Posted in end time, israel, prophecy, united states deny weapons

US-Israel relations deteriorating

Posted on by elizabethprata

From Debka file today:

US ponders denying Israel arms needed for conflict with Iran
Prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu convened his inner cabinet Saturday night, March 12, to discuss the spiraling crisis with Washington and his first response. Debka’s military and Washington sources report: The Obama administration is considering withholding from Israel military items urgently needed in case of a flare-up of hostilities with Iran.

Clinton warns Netanyahu US-Israeli relations at risk
The crisis in US-Israeli relations took a sharp turn for the worse Friday night, March 12, with a phone call from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warning Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu that the relationship was at risk unless Israel toed the administration’s line in renewed talks with the Palestinians, Debka’s exclusive sources report. Instead of ironing out misunderstandings which have marred relations, the visitor struck out on his own as America ‘s would-be Middle East policy overlord. Under the unrelenting pressure of the visit and its mishaps, prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his closest ally, defense minister Ehud Barak, almost came to blows.

If Debkafile’s sources are correct, then the United States can expect the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:3 very soon: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.”

Of this gathering of enemies at Israel’s door, Israel is preparing for a four-front conflict according to Debka: “Our military sources report that the Barak arms list is tailored to a potential four-front offensive against Israel launched by Iran and its allies.” Talk about surrounded.

Prophecy is unrolling at a faster and faster clip. Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? You do NOT want to be left behind. Confess your sins and repent of them (turn away) and seek the Lord as savior and ask His forgiveness. Unbelief has eternal consequences… Time is short.

Posted in end time, god of fortresses, prophecy

To the god of fortresses, words are the bricks in the wall

Posted on by elizabethprata

In Daniel 11:38 there is an interesting portion of the coming prophecy regarding the antichrist: “But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.” In verse 39a we read about fortresses again, “He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god;”

Many, many more knowledgeable and experienced preachers than me, a layman, have had difficulty with interpreting this passage, especially the part referring to ‘a god of fortresses’ and who that god may be. My intent is not to interpret it, because I am not qualified. I do want to simply relate what it made me think of when I read it.

Fortresses we know from the bible are also known as ‘Strongholds’ which “are erected by our wounded souls to protect us and to keep pain and rejection out. When we were brokenhearted, we went into self-protection mode,” writes Carlotta Waldmann. And when we are protecting self, it is easier to sink into self-delusion, or to accept the lie that satan offers. And the first brick in the stronghold is laid.

Now, God’s intent is to draw us to Him, and for us to become so close to Him we are part of His body (after confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness). Satan’s strategy is separation, to separate us from the truth, from Jesus and from the knowledge of our sins. To keep us from being absorbed into the fold and sealed with the Spirit. If you are stuck inside a fortress, you certainly are separated! Indeed, when satan is successful it results in a person eternally separated from God, in hell. That is the war: are you available and free to be drawn to Christ, or are you stuck behind a fortress?

One way satan separates us is through building strongholds (fortresses) in our mind. Paul defines fortresses:

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor 10:3-5 (NIV)

Paul says that those old fortresses of arguments and pretensions and speculations (words, we note) are demolished through words. The Word of Truth. Thoughts held captive. Paul urges we speak boldly: “I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! (verse 1b)

Now, in Daniel, the god of fortresses to whom the antichrist pays homage is constructed through words & thoughts.

“Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures.” Daniel 11:36-38

And: “By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” Daniel 11:32

Daniel isn’t saying that the action to be taken is to take up a sword and slice every godless soul you see. Nor does it mean build churches, fight, or claim territory in some sort of territorial war. It is through words that the action is taken. It is by speaking the truth of Jesus. Paul says that the destruction of fortresses is via words and Daniel tells us that the god of fortresses is constructed through the antichrist’s words. Do you still believe that “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”? They do hurt.

First and foremost they hurt yourself. They allow satan a foothold and every wrong word and every wrong thought is a brick. Another brick in the wall. A cathedral, large as it is, is built brick by brick. So is a fortress in your mind. Every thought not taken captive is one more brick that edges its height inexorably to the top, where your soul, imprisoned, may not fly and your choice to be eternally separated from God is honored.

