Mt. Sinai in Arabia. Archeological proof.

Para os cristãos que rejeitam Israel…

Exclusivo: Joseph Farah desmascara “doutrina maligna” se enraizando na igreja
Joseph Farah

http://networkedblogs.com/w9Zjm

Compreendo por que Israel é cada vez mais odiado pelo resto do mundo.
Compreendo mesmo.
Compreendo o crescente antissemitismo nos EUA e no mundo inteiro.
Se você é um cristão ou judeu que crê na Bíblia, isso não é mistério.
Aliás, isso foi predito.

O que não entendo é por que alguns cristãos professantes rejeitam Israel. Pois rejeitar os judeus e sua nação é rejeitar o próprio alicerce do Cristianismo. Até mesmo ser morno no que se refere aos judeus e Israel é fundamentalmente rejeitar a oliveira na qual fomos enxertados como um galho de oliveira brava, conforme explica Romanos 11:24.

O que muitos cristãos de hoje testemunharam como o renascimento de Israel em sua vida é descrito na Bíblia como um milagre maior do que a divisão do mar Vermelho, o maná do céu, a entrega da lei no monte Horebe e todas as outras obras de Deus associadas com o Êxodo e a entrada dos filhos de Israel na Terra Prometida. É isso o que aprendemos em Jeremias 23:7-8.

Contudo, uma doutrina maligna conhecida como Teologia da Substituição, em todo aspecto tão repugnante quanto a Teologia da Libertação, se enraizou na igreja. Lamento dizer, mas você tem de descartar ou alegorizar boa parte da Bíblia para adotar uma dessas opiniões e ainda se chamar de cristão.

Enquanto isso, crianças judias estão sendo executadas a sangue frio e sendo filmadas na França. Alguns dos “cristãos” mais conhecidos nos EUA estão tentando encontrar pontos em comum com os muçulmanos, que afirmam que adoram o mesmo deus. Boicotes a Israel estão sendo organizados por pessoas que afirmam ser cristãs. A ONU continua a aprovar mais resoluções contra Israel do que contra todo o resto das nações do mundo juntas. O mundo assiste de braços cruzados enquanto um país que jurou aniquilar Israel e os judeus do mundo prepara armas nucleares e sistemas de lançamento de mísseis. E você sabe que o mundo condenará Israel se Israel levantar um dedo para se proteger.

Tenho um problema com isso.
Tenho um problema porque vejo cristãos demais do lado errado ou em cima do muro.
O antissemitismo é extremamente venenoso em nosso mundo hoje. Está alcançando proporções nunca vistas desde o Terceiro Reich.

Onde está a igreja?
Obviamente, não está lendo a Bíblia.

A Palavra de Deus não só predisse o retorno dos judeus a Israel, mas também prediz que o caminho para Jerusalém se tornaria uma pedra incômoda para o mundo inteiro (Zacarias 12:3).

Mas também prediz que Israel triunfará sobre toda a adversidade e que as pessoas e as nações serão julgadas sobre como trataram Israel (Miquéias 4) — a menina dos olhos de Deus (Zacarias 2:8).
O mundo odeia Israel porque seu príncipe odeia Israel (João 16:11).

Mas e quanto aos cristãos?
Será que eles têm lido a Bíblia?
Em parte alguma de suas páginas, a Bíblia indica que a “igreja” substituiu as promessas de Israel. Aliás, a Bíblia declara categoricamente o oposto. Deus não muda de ideia. Ele é o mesmo ontem, hoje e amanhã. Os cristãos têm suas promessas apenas porque foram adotados como filhos adotivos de Abraão, Isaque e Jacó por meio da fé no Messias judeu.
Esse é um estudo da Bíblia que pode com facilidade ser longo. Mas permita-me concluir com Isaías 62:
Por meu amor misericordioso para com Sião, não deixarei de agir, por compaixão a Jerusalém não descansarei enquanto a sua justiça não resplandecer como o romper da aurora, e a sua salvação como as chamas de uma grande tocha.(Isso significa que Deus nunca vai desistir de Israel.)

Eis que as nações contemplarão a sua justiça, e todos os reis e governantes da terra, a sua glória; tu, ó Israel, serás chamada por um novo nome que a própria boca de Yahweh te conferirá!
Serás um maravilhoso diadema nas mãos do Eterno, uma coroa real na mão do seu Deus.
Ó Israel, tua terra não mais será chamada “Desprezada” nem “Abandonada”. Tu serás honrada e chamada Hefzibá, O Meu Prazer Nela Está; e sua terra: Beulá, Casada, porquanto o SENHOR terá grande prazer em ti, e a tua terra estará desposada!
Do mesmo modo como um jovem se casa com sua noiva, assim teus filhos se casarão contigo; e, da mesma maneira como o noivo se alegra da noiva, assim também o teu Deus se alegrará de ti.
Ó Jerusalém, coloquei sentinelas sobre os teus muros, que jamais deixarão de estar atentos, dia e noite, sem descansar. Para vós, vigias, que clamais incessantemente a Yahweh, não há trégua!
Também não deixes que o Eterno descanse, até que tenha reconstruído Jerusalém, fazendo dela uma cidade elogiada no mundo todo.
Yahweh jurou pela sua destra e pelo seu braço forte: “Não tornarei a dar o teu trigo como alimento aos teus inimigos, nem os estrangeiros tornarão a beber do teu vinho, aquele com que tu te afadigaste produzindo.
Entretanto, aqueles que ceifaram o trigo o comerão, louvando a Yahweh, aqueles que juntaram as uvas delas beberão alegremente nos pátios do meu Templo, os meus átrios sagrados!”
Passai, passai pelos portões! Preparai um caminho para o meu povo. Construí, construí a estrada, removei as pedras. Erguei uma bandeira para as nações!
Em verdade, Yahweh faz ouvir a sua voz até os confins da terra: “Dizei à Filha, cidade de Sião: Eis que o teu Salvador está chegando, eis com ele a sua recompensa e o seu galardão está seguro em sua mão.
Eles serão chamados “Povo Santo”, “Redimidos de Yahweh”; e tu serás chamada “Querida”, “Cidade Não Desprezada”! (Isaías 62:1-12 KJA)


(A propósito, cristãos, isso ainda não aconteceu. E Deus não trai suas promessas.)

Traduzido por Julio Severo do artigo de WND: To those Israel-rejecting Christians…
Fonte: www.juliosevero.com

La Vraie Pâque

Vendredi 6 avril 2012

Ce soir c'est Pessa'h la fête de Pâque

http://schoenelblog2.blogspot.com.br/2012/04/ce-soir-cest-pessah-la-fete-de-paque.html22:15 

Jésus dit : J’ai désiré vivement manger cette Pâque avec vous, avant de souffrir

Lu 22:20 Il prit de même la coupe, après le souper, et la leur donna, en disant : Cette coupe est la nouvelle alliance en mon sang, qui est répandu pour vous.

1Co 5:7 Faites disparaître le vieux levain, afin que vous soyez une pâte nouvelle, puisque vous êtes sans levain, car Christ, notre Pâque, a été immolé.

Cette année les Pâques babyloniennes catholiques et la Pâque juive semblent se rejoindre dans les dates, mais il n’en est rien, les trois fêtes de l’Eternel liées à la Pâque commencent ce soir. Il s’agit sans conteste possible de la fête la plus importante pour ceux qui aiment le Seigneur. C’est le moment de relire sa Bible pour comprendre le sens profond de cette fête très particulière. Personnellement cette année je proposerais de commencer une lecture de Matthieu en partant du chapitre 20 : 17 Pendant que Jésus montait à Jérusalem, il prit à part les douze disciples, et il leur dit en chemin: 18 Voici, nous montons à Jérusalem, et le Fils de l’homme sera livré aux principaux sacrificateurs et aux scribes. Ils le condamneront à mort, 19 et ils le livreront aux païens, pour qu’ils se moquent de lui, le battent de verges, et le crucifient ; et le troisième jour il ressuscitera, et en poursuivant la lecture jusqu’à la résurrection de Yeshoua. Ces chapitres couvrent et expliquent le sens réel des trois fêtes liés pour cette période. 

