Posted in heaven, jesus

Thoughts of the tree of life

Posted on by elizabethprata

Won’t it be great to see the Tree of Life!

In Genesis 3 we sorrowfully read that Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden after they sinned by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were exiled because the Tree of Life was there. If they ate of it whilst in their sinful state they would live forever in their sin. (Genesis 3:22). It actually was an extensive mercy to be exiled and put away from that terrible possibility.

“He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24)

I wonder what that tree looked like? Do you ever wonder that? A tree … of life!

Barnes Notes offers this beautiful thought on the above verse:

“[H]e sets his cherubim to keep the way of the tree of life. This paradise, then, and its tree of life are in safe keeping. They are in reserve for those who will become entitled to them after an intervening period of trial and victory, and they will reappear in all their pristine glory and in all their beautiful adaptedness to the high-born and new-born perfection of man.”

Where is that tree in safekeeping? Heaven. That time will come at the end of all things when Eden will be restored. Revelation 22 has it. The NIV titles the passage “Eden Restored”. The ESV, which is my preferred translation, titles it “River of Life”.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:1-5).

Jesus was hung on a tree, a tree of death. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). (By this he means the cross).

His death led to life, first His in the glorious resurrection, and then ours as God drew men to Himself through the crucified tree…but all flows through the the tree of life which awaits the overcomers.

John MacArthur writes in his sermon “The Victorious Life”,

“But did you know that God transplanted that tree out of the Garden and into heaven? … Now that’s a big tree, if it is on both sides of one river! It has twelve kinds of fruit. Did you ever see a tree like that? Not without a lot of string on it! It yields its fruit every month. Its leaves serve as therapy for the nations. The word “healing” doesn’t refer to the healing of disease; it refers to providing health. We won’t be hungry or thirsty in heaven, but we will eat and drink for pure enjoyment. Revelation 2:7 says, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” That means the overcomer is promised heaven. The first delight for overcomers is the eternal enjoyment of God’s presence in His paradise.”

When your day gets dark or your strife too heavy, think on this promise. Eternal enjoyment of God in His paradise, feet dipping in the river of life, eating one of the fruits, sitting in the Light of heaven under the tree of life.. It will be a glorious tree, because His eternal glory is life itself.

Posted in jesus, spiritual battle, voctory

Saving Private Ryan

Posted on by elizabethprata

We are in a spiritual battle. Is there one who is down? Behind enemy lines? We must go get him!

In the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

The earth is behind enemy lines! But there are some places where the battle is raging more than others. When we see a brethren in trouble, wounded and down, we must be ready to go IN! We are resolute! We must go get him!

As the lyric in the song Stand up for Jesus says, “Let courage rise with danger.”

Sometimes our spiritual battle is within, battling a temptation or a behavior that we must kill! (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5). But sometimes there is a fellow believer who is struggling with a grievous sin and we must gather together and put on the spiritual armor and go get him. “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” (2 Corinthians 3:12)

There is our man! We appeal to the Holy Spirit to save him from the clutches of evil into which he has fallen! Drag him out of there! Lay him at the cross, the hospital of healing for all souls!

Man down! “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death.” (1 John 5:16).
Holy Spirit, we cry out to you for him to be released back to Jesus. Satan get behind us!

Thank you Spirit! We conclude this battle and appeal to You for rest until the next one. You are faithful and sure. We are “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” (Ephesians 5:19)
When the battle comes your way, let courage rise with danger and remember, 
the strife will not be for long.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not, it must not suffer loss.
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.

Posted in AP, islamist, the word

Of Islamists, Illegal Immigrants, words, and The Word

Posted on by elizabethprata

Islamist is now a forbidden word, at least in Associated Press journalism.

The Associated Press Revises Another Politically Charged Term
Stylebook entry for ‘Islamist’ revised two days after ‘illegal immigrant’ dropped
“Following on the heels of the Tuesday decision by The Associated Press to discontinue use of the term “illegal immigrant,” the news agency on Thursday revised its stylebook entry for another politically charged term. The term “Islamist,” the AP clarified in a Thursday afternoon alert to online stylebook subscribers, should not be used as “a synonym for Islamic fighters, militants, extremists or radicals.”

This is being done because the term “carries a negative connotation” according to the article. The term Islamist has been in the AP Stylebook since 2012 but an Islamist group lobbied for the AP to remove it. Apparently they have been successful. This comes on the heels of another linguistic swap. The term ‘illegal immigrant’ was also dropped last week. The article continues by saying, “The AP’s decision to discontinue “illegal immigrant” was part of an ongoing process of “ridding the Stylebook of labels.”

