Madonna's Black Mass

Madonna’s Black Mass, New World Order Rite in Diana’s Place

Published by Sharon at 1:49 pm under Connecting Dots,Illuminati,Video

UPDATE: In the original version of this post, I linked to a YouTube copy of the halftime show, but as of today (2/7/12), it’s been taken down for copyright infringement. As someone who writes, I can understand the NFL choosing to do this, so I’ll not complain. I hope most of you had a chance to see the video. — SKGHere’s what happened on the night of Sunday, February 5th, 2012 in Indianapolis, on the 39th parallel: Last night’s epic ‘war’ between the Patriots (those who hope to prevent the New World Order) and the Giants (the Overlords, or even the Biblical Nephilim) drew, according to NBC’s estimates, 111 Million viewers. This 111 number represents, not only a perverse sort of trinity in occult circles, but is also a shorthand way of saying ’666′.
As these 111 Million sets of eyeballs stared at the civilized warfare (interrupted over and over by beer and wild women), we overindulged in celebratory food, beer, and comradery. This shared experience thrills those who believe in a global consciousness, and the halftime show provided this Earth mind moment with 13 minutes of black magic to ‘seal the deal’.
Certainly, anyone who has seen Elizabeth Taylor’s spectacular entrance into Rome as Cleopatra in the movie of the same name recognized the pageantry as a pale imitation of that iconic moment. Echoing Cleopatra, Madonna entered the arena in her own golden chariot, drawn by Roman soldiers (ushered in by war). The singer wore an odd headdress that looked very much like a stylized goat’s head, while the rest of her costume was pure Roman soldier (except, of course, for the 5 inch stiletto boots).
So, we see ‘Madonna’ (the Virgin Mother) representing Egypt’s Cleopatra (who embodied Isis, mother of Horus/Osiris). The first song (Vogue – lyrics here) begins with this ‘daughter of men’ cavorting with a winged being (one pair of wings on his back, another on his feet, and a lyre in his hands). This could be Mercury, or it might also represent Lucifer/Saturn/Satan. Once this initial dance is over, the ‘Madonna’ then dances with all the ‘creatures’ (one looks like he has a goat head, another is part cheetah/leopard, one appears to be a snake, and the Virgin ‘rides’ him). This is a deliberate picture of a Genesis 6 style orgy!
As the Vogue number has ‘impregnated’ the Virgin Isis/Semiramis, the number ends with a pose, and the lights reveal a winged disc (the Egyptian sun symbol). The orgy continues now, enjoining the world to do the same–through Music. (Music – lyrics here). Performers from Cirque de Solei (circle of the sun) join Madonna as well as the rap duo LMFAO (if you don’t speak ‘internet’, this is an acronym for Laughing My F-ing A_ _ Off — apologies for the language). All the dancers are dressed in animorphic attire, almost as if animals and humans have interbred. Hmm…  These combination creatures (chimeras) also wear Egyptian and Roman dress (the high wire man is wearing a short toga–careful there!), and they also wear capes (indicating superhuman abilities).  Ending this portion with the lyrics “I’m sexy, and I know it”, this Virgin/Whore now demands worship.
The scene shifts to a cheerleader number. Dressed in white and red, the ‘vestal virgins’ join in worshiping their queen of heaven. This is a highly erotic, lesbian orgy, and Madonna is joined by two other females singers (M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj – note that her name reminds of us ‘menage a trois’. MIA, by the way, offered a middle finger to her audience–thanks so much for that!). The song is from Madonna’s latest albun (MDNA), called Give Me All Your Love – lyrics here. The white of the women’s attire represents purity, but the red (centered on their vital organs) reminds us of blood and sacrifice). The world is expected to love and worship this Isis/Semiramis/Whore of Babylon, and we are expected to love her unto death if required.
Enter the marching bands–each from one side, merging in the center. The platform bears numerous stars (pentagrams), but the center where they meet is a laurel circlet with a round white circle inside, and within that ‘orb’ is a red circle with the ‘M’ of Madonna inside–by the way, ‘M’ is shorthand for ’13′, since it is the 13th letter of our alphabet). This central imagery looks like a blood red eye (HORUS, the child), and above it is a CROWN. The bands are like warriors from the east and west, merging at the center of the New World Order for s staged battle.
The next song begins: Open Your Heart – lyrics here. although, this is a very short excerpt of the song, the words speak of a forced worship/love and of finding a key. Curiously, this is a song of unrequited love–a sad, lonely woman, who has lost the love of the world (the WHORE is rejected by the warring ‘Beast’, portrayed by Cee Lo Green, who carries a large scepter. He is the ‘Priest/King’, and he subdues the Harlot. Perhaps, the song is truncated because the war is short, and the Harlot, along with her followers must now worship the Beast (Horus/Satan).
The stage morphs into the setting for the final scene, and the lights show us a ‘black sun’. The imagery here is one of sacrifice, this time it is the Woman who must die. We see a chorus in black and white, led by the Beast, now robed as a priest. Two women (one on either side of the Woman) turn away as if to show rejection as the Beast Priest steps forward (just after Madonna sings, “and it feels like home”). The two now stand, side by side, as if in agreement. The platform rises into the air while the chorus dances and sings with them. (In the midnight hour, I can feel your power, just like a prayer, I want to take you there…I hear your voice. It’s like an angel sighing. I have NO CHOICE. I hear your VOICE.  Feels like FLYING. I close my eyes, O God, I think I’m falling. Out of the sky, I close my eyes. Heaven help me!) As she sings these lyrics, the light show forms a black, swirling pit (like a black hole–ABYSS) below the stage. This odd ‘black hole’ fans out as the choir sings (It’s like a dream to me!), slowly forming the nations of the world. Madonna leaves the platform, climbing up the upstage stairs, leaving the ‘Beast’ in sole control of the New World Order.
The camera now centers on Madonna (Isis/Semiramis/Whore of Babylon), who has climbed into the stars. She repeats ‘Life is a mystery. Everyone must stand alone. I hear you call my name. And it feels like…[Here, she disappears, falling into the stars]…HOME.
The World Religion, led by the Woman who once rode the Beast is sacrificed, but she lives among the stars.
[Let me also point out this very interesting tidbit: This was Superbowl 46. There are 46 chromosomes in the human genome. The GIANTS won.]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.I.A._%28artist%29