La Pâque et la fête des pains sans levain pouvaient être célébrées dans le désert ; pour apporter à l’Éternel la gerbe des prémices, il fallait être entré «dans le pays». La Pâque était sacrifiée le soir, au coucher du soleil, et mangée la nuit. Au matin, tout était terminé (Deut. 16:6 à 7). La gerbe des prémices était apportée à l’Éternel le lendemain du shabbat, à l’aube d’une nouvelle semaine ou commence le décompte de l’omer. Indépendamment de leur valeur historique comme ayant été célébrées effectivement en Israël, ces fêtes ont une signification typique et une portée prophétique qui se retrouver dans la Passion du Christ.

L’agneau de la Pâque devient la nourriture de la famille qui dans la maison est à l’abri de son sang. La Pâque elle-même deviendra le mémorial célébré chaque année en souvenir de la merveilleuse délivrance opérée une fois pour toutes ; ainsi en est-il de la cène pour le chrétien. La Pâque anticipait la croix ; la cène la commémore. À la Pâque se liait intimement la fête des pains sans levain, qui durait sept jours. Dans la Pâque elle-même, on trouve déjà les pains sans levain ; seul le Seigneur Jésus a été sans levain, sans aucun péché ; le racheté, à l’abri du sang, se nourrit de lui, Agneau de Dieu offert en sacrifice, mais aussi homme parfait qui a pleinement glorifié Dieu dans la séparation absolue de tout mal. La troisième fête, la gerbe des prémices, ne pouvait se célébrer que «dans le pays». L’Égypte nous parle du monde d’où le peuple de Dieu est tiré ; le désert est ce que le monde est devenu pour le croyant : lieu de combats et d’épreuves, mais aussi d’expériences nombreuses de la grâce divine. Pour entrer dans le pays, dans la plénitude des bénédictions que nous avons en Christ, il faut traverser le Jourdain, c’est-à-dire réaliser la mort et la résurrection avec Lui. À la moisson, il fallait prendre du champ une première gerbe pour la présenter à l’Éternel le lendemain du sabbat. Type frappant de Christ ressuscité d’entre les morts, prémices de ceux qui sont endormis (1 Cor. 15:20). Unis à un Christ ressuscité, nous sommes appelés à marcher en nouveauté de vie.

Si on relit les évangiles en marchant avec Jésus à travers Jérusalem les jours précédant la Pâque, on le voit entrer triomphalement en roi dans la ville, puis monter au temple et y chasser les vendeurs. Il poursuivit en condamnant les autorités religieuses, puis institua une nouvelle alliance en Son sang. Toutes ces choses annoncent la sortie et la fin des traditions juives fêtées de manière hypocrite et déshonorante par les religieux d’alors, la destruction du temple et de la ville, pour finir avec la dispersion du peuple qui sera vendu et retournera à l’esclavage. Un retour en Egypte en somme, car l’Eternel ne passe plus au-dessus de son peuple, mais le juge et le condamne, car le sang de l’ancienne alliance, n’a plus d’autre valeur que celle d’un enseignement.

Aujourd’hui encore pour les juifs, la fête commence par un festin élaboré, le Seder (un ordre), composé d’aliments qui revêtent une importance symbolique spéciale et au cours duquel la famille revit l’expérience de la rédemption et où elle se concentre sur ce qu’implique le fait d’appartenir au peuple juif. Implicitement un message est envoyé au monde, annonçant un nouveau temps messianique marqué par la renaissance d’Israël et le retour des juifs sur leur terre, comme une nouvelle sortie d’Egypte. Mais attention, il ne s’agit aucunement d’un retour en arrière vers les traditions du judaïsme qui annuleraient alors le principe de la nouvelle alliance par le sang versé de Yeshoua. Le prophète Ezéchiel est très clair sur ce point-là. Il annonce le retour des juifs dans les temps futurs, avant la venue du Mashia’h, mais le Seigneur précise aussi cela : Ez 36 : 21 Et j’ai voulu sauver l’honneur de mon saint nom, que profanait la maison d’Israël parmi les nations où elle est allée. 22 C’est pourquoi dis à la maison d’Israël: Ainsi parle le Seigneur, l’Eternel : Ce n’est pas à cause de vous que j’agis de la sorte, maison d’Israël ; c’est à cause de mon saint nom, que vous avez profané parmi les nations où vous êtes allés. 23 Je sanctifierai mon grand nom, qui a été profané parmi les nations, que vous avez profané au milieu d’elles. Et les nations sauront que je suis l’Eternel, dit le Seigneur, l’Eternel, quand je serai sanctifié par vous sous leurs yeux. 24 Je vous retirerai d’entre les nations, je vous rassemblerai de tous les pays, et je vous ramènerai dans votre pays. 25 Je répandrai sur vous une eau pure, et vous serez purifiés ; je vous purifierai de toutes vos souillures et de toutes vos idoles. 26 Je vous donnerai un cœur nouveau, et je mettrai en vous un esprit nouveau ; j’ôterai de votre corps le cœur de pierre, et je vous donnerai un cœur de chair. 27 Je mettrai mon esprit en vous, et je ferai en sorte que vous suiviez mes ordonnances, et que vous observiez et pratiquiez mes lois.

Seul le baptême en Yeshoua représente l’eau purifie des péchés et permet à l’homme de recevoir l’Esprit Saint qui conduit à avoir un cœur nouveau. Ce qui permet au prophète d’ajouter : Ezéchiel 36 : 31 Alors vous vous souviendrez de votre conduite qui était mauvaise, et de vos actions qui n’étaient pas bonnes ; vous vous prendrez vous-mêmes en dégoût, à cause de vos iniquités et de vos abominations. 32 Ce n’est pas à cause de vous que j’agis de la sorte, dit le Seigneur, l’Eternel, sachez-le ! Ayez honte et rougissez de votre conduite, maison d’Israël ! Ainsi le retour en Eretz Israël n’est qu’un prélude, une étape, qui doit mener les juifs à reconnaitre enfin la véritable valeur spirituelle du Seder de Peshah.

Mais si les juifs sont appelés à découvrir le véritable sens de la fête de Pâque et qu’ils vivront cela comme une résurrection en Christ, à plus forte raison les soi-disant chrétiens qui vont fêter les pâques babyloniennes catholiques en s’offrant des lapins et des œufs peints, comme ils souillent le nom de Jésus en l’associant à la fête de Noël, vont-ils connaitre tous les maux et jugement décrits dans le même livre d’Ezéchiel, pendant juif de l’Apocalypse de Jean. Nous sommes dans des temps de jugements et la fête de Pâque est justement l’occasion de revenir au Seigneur afin de dresser une table sainte en Son honneur et communier avec Lui comme Il nous l’ordonne. En effet, le soir de la Cène de Jésus avec ses apôtres, les choses anciennes, les gestes et les rites prennent un tour nouveau dans les paroles de Jésus que Paul rapporte : « Ceci est mon corps » « Cette coupe est la nouvelle Alliance en mon sang. » « faites ceci en mémoire de moi. »

Sing to Jesus - Fernando Ortega

Fernando Ortega - Sing to Jesus
Album: Storm Lyrics:
Come and see Look on this mystery
The Lord of the universe
Nailed to a tree
Christ our God
Spilling His holy blood
Bowing in anguish
His sacred head

Sing to Jesus
Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts
He is our great Redeemer
Sing to Jesus Honor His name
Sing of His faithfulness
Pouring His life out unto death

Come, you weary
And He will give you rest
Come you who mourn
Lay on His breast
Christ who died
Risen in paradise
Giver of mercy
Giver of life

Sing to Jesus
His is the throne
Now and forever
He is the king of heaven
Sing to Jesus
We are His own
Now and forever
Sing for the love
Our God has shown

Sing to Jesus
Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts
He is our great Redeemer
Sing to Jesus
Honor His name

Sing to Jesus
His is the throne
Now and forever
He is the king of heaven
Sing to Jesus
We are His own
Now and forever
Sing for the love
our God has shown

Vitória de Cristo - Victory of Christ.