Christian, are you trapped in a stronghold? Even the tiniest one is the start of something big. Demolish that fortress and serve not the god of fortresses but the One True God, in whom there is no condemnation, but only love. Take a mental sledgehammer and speak firmly to satan, pulling down his speculations and arguments with the simple truth, that he has no authority over you. That you are a child of God, part of Jesus’ body, and guided by the Holy Spirit who is sealed within you. Pray these words, speak these words, say them to others who need to hear them. Fortresses are built with words, the antichrist serves a god of fortresses and speaks smooth words. But they can be demolished with words too. Are you ready to speak them? All Christians are needed now to be ship-shape for the battle.

Posted in end time, prophecy, purple snow, yellow snow

Russia gets purple snow, Bulgaria’s is yellow

Posted on by elizabethprata

Southern Russia overwhelmed with purple snow
The very morning following the widely celebrated Woman’s Day – people in Southern Russia could not believe their eyes when they found purple snow piled on city streets. Scientists confirmed a multi-coloured snowfall– ranging from light purple to brown – had landed in Russia’s Stavropol Region. Having analysed the samples, climatologists ruled that the snow is perfectly safe.

But the experts are baffled as to why, speculating that perhaps it was full of dust from a sandstorm from Africa. Yeah, that’s it. Sand from Africa.

http://rt.com/s/swf/player.swf?file=http://rt.com/v/2010-03-09/552256_snow.flv&image=http://rt.com/s/obj/2010-03-09/snow.jpg&controlbar=over&skin=http://rt.com/s/swf/skin/stylish1.swf&streamer=lighttpd

But wait, another strange snowfall occurred in Bulgaria.

Pale-yellow snow falls in Gotse Delchev
Gotse Delchev. Pale-yellow snow falls in the town of Gotse Delchev, Southern Bulgaria, FOCUS news agency reporter announced. Instead of white the snow that falls in the town is pale-yellow, secretary of Civil Protection service Dimitar Kurtev confirmed the information saying that the most likely reason for that anomalism is that the snow has been mixed with Saharan sand. The town had witnessed such phenomenon 20 years ago when the snow had been ruddy in color.

Oh, wait, maybe it’s NOT Saharan sand! After examination, they found out that the yellow snow “had nothing to do with Africa”. It’s heavy metals making it yellow. Yeah, that’s it. I notice that they are not saying where they think the heavy metals are coming from…

Heavy metals paint snow yellow
In Sofia, authorities previously thought the color came from African sand. Bulgarian media are quoting Romanian meteorologists who rejected claims of their Bulgarian colleagues that the snow turned yellow due to the Saharan sand.  Their research discovered that the reddish powder found in the snow contained copper, iron, zinc, chrome, lead, nickel, arsenic and cadmium – metals usually found in the ground. Ion Paun of Romania’s Center of Meteorology said that their charts showed that the yellow snow “had nothing to do with Africa”.

I wonder what it could have had to do with? Hmmm. We see more of this, “experts baffled.” As God increases His pressure on humanity to repent, His methods become increasingly supernatural and impossible to explain. Yet they will still try to explain it. That is the nature of unbelief. In Matthew 24:5-14 Jesus describes the symptoms of His coming to the disciples. The symptoms begin innocuously enough, with false teachers and rumors of wars. But as Jesus speaks you see the things that will happen become more and more of a hardship upon the world until we get into the Tribulation in Revelation and there is no explanation for what is happening except that it is God. Sun turning to sackcloth? Demon-frogs plaguing the unbelievers? Hail and fire raining down mixed with blood? God, not science.

Unbelief is powerful. Even Jesus in his home town of Nazareth who spoke as a rabbi the most gracious words which astonished the gathered, by the end they hated him and went to throw Him over a cliff! And these were the people He grew up with, spent 30 years living and loving and toiling alongside. His own brothers and sisters did not believe. The gathered knew Jesus better than anyone, and had seen or heard of His amazing miracles. Yet they refused to believe. (Luke 4:22-29)

Unbelief is powerful. But so is belief.  God does exist, and He directly intervenes in the world. He loves each one of us and knows each one of us intimately. He wants us all to come to salvation and not perish. If you are starting to wonder about these things coming on the world you are right to do so. It is a time when people need to take stock of just what they do believe. Your timely examination of your spiritual state could be the difference between eternal life and eternal separation from Our Savior. Think about it. Purple snow? Yellow snow? What kind of a sign would you need in order to believe? How about this one: listen to the heart-yearning for God: “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2). That yearning, that niggle at the back of your mind about the snow or the other things happening is trying to give voice to the thought “Could it be???” Yes, it could. Pray for the light to shine in you and confess your sins. Remember, belief is powerful too.

