Kathleen Parker

WASHINGTON — As thousands prayed across the nation Thursday in celebration of National Day of Prayer, the Rev. Franklin Graham held his own vigil in the Pentagon parking lot.

Oh well, it doesn’t matter where one prays, right? All prayers lead to heaven. Or do they?

Not if you’re Graham, who lost his place at the Pentagon altar after he mocked other religions, specifically Muslims and Hindus. A plea to President Obama to reinstate him apparently fell on pitiless ears.

Graham’s offense was expressing his belief that only Christians have God’s ear, that Islam is evil, and that Muslims and Hindus don’t pray to the same God he does.

“No elephant with 100 arms can do anything for me,” Graham said in a USA Today interview, referring to one of the five main Hindu deities. “None of their 9,000 gods is going to lead me to salvation. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can have some big kumbaya service and all hold hands and it’s all going to get better in this world. It’s not going to get better.”

It’s not? If the whole world prays for a common good, will no good come of it? If so, then what’s the point of a National Day of Prayer? Oh ye of little faith.

Perhaps Graham was feeling cross after his rejection. As honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a private evangelical group, Graham was to have led a prayer for the U.S. military. His son is on a fourth tour in Afghanistan.

But Graham’s views didn’t sit well with secular Americans or even non-evangelical Christians, who protested that the government is endorsing a certain flavor of Christianity. A Wisconsin court apparently agreed and ruled the day unconstitutional, appeals pending.

Graham isn’t alone in his views. A survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors, conducted by an evangelical polling firm, found that 47 percent agree that Islam is “a very evil and a very wicked religion.” But such opinions may be confined mostly to an older generation. Evangelicals under 30 believe that there are many ways to God, not just through Jesus.

David Campbell, a professor at Notre Dame and co-author of “American Grace: How Religion Is Reshaping Our Civic and Political Lives” (with Harvard’s Bob Putnam) conducted surveys showing that nearly two-thirds of evangelicals under 35 believe non-Christians can go to heaven, versus 39 percent of those over 65.

When it comes to whose prayers carry more weight in the heavenly realm, well, who really knows? But new brain research supports the likelihood that one man’s prayer is as good as any other’s.

Barbara Bradley Hagerty, the award-winning NPR religion reporter, participated in a peyote ceremony in Arizona, meditated while wearing a brain scanner at the University of Wisconsin, and donned a “God helmet” in a neuroscientist’s lab in Canada in her quest to discover the secrets of prayer and, possibly, proof of God.

In her book, “Fingerprints of God,” Hagerty tries to answer a question that has plagued her for years: Is there more than this? She couldn’t accept mainstream science’s answer that we are “a collection of molecules with no greater purpose than to eke out a few decades.” Instead, she sought out spiritual virtuosos (people who practice prayer, religiously), as well as neurologists, geneticists, physicists and medical researchers who are using the newest tools of science to discern the circumstantial evidence of God.

Her research led to some startling conclusions that have caused no small amount of Sturm und Drang among those who believe theirs is the one true way. She found that whether one is a Sikh, a Catholic nun, a Buddhist monk, or a Sufi Muslim, the brain reacts to focused prayer and meditation much in the same way. The same parts light up and the same parts go dark during deep meditation.

Apparently, we have a “God spot” and “God genes.” And though some are more generously endowed than others, spiritual experience is a human phenomenon, not a religious one. Different routes to the same destination.

Understandably, these are not glad tidings to some. Centuries of blood have been shed for the sake of religious certitude. But transcending the notion that only some prayers are the right ones might get us closer to the enlightenment we purportedly seek.

Hagerty is optimistic that science eventually will demonstrate that we are more than mere matter. In the meantime, it would seem imminently rational to presume in our public affairs that God does not play political favorites with his creation.

Kathleen Parker’s e-mail address is kathleenparker(at)washpost.com.

(c) 2010, Washington Post Writers Group

Prayer

The following, briefly, are some of my distinctive religious views, and a prayer for all of my readers. It is not my intent to offend anyone, but I do have sincere religious convictions, and I do not hesitate to share them. It is my duty to do so, as a Christian:

It is my firm belief that God grants his Providence to his Covenant people. Don’t expect God’s blessings if you aren’t in fellowship with God.

I wholeheartedly believe in Christian charity.  I believe that we should not only be prepared to provide for our families, but also to store up extra food to dispense as charity to those who are less prudent. If in doubt, store far more than you ever expect to use.

Yes, I believe in Election. Yes, I believe that God’s Remnant is small. Enough said.

Some of my favorite Christian sites are listed at my Links page.

