Posted in hagar, living water

Hagar in the wilderness drinking from the living waters of life

Posted on by elizabethprata

Two of my favorite scenes in the bible are the Woman at the Well, and Hagar in the Wilderness. In the former, the Lord ministered to a marginalized woman whose sins had given her an illustrious reputation which preceded her wherever she went.

Hagar was Abraham’s slave and her sin was forced upon her: Sarah (Sarai) concocted a plan to hurry-up God’s plan to get the promised child. She convinced Abram to use Hagar as the maternal vessel. When Hagar became pregnant, Sarah’s jealousy grew, and Sarah death harshly with Hagar.

“But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” (Genesis 16:6-8).

The Angel of the LORD is interpreted to be Jesus, pre-incarnate. He told Hagar to go back and to submit, and she did. Genesis 16 has the full account.

The child born to Abraham and Hagar was Ishmael, but as Ishmael grew, Sarah became jealous again. Dissension came up between the two women. Sarah expelled Hagar from the community and with her child, Hagar fled to the desert.

The wilderness is a harsh place and when the water in her pouch ran out, Hagar knew that death would soon come. She placed the boy down near bushes and went to die herself a little ways off, not bearing to see the death of her child.

“In 1835, Camille Corot created this painting, inspired by his trips through the Northern Italian countryside. The painting depicts Hagar and the child Ishmael, dying of starvation and thirst in the hot desert sun. An angel flies in from the background to save the child from an untimely death. When Corot presented this painting at the Paris Saloon in 1835, it created a sensation, as the crowd was in awe of the way Corot portrayed the serene harmony of the setting against the harsh reality of the dying child.” (Source: WikiArt)

Again The the LORD came to Hagar, this time by voice, and comforted her.

“Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.” (Genesis 21:16-19)

Both times Hagar was in the wilderness, God immediately heard the the plea of her heart and the piteous lonely cries from her mouth. He asked her a similar question as He had asked Adam, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9, Genesis 16:8). Both times Jesus was dispatched to provide life to her, with water. Jesus is the Living Water. He gives life and He sustains life.

Our God is mighty. He is sovereign. He has His plan, which none can thwart. Yet He is tender, and caring, and gentle with His people. I hope the beauty of the painting and the even greater beauty of the Word comforts you today. Cast all your cares upon Jesus, who is the Living Water.

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
(John 7:38)
Posted in earthquake, earthquakes in diverse places

Quakes this week

Posted on by elizabethprata

Here is a list of major quakes this week: (8/11/2013 – 8/18/2013). The quakes are either over 6.0 magnitude or are considered major due to location and hazard to life or property. See link below to PAGER System fmi. All data from United States Geological Survey.

The USGS PAGER system (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) provides fatality and economic loss impact estimates following significant earthquakes worldwide.

There have been 6 quakes this week over 6.0 magnitude

M6.1 – Southwest Indian Ridge
M6.5 – 29km SSE of Blenheim, New Zealand
M6.6 – 98km WSW of Mutis, Colombia
M6.1 – 90km WSW of Paita, Peru
M6.0 – 112km NW of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand
M6.0 – 189km WNW of Saumlaki, Indonesia

M4.9 – 9km SSW of Volcano, Hawaii

This week there have been 258 quakes over 2.5 magnitude worldwide (as of 8:30AM Sunday 8/18). The number of quakes per year are calculated by USGS and averaged out as the following:

footnotes 1 & 2 = Based on observations since 1900.

The number of 8.0+ quakes so far in 2013 have been 2.
The number of 7.0+ quakes so far in 2013 have been 10.
The number of 6.0+ quakes so far in 2013 have been 78.
The number of 5.0+ quakes so far in 2013 have been 911.

