"Does the Bible Predict End Time Beheading of Christians?"

We've all heard the reports coming out of Iraq: Islamic terrorist group ISIS, engaged in the wholesale slaughter of Christians, are also beheading the children of Christians.

Hard to believe? Yes. So hard, in fact, that some have chocked it up to urban legend.

Yet the evidence is mounting as gruesome pictures and videos surface.

Horrific? Yes. Unexpected? No.

In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John was instructed to write down the things that must come to pass in the Last Days.

After 19 chapters detailing end time events, John writes: " Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God" (Revelation 20:4).

Beheaded. And while the martyrs of Revelation take place during the Great Tribulation period, current events lend credence to the literal interpretation of Scripture.

The Bible warns us to expect increasing persecution as the Day draws near. The Middle East is already brimming over with it.

"A Christian holocaust is in our midst," says Mark Arabo, a Chaldean-American spokesperson trying to raise awareness of Christian persecution. "A Christian genocide is being conducted by ISIS", and they "are absolutely killing every Christian they see. "ISIS Beheading Children" report. (No graphic images)

Let's not assume the West will be exempt.

"Remember the word I said to you...If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...because they do not know Him who sent Me" (John 15:21).

A wise man once said: "As I read the news, I can't help but wonder if we're in the last hours."  --Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to Me" (Matthew 24:9).

News:

• MSN: ISIS militants advance despite Syria air strikes. The US pounded the region Wednesday.
• CNN: Pentagon says new air strikes target refineries used by ISIS in Syria in attempt to cut off money supply.
• Europe News: Russian air incursion rattle Baltic states which fears it is next after Ukraine on Moscow's agenda.

"Prophecy Signs Converging?"

According to Martin Armstrong, a secular economics expert, international unrest is the worst it has been in 300 years. Martin Armstrong on USAWatchdog.com

"This is not just Ukraine, Russia and the US. You have the Middle East going crazy. Gaza is starting up again with Israel. You go over to Asia and you have civil unrest in Thailand, and the overwhelming part of the population in China wants to go to war with Japan as payback."

Armstrong believes the global unrest is a byproduct of the global economic downturn. "Both of these cycles are converging at the same time," he says.

Eric Barger of  Take A Stand! Ministries also sees a convergence taking place. "A convergence of multiple prophetic signs."   Barger in a message @ CCOD lists 10 reasons why Jesus is coming soon:

1. Widespread deception (spiritual, political, business, etc. Matthew 24:4) and apostasy in the church with false teachers (1Thess. 2:3-4, 1Tim. 4:1-2)
2. Worldwide unrest (Luke 21:10)
3. Changing weather patterns (Luke 21:25-26)
4. Persecution of Christians, with an estimated 146,000 martyred this year alone (and that's before ISIS!) (Mark 13:9)
5. Advancing evil (abortion, homosexuality, and unbridled lust which has become "normal" in our society (2Tim. 3:1-9)
6. Lawlessness (2Thess. 2:7)
7. Signs and lying wonders (with an explosion of the occult becoming mainstream (2Thess. 2:9)
8. Increase in knowledge (especially in regards to understanding of Bible prophecy (Daniel 12)
9. Apathy--people and most of the church are willfully ignorant when it comes to Bible prophecy. Don't know, don't care. (Matthew 24:38)
10. Increase in scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-8) Those who mock the coming of Christ.

The sheer volume of all these events happening all at once in the generation that witnessed the rebirth of Israel in 1948 (which in itself is a super-sign) is a warning that we need to be ready.

"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing what is right" (Titus 2:11-14).

A wise man once said: "The proper response to God's grace is right conduct." -- Steve Arterburn, author

News:

• Reuters: US pledges 3,000 troops to fight West Africa's Ebola crisis; health experts say 'not enough to contain epidemic.'
• FNC: US Congress approves arming Syrian rebels to battle ISIS; despite rebel group's pledge of allegiance to al-Qaeda.
• USA Today: 13 years after 9/11, terror threat undiminished. ISIS now as big a threat as al-Qaeda ever was

"Mystery Virus Plagues Thousands"

According to The Washington Times, "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is unprepared to protect its own workforce should a major infectious disease hit US shores."

