"Weaponized Weather?"

Can scientists control the weather?

According to a CBS News report, researchers may have found a way to do just that.

Apparently, all ya gotta do is aim a high-energy laser beam into the clouds--and wa-la--rain!

No, really--researchers from the University of Central Florida and the University of Arizona say it's possible.

CBS News reports:

"The existence of condensation, storms and lightning are all due to the presence of large amounts of static electricity in the clouds. A laser beam could activate those large amounts of static electricity and create storms on demand."

Funded by the Department of Defense, the development of this technology could have dangerous implications.

If they can control the weather, how long before they find a way to tax it? Or worse (much, much worse) weaponize it. Or use it to hold other nations hostage? (With a little imagination, we could scare ourselves silly).

Of course, it could also be used for good. Drought-stricken areas could find relief, wildfires could become a thing of the past, or think of it--in the right hands, our water bills could disappear. But don't count on it.

Whether it's healthcare, the Post Office, or the DMV, the government will find a way to mess things up. Realistically, the most likely outcome would be a nightmare scenario if we put the government in control of the weather.

Some things are better left in the hands of God.

CBS News Report on weather and lasers

"God's breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water. He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with His lightning. The clouds turn around and around at His direction. They do whatever He commands throughout the earth. He causes things to happen on earth, either as a punishment or as a sign of His unfailing love" -- Job 37:10-13.

A wise man once said: "The nautical term guidance, which means 'steerings' or 'direction', portrays God as the wise Captain who skillfully charts the course for the clouds, which respond obediently to His hand at the helm. Thus God uses storms both to judge the earth and to bring blessings of rain for His people."
-- J. Carl Laney, Th.D

News:

• MSN: IRS award bonuses to 1,100 employees who owe back taxes; the government says the bonus program doesn't violate federal regulations.
• NBC: Dangerous tornado threat from Texas to Nebraska over weekend; much needed rain will come with the price tag of violent storms.
• DEBKAfile: Israel suspends peace talks due to unity pact with terrorist group Hamas signed by P.A.

"Prophecy Bomb"

"Matthew, Chapter 24 is one of the most significant, prophecy-loaded passages in the entire New Testament," says prophecy teacher Randal Ross.

"It comes during the final week of Jesus' life. He knows that the agony of the cross looms just ahead. And here, while His focus is fixed firmly on eternal matters, His disciples want to party and talk politics," Ross says.

"Jesus is focusing on Calvary, trying to prepare Himself for inevitable death--His earthly destiny--and His disciples just don't get it."

"That's when Jesus drops the prophecy bomb," says Ross.

 "More than cryptically-coded predictions about famines, wars, pestilence, and deceptions, Matthew 24 contains vital information for a pathway of safety through the End Times."

In other words: Matthew 24 is not meant to frighten us. Its purpose is to enlighten us and to prepare us for what will surely come.

 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:42-44).

Whether it's the hour of our death or the resurrection of the saints, we can't know when Jesus is coming for us. But rest assured--He is coming.

So how can we be ready?

Second Corinthians tells us to examine ourselves to be sure we're in the faith. And with good reason.

Many, Jesus said, who believe they are saved are in for a nasty surprise.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

What?! You mean there's more to salvation than just believing Jesus existed?

You bet there is.

We must be living our lives based on a proper relationship to Christ that is ongoing. A decision made in the past that has not radically transformed us will not cut it.

The key?

We must be 'born again'.

"Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). 

The new birth, or regeneration refers to the work of the Holy Spirit. True repentance and the continual process of Christian living is enabled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in growth in character and good works" (Titus 3).

Jesus said the Holy Spirit is like the wind--invisible--though everyone can see evidence of it. Likewise, if the Holy Spirit is really living in us, there will be evidence. So let's continually examine ourselves to be sure we're in the faith since we can't know when He will come for us.

A wise man once said: "True faith in Christ delivers us from the ultimate consequence of our sin--eternal separation from God. It also empowers us to change and live a new life" -- Stephen Arterburn, author.

"And how  can we be sure that we belong to Him? By obeying His commandments. If someone says, 'I belong to God', but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and does not live in truth. But those who obey God's word really do love Him. That is the way to know whether or not we live in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did" (1John 2:3-6).

News:

• CBC News: Obama warns of 'consequences' for Russian actions destabilizing Ukraine.
• USA Today: Jews ordered to register in East Ukraine and provide a list of property they own "or else have their citizenship revoked, face deportation, and see assets confiscated.
• DEBKAfile: Temple mount closed for second day due to Muslim riots; police are evaluating situation.

 

 

 

 

"Blood Moon UPDATE: Revelation 12 Connection?"