Posted in creation, grace, moon

Creation Grace: The Moon

Posted on by elizabethprata

“And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons,f and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.” (Genesis 1:14-19)

Remember Your Creator in Your Youth

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,” (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2)

Posted in justin, martyr, Sunday martyr moment

Sunday Martyr Moment: Justin Martyr, Felicitatis, others

Posted on by elizabethprata

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. According to this summary from Christian Book Summaries,

Writing in the mid-1500s, John Foxe was living in the midst of intense religious persecution at the hands of the dominant Roman Catholic Church. In graphic detail, he offers accounts of Christians being martyred for their belief in Jesus Christ, describing how God gave them extraordinary courage and stamina to endure unthinkable torture.

From the same link, the book’s purpose was fourfold:

  • Showcase the courage of true believers who have willingly taken a stand for Jesus Christ throughout the ages, even if it meant death,
  • Demonstrate the grace of God in the lives of those martyred for their faith,
  • Expose the ruthlessness of religious and political leaders as they sought to suppress those with differing beliefs,
  • Celebrate the courage of those who risked their lives to translate the Bible into the common language of the people.

Text from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs:

Justin Martyr. Wikipedia

The cruelties against Christians under Marcus Aurelius were so inhuman that many of those who watched them shuddered with horror, and were astonished at the courage of the sufferers. Some of the martyrs had their feet crushed in presses, and were then forced to walk over thorns, nails, sharp shells, and other pointed objects. Others were whipped until their sinews and veins were exposed. Then after suffering the most excruciating tortures that could be devised they were killed in terrible ways. Yet few turned from Christ or begged their torturer to lessen their pain.

Metrodorus, a minister, who preached boldly, and Pionius, who made some excellent apologies for the Christian faith, were likewise burnt. Carpus and Papilus, two worthy Christians, and Agatonica, a pious woman, suffered martyrdom at Pergamopolis, in Asia.

Felicitatis, an illustrious Roman lady, of a considerable family, and the most shining virtues, was a devout Christian. She had seven sons, whom she had educated with the most exemplary piety. All of them were martyred.

Januarius, the eldest son of Felicitatus, was scourged, and pressed to death with weights; Felix and Philip, the two next had their brains dashed out with clubs; Silvanus, the fourth, was murdered by being thrown from a precipice; and the three younger sons, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial, were beheaded. The mother was beheaded with the same sword as the three latter.

Justin, the celebrated philosopher, fell a martyr in this persecution. He was a native of Neapolis, in Samaria, and was born A.D. 103. Justin was a great lover of truth, and a universal scholar; he investigated the Stoic and Peripatetic philosophy, and attempted the Pythagorean; but the behavior of our of its professors disgusting him, he applied himself to the Platonic, in which he took great delight. About the year 133, when he was thirty years of age, he became a convert to Christianity, and then, for the first time, perceived the real nature of truth.

He wrote an elegant epistle to the Gentiles, and employed his talents in convincing the Jews of the truth of the Christian rites; spending a great deal of time in travelling, until he took up his abode in Rome, and fixed his habitation upon the Viminal mount.

He kept a public school, taught many who afterward became great men, and wrote a treatise to confuse heresies of all kinds. As the pagans began to treat the Christians with great severity, Justin wrote his first apology in their favor. Justin’s’ arguments overpowered Crescens and so disturbed him that he resolved to destroy Justin. This piece displays great learning and genius, and occasioned the emperor to publish a decree in favor of the Christians.

I fell in love with the prophets and these men who had loved Christ; I reflected on all their words and found that this philosophy alone was true and profitable. ~Justin Martyr
Soon after, he entered into frequent contests with Crescens, a person of a vicious life and conversation, but a celebrated cynic philosopher. Justin’s’ arguments overpowered Crescens and so disturbed him that he resolved to destroy Justin. The second defense that Justin write on behalf of the Christians gave Crescens the opportunity he needed. He convinced the emperor that Justin was dangerous to him whereupon Justin and six followers were arrested and ordered to sacrifice to pagan idols. When they refused, they were scourged and beheaded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lord, we know that the unregenerate heart and unsanctified mind can devise horror after horror. The Holocaust showed us the depths of man’s inhumanity to man and the future Tribulation will exceed even those horrors. It’s unimaginable what the Christians who preceded us went through, but thank You for your grace and comfort to them while they were under trial. I know that many hearts were converted upon seeing their courage, which was the strength of the Holy Spirit in them. As this time at the end of the Age of Grace draws to a close, I pray You deliver the same strength and courage to today’s martyrs. So that once more, many hearts are converted as they see dark evil of hate and torture against Your light of holy eternity in pure hearts proclaiming Your name even as they die under the sword.