If alarm bells aren't clanging in your head--you're not paying attention.

Imagine, if you will...hundreds, no thousands of undocumented (and unvaccinated!) children pouring over US borders and into American classrooms.

Far-fetched, you say? Not at all. That is precisely what is happening all over the country as we struggle to assimilate nearly 100K South American children.

If DHS officials haven't even planned adequately to provide "antiviral drugs to maintain critical operations during a pandemic" for themselves, what do you suppose the odds are they've planned for us?

And if you think our children will be protected, think again.

Undocumented kids from who-knows-where have overwhelmed our southern border all summer. This fall they have flooded our schools, bringing significant health concerns with them.

Medical experts warn if unvaccinated students are allowed into our schools, "how long before a century of medical advances are erased?"

Colorado admitted over 900 children into intensive care units last week, all believed to be infected with a rare respiratory virus call Enterovirus 68. Symptoms include: mouth blisters, fever, flu-like cough, chills.
At least 12 other states are reporting similar spikes.

Rare Respiratory Illness Sends Hundreds of Children to Hospital

Legal immigrants are required to have medical screening to ensure they don't have anything contagious before entering the US.

Illegal immigrants are not.

A wise man once said: "One of the critical issues that we have to confront is illegal immigration. This multi-headed Hydra* affects our economy, our health care, our education systems, our national security, and also our local criminality." -- Allen West  former US Congressman from Florida
     *mythical many-headed, serpent-like monster

"A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." --  Proverbs 37:12

News:

• boston.com: Lynn, Massachusetts tests 830 patients for TB to determine if they were exposed to tuberculosis.
• CNN: Epidemic of Enterovirus hospitalizations might be "just the tip of iceberg," says CDC. "We don't have all the answers yet."
• The Telegraph: "Ebola is terrifying--and proves how unprepared we are for epidemics," says expert in tropical medicine, Dr. Alexander van Tulleken. "Death toll a warning."

"Amazing Jubilee Prophecy: Is It True?"

Prophecy buffs--revvvv your engines! There's a new (well, not that new) end time date being set--and this one may actually have a track record.

It all began back in 1217 when the Jewish Rabbi Judah ben Samuel was given what is known as the "10 Jubilee Prophecy"

The Rabbi claimed there would be 10 Jubilees before the Messianic end time would begin.

The starting point? When the Ottoman Turks began to rule over Jerusalem, which would last for 8 Jubilees (400 years).

A Jubilee is a 49-year period ending in the 50th year which is a Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-13).

Three hundred years after the Rabbi's death, the Ottoman Turks seized control over Jerusalem for--you guessed it--8 Jubilees, or 400 years! That happened in 1517, a Jubilee year.

The Turks eventually lost control of the city when the Allied forces, under the command of General George Allenby, drove them out on Hanukkah.

Guess what year? 1917. Exactly 400 years or 8 Jubilees later.

Next the Rabbi prophesied that during the 9th Jubilee (or the next 50 years) Jerusalem would be a "no-man's land" until the next Jubilee 50 years later when it would go back to the Jews.

It happened just as he said.

From 1917-1967, the Holy City literally belonged to no one. It was placed under British Mandate in 1917 by the League of Nations.

By 1948, the Jews were back in the land, but Jerusalem was divided by a strip of land running right through the heart of the city. Jordan controlled the eastern part and Israel controlled the western part of the city.

The strip in the middle? It was dubbed "No Man's Land" by both the Israelis and Jordanians.

In 1967 during the Six Day War, Israel regained possession of the entire city. Once again exactly as prophesied by Rabbi ben Samuel 750 years earlier.

But the Rabbi wasn't done.

