear from the bible that it is a sin, just as greediness, covetousness, lying, or stealing are sins. Jesus came to seek and save the lost from ANY sin, His power and love transcends them all. Any repentant appeal to Jesus will result in deliverance from sins and forgiveness of them, accompanied by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to resist further sin as a growing Christian.

However, it is also clear from the bible that a society’s decline will be parallel to its sexual sins. Morality begins with the body (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Promiscuity, adultery, homosexuality, pedophilia and finally bestiality is a progression that clearly illustrates the sinfulness at root of any culture.

I wrote this week of a situation of rampant and accepted pedophilia reported in Hollywood child acting circles. In that article, I referenced Dr. David Reagan’s article on homosexuality being an end times sign. He outlined a progression in the bible of a decline of a culture related to its sexual sins, which in a moment I’ll take further, into the end time.

Dr. Reagan wrote: “The description of Noah’s society is found in chapter one of Romans. Paul writes that the society was characterized first of all by the rejection of God and the worship of Man (Romans 1:18-25). Because of this stubborn and foolish rejection of their Creator, God “gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity,” and there was an outbreak of sexual immorality (Romans 1:24). When they still refused to repent, God “gave them over to degrading passions,” and there followed an epidemic of homosexuality in which “women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural” and men likewise “abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another” (Romans 1:26-27). Notice the progression here. Man begins to worship himself, his own knowledge, and cleverness. As Man begins to worship himself, God is set aside, together with His moral laws. The result is an outbreak of sexual immorality. This leads ultimately to an epidemic of homosexuality, one of the final signs of the moral collapse of any society.”

I agree with his interpretation of Paul’s warnings in Romans. A sign of the soon coming of Jesus is the level of perversion and immorality in the world. How do I know this? Jesus said that the end time will be like the Days of Noah. (Matthew 24:37; Genesis 6:5). Jesus also said that it will be like the Days of Lot. (Luke 17:28). We have this reminder from Peter from 2 Peter 2:6: “he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men…” and Jude 1:7 repeats the same warning: “In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”

The progression is clear. First there is a rejection of God, then immorality, then adultery, then perversion. Because sin never has an end, a bottom, a final disposition, but simply keeps going, perversion will continue to get worse and worse. I’ll show you that in a moment. God does not like perversion, and homosexuality is a perversion.

Today I found a page on GotQuestions.org site of the 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions. I think it is interesting that 4 of the 20 are related to sex. They also have a site where the 20 most frequently visited articles are listed. On both lists, the ‘frequently asked questions’ and ‘most visited articles’, the question asking if homosexuality is a sin appears on both.

Now, earlier I mentioned the deepening of perversion. Satan can take anything good, like sexual union within marriage, and cheapen and deepen the perversion of it to incredible lengths and depths. Adultery is bad enough. Homosexuality is worse. Pedophilia is a scourge that barely bears thinking on. So what does it say when our American culture repeals the law against sodomy in the military, AND at the same time legalizes bestiality? It happened this week.

“The White House is dodging questions about why a Senate defense authorization bill not only quietly overturned sanctions on sodomy between consenting adults (so as to allow gays to serve openly) but also dropped another provision in the U.S. military’s criminal code: prohibitions against bestiality among military personnel.”

Of course, the implications of homosexuality’s damage to individuals within our culture isn’t a problem for organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, but PETA is “Bugged over Bestiality“. After all, a camel can’t give consent like a gay man could.

I truly do not like writing about unsavory topics like earlier this week of the Hollywood pedophilia or today over the bestiality brouhaha. But I feel it is important to remember the warnings from Jesus, Paul, Peter, and Jude about the progression of sexual sin and what it reflects about a culture … and what that reflection means in terms of imminent judgment.

“Family Research Council President Tony Perkins told CNSNews.com that the move is “all about using the military to advance this administration’s radical social agenda.” As Genesis 6:5-8 and Gen 6:11-12 shows us it doesn’t matter who is promoting a radical agenda, if it is contrary to God’s word and it is saturated far enough into the culture and the hearts of men, God will put a stop to it.