——————————-
Further Reading:

CS Lewis Institute: Profiles in Faith Justin Martyr (a .pdf)

Christian History: Justin Martyr

Posted in feminism, leadership, masculinity, media, roles

Crisis of Masculinity: "hapless fellas trying to figure out how to project authority in homes and relationships thoroughly dominated by their female partners"

Posted on by elizabethprata

The first generation of men who are the victims of feminism have now lived fully as men. That group are in their 70’s, and their sons, the second generation, are now fathers of the third generation of men who have lived in a culture (in the West) where men are not supposed to be men. They don’t know how to be men anymore. NY Magazine calls this state of things a “crisis of masculinity.” I call it the natural result of generations of feminism.

Initially called the “Women’s Liberation Movement” the cultural emasculation of men began in the 1960s along with the other movements of the day, civil rights and sexual revolution, and continued through the mid-1980s. This movement was actually the second wave of feminism and as such, it had a different focus. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, first wave feminism “focused mainly on suffrage and overturning legal obstacles to legal gender equality, (i.e., voting rights , property rights ), second-wave feminism broadened the debate to a wide range of issues: sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights, de facto inequalities, and official legal inequalities.”

The latter part of the twentieth century indeed was a hotbed of change. Longstanding cultural norms were up-ended. As a result, the complementarian aspect of male-female marriages and opposite sex relationships suffered.

So often, the media is the mirror of our culture, being reflected back to us. The current spate of television shows which are going to open this ‘fall season’ are full of leading males who are depicted as emasculated, and they wonder why. They are perplexed as to where it all went. These shows present ‘comedy’ in the men’s efforts to try and find their way back.

Here is one example:

She-Runners – An encouraging wave of chick-created comedies.
“In a perfect aftershock to the success of Bridesmaids (not to mention the ascendancy of Poehler and Fey), there’s a major uptick this fall in sitcoms about young single women, and, even better, several of these shows were created by female writers.  It’s an encouraging phenomenon—as well as a weird analogue to the networks’ slate of emasculated-dude comedies (from Work It to Man Up), which look far less … winning.”

The Men of the New Fall Sitcoms Would Hate the Women of the New Fall Sitcoms
“One of the biggest, and certainly one of the most attention-getting, trends of the new fall TV season has been the bevy of smart, sexually assured, twenty-something lady sitcoms, with each network bringing a contender to the schedule: CBS has 2 Broke Girls with Kat Dennings (premiering tonight); Fox has New Girl with Zooey Deschanel (premiering tomorrow); NBC has Whitney with Whitney Cummings (premiering Thursday); and there are more on the way for mid-season.”
…
A related trend, but one that has been getting less attention for the obvious reasons — the shows are not as good, and their stars don’t look as good — are the bitter-man comedies: Tim Allen’s Home Improvement follow-up, Last Man Standing; ABC’s Man Up, which could be called How to Be a Father; CBS’s How to Be a Gentleman, in which Kevin Dillon advises a polite, spineless fellow on how to be b-utch and, come mid-season, ABC’s magnificently wretched cross-dressing comedy Work It. These Sad Man Sitcoms are about how confusing, difficult, and often emasculating it is to be a man in the days of the mancession. The guys in the second batch of shows are in crisis because they have found themselves living in a world that belongs to the women in the first batch of shows — and they don’t like it one bit.
…
In Last Man Standing (October 11, ABC), Tim Allen plays Mike, the father of three daughters. His career taking photographs for a wilderness catalogue is in jeopardy because young men aren’t as interested in crossbows as they used to be. Meanwhile, his wife’s career as a business executive is thriving. Mike rants in his vlog, Howard Beale–style, “What happened to men!” as he complains that guys these days can’t survive in the wilderness, catch big fish, or change tires. The fellas in Man Up … and How to be a Gentleman … sure can’t do these things. 