Spiritual abuse rising in many places, it seems

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Spiritual abuse rising in many places, it seems  by Elizabeth Prata http://the-end-time.blogspot.com.br/

If you are aware of pretty much anything in the church these days, you will be aware that the church of today has many problems. There are carnal people who are not saved but think they are, people living as if Jesus is a cherry on their man-made sundae, worship songs that are more like rock concerts, seeker sensitive, word-faith, prosperity gospel imitations of true faith. We know from all this, and from the 7 Letters to the Churches contained in the first three chapters of Revelation that the church was in trouble and will be in trouble.

One of the troubles that is rising fast in these days is "authoritarianism" or "spiritual abuse." More bloggers and pastor-teachers are writing about it. That is because it is a problem that has burst onto the Christian horizon as suddenly as a tornado a lighting bolt. But that is not to say that the conditions laid out for its emergence as a problem have been as sudden. The conditions that support spiritual abuse have long been laid.

The conditions that allow spiritual abuse to thrive are like mushrooms on manure. I wrote about how and why spiritual abuse happens here: When carnality leads to spiritual abuse. Part of the reason it occurs is that congregations have silently abdicated their command to test these things for themselves, (1Thess 5:21) and to seek truth from the scriptures like good Bereans. (Acts 17:11). They are only too willing to submit instead to a person who tells them what to do, and that person is not Christ. Alone and unlearned, and seeing a chink in armor, pastors who are wolves come in, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:29).

I wrote about the signs that a church may be becoming spiritually abusive, here:
Is your church spiritually abusive?

Here is a definition of spiritual abuse, though not an exclusive one, certainly:
"Certain signatures define spiritual abuse: authoritarian leadership, claims that the group or leaders have a special calling or gifts, inability of leaders to handle criticism, harsh treatment of those who question or try to leave. These are just a few. Though the manifestation of abuse differs in externals, underneath are similar traits, repeated in abusive groups. Become familiar with spiritual abuse in a variety of churches and you will soon see how these leaders manipulate and control."

A couple of years ago, rumblings started to emerge from one of the nation's largest "evangelical" churches, Mars Hill in Seattle, pastored by Mark Driscoll. Some talk of authoritarianism came out and then later some rumors of spiritual abuse. Matthew Paul Turner was one, Bent Meyer was another.

Then, another Mars Hill elder and his wife came forward several weeks ago: Paul Petry and his wife Jonna. Paul put up a blog containing documents clearly showing in the pastor and elders' own words just how permeating the pastoral abuse at Mars Hill had gone. Paul's wife Jonna put up a gripping narrative that re-tells their abusive treatment done in the name of Christ by Mars Hill Pastor Mark Driscoll and others. Though the abuse occurred over a period that concluded 5 years ago, the couple had sought reconciliation for several years after, then went on to healing, and then through prayer finally felt led to open the lid to the can of worms and explain what had happened. They did so gently and sensitively, which is why their blog and the documents hit the Christian world like a bomb.

Here is their blog: Joyful Exiles. In it, Mark Petry said,

"Four and half years ago, I was fired from Mars Hill Church because I refused to resign under pressure. I was a pastor on staff, an elder, and an officer of the corporation along with a group of other men. I spent months seeking formal reconciliation and years hoping for a better course. I have not spoken about these matters publicly until now. With the mounting stories and “histories” coming out regarding Mars Hill Church, it no longer seems right or beneficial to remain silent."

If you care to read Jonna Petry's narrative, it is here. I recommend it as a lesson not only in how spiritual abuse works and its devastating effects, but as a lesson in grace bestowed by the Holy Spirit and a treatise in forgiveness. Jesus surely is great and the Holy Spirit a comforter in times of trouble.

A couple of years ago when the problem was not as widely known, when people would leave or be exiled from their abusive church and come forward with their story, they were painted as cranks, malcontents, and witch bloggers. Part of the problem of authoritarianism is that the authority that has clutched onto the church leadership has as a regular ammunition in their arsenal no compunction to excoriate their accusers. Ad hominem attacks by the abusive are a standard marker of abuse, and it was often hard to sort out who was telling the truth on what. Many didn't even try, the entire issue being so negative and sordid. But as this problem grew, and more and more people came forward the issue began to sink in that it is a real and present problem. It seems that a critical mass has been reached as to the breadth and the legitimacy of the problem.

Tim Challies wrote about it here. And then he wrote about it again here.

I sought and received permission to re-publish Christian Counselor Bob Kellemen's essay on spiritual abuse here.

This week Wade Burleson wrote about it here.

I don't have a lot more to say about the issue of authoritarianism, or spiritual abuse, than I've said already. But I welcome the chorus of solid Christians who are speaking out about it. Like any abuse, there is shame and humiliation associated with it felt by the abused, and there is also a real battle to know whether to legitimately speak up or to remain silent.

To that end, this article may help from Christian Research Institute Journal, Christians Chriticizing Christians: Can It Be Biblical?.

Here is a website that offers information on the topic, starting with this article, "The Bible and Spiritual Abuse"

Provender has the best archive of helpful articles on the topic that I have yet seen. It includes information on spotting it, dealing with it, talking about it, and recovering from it.

One of the early, and seminal, books on the topic is now completely online in a .pdf. Recovering from Churches that Abuse by Ronald Enroth.

I am personally heartbroken whenever I read of a church that engages in spiritual abuse. It is a glorious thing for Jesus to raise up a humble pastor to guide the people the Spirit has sent to his church. It is a special blessing to receive preaching that is solid and true. Pastors who counsel kindly and who are themselves an example of Godly love are a triumph of the Holy Spirit's work in the world. Therefore I am especially heartbroken when I read of one who has gone wayward. I know they will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). I have cried many tears over one in particular.

I think to myself, what a waste! What a torment to abuse Jesus's pulpit for personal gain or glory! What a heartbreak for the people who are stuck there!

But I do caution against excessive sentimentality on the cycle of abuse in that it is not all the pastor's fault. Authoritarian churches only exist if there is not only an abusive pastor or elder but if there are those who remain to be abused. No one is stuck there. In that, Paul Washer has a good thought--

"False teachers are God’s judgment on people who don’t want God, but in the name of religion plan on getting everything their carnal heart desires. That’s why a Joel Osteen is raised up. Those people who sit under him are not victims of him but he is the judgment of God upon them. And they want exactly what he wants, and it’s not God." ~ Paul Washer

I pray for the reconciliation of these abusers to a Holy and Righteous and loving Jesus. I pray for congregations' eyes to be opened and for their ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. If you have been in an abusive church then bless you, and I hope that in just knowing you are not alone by seeing these links and reading these stories that you will allow the Spirit to begin the healing process in you. You have a comforter, given to you by God himself:

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" (John 14:16).

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;' (Romans 8:26).

No matter what your trial, dear one, Jesus is sufficient for all our needs, even amid the heartbreak of abuse. For those who have been spiritually abused, you know the deep sense of betrayal that splits apart the heart. Yet for all that, Jesus is mighty. He endured an even greater betrayal by the very people He had come to serve and save:

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16).

He knows how you feel. He knows. Praise our God who feels our pain and who intercedes for us, approach His throne in your pain and leave it there for Him.

Peace be with you...

Where’s The Blessing?

Where’s The Blessing?
http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher

Q. My question is, what are the blessings you talk about? I have tried to find the Lord and have accepted Him long ago. But I see no blessings in my life. I was shot a week after I came to the Lord and that shattered my trust in Him. In that same week my brother’s child died. After that I did things my way and it worked. But when I returned to the Lord everything fell apart again.
Although what you write I know to be the truth it just does not manifest in my life. I’ve tried to work on my faith but have reached my end and feel like giving up. I cannot tell you how hard I’ve tried but to no avail. I do not know what to do from here, and see no good outcome.