Now, the saturation of perversion into society hasn’t reached its full expression. It feels like it to mature Christians when we read things in today’s news like this, but it hasn’t. After the rapture the Holy Spirit will be removed from His restraining ministry (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8) and sin will reach its fullest expression. (Daniel 9:24). At that time, people won’t just be reading about it in newspapers. They will be seeing it on the street.

His longsuffering and patience is so beyond our capability to understand it! The Lord is holy most of all, and He will see to it that the ungodly are judged, but even at that, He waits…waits… waits for those whom He has elected to come to repentance, even tolerating the most base and disgusting sin for a time. We serve an amazing God.
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scotland storm

Scotland battered by storm, Met Office issues ‘Red Alert"

Posted on December 8, 2011 by elizabethprata

Just letting you know that Scotland today is facing the fiercest winter storm in memory. The winds are expected to reach or exceed 80 miles per hour with stronger gusts. Wind and water will be the two main issues, and the Met Office has put out a red alert, the strongest weather warning in that country. They are expecting the possibility of structural damage and are warning people not to travel. Schools are closing. Double decker buses withdrawn. Bridges closing.

Scotland Weather: “Intense low pressure area will pass just to the north of Scotland today, with an active cold front surging south-eastwards. The storm has undergone explosive cyclogenesis, and there is evidence of a sting jet on satellite imagery. This may move into portions of Scotland today. Intense lifting where the dry slot is intersecting the front over western Scotland has allowed a few thunderstorms to develop. A few tornadoes and strong wind gusts are expected to accompany the front as it moves south-eastwards. In addition, across Scotland, very high wind gusts are expected in association with both the front and the intense wind field associated with the low. Gusts may reach 100mph in association with the sting jet.”

“Cyclogenesis is the development or strengthening of cyclonic circulation in the atmosphere (a low pressure area). Cyclogenesis is an umbrella term for several different processes, all of which result in the development of some sort of cyclone.”

A sting jet is a meteorological phenomenon which is believed to be the cause of the most damaging winds in European windstorms.

BBC Storm Center
–BREAKING NEWS Dumfries and Galloway Police; Central Scotland Police; Lothian and Borders Police and Strathclyde Police have all now said DO NOT travel.
–@BBCScotWeather: 91 mph gust recorded in Tiree.
–Red alert from Meteorological Office, the strongest weather warning
–Scotland is facing a winter storm with winds reaching in excess of 80mph in central and southern parts of the country.
–The Scottish government’s resilience committee is told key routes are likely to be closed and motorists have been be advised not to travel.
–Ministers have advised that schools across west, central and southern Scotland should either not open or close early.
–The Met Office has said there would be significant risk of structural damage.
–Ministers have advised that schools across west, central and southern Scotland should either not open or close early.
–Most schools in East Scotland closing today
–Glasgow Life – which runs the cities museums, galleries, libraries and sports facilities – says all venues are closing to the public and staff are being sent home.
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justice, repent

Repentance brings blessing

Posted on December 7, 2011 by elizabethprata

I listened to a very good sermon on Sunday afternoon. Don Green is the pastor of the Grace Life section of the Grace Community Church of John MacArthur. His preaching Sunday on the “The Call to Repentance” was an eye opener. The verses were from the Sermon on the Mount of Matthew 5 and also Matthew 4:17.

His theme was not what you might expect. Repent, yes, but the call to repentance always has with it another part to the message, one that is often forgotten. When Jesus calls people to repent, there is always a blessing associated with it.

Pastor Green’s point was that we of course should call people to repent, yes, but do not forget to tell them they are blessed if they do! Matthew 4:17 says, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is the summary statement of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In the sermon, He is explaining what repentance means. The verse from Matthew 4 is the summation, but the Sermon is Jesus explicitly teaching what He meant regarding repentance. Matthew 5:3-9, for example, is linked to the Matthew 4:17 verse in that Jesus now gets specific about what happens to a person on the inside when they repent.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Look how many blessings come when a person repents and allows the Holy Spirit to change them on the inside! Jesus ended His sermon with reminding us that it IS an internal change. He said in verse 20:

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” The scribes and Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day, but they were only righteous on the outside, with what they wore and what they said and how they acted. Their internal state was not one of humble repentance, and as a result they were cursed, not blessed. (Matthew 23:13).