Man Up is, more or less, a show about three Phil Dunphys: well-meaning, often hapless fellas trying to figure out how to project authority in homes and relationships thoroughly dominated by their female partners. In How to Be a Gentleman, an effete magazine writer named Andrew is chastised by Kevin Dillon’s muscle-head character Burt, “You know everything about being a gentleman, and nothing about being a man,” before beginning to inaugurate him into, more or less, the Tim Allen school of manliness.
…
But the difference is still palpable: Last Man Standing, Man Up, and How to Be a Gentleman are all coming from a place of fear and bitterness. They are predicated on the idea that once, not so long ago, there was a code, a way to be a man that everyone understood, and now that code is gone, leaving Y chromosomes isolated and flailing in a tech-savvy world dominated by women. … Whether it’s true or false, both sets of shows seem to agree that it’s way more fun to be a woman than a man right now. Certainly, after watching all these sitcoms, you’d think they have a point.”

————————————-

A terrible double standard exists for men today: society says be a man, but if men assert themselves as men, they are accused of being misogynist. They are warned not to be effete, but when they assert their masculinity, they are accused of being “homophobic.” If you read the article above in its entirety, you will see both those double-standards brought up.

In Christian culture, the situation is even worse. The young men of today have been raised in this culture and if they become saved at a later time in life, chances are they will have been raised by a feminist mother and a ‘hapless’ father. They have to learn not only how to be a Christian, but how to be a man. Christian men are expected to lead their families, and so many of the young men of today simply don’t know how to do that.

In many of the liberal Youth Ministries, younger men are taught a soft, romantic, effete Jesus who is sentimental love at all times. Never is wrath, hardness, fighting for the faith, or stalwart soldiering brought up.

Sample lyrics from the popular Christian band Jesus Culture exemplify this. The song excerpt below was written in 2012 and it is called Be My Love. You would not know it is a Christian song if you heard it until toward the end when God is mentioned. The only tell-tale in the written form is the capital Y on the word You until you read toward the end that the song is about God. Event he promotional shots show effete men with long hair and earrings, wearing androgynous clothing and looking like the female lead singer.

Where there is no love
will You be my love
Yeah, yeah

[CHORUS:]
I can’t find anyone like You
That satisfies quite like You do
And my heart is burning for You
Yes, my heart is burning for You

Here is another Jesus Culture song written in 2012 called I Belong to You, giving God permission to love us or something.

“I Belong To You”

[VERSE 1:]
You can be the One that steals my heart
With just a simple thought of who You are
Let Your light shine in the darkest parts
Let Your love fill the world

[VERSE 2:]
You can be the fire down in my soul
That I can’t contain, that I can’t control
Would You fill me up to overflow
Let Your love fill the world

[CHORUS:]
And I belong to You
Forever, I belong to You

[VERSE 3:]
Let Your Words be like a burning flame
Come in close to touch my heart again
The whole earth trembles at the sound of Your name
Let Your love fill the world

[VERSE 4:]
All I want is more of You
Your breath is life, Your word is truth
Your glory here is bursting through
Let Your love fill the world

[BRIDGE:]
And You have set my heart on fire
My love and my desire
Only for You

And as Your glory fills this place
Your love we will embrace
Only for You, for You

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari, Bosom Buddies, 1980

It’s sentimental drivel that means nothing.