Popularity: 41% [?]

The Legacy of Quetzalcoatl

2012  The Legacy of Quetzalcoatl - Ron Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com




That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:12. What this verse has so eloquently stated is we who walk in the precepts of the Lord should be an example to those on the outside of salvation. We should certainly not be distracted by known deceptions. We should always be prepared to denounce such lies. Satanic lies are established to create an atmosphere of fear while setting up a sense of confusion, all for the purpose of fulfilling Satan's agenda. We've heard the hype leading up to 2012, and that year has now arrived. That hype is a lie built around a calendar...a calendar created by the worshipers of the demon, Quetzalcoatl.



If we look to the alternative news websites we can glean a lot of good information about what is coming, prophetically speaking. In many of these articles those of us who are students of the Bible can see the occasional unveiling of the biblical prophetic truths we've been studying. Some disastrous scenarios might well reach us at our homes, but they will in no way be what the Bible describes as the wrath of God.



For some time now the mainstream media (who continually obfuscates the truth) has been enamored with the possibility that the Mayan prediction might actually occur in 2012. That the mainstream media would give so much air time to such a topic, and so intently, should give us reason to doubt any serious possibility of such an occurrence. In truth, what we can see approaching is far worse than anything the mainstream media depicts as the ultimate destruction of planet earth. Pie-in-the-sky plentiful times or the end of the world, both scenarios are equally presented by these goofy mainstream media pundits. But I will say this, for those of us who follow the One who is hated by most of humanity, this year may prove to be quite a distressing year.