I’m often e-mailed links to other Christian sites, but I only post a few of them.  Why?  I’m forced to be selective because the modern Christian world is awash in bad doctrine. Sadly, the majority of Christian denominations are presenting a watered-down gospel, urging people to 『make a decision for Christ.』 I’ve got news for you. You don’t do the choosing. God did the choosing, and he did it before the foundations of the Earth. (For some details, see Arthur W. Pink‘s book on Election.)

Clarification on Christianity and Physical Preparedness

I occasionally get e-mails from SurvivalBlog readers, asking about how I can justify active preparedness in light of my Christian faith. Some of them cite the 『Lilies of the Field』 passage in Matthew 6:25-34 (KJV):
『Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.』

In my view, people are misinterpreting these verses. These are verses about worry, not about work or preparedness. Never does the Bible teach that we should laze about and not provide for our families. Earning our daily bread is the Godly way to live. We are taught not to be lazy or dependent on others. Yes, we are to trust in God’s providence, but nowhere do the scriptures absolve us of the responsibility to work or to save up for lean times. Consider these four verses from the book of Proverbs:

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.. Proverbs 12:11, KJV

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.(Poverty.) Proverbs 14:23, KJV

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. Proverbs 21:25, KJV

The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want. Proverbs 21:5, KJV

Food Storage

The Bible encourages storing food. Look at Gen. 41:47-49 (KJV): 『And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.Gen 41:48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which [was] round about every city, laid he up in the same.And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for [it was] without number.』 And then see Gen. 41:53-57: 『And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands.』

The preceding is a good example that illustrates the need for food storage. As I write this in 2008, a growing portion of the world is already experiencing famine. You should recognize that famine could just a well come to stalk America, Europe, the British Isles, and Australia. (The regions with the largest SurvivalBlog readership.) It is prudent and Biblically supported to stock up during good times in anticipation of lean times.

Prov. 6:6-15 (KJV): 『Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a forward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Forwardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.』

The lessons from scripture are clear: Don’t be lazy and lax. Store up in good times for future lean times. Consider this: 『[There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.』 – Prov. 21:20 (KJV)

And ponder this Old Testament passage: Psalm 34:9-10 (KJV): 『O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.Psa 34:10 (KJV) 『The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].』 And then look at this New Testament passage:, from 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV): 『But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.』

One of the many names of God is Jehovah Jireh, which means God Who Provides. As a Christian, I believe that God will provide for his covenant people. I believe that one of the many gifts that the God has provided is a conviction, by the Holy Spirit, to be well prepared. I realize that we are only on Earth for about 80 trips around the sun, and that is just the twinkling of an eye versus eternity. Where we end up after this brief life is far, far more important in the grand scheme of things. We will spend eternity either in heaven or in hell. But how we spend our +/-80 year life on Earth is up to us. (And the most important thing that we do in the is life is make ourselves right with God, though his Grace, to accepting eternal life in heaven. But stepping back to this temporal world: The Bible makes it very clear that we are to be good stewards of the blessings that God provides us. I therefore feel strongly convicted to not just share the gospel of Christ, but also to physically prepare for my own family, and store extra to dispense as charity. The bottom line: I can’t continue to share the gospel if I starve to the point of achieving room temperature!

Self Defense
Other readers question how I can justify owning guns for self-defense. Some Mennonites, for example, eschew all means self defense and decry even the willingness to defend oneself or one’s loved ones. That, in my opinion is taking 『turning the other cheek』 (Luke 6:29) to an extreme that is not scripturally founded.

Exodus 22:2 provides Biblical justification for killing someone if he intends to forcibly rob or kill another man: 』 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, [there shall] no blood [be shed] for him.』 Exodus 22:2 (KJV)

And Jesus teaches that it is wise to be armed, in Luke 22:35-36 (KJV): 『And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.』

In an article titled: What Does The Bible Say About Gun Control? Larry Pratt keenly observed the difference between self-defense and vengeance:

Resisting an attack is not to be confused with taking vengeance which is the exclusive domain of God (Rom. 12:19). This has been delegated to the civil magistrate, who, as we read in Romans 13:4, 『. . . is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.』

Private vengeance means one would stalk down a criminal after one’s life is no longer in danger as opposed to defending oneself during an attack. It is this very point that has been confused by Christian pacifists who would take the passage in the Sermon on the Mount about turning the other cheek (which prohibits private vengeance) into a command to falter before the wicked.