Next Tuesday (aka Passover, April 15th) will bring the first of the now infamous string of four blood moons.

You better believe Blood Moon hysteria has reached a fever pitch and doomsday prognosticators are going absolutely nuts.

What exactly is a 'blood moon' and why the hoopla surrounding this particular set of four?

First of all, despite its spooky name, a blood moon is nothing more than an ordinary full moon, that because of the position of the earth, sun, and moon, appears to take on a reddish hue.

In other words, it's just an eclipse. No big deal, right?

Not so fast. Apparently, this unusual phenomenon of four consecutive total lunar eclipses, known as a 'tetrad', falling on Jewish feast days is quite rare. So rare, in fact, that it's only happened seven other times in history, and it won't happen again for about a thousand years. So, it's not the tetrad that is causing all the hype, it's the combination of the tetrad falling on the Jewish Holy Days.

And to make things even more interesting, each of the seven times a tetrad fell on Jewish feast days in the past, it marked a major event in Jewish history.

While there is nothing in scripture that specifically mentions 4 blood moons falling on Jewish feast days, Jesus did say there would be "signs in the sun, moon, and stars" (Luke 21:25).

Genesis 1:14 tells us creation of the sun, moon, and stars was for the division of day and night, and also for signs and seasons. And because only the last eclipse will be visible over Israel, some say it's a sign for the Jews in the Dispersion.

And while we're at it, have you heard the latest about Revelation 12:1-2?

"And a great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth."

On September 23, 2017, there will be an unusual astronomical alignment. The constellation Virgo (the Virgin) will be clothed with the sun (the constellation will be in the sky during the day), the moon will be at her feet, and the constellation Leo will be over her head.

Usually Leo only contains 9 stars, but on 9-23-17 there will be 3 more when Mercury, Venus, and Mars align creating 12 stars over her head.

Jupiter, known as the king of the planets, will move through her 'legs' as if she gave birth to it on that day.

This exact alignment, with all four conditions having been met, will only occur on September 23rd, roughly 70 years (one generation) since the Jews returned to the Land in 1948.

So what (If anything) does all this mean?

Well, many pinpoint Revelation 12:1-2 with the midpoint of the seven year tribulation period. Yeah, so what?

Deduct 3-1/2 years and we're back at the first blood moon. Spooky coincidence or over-hyped nonsense? We'll just have to wait and see.

Total Lunar Eclipse

A wise man once said: ""Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." -- Albert Einstein, The World As I See It

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things, know that it is near--at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."  Matthew 24:32-34

News:

• The New York Times: Israel says it is "deeply disappointed" by Kerry's remarks on Peace Talks; Kerry lays blame on Israel for the crisis, Israel feels it's bent over backwards trying to please him.
• Yahoo News: Supreme Leader says Iran will not be bullied in nuclear talks and would not stop atomic research.
• Reuters: Wall Street back in Meltdown mode as Dow plummets 266 points. 

 

"Can We Expect a Mega-Quake?"

What do Chile, North Korea, New Guinea, New Zealand, China, Japan, Nicaragua, Tajikistan, Argentina and California have in common?

They were all hit with sizable earthquakes this week. Chile hit the jackpot, rocking the Richter scale with a magnitude 8.2.

Are large earthquakes increasing in frequency?

According the the National Academy of Sciences, earthquakes 8.0 magnitude and above have struck at a record rate since 2004.

The usual rate? 1 per year.

Since 2004? One, two, and even four times per year.

Most scientists attribute this to statistical chance. We do not.

The Bible tells us to expect "great earthquakes in various places" (Luke 21:11) in the lead up to the 'beginning of sorrows'.

The Bible also indicates an increase in:

• spiritual deceptions
• natural disasters
• famines
• pestilences
• distress of nations
• and sin

So yes, the frequency of large earthquakes will increase. But the granddaddy of all earthquakes, a massive mega-quake, won't happen until the 7th angel pours out his bowl of judgment during the Great Tribulation.

"...and there was a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth." (Revelation 16:18).

You don't want to be here for that one, people. To ensure you are not, click here...How to Go to Heaven

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly." (Luke 21:34)

A wise man once said: "How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell. There is a deep, wide gulf, a chasm, and that chasm is no place for any man." Johnny Cash

News:

• NBC News: A powerful 7.6 magnitude aftershock struck northern Chile late Wednesday, just a day after an 8.2 magnitude earthquake triggered tsunami alerts and mass evacuations.
• Fox News Channel: Number of deaths in Washington mudslide rises to 30, number of missing drops to 13.
• Reuters: New report suggests as many as 1 in 68 US kids may have autism.