With the looming doomsday scenario of the Maya predictions, many will become increasingly apprehensive which will lead to a state of fearfulness. It would be well to note that if we are going to put faith in a Maya calendar prediction we would do well to remember that the Mayans gained their notoriety as the civilization that sacrificed thousands upon thousands of their own people on the altar to their god Quetzalcoatl. The Mayan people did this bloodletting to appease their god and open portals for the demons to enter this dimension could the fact that we have the same bloodletting practice going on today in America and around the world, in the form of government sanctioned abortions, be opening the same portal of the demonic? The whole word now seems to be just as demonically enticed as the Mayans. Is Quetzalcoatl standing on our doorstep?



The lie which brought about this fairly new doom and gloom scenario is a key element in creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Fear is the tool at the top of the arsenal of weapons currently in use by the enemy of all humanity. Fear and confusion combined with manipulation will create the perfect atmosphere for the enemy as he draws closer to accomplishing his goal.



One day soon the world will be changed, but the end of the world will not occur on December 21, 2012. How can I, a mere human, make such a claim? Simple. I don't read that particular doomsday scenario anywhere in the Bible. I believe the Author of the Bible above all of man's writings. God has not declared an end to the world at a specific date in 2012, although the Rapture of His Church may occur in 2012. That would certainly usher in the apokalypsis and a mega war at a place referred to in the Hebrew tongue as Harmagedōn resulting in the re-appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ with His saints (the Church). The removal of the Church will be quite the cataclysmic event  but not the end of the world.



This same lie that portends the world will end in 2012 is currently being perpetuated by Hollywood and through a plethora of books. Both venues are involved in this deception to capitalize on the dollars each can generate. Satan doesn't really care about the motivation, only the ultimate outcome. Movies and books will increase the promotion of the lie which will ultimately funnel down to fear and confusion. Increasingly we see that people are so ignorant of Biblical truth that falling for the enemy's schemes is inevitable. This 2012 end of the game scenario might well be the setup for the strong delusion spoken of by God in His word.



Jesus tells those who will read His word that the last days will be laden with deception. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:12. When we look at this verse with discernment, it's increasingly obvious that what Jesus told His disciples those many years ago has certainly begun. Many people today are perfectly in line with Satan's agenda and are fulfilling Jesus words to His disciples to the letter. Whatever we hear in these last days concerning impending doom, our recourse is to first search the scriptures to see if what we are being told, or if what we've heard, agrees with God's word.



Scary things may well be in our future, but the biblically astute will be much more alert to deception. This end of the world scenario is increasingly flooding humanity with thoughts of doom and gloom, that's Satan's modus operandi. Because Satan doesn't know, any more than mankind knows, when the end will come he must always capitalize on every opportunity even, the false predictions of future doom and gloom. But Satan's final goal will not be fully realized, unless



And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Luke 21:25. The above verse is just an example of what people will be experiencing in the last days before the Lord's return. This whole idea of the 2012 Mayan end of the world doom and gloom brings into prefect view a sense of the perplexity of nations which can be plainly seen infecting our culture today. There is currently an increasing anticipation of foreboding as people begin to believe in the possibility that the 2012 Mayan prediction might actually occur. Here's the rub, it's not whether it will occur or whether it won't, but that it can't. As I've already mentioned, 2012 being the year the world ends is not recorded in the word of God. The world coming to an end in December of 2012 will be a non-event. But the purpose behind the lie will have come to fruition. The damage will have been done as the goal of the malevolent sadistic supernatural realm will be that much closer to bringing about fear and confusion while trapping humanity in a cesspool of deception.



The whole idea and promotion of 2012 being the end of the world has a dark element of supernatural origin implemented to create a desired effect, which, as I've already stated, is one of fear and confusion. Satan remains at odds with God even though he lost everything he held dear when God died for His creation. The cross was certainly a stumbling block for Satan who, over the last 2,000 years, has become even more determined to destroy mankind. He's not done.



