"Rosh Hashanah & The Rapture of the Church"

 

Rosh Hashanah falls on September 16-17 this year and prophecy buffs all over the planet are watching and waiting.

Why? Because of the seven holidays that make up the ancient festival cycle of Israel, four have already come to pass and been fulfilled. The next one--Rosh Hashanah (aka The Feast of Trumpets)--is expected to be fulfilled in the Rapture of the Church.

Like an outline of history, each feast day is a pattern that shadows a major prophetic event.

The first four, (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentacost), were fulfilled when Jesus came the first time. The next three will be fulfilled during the last seven years of history.

These appointed times (literally 'dress rehearsals') provide a panarama of God's prophetic plan. They are an overview of history that has profound implications for every one of us!

Consider:

• On Passover, Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb of God that takes away the sin of all those who believe and come under His blood for salvation.
• During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the sinless Christ died to give us the "Bread of Life" eternally, as a gift to all who believe.
• On the Feast of First Fruits, Jesus arose from the dead and 50 days later on Pentacost He sent His Spirit as a seal or guarantee of our salvation.

Interestingly, the Greek word for 'guarantee' can also mean 'engagement ring'. So the Church became betrothed to Christ when the Holy Spirit came on Pentacost.

Next up? Rosh Hashanah, known as the Wedding of Messiah. This feast is a picture of a Jewish wedding when the groom surprises his bride and comes for her "like a thief in the night".

Because Rosh Hashanah is the only feast that occurs on the New Moon following exactly 29.5 days after the last one, it means it could come either 29 or 30 days later. So when Jesus said, "No man knows the day or hour of His return", it could have been a reference to the Feast of Rosh Hashanah.

Will it be this year? We don't know, but if it is, the world will go from normal to experiencing the wrath of God in a split second. You don't want to be here for that. If you are not taken up in the Rapture, there is only one reason: you are not saved. You are headed for an eternity separated from all that is good.

The good news? You can still change your trajectory if you are willing. 

Click on:👉👉👉How To Go To Heaven! ☝

If nothing happens on Rosh Hashanah (this year), it's because God is being patient, not wanting anyone to perish, so He's giving more time for people to repent (2 Peter 3:9).

But that day will come (eventually) as unexpectedly as a thief. And with the world circling the drain as it is right now, all of us should be watching and waiting. And let's not forget, He may just come on a random day and surprise us all.

A wise man once said: "God's Word tells us that there will be one generation of believers who will never know death. These believers will be removed from the earth before the Great Tribulation...that's the 'blessed hope' for true believers."  -- Hal Lindsey, author

"But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then, the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment" (2 PETER 3:10).

News:

• Bloomberg: Russia warns of 'Escalation' if U.S. stations nuclear bombs in UK
• Reuters: U.S. says North Korea will 'pay a price' for any weapons supplied to Russia
• ZeroHedge: Russia, China & North Korea To Launch Trilateral War Games

"Heaven: Everything You Wanted To Know (but were afraid to ask)"

Nobody was more surprised than Randy Alcorn when his big book Heaven sold over a million copies.

Apparently, the truth about Heaven is far more appealing than the dull, boring lies most people believe.

"Test this book by Scripture," Alcorn says. "I believe that most of my conclusions, even those that significantly depart from current evangelical thinking, will stand up to biblical scrutiny."

Having read the book, we agree--it is based on what the Bible says and the Bible provides a whole lot more information on Heaven than most realize.

Alcorn contends, "Thinking that Heaven will be boring betrays a heresy--that God is boring. Nonsense! God made our taste buds, adrenaline, the nerve endings that convey pleasure to our brains, our imaginations, and our capacity for happiness and excitement."

The truth?

"God plans to physically restore His entire creation, including us, earth, and animals" (ISAIAH 11:6-7; 65:17,25; ROMANS 8:19-23), declares Alcorn. "God's ultimate plan is not to take us up to live with Him in His place (which happens at death, but is only temporary). His plan is rather to come down after the resurrection to live with us forever in our place, the New Earth. As Jesus is God incarnate (God in a human body), so the New Earth will be Heaven incarnate.

"God's future plan of a renewed physical universe means we will live, eat and drink, laugh and play, rest and work, exercise our gifts as God's image-bearers, and most importantly, be with, worship, and serve King Jesus."