He also said that Jerusalem would remain under Jewish control for the 10th Jubilee (a period of 50 years) and the "Messianic end time" would begin.

1967 + 50 = 2017

So, is this true? When it comes to extra-biblical prophecy always  proceed with caution. While this prophecy may seem to be well-documented (just Google it) and is interesting, that doesn't necessarily mean it's from God or that we should expect anything to happen in 2017. Any extra-biblical prophecy should be viewed with skepticism and weighed against Scripture.

In other words: We report, you decide.

"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:19-21



A Jewish Rabbi once said: "When the Ottomans conquer Jerusalem they will rule over Jerusalem for 8 Jubilees. Afterwards Jerusalem will be a no-man's land for one Jubilee, and then in the ninth Jubilee it will once again come back into the possession of the Jewish nation which would signify the beginning of the Messianic end time." -- Rabbi Judah ben Samuel

News:

• CBS News: CDC Director: Ebola Outbreak 'Is spiraling out of control' and it's going to get worse. 'Window closing to tamp it down'. WHO: 3,500 known infected.
• Washington Examiner: New ISIS threat: America's electric grid; "Inadequate grid security, porous border, fragile system make grid a target.
• Popular Science: Mysterious phony cell towers could be intercepting your calls; three found in California.

"Is ISIS in America?"

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has growing fears ISIS is determined to strike in America. He's calling it an "imminent threat."

And while the White House says there is no evidence of an active plot at this time, Hagel insists, ISIL (or ISIS) poses a threat greater than 9/11."

Hagel warns:

"ISIL is as sophisticated and well-funded as any group we have seen. They're beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology with a sophisticated strategic and tactical military prowess and they're tremendously well-funded. This is way beyond anything we have seen. We must prepare for everything and get ready."

According to Governor Rick Perry of Texas, ISIS terrorists may already be in the country. Gov. Perry contends the terrorists' own ambitions will drive them to attack the United States directly. His biggest concern? Our lack of border security.

"And", Perry said, "I think it is a very real possibility that they may have already used that entry point."

A report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that only 32 miles of the 4,000 mile border "had reached an acceptable level of security."

And, according to the report, the northern border poses an even higher risk to public safety than the US-Mexico border.

Canada, with its large population centers lining the border, now has more Islamist extremist groups than Mexico does.

And let's not forget Hamas' favorite trick into Israel: Tunnels.

"How Tunnels Along US/Mexican Border Are Built"

Senator Jeff Sessions (R. Ala.) calls plans to provide administrative amnesty to 5 million in the US illegally " a security nightmare." He fears the policy could make it easier for terrorists to carry out an attack on the US.

Senate Armed Services Committee Member, Jim Inhofe said, "Sunni militants are working on the capability to wipe out a city inside the United States. ISIS has long threatened to carry out a catastrophic attack on American soil, boasting that they would fly its flag over the White House."

The senator went on to say, "ISIS members are rapidly developing a method of blowing up a major US city and people just can't believe that's happening."

Maybe it's time we believe...

"This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Romans 13:11

A wise man once said: "Remain vigilant, always be prepared, and expect the unexpected. We are living in unparalleled times and the threat against Americans is the worst it's ever been." --Strategic intelligence analyst, Skip DeBusk

News:

• The Washington Post: ISIS militants storm Syrian airbase, seize cache of shoulder-to-air missiles similar to the one used to bring down jet airliner in Ukraine.
• Fox News Channel: al Qaeda magazine hints of looming attack; urges bombing of Las Vegas, Times Square and California; implies an attack is imminent.
• Crisis Relief International (CRI) urgent prayer request: "We lost the city of Queragosh, Iraq. It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food to. ISIS is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working." Please pray. 

"Bible Prophecy & The Militarization of Police"

Alarm bells have been going off for a while now warning against the militarization of US police.

This week the American public finally woke up and was outraged by the sight of armored vehicles rolling down the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, while swarms of camo-clad commando-like cops armed to the teeth followed.