Heavens to Betsy that someone reading the news should feel any discomfort over what they read!

Propaganda and Perception of Reality

Language manipulation is an important part of altering the reality that is presented to citizens through media. Language is the filter through which we connect with the world, think about what we see, know, and understand, and communicate to others.

photo credit: tochis via photopin cc

In the academic paper by Christopher J. Dorsey, The Ethics of Shaping Perceptions of Reality: What Journalists Can Learn From Cartographers and Shamans we read in the abstract,

“Journalism has the unique ability to shape the public’s perception of reality. Because humans are limited in experience and knowledge, an understanding of the world is shaped by what information is available to each individual. As a major societal institution, journalism has a public forum with which to release relevant, timely and useful information that can influence these perceptions. When it comes to building perceptions of reality, there are potential harms that can arise such as enhancing fear, confusion, stress, and building a worldview that can lead to uninformed or destructive decisions. Essentially, a journalist has as much ability to disable as enable, to inhibit as empower, and to befuddle and confuse as inform or educate. …”

The problem comes when an entity decides to alter our collective reality by changing word definitions or dropping words from the public sphere that they deem unacceptable. By what standard may do they do this? Who decides? What about others who who wish to continue using the term? They will soon find it outdated.

On a lighter note, if you listen to George Carlin’s riffs on the absurdity of language changes, and I don’t recommend listening to George Carlin as a rule, he makes some devastatingly insightful comments. (If you do listen to the one I’m referring to below, be advised he uses the word BS four times but there are no other profanities). In his 8-minute commentary on the increasing use of soft language, titled “Euphemistic Language” he reminds us of the changes we older folks already have lived through but may have forgotten. He shows the evolution of the WWI term shell shock into soft, euphemistic language describing the exact same condition in each succeeding generation but diluting the human quality of it:

Wikipedia
  • Shell shock (2 syllables. simple honest direct language, 100 years ago)
  • Battle fatigue (4 syllables, nicer to say, not as abrupt)
  • Operational exhaustion (8 syllables, humanity removed, this sounds like something that would happen to your car)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (still 8 syllables, but a hyphen has been added, the personal pain is buried under jargon)

“It is soft language that takes the life out of life.” Carlin continues with reminding us of other linguistic swaps-

toilet paper = bathroom tissue
sneakers = running shoes
false teeth = dentures
medicine = medication
motel = motor lodge
dump = landfill

It’s a sneaker! Wiki pic.

information = directory assistance
house trailers = mobile homes
used cars = previously owned
riots = civil disorder
zoo = wildlife park
drug addiction = substance abuse
soaps = daytime dramas
prostitutes = sex workers
wife beating = domestic violence
constipation = occasional irregularity

Carlin sagely said, people have been “suckered into believing that if you change the name of the condition somehow it changes the condition.”

Using softening language eventually takes the life out of language and thus out of life. Of the decision to drop the use of the term ‘illegal immigrant’, Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio, told U.S. News he objected to efforts “to soften the crime of entering illegally.”

What is the recommended term instead? “Undocumented”. Sounds nicer, doesn’t it? Softer.

In the classic novel of government revisionism and propaganda as a means to mind control, 1984 by George Orwell, Wikipedia states of the protagonist, “Winston Smith works as a clerk in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to rewrite historical documents so they match the constantly changing current party line. This involves revising newspaper articles and doctoring photographs…The Ministry of Truth is involved with news media, entertainment, the fine arts and educational books. Its purpose is to rewrite history to change the facts to fit Party doctrine for propaganda effect.”

Sounds eerily like the AP’s rulebook changed to drop terms labeling people in a negative way they decide should be a positive, or at least a neutral, doesn’t it? Winston’s job was to create Newspeak. Newspeak is a reduced language with fewer words which are constantly shifting. Undesirable concepts are erased.  Wayne Grytting wrote a book titled, “American Newspeak: The Mangling of Meaning for Power and Profit” which addresses this topic. Its blurb reads, “brings doubletalk up to date for the 21st century. … [T]he book is sure to awaken whole new audiences to the grim but gripping reality of how far our culture has gone in the direction of Orwell’s 1984.”

A common language

Christians have a language contained in our stylebook which will never change. It is the bible. The cross is our focal point, the bible is the word by which we learn about our Commander in Chief and receive our marching orders, and love is the unifying factor as we go forward.