In other words, believing that eternal life consists of endless harp strumming while floating on clouds without real bodies is a strategy of Satan that makes some wonder if maybe Hell might be better.

A wise man once said: "Since the Resurrection awaits God's children, we haven't passed our peak happiness and never will. There's no need for bucket lists, because our new universe adventures will far exceed this life's. We really will live happily ever after. That's not wishful thinking. It's the blood-bought promise of Jesus...the best truly is yet to come." - Randy Alcorn

"Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away...Behold, I make all things new...Write this down, for these words are faithful and true" (REVELATION 21:3-5).

It is important to realize that everybody will have eternal life...the only question? Location, location, location. Hell is your default destination. You must choose to go to Heaven.   👉👉👉"HOW TO GO TO HEAVEN"☝

News:

• ZeroHedge: U.S. Federal Court Rules Pennsylvania School Must Allow The After School Satan Club To Meet In School Facilities; Satanic Temple claims victory
• Express: At least four U.S. Embassy staff shot dead in Nigeria; others wounded
• Yahoo! Finance: Lawmakers work to avoid economic catastrophe as debt ceiling looms; the U.S. could default on its debt if deal fails

 

"You Can Know Your Future"

While intriguing, speculation in regards to Christ's soon return is just that: speculation. Why? Because "no man know the day or the hour." Jesus could return at any moment and warned us to be ready. But let's face it, gang, we could also die at any moment. Jesus' advice is the same--be ready.

In his classic best seller, Erwin W. Lutzer cuts right to the chase and asks:

"Where will you be...one minute after you die?"

Will you be delighted beyond your wildest dreams or forever separated from all that is good?

"Many people spend more time planning for a vacation than preparing for eternity," say Lutzer. "So while relatives and friends plan your funeral, you will be more alive than you have ever been."

The Big Question? Where, exactly will you be? That depends on choices you make now. There are only two alternatives. "Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable," Lutzer explains. "One minute after you die, you will either be elated or terrified--and it will be too late to re-route your travel plans."

Wow...with stakes that high you'd think God would have given us detailed instructions on how to choose correctly. You'd think He would have sent a few messengers to make sure we understood exactly what we need to do to ensure we don't miss the boat on this one.

Guess what, gang--He did. It's that Bible some of us "messengers" are constantly accused of trying to shove down your throat.

Atheist comedian Penn Jellette (of Penn & Teller, magician duo fame) once said,

"I don't respect people who don't proselytize. If you believe that there's a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it's not really worth telling them this because it would be socially awkward...how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

He's got a point, don't you think? If you believe, you tell people.

After all the Bible says,

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 CORINTHIANS 2:9).

Who wants to miss that? And it's not like anyone is asking for a blind leap of faith. The evidence is there for anyone willing to look.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is woven with predictions. In fact, more than 1/4 of the Bible is prophecy. Most of them (roughly 80%) have already been fulfilled with 100% accuracy.

These prophecies are very specific, provable events. God chose prophecy as the vehicle to authenticate the Bible. How better to prove One's existence and power over world events than to tell history in advance? Fulfilled prophecy conveys the unique signature of God, and is a powerful proof to an unbelieving world.

A supernatural book requires a supernatural key to unlock its mysteries. Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and that God will flood you with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. "I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people" (Ephesians 1:18).

Do you want to know where you will be one minute after you die? click here

A wise man once said: "God is prepared to pardon our sins if we repent and turn to Him. He can only forgive us based on the payment for sin in the death of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. What is He saving us from? Eternal separation from Him and everything good. Our greatest decision in life is where we will be in eternity." -- Philip W. Comfort, PhD.

News:

• DEBKAfile: Hamas Co-founder Denies Israel's Right to Exist.
• Christian Post: Islamic Radicals Kill 15 Christians in Ambush Attack Near Mali, West Africa; deadly attacks killed 1,800 last year.
• The Washington Post: UFO Sightings Go From Joke to National Security Nightmare. "We're seeing things on a daily basis," Luis Elizondo, former Pentagon official said.

"What Kind Of A Person Are You?"

According to a recent poll, 81% of American adults believe in heaven, while only 69% believe in hell.

