"Are We Living on Borrowed Time?"

Prophecy teacher Philip Goldman says,

" Every major prophetic passage in the Bible presupposes Israel at the center of the end time map, and the centerpiece of the Last Days. Israel is the hub. All of the other signs are spokes. The end time is the rim. The end time (or 'rim') cannot happen without the signs (or 'spokes'). Yet the signs have no prophetic significance as signs apart from the existence of Israel at the hub."

On May 14, 1948, Israel was resurrected as a nation after 2,500 years. This marked a major paradigm shift as the existence of Israel is a prerequisite for all other end time prophecy fulfillment. (see Ezekiel 37).

In 1967, during the 6-Day War, the Jews recaptured the City of Jerusalem. That is a huge prophetic milestone. Jesus predicted in Luke 21:26b: "Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end."

The Bible tells us Israel will be hated and surrounded by enemies until war breaks out over the dividing of the land. (Even now negotiators, including Pope Francis, are wracking their brains over this very issue. See Joel 3:1-2).

1948 saw more than just the re-creation of the nation of Israel--it also ushered in the age of technology. The computer chip was invented in (you guessed it!) 1948. Many end time prophecies depend on modern technologies and could not  have been fulfilled in earlier times. Daniel 12:4 predicts knowledge will increase right before the end time.

The Bible predicts an alignment of nations in the last days. What do Russia, Iran, and a bunch of Muslim nations have in common with Israel?...a collision course predicted with precision many hundreds of years ago. (See Ezekiel 38).

The Scriptures tell us to expect a time of religious deception and false teaching in the last days, with people defecting from the truth. The result? Society in decay. (See Matthew 24; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).

The apostle Paul said creation is groaning as the earth awaits the coming of Jesus. (See Romans 8:22). And Hosea says the earth suffers under the weight of sin:

"That is why your land is not producing. It is filled with sadness, and all living things are becoming sick and dying. Even the animals, birds, and fish have begun to disappear" (Hosea 4:3).

The Bible says there will be a time of terrible trouble worse than any other time in history. But it also says many people will be delivered:

"Everyone who is found written in the book (the Book of Life)...(Daniel 12:1b).

"For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God, in His mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting Him. It will be revealed on the last day for all to see. So, be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead; even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while" (1 Peter: 4-6).

A wise man once said:

"Our most basic need is not to improve our environment, education or economic status. There is a pardon with your name on it, reserved in heaven. But it will only become valid when you personally admit your need and receive it." -- Hal Lindsey, author

News:

• NBC News: Measles cases in US spike to highest level in 20 years.
• CBN News: UN backs Arab League call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down; cites regime's violations of human rights.
• Drudge Report: Hundreds of undocumented immigrants, flown in from Texas, are released at Greyhound bus stations in Arizona by US Border Patrol.  

 

 

 

"Does the Bible Predict Climate Change?"

If you're concerned about California's record-breaking drought, you should be.

Last month the US Drought Monitor caused a bit of a dust-up with more bad new--the state's drought conditions have not improved at all:

• An unprecedented 95% of California is suffering from at least severe drought, with...
• 23.5% of the state experiencing the worst drought category: exceptional drought and another
• 69% of the state in extreme drought

Last month, some areas of California lost half of their already low snow pack water in a single week due to high temperatures.

And to top it off? NOAA's Climate Prediction Center predicted that the drought in California--and much of the Southwest--will either persist or worsen in the next three months.

One website, Climate Progress, blames it all on us humans and our carbon footprint and predicts even worse problems "if we don't reverse carbon pollution emissions trends ASAP."

"The only bright spot," according to the website, "is that we appear to be headed towards an El Nino, which may suggest wet conditions in California later this year."

Oh...well at least there's a bright spot...

Not so fast, says Climate Progress: "Of course, an El Nino typically means dangerously extreme weather in other parts of the world--especially if it turns out to be a Super El Nino as some forecast. Thanks to our greed and myopia, our children and future generations face an ever-worsening plague of extreme weather events."

CBS News: El Nino could bring more record breaking weather to US

Is it really our greed and myopia in regards to carbon pollution or our sin and God's coming judgment that is causing our climate to change?

"First I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire. This will be their argument: 'Jesus promised to come back, did He? Then where is He? Why, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created.'"

"They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of His command, and He brought the earth up from the water and surrounded it with water. Then He used water to destroy the world with a mighty flood. And God has also commanded that the heavens and earth will be consumed by fire on the day of judgment, when ungodly people will perish...the Lord isn't really being slow about His promise to return as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the Day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief." (2 Peter 3:3-10)

A wise man once said:

" A great deal of knowledge, which is not capable of making a man wise, has a natural tendency to make him vain and arrogant." -- Joseph Addison, English poet

News:

• Weekly Standard: Director of Phoenix VA Hospital where vets died from delays received $8500 bonus in April; bonus rescinded after outcry.
• Reuters: Russia plans to build up to eight nuclear reactors for Iran; affect on nuclear negotiations unclear.
• The Washington Times: Russia tests intercontinental ballistic missile warhead. No additional details were provided by Russia. 

 

 

"Dire Health Warning"

The World Health Organization (aka WHO) released a terrifying report last month on the dangers of antibiotic resistance (known as antimicrobial resistance or AMR).

It didn't seem to make much of a splash. Why?