Is it any wonder where the young men of today are emasculated in society and softened in church, that when they create a family they do not know how to lead? Media today doesn’t help. Men are either superheroes with powers (Spiderman or Terminator), or they are effete Tootsies or Bosom Buddies. In the latter two, men dressed up as women in order to get an apartment or to get employment, and if you think those are simply culturally irrelevant references because Tootsie the movie and Bosom Buddies the tv show came out decades ago, the 2012 ABC television show “Work It” featured as character development, starting in the first episode, men who dress as women to attain employment learning how to be more “sensitive”. The message is, the only way to be successful is to be a women.

Ben Koldyke & Amaury Nolasco, Work It, 2012

A study referred to in the Guardian UK article, ‘Masculinity crisis’ leads to family murder, according to new study  conducted by Birmingham City University criminologists has linked today’s  crisis of masculinity to fathers murdering their own children, or family annihilationists. Quoted in the Guardian, project leader Professor David Wilson said, “some men are unable to come to terms with different and developing notions of the institution of the family, where women increasingly play a much more dynamic role than they had in the past”.

Aaron D. Wolf wrote in 2005:  “Every definition of masculinity into which our Lord Jesus Christ does not fit belongs in the rubbish heap. Indeed, there could be no greater example of a man than He. Contrary to modern portrayals, Jesus was neither a sensitive metrosexual nor a macho-macho man. The tenderness that He displayed toward those whom He loved (including His enemies) was paternal and sacrificial, focused not on self-gratification or expression but on the real needs of those He came to save.”

“These familiar strains from the popular hymn “In the Garden” represent the modern American imagination of the essence of Christianity: a romantic fantasy in which a chivalric Jesus rescues me from my own loneliness and despair and fills all of my emotional needs. This effeminate picture of the Christian life, from the dramatic conversion experience to the long walks in the garden alone with “Jesus,” has produced generations of effeminate Christian men who either allow themselves to be consumed by their imaginary “walks with Jesus” or else drift away from church altogether, knowing that their best efforts at spiritual courtship will fall well short of those of the women who now, more than ever, fill the pews of America’s churches.”

Fathers and Mothers, raise up your boys to be boys and the girls to be girls. Jesus set out roles for us. Elder men and women have roles. Widows have roles. Husbands and wives have roles. Children have roles. Church members have roles. The bible is our life guide, not the movies and not television.

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)

“That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17)

“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,” (1 Timothy 3:4)

“For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.” (Ephesians 5:23)

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Further reading-

What does the bible say about being a man?

What does it mean to be a woman of God?

What does it mean to be a man of God?

Posted in busy, school

First day of school

Posted on by elizabethprata

The first day of school 2013-2014 is here and I had a fantastic day! The kids were adorable as usual. Everything went smoothly. For the first time in years, it wasn’t hot. The temps today were only about 72 degrees for a high, which is thirty degrees lower than last year’s start of the year on the first day. Last year was monstrously hot. The buses don’t have air conditioning and after sitting in the lot all day they were so hot you could grow jungle orchids in there. We passed out water to the kids getting on and were advising them to sip slowly during the ride. Man, it was hot.

Anyway, today for the first time it wasn’t only cool, but it rained. The veteran teachers local to the area said that they can’t remember the last time it rained on the first day. I didn’t mind it, though I was sad the kids could not go out and play, but usually it is too hot for that anyway on the first day. The cool air and rainy, dark landscape made for a relaxing, quiet time.

It was sweet to see the first graders in the lunch room. I work in kindergarten all day but I have a midday duty that monitors 1st graders. Anyway when they sat down at the tables with their class and then looked up and around, they spotted their former classmates scattered around the cafeteria eating with their new classmates. They raised their hand and asked to go hug that one, or speak to this one, and their little reunions were totally charming. One guy who was popular last year in kindergarten but moved away, has come back. When his former classmates saw him, the news spread like wildfire around all the tables. “He’s back, look!” they all said, and many hugs were exchanged. They might have short attention spans and can’t remember a lot, but they do make heart-felt friends who mean a great deal to them. Even if it is short term, they love deeply.