And (according to the poll) almost everyone who believes in heaven expects to go there when they die.

The irony? While belief in heaven has been rapidly rising, belief in God is steadily declining.

However, if you were to look up the definition of heaven this is what you'd find: a place regarded in various religions as the abode of God, divine beings, and saved souls.

No God = No heaven. No wonder the world is messed up.

The truth? "...it is just as the Scriptures say, 'What God has planned for people who love Him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!'" (1 Corinthians 2:4).
In other words, heaven will be beyond human imagination.

According to Got Questions.org:

"It is interesting that a much higher percentage of people believe in the existence of heaven than believe in the existence of hell. According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell is a real place to which the wicked/unbelieving are sent after death. We have all sinned against God (Romans 3:23). The just punishment for that sin is death (Romans 6:23). Since all of our sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4), and since God is an infinite and eternal Being, the punishment for sin--death--must also be infinite and eternal."

Scripture very clearly teaches that an absolutely perfect righteousness is necessary for entry into heaven. Jesus said, "I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 5:20). He then added, "You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (vs.48)-thus setting the standard as high as it can possibly be set. We are all corrupted by our sin-nature and unfit for eternal life in heaven with a Holy God. Justice requires adequate payment for crimes committed. The problem? We're not capable of adequate payment. Only God's perfect blood is non-corrupted and adequate.

The solution? God sent His perfect Son  to shed His non-corrupted blood for us on the cross, as our substitute. Receive the solution, go to heaven. Reject it & you will be required to pay the price yourself.

The choice is yours.

A wise man once said: "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ' Thy will be done'; and those to whom God says in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it." -- C.S. Lewis

"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).

How To Go To Heaven

News:

• Reuters: Pentagon eyes F-35 sales to Greece, Romania and Poland says U.S. official
• FNC: Louis Farrakhan claims he's Jesus in shocking, anti-Semitic speech
• DEBKAfile: Netanyahu: threat of Iran entrenched in Syria "far outweighs" threat of Hamas in Gaza

"Life After Death: Make Your Reservations Now"

"If you ever wondered what happens when we die or if near-death experiences are real, The Afterlife Conference will answer all your questions...and more!" (or so the Original Afterlife Awareness Conference claims).

Yes indeedy, friends and neighbors, according to the Afterlife Conference and their "skilled" facilitators, we too can have all the answers...(and more!).

If "death-midwifery", after-death communication, or new and improved meditation practices are what you're looking for--then look no further--this conference has all that...(and more!).

But are all their wild claims true? Christian website Got Answers.org puts it this way: "The existence of life after death is a universal question. Job speaks for all of us by stating, "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; Like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure...if a man dies, will he live again? (Job 14:1-2, 14). Like Job, all of us have been challenged by this question. Exactly what happens to us after we die? Do we simply cease to exist? Does everyone go to the same place, or do we go to different places?"

"According to the Bible, you have two options to choose from when it comes to deciding where you will spend your life after death," says Greg Laurie, Senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship.

1. Heaven
2. Hell

"Interestingly enough," says Laurie, "while there seems to be an increased belief in a place called hell, most people don't believe they are headed there. Instead, they believe that hell is reserved for only the most hardened of criminals and other "evil" elements of our society."

Not true and Laurie explains why: "God's Word judges people by a different set of criteria. You are not sent to hell for being a bad person any more than you are sent to heaven for being a good person."

Only perfect people can go to heaven and there are no perfect people. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and sin separates us from God. Clearly, people (all people) have a problem.

Adds Laurie, "But God solved our problem by sending His Son to bridge the gap between sinful man and perfect God."

"While God clearly says that those who reject the salvation offered through His Son will spend eternity separated from Him," warns Laurie. "God repeatedly gives each person ample opportunity to choose life--abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven. (2 Peter 3:9).

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him"                            (1 Corinthians 2:9).

A wise man once said: "Although we will all be eventually resurrected, not everyone will go to heaven. A  choice must be made by each person in this life, and this choice will determine one's eternal destination." -- quote taken from Got Questions.org: Is There Life After Death?

find out How To Go To Heaven!

News: 

• BBC: Russian and Syrian warplanes pound southwest after truce talks fail; 600 airstrikes reported overnight
• DEBKAfile: Israeli Chief of Staff inspects Golan for IDF war-readiness for potential flare up.
• Reuters: Fed says economy strong

"Will There Be Tears In Heaven?"