The call to repentance is to:
–turn away from sin toward biblical righteousness
–in order to give irrevocable allegiance to Jesus
–and to receive divine blessing

Pastor Green’s sermon focused on understanding the third point, that with repentance comes blessing, and this shapes the way we explain the Gospel to people.

I’ll explain it this way. I watch a television show on TNT called “The Closer.” It is a police procedural starring Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson. She is known as The Closer because she can elicit a confession from the worst criminal that will stick in court. She closes cases. As such, she is also known as a savant, brilliant in her detective capabilities. Because of her fearlessness, ability to close cases, and strong commitment to justice, she gets the bad guy almost every week. Justice is served.

This is the last season of the show. This season’s theme is love. Viewers have come to adore Brenda with all her foibles and dysfunctions in home life and in her professional relationships. Her almost total focus is on justice. There is little love in her life. Though her long-suffering husband loves her dearly and accepts her for who she is, the show is written in such a way that you long for him to receive the same amount of love that he gives her. This final season will be a reckoning of sorts for Brenda, that life is not only justice. There must be love, too. And of course we agree to the reverse, that there is no love without justice. A mother or father who loves their child will punish them when they do wrong. (Hebrews 12:6). Brenda’s fierce adherence to justice unhitched from love eventually becomes harsh, consuming her and leading her rather than her leading it. This week’s show gave us an insight into how a person devolves when there is too much emphasis on justice and not enough balance in love.

That is the same as the Gospel. We call for repentance and warn of the justice from the Highest Court in the universe, from the most perfect Judge. Punishment for sins is real and must be declared to the unbeliever. This is our duty. But don’t leave it there, Pastor Green urged. Because love is part of the equation, too. Jesus blesses His children. He bought us with His blood as pardon from the justice they would likewise receive but instead blesses them when they do repent.

Nine times in Matthew 5 (NASB) Jesus used the word “blessed”. Nine blessings are pronounced! Also in Matthew 11, Matthew 13, Matthew 24, more blessedness is offered to those who do not take offense at Jesus, to those upon those who see and hear the message, and on those slaves who are doing the Father’s will. The change brought about at repentance comes with is blessings that start there and continue on the growing believer.

When you share the Gospel, love them enough to tell them of the justice for the sins, but also love them enough to tell them of the Lord’s blessings waiting upon them if they do repent. This is a good lesson for me, too.
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jesus, molech

Bad Old Molech is alive and well

Posted on December 7, 2011 by elizabethprata

The bible’s earliest books speak of a false god named Molech. Molech worship was cultish worship associated with Ammon, for example, 1 Kings 11:7 speaks of him as “the detestable god of the Ammonites.” God warned the Israelites many times not to sacrifice their children to Molech.

“Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 18:21).

“Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any alien living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:2).

“He also defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech.” (2 Kings 23:10).

A huge statue would be constructed with a furnace in the belly of it. The parents would put their child in the belly and a fire would be lit. The child would burn to death. The sacrifice also included sexual rituals. The hope was that the parents would receive wealth and blessing by sacrificing their firstborn to Molech. So the hope was for the parents to obtain some convenience and personal gain.

Of course, the most obvious modern parallel to child sacrifice to Molech is the fire of abortion, which is also a child-sacrifice for the personal convenience of the parents. The child dies in a horrible way, and is sacrificed for spurious reasons. However, I was reading the following article today and another Molech-like sacrifice came to mind, not the least reason because the article itself used the world sacrifice.

“Recent Charges of Sexual Abuse of Children in Hollywood Just Tip of Iceberg, Experts Say“
“If a spate of recent allegations proves true, Hollywood may have a hideous epidemic on its hands. The past two weeks have brought three separate reports of alleged child sexual abuse in the entertainment industry. Feldman, 40, himself a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, unflinchingly warned of the world of pedophiles who are drawn to the entertainment industry last August. “I can tell you that the No. 1 problem in Hollywood was and is and always will be pedophilia,” Feldman told ABC’s Nightline. “That’s the biggest problem for children in this industry… It’s the big secret.” Another child star from an earlier era agrees that Hollywood has long had a problem with pedophilia. “When I watched that interview, a whole series of names and faces from my history went zooming through my head,” Paul Peterson, 66, star of The Donna Reed Show, a sitcom popular in the 1950s and 60s, and president of A Minor Consideration, tells FOXNews.com.”

The article continues with reporting something that is well-known to insiders, which is that any and all Hollywood child actors were at risk from unscrupulous managers, agents, and others bent on molestation. The article discusses how and why this occurs on such a regular basis, so regular, that it is taken as a matter of course that it will occur.

I can’t imagine what a cesspit Hollywood is. The products we see on the screen are bad enough, and are the end result of a long process that undoubtedly includes lying, slander, greed, sexual favors, drug use, drunkenness, and adultery, among other sins. Like this sin in the article, and it is a quote, of sacrificing children to Molech:

“It’s almost a willing sacrifice that many parents are oblivious to – what kind of environment do they think that they’re pushing their kid into?” said Peterson. “The casting couch is a real thing, and sometimes just getting an appointment makes people do desperate things.”

A society is judged on their godliness, and the further they fall from His standard, the more they are given over to base desires. (Romans 1:18-24). It they still refuse to repent, their sexual degradation deepens, and they are given over to homosexuality:

“For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” (Romans 1:26-27).

After that, then what? What does it say about a society that not only tolerates but promotes sexual sin, encourages homosexuality, then slides off the cliff into child molestation as a ritual of passage to gain entry to Hollywood? Parents sacrificed their kids to Molech in hopes of wealth, and here in this article we see the same thing. Parents sacrifice their children to the god of pedophilia in hopes of drinking from the cash cow of Holywood paychecks. Paul shows us the end result of such wanton abandonment of moral scruples. Verse 29-32 goes on by showing us the progression–

“being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

Here we see a quote from the same article about not only were some practicing pedophilia and still do to this day, the gave hearty approval to those who did the same, even passing around children in their evil putrid circle:

‘“I literally heard that they were ‘passed around,’” Arngrim said. “The word was that they were given drugs and being used for sex. It was awful – these were kids, they weren’t 18 yet. There were all sorts of stories about everyone from their, quote, ‘set guardians’ on down that these two had been sexually abused and were totally being corrupted in every possible way.”

Dr David R. Reagan has a good essay at Rapture Alert entitled “Is homosexuality an end times sign?” When I see articles like the one about the well-known pedophilia in Hollywood, and know that we’ve descended even further than two consenting adults engaged in sodomy, when our precious children are sacrificed to the greedy god of fame, I just want to cry out, ‘How much longer, O Lord?’
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end time, last days, wars and rumors of wars

Wars and Rumors of Wars

Posted on December 6, 2011 by elizabethprata

In Matthew 24, Jesus answers the disciples’ question about the signs of the end of the age and the signs of Jesus coming, and asked when will all these things happen. Three questions, from verse 1-3 and from verse 4-8 Jesus began His answer.

“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

Then in verse 9 He deepened the answer and referred to tribulation and perilous times by specifically mentioning certain events. He then speaks of the Abomination of Desolation. Some scholars use the break at verse 8 to interpret that Jesus meant that the birth pangs would encompass the entire time between Jesus’ ascension and second coming, and verse 9 onward being the Tribulation, and others interpret those first 4 verses as included in only the Tribulation period of 7 years along with the rest of the Discourse. I take the former view.

Here: “The Bible predicts a downward spiral of catastrophes, human sin, and religious apostasy before Christ returns. Paul writes, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. . . . evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:1, 13). The world will continue to reject God, His Word, and His people. … The erosion of peace and increase of turmoil that precedes the Rapture will reach epic proportions when untold numbers of people disappear from earth.”

I believe the world has been in pangs since Jesus ascended, though like contractions are wont to do, start off mild and unnoticeable, increasing terribly as the birth nears. Then the water breaks, and I believe the rapture is that event we can liken to water breaking. When the water breaks, things really get serious in the labor pains and birthing process. The birth is near once the water breaks. What is being birthed? The Kingdom of Jesus Christ that will last 1000 years. (Revelation 20:2-7; Luke 1:32-33′ Ezekiel 43:7).

Jesus said one thing to look out for is wars and rumors of wars. It was the second thing He said to look for, after false Christs. War rhetoric has always been with us on earth, we are a warlike and rebellious people. The Middle East since Israel’s re-birth has especially been rife with wars and rumors of wars. But never to the degree that the epicenter has seen today. Seven or more nations are on war alert, live drills with live missiles are taking place. Rockets are being moved. War Ministers are readying troops. Ambassadors are being recalled. Warships are moving into place. The following headlines are from the past two days. They are extraordinary. In my opinion, they exemplify “wars and rumors of wars” to a high degree.

I believe that final, final pieces are being readied for the last days prophesies to be fulfilled quickly. If that is the case, then the rapture is even sooner.

‘Iranian forces go on war alert‘
Iran moving missiles to secret sites, Western officials tell British paper; earlier, Tehran residents reported to stockpile goods, fearing imminent strike
“Growing panic in Iran? The commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards has ordered his forces to raise their operational readiness ahead of a possible war or strike on the country’s nuclear facilities, the Telegraph reported late Monday.”

“The British newspaper quoted Western intelligence sources as saying that Iran is repositioning ballistic missiles, explosives and troops into defensive positions, in order to offer a quick response in the case of an attack by Israel or the United States.”

Iran’s downing of US drone rattles Washington
“U.S. military officials have expressed concern over news reports that Iran recently downed a U.S. spy drone that had violated the country’s airspace.On Sunday, an unidentified Iranian military source said that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic had downed a U.S. drone along the country’s eastern border, the Fars News Agency reported.“An advanced RQ-170 unmanned American spy plane was shot down by Iran’s armed forces. It suffered minor damage and is now in possession of Iran’s armed forces,” the source said, according to Fox News.The official also stated that Iran would give a crushing response to any violation of its airspace, saying the response “will not be limited to the country’s borders.”

US officials say Pakistan leaving liaison centers
“Pakistan is pulling its troops out of at least two of the three centers meant to coordinate military activity across the Afghan border in apparent retaliation for NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, U.S. military officials said.”

Pakistan recalls ambassadors for consultations after NATO attack
“Pakistan recalls ambassadors for consultations after NATO attack Islamabad has recalled a number of its ambassadors for urgent consultations in the wake of NATO’s killing of 25 Pakistani soldiers, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. The envoys will be instructed on new foreign policy which has been reviewed in the light of last month’s attack, Itar-Tass reports. Ambassadors in the US, the EU countries, Russia, India, Afghanistan and other states were called back, the ministry said, adding that they will be familiarized with the new foreign policy doctrine. Earlier, Islamabad warned it would review its ties with the US and its allies.”

Rare attacks on Afghan Shiites kill 60, suicide bomber strikes Kabul mosque
“A suicide bomber struck a crowd of Shiite worshippers who packed a Kabul mosque Tuesday to mark a holy day, killing at least 56 people, and a second bombing in another city killed four more Shiites. They were the first major sectarian assaults since the fall of the Taliban a decade ago. … Religiously motivated attacks on Shiites are rare in Afghanistan although they are common in neighboring Pakistan.”

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Prime Minister: If Iran attacks Israel it will be gone the next day”
“United Arab Emirates’ PM downplays concerns about nuclear Iran, tells CNN he believes Israel will destroy Iran if attacked. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) discounted on Tuesday the West’s concerns about a nuclear-armed Iran.

Sectarian bloodshed worsens in Syria amid uprising
“Dozens of bodies were dumped in the streets of a Syrian city at the heart of the country’s nearly 9-month-old uprising, a grim sign that sectarian bloodshed is escalating as the country descends further toward civil war.”

China’s Hu urges navy to prepare for combat
“Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday urged the navy to prepare for military combat, amid growing regional tensions over maritime disputes and a US campaign to assert itself as a Pacific power.”

As Matthew Henry said in his commentary on the Matthew 24:6 verse, “Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great commotions among nations. From the time that the Jews rejected Christ, and he left their house desolate, the sword never departed from them. See what comes of refusing the gospel. Those who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war. “

Make sure your heart is at peace with the Savior.
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