A. Sometimes the enemy mounts a very strong attack against a new believer, hoping to make him reject God. Every case is different. Sometimes it’s because the enemy knows that the believer will impact a lot of people, other times it’s because he’s built a stronghold in the believer’s past, or even somewhere in the believer’s family, and thinks he has a claim on the believer’s life.

When a person like this gives his heart to the Lord, the enemy has lost his claim, but will keep harassing the new believer to prevent him from experiencing the joy of his salvation. I think this is happening to you. When you try to get closer to God the enemy afflicts you, and when you back away he stops.

There may be reasons why it appears that God isn’t doing His part. First of all the enemy may have a legitimate claim, like he did with Job. This means there are some unconfessed sins in your life that give him limited access to you. Or the enemy may see that his effort is paying off because every time things get bad, you back away from God.
So here’s what I suggest.

1) Ask some believers who you trust to pray over you to renounce the ways of the devil, and ask the Lord to reveal any sin that may be preventing you from achieving a full and joyful relationship with Him. If He brings something to mind confess and you’ll be forgiven. It could be unresolved anger toward someone, or toward God, or it could be some occult or pagan practices you’ve been involved with in the past.

2) Study Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:4-7, 2 Cor. 10:3-5, and James 4:7-8, and begin thanking God for everything that happens, both good and bad. You can do this because Romans 8:28 say that God is working everything in your life together for your good, Phil 4:4-7 says if you rejoice about everything and are fearful of nothing you’ll receive the peace of God, 2 Cor. 10: 3-5 says that we have divine weapons and can demolish the enemy’s strongholds, including any thoughts he puts in our minds that contradict what the Bible says, and James 4:7 says that when we resist the devil he will flee from us.
It may take a while, but these are promises that God has made to you and cannot be broken. If you do these things faithfully you will be blessed, because He who is in you (God) is greater than he who is in the world (Satan). (1 John 4:4)

Suleiman gives up presidential bid over Islamist foothold in young army elite

Suleiman gives up presidential bid over Islamist foothold in young army elite
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report April 5, 2012, 12:11 PM (GMT+02:00)

Muslim Brotherhood's Khairat El-Shater

Former Egyptian intelligence strongman Gen. Omar Suleiman’s decision, finalized Thursday, April 5, to drop out of the presidential race in the June election shocked Washington and Jerusalem and dashed their hopes of a figure capable of halting or at least offsetting the Muslim Brotherhood’s monopoly of power in post-Mubarak Egypt. The Supreme Military Council ruling Egypt, the SCAF, concluded in a series of secret conferences that Brotherhood and radical lslamist power had become unstoppable, debkafile’s military and intelligence sources report.

SCAF chairman Field Marshal Mohammed Tantawi and Egyptian Chief of Staff Gen. Sami Annan confronted the generals at those meetings with two options:
1. To run Gen. Suleiman as the army’s candidate for president and throw all the military’s organizational and financial resources behind the bid for a ruler most of whose career had been devoted to fighting the Muslim Brotherhood and Muslim extremists: or -

2. To stand aside and let El-Shater attain the presidency. Four months after the poll, Tantawi and nearly half of the SCAF generals are due to retire. The logic behind this plan is that in July it becomes the turn of a new elite of young generals move in and take over their mission of preserving Egyptian military’s supremacy over the political system of government which will by then be dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Both these proposals were rejected after Gen. Suleiman and Gen. Murad Muwafi, head of intelligence, gave the generals a dose of the new reality. No one could count on the future elite of young generals not having been secretly penetrated by the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups, they said. Both knew of five or six young officers who were maintaining secret ties with the Brotherhood and its presidential candidate Khaiter El-Shater.

Suleiman was therefore skeptical about his prospects. Even if he did win the election, he said, as president he would be outflanked and tied hand and foot by the combined force of the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies in the high military command.

Our sources report that the revelation of Islamist infiltration of the Egyptian officer elite came as a shock to Washington and Jerusalem, where it had been hoped that Gen. Suleiman would ride into the presidency and stall the Muslim Brotherhood’s spreading domination of Egypt.

Some senior Israeli security and intelligence officials still refuse to take Omar Suleiman’s retirement from the race as final.

Jihad in France Just Beginning

Jihad in France Just Beginning
by Guy Millière April 2, 2012 at 4:30 am

The Obin Report showed a deep infiltration by radical Islam into the vast majority of French schools and a vitriolic hatred for Jews. What the Report showed was so alarming that the text was not initially disclosed. Nobody dares to say that more than thirty mosques all over the country broadcast incendiary remarks that have « nothing to do with the teachings of Islam, » and that the same remarks are received daily on television by tens of thousands of Muslims in France through the Arabic version of Al Jazeera.

The Congress of the French branch of the Muslim Brotherhood (UOIF) will take place in the city of Le Bourget, near Paris, from April 6-9. Over 100,000 participants are expected. Six anti-Semitic Islamic preachers who were invited to speak were denied entry into France. Other anti-Semitic Islamic preachers will speak anyway ; they are French, they cannot be expelled. They will not be condemned. The French government knows that if it condemned them, it might be confronted by riots in many suburbs. Every year, openly anti-Semitic books are on sale at the Congress of the UOIF, among them the fabricated « Protocols of the Elders of Zion. »

This year will be no different. Several radical Islamist organizations openly advocate -- without interference -- jihad on French territory. One of them, Forsane Alizza (Pride Riders), was banned by the French government at the end of February : it had started to form fighters on French soil. Although officially the organization disappeared, its members are still active. Eighteen of them were arrested on March 30 ; they will probably soon be released.

Also, as it is now widely known, on March 19, a man entered a Jewish school, Ozar Hatora, in Toulouse, France, where he killed a rabbi, his two children, then an eight years old little girl by shooting her three times in the head after dragging her by the hair to place her in front of the camera he was carrying. These were the worst anti-Semitic acts committed on French soil since the three-week kidnapping, torture and murder of Ilan Halimi in February 2006.

After the murders in Toulouse, like commentators and so many other people, the police initially followed the trail of the « extreme right. » A mobilization across the country was to be expected. The mobilization started quickly. It was soon revealed that the killer who had just shot four Jews was the same man who had murdered three French soldiers, including two Muslims, the week before.

All the commentators ferociously incriminated the « far right.» Anti-racist associations issued statements denouncing « fascist barbarity raising its ugly head again ». It then emerged that the man was a French Muslim who had traveled to the mountains of Afghanistan in to train for jihad, Islamic holy war. The police found him, and shot him to death after a rough gunfight.

The mobilization ceased as rapidly as it had begun. Commentators no longer spoke of anti-Semitism. Anti-racist associations became silent. All attention focused on the killer, Mohamed Merah. He was presented as a « nice young man » by his neighbors, then as a « petty criminal » who inexplicably drifted, and finally as a « lone wolf » without any connection with terrorist movements.

It was gradually revealed that his older brother, Abdelkader, now in prison, had links with Islamists in Belgium and the United Kingdom, and organized networks helping young French Muslims join jihadi organizations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It appeared that the killer, Mohamed Merah had been imprisoned in Afghanistan for planting bombs in Kandahar, and had been placed on the list of dangerous people to be monitored closely by the security services of the United States.

It also appeared that he was under the supervision of the French Department of the Interior, a circumstance that did not prevent him from obtaining an impressive arsenal, and killing several times without arousing immediate suspicions. More information will emerge. The French mainstream media will reveal it, with obvious reluctance. Every time journalists speak or write about the case, they constantly point out that Mohamed Merah is « not really a Muslim, » and that no one should forget that Islam is a « religion of peace ».
Anti-racist associations have broken their silence and call for vigilance against « racism » in general, and against the risk of « divisions ». Nicolas Sarkozy has promised sanctions against French youths who go train in jihadi camps and those who visit websites praising jihad. Consequently, Sarkozy was immediately described by almost all other political leaders as a dangerous man.

Graffiti praising Merah on the wall of a French house: "You were a valiant Knight of Islam! You fought the shit zionist and the false muslims. You died guns in hand... I salute you Mohamed my brother, my friend... Rest in peace !" The worst anti-Semitic crime committed on French soil for decades is no longer described as an anti-Semitic crime by anyone, except Jews, and even Jews choose their words carefully.