"Although Christians have been justified by faith, Christ will still judge them for the 'deeds done in the body...whether good or bad' (2 Corinthians 5:10). How well or poorly we do here might indeed determine our status in heaven for all eternity," warns Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Th.M, author and Bible scholar.

In his classic book, Your Eternal Reward, Dr. Lutzer asks the questions inquiring minds want to know:

• Does our behavior as Christians matter once we are assured of our salvation?
• Will eternity be the same for those believers who follow Christ faithfully and those who live a carnal life style?

According to Lutzer, "everything we do in this life matters. We all struggle with the concept of negative consequences at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Our sins have been washed away and God cannot judge us for our carnality, selfishness, and wasted lives,we think. Because we are not under condemnation, we feel secure that any loss we suffer cannot be too serious."

Not so fast. Lutzer points out that God sometimes judges His people while they are still alive even though they are forgiven and justified. Ananias and Sapphira were judged by death for their dishonesty (Acts 5:1-11). Carnal believers in Corinth died because of their disrespect for the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 11:30).

"I can't lose my salvation," says Lutzer, "but there is something I can lose--the highest privileges available for all eternity. Let's not live in such a way that we'll be given a rebuke from Christ and have "shame at His Coming" (1 John 2:28)."

In other words, how we live our lives has eternal consequences. Charles Stanley (pastor, radio preacher and author of over 45 books) agrees:

"Will eternity be the same for everybody? Not a chance. Our God is a God of justice as well as grace. His offer of grace is continually extended to even the most vile sinner. But His justice moves Him to keep a careful record of those who remain faithful and those who do not. His grace moved Him to sacrifice His only Son to provide a way for our salvation. But His justice causes Him to take special note of those believers who are willing to sacrifice for His Son."

A wise man once said: "Entrance into heaven is gained by accepting Christ's sacrifice for justification, but a person's rewards in heaven will be determined by what they did for Christ here on earth. There are consequences to a careless Christian life." -- Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, author of The Complete Word Study New Testament (With Parallel Greek)

Jesus said, "...I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." (Revelation 2:23)

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." (Revelation 22:12)

"...there are some who have not soiled their garments with evil deeds. They will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before My Father and His angels that they are Mine. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches." (Revelation 3:4-6)

How To Go To Heaven...click here

News:

• Breitbart: Iranian commander: "Date has been set" for Israel's destruction as tensions continue to mount along Israel's northern border.
• BBC News: 250 priests from 50 countries arrive in Rome for exorcism training; 1/2 million seek relief through exorcism every year in Italy.
• DEBKAfile: Moscow now ready to give Syria S-300 air defense missiles 'to curb further aggression'. 

 

"Why Would A Good God Send Anyone To Hell?"

"If God loves people, why doesn't He just save everyone?" Greg Laurie, Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, gives the answers to life's biggest questions. Why would God send people to hell?

"While the question is good," says Laurie, "it places the blame for peoples' damnation on the wrong person: God."

"God doesn't want anyone to spend eternity in hell. In fact, He earnestly desires that everyone spend all eternity with Him in heaven."

Laurie explains, "Scripture tells us, God does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent" (2 Peter 3:9). "Throughout the Bible we see God's loving and patient invitation for us to come to Him."

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

"Come. Let the thirsty ones come--anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge" (Revelation 22:17). 

"The truth," contends Laurie, "is that there are some things only God can do--such as cleanse us of our sin, forgive us, and justify us. At the same time, there are some things only we can do--such as come to Him, believe in Him, and repent of our sins."

Laurie concludes, "While God does indeed love everyone, He has given us a wonderful but dangerous gift. That gift is called 'free will'. It is the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, God and Satan, and heaven and hell. God will not force His salvation and forgiveness upon our lives. It is our choice to say 'yes' or 'no'.

In other words--people end up in hell because they reject God's offer of forgiveness.

A wise man once said: "The gates of hell are locked from the inside." -- C.S. Lewis, author

"What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus Himself?" (Hebrews 2:3).

If God Is Good...