Think of how important it is for secular culture to control words and language, because it controls thought. Attempts to control language are impossible, though. People redefine morals, love, behavior, crime, law, and everything else as it suits.

You may be way ahead of me by now, but here is a certain scripture for us to consider:

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

God speaks. He used pictures and symbols. He used events. He used prophets. But now He uses His son, aka, “THE WORD.”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1)

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)

It is language in the bible, the Word, that transforms us. We are in spiritual battle for souls but the entry point is the mind. Look what Paul says in Romans 12:2-

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The world tries to conform us by altering the reality it is presenting to us via language. The bible’s power through the Word transforms us. It is not a battle of flesh but through the mind. Look how often the mind, or thought, is mentioned:

Philippians 4:8, 1 Peter 1:13, Colossians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Ephesians 4:20-24.

George Carlin was so right when he said that changing the language drains the life out of life. When we see constant changes in words and concepts in not just newspaper and media, but in bible translations, it is a direct spiritual attack going straight to the minds of those who read it.

Carlin also said that they think that by changing the words, they change the condition. Dropping the word ‘homosexuality’ from new bible translations and erasing its concept will not change the sinful condition of those who life that life.

Secular thought cannot transform, only the Word can transform! In one sense, we can pity the people and organizations that vainly try to control and transform through language. It is as vain as every lofty opinion. We are grateful that the Lord spoke to us in the word, and the Word will never pass away. It transforms, enlightens, and grows us in His likeness.

So…read it!

Posted in creation, God, seasons

Creation praise- Seasons a-changing

Posted on by elizabethprata

Look! The fig tree is budding! What can it mean?

Lol, it means the seasons are changing!

The fig tree is in my yard, and it is pretty large. It produces many figs for us each year. I love it.

“For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance.” (Song of Solomon 2:11-13a)

“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, and for days and years.” (Genesis 1:14)

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

“Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.” (Zechariah 10:1)

“For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.” (Psalm 135:5-7)

Posted in faith, grace

Do a mighty work of God!

Posted on by elizabethprata

When we think of a mighty work of God, we often think of the Old Testament. Noah built the equivalent of the Queen Mary! Moses parted the Red Sea! David slew Goliath!

We often think of the New Testament. Peter pointed to Ananias and he dropped dead! Paul exorcised demons from a slave girl! John saw the future!

But did you know that you do mighty works as well? Yes, you do!

If you are raising a child to love the Lord, you are doing a mighty work of God.

If you are suffering in a dread disease with grace, you are doing a mighty work of God.

If you are attending church week in and week out, worshiping in spirit and truth, you are doing a mighty work of God.

If you witness to a stranger, you are doing a mighty work of God.

If you publicly repent of a sin, you are doing a mighty work of God.

The grace of our Risen Lord dwells within us and if we are enjoined in holy living for His sake and on His strength, it is a mighty work of God!

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)

Posted in challies, discernment, jesus, watchblog

Challies, in the crosshairs of discernment bloggers, and whether discernment ministries are any good at all

Posted on by elizabethprata

Pastor, book reviewer and discernment blogger Tim Challies recently wrote an essay titled “In the Crosshairs of the Discernment Bloggers.” His post is causing an uproar. The uproar is for a lot of reasons, but I am not here to write about those. I’m writing about the confusion that has resulted for some people.

In his essay, Mr Challies lumped all discernment bloggers, or “watch bloggers” into one category. The irony that he is a discernment blogger himself wasn’t lost on many. He wrote, “They are the playground bullies of the Internet, shaking their fists and demanding your lunch money; if you give it to them you go hungry, if you don’t give it to them, you get your head shoved in a toilet. Where the Bible calls us to approach conflict with equal parts truth and love, discernment bloggers operate by lies and fear–or half-truths and fear at the very least. It is an intimidating combination if you are the one who may face their wrath.”

Subsequent to his essay, I received a query from someone who said they were not in the habit of reading discernment blogs and supposed that there are all kinds out there, some who do right and some who do wrong. That was a wise statement, but it got me wondering about the new Christian and babes in Christ. What are they to think? Is the entire well of the discernment ministry polluted? I believe Mr Challies did much to discredit the ministry, adding his voice to a growing chorus who either overtly or implicitly (as Mr Challies did) discount the ministry altogether. This is dangerous.

The first problem is that the essay did not name the ministry with which he had issue. This does a disservice to him, the other ministry and to the body in general. As I said a moment ago, it added confusion instead of clarity. No one can go to the other blog and discern whether their words were judgmental or discerning. (Credit: The American Judicature Society).