Let us consider also that the Sixth Commandment tells us: 『Thou shall not murder.』 In the chapters following, God gave to Moses many of the situations which require a death penalty. God clearly has not told us never to kill. He has told us not to murder, which means we are not to take an innocent life. Consider also that the civil magistrate is to be a terror to those who practice evil. This passage does not in any way imply that the role of law enforcement is to prevent crimes or to protect individuals from criminals. The magistrate is a minister to serve as 『an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil』 (Rom. 13:4).

Jesus taught both to turn the other cheek and to be well-armed to defend oneself. The important factor is having the wisdom to know when to employ either approach depending on the circumstances. I pray, for wisdom, discernment, and discretion, daily. I don’t seek out trouble, and in fact I have moved my family to a remote, lightly populated region in good part to avoid trouble. But if unavoidable trouble comes my way, I want to have the option of resisting force with force. And I only have that option if I am armed and trained.

Some critics of armed preparedness cite Matthew 26:52-54 (KJV), which descries how Jesus responded when Peter cut off the ear of a high priest’s servant, using a sword: 『Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?』

In context, Jesus is telling Peter that it would be suicidal to fight in that particular situation, since they were quite outnumbered. And of course Jesus knew it was in God’s plan for him to be arrested, tried, crucified, and resurrected. Jesus told Peter to put his sword in its place –which was back in his belt. Jesus was telling Peter in effect that 『there is a time to fight, and this, my friend, isn’t it.』 He didn’t command him to 『throw that sword away』, or 『surrender it』, or to 『stop carrying it』. After all, according to Luke, Jesus had just recently ordered the disciples to arm themselves. The reason for the arms was obviously to protect their own lives when traveling–not to protect His own life, which He intended to sacrifice, to pay for our sins, once and for all.

The Old testament teaches both to be armed, and to be trained. We read in Psalm 144:1:

Blessed [be] the LORD my strength,
which teacheth my hands to war,
[and] my fingers to fight:

Yes, as Christians our battles are mainly spiritual, but we must also be prepared to defend our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, against evildoers.

Charity

Charity–both in time of plenty and in times of disaster–is a Christian responsibility with its roots in the Old Testament tradition of Tzedaka. This responsibility–particularly for the support of widows and orphans–was repeated in the New Testament, such as in Acts 11:27-30: 『And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.』

The Biblical approach to survivalism is to avoid trouble, but to be ready for it nonetheless. And when trouble does come, have extra stores on hand, so that you can dispense copious charity. Give until it hurts!

A Key Verse

『A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.』 – Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)

My Prayer For You

The following is one of my favorite psalms, which is particularly appropriate for folks that are interested in preparedness.
May Almighty God put you in the right place at the right time, with the right friends whom you can count on.

I’ll close with one of my favorite Psalms:

Psalm 91 (KJV)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;
[Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

『There is no question that George W. Bush worships Satan,』 proclaims Lee Rogers spokesman for the group.

『George W. Bush and any other member of the administration that secretly worships Satan should be removed from office immediately. It is one thing if Bush openly announced that he worshiped Satan and was elected, but the fact that Bush poses as a Christian and secretly worships Satan is deeply offensive to the moral values of Christians,』 Rogers continues.

Evidence of George W. Bush�s worship of Satan is clear when one considers the secret societies that he is affiliated with. These include Skull and Bones as well as the Bohemian Club. Both organizations are confirmed to be heavily involved with Satan worship.

George W. Bush�s Affiliation with Skull and Bones

George W. Bush, his father George H.W. Bush and his grandfather Prescott Bush all became members of Skull and Bones a secret fraternal society located at Yale University. Founded in 1832, the official legal name of the society is the Russell Trust Association named after one of the founding members of the society. Skull and Bones at one point was actually known as The Brotherhood of Death if that gives any sort of indication as to what this group is all about. Each year, 15 new members are recruited into Skull and Bones and meet in a building known as �The Tomb�. The group�s symbol is a skull and crossbones with the number �322� located underneath the crossbones.

Here is the American Heritage Dictionary’s definition of the word crossbones.

crossbones – A representation of two bones placed crosswise, usually under a skull, symbolizing danger or death.

Obviously from the description alone, Skull and Bones is no Christian group. It becomes even more disturbing when one learns of the rituals members of Skull and Bones must participate in so they can be reborn into this satanic order of death. Newly tapped members of Skull and Bones participate in a ritual where they are reborn into the order by laying naked in a coffin. Members must also recount their entire sexual history, pretend to slit a nude woman�s throat and participate in other bizarre satanic rituals.