News:

• The Wall Street Journal: Texas church where gunman killed 26 people last Sunday will not reopen says pastor.
• Channel 10 Israel: Mideast peace proposal coming early next year; Trump has secret plan.
• The Sun: Pope Francis Vows To Save World From Nuclear Disaster As Tensions With N.Korea Mount.

"Age of Deception"

What is the biggest threat to our world today?

If you're thinking nuclear war, pandemics, or natural disasters, we'd say, "close, but no cigar."

Scripture is replete with warnings, but one looms larger than all the rest: deception.

The Bible says Satan is the god of this world and calls him the "father of lies." Spending his time whispering his heresies into the ears of unsuspecting people, Satan loves to deceive, kill, and destroy. Let's face it, gang, there's a war going on, an invisible, cosmic contest for the souls of men.

God wants you in heaven. Satan wants you in hell. It really is as simple as that.

Because Lucifer is an 'angel of light', he's an expert at making good look evil and evil look good. He hates God and God's people and is working overtime to make sure the world does too. A recent Barna Poll shows that 25 % of Americans have a negative view of Christians, up from 12% in 2011.

Really?!?

Actually, we shouldn't be surprised.

Jesus warned us. He said, "When the world hates you, remember it hated Me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you...the people of the world will hate you because you belong to Me, for they don't know God who sent Me. (John 15:18).

1 John 2:11 says: "Anyone who hates a Christian is living and walking in darkness. Such a person is lost, having been blinded by the darkness." In other words, being a Christian will not win you any popularity contests with unbelievers because "the sinful nature is always hostile to God. (Romans 8:7).

To make matters even worse, Satan and his minions have wormed their way into the church! False teachers abound. 2 Peter 2:2 says, "Many will follow their evil teachings and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and His true way will be slandered."

1 Timothy 4:1 says, "Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons. These teachers are hypocrites and liars. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead."
Looks pretty bleak, doesn't it? Just remember this: We have a secret weapon that sends the enemy trembling in fear--the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says, "Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; in stead, rebuke and expose them." (Ephesians 5:11).

This is exactly what we intend to do...stay tuned.

A wise man once said: "We have gone from being a post-Christian nation to being an anti-Christian nation." -- Roger Marsh, radio show host

News:

• Fox News Channel: N. Korea "an urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority," says U.S. senior officials.
• Bloomberg: Putin Warns N. Korea Situation Has "Seriously Deteriorated."
• The Washington Post: N. Korea posts new video showing White House in cross-hairs in simulated U.S. attack.

"One Minute After You Die"

In his classic best seller, Erwin W. Lutzer cuts right to the chase and asks:

"Where will you be...one minute after you die?"

Will you be delighted beyond your wildest dreams or forever separated from all that is good?

"Many people spend more time planning for a vacation than preparing for eternity," say Lutzer. "So while relatives and friends plan your funeral, you will be more alive than you have ever been."

The Big Question? Where, exactly will you be? That depends on choices you make now. There are only two alternatives. "Either way, your future will be irrevocably fixed and eternally unchangeable," Lutzer explains. "One minute after you die, you will either be elated or terrified--and it will be too late to re-route your travel plans."

Wow...with stakes that high you'd think God would have given us detailed instructions on how to choose correctly. You'd think He would have sent a few messengers to make sure we understood exactly what we need to do to ensure we don't miss the boat on this one.

Guess what, gang--He did. It's that Bible some of us "messengers" are constantly trying to shove down your throat.

Atheist comedian Penn Jellette (of Penn & Teller, magician duo fame) once said,

"I don't respect people who don't proselytize. If you believe that there's a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it's not really worth telling them this because it would be socially awkward...how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is woven with predictions. In fact, more than 1/4 of the Bible is prophecy. Most of them (roughly 80%) have already been fulfilled with 100% accuracy.

These prophecies are very specific, provable events. God chose prophecy as the vehicle to authenticate the Bible. How better to prove One's existence and power over world events than to tell history in advance? Fulfilled prophecy conveys the unique signature of God, and is a powerful proof to an unbelieving world.

A supernatural book requires a supernatural key to unlock its mysteries. Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and that God will flood you with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. "I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people" (Ephesians 1:18).