In the book of Timothy, Paul was not shy about naming the names of the false teachers – he named 8 of them. The NT wasn’t shy about naming the names of the movements that were perpetuating falsity, either, naming two that come to mind: Judaizers, Nicolaitans.

I consider myself a discernment blogger. I was given by grace through the Holy Spirit, the gift of discerning of spirits, prophecy, and teaching, along with faith. Because He has been so abundant giving His gifts to me, there is a responsibility for me to use them for the edification of the body. That is why I blog every day.

In modern times, the body has widened in every day practical life to extend to the global body. Cell phones, blogs, twitter, Facebook, Skype, and many other media have allowed connection to and discussion among believers across the world. This has certainly impacted missions, as it has impacted the kind of ministries now present on earth. Who would have thought of the blessing and benefit ten years ago of The Shepherd’s Conference being live streamed, and being able to watch 3000 men sing hymns to God and listen to astounding preaching at the same time they were receiving it? Or to pray for them while they were receiving it? That is the blessing.

With a widened body connected through media, comes the danger. There are a lot of things to discuss. But there are also conspiracies, mud fights between denominations and individuals, sinful teaching everywhere, and the tendency is to speak on these things carelessly. My personal barometer before blogging is to ask myself two questions, “Does it exalt Jesus?” and “Does it bring clarity or confusion to the situation?”

My e-mailer was right- as with any ministry, people, or organization, there are the good and the bad. I do agree that many watchblogs are gleefully maniacal when it comes to ‘discernment.’ We need discernment to know which discernment blogs to read!

Dr. John MacArthur wrote on the topic of discernment in March 2013, in Pulpit Magazine. (Note that link has gone dead but here is another). The title is “The formula for Biblical Discernment.” I think it applies to what Challies was trying to say

“It is quite true, of course, that exercising real discernment and being merely judgmental are two vastly different things. There are people who seem to take sinful delight in fault-finding, and they do sometimes try to justify their censorious spirit in the name of biblical discernment. But it isn’t terribly hard to distinguish true discernment from mere judgmentalism. Watch out for the full-time critic who constantly reproves and rebukes others but rarely offers any edifying instruction or exhortation when he is the one doing the teaching. Beware the self-styled discernment expert who is always hostile, scornful, or angry toward the subjects of his criticism. There is a place for indignation, sternness, and even sanctified sarcasm, but animosity should not be anyone’s default mode. Also, be especially cautious when you encounter someone who seems to take delight in uncovering others’ sins or constantly publishing shocking exposés. Gossip, guilt by association, mud-slinging, and personal slurs are fleshly weapons. “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). Some who fancy themselves skilled in the art of discernment are merely being fleshly and factious.”

Of course those are very wise words. The lengthy essay continues in describing what discernment is, why we need it, and how to apply it. I encourage one and all to go to the link and read the piece in full.

I liked how this website described the gift of discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10): “Discerning of

Spirits=Revelation Gift. Definitions: Recognizing what is of God verses the world, the flesh, and the devil. Example: Paul recognizing that the girl in Philippi had a spirit of divination.” They go on-

Discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to perceive the source of a spiritual manifestation and determine whether it is of God (Acts 10:30-35), of the devil (Acts 16:16-18), of man (Acts 8:18-23), or of the world. It is not mind reading, psychic phenomena, or the ability to criticize and find fault.

Discerning of spirits must be done by the power of the Holy Spirit; He bears witness with our spirit when something is or is not of God. The gift of discerning of spirits is the supernatural power to detect the realm of the spirits and their activities. It implies the power of spiritual insight – the supernatural revelation of plans and purposes of the enemy and his forces. It is a gift which protects and guards your Christian life.

How to Test a Spirit

You can discern or test whether or not a spirit is of God by the following three ways:
–Observing what a person does. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus explains that false prophets are known by their fruit – by their conduct and actions.
–Observing whether or not a person exalts Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as Lord and Savior (1 Corinthians 12:3).
–By listening to what a person says (I John 4:1-3). Does their confession line up with the truth of God’s Word?

This is not to excuse the Christian to whom the Spirit has not bestowed the specific gift. We are all to display wisdom in our dealings. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says “but test everything; hold fast what is good.” Rely on the Spirit for judicial and correct application of that verse and the others (1 John 4:1, 1 Cor 14:29) which will grow your skill in discernment even if you do not have the gift. However, Christians with the specific gift strive to use it in every area available to them to edify the body (1 Corinthians 14:3-5, 12, 17, 26; Ephesians 4:12). It is not to be carelessly used to gratify the ego, puff up personal pride, or sling mud.