As if this wasn�t bad enough, George W. Bush�s grandfather Prescott Bush along with other Skull and Bones members actually robbed the grave of Apache warrior Geronimo and stole Geronimo�s skull in 1918. A group of Native Americans have actually petitioned Congress to investigate the Skull and Bones group as part of an effort to return the remains of Geronimo for reburial. Geronimo’s grandson, Harlan Geronimo, has even asked George W. Bush to return his grandfather�s skull and has volunteered to undergo DNA testing to prove ownership.

It is ridiculous to believe that a good Christian man as Bush claims he is would have anything to do with a group that participates in these things. At the very least Bush should help facilitate the return of Geronimo�s skull and apologize to Harlan Geronimo for the actions of his grandfather.

George W. Bush�s Affiliation with the Bohemian Grove

George W. Bush and his father are also both members of a group called the Bohemian Club. The all male Bohemian Club�s membership which consists of America�s wealthy and political elite, meet every summer in a place known as the Bohemian Grove. The Bohemian Grove is located in the town of Monte Rio in the middle of the redwood forests of northern California. Each year, they conduct a satanic ritual called the �Cremation of Care� where they burn an effigy of a child to an idol of the demon Molech. The ceremony could best be described as a mock human sacrifice and is hardly anything a Christian man would take part in.

This is especially true considering that Molech is actually referenced in the Old Testament. In the book of Leviticus, God denounces the sacrifice of children to Molech as shown here.

Leviticus 18:21

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 20:2

Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech: he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Security at the Bohemian Grove is taken seriously as members of the press are not allowed to film inside the encampment. Members value their privacy and apparently do not want people to know that they participate in a satanic ritual and engage in other bizarre behavior. That all changed in the year 2000 when radio host and documentary film maker Alex Jones along with camera man Mike Hanson snuck into the Bohemian Grove and filmed the entire �Cremation of Care� ritual via a hidden video camera. Jones released the video footage of the ritual in his documentary film Dark Secrets: Inside the Bohemian Grove. It is clear from the video footage contained in the film that the �Cremation of Care� ceremony is in fact a satanic ritual.

There have also been reports of rampant homosexual prostitution in the Bohemian Grove. The NY Post reported that a gay porn star by the screen name Chad Savage was brought into the Bohemian Grove to service the moguls there. Members of the Bohemian Club are also said to run around naked, dress in drag, engage in drug use as well as urinate openly within the encampment. There are even allegations of snuff films being filmed within the Bohemian Grove during the 1980�s. Details of these allegations can be found in former state senator John Decamp�s book The Franklin Cover-up.

Richard Nixon was even recorded on audio tape referring to the Bohemian Grove as �the most faggy godd**ned thing you could ever imagine.�

Why would a Christian man be associated with an organization that has members who secretly engage in homosexual acts, satanic rituals and other bizarre behavior?

George W. Bush�s Actions Are Immoral and Not Christian

If George W. Bush were really a good Christian man why would he wage an endless war on terror based on lies and propaganda? It has already become clear that the war in Iraq was based off of lies and has thus far resulted in the deaths of nearly one million people. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the attacks of September 11th, 2001 were a government inside job, meaning that the entire war on terror that Bush promotes is also based off of lies and falsehoods.

The United States is spending close to one billion dollars building an embassy in Iraq that is going to be as big if not bigger than Vatican City. How can Bush justify spending this money on an embassy when Baghdad is still in shambles and the Veteran�s Administration in the United States is in complete disarray? It is clear that Bush doesn�t care about U.S. military personnel, or the Iraqi people. Instead, Bush is more concerned with building a new modern day version of Babylon as part of an effort to further the influence of his satanic New World Order masters. Bush and his New World Order masters believe that they themselves are living gods on earth and exempt from divine judgment.

The evidence is overwhelming. George W. Bush�s association with these secret societies coupled with his actions that have caused an untold amount of death and destruction is clear proof that he worships Satan. We are demanding that Bush and any other member of his administration that poses as a fake Christian and worships Satan in secret be removed from office immediately.

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The Christian�s Liberation Movement is a Christian based news organization and liberation movement dedicated to exposing government corruption and the New World Order.