Do you want to know where you will be one minute after you die? click here

A wise man once said: "We must accept God as He is revealed in the Bible, whether He suits our preferences or not." -- Erwin W. Lutzer, author of One Minute After You Die

"I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 1:19,20).

News:

• Forbes: Russia Amasses Troops Near Turkish Border
• Associated Press (source claims): Russia warned Turkey they'll use tactical nuclear weapons if they advance towards Damascus
• The Daily Beast: Experts warn ISIS could launch explosive drone attack over American sporting events, "only a matter of time," director said. 

"Did David Bowie Go To Heaven?"

"Just three days after the release of his final album, Blackstar on his birthday, legendary singer-songwriter David Bowie died," wrote Leonardo Blair of The Christian Post.

And apparently Bowie, "who experimented with Christianity" believed he was going to heaven.

The lyrics of one of his very last songs include the words, "Look up here, I'm in heaven."

We sincerely pray he really is in heaven, because we don't wish the alternative on anybody.

Unfortunately, according to Stardust:The David Bowie Story, he was a follower of Aleister Crowley, once dubbed "the wickedest man in the world" by the British press, and labeled a Satanist because of his title "The Beast" and his prolific occultic publications.

And while Bowie's final album/video is a bizarre collection of occultic symbols we found too disturbing to watch, only God knows what's in a man's heart as he takes his last breath.

Meanwhile, in an article for Focus on the Family, Robert Velarde tackles everybody's least favorite topic: Hell.

• Do Christians really believe in it?
• Why would a loving God send people there?
• Doesn't eternal hell seem like cosmic overkill?

According to Velarde, "Theologically speaking, the doctrine of hell relates to personal eschatology. While eschatology is popularly known in relation to end-times events and various interpretations of the book of Revelation, it also encompasses what may be termed the 'final state' of individual souls."

In other words, every one of us will live forever. The only question: Where?

Velarde contents that Jesus had a lot to say in support of the belief that each person will ultimately spend eternity in either heaven or hell.

"In fact, scholars have determined that Jesus said more about hell than about heaven."

Why? "Rather than being cruel," says Velarde, "Jesus' intention is to offer a way out of such a horrible destiny. But people must be willing to embrace this opportunity."

The key to understanding the doctrine of hell has to do with the nature of God. Simply put:

• God is all-loving, sinless, holy and just.
• Nothing unholy can enter His presence.
• Man is born with an inherent sin-nature.
• Therefore, man must be born again (spiritually) to enter heaven.
• If man (or woman) refuses, he (she) must reside somewhere else (i.e., hell).

So is hell real? "Yes," says Velarde. "But fortunately God has provided the way of salvation for us through Christ."

Velarde warns, "In the end, however, it is up to us to follow or reject His offer."

A famous man once said: "That's the shock: All cliches are true. The years really do speed by. Life really is as short as they tell you it is. And there really is a God." -- David Bowie ( in 2003 interview)

The Bible says there is only One Way into heaven: click here to see what it is.  

"Anyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" (Romans 10:13).

News:

• The Washington Examiner: House Homeland chair warns of terror attacks at Disney, Oscars, Mall of America with killer biological attacks.
• Fox News Channel: Former U.S. Intel Expert, Mike Barrett, warns Americans to stock extra food, water in case of chemical/biological terror attack.
• CNBC: RBC economist cries "Sell Everything" ahead of stock market crash. 

"The Placebo Effect"

One of the most fascinating and least understood phenomena of the human brain is the Placebo Effect.

According to the American Cancer Society, a placebo (pluh-SEE-bo) is a substance or other kind of treatment that looks just like a regular treatment or medicine, but is not. It's actually an inactive "look-alike" treatment or substance.

Author and scientist Dr. Joe Dispenza discusses practical applications of the so-called Placebo Effect and how the "expectation of a particular outcome" can be harnessed. (In other words, we can essentially cure ourselves of maladies simply because we believe we are being cured of them, claims Dispenza in his new book titled--you guessed it--The Placebo Effect.

That's right gang, apparently, we can trick ourselves healthy!

And while the Placebo Effect may come in handy for making our body feel better, it can be deadly when applied to our spirit.

"There is a faith that has the appearance of genuine faith, but does not save," say Bible scholar John MacArthur.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3).

2Corinthians 13:5 says: "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is in you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

Romans 8:9 says: "But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all."