Those with the gift of “discerning of spirits” or discernment do often run into a problem of pride, and/or of entrenched negativity due to the nature of the ministry. I have to watch out for that myself. With the ease of setting up a blog and gaining an audience, these kinds of sites have proliferated. Look at Jeremiah, depressed and petulant with God. Elijah, running away and then demanding fire from heaven instead of a still small voice. One can get pretty angry and negative. It is a tough, tough ministry. (Graphic, Bible Yellow Pages)

I’ve often said that it’s much more nice to be in a helps ministry. You bring cake. Everyone loves you. In a discernment ministry, you point out sin and call people to accountability and repentance. No one likes you. It always involves some sort of conflict. It gets tiring, and when one is tired they don’t guard against negativity. I combat that by praying and looking to Jesus. But someday I may start slipping. I pray good people will point it out to me if I slide toward constant negativity in tone or subject.

I give the Holy Spirit credit in Justin Peters’ case. He has been a discernment preacher for many years and he is still as gracious and gentle as he was when he started. A hard thing to do for the flesh is weak. Thereby we know it is the Spirit who strengthens Mr Peters. This is to the glory of Jesus.

Some people do not fall into negativity over time, but incorrectly use the concept of discernment as an excuse to bully right off the bat.

But worse, others take the “judge not” verse to the other extreme. That is what Challies is intimating in my opinion. It is what MacArthur was addressing, he said in the same article,

“It is tragic that real discernment is considered out of fashion by so many evangelicals, because the church has never been more desperately in need of sober, discerning hearts and distinct, authoritative voices to call the people of God back to the clarity and authority of His Word. … An undiscerning church has no defense against false teaching.”

Liberals unfortunately piggy-back on the proliferation of negative discernment bullies and use them to make the claim that discernment isn’t needed at all. “Judge not!” they say (a stance MacArthur addresses also in his essay.” Those ‘bullies’ are actually doing satan’s job for him because the more people pull back on discernment, the more satan infiltrates, and the more the few discerners out there have to do and point out. It is a downward cycle.

Friends, use discernment when reading discernment blogs, including mine. MacArthur’s words above are

wise. Is the blog a screed of hateful and gleeful finger pointing? Or is the finger pointing to Jesus in hopes that restoration and repentance can arise from the false teaching or bad situation being written about? It is not hard to detect the difference between judgmentalism and discernment, the Spirit is there to lead you. And if you ever want more wisdom, pray to the spirit and He will give it without reproach.

Posted in north korea

Is the US amassing B-1 strategic bombers near North Korea? Respected avionationst thinks so

Posted on by elizabethprata

Voice of America journalist Steve Herman tweeted, “Respected aviation blogger on possible movement of USAF B-1 squadron to Guam amid DPRK tension,” and he linked to this article-

U.S. amassing B-1 strategic bombers near North Korea
It seems like Washington has taken Kim Jong Un threat seriously.

After moving two Langley’s F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to Osan airbase, in South Korea, launching a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber on a round-trip training mission over a South Korean’s gunnery range from the Continental U.S., and deploying THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system to Guam, positioning two guided-missile destroyers in the waters near the Korean peninsula, the Pentagon has decided to strengthen its presence in the region by deploying several B-1 Lancer long range bombers to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

But, for the first time in the last few weeks, the deployment of the “Bones” to the Pacific atoll was not made public (at least, not yet), a fact that could be the sign that the U.S. is not only making symbolic moves (as the above mentioned ones), but it is preparing for the worst scenario: an attack on North Korea.

Of course, there is more at the link.

Posted in israel, naming names of false teachers, north korea, writing on the wall

Naming names, where is USS John McCain? Israel surrounded, writing on the wall ain’t what it used to be.

Posted on by elizabethprata

I found a few things I think are interesting. I hope you do too.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz laments the cultural co-opting of the phrase “the writing on the wall.”
Wordplay: The writing on your (Facebook) wall
Today’s ‘writings’ are not what they used to be. There are ‘texts,’ ‘tweets’ and ‘posts,’ and walls are not what they used to be either.
“The key part of the well-known phrase “the writing was on the wall” − which is, according to most lexicons, an idiom that presages “imminent doom or misfortune” − is the verb “to be,” in the past simple ‏(“was”‏) tense. Only by virtue of that “was,” with hindsight, do mere words inscribed on a partition become validated, and acquire the heavy weight of a warning unheeded.” … “But today “writings” are not what they used to be. There are no “writings” anymore per se: There are “texts,” “tweets” and “posts” in our post-writing post-modern age. And walls are not what they used to be either. A “Wall” was once the original Profile space of Facebook users, something they could cover with their own “posts” and keep unblemished by other people’s ‏(friends’ or foes’‏) words.”