Posted in cheers, end time, prophecy, where everybody knows your name

Where everybody knows your name

Posted on by elizabethprata

In the 1980s, the Cheers television show dominated the comedic airwaves. It was hilarious and maintained its high-ratings almost throughout its historically long run, 11 years, from 1982 to 1993. Thus, its weekly entry into American living rooms meant that the theme song was destined to become entrenched into the psyche of the viewer for decades afterwards. “Where everybody knows your name” was the theme song and it goes a little something like this –

The lyrics say:
Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn’t you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.

As the song played, I used to admire each attractive painting of each tinted character, and I’d yearn for the bonhomie the show promoted. Yes, I want to be where everybody knows my name. Yes, I want to be in a place where I am recognized, and loved for who I am. Yes, I want to be where they’re always glad I came. Is there such a place? Yes, and it’s not in a bar.

The place where everybody knows your name is heaven. And for each person either the homecoming is either joyful or fearful. There are books kept, and your name is in those books. Your deeds are kept in the books. And He knows your name – and He knows your deeds.

“And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” Revelation 20:12

“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

On the one hand, your homecoming may be brief. They will know your name but if your name is not found written, you will be thrown into torment, receiving your wish to be forever separated from Jesus. On this earth, when the person in authority opens your file, and stares at you, it is a heart-stopping moment. Have you ever been to the principal’s office? And he opens your file? It makes your toes curl. Have you ever been to the doctor’s office? And he opens your file? It makes your stomach drop. Have you ever been to court? And he opens your file? It makes your heart beat. This will be like that but infinitely worse.

“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angel.” Revelation 3:5

On the other hand, if you believe, confess, and repent, when they open the book and find your name in it, Jesus will confess your name to the Father and to the angels. You will be admitted permanent entry into the most glorious place possible…the place where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.

Posted in byzantine art, end time, prophecy

Some art for you

Posted on by elizabethprata

I came across this while looking for art depicting Jesus opening the Lamb’s Book of Life (a visual representation that has been hard to find, surprisingly.) I do not agree with the supporting text from which the art was based, which was an ascetical treatise for monasticism in Eastern Christianity. However, I do think it is a perfect pictorial representation of the growing Christian’s walk toward Jesus and the demonic pitfalls and angelic encouragements along the way. I think in reality the supernatural world that is shielded from us doesn’t look too far different from this…

The Ladder of Divine Ascent or The Ladder of Paradise. A 12th-century icon described by John Climacus. Monastery of St Catherine, Mount Sinai. St John Climacus described the Christian life as a ladder with thirty rungs. The monks are tempted by demons and encouraged by angels, while Christ welcomes them at the summit.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent or The Ladder of Paradise. A 12th-century icon described by John Climacus. Monastery of St Catherine, Mount Sinai. St John Climacus described the Christian life as a ladder with thirty rungs. The monks are tempted by demons and encouraged by angels, while Christ welcomes them at the summit.

Posted in end time, end time. prophecy, sacrifices, temple mount faithful

Temple Mt Groups Ask Police to Allow Passover Sacrifice

Posted on by elizabethprata

The entire article, published in the Israeli newspaper Arutz Sheva Tuesday, follows:

“Jewish organizations that promote the reestablishment of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem wrote a letter to the Jerusalem District police commander Aharon Franco asking him to allow the offering of the Passover lamb sacrifice as is proscribed by the Torah (the Bible) Petitioners stated in their letter that “the Israeli police has the the responsibility to allow the Passover sacrifice as part of its role to allow freedom of worship to anyone on the Temple Mount.”

This request is made every year and every year the answer is always no. Temple Mount Faithful and the recently reconvened (2004) Sanhedrin are likely the organizations making the request, being the most actively concerned with the Temple Mount. Seven weeks ago, the Sanhedrin called for a Passover Sacrifice and called for the world to participate with them. They also announced that they had completed the altar of unhewn stones. This week they announced a first-ever International Temple Mount Awareness day. Jewish focus is definitely shifting to the Temple, Israel, and the right to worship G-d on that spot.