Sometimes religion is like a placebo. It can be an inactive look-alike that actually inoculates us against the transforming power of the Holy Spirit (see 2Timothy 3:5). 


Authentic Christianity is not a religion, but a real and dynamic relationship with the living God.

 If His Spirit is not in you, you've been tricked with an inactive and powerless but spiritually-deadly placebo.

A wise man once said: "A Christian is so much more than someone who simply at one point in time believed the truth. A true believer has an ongoing love for God that holds fast even in trials. Love for God shows itself through obedience to His Word" (1John 2:5-6; 5:1-3). -- John MacArthur, author

"I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" -- (Ezekiel 36:26).

God has promised the priceless gift of eternal life for all those who receive His Son. "Seek Him and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart." How to go to Heaven

News:

• CCSB: Billy Graham Rapid Response Team mobilizes in San Bernardino to minister to terror victims.
• The Washington Post: Christian Liberty University to allow guns in residence halls "along with CCW classes to guard against attacks."
• Washington Examiner: Muslims 'fastest-growing religious group in the world' 100,000 Muslim immigrant granted permanent residency in the U.S. each year. 70% are democrats.

"Is the Church Full of Phonies?"

"Although large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went, Jesus knew that not all who followed Him were genuine disciples," says Sim Kay Tee, author of Can I Really Trust the Bible?

"Jesus taught often of the radical commitment needed if we want to follow Him," cautions Tee.

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me," Jesus said in Luke 9:23.

"Deny yourself?Take up a cross?

Who wants to do that?"

John MacArthur, one of today's foremost Bible teachers, dares to teach the hard facts: "The world is filled with millions of people who think they are headed for heaven--but they are deadly wrong.

"Probably most people think heaven awaits them, but it doesn't. But what is especially sad is that many of those people sit in evangelical churches misinformed," says MacArthur.

Why? Because many churches "adjust the message" fearing the truth will make us uncomfortable.

"It's not my truth," contends MacArthur. "I don't have any saving truth, neither does anyone else but God."  Jesus said, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God" (John 3:3). "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven" (John 3:6).

According to MacArthur (and the Bible): "The true gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment.

"Salvation is giving up your life and embracing His. It is taking in Christ by faith, acknowledging the reality of who He is and what He did."

In other words, we need to understand that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh. He led a perfect, sinless life so He could die an agonizing death to pay the price for our sin. He rose again on the third day in a resurrected body to eternal life. All who receive His substitutionary death and turn away from their sin will also rise to eternal life. Simple, but not easy. Free, but not cheap.

The Gospel message is offensive and exclusive. It offends those who believe they're okay the way they are and it excludes all the offended.

So, is the church full of phonies? A more accurate description is: The modern church is full of unconverted people who don't know the Scripture. And if they don't know the Scriptures, they don't know Christ. They've been taught a watered-down, feel-good, anything-goes gospel. The Bible says "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

And let's face it gang-it's impossible to "do" the word if we don't know the word.

Solution? Read the word of God and just do it!

A wise man once said: "As a Christian, you are called to live like Jesus--a life of courage, joy, passion, and purpose. The same Jesus who walked with such resolve and determination throughout His own earthly life has a distinct and daily purpose for yours. God does not call us to happiness, but to holiness." --John MacArthur

"Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).

How To Go To Heaven...

News:

• USA Today: County Clerk Jailed For Refusing to Issue Marriage Licenses to Same-sex Couples.
• The Jerusalem Post: Donald Trump: Nuclear deal calls for U.S. to defend Iran against Israeli attack; "...we have to fight with Iran against Israel."
• PJ Media: Iran Commander: "We're Getting Prepared to Overthrow Israel"; vows to block inspections.

"A Matter of Life or Death"

"What you believe about life and death matters because it determines your eternal destiny," says J.R. Hudberg of RBC Ministries.

"We don't like to talk about death, yet it comes for us all," he says.

"When our hearts stop beating and our brains shut down and our last breath rasps from our lungs, is that the end?

"Death is not the end," Hudberg contends. "It's a doorway."

And what we believe about Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection determines where that 'doorway' leads: Heaven or Hell said Jesus Christ Himself.