My ole car performed like a champ all summer. On the day before the first day and on the first day with kids, of course it broke down. I hate that. I really, really hate that. There is only one place I have to be in my whole life, and it is school. I can walk or bike to church, to the PO and to the grocery store. They are all within half a mile. The school is a must-get-to destination, and of course that is the place it decides to strand me. I hate that. I can’t tell you how much.

So Saturday is another Bountiful Baskets pick up. I am so thrilled with the produce from this co-op. For a vegetarian like me, that basket is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Quality produce at affordable prices, it is heaven! I can’t wait to see what is in my basket. I still have half a cantaloupe left over and half a cabbage.It does take me a good two weeks to eat it all.

A friend had given me a bag of green beans, and I’m going to make green bean pate with some and green bean casserole with the rest. And then I’ll wait to see what is in my basket for this week to plan the rest.

I was looking at my Italy photos over the weekend. The last time I went was 1998, fifteen years ago. It seems like a lifetime ago. My sister and family is in France now. My France trip was even longer ago than Italy. Back then, I was consumed with where the next place I was going to go, so as to experience the bigness of life. Now I’m consumed with the minutiae of life- groceries, work, vehicle, church, writing, and my cats. Back then I saw God’s plan in the vastness of His creation. From the towering Alps, to the Amazon valleys, to the blue Mediterranean to the hills of Scotland, from the icebergs at Labrador to the crystal Bahamian sea, it was vast in scope but empty of importance, because I was not in Jesus.

Now I see God in the details of my life instead of the vastness. My life is about minutiae but it’s not minute. It’s small but not trifling. It’s where He planted me to do kingdom work, so therefore it is important. Though it is a quiet life, it is a big life- because of the work He gave me to do. And the work is to love, rejoice, and be glad in this day, because He has made it.

Posted in egypt, prophecy, revelation

Angry Islamic fundamentalists taking frustrations out on Christians

Posted on by elizabethprata

Here is some news, which made me think of Revelation 12. First the news–

Egypt ‘s Churches Aflame as Brotherhood Targets Christians
“Prominent among the “collateral damage” victims of the ongoing violence in Egypt are the country’s Coptic Christians. Living on the tentative goodwill of the Muslim majority even during the best of times, the community has been the subject of attacks and persecution over the past year, since the fall of Hosni Mubarak, and the subsequent fall of Mohammed Morsi. Now, with the crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood members by the Egyptian army, Islamist fanatics are taking out their frustrations on Coptic Christians. In the past few days, there has been a spate of attacks on Christian businesses, homes, and churches. As of Wednesday morning, according to local witnesses, at least 18 churches had been destroyed, and fires and riots were continuing to spread in Christian areas, the witnesses said.“

When I read this, I was reminded of the scene in Revelation 12. In that book, Satan is finally thrown bodily out of heaven. He became a sinner long ago, perhaps even before the foundation of the world, or shortly after. We know he was created holy but was already sinful when he approached Eve in the garden. In the garden he was called serpent so by then, sin had been found in him. (Genesis 3:1, 13, 14).

However, satan still has had access to heaven throughout the ages. (Job 2:1). There will come a point when satan will no longer be given access to even enter that holy domain. It is believed that the moment comes in Revelation 12. Here is the verse:

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Revelation 12:7-9).

I wonder what satan has thought, all this time. Did he think he will win? Did he think that because he still had access to heaven, that maybe God didn’t really mean it? In any case, when he is pushed out of heaven, he and his angels, he becomes furious.

“And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.” (Revelation 12:13)

The woman is Israel and the male child refers to Jesus (Revelation 12:5).

Satan hates God and he hates anyone God loves. Therefore satan hates the Jewish people. Prime example: the German Holocaust. Back to Revelation 12, Satan’s future pursuit of the descendants of Jesus across the desert will be foiled.