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IMPORTANT LINKS

CNN: Geronimo’s Heir Wants Bush to Return ‘Skull and Bones’

Found Letter Indicates Yale Club has Geronimo’s Skull

NY Post: Gay Porn Star Services Bohemian Grove Members

Wikipedia: Bohemian Grove Entry

Wikipedia: Skull and Bones Entry

New Embassy in Iraq a Mystery

San Francisco Chronicle Article Confirming Bush’s Involvement With Bohemian Grove

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A Russian arrives in  New York City  as a new immigrant to the United States . He stops the first person he sees walking down the street and says, 『Thank you Mr. American for letting me into this country, giving me housing, food stamps, free medical care, and a free education!』

The passerby says, 『You are mistaken, I am a Mexican.』

The man goes on and encounters another passerby. 『Thank you for having such a beautiful country here in  America .』 The person says, 『I not American, I Vietnamese.』

The new arrival walks farther, and the next person he sees he stops, shakes his hand, and says, 『Thank you for wonderful  America !』 That person puts up his hand and says, 『I am from  Middle East ..  I am not American.』

He finally sees a nice lady and asks, 『Are you an American?』 She says, 『No, I am from  Africa .』 Puzzled, he asks her, 『Where are all the Americans?』 The African lady checks her watch and says, 『Probably at work.』

IF YOU DON’T PASS THIS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS, TOMORROW AT 11:30 AM YOU WILL RECEIVE THREE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ABSOLUTELY FREE!

God Considers Prophecy Important

He put so much of it in the Bible.

Although prophecy constitutes a large part of the Bible, its importance is constantly downplayed by those who dismiss it as having no practical significance, that it can’t be understood, or by those who object to it on the grounds that it is a 『fad』 that takes people’s eyes off Jesus.

Ignoring the study of biblical prophecy means ignoring the study of a large part of the Bible.

You cannot study Scripture without studying prophecy.

	Every fourth verse in the Scripture deals with prophecy.
	The coming of the Lord is a truth of such importance that it is mentioned 318 times in the 260 chapters of the NT (on an average of once every 25 verses).
	The only subject mentioned more frequently than the second coming is the subject of salvation.
	Paul mentioned the communion ordinance only twice in his 13 epistles and baptism only 13 times, but he mentions the return of our Lord 50 times!

Studying Prophecy in the Light of Experience

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. [2 Timothy 3:16-17]

Experience and history can aid in our study of prophecy. What we learn from the historical accounts recorded in the Bible as well as the laws and commandments put forth throughout Scripture can help us better understand the prophetic parts of the Bible.

Historical accounts of the Bible can shed some light on prophecy in that we can see God working through particular circumstances to bring about future eventualities. Unlike any other book in the world, the Bible contains hundreds of fulfilled prophecies pertaining to cities, nations, empires, and individuals that can be verified in the historical record. The literal fulfillment of these prophecies demonstrates the accuracy of biblical prophecy, and it only makes sense that yet unfulfilled prophecy to be equally accurate.

The First Coming of Jesus Christ was Prophesied
It was prophecy that began the process leading up to the very first Christmas, since it was an angel that appeared to Mary to tell her that she was going to have a son. After Jesus was born, it was angels who appeared to the shepherds in the fields, announcing the good news of the coming of the Messiah. And an angel also came to the wise men that had travelled to see the baby Jesus, warning them to go home by another route. Angels have always been known in the Holy Bible as God’s messengers who reside with God in heaven when they are not doing his bidding on earth.

Jesus Christ Is Coming Again
The last book of the Bible (Revelation) describes His return in graphic detail and the next to the last verse says, 『Yes, I am coming soon.』

The Law of Cause and Effect
We can better understand the prophetic scriptures as we study the historical and wisdom parts of the Bible as well as the parts defined as 『Law』. There are 759 statutes, laws and judgements in Scripture that outline the cause and effect of many areas of our lives. Each of these precepts describe an event or cause with a predictable result or effect. These laws were true when God decreed them and they are true today, as they will be true in the future.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. [Hebrews 13:8]

However, it seems that the more things change, the more they remain the same. While history can provide valuable education for those who pay attention to it, not everyone pays attention. I’m often amazed when reading the book of Jeremiah to see civilizations thriving as they follow God’s law and suffering as they reject that law. Their’s is a history like a yo-yo. These people, like us, have been provided by God valuable commandments for us to follow with predictable results. When they followed the law, they were blessed. When they rejected the law, they suffered.

In a sense, when you understand this cause and effect relationship of God’s Word, much of what we might consider prophecy is not really unknown. Though we might not understand the specifics, we can understand the more general principle and live by it. The Bible stands as a witness to the events unfolding before our eyes. In order to better understand prophecy, we need only to rest at the Savior’s feet and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to our heart through His written word.

Sovereignty of God

Despite our best efforts to understand prophecy through the lens of experience and history, God stands above everything we know and understand, and only He has the power to bring prophecy to pass. While He may open our eyes to see things, as he did with John in Patmos, the outcome is still under His control. While we may be blessed to discern future events and may not always see things clearly, we can know He is in control and the results are His. The entirety of Scripture (history, law, and prophecy) is there to give us comfort in the knowledge that He is in control and there is a plan.