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Making a new life after 20 years of false imprisonment

Frank Carrillo was falsely imprisoned in California and after 20 years released after witnesses admitted they had lied. It took 15 years even to get anyone to listen to him. This 3-minute video is a first-person recounting of his journey and how he feels now. He is not bitter he says. Not angry, either. He only wants to finish his education and live a free life.

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Here is a map I found in Facebook (HT Julie Sommerkamp Pence) showing in visual style the breadth of the hostile territory surrounding Israel. Even the white blob is too big, for Israel is truly tiny. Zechariah 12:3 says that “On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.”

They will not prevail.

God will save all Israel (Romans 11:26.) At the end of the Tribulation God will redeem His nation, not just the individual people. Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 32:38). The LORD said it, it will come to pass.

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Here is a Pentagon release on the status of the ships in the Asian theatre of operations:

“Pentagon official on status of USN destroyers in Pacific: “The guided missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) have arrived at pre-determined positions in the Western Pacific, where they stand poised to respond to any missile threats to our allies or our territory. USS Decatur is finishing a deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility and the hope is to not extend her deployment any further. USS Fitzgerald is forward-deployed to Yokosuka,Japan and is fully-capable of taking over for Decatur.”‘

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Naming false teachers? Don’t be so mean! Except … in one book of the bible, Paul named eight. (2 Timothy). From “Naming Names…Is it Biblical?“
1) Phygellus 1:15
2) Hermogenes 1:15
3) Hymenaeus 2:17
4) Philetus 2:17
5) Jannes 3:8
6) Jambres 3:8
7) Demas 4:10 (apostate)
8) Alexander the coppersmith 4:14

“We see clearly here that fighting the good fight and finishing our course involves and includes marking deceivers. Men of God today are mandated to do the same, yet only by the revelation of the Word of God. Marking people is commanded in the Bible (Rom. 16:17-18). If a public leader is teaching people falsehood, he is to be confronted and exposed. The fruit of truly repenting of teaching something that contradicts God’s Word is that the leader will publicly amend his way and doctrine. Naming names must never be done recklessly or out of a personal vendetta, but only according to the Word and in the Spirit for the glory of God and protection of His beloved people.”

Posted in end time, missile, north korea, peace and security, prophecy, south korea

North Korea Loads 2 Missiles Onto Launchers, tells UK to consider evacuating ambassadors from Pyongyang

Posted on by elizabethprata

Here is the latest from Steve Herman on the Korean peninsula, reporting for Voice of America. VOA material is in the public domain.

Report: North Korea Loads 2 Missiles Onto Mobile Launchers
“South Korea’s military is stepping up preparations for anticipated missile launches by North Korea. Meanwhile, the Cabinet minister in Seoul in charge of North-South relations says it is up to Pyongyang to keep in operation the only joint project of the two Koreas.South Korea has dispatched two of its warships, equipped with advanced missile tracking radar, amid rising concern North Korea could soon conduct provocative missile launches.One ship has been placed off the west coast of the Korean peninsula, the other is monitoring the east coast. South Korea’s semi-official news agency, Yonhap – quoting what is described as a top government official – reports North Korea has now placed a second intermediate-range missile on a mobile launcher. The Ministry of National Defense in Seoul on Thursday confirmed the movement of one missile. The Yonhap report says both missiles have now been hidden in a military facility near the east coast.”

Above, North Koreans attend a rally against the United States and South Korea in Nampo, North Korea, April 3, 2013. Reuters via VOA.

“They want to scare the world well enough so that after the missile test or nuclear test when we decide to convene and pass another round of sanctions against them, another round of condemnation, we would think twice, do we really want to bring the escalation by another notch up or not,” said Mansourov. South Korean officials and independent defense analysts speculate Pyongyang may time missile launches to coincide with an April 15 national holiday. That is when North Korea celebrates “The Day of the Sun” to commemorate the birth of its late founder, Kim Il Sung. At the only joint project involving the two Koreas, the Kaesong industrial complex, operations were suspended Friday, which is a national holiday in North Korea. On the two previous days, the North did not allow any cargo trucks or South Korean citizens to enter. The vehicles and the managers of numerous small factories making household goods were not given permits required to cross the border.”