“But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.”

Just as we can’t really conceive of how great and deep of a love Jesus has for us, we can’t really conceive of how great and deep of a hatred satan has for us. Satan’s fury is incomprehensible, illogical, and irrational. But it is very real. When his attempts to render his fury on the Jews fleeing across the desert are foiled, the fallback position is, take it out on the Christians. Look what satan does next:

“Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Revelation 12:14-16).

“Make war with.” This is the point in time when the Great Tribulation begins, satan indwells the antichrist, and the beheadings begin.

Now turn your attention back to Egypt. In the article it stated, “Islamist fanatics are taking out their frustrations on Coptic Christians.”

Logically, being angry at Christians makes no sense. We are kind, helpful, quiet, and forgiving. Having a bunch of Christians around is a good thing. In a situation of chaos and upset like exists in Egypt now, it is more logical to take your anger out on the neighbor who owes you money, or perhaps to ignite long-simmering tribal feuds. But no, the fundamentalist Islamic folks look for a Christian to take their frustrations out on. Just as it always has been and just as it will continue to be according to Revelation 12.

When the Prince of Peace comes and stops the persecution, then it will finally end. (Isaiah 9:6). There will be peace in the valley. Until then, please pray for the Christians who are hunted and persecuted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Further reading

What is Coptic Christianity, and what do Coptic Christians believe?

Egypt in the bible

Posted in coup, egypt, el baradei, prophecy, violence

Egypt is in violence and upset now, but the future holds blessing for His people Egypt!

Posted on by elizabethprata

In December 2012 I’d posted a blog entry about what was happening in Egypt, and took a look at prophecy, which says that God has a plan for Egypt. This plan is past, present and future, and as a matter of fact is one of only three nations mentioned in the Millennium Kingdom. That future prophecy is in Isaiah 19.

From Isaiah 1-15 the future looks very dim for Egypt and her people. She will fall under a cruel leader. (No one is positive if this means a sub-antichrist, or if the ‘cruel leader’ refers to THE antichrist). She will have economic devastation as the Nile dries up. Despairing of wisdom, they will turn to wizards and sorcerers, and no one will have any helpful information to give, anywhere. Isaiah 19:14 gets pretty graphic: “The Lord has mingled within her a spirit of confusion, and they will make Egypt stagger in all its deeds, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit.”

On 24 June 2012, after a period of chaos and upset, Mohammad Morsi was elected President of Egypt. Many people wondered as the shaos went on and Morsi- a well-known strict Muslim Brotherhood member, was the cruel master spoken of in prophecy. Most people said to wait and see.

Things calmed down- for a while. As the one-year anniversary of his election approached, protests began again. This time, they rose until Morsi was ousted in a coup.

Which leader will be next? Will this next one be the “cruel leader’ predicted? Is this the beginning of the prophesied terrible times for Egypt?

It’s one thing to read about prophecy and speculate on its fulfillment, but it is quite anther to see it. The anguish of Egypt is just killing me to watch. The despair, the death, the uncertainty, and so many, MANY Egyptians are without God, so they don’t even have hope!

A protester comforts a wounded colleague
after Egyptian security forces began to clear a sit-in by supporters of
ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in the
eastern Nasr City district of Cairo Wednesday. Source

A woman tried to stop a military bulldozer
from hurting a wounded man during clashes near Raba’a al Adiwiya mosque
in eastern Cairo. Source

Aug. 14, 2013: A police vehicle is pushed off of the 6th of October bridge by protesters close to the largest sit-in by supporters of ousted
Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in the eastern Nasr City district of
Cairo, Egypt. Source

These scenes are devastating. Imagine of they were happening on your street! Violence is terrible. Military uprisings are frightening. Grief over loved ones is paralyzing. But in verse 16 it starts to look up for Egypt. Our Holy God has a blessed plan for this nation which sheltered His Son! Let’s read it in its entirety-

When they cry to the Lord because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. 21And the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the Lord and perform them. 22And the Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.