The Bible plainly states that the wrath of God will come upon a Christ-rejecting world, but that the Church will not be here to witness even the beginning of the pouring out of God's wrath. We can read about the 70 weeks prophesied in the Book of Daniel and see that only 69 of those weeks have come to pass. The final week has not begun but when it does it will culminate in Christ's return with His Church. The Rapture must occur at least 7 years prior to Christ's return. After that there will be 1,000 years wherein Satan will be bound and the world will keep on spinning. How then can the world end in 2012? It can't.



The Mayans were devil worshipers who sacrificed their own people to their plumed serpent god, Quetzalcoatl. The idea that these devil worshipers could have come to a conclusion that the world would end in 2012 is preposterous. Instead of looking to Satan's devotees to open our eyes to the future, let's look to God  first as our Creator and Savior, secondly as the initiator of our faith and the giver of life, and thirdly as the source of all true prophecy. In doing so, we simply look into His word to see the absurdity of those flooding the world with the Maya predictions.



There is an aspect of the Maya predictions that rarely gets discussed and that is the Maya didn't really portend an end to the world as many believe. They simply created a calendar that once deciphered ended with the year 2012. All of the doom and gloom associated with the Mayan calendar is only a satanic attempt at creating fear and confusion in the hearts of men. It sets up a plausible yet fictitious end game scenario. Since we know that Satan corrupts God's word we also know that there will be false prophecies that somewhat parallel God's own prophecies, but they are actually a very cleaver deception. With all the hype of 2012, I believe it is possible that we are being setup for the delusion that those who have rejected Christ will believe. If Satan can achieve his goal of getting people to accept this 2012 end of the world scenario, then as December 21, 2012, draws closer fear will also increase exponentially. If the Rapture were to occur after that anticipation reaches fever pitch, Satan will have no difficultly convincing humanity of his end of game ultimate deception.



With fear and confusion firmly embedded in the minds and hearts of men, Satan then uses his control over those men as pawns while establishing his end game goal. After the removal of the restrainer, which includes the Church, Satan will reveal his man in waiting to the deceived world who will accept this man with open arms  as the savior of the world.



What we can be sure of is that the prophecies in the Bible are true, correct, and will all come to pass in due time. Just as all the fulfilled prophecies of the past came about exactly to God's specifications, those of the future are also guaranteed to come to fruition exactly as God has pronounced. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:26. Fearing what's coming on earth is not prudent for the believer who has placed their faith, trust, and hope in Christ. Satan controls a mass of misinformation on this globe and the end of the world coming in 2012 is one of his biggest lies since corrupting Eve  I believe it is right up there with another huge lie which is, of course, the lie of evolution.



The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalm 34:7. Here we're told that those who belong to the Lord have nothing to fear from God's enemies. Why? The angel of the Lord is a reference to the pre-incarnate Christ. He is encamped around us we're protected on every side. The battle rages. The enemy is relentless, but powerless, against The angel of the LORD. Christians shouldn't fall for the ensuing deception as Satan floods the unbelieving world with his lies. We who follow Christ are fully protected from this evil and malevolent supernatural being; the rest of humanity, as they become more and more subjected to his lies, will find the truth increasingly elusive.



As the world becomes more and more engrossed with the idea of 2012 bringing an end to their beloved planet earth, Satan/Quetzalcoatl will continue to lead them in that lie as he sets them up for his impending doom. The rest of us will enjoy a firm and secure future, and just knowing about that future inspires hope We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:19-21. In other words, if prophecy isn't in the Bible it's a deception implemented by the deceiver of all mankind and destroyer of souls.



Any mention of any looming apocalyptic catastrophic destruction of planet earth not found in the Bible is a scenario created out of a mind consumed with evil and hatred for the inhabitants of said planet; Satan revels in this arena. His attempts at inculcating fear in the minds of humans are legendary. On the other hand, God delights in the offering of His grace to all of His creation. Satan is intent on man's destruction; God is fully focused on man's salvation. Satan hates us with a hate that is humanly inconceivable; God loves us with a love unimaginable, and therefore indescribable. Satan is bent on keeping the state of mankind in a posture reserved for the damned; God died for us to remove us from that state to become heirs of all He has. While Satan is bent on instilling fear in all humanity; God would be overjoyed if all humanity were to embrace the hope He has provided through His Son, Jesus the Christ. Satan only destroys lives; God builds on our lives to perfect us and ready us for an eternity with Him. Satan is a liar and the father of all deception; who would trust him? God's precepts are perfect and His prophecies are true and accurate; He can be trusted. Which one of these two supernatural beings are you going to look to for a true glimpse into the future?