Opinion essays are urging more equitable division of the rights of the religious.  “Let us pray on Mount” is an opinion piece by Yitzchak Reuven slamming discriminatory anti-Jewish policy at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount published two hours ago in YNet News. He is the Director of Multimedia at the international department of The Temple Institute in Jerusalem. He writes that while “Enshrined in Israeli law are two cardinal principles of democracy: freedom of access to places of worship, and the freedom of worship to practitioners of all religions” At the same time, “Non-Muslims are simply not allowed to carry with them a Bible or prayer book and are not allowed to pray. Jews who ascend the Mount, in accordance with Jewish law (first immersing in a ritual bath, and only treading on areas that are permissible according to halacha), are singled out and discriminated against in an abusive, humiliating and derogatory fashion. They are detained at the security booth, their identification cards are inspected (not the case for non-Jews), they are given oral instructions on what they cannot do, (stop in any one spot for more than a few minutes, pray, silently move their lips or sway their bodies. Jews are even warned not to cry, sing or close their eyes).”

Just a few days ago, violence erupted again at Israel’s holiest site. More and more pressure is being applied to the world’s most contested piece of ground, and we know as bible readers that the pressure will only increase until hellish wars occur and then the Jews are allowed to construct the Temple. We also know that the prophetic clock will resume for the Jews and then ALL attention will be on Israel and its worship- first of the antichrist and then of the One True God. The pressure is getting unbearable, no? Bear it we must for the time is not yet.

Let us watch to see if there is spiritual softening in the hearts of those controlling the Temple Mount and allow this sacrifice. We won’t have long to wait for the police’s answer, Passover begins Tuesday, March 30. An answer ‘yes’ will undoubtedly bring violence and anguish, and a ‘no’ will undoubtedly bring violence and anguish. This is because, “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zech 12:3).

O Jerusalem!

Posted in large hadron collider

Coherently and incoherently, the Large Hadron Collider in the news again

Posted on by elizabethprata

I read several items today about the Large Hadron Collider and one made me happy but one made me sad. I have written about the LHC before, here, and here, and here. It is a huge machine that is trying to re-create the Big Bang, which ultimately would confirm tot he scientists that God does not need to exist because the universe started by a chemical explosion. Further, the sub-atomic particle the scientists are trying to find in the aftermath of the re-created Big Bang is called The God Particle. God is likely not amused. At least, He wasn’t when humans did this before, at the Tower of Babel. And He isn’t likely amused now.

One article noted that the Large Hadron Collider will be shut down fr a year or so because of design flaws and other problems that they need “to sort out” as the LHC lead scientist explains here. OK, fine, I was never a huge fan of the underground machine anyway. Recreating a Big Bang, no matter that the machine is under the Alps, the location would offer no protection if anything went wrong, and scientists have admitted that things could go very, very wrong.

LHC to shut down for a year to address design faults
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) must close at the end of 2011 for up to a year to address design issues, according to an LHC director. Dr Steve Myers told BBC News the faults will delay the machine reaching its full potential for two years.

This next article is the one that made me sad. Pay particular attention to the last line in the excerpt-

Woman tries to shut down Large Hadron Collider over apocalypse fears
A German woman has failed in a bid to force her country’s government to halt experiments at the world’s largest atom smasher which she feared would lead to the Earth’s destruction. The country’s highest court said that the woman — whom it didn’t identify — had failed to demonstrate any connection between experiments at the CERN collider outside Geneva and the apocalypse. The Federal Constitutional Court in the western Germany city of Karlsruhe threw out the woman’s appeal because she was “unable to give a coherent account of how her fears would come about.”

What a tragedy! She has a captive audience whose purpose was to listen to her. She had months to prepare for her trial. She appeared with reporters at the ready to copy her words and disseminate them to the wider world. A court reporter sat there ready to transcribe every word and file them in perpetuity for anyone who would care to read it. Yet she was incoherent.

Incoherent

She could have explained about the lesson from the Tower of Babel … she could have talked about God’s superiority and the ways He deals with those who spit in His eye. She could have reminded them about the futility of looking for a Higgs-Boson particle that supposedly holds the Universe together when in John 1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God, all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” And cementing the thought in Colossians 1:17- “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Incoherent

Our one most important job is to witness. “For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:15) “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). We must be a bold witness!

I don’t want to be too hard on the lady. I don’t know her state of mind nor her circumstances. But Christian, it does remind us to be familiar enough with the Word to be able to defend it, and defend your thoughts and feelings about what the newsmakers are doing that are rebellious against God? It is the time to do that! If given an opportunity to speak to secular part of society on these topics, can you say that you rely strongly enough on the Holy Spirit to say what He wants to be said, having ‘hidden the Word in your heart so you may not sin against Him’? (Ps 119:11). It is so important to study the Word so that if the time ever comes upon each one of us, we can say exactly to those assembled what the God-honoring pursuits are, honoring God coherently in the process.