Now the Jewish school that was attacked as well as other Jewish schools in France are receiving threatening emails, according to Agence France-Presse, Jewish cemeteries are being vandalized in Paris and Nice, and graffiti praising Merah has been appearing over the walls of homes.The assassin has justified his act by invoking the « suffering of Gaza's children, » a suffering described by a growing number of journalists as a « mitigating circumstance ».

When Richard Prasquier, president of CRIF (Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France) wanted to say during a newscast that media should cease showing distorted images inciting hatred of Israel, the anchor immediately stopped him, saying, « This is a moment of meditation, not controversy. »

The point that the murderer is a young French Muslim who turned to radical Islam and killed Jewish children only because they were Jewish is no longer evoked. The only risk mentioned constantly on television, in newspapers, and in most political discourse is that fear could push people to « stigmatize Muslims, » who run « the risk of being discriminated against.» « The killer, » said Dalil Boubakeur, rector of the Great Mosque of Paris, « has nothing to do with the teachings of Islam. »

Nobody dares to say that dozens of young French Muslims go every year to jihadi training camps and follow exactly the same course as Mohamed Merah. How many of them are likely to act at one time or another? Nobody dares to say that more than thirty mosques all over the country broadcast incendiary remarks which, according to Boubakeur, have « nothing to do with the teachings of Islam, » and that the same remarks are received daily on television by tens of thousands of Muslims in France through the Arabic version of Al Jazeera.

How many Muslims are being indoctrinated with the same ideas as Mohamed Merah and will start to share his hatred of Jews and the West ? According to the National Bureau of Vigilance against Anti-Semitism (BNVCA), nearly four hundred physical attacks against Jews occurred in France in 2011 -- more than one a day. Moreover, Sammy Ghozlan, President of BNVCA, states that the number of attacks that have not been the subject of legal complaints is much higher. All the attacks recorded by BNVCA were committed by Muslims. Not one was due to a member of a far-right movement. French laws forbid publicly declaring who exactly assaults Jews on French soil; those who do risk heavy fines and prosecution.

In 2004, the government commissioned a report, called the Obin Report, on « the Signs and Manifestations of Religious Affiliation in Educational Establishments. » The Obin Report showed a deep infiltration by radical Islam into the vast majority of French schools, and a vitriolic hatred for Jews. What it described was so alarming that the text was not initially disclosed. As nothing was done to protest what the report showed, one can deduce that eight years later, the situation has not improved.

 Jewish families withdraw their children from public schools to place them in Jewish private schools, where they become potential targets of Islamic extremists. Each year, however, two thousand Jews leave France to settle in Israel, sometimes in Canada or the United States. Jews in France number five hundred thousand, and that number is decreasing. Muslims total more than six million, and for the most part, they are French citizens who exercise their voting rights.

The question is not whether there will be another anti-Semitic murder in France, but rather, When ? Jihad in France is just beginning.

The Gospel and Idolatry

Is God female? Is Jesus a hermaphrodite? Feminism's modern attacks, part 1

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Is God female? Is Jesus a hermaphrodite? Feminism's modern attacks, part 1 by Elizabeth Prata. http://the-end-time.blogspot.com.

In the prophecy newsletter last Saturday (email me to be included on the free email subscription list) I included an excerpt from a recent article where a female feminist theologian was talking about how we can't be sure Jesus is male. More likely, this feminist said, He is a hermaphrodite, a person that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes. Here is the excerpt from The Christian Post (which includes rebuttals from real Christians):
Feminist Theologian Claims We Can't Be Sure Jesus Was Male
"A [UK] feminist theologian is claiming that Jesus may have been a hermaphrodite. Dr. Susannah Cornwall, a professor at Manchester University's Lincoln Theological Institute, wrote in a recent paper that the idea that Jesus was male is "simply a best guess." She made the comments in response to an ongoing debate in the U.K. over having women bishop in the Church of England.In her paper, titled "Intersex & Ontology, A Response to The Church, Women Bishops and Provision," she states that it is impossible to know "with any certainty" that Jesus did not have both male and female organs."

Then this morning I read the following:

Who knows whether God is a girl
"Bettany Hughes, an expert in ancient history, claimed that Christianity “was originally a faith where the female of the species held sway”. To oppose the ordination of women bishops in the Church of England is to deny the central role women played in the foundations of the faith, said Hughes. “By suppressing the true story of the connection between women and religion, we etiolate both history and the possibilities of our own world,” she wrote in Radio Times. “Consider this: throughout the history of humanity, 97 per cent of all deities of wisdom have been female. “Who knows whether God is a girl, but mankind has turned to the female of the species for good ideas. Hughes is the presenter of a forthcoming BBC Two series, Divine Women, which explores the hidden history of women in world religions and challenges the belief that women should not be priests.She said: “This Easter will be the last when I go to a church knowing it will be dominated by men. I love my (male) vicar, who has spent 45 years encouraging his flock to be clear-sighted about the world - past, present and sublime.“But the paradoxical thing for me as a historian is that I’m keenly aware Christianity was originally a faith where the female of the species held sway.”

Oh goodness, she must be right! She used etiolate AND a statistic in her response! [sarcasm]. Note that both Dr. Cornwall and Bettany Hughes are British. The UK, I am told, is rapidly falling away from biblical truth. With feminist theologians and historians like the two women presented above, I can see why. That their articles are responses to the current national discussion about ordaining female bishops is another telling and devastating indicator that an entire nation is far from where Jesus wants them to be. How did it get this way? Let's find out.

I am writing a three-part series exploring what I see are increasing attacks on Christianity through women and about women. We'll look at the Demagogic, the Mystics, and Logistics.

PART 1: The Demagogic:
Demagogic language is rhetoric that appeals to the prejudices of the people. I can say with fair amount of certainty that the prejudices of the some feminists have been since 1970 that women should completely abandon their traditionally feminine roles, believing that they were inherently unequal. Homemaking especially was and is today seen as a throwback to less enlightened times. Even women who enter positions of leadership but adhere to biblical world views are soundly excoriated (Saran Palin for example, but not Geraldine Ferraro or Hillary Clinton).

The 'less enlightened times' they refer to without saying so outright are the God-ordained roles outlined for women, men and children in the bible. In Genesis God showed us His ordination of women and men's roles.

"And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”" (Genesis 2:18). God further cemented that relationship by saying that when a male and female come together as husband and wife in a covenant marriage, they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24). It's hard to see where the feminists' claims of women's implicit inferiority come in if women are comparable to men and they are one flesh....

Of course the historian Hughes's statement that 97% of other "wisdom deities" have been women is a dead giveaway that she is far from God. The bible says "Yahweh, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other." (Deuteronomy 4:39). "I am Yahweh, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God." (Isaiah 45:5). There are no other wisdom deities. For the bible says--

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.' (1 Timothy 1:17).

Now, any debate as to whether God is male or female is pointless, because God is Spirit. (John 4:24). He does not have physical characteristics as we do in a corporeal body. However, in His interactions with humanity He presented Himself as a male. In the Old Testament He is referred to as a male by the use of male pronouns. He is Father, never 'mother'. Jesus referred to God as Father. If one believes that scurvy males who wrote the bible were out to suppress women and changed all the pronouns then one does not believe the bible is inerrant, but a man-made document of man made religion, no better or worse than the Koran (Islam), the Bhagavad Gita (Hindu) or the Kojiki (Shinto).

In the New Testament, Jesus came to us in a male body. Thus, God revealed Himself as male and as Father, Jesus revealed Himself as male incarnated and further stated "I and the Father are One" (John 10:30) and scripture reveals God as male by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit's use of male pronouns. He's a guy, all right? Get over it, feminists.

I had a conversation with a female friend who was formerly of a Baptist church but wandered away to a seeker friendly, pop psychology, doctrine-lite, social gospel church. She said that there were "books that didn't make it into the bible" and that women's contributions were thereby suppressed. I was aghast, but I am hearing these things more often now. With the rise in gnosticism comes with it a satanic gravitational pull toward mysticism which lifted women to a place of what was supposed higher wisdom but was in fact demonic suppression the kind that feminists can't even begin to understand is their true position.