While we cannot know the ultimate details of God’s plan and the specifics of future events, we are not left totally clueless either. God has provided to us a roadmap with statutes and laws to follow. He has promosed certain results for those who follow his plan and consequences for those that don’t. He has demonstrated to us through history that He is faithful and there is order in His way.

Wake Up!

In the wake of increasing violence, violent weather, natural disasters, and other calamities befalling mankind, some might ask, 『What does it all mean?』 Many of the signs of His soon return we are witnessing today are designed to wake us from our slumber.

He is trying to get our attention.

God does not pour out His wrath without first warning us.

God wants us to know He will return. God’s seeming delay in bringing about the consummation of all things is a result not of indifference but of patience in waiting for all who will come to repentance. God is giving us every chance to repent of our sin and return to Him. He is being patient with us because He wants everyone to come to repentance.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [2Peter 3:9]

The delay of Christ’s return is also related to the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world. God wants everyone to hear the gospel and does not desire anyone to perish eternally (1Tim. 2:4).

This does not mean that all will be saved, for if a person rejects God’s grace and salvation, then he or she remains lost.

Spirit of Lawlessness

Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, man has declared his independence from God and demanded his own way. You can see a clear pattern throughout the historical accounts in the Bible of man rejecting God’s way and attempting to create his own reality. This pattern of lawlessness, injustice, and increase of wickedness dominates our society today and throughout history was found in civilizations in the process of decline. It is a pattern evident in nations that rejected God’s Word as ultimate authority in their lives, rejected the only Lawgiver and Judge (James 4:12), and is a pattern prevailing in many Americans today.

Some have rejected God’s laws concerning celebrating His feasts, for example, saying it is meaningless in light of the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system and the destruction of the Second Temple in A.D. 70. For these and many others, they choose to practice the 10 planks of communism rather than the 10 Commandments. This too, is a sign of His soon return!

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
     - [Matthew 24:12]

Emergence of the AntiChrist

The high level of apathy among the population and ignorance of Bible prophecy is paving the way for the Antichrist. It would appear he will easily deceive people who only want to hear what tickles their ears and feeds their selfish desires. We are witnessing events today that would appear to be setting up the antichrist new world order with hardly a whimper from most people.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [2 Timothy 4:3-4]

http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1855_Conspiracy.html

Bible Teaches Conspiracy! From Genesis to Revelation

The Bible teaches that Satan will conspire against God, especially in the Last Days, to attempt to impose his plan upon the world, rather than allow God to establish His Divine Plan.

We will show you now that the Bible does teach such a conspiracy, that Christians should be expecting one to develop, and that the conspiracy of which the Bible speaks will be treasonous!

Let us begin by defining the term 『conspiracy』.

Definition of Conspiracy: 『A planning together secretly, especially for an unlawful or harmful purpose, such as murder or treason.』 Now, let us define 『Treason』.

Definition of Treason: 『Violation of the allegiance owed to one’s sovereign or state.』
(Both quotes taken from Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1970)

Either a person believes that historic events occur as the result of a Plan or that events occur randomly and by chance. The Bible is quite clear that God controls world events. Therefore, a Christian must hold to the belief that world events occur a result of God’s intervention and control, which He performs so that His Plan for the world is carried out, rather than Satan’s plan.

Consider the following Scripture:
1. Isaiah 46:9b-11
『I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end and the result from the beginning and from ancient time the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose…’ I have spoken and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it and I will do it.』
2. Proverbs 16:33
『The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord– even the events [that seem accidental] are really ordered by Him.』 (Amplified Bible Commentary).
This insight is truly incredible. God even controls the seemingly accidental working of the casting of lots, or the rolling of the dice. Nothing is outside God’s control, even the smallest detail.
3. Revelation 17:12-13, 17:
『The 10 horns that you observed are 10 rulers…who are to receive power and authority for a single hour, along with the beast. These have one common policy (purpose), and they deliver their power to the beast…God has put it into their hearts to carry out His own purpose by acting in harmony in surrendering their royal power and authority to the beast, until the prophetic words of God shall be fulfilled. (Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible Commentary)

Take special note of the words, 『acting in harmony』. Since the Bible is very literal in fulfillment of its prophecies, we should literally expect that the final leaders of the End of the Age will be 『acting』 according to a very well-planned script, a global play in which each actor or actress is simply following proscribed lines, the end result of which will be Antichrist appearing on the world scenme.

Indeed, a major New World Order book, 『The Armaggedon Script』, tells us boldly that the leaders at the End of the Age will simply be following a very well prepared script. We print out this passage at the end of this article. But, bear in mind, the leaders of today are not only conspiring, they are following a script.