Posted in listening tot he Lord

Listening to the Lord

Posted on by elizabethprata

During this time of the end, many Christians feel an urgency that the Lord is wanting them to do a task of some sort. Many people I know are feeling a calling to do more… to do something. Some of these tasks He calls us to do may be large and some may be small, but He has a Plan for all of us. We who obey heed the call. As I said yesterday, it’s all hands on deck. No back seat pew-warmers allowed.

Sometimes, if you are like me, you focus on the details of the specific task before launching it. At times this is OK but other times the Lord simply wants you to take the plunge first and allow Him to lead the way. You are on a “need to know basis.”

I am embarking on a task that I feel He has called me to begin: writing a book. I have many questions about the process because over the last few years the publishing industry has changed so dramatically. If I had received this call ten years ago I’d simply peck away at my typewriter, bundle the manuscript, find an agent and sell it. Not so now. Personal publishing is now more accessible to the individual than ever before, thanks to blogs and thanks to e-publishing. Indeed, 2010 has been dubbed the “Year of E-publishing.” While some questions do need to be answered prior to launching into the project, others are mere details that would hinder my progress if I linger too long on them. Last night I researched the initial questions for a while, then, tired, I went to bed still with other questions unanswered, wondering which direction to take.

I had a dream from the Lord. I was in a van or a church bus with a n older man I’d seen before, once in real life and once in another dream. I believe he is an angel. We were driving through a poor part of a city and there were many teens and young adults on the street. They were loitering and ambling, some were actually in the street and prevented us from driving until they languidly got out of the way. I noticed the man was not perturbed by this and was patient and loving through it all. As we waited and inched forward on our slow progress, I noticed he had a hardcover book on his dashboard. I picked it up and examined it, and saw that it was an e-published book. Excited, my mind formed with a million questions I was about to ask him. As I opened my mouth and turned to ask the first question, he turned to me first and began speaking.

Smiling, he simply said, “Why, my dear, you simply listen to what the Lord is telling you to do, and then do it.”

I laughed. Suddenly the labyrinth of details I’d constructed melted away. It was a wonderful reminder and I was humbled that He took the time to remind me. He will lead, the answers will come at each stage of your task as He wills. Listen, and do. Christian, are you listening? That is all you need, listen and then do it. Each task is important for the Lord. Each one of us is important to complete our taks. Each one of us is part of His plan. Listen, and do.

It is just that simple.

Posted in end time. prophecy, ice circle, signs, wonders

Signs: are you diligently learning and looking?

Posted on by elizabethprata

Originally in Norwegian, this is a Google-translated article:

“Crop Circles” on the ice in Arna
Friday night as Ole Johan Hansen (77) a mysterious light in the harbor Arna in Bergen. The next morning was a beautiful and inexplicable pattern appeared right there.

“Want was about two feet long, and was not like Noer I’ve seen before. Since the clock was 11 at night and I was not sure if the ice is safe, I tried to look in my binoculars if there was someone there. I could not see anyone, “says Ole Johan Hansen (77). Hansen lives just off the waterfront in Arna harbor. When he got up Saturday morning, he could hardly believe what he saw. During the night has a symmetrical pattern formed on the ice. The pattern arises from about eight holes in the ice. According to Hansen range rings around 50 meters to the northeast, and 300 feet the other direction. Neither Hansen or sambygding John Halvor Sæle (58) have seen the holes that the pattern arises from before Saturday morning.

– The pattern is amazing good. I have never seen the like, said Sæle. Meteorologist Geir Ottar Fagerlid admitted to parish news that he was thinking in the natural path when he saw the pictures, and that pattern is reminiscent of the mysterious phenomenon of “corn circles”. That there should be something inexplicable, sits deep inside. My theory was first and foremost that the rings can be created by hot water, for example, from sewage, which is the ice to melt. But it is hard to say. Beautiful it is in any case, says Fagerlid.

– Created by meteorite? John Halvor Sæle believe the rings can be created by a meteorite. “It was the first thing I thought. I think at least not that the holes are created by people. For that, they are too big and too far from shore. It is totally inexplicable,” says Sæle. Astrophysicist Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard confirms that the pattern of the theory may have been caused by a small meteorite. But this is unlikely, as a meteorite would probably have been observed by many, and been seen as a bright streak in the sky before it ended in Arna.