If we believe that there are some books that 'didn't make it into the bible' then we believe that the bible is errant (That's faithlessness: "I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word." Ps 119 158)

Do we believe God is playing mind games with us, telling us His statutes in the bible but holding back the real stuff? (That's satan, telling Eve the same thing in Gen 3:1).

Do we believe the Holy Spirit is ineffectual to protect the canon and allows instead its pollution by men who edited it away from what God wanted? (That's philosophies of men: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Col 2:8).

If we then believe the bible is inerrant then we must believe the roles He has set before each gender. It is one, or the other.
Below is an excerpt on how the books of the bible were chosen for inclusion into the canon. There are no TRUE books that did not make it in. If it is not in, it is because it was already identified as not true, by the following standard:

"The councils followed something similar to the following principles to determine whether a New Testament book was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit: 1) Was the author an apostle or have a close connection with an apostle? 2) Is the book being accepted by the body of Christ at large? 3) Did the book contain consistency of doctrine and orthodox teaching? 4) Did the book bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit? Again, it is crucial to remember that the church did not determine the canon. No early church council decided on the canon. It was God, and God alone, who determined which books belonged in the Bible. It was simply a matter of God’s imparting to His followers what He had already decided. The human process of collecting the books of the Bible was flawed, but God, in His sovereignty, and despite our ignorance and stubbornness, brought the early church to the recognition of the books He had inspired."

In 1970, Irina Dunn coined the famous catch phrase: "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" and it was subsequently promoted by feminist Gloria Steinem and later U2 in their song Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World. It became a tee shirt worn by militant feminists everywhere, including my mother. I was 10 in 1970 when that phrase was coined and my formative years as a girl, as a daughter, were one who was raised by a divorced feminist mother who often wore that tee shirt and while wearing it told me every day I didn't need a man. Oh, and that I needed to be self-sufficient. Well, come to find out, "Women aren’t Fish and Men aren’t Bicycles" writes Mary Kassian this week.

Kassian said, "In the seventies, Gloria Steinem famously quipped, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Then she and the rest of her feminist buddies set about to convince us of this idea. Sadly, we swallowed the bait. And now a whole generation of girls is being raised to believe that men are inconsequential, and that women can make it just fine without them."

That was the demagogic rhetoric of the feminists. It has been 42 years since feminism came to the fore, an entire generation. How has the latest generation of women and men fared under the demagoguery of the feminist movement? Not well. Let's see in part 2 how feminists' usurpation of the roles God ordained for men and women led to the New Age, and the new female Mystic.

Part 2: Is God female? Is Jesus a hermaphrodite? Feminism's modern attacks

The Millenial River (Ezekiel 47)

The Millennial River (Ezekiel 47)

A key test for whether a person interprets the prophetic Word literally is the river that is described in Ezekiel 47 and in other places in the Old Testament. This amazing river will originate from the house of the LORD (compare Joel 3:18) as a very shallow stream. Gradually the stream will get deeper and fuller until it is over a man's head. It eventually travels east until it empties into the Dead Sea which will then be a terrible misnomer because the waters of the Dead Sea will be turned into fresh water teeming with fish (see Ezekiel 47:1-10). It will be the Living Sea!

In Zechariah 14:8 we learn that half of this river will empty into the Dead Sea and half of the river will empty into the Mediterranean Sea. This river is also mentioned in Psalm 46:4 (and notice the context in Psalm 46:9-10 which clearly speaks of the kingdom).

Manfred Kober has provided the following illustration of the future topography of the Holy Land showing this amazing river of life flowing into the two great seas:

The descriptions of this river are as literal as literal can be. There are clear geographical references made in connection with this river (Ezek. 47:8-10). There are exact distances and depths measured out (Ezek. 47:3-5). The details concerning this river are very descriptive: it flows into the sea (Dead Sea) and the waters become fresh which once was the saltiest body of water on earth. There will be many varieties of fish in a body of water where fish formerly could never live. Fishermen will stand beside it and there will be the spreading of nets. Are we to reject this whole description and spiritualize it and give it some strange meaning according to our own fancy, or should we take it at face value?

When people depart from a literal interpretation they deny the plain sense and they give the text some other sense according to their own lively imagination. It is almost humorous to read the commentaries and see how people spiritualize this river and make it mean whatever they want it to mean. Some say it refers to the "stream of church history." Others say it refers to going deeper in the Christian life ("ankle-deep Christians," etc.). Some think it refers to water baptism. Some say it refers to "vitality flowing forth from Holy Ground," etc. When all else fails, why don't we just let it say what it says? Does God really mean what He says or do we need to take what God says and force our own meaning upon it?

The river is directly connected to the house of the LORD (Ezek. 47:1-2; Joel 3:18), so if a person rejects the literalness of this river they must also reject the literalness of the temple which is described in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. Actually the three (the temple, the river and the animal sacrifices) must stand or fall together. See the study Do You Interpret the Bible Literally? Six Tests to See if You Do.

The following description of this amazing future river is provided by Manfred Kober (taken from Chapter 31 of the book, Basic Theology: Applied, Wesley & Elaine Willis and John & Janet Master (Victor Books, 1995), pages 287-290:

The River of Life: Zechariah 14:8; Ezekiel 47:1-12 Woven throughout Old Testament prophecy is a constant theme of spectacular physical and geographical changes to occur when Christ returns. Zechariah 14 describes many features of this upheaval, including a new river to flow from Jerusalem into the desert (Zech. 14:8). The Prophet Ezekiel concludes his temple vision (chaps. 40-46) with the description of this same miraculous, life-giving stream issuing from the temple. The river is also mentioned by Joel (Joel 3:18), some 250 years before Ezekiel, and by Zechariah after the Babylonian exile. The Commencement of the River: Zechariah 14:8; Ezekiel 47:1-2 In Zechariah's prophecy, the river is said to originate in Jerusalem and to divide, one branch flowing into the Dead Sea, the other into the Mediterranean. In Ezekiel 47 only the river flowing eastward is described, as an angelic guide takes Ezekiel on a prophetic excursion along the river. At the eastern front of the temple Ezekiel sees a spring emerging (Ezek. 47:1-2). The waters begin at the immediate dwelling place of Christ who is the source of all spiritual and physical life. The miraculous waters “trickled forth” at first, and yet, without any tributaries, increased in depth and volume. The Course of the River: Ezekiel 47:3-5 The angel led Ezekiel along the riverbank, measuring the waters. After 1,750 feet (1,000 cubits) the waters were ankle-deep. In another 1,750 feet the waters had become knee-deep, then waist-deep at another 1,750 feet, until at another 1,750 feet the river was so deep that one could swim in it. In the distance from Jerusalem to the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives (about 1½ miles), the trickle became a spring, the spring a brook, the brook a stream, and the stream a raging river. To accent the dramatic size and depth of the river, Ezekiel refers to it in verse 9 as “rivers,” literally “a double river,” because of its raging current. The Changes Through the River: Ezekiel 47:6-12 The river continued to flow eastward, cascading into the Arabah (Ezek. 47:8), the desolate Jordan Valley rift extending from the Sea of Galilee southward to the Dead Sea and then to the Gulf of Aqabah. The river issued into the Dead Sea, healing its salty waters and rejuvenating the desert. The most inhospitable, arid, barren, desolate land on the face of the earth will become a fruitful land, lush with vegetation. Along the banks of the supernatural yet literal river will grow “very many trees on the one side and on the other” (Ezek. 47:7). These marvelous trees shall be “for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary; and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine” (v. 12). These trees will have an inexhaustible quantity of fruit all year long. The leaves of the tree will provide healing, apparently for those who were redeemed in the Tribulation and entered the Millennium in their physical bodies, and for their offspring. The Dead Sea which will be healed is today a symbol of death and destruction. The stench of sulphur hanging in the air reminds one of the judgment of Genesis 19. Presently the Dead Sea can hardly sustain microorganisms, apart from some freshwater springs along its northwestern shores. As proof for the genuine healing, the sea will bring forth “a very great multitude of fish” (Ezek. 47:9). Fishermen will find the Dead Sea an ideal place for their trade, with an abundance of fish like those found in the Mediterranean Sea. Fishermen will spread their nets from En-Gedi (“fountain of a kid”), located on the middle of the western shore, to En-Eglaim (“spring of the two calves”), perhaps located along the northwestern shore near Qumran. The swamps and marshes near the southern end of the Dead Sea “will not be healed; they shall be given to salt” (Ezek. 47:11). Though Ezekiel does not explain why the salt flats will remain, several explanations can be offered. Salt, essential for the preparation of food, will also be required for some of the memorial sacrifices offered in the temple (Ezek. 43:24; cf. Lev. 2:13). Further, the Dead Sea is an important source of minerals for Israel and possibly will be in the future. The Lord may also want to demonstrate to the rest of the world for 1,000 years how stagnant and lifeless the entire Dead Sea had been before the river of living water healed it. If the river were not literal, why would other passages of Scripture mention the river as well? Psalm 46:4 mentions a river which will make Jerusalem glad. Joel 3:18's millennial prediction envisions a fountain coming out of the temple and watering the valley of Shittim in which the Dead Sea is located. In fact, the millennial changes, predicted by Zechariah and Ezekiel are simply a microcosm of the healing of the curse that will take place all over the world.