Since Revelation 17:12-13, 17 occurs in the during the Great Tribulation, we are being told here that the kingdom of Anti-Christ will occur as the result of a planned, concentrated conspiracy. This insight is gained by carefully considering the words, 『one common policy or purpose』 and 『acting in harmony』. A common policy or purpose and acting in harmony in human affairs does not occur unless a detailed plan has been created and agreed upon.

Satan aspires to be like God and to overthrow God (Isaiah 14:12-14). His attitude and rebellious action constituted history’s first authentic conspiracy. The conspirator, by definition, is trying to overthrow the existing governmental structure to establish his government. He cannot carry out this overthrow openly, because the leaders of the current government would discover the plan to depose them and would move to crush the conspirators. Thus, the plan, or the conspiracy, to overthrow the existing government must be carried out in great secrecy and with even greater deception, un til the moment is reached when the existing government is no longer powerful enough to resist the overthrow; certainly, these plans would be illegal, for their purpose is to overthrow the legal government.

This, by definition, is conspiracy and treason.

Since the Tower of Babel, God’s organizational Plan for the world is to divide the world into sovereign nations, while Satan’s plan is to abolish sovereign nations in favor of a one-world government. Therefore, Satan will attempt to abolish the present make-up of 170+ sovereign nations, replacing them with a One-World Government. As Satan begins to reorganize the world, he will be struggling against national leaders who have been born and raised according to God’s Plan of sovereign governments. Satan will have to overthrow those existing governments.

Also, the peoples of the sovereign governments would demand that this terrible plan be thwarted. Therefore, Satan’s men would have to carry out their plan in secret.

This, by definition, is conspiracy and treason.

But, let me allow the leaders of the New Age Movement to have the last say, as they have boldly published their Plan to the world. They have 『shouted from the rooftops』 that they are following a script! Listen to their own words:

『Their script is now written, subject only to last minute editing and stage-directions. The stage itself, albeit as yet in darkness, is almost ready… The last-minute, walk-on parts are even now being filled. Most of the main actors…have already taken up their roles. Soon it will be time for them to come on stage, ready for the curtain to rise.

The time for action will have come.』
(From 『The Armageddon Script』, by Peter LeMesurier, St. Martin’s Press, 1982, New York, N.Y., p. 252.)

『When we come into our kingdom…who will ever suspect that all these peoples were stage-managed by us according to a political plan which no one has so much as guessed at in the course of many centuries?』
(From 『Behold A Pale Horse』, by Milton William Cooper, Light Technology Publishing, 1991, Sedona, AZ, p. 303, quoting from The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion)

So, you see, this scenario to the New World Order is carefully scripted, with actors adhering to written,scripted lines. This is the most carefully planned and executed play ever written, but that is exactly what it is. In fact, this play has been in the process of being acted out since 1776. If the planners for the New World Order admit that their plan is well-scripted, and if the Bible declares this to be the case, why are you still unwilling to admit that events of our present time are scripted?

The major events are as planned as man can make them, aided by Super-Natural Satan. Do not be deceived by those people in the media who would attempt to disarm your defenses by making fun of the concept of a conspiracy. The very fact that such a concen-trated attempt is now being made to discredit the idea of a conspiracy argues forcefully that the final planned events which will finally move the world into the New World Order are very close, indeed.

http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1855_Conspiracy.html

Bible Teaches Conspiracy! From Genesis to Revelation

The Bible teaches that Satan will conspire against God, especially in the Last Days, to attempt to impose his plan upon the world, rather than allow God to establish His Divine Plan.

We will show you now that the Bible does teach such a conspiracy, that Christians should be expecting one to develop, and that the conspiracy of which the Bible speaks will be treasonous!

Let us begin by defining the term 『conspiracy』.

Definition of Conspiracy: 『A planning together secretly, especially for an unlawful or harmful purpose, such as murder or treason.』 Now, let us define 『Treason』.

Definition of Treason: 『Violation of the allegiance owed to one’s sovereign or state.』
(Both quotes taken from Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1970)

Either a person believes that historic events occur as the result of a Plan or that events occur randomly and by chance. The Bible is quite clear that God controls world events. Therefore, a Christian must hold to the belief that world events occur a result of God’s intervention and control, which He performs so that His Plan for the world is carried out, rather than Satan’s plan.