The New York Times called Ferguson a "virtual war zone. The police response has shocked America. The escalating tension in this town of 21,000 people between a largely white police department and a majority African-American community is a central part of this crisis, but the militarization of the police is a dimension of the story that has national implications," the paper said.

And The New York Times is right.

The Pentagon is arming local law enforcement agencies with surplus military-grade weapons including:

• grenade launchers
• armored vehicles
• automatic rifles
• military-style helicopters
• bayonets and scabbards (bayonets?!?)

Over kill? Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on what side of the Molotov cocktail you're on (and what you see coming down the pike. Remember, the Bible predicts a time of coming chaos).

The real problem is, of course, human nature. Humans will always be tempted to abuse power. Give them overwhelming power and the temptation to abuse it will be overwhelming.

How Ferguson Made Conservatives Lose Faith in the Police

A wise women once said: "What I fear most is power with impunity. I fear abuse of power and the power to abuse." --Isabel Allende, Chilean journalist

"The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out looters. Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine. Joy has reached its lowest ebb. Gladness has been banished from the land. The city is left in ruins, with its gates battered down. Throughout the earth the story is the same..." (Isaiah 24:10-13 NLT)

News:

• Reuters: Islamic State threat "beyond anything we've seen"; poses a major threat to US says Pentagon.
• The Los Angeles Times: Study finds 63 trillion gallons of groundwater lost in CA drought; farmers warn of higher food costs.
• ABC News: National Guard ordered out of Ferguson 

"Bible Prophecy & Prophetic Labor Pains"

President Obama believes "we can look out on the horizon and feel optimistic because human trend lines are getting progressively better and better."

"We've substantially improved the global tranquility", claims his new press secretary.

Really? Former Secretary of State, under President Clinton, Madeline Albright says "the world is a mess" and current Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel agrees. "The world is exploding all over," he remarked Tuesday.

Current events seem to prove their point. Consider:

• Northern Iraq and Syria, overrun by ISIS, has seen the slaughter of thousands (including the beheading of children, crucifixion of Christians and the kidnapping/rape of women).
• ISIS has become such a threat to the entire Middle East, that the US military has been drawn back in.
• The Gaza conflict is isolating Israel more and more.
• Russia is amassing troops on the Ukraine border while "daring" the West to stop them.
• The risk of a global financial meltdown has many experts nervous. USA Watchdog.com
• The chaos at the US border has become a major security breach.
• The continuing Ebola outbreak has been declared an "international health emergency" by W.H.O.
• Crippling long-term drought in many parts of the world is threatening the food supply. Central American drought
• Other parts of the world, including the eastern US, are experiencing record-breaking floods.
• Suburban St. Louis has had 5 nights of civil unrest after police shoot an unarmed teen. Ferguson, MO militarized police
• And to top it off? There are giant sinkholes appearing all over the globe.  Giant Sinkholes

So can we look out on the horizon and feel optimistic? You betcha.

We are living in the prophetic times detailed throughout Scripture. And though we are not prophets, we can tell you with certainty: You ain't seen nothin' yet. The world is in labor like a woman about to give birth (Romans 8:22).

And because he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:17), Satan has drawn targets on the backs of Christians and Jews and things will not go well for us.

So how in the world can we remain optimistic?

That's just it, our hope is not "in the world."

"And the world with its seductions is passing away..." 1John 2:17

A wise man once said: "To be consumed with this life is to be unprepared for the next." --Len Woods, Th.M.

News:

• Reuters: Central America braces for drought-linked food crisis; widespread crop damage to blame.
• Fox News Channel: Five nights of riots and looting escalates in Ferguson, MO as police meet threat with military-like force. Highway Patrol vows a change in tactics will turn things around.
• Jerusalem Post: Dramatic surge in anti-Semitism during Gaza offensive: violence against Jews, Jewish institutions "metastasized" during military operations in Gaza.