Alva McClain, whose work on the kingdom is classic, has written the following about the millennial river issuing from the temple:

In addition to these natural results which must follow properly controlled rainfall, there may also be streams continually flowing by miraculous causation, such as the marvelous stream pictured by Ezekiel (47:1-12). Its issue from the temple, its immense size, the beneficial qualities of its fruit, its perennial flow "in summer and in winter" (Zech. 14:8)--all emphasize the supernatural nature of the stream. There is nothing at all inherently impossible in such a phenomenon. Why should anyone stumble at the idea of a beautiful stream springing up at the geographical center of our Lord's blessed Kingdom on earth, with healing in both its waters and the fruit which grows beside it? Is there anything incredible here, if we remember that the coming King is the One who once turned water into wine and sent the sightless man to wash away his blindness in the waters of Siloam (John 9:11)? What a visible symbol this will be to remind the nations of the unfailing blessings which will flow from the throne of the Son of David! And from this shrine none will go away in heartbreaking disappointment because no help has been found [The Greatness of the Kingdom, p. 237].

The Middletown Bible Church 349 East Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 346-0907

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The Last Eight Days, Part 2

The Last Eight Days, Part 2

This Week’s Feature Article by Jack Kelley

A Prophecy Lesson. Tuesday 12 Nisan
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matt. 24:1-2)

How this must have astonished the disciples. Over 500 years earlier the prophet Daniel had revealed that beginning with a decree authorizing the reconstruction of Jerusalem, Israel would be given 490 years during which all necessary preparations for the Messianic Kingdom would be made . They would finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the most holy (place). The most holy place refers to the Temple. Accomplishing this would require the Messiah to come and die for the sins of the people (Daniel 9:24-26).

The disciples knew the 483 year mark had been reached a few days earlier and that the Messiah was among them. He had explained to them that when they got to Jerusalem He would be executed but would come back from the grave three days later (Matt. 16:21, Luke 18:31-33). So there were only seven years left of the 490 years. The Temple had been undergoing a major reconstruction that so far had required 46 years (John 2:20) and wasn’t complete yet. But now Jesus was saying everything would be torn down. Not one stone would be left standing on another. How could that be?

As they began their trek up the Mt. of Olives on their way back to Bethany, four of the disciples (Peter, James, John and Andrew) approached Jesus to ask Him about these things. They had 3 questions for Him. First they wanted to know when this would happen. They also wanted to know what would be the sign of His coming, and what would be the sign of the end of the age (Matt. 24:3).

By their questions we can tell they’d been discussing this among themselves. Wanting to know when the Temple would be destroyed was an obvious reaction to his earlier statement, but the Lord’s 2nd Coming was still a new idea to them. And if the Temple was going to be torn down how would they know when the end of the age would come? They certainly could no longer count on it it happening in 7 years.

Matthew’s account of the Lord’s response does not contain an answer to their first question. But Luke’s does, so let’s go there first.
Jesus told them, “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies you will know its desolation is near. There will be great distress in the land (Israel) and wrath against this people (the Jews). They will fall by the sword and be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:20, 23,24).
The disciples were to understand that when they saw the Roman Armies surrounding Jerusalem it would mean Temple was about to be destroyed. The Jews mounted an unsuccessful revolt against Rome in 66 AD and by 70AD Jerusalem and the Temple lay in ruins.

In answering their 2nd and 3rd questions, Jesus began with an overview. In the times ahead there would be false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, but they would not signal the end. He said nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There would be famines and earthquakes in various places. He characterized these as the beginning of birth pangs, meaning they would be indicators that the time of the 2nd Coming was near.

He said the Jewish people would be persecuted and hated by all nations because they would be blamed for His death. There would be false prophets, and an increase of wickedness, but he who stands firm to the end would be saved (Matt. 24:4-13).

We know he wasn’t talking about the Church here because our salvation is not contingent upon standing firm to the end. Our salvation was assured from the moment we believed (Ephes. 1:13-14). God has set His seal of ownership on us and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing this (2 Cor. 1:21-22). Jesus had post rapture believers in mind here, because they have no such guarantee. As you’ll see there’s no mention of the Church anywhere in this discussion because Jesus was speaking as a Jewish prophet explaining to His Jewish disciples about the end times as they concern the Jewish people. Remember, their questions to Him were about the remaining seven years of Daniel’s 70 Week prophecy, which is all about Israel.

Then He completed His overview by saying the Gospel would be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matt. 24:14). Now before you say, “There’s where the Church comes in,” let me take you to Rev. 14 to see the fulfillment of this prophecy.
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Rev. 14:6-7)

Now the Lord gave them the first specific sign in answer to their questions. He said when the people of Judea see the abomination that causes desolation standing in the Holy place they should immediately flee for their lives (Matt. 24:15-16). The term abomination that causes desolation was well known to them even though it had only happened once previously. In one of history’s clearest models of the anti-Christ, the Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes placed an image of the Greek god Zeus with his own face on it in the Temple and demanded that the people worship it on pain of death. This rendered the Temple unfit for use and started the three and one half year Maccabean revolt. The annual celebration of their victory over the Syrians is called the Feast of Hanukkah. Every Jew knows the meaning of the abomination of desolation from this celebration. It was a sign they could all could recognize.

Jesus told the people of Judea to pray their flight wouldn’t be in winter or on a Sabbath when that happens again, because that sign would signal the beginning of the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21). It’s more difficult to flee one’s home in the winter and it’s against the Law for Jews to travel on the Sabbath.

It’s hard to over estimate the significance of that statement. Even though Jesus had earlier warned the disciples the Temple was soon to be destroyed and the people would be scattered to the nations, He now said there would be a Jewish nation in Israel with a working Temple again as the End of the Age approached. From about 135 AD until 1948 there was no Jewish nation, and since 70AD there hasn’t been a Temple there.

With 20-20 hindsight we can see that with the rejection of the Messiah, Daniel’s 70 week prophecy was suspended 7 years short of it’s fulfillment. The Lord’s brother James explained to the Early Church leaders that this suspension would remain in force while the Lord took from the Gentiles a people for Himself (the Church) and after that Israel would be restored (Acts 15:13-18). Therefore the Church Age didn’t cancel the remaining seven years, it has just postponed their fulfillment. After the Church has been raptured Israel’s final 7 years will resume and this time all their objectives will be reached.