Can come from high and low tide? “It’s all very fascinating, I’ve never seen before,” says Ødegaard. “But something supernatural I do not think it is. It is likely that the symmetrical pattern become that there were holes in the ice after isfiskere, and it has formed a concentric pattern around when the water rises and falls at the high and low tide. It is not unusual, although they are never as symmetric as this,” says Ødegaard.

Unexplained light? “The light may have come from someone who was out on the ice and fished. But I can not see that there are some tracks in the snow. The second theory is that what I saw was a reflection of street lights across the bay. But now it has become dark again, and I can not see any light reflection,” says Ole Johan Hansen. Astrophysicist Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard has no theory about what it was. “The light can not certainly not have come from a meteorite. A meteorite that still lights up when it hits the ground, has a force of at least 1000 atomic bombs.” says Ødegaard.
————–

I have been considering the extraordinariness of this interview/article since I read it last night. What it boils down to is this:

Fishermen with water expertise can’t explain what they saw. Residents with historical memory can’t explain it. Astrophysicists with knowledge of the skies can’t explain it. Something happened that cannot be explained.

The consequences of man’s over-reliance on science as the answer to everything are coming to the fore now. Man has thought wrongly for too long, that since he can explain things through science and logic, it means he is in control. But in the dim recesses of our global history, who could explain the Red Sea parting? A flood that covers the whole world? A bush that burns yet is not consumed? Frogs coming up out of nowhere and everywhere? Rivers turning to blood? A star that leads three wise men to the exact house where Jesus lay? A man who was dead for three days in the tomb, rising and walking? Who can explain how the pyramids were built? These events are recorded in history, seen by eyewitnesses, and some even are evident to this day, yet they defy scientific explanation.

Among other methods, like the prophets for example, God has also spoken to us through signs. God said He would speak to us in the end days through symptoms and events and signs. He speaks, He punishes, He confirms, He demonstrates through signs. He confirmed the Apostles’ work through signs. In Mark 16:20 it is written, “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” In Hebrews 2:4 it is written, “God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” The Geneva Study bible explains, “This is the true purpose of miracles. Now they are called signs, because they appear as one thing, and represent another: and they are called wonders, because they represent some strange and unaccustomed thing: and powers because they give us a glimpse of God’s mighty power.”

We understand and accept these signs, rely on them even:

Why is that we do not accept these signs:

(AFP/Getty image) Chilean earthquake, building split in half

Wave hitting cruise ship, killing two and injuring many others.

 Fireball frenzy this week in Duluth, MN

Huge solar filament growing, could produce a coronal mass ejection. Those with solar telescopes are advised to monitor, says spaceweather.com.

Why does secular man, and even believers, not understand those signs, especially since He already told us He would send earthquakes and roaring and tossing seas and signs in the sky?

Jesus told us to watch, and it is my opinion one of the reasons to watch is to accumulate context and understanding over the long haul. Many things use another language, sports for example. If you watch a basketball game for the first time, you listen to the announcers who are speaking in English, but there is a second language as a subtext going on that at first you do not understand. You do not understand the signals the players send each other, nor the signs that the ref uses. Learning the language of the game takes time, and understanding grows with each hour you put into it. You also benefit by building up a history and a context. You remember that a certain play had never been used before, or that a certain team usually plays a certain way against another team. You learn the intricacies. If you tune in for the first time late in the game, you don’t know what in the world is going on.

Reading the bible is the same. It speaks to us in plain English, (or whatever your language is), but it also speaks to us in metaphors, parables, poetry, and signs. The more you read, the more you learn. When you see a sign in the world you are more able to relate it to what God has said. You remember the great earthquake that swallowed Korah’s army– the ground splitting open and swallowing all those assembled, their animals and households too. And then the earth closed back up again! You remember how diligently the Wise Men of Persia learned the signs of the sun and moon and stars and listened to what those signs were saying.