The prophecies of God are being played out little by little almost every day just as there are false prophets portending approaching doom  nothing new here. But in this year of 2012 we may well be witnessing the encroachment on humanity of the mother of deceptions, which include the false Maya predictions. This year, the hype of 2012 will make Y2K pale in comparison. Many, if they haven't already, will become caught up in this circus event and see it as an increasingly significant possibility. Before this year is over many will be setup to embrace the lie. What lie you ask? The lie which will be ushered in at the moment Christ removes His Church. But the prelude to that event is the setup. I believe this will be seen by the Church and will be obvious to many of us. It's just offstage ready to be unveiled as the date of December 21st gets closer and the possibility that the Lord takes His Church home this year grows stronger. Satan will then be in a perfect position to spring a great deception on the remainder of humanity. Get ready!



God bless you all,



Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture is from the KJV and God breathed



Ministry address  96 County Road 5480 Salem, MO 65560



My past commentaries are archived at the following link

http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html



If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know

On The Brink Of War?

On The Brink Of War?




By Mike Taylor





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Prophecy writers have been preaching the soon return of Jesus Christ and we wonder how soon? The indicators of the soon return of our Lord are all around us, but it has been fuzzy, but grows much clearer as time passes. Much like a picture developed in a dark room, as we see the image slowly coming into view. News reports have been coming fast and furious in the last few weeks, and from this perspective, I see the puzzle of end time events growing much more into focus with each passing day.







MOUNTING NEWS FLASHES







Let’s examine a few of these indicators that the time is short for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Start with the economic troubles in Greece, Italy, Ireland, Spain and most of Europe that has even affected our economy, as the world economy has become closely tied to one another. First news flash is that it’s been reported that the Vatican has taken a stance of encouraging a One World Authority for peace and posterity as an answer to the economic turmoil gripping the globe. It was reported on the website Catholic News Service the following:



“A Vatican document called for the gradual creation of a “world political authority” with broad powers to regulate financial markets and rein in the “inequalities and distortions of capitalist development. The document said the current global financial crisis has revealed “selfishness, collective greed and the hoarding of goods on a great scale.” A supranational authority, it said, is needed to place the common good at the center of international economic activity.” The logical start offered up by the Catholic Church is the United Nations with one central authority to regulate the world economy.



Second news flash is there has been a push by the Roman Catholic Church to unite all religions into a One World Religious authority and I submit will be headed by the Catholic Church and it’s pope. Rome has brought all the world religions including pagan religions to the Italian town of Assisi in front of the St. Francis Basilica to set the groundwork of a one world religious movement. Many writers are starting to write about this push that began with the groundwork being laid by Pope John Paul II and continued by Pope Benedict XVI. This is a part of the prophetic puzzle that is growing clearer with each passing day. These two pieces of the end time puzzle are growing more into reality. Then let’s take a look at the continued unrest in the Middle East. Another piece of this end time puzzle is being played out on our news cast nightly. Instability in the region has been gaining steam, during this so called Arab spring. The nations that surround Israel have been in revolution overthrowing their leaders. Starting in Tunisia, it has spread to the other neighboring Arab countries, such as Egypt, now Libya, and unrest growing in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. What this has accomplished is the solidarity of these Muslim nations being changed from dictatorships, and transforming them into religious theocracies ruled by Sharia Law and the Koran and fueled by known terrorist groups with world conquest on their minds. These new governments will pattern themselves along the lines of the greatest threat in the Middle East, Iran. As we know, Iran has been working feverishly to develop nuclear capabilities and the Western world has been impotent to stop them. Threatened sanctions and diplomatic maneuvers have not slowed the government of Iran from building what the free world fears, a nuclear bomb. Couple that with Iran’s ranting of wanting to destroy Israel and wipe them off the face of the map from their leader, Mahmoud ( I’m a total nut job), only intensifies the fears the world feels and Israel’s rightly perceived threat to their sense of security and peace.