The 3 ½ years of judgment that begins with the abomination that causes desolation will be the worst the world has ever seen or ever will see again (Matt. 24:21) No period of time is more carefully measured in all the Bible. It’s variously described as being 3 ½ years, or 42 months or 1260 days long. And then the Lord will return and put an end to it. He said if it was allowed it to run its course not a single human being would survive, but for the sake of His elect He will put an end to it at its appointed time (Matt. 24:22).
Immediately after the end of the Great tribulation the Sun and Moon will go dark and the stars will fall from the sky. The world will be plunged into darkness. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear as the only light in the sky and all the nations of the Earth will mourn. Then they will see the the Lord coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory (Matt. 24:29-30).

Jesus said in effect that the generation of people being born when the first of the end times signs appear will still be alive at the 2nd Coming (Matt. 24:34). Since He began by saying there will be a nation of Jewish people in the Promised Land in the end times, and since that hadn’t been the case until 1948, scholars believe that the rebirth of Israel was the event that kicked off the End Times. If so, then many of the people who were born in 1948 will still be alive when He returns.
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt. 24:36)

From Matt. 24:29-30 we can tell that Jesus was speaking about the day and hour of his return to Earth after the end of the Great Tribulation, and while you have likely seen different different interpretations of what follows, it’s important for you to understand that all of it pertains to the time immediately surrounding the 2nd Coming.

First He said it would be similar to the days of Noah. Before the flood unbelievers had no idea what was coming and why, and when Noah tried to warn them about it they just laughed, as if he was crazy. Right up to the day of the flood, they kept going about their lives, clueless to the fact that life as they knew it was about to end forever. It will be like that at the End of the Age as well. This is why Jesus said the nations will mourn when they see Him coming (Matt.24:30). They’ll finally realize that what they’ve been hearing is true and it will be too late for them to do anything in response.

He gave three examples of people appearing to be just alike and doing the same things, but one would be received into the Kingdom while the other would be sent away to eternal punishment. Matthew mentioned only two of them, the men in the field and the women grinding with a hand mill (Matt. 24:40-41). Luke added the two people sleeping in the same bed (Luke 17:34). The Lord’s point was that what differentiated them was not external and physical, but was internal and spiritual. It’s what they believe that makes them different.

The key to understanding these examples lies in the words taken and left. The Greek word for taken means to take unto oneself, or receive, and refers to surviving believers who will be received into the Kingdom. The word for left means to send away. These are the unbelievers who will be sent away for judgment. This example speaks of Tribulation survivors who will stand before the Lord upon His return to learn of their destiny.
Then He gave a warning that those who survive the Great Tribulation will not know the day or hour of His return so they should be watching for Him like a homeowner watches for a thief he knows is coming (Matt. 24:42-44).

Next, the Lord told them four parables, each one an example of how it will be just after the 2nd Coming. You’ll see that throughout this discussion there’s been no mention of a rapture or even of the Church itself. Nor will there be. This discussion is about Israel’s last seven years. The Church will be gone by then.

The Faithful Servant. (Matt. 24:45-51)

The first parable is about servants of a master’s house who’ve been given the responsibility of seeing that his other servants are fed . Remember, a parable is a fictional story placed in an Earthly context that’s designed to convey a Heavenly truth. Every character or event is symbolic of something else. Understanding what they symbolize helps us discover the Heavenly truth.

The servants in charge are post rapture ministers of the Gospel, which is symbolized by the food they provide for the other servants, their congregations. Their master is the Lord. None of them know exactly when He will return but when He does those who have been faithfully preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom will be rewarded. Those who’ve misled their flocks and preached a false Gospel will be punished. James warned us that those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1).

By their actions, these servants will have shown themselves to be false teachers and will be judged accordingly.
Keep in mind that eternal security is a blessing given only to the Church. Post rapture believers will have to maintain their own righteousness or risk losing their salvation. Rev. 14:12 says they’ll have to keep God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. And Rev. 16:15 says, “Behold I come Like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” When used symbolically, clothing stands for righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) and post rapture believers will be responsible for their own.

The Ten Virgins. (Matt. 25:1-13)

Next He told the parable of the 10 virgins or bridesmaids. Once again He began by identifying the time frame of the parable. By saying “at that time” He was referring to Matt. 24:36, the day and hour of His 2nd Coming, which follows the end of the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:29).

The story is about 10 young women who’ve been waiting a long time for the bridegroom to come. It’s late and all 10 have fallen asleep. Suddenly they hear someone shouting that the bridegroom is finally coming. They’ve all been given lamps and oil to help light the way but five of them have run out of oil, and the other five can’t lend them any. Those without oil hurry to buy more, but while they’re on their way the bridegroom arrives and the wedding banquet begins. Arriving late, they ask the bridegroom to let them in but he claims not to know them and they’re denied entrance.

This is another example of how some tribulation survivors will be received into the Kingdom while others will be excluded. The key ingredient here is oil, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit and identifies the five who have it as faithful believers, while those without it are not.

Those who try to find the Church in this parable overlook the fact that the timing is all wrong, and the church is the bride, not a bridesmaid. A bride doesn’t need the groom’s permission to enter her own wedding banquet. Also, characterizing the five without oil as backslidden Church Age believers violates the one condition of our salvation, which is belief, not behavior. And finally, a Church Age believer cannot lose the Holy Spirit, who is sealed within us as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. Once again, the Lord warned those on Earth at the time to keep watch because they won’t know the day or hour of his return (Matt 25:13).

The Talents. (Matt. 25:14-30)

Using the word “again” to begin this parable indicates the Lord is still speaking of the time just after His 2nd Coming and that means the servants are Tribulation survivors. It’s the story of three servants who were given allotments of money, 5 talents, 2 talents, and 1 talent respectively, by a master who was going away for a time. When He returned he called them in for an accounting. The servants who were given 5 and 2 talents had both doubled their master’s money and were commended. The servant given one talent had buried it in the ground and returned it to him untouched. This servant was rebuked. The talent was taken from him and he was thrown into the outer darkness.

Remember, in a parable everything is symbolic. The key to understanding this one lies in discovering what a talent of money symbolizes. Five talents was a lot of money, so the talents must represent something very valuable to the Lord, but there’s no indication in the Bible that money is valuable to Him. Seeing them as abilities we have is also a mistake because we don’t have anything He needs. Even the most “talented” among us can not contribute anything to His accomplishments. Out of love He sometimes lets us help, but He doesn’t need our help. Job 35:6-8 tells us our sins don’t hurt Him and our righteousness doesn’t help Him. They only affect us. However, according to Psalm 138:2 He values His name and His word above all things.

God must fulfill the promises He has made. We call these promises prophecy. He’s given His word that He will do all that He says (Isaiah 46:11) because His name is at stake (Ezekiel 36:22-23). Study His word and your faith will multiply as you read of prophecy after prophecy being fulfilled. But ignore it and you’ll lose even the little bit with which you began. In the Church Age we’re protected against total loss (1 Cor. 3:15), but it won’t be so afterward. If they don’t use, they’ll lose it. And they’ll lose their place in the Kingdom as well.

The Sheep And The Goats. (Matt. 25:31-46)

The Lord’s final example leaves no doubt as to its timing. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on his throne in heavenly glory” (Matt. 25:31) It’s the time just after the 2nd coming when He will bring all the world’s tribulation survivors to stand before Him in judgment. He’ll separate them based on how they treated His brothers during the Great Tribulation. Believers, called sheep, will be placed on His right and welcomed into the Millennial Kingdom where they’ll help repopulate the Earth. Unbelievers, called goats, will be placed on His left and then thrown into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

This appears to be a judgment based on works, but as with everything else the Lord looks at the motive behind our actions. Only a true believer would be willing to take the risks necessary to help protect the Jewish people against the anti-Christ’s determined effort to wipe them out to the last one. If he can do this before they petition the Lord’s return he will have won, so his extermination efforts will be even more relentless than Hitler’s. Anyone caught trying to thwart his effort will share the fate of the Jews. Those who help the Jews will be doing so at their own peril. But it will be as if they are helping the Lord Himself out of gratitude for all He’s done for them. Their faith will be rewarded.
After Jesus had told them all these things they joined the rest of the disciples and continued on their short walk to Bethany, where they were staying. More next time. 03-31-12