Consider the following Scripture:
1. Isaiah 46:9b-11
『I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end and the result from the beginning and from ancient time the things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose…’ I have spoken and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it and I will do it.』
2. Proverbs 16:33
『The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord– even the events [that seem accidental] are really ordered by Him.』 (Amplified Bible Commentary).
This insight is truly incredible. God even controls the seemingly accidental working of the casting of lots, or the rolling of the dice. Nothing is outside God’s control, even the smallest detail.
3. Revelation 17:12-13, 17:
『The 10 horns that you observed are 10 rulers…who are to receive power and authority for a single hour, along with the beast. These have one common policy (purpose), and they deliver their power to the beast…God has put it into their hearts to carry out His own purpose by acting in harmony in surrendering their royal power and authority to the beast, until the prophetic words of God shall be fulfilled. (Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible Commentary)

Take special note of the words, 『acting in harmony』. Since the Bible is very literal in fulfillment of its prophecies, we should literally expect that the final leaders of the End of the Age will be 『acting』 according to a very well-planned script, a global play in which each actor or actress is simply following proscribed lines, the end result of which will be Antichrist appearing on the world scenme.

Indeed, a major New World Order book, 『The Armaggedon Script』, tells us boldly that the leaders at the End of the Age will simply be following a very well prepared script. We print out this passage at the end of this article. But, bear in mind, the leaders of today are not only conspiring, they are following a script.

Since Revelation 17:12-13, 17 occurs in the during the Great Tribulation, we are being told here that the kingdom of Anti-Christ will occur as the result of a planned, concentrated conspiracy. This insight is gained by carefully considering the words, 『one common policy or purpose』 and 『acting in harmony』. A common policy or purpose and acting in harmony in human affairs does not occur unless a detailed plan has been created and agreed upon.

Satan aspires to be like God and to overthrow God (Isaiah 14:12-14). His attitude and rebellious action constituted history’s first authentic conspiracy. The conspirator, by definition, is trying to overthrow the existing governmental structure to establish his government. He cannot carry out this overthrow openly, because the leaders of the current government would discover the plan to depose them and would move to crush the conspirators. Thus, the plan, or the conspiracy, to overthrow the existing government must be carried out in great secrecy and with even greater deception, un til the moment is reached when the existing government is no longer powerful enough to resist the overthrow; certainly, these plans would be illegal, for their purpose is to overthrow the legal government.

This, by definition, is conspiracy and treason.

Since the Tower of Babel, God’s organizational Plan for the world is to divide the world into sovereign nations, while Satan’s plan is to abolish sovereign nations in favor of a one-world government. Therefore, Satan will attempt to abolish the present make-up of 170+ sovereign nations, replacing them with a One-World Government. As Satan begins to reorganize the world, he will be struggling against national leaders who have been born and raised according to God’s Plan of sovereign governments. Satan will have to overthrow those existing governments.

Also, the peoples of the sovereign governments would demand that this terrible plan be thwarted. Therefore, Satan’s men would have to carry out their plan in secret.

This, by definition, is conspiracy and treason.

But, let me allow the leaders of the New Age Movement to have the last say, as they have boldly published their Plan to the world. They have 『shouted from the rooftops』 that they are following a script! Listen to their own words:

『Their script is now written, subject only to last minute editing and stage-directions. The stage itself, albeit as yet in darkness, is almost ready… The last-minute, walk-on parts are even now being filled. Most of the main actors…have already taken up their roles. Soon it will be time for them to come on stage, ready for the curtain to rise.

The time for action will have come.』
(From 『The Armageddon Script』, by Peter LeMesurier, St. Martin’s Press, 1982, New York, N.Y., p. 252.)

『When we come into our kingdom…who will ever suspect that all these peoples were stage-managed by us according to a political plan which no one has so much as guessed at in the course of many centuries?』
(From 『Behold A Pale Horse』, by Milton William Cooper, Light Technology Publishing, 1991, Sedona, AZ, p. 303, quoting from The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion)

So, you see, this scenario to the New World Order is carefully scripted, with actors adhering to written,scripted lines. This is the most carefully planned and executed play ever written, but that is exactly what it is. In fact, this play has been in the process of being acted out since 1776. If the planners for the New World Order admit that their plan is well-scripted, and if the Bible declares this to be the case, why are you still unwilling to admit that events of our present time are scripted?

The major events are as planned as man can make them, aided by Super-Natural Satan. Do not be deceived by those people in the media who would attempt to disarm your defenses by making fun of the concept of a conspiracy. The very fact that such a concen-trated attempt is now being made to discredit the idea of a conspiracy argues forcefully that the final planned events which will finally move the world into the New World Order are very close, indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPmLQmS4dUE

Greetings From Kookamongus!