End VOA Report. There is more at the link. Next, in the UK Telegraph we read,

North Korea tells Britain to consider evacuating Pyongyang embassy 
“We can confirm that the British Embassy in Pyongyang received a communication from the North Korean government this morning,” said a spokesman for the Foreign Office. “It said that the North Korean government would be unable to guarantee the safety of embassies and international organisations in the country in the event of conflict from April 10,” he added.”

In the Telegraph article above, the UK spokesman said that Russia also said it had received the same notice. Though we understand that North Korea blusters annually every spring, this time seems different.  As the official is quoted in the Telegraph article, “Unfortunately, the situation (on the Korean peninsula) is not developing in the way that we would like.”

Amen to that.

The world is certainly paying attention. In separate Voice of America tweets (@W7VOA) today, ‘Australian Prime Min. Gillard tells Pres. Park her nation fully supports efforts to cope with North Korean threats and Australia’s heart is with South Korea’ and ‘The Philippines foreign minister tells reporters his country considering offering U.S. use of military bases there if North Korea attacks.’

I don’t know if this is accurate, being from a lay-person in Florida on Twitter, but it seems so, “Thank you to our troops supporting the United Nations Command (S.Korea). Army: 19,755 Navy: 274 Air Force: 8,815 Marines: 242.”

We have focused our attention on our troops in the Arabian deserts so long that we also need to

remember the troops in the Asian sphere; Hawaii, Japan, Guam, South Korea.

However, if the situation is not moving in the direction the officials would like, is it moving in the direction as Jesus would like? Of course. Jesus said that there would be wars and rumors of wars. (Matthew 24:6). He goes on in the first part of verse 24:7 to say, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (Photo caption, Juche Tower Monument to the philosophy of Juche = self-reliance. Wikipedia).

His dialog in Matthew 24 with the Disciples is a Tribulation discussion. Jesus is speaking to them about what will happen to the Jewish people and the world in the future “Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” (Jeremiah 30:7). There will be wars because in Revelation 6:4 we read that peace will be taken from the earth and to the rider of the war horse “he was given a great sword.”

If the rider is to take peace from the earth, peace must have existed upon it prior. This is the peace and safety spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, that “While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” It is the peace spoken of in Ezekiel 38:8b before the Gog-Magog alliance attacks Israel, “Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them.”

In Barnes Notes, we read of the Revelation verse where peace is taken from the earth by the rider on the red horse,

The characteristics of the period referred to by this are:

(a) that peace and tranquility existed before;
(b) that such peace and tranquility were now taken away, and were succeeded by confusion and bloodshed; and,
(c) that the particular form of that confusion was civil discord, producing mutual slaughter: “that they should kill one another.”
(d) The presentation of a sword: and there was given unto him a great sword. As an emblem of what he was to do, or of the period that was referred to by the opening of the seal.
The sword is an emblem of war, of slaughter, of authority Romans 13:4, and is used here as signifying that that period would be characterized by carnage.

I’m interested in the ‘great sword’. Sword is a symbol of war in the bible. This time it is a great sword. In the Greek great means ‘great, in the widest sense.’ A great war tool that brings great carnage…could it be thermo-nuclear? Very likely. But that is then. What about now?

Wars and rumors of wars are nothing new in the Age of Grace. For the past 2000 years, there have been wars and rumors of wars. However the context of these rumors and threats from North Korea if placed within the context of everything else happening, makes the situation more closely aligned, in my opinion, to the coming prophecies in Matthew and Revelation (And Zechariah 10).

All the officials seem to believe that though North Korea’s bluster is annual, this time is different. And that difference is causing them to make troop deployment and war materiel movements based on their collective assessment of the Korean situation being of a more threatening color than previously. If we look at Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 and 1 Thessalonians 5, for there to be such worldwide peace, perhaps it is brought on by war. Perhaps something occurs first to shake the world into shock and push them over the edge into wanting peace at all or any cost. Perhaps this is that moment.

Perhaps not.

But we still watch, wait, and look up for our Redemption.

After relating that there would be wars and rumors of wars, Jesus went on to say, “See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

How much less should we be alarmed given that we are dwelling in the Age of Grace? Jesus advised the disciples not to be alarmed, and that would be taking place after terrible wars that thrust Israel into the clamor for peace we discussed above, after the rapture, after mystifying cosmic incidents, massive storms… seems pretty alarming! But don’t be alarmed in that context is “Don’t be scared because it is all unfolding exactly as I wish. Have no fear, I am in control.”