 23In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.

 24In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, 25whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”

If that doesn’t make you just weep with joy, then what will?! He delivers them, and they worship Him. They worship the One true God! And He blesses them and calls them His people. Oh, what a day. Hang on, true Christians in Egypt! He will bring your nation to His bosom! No more bloodshed. No more idolatry. No more blasphemy. A blessed day.

Unsaved Egyptians! The LORD has a plan for your nation. Seek Him now, before the spirit of confusion comes (if it hasn’t already). He will bless you and then you can watch the blessing of the nation when the Kingdom comes!

Posted in earthquakes, end time, prophecy

Magnitude 6.6 quake at Columbia today, an earthquake’s lessons

Posted on by elizabethprata

After a seeming period of quiet there have suddenly been a spate of major earthquakes. USGS lists a quake as major if it exceeds 6.0 magnitude or those others with a red background have been identified as “significant”, based on a combination of magnitude, PAGER alert level, and the number of Did You Feel It? responses. Here is the list of quakes in the last week the USGS deems significant.

Mag 6.6 102km WSW of Mutis, Colombia
Mag 6.1 90km WSW of Paita, Peru
Mag 6.0 112km NW of L’Esperance Rock, New Zealand
Mag 6.0 189km WNW of Saumlaki, Indonesia

Significant: 4.9 9km SSW of Volcano, Hawaii

The Guardian UK reported on today’s 6.6 quake in Columbia
“According the U.S. Geological Survey, a severe earthquake has occurred in the Pacific Ocean near Columbia. The earthquake is 6.7 magnitudes and hit about 10:43, local time, this morning. It landed approximately 59 miles west southwest of Mutis, Colombia. No immediate reports of damage and according to the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center, no tsunami warning was issued.”

God has used earthquakes to speak to His people in the past and will again in the future. In Acts 16:26, He used a quake to release Paul from prison. When Jesus died on the cross, a quake occurred, recorded in Matthew 27:54, “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” The quake was God speaking to humans … and they understood. A few days later as Jesus rose from the grave there was another earthquake. Matthew 28:2 records it. “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.” In Ezekiel 38:19 God promises to show Himself through an earthquake (among other things). “In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.”

During the Tribulation, an earthquake will occur in Jerusalem as described in Rev 11:13 where 7000 people will be killed. Later, in Rev 16:18, “Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.” Every mountain will crumble and every island will flee away.

Earthquakes are important events. After a major quake in CA in 1994, John MacArthur preached this:

“My sixth point is this: God uses calamity to call people to repentance. I believe this is intended by God to warn people of what is coming when he destroys the earth. I believe it is to call people to repentance.

And then one last point. Time is limited to heed the warning. Time is limited to heed the warning. Jesus tells a story in verse 6. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, came looking for fruit on it and didn’t find it. Said to the vineyard keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I came looking for fruit.” By the way, three years was the limit. That’s how long they let a fig tree go before they cut it down because it would show its fruit by the third year.

“‘I waited three years, I come looking for fruit on the tree, don’t find any. Cut it down. Why does it even use up the ground?’ And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir. For this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer. If it bears fruit next year, fine. If not, cut it down.'”

What does that say? God is patient, but his patience has a limit, right? Give it another year. No fruit, cut it down. The LORD is compassionate, gracious slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness, but he will not always strive with man.

Sinners live on borrowed time. Sinners have a temporary reprieve. What a profound teacher is an earthquake. Life is fragile, there are limits to self-protection, death is inevitable, the world is cursed, temporal disasters are only previews of what is coming, God uses these frightening calamities to call people to repentance, and you better repent because time is limited.

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Further reading

Greatest earthquakes of the bible

Earthquake verses in the bible

Why does God allow natural disasters, i.e. earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis?