"Mega-Disaster Predicted"

The New Yorker is scaring the daylights out of West Coast readers this week with their terrifying story, "The Really Big One."

The subtitle? "An earthquake will destroy a sizable portion of the coastal Northwest. The question is when."

According to seismologists: "The next full-margin rupture of the Cascadia subduction zone will spell the worst natural disaster in the history of the continent."

While everyone's heard of the San Andreas fault line (capable of a powerful 8.2), few have ever heard of the Cascadia subduction zone.

If San Andreas = the "Big One"
The Cascadia subduction zone = Mega-Quake Plus

Plus what, you ask?

Because of its size and location (700 miles long and off the coast of the Pacific Northwest) and the fact that  it's a subduction fault line  (with one tectonic plate sliding underneath another), an 8.7 - 9.2 mega-quake is possible.

Oh, and the Plus? The "seven-hundred mile liquid wall that will reach the Northwest coast, on average, fifteen minutes after the earthquake begins," says The New Yorker.

"By the time the shaking has ceased and the tsunami has receded, the region (from Northern California to Canada) will be unrecognizable."

So when will all this happen? Seismolegists contend this fault line rips roughly every 240 years (give or take). The last one happened 300 years ago. That puts us 60 years over due.

A wise man once said: "The Bible predicts a wide variety of cosmic and natural events will occur to signal the end times. Great earthquakes are only one of the many 'birthpains' we should expect." -- Andrew Hill, Ph.D

"Then there came flashes of lightening, rumbling peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake." Revelation 16:18

News:

• DEBKAfile: Iran crowned as top regional nuclear-threshold power; win for Obama, fiasco for Netanyahu. Israel calls deal "one of the darkest days in world history."
• CBC News: 4 Marines Killed in Domestic Terror Attack; suspect identified as Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, who was also killed.
• Breitbart: Planned Parenthood official taped discussing sale of aborted baby body parts; Planned Parenthood denies allegations.

"'Messiah's Arrival 'Imminent' Predicts Rabbi"

Apparently, there's a growing excitement in Israel (as well as the global Jewish community) that "Meshiach is at the door."

Torah law expert, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky is the source of all the hoopla.

His advice? "Gather your family and come to Israel..." because the Messiah will be "arriving very soon."

Since last summer, the Rabbi has been spreading this message of 'imminent arrival' and, according to some, it's all he talks about these days.

Yeah...so what?

Rabbi Kanievsky is one of the most respected rabbinic leaders in Orthodox Judaism. He is revered and cherished throughout the Jewish world. His mind is encyclopedic and every week he receives literally hundreds of queries from every corner of the globe on every topic under the sun. He is considered by most in the Jewish ultra-religious world to be a Talmudic phenomenon and this generation's greatest scholar. People globally seek his advice.

In other words, when he speaks, people listen.

But does that make his assertion that "Meschiach is at the door" true?

Certainly not. But current world conditions may.

A wise man once said: "In an effort to satisfy man's age-old curiosity about the future, modern-day prophets are everywhere. But there are authentic prophetic voices that have been overlooked--the ancient seers of Israel, the Hebrew prophets found in the Scripture. To ignore their incredible predictions of man's destiny and the events which are soon to effect this planet will be perhaps the greatest folly of this generation." --Hal Lindsey, author

"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."  Matthew 24: 32-34

News:

• Fox News Channel:  China stock market in meltdown; analysts fear rest of the world could follow. 
•  Yahoo!News: Greece slides to brink of financial collapse with banks shut & economy seizing up. People wait in block-long lines for ATM's, food, gas.
• The Daily Signal: Christian couple fined $135,000 for refusing to cater gay wedding; fine leaves family of 7 bankrupt.

"When Cash Becomes Illegal"

Denmark is considering passing a new law that could be the first step toward a cashless society.

"The Danish Proposal", according to The Telegraph, "sounds innocuous enough on the surface--it would simply allow shops to refuse payments in cash and insist that customers use contactless debit cards or some other means of electronic payment."

The goal? Theoretically, to ease "administrative and financial burdens."

No big deal, right?

Don't tell that to Norwegian academic Trond Andresen. In an article for real-world economics review, Andresen has developed the Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), a concept for going completely cashless worldwide.

Andresen's paper suggests:

• abolishing all physical currencies
• abolishing all "normal" bank accounts
• using only electronic "money"
• allowing for only government-controlled banking

Far-fetched? Not according to Andresen's Modern Monetary Theory:

"In a recession or even depression-like situation--the case in most countries today--the attraction of MMT is obvious: since a government with own-issued currency is not financially constrained, such a crisis can be remedied by running arbitrarily high fiscal deficits as long as needed, i.e. spending extra money into the economy to employ people and buy goods and services. A government issuing its own currency can always employ all the unemployed."

In other words, the sky's the limit.

MMT also allows:

• control over inflation/deflation
• redistribution of wealth
• elimination of tax evasion
• theft and many other crimes
• an end to the "boom & bust" cycles

"In a depressive situation people will gratefully accept this," predicts Andresen.

And he's probably right. His Modern Monetary Theory has gotten the attention of global leaders desperate to solve financial woes that have become epic.

Debt-riddled Greece, Puerto Rico, Italy, (all on the verge of default), are only the tip of the iceberg. Asian, European and U.S. debt are at historic highs.

According to the Financial Stability Board, the entire world financial system is in deep, deep trouble.

And guess what gang? That's exactly what we should expect if we are living in the end-times.

A wise man once said: "We need to take care that we do not become lax in our thinking--God has set a day which will mark the end of this world as we know it. This should prompt us to encourage others to repent and believe in Christ."--Len Woods, Th.M.

"Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know His return is very near, right at the door."  Matthew 24:33

News:

• Newsweek: Healthy 24-Year-Old Granted Right to Die in Belgium; euthanasia increasingly popular among young people citing depression. Only those 12-years or older qualify.
• Fox News Channel: Oklahoma Supreme Court orders 10 Commandments removed from State Capitol.
• CBS News: Feds warn of potential July 4th terror attacks targeting law enforcement. 

"You're Being Recorded!"

"Beware of what you say, what you read, what you write, where you go, and with whom you communicate," advises John W. Whitehead, author of "Battlefield America: The War on the American People."

According to Whitehead, we now have an unofficial fourth branch of government: surveillance.

And you guessed it gang--everything we say, do (or even think) can, and will be used against us.

"Privacy, as we have known it, is dead," proclaims Whitehead.

And that ain't all folks. Apparently, domestic surveillance is a team sport.

"Just about every branch of government--from the Postal Service to the Treasury Department and every agency in-between--now has its own Surveillance Section, authorized to spy on the American people," says Whitehead.

Hyperbole? Or is everything we do, think, and say really being recorded?

The Bible says it is. But by Someone infinitely more important than the government. For example:

Daniel 7:9-14 gives us an amazing behind-the-scenes-sneak-peek of what's in store for the future.

Daniel's vision details a heavenly courtroom in which "...a river of fire was flowing, coming out from before Him. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened."

What books? "The ones that record the names and deeds of those who will be judged," according to the footnote in our Nelson Study Bible.

Oh, and check out Revelation 20:20: "I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books."

Uh oh. What do the footnotes say?

"Books" refers to the record of all works done in this life. Since all have sinned and fall short of God's standard (see Romans 3:23), the opening of these books would certainly lead to eternal sentences in the lake of fire."

What then? Are we all going straight to you-know-where when we die?

Tragically--yes. Romans 3:9 says, "There is none righteous, not even one..."

And Hebrews 10:31 says: "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." So unless God offers us a full pardon, we are doomed. Amazingly, He does! He sent His only Son to die for us (in our place) to secure that pardon. It's our job to receive it and follow hard after Him.

Learn more @ "How to Go to Heaven"

A wise man once said: "Sin results in death, but God gives the gift of eternal life to all who repent and place their trust in Christ." --William W. Comfort, PhD.

News:

• Israel National News.com: Secret Document Reveals U.S. to Give Iran Nuclear Equipment in Return For "Toning Down" Program.
• The Washington Free Beacon: Russia Developing Ultra-High Speed Attack Vehicle Similar to China's.
• Associated Press: U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide in 5-4 ruling.

"Have You Lost Your Confidence?"

Americans seem to be in the middle of a confidence crisis...at least when it comes to major institutions.

Almost all institutions from the presidency to organized religion have poll numbers at all-time lows.

That's right, people, Americans have got their "worry" on.

According to the latest Gallup Poll:

"Americans' confidence in most major U.S. institutions remains below the historical average for each one." (Excluding the military).

Why are we feeling so insecure?

• a major recession/sluggish economic improvement

• partisan gridlock in Washington
• a skeptical view of the mainstream media
• distrust of government

And last, but most importantly:

• loss of our biblical worldview

"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Alexis de Tacqueville was on to something. As this nation drifts further and further away from its biblical mores, it ceases to be good...

At anything.

A wise man once said: "Self-centered indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle." --Billy Graham

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need" --Matthew 6:33.

News:

• CBS-Sacramento: California Water Cuts Leave City Days Away From Running Out of Water; upscale community of Mountain House is one of 114 to receive curtailment notice from the state.
• Yahoo!News: 'Foreign Shocks' could harm U.S. financial stability, warns U.S. Treasury Secretary. Greek debt crisis cited.
• The Guardian: Bank of Greece Warns of 'Uncontrollable Crisis'; panicked Greeks stashing cash at home. 

"The Thought Police"

In her explosive new book, "The Silencing: How the Left is Killing Free Speech", Fox News Contributor Kirsten Powers hits the nail on the head:

"No longer champions of tolerance and free speech, the 'illiberal Left' now viciously attacks and silences anyone with alternative points of view."

In an interview with Christianity Today, Powers said, "...we are in a new McCarthyist era" where the left is policing what it "deems acceptable in ways that stifle freedom of expression, thought, and religious belief." A liberal herself, Powers says, "truth matters little to the illiberal Left, for whom ideology is everything."

And the problem has leaked into the American church. According to Bible teacher John MacArthur, cultural Christianity is sometimes at odds with biblical Christianity.

"There is no collective Christian consensus wielding any significant power in this country today.

"The more that true Christians endeavor to speak and live biblically, the more we are being labeled as extremists, homophobic, and intolerant. Truly, we are aliens. We foresee a day when being a faithful Christian will cost us or our children dearly, and in ways we couldn't have imagined just a few years ago."

In light of recent headlines, court cases, and current events, "our culture is spinning out of control," says MacArthur. "I can't believe how fast the moral slide is happening."

"Cultural Christianity has blurred the clear lines between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of this world.

"Pragmatists in evangelical pulpits have softened the hard demands of the gospel, making discipleship sound easy and grace sound cheap.

"As a result, churches have been filled with religious, superficially moral, self-righteous people who don't understand the gospel and are self-deceived about their true spiritual state."

So is there any good news?

"Certainly," says MacArthur. "We know that God will use even the current hostilities and the climate of impending persecution for good" (see Romans 8:28).

A wise man once said: "Scripture teaches and church history confirms that the Body of Christ is most potent and most effective when it simply speaks and lives the gospel without equivocation or apology." --John MacArthur, Grace to You Ministries

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is  good and pleasing and perfect"--(Romans 12:).

News:

• Fox News Channel: U.S. Defense Official: ISIS Forces in Libya Kidnap 88 Christians; Libya's ongoing instability increasing risk for Christians.
• NBC News: Comedian Jerry Seinfeld rants against "creepy" politically correct culture; refuses to work on college campuses.
• Reuters: Florida high school principal loses job after commenting online in support of Texas police officer for "perceived insensitivity".
• Daily Mail: Nobel scientist forced to resign after joking 'women in labs a distraction'; Feminists outraged.

"Summoning Demons?"

For some teens, a long, hot, boring summer = trouble.

According to The Telegraph: "A strange new game is taking over Twitter, fueled by speculation that its players can connect with a dead Mexican spirit known as 'Charlie'."

Commonly referred to as the Charlie Charlie Challenge, the "game" is sweeping the internet and chances are your kid has heard of it.

This week (according to E! online) it seems the whole thing "might have been a horror movie marketing campaign.

"A new teaser for Warner Bros. upcoming horror film The Gallows was released right in the thick of the Charlie Charlie brouhaha, and it featured a much creepier version of the game with a much more upsetting outcome than just students shrieking and running from the room."

Oh. So all the hoopla is just Warner Bros. promoting a new flick. No worries. Not!

The problem?

Most kids didn't get the memo.

CBN News warns: This "new occultic social media trend has gone viral, challenging kids to attempt to summon a demon. Participants report they are summoning an ancient Mexican demon, seeing items move, and hearing voices."

It appears the genie is out of the bottle.

A wise woman once said: "Marketing tactic or not, it is still opening doors that young kids do NOT know how to close!" -- Liz Gutierrez, post commenter

"A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms."  Ephesians 6:10-12

News:

• Associated Press: FBI behind mysterious surveillance aircraft over U.S. cities; aircraft equipped with hi-tech cameras and tracking devices aimed at cellphones.
• WNEW Channel 5 (Flint, MI): Military Exercises Leave Residents Rattled. "Explosions you'd expect in a war zone" shook homes and nerves.
• KFI Radio: Parts of California mandated to cut water use by 80%; Residents cry "foul".