We live in a beautiful time. It is a time of Jesus. We read in the bible of the heroes, Moses, Jeremiah, Elijah, David, Daniel, Rahab, Jael…but what of the decades and centuries in between where multitudes of Israelites just lived their lives in regularity an anonymity? There are countless men and women who lived, worshiped the LORD and died, of whom we know nothing. Yet Jesus put us here, now, at a time such as this, when His mightiest works will be shown, prophecies unfold and the rapture occur. We are His ambassadors for that time when we can call people to repentance, share the Gospel, and be His lights in the darkest time as yet.

How great is that? Jesus said how great it is to serve Him:

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:26).

Posted in grace, jesus, prayer, spiritual armor

Put on your armor and cling to the Rock!

Posted on by elizabethprata

Here is some good scripture for you. I hope it motivates and comforts you, as it does me:

“10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”

“16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Look back at the first verse, be strong, this is a command, but do it in HIS might. We know we are not strong, we are weak. Therefore the Spirit helps us in our weakness. (Romans 8:26). The Lord sends ministering angels. (Hebrews 1:14, Hebrews 13:2). He sends armor, as we read above. This support is sent to us because we must never forget we are in a battle. We are not warring against people. The ungodly act the way they do because they cannot help it. The Godly act the way they do because the flesh is weak and we stumble, but we are to love and restore because we stand on the same blood-soaked ground together that Christ died for us. Those are the only classes of people, unsaved and saved. Therefore, we do not war against people. Our battle is spiritual. (Photo- be strong and stand firm, you’re on the Rock! photo credit: Dru! via photopin cc)

In the case of the Spirit, He is in us and we follow His lead. We do nothing except follow. In the case of the angels, we are unaware of how or when they help us, but we trust His word that they do. We do nothing because we don’t know they are there. In the case of the armor, we must do something- put it on and wield it.

Whatever portion or part of the armor you need today, wield it. I am wielding the shield of faith so as to extinguish the darts of the evil one. Barnes Notes explains beautifully why this one is the most important of the suit of armor:

“Faith here is made to occupy a more important place than either of the other Christian graces. It bears, to the whole Christian character, the same relation which the shield does to the other parts of the armor of a soldier. It protects all, and is indispensable to the security of all, as is the case with the shield. The shield was an ingenious device by which blows and arrows might be parried off, and the whole body defended. It could be made to protect the head, or the heart, or thrown behind to meet all attack there. As long as the soldier had his shield, he felt secure; and as long as a Christian has faith, he is safe. It comes to his aid in every attack that is made on him, no matter from what quarter; it is the defense and guardian of every other Christian grace; and it secures the protection which the Christian needs in the whole of the spiritual war.”

Look at the part of the verse which states we are fighting against the “cosmic powers.” Does that make you feel like a superhero? It should, partly! It is Christ in us who overcame and overcomes the cosmic powers, He is THE Superhero. But it is completely amazing that He uses us in the battle! Life on earth is really a long training session in Gladiator School, lol.

When He sends us out as sheep among wolves, He does not leave us alone! (Matthew 10:16). He does not save us just to leave us alone in the middle of the pasture with a pack of wolves out to get us. We are not alone. Oh, the wolves are there, and will try hard to devour the sheep, but those who endure and hold fast will be shown in the end to be the righteous ones. (Matthew 10:26). Meanwhile, we have armor, and help.

The passage above goes on with even more tremendous ammunition- prayer! Verse 18 reminds us of the power of prayer as we do our acts for God. Never feel like you’re ‘bugging God’ with too many petitions. We are told to do so. ‘Make supplication at all times in the Spirit’. Oh, wait, that was another very present help that’s listed in the passage! The Spirit! He is so gracious to send all these helps!

When you have the whole armor on, stand firm. After all, He sent His Son to retrieve us from the clutches of the evil one. He overcame so that we would not be snatched out of His hand. He sends squads of angels. He gives armor. He sent the Spirit to dwell in us. He gave us each other to encourage each other. He encourages prayer, listens, and answers. He sent His word to strengthen us and equip us. Wow!

He sent His grace, which is sufficient. His grace alone is sufficient to win the battle. Yet how much more abundantly does He equip us to withstand these present evil days!

Stand firm. Have faith. Love God and Fear His name. You will be all right 🙂