Was the ice circle in Arna a sign? Or just methane? Was it part of the cadre of signs and wonders that God said He would send? Or was it simply a one-time natural phenomena? You may not ever be sure, but this is for certain, you will never know if you do not learn the language of the bible and the signifying language that God said He would speak to us in these times. Are you one of these Christians who say that the times of signs is over,  dying out with the Apostles? That there is always a “natural explanation” of the things coming upon the world? You are missing half the language in which our Savior reaches out to us. Take the time (again) to read the 4 gospels, and Timothy, James, Daniel, Revelation…and  the other books in which God performed signs and in which He said more would come. Learn the signs, and then look up! For our Redemption draweth nigh!

Posted in cull, shield and buckler

It’s war, put on your armor

Posted on by elizabethprata

When I was 8 years old I heard the “Onward Christian Soldiers” hymn for the first time. It was at a Wednesday night bible study a friend had brought me to, and immediately I hated the song. Unsaved as I was, I thought the war was about physical, earthly war. I thought as many unsaved people do, that “Religions cause wars,” and that Christianity was the worst instigator of all.

I was wrong. On all counts.

What a difference 40 years makes. I am saved now, and today in church I sang Onward Christain Soldiers. I was struck by the battle language, and the language in the other hymn we sang today, “Stand up Stand up for Jesus.”

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.

We are in a war. All of us. Prior to accepting Jesus as Savior, you are God’s enemy. (Rom 5:10; Col 1:21) The moment you accept Jesus as Savior you become God’s friend but satan’s enemy (1 Pet 5:8). Satan perpetrates wiles and snares and strategies and attacks against you. Paul reminded the church at Ephesus that they “fight not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12)

Our Lord is great, and He equips us for the battle. (For he has already won the war!) He gave His Word, He gave us the privilege of prayer. He gave us the Holy Spirit…and He also gave us battle equipment- the armor of God. Christian, are you wearing it?

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints….” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

He is so gracious to save us then equip us. But wait! There’s more! The Lord is our shield AND buckler. “Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.” (Psalm 35:2) Did you ever wonder what’s the difference between a shield and a buckler, which is essentially another shield? A buckler differs from a regular shield in that the buckler is carried by straps and worn on the arm whereas the shield is held in one hand gripped with your fist. The buckler was a small, maneuverable, hand-held shield for deflecting and punching blows at close range. It’s used in hand-to-hand combat, in close quarters. The shield is larger and is used to protect from arrows, notably, the Romans used shields to create a shield-wall when the enemy combatants were raining down a volley of arrows. However, the shield was often too large and cumbersome in close combat so the buckler was the preferred piece for protection in that case. (Above, fighting with bucklers)

Satan has different methods of assaulting us. The Lord gave us armor to protect us and then if the battle rages too hot, we remember “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:4). In His grace, He provides for us in every kind of battle, in all battles! (Left, shield wall to deflect incoming arrows)

I mentioned yesterday that a dangerous tipping point has been reached in this end time battle. Since 2008 the signs have been coming fast and furious and in all quarters. There have been weird clouds and earthquakes and fireballs and hail and economic crashes and wars and rumors of wars…all the signs Jesus said he would send. One reason for the end times is also for the unsaved to notice the signs and to repent. To understand that it is God speaking to them and to turn from wicked ways and accept the Savior.

 There’s been a shift in the language people use when describing the times. The signs have come so frequently and powerfully that the unbeliever no longer can explain them away. They recognize that strange is the new normal. They connect the signs happening as harbingers of tragedy. Finally, they simply are traumatized by enduring them. A critical mass has been reached when this combination of factors is evident. Some people are  recognizing the signs and events and are attributing them rightly as God speaking to us. They have repented. Most amazingly, this occurred in Haiti as many thousands repented and many more were saved. However the dangerous time for the unsaved is when they recognize the times of the signs but fail to correctly attribute their existence. Is it Mother Nature? Is it Global Warming? It is a tipping point for many, including us, because the battle will only rage more hotly now. Of course satan does not want the unsaved to comprehend the signs as God’s work. He is feverishly tipping them in the wrong direction. Are we going to let him?

We must pray they understand correctly and then repent! Put on your armor, Christian! It does you no good in a heap at the back of the closet. Do you want to be like Barney Fife, fumbling to find the bullet in the heat of battle? Take out the bullet of the Word and be ready- lock and load! The Word is the surest dart! Put on the armor, it is your protection! The Lord is the shield and buckler! Fight for those lost! Fight for those Saints who are weakening!

It’s a critical time, now. All Christians are needed. There can be no more back seat pew dwelling. We are in a war, we are told, and it’s all hands on deck. Even so, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” (Psalm 27:3) The war is won, let’s to the battle!