WAR AND RUMORS OF WAR







What could tip the fragile economic condition of the world we live in? What one word would send our world into a tail spin? What’s that word? It is WAR! It is especially true when you use it in context with the Middle East.



If you have been following the developments in the area it is reported that Iran, if they made an all out push for a nuclear weapon could achieve it in 6 months. For several years, I have been wondering not if, but when Israel would either with help from the USA, or unilaterally on its own, attempt to destroy the nuclear installations of Iran. It appears that new saber rattling is being reported coming from Israel. In the Asia Times written by Victor Kotsev, he reports the following news flash:



“Through a number of leaks and well-publicized war exercises, the Israeli government has dramatically increased its threats against Iran in the past days. Since the Israeli military likes to act by surprise, it seems this specific escalation is a bluff designed to help pass tougher diplomatic measures against the Islamic Republic at the United Nations Security Council, specifically following the anticipated publication of an important report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) next week.



However, given the exceptionally high and rising regional tensions (not all of which involve Israel directly), a larger war in the Middle East is a distinct possibility. Thus, the Israeli rhetoric can be interpreted in two additional ways (all three are not mutually exclusive): as an attempt to deter a possible first or second strike by Iran and its allies, and as a campaign to prepare public opinion, both at home and abroad, for hostilities. “



When Israel does attack, not if, but when, Iran will pull out all stops to attempt to make Israel pay and facilitate their belief that their mission is to bring about an Islamic Caliphate. Of course, we know that Iran will rely on it’s proxies to do it’s dirty work, as they may be crippled militarily and have been preparing for just such a scenario via Hezbollah, Hamas, and now with the uprising and the fall of dictatorships all over the Middle East, using these nations for a coordinated attack. I see a possible fulfilling of Psalms 83.



83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.



83:2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.



83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.



83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.



83:5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:



83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;



83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;



83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot. Selah.



83:9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:



Who are these people that make these plans that are noted in bold type? These are the ancient names of the people of the Muslim nations that surround Israel this day.



THE CLOCK IS TICKING



I’m not saying this attack by Israel will happen this weekend, as Israel when they have attacked the atomic reactors in Iraq under Saddam Hussein, or Syria a few years ago, it was in total surprise. You didn’t know about it, till it was over. Only thing I see different right now, is the flight path of direct line attack over Iraq being opened up, as the USA will withdraw all our troops by the end of this year. It will be a direct flight path to their intended targets. Let’s also couple that with new stealth capabilities that Israel has developed to make their attack virtually unseen on radar until it’s too late. This will be a massive campaign and Israel has been preparing for this event for years. Iran has no air defense except from the ground, as their air force is from the time the Shah was in power and is inferior to Israel’s modern force. Ground to air missiles will be shooting in the dark with Israel’s stealth capabilities and evasive maneuvers to become invisible targets.



We know that the intelligence of the Israeli government is much more sophisticated than any news report, and they know when the window of opportunity will close for a successful strike. When Iran is suddenly struck with Israeli lightening speed, their only reprisal, I envision, will be through their proxies surrounding Israel. God has promised Israel that He would give them the land from the great river of Egypt to the River Euphrates, north to and including Syria, and south to the Arabian Peninsula. What will be the outcome of this battle? I suggest that the God given promise of the land promised to Abraham will be redeemed by the help of Almighty God fighting on the side of Israel, much like the 1948, 1967, and the 1973 wars that they should have lost, but God was with them.