Probably because it is so frightening none of us wants to think about it. Here's a direct quote from the report overview:

"A post-antibiotic era--in which common infections and minor injuries can kill--far from being an apocalyptic fantasy, is instead a very real possibility for the 21st  century."

(If that didn't scare you, go back and read it again).

This WHO report (a total of 257 pages) details for the very first time the magnitude of the problem. And it isn't pretty.

For instance:

• "Resistance to common bacteria has reached alarming levels in many parts of the world."
• "Few, if any, treatment options remain effective for common infections."
• "The problem is so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine."

According to WHO Assistant Director, Keiji Fukuda:

"The world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which had been treatable for decades can once again kill."

In other words, the over-prescription of antibiotics has enabled the rise of unstoppable super-bugs.

"...and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death and Hades followed with him." Revelation 6:8

"There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and epidemics in many lands..." Luke 21:11

A wise man once said:

"We only fool ourselves if we think we have all the time in the world to get ready. If we continue to put off repentance until tomorrow, one day tomorrow will not come!" --David Stoop, Bible Notes

News:

• Yahoo!news: Half of US experiencing drought according to National Drought Monitor; Most of CA in extreme or exceptional drought. Wheat crop damaged.
• CBC News: Airports across country warn of emerging SARS-like virus or MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) which has a kill rate of one in three.
• Fox News Channel: Massive wildfires plaguing drought-stricken Southern California; no relief in sight

 

 

 

 

"Can The Bible Predict Heart Disease?"

The human heart:

• pumps 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels every day
• beats at a rate of roughly 70-75 times a minute
• creates enough energy to drive a truck 20 miles per day (over a lifetime that's 480,000 miles!)

And though the human heart weighs only about 11 ounces, the Bible tells us it is able to reveal our true condition (Proverbs 27:19).

So, what's the problem?

We all have heart disease. We've been infected with sin. According to Jeremiah 17:9-10:

"The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."

Yikes! If that didn't scare you, read this:

"For the Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done" (Hebrews 4: 12-13).

Want more?

"It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God"  (Hebrews 10:31).

And in case you're thinking He couldn't possibly mean you since you're not that bad, think again. Romans 3:10 says,

"There is none righteous, no, not one."

Sounds rather ominous, doesn't it gang?

You better believe it. But remember this is what God says, these are the testimonies of Scripture. Ignore them, dispute them, discount them, reject them at your own peril.

So, what's the prescription? Nothing short of a heart transplant.

"And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey My laws and do whatever I command" (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

What do we need to do?

"For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

A wise man once said: "The condition for righteousness, that is for being justified, is internal faith. The condition of salvation, meaning deliverance from wrath and from the power of sin, is external confession, which is calling on the Lord for help." -- Bruce K. Waltke, Th.D.

News:

• Associated Press: Putin oversees Russian nuclear forces exercise; relations between Russia and the West have plunged to their lowest point since the Cold War over Ukraine
• Fox News Channel: EPA employee keeps job, receives bonus despite watching up to six hours a day of porn at work
• CNSnews.com: Harvard will host 'Reenactment' of Satanic mass; Black mass scheduled to occur in Memorial Hall at Harvard Univ. on May 12.

 

 

 

 

"Apostasy Rising"

Two billion people on the face of the earth identify themselves as Christians.

But let's face it gang, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that not everyone who claims to know Jesus really does.

For instance, how many "Christians" do you know who rarely:

• read the Bible
• attend church
• fellowship with other believers

While engaging in these activities will not save people, saved people engage in these activities.

Why?

• Jesus is the Word made flesh. If we don't know the Word (Scripture), we can't really know Jesus.
• We are not to forsake the gathering together (or going to church)--Hebrews 10:37. We are God's family. His desire is for a close-knit church family that gathers together regularly.
• We fellowship with other believers for the same reason. (Birds of a feather flock together. If we have no Christian friends maybe we're not part of the flock!).

Just before Christ returns for His Bride (the people who love Him), we are told to expect a mass apostasy, or falling away from the faith.

"And now, brothers and sisters, let us tell you about the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered together to meet Him (2 Thes. 2:1).

"For that Day will not come until there is a great rebellion (or falling away) against God...(2 Thes. 2:3).

Rebellion against God is rampant today. The church is full of false teaching and counterfeit believers.

Jesus said He would allow the wheat (genuine believers) and the tares (counterfeit believers) to grow together until the harvest (or judgment)(Matthew 13:30).

How do we recognize counterfeit teaching? The same way a bank teller recognizes a counterfeit bill: By being so familiar with the Truth that a counterfeit stands out like a sore thumb.

That requires study, people.

"Study (not just read the Scriptures) to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that has nothing to be ashamed of, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

A wise man once said: "The imagery and symbolism of marriage is applied to Christ and the body of faithful believers who love and obey Him. As followers of Jesus Christ, we who are the bride of Christ wait eagerly or with 'outstretched necks' for His return. If this does not describe you...repent and return to your first love" (Revelation 2:5).--Anonymous

News:

• Yahoo! News: Magma rising in Washington State's Mount St. Helen's volcano says the USGS; not likely to erupt
• Associated Press: "Russia now an adversary," says NATO official. "Clearly the Russians have declared NATO an adversary."
• DEBKAfile: Western sanction send Russia into recession