According to literary scholar, C.S. Lewis' famous argument (or "trilemma" as it's become known), Jesus was either a "Lunatic, Liar, or Lord".

Your choice between these three options will have eternal ramifications. Says Lewis, a former atheist:

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him:

"I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.

"That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of Hell."

"You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is the Son of God, or else a madman or worse.

"You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to...

"Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend; and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God," Lewis opined.

So, was Jesus mad, bad, or God?

Your choice in life determines which doorway will open for you at death: Heaven or Hell.

A wise man once said: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." -- C.S. Lewis

"Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me."  John 14:6

"I am the door. Those who come in through Me will be saved." John 10:9

News

• Free Beacon.com: Russian Warships Dock in Iran For War Training
• Reuters: Desperate Venezuelans Facing Food Shortage; Looting on the Rise
• The Guardian: China Devalues Yuan for Third Straight Day--Adding Fears of Currency Wars

 

"The Coming Economic Earthquake?"

There's a new game in Washington, D.C. called "kick the can down the road." The rules? Go from one crisis to another. Wait until the 11th hour to see if the opposition blinks. Agree to a last minute delay. Patch with a temporary band-aid solution and repeat as necessary. After all, no crisis is too big to ignore. The result? A ballooning crisis bubble. Thought you saw the last of the January 1st fiscal cliff?

Nope. It's ba-a-a-a-ack. Only now they're calling it "the sequester." The so-called fiscal cliff "compromise" consisted of a 2-month delay. On March 1st it will rear its ugly head again causing automatic, across-the-board spending cuts to go into effect. President Obama is blaming Republicans, even though the plan was first hatched in the White House as something "so terrible they will never allow it to happen." GOP now says bad spending cuts are better than no spending cuts. "It's a bad idea whose time has come."

Remember the budget? Oh, that's right--they haven't passed one in four years. Instead, Congress has been relying on a series of short-term "continuing resolutions" (CR). The current CR expires March 27, and Congress must pass a new one to avoid a government shutdown. And then there's the debt ceiling (the amount of debt the government must never, ever spend above, or else!)

Originally slated for mid-February, Congress has temporarily raised the debt ceiling until May 19th (when a catastrophic default will result...unless they raise it again). And let's not forget the ever looming Social Security and Medicare tsunami that's relentlessly heading our way. How much longer can D.C. ignore that one? Well, let's see--how far can they kick? The problem with this game is that it can't be won. The road is increasingly bumpy and the cans are turning into time bombs.

Is Congress worried? Nah. They're going on vacation...again.

Okay gang--so what do we do about it? Ideally, we ought to kick them all out of office and start over, but unfortunately that opportunity was lost last November. Instead, many financially savvy experts advise: stop waiting for the government to solve these issues. Prepare your own house. There's a coming economic earthquake that is growing more and more inevitable as each crisis adds more cracks to an already over-stressed system. Any good news regarding the economy must be seen in light of the $16 trillion debt and the seemingly endless money printing.

We'd like to suggest an investment of a different kind: your place in the world to come. (Not sure you're going?click here ). Many of us are so busy living in the here and now, we rarely think about what happens next. Often we fail to realize that the way we live our lives here on earth will have eternal and unchangeable consequences and that our life experience in eternity is being determined by how we invest this life today. Bible prophecy was never intended to merely satisfy our curiosity about future events; it is intended to have a purifying effect on our lives (1 John 1:3).

"Another reason for right living is that you know how late it it; the time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don't live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light. We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior. Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy. But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires" (Romans 13:11-14).  In other words, kicking the can down the road doesn't fly for the Christian.

" Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 4:7a).

A wise man once said: "The curtain of this earthly drama will close, but it will open in eternity. What we encounter there will have been determined to some degree by the life we lived on this earth. Only in this life can we impact the kind of eternity we shall enjoy. For we are becoming today, the person we will be throughout eternity" --author Erwin W. Lutzer

News:

• Fox News Channel: Nearly 50% of Detroit residents failed to pay their taxes worsening the city's fiscal crisis.
• Politico: ICE announced Tuesday that it has released several hundred undocumented immigrants due to funding cuts (sequestration)
• FNC: Potentially deadly invasive Asian ant species gaining foothold in U.S.
• The Telegraph: Moody's downgraded UK credit rating because of "huge debt burden"