Why do I think this? If you look at the Battle of Ezekiel, which I believe follows on the heels of the afore-mentioned Islamic defeat, you find in chapter 38, we read the following:



38:2 Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, of Meshech, and of Tubal, and prophesy against him,



38:3 And say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince (ruler) of Rosh, of Meshech, and of Tubal.



38:4 And I will turn you back and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you forth and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords--



38:5 Persia, Cush, and Put {or} Libya with them, all of them with shield and helmet,



38:6 Gomer and all his hordes, the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north and all his hordes--many people are with you.



Notice that you find none of the names of the peoples mentioned in Psalm 83 in the neighboring nations as they have been destroyed and also, note that the verses speak of a city without walls, a city living in peace as noted in this passage of Ezekiel:



38:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:



38:11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,



When has Israel in all of its modern history since 1948 been as Ezekiel describes them in the verse 11? Never you say? You would be right, never. God will be their champion in both fights. It is more evident in Ezekiel than in Psalms 83, as it is revealed that God is doing the fighting and destroys Israel’s enemies on the mountains of Israel by using signs that can only be rendered as Divine in nature. Read the full chapter and digest the quick end to the enemies of Israel that dare come down upon God’s people or His Land. On the heels of this huge defeat of the Gog-Magog coalition, a man of great public stature will bring about a treaty for 7 years of peace. I believe that country, headed by this man is what we call the Anti-Christ!



How many years will be between Psalm 83 and the war in Ezekiel? We don’t know, but the focus of this sermon is that the next war that leads to the unveiling of the Anti-Christ could be close at hand. Israel will own all of the vast oil and gas fields of most of the entire Middle East after this next war and what better prize than for the armies of Gog-Magog to try and come down and take the riches of the Middle East from this upstart called Israel and their God?



Now here is the exciting part for you and me. When this Ezekiel war is quickly fought and lost by this Gog-Magog coalition secured by the power of Almighty God, I believe it will bring to the forefront a man with the number of his name adding up to the number 666. My bible says that he will be revealed according to God’s Word, II Thessalonians chapter 2:



2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.



2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.



2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:



2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,



2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.



2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:



2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.



If you have been following my sermons for any length of time, you know the answer to who and what is being talked about here. Verse 9 speaks of one who has the power of Satan with signs and lying wonders. Who is that man? Correct, the Anti-Christ is who Paul is speaking of. But there is one thing that must happen before he can be revealed. What is that? Verse 7: For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. Who is being taken out of the way? There is something holding back this unspeakable evil, a force that keeps the full power of Satan at bay, and prevents Satan from doing as he would like to do, that is destroy mankind. What is that Force? It clearly is the Holy Spirit. God will remove all hindrance for Satan doing unimaginable evil.



Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.



And skipping down to verse 13:



12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. (Israel)



Let’s make a clear statement here. If the Holy Spirit is being removed and Satan is being cast down to the earth, never to be allowed back into the heavens, then if our Comforter, our Spiritual Counselor, and our deposit of God’s Holy Spirit within our spirit is being removed from this earth, then we who have that promise of redemption will be removed at the exact same time. Understand one thing, my reader. The tribulation is designed for one thing, the removal of sin from this earth and for refining Israel as gold is refined in the furnace. When Israel understands that the Messiah that came to them over 2000 years ago, they will cry out, as Jesus said in Luke chapter 13:



13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.



Then Israel will realize what they have done to the Lord of Glory, their prophesied Messiah who they killed in anger, but to fulfill God’s plan:



Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.



Now let’s take a quick summary of where this puzzle is showing what may be on the horizon in the near future. The economies of this world are collapsing, number one. The beginning for the push for a One world Religion and Government are being designed right before our eyes, number two. Unrest in the Middle East will eventually explode into possibly WWIII at the greatest, or a Mid-East war in the least because of an attack by the Israelis on Iran’s nuclear installations that could be happening at any moment in the future, puzzle piece number three. Follow this on it’s heals of the conquering of the Middle East oil producing economies by Israel, a battle for control of this vast wealth by the Gog-Magog invasion and the revealing of the Anti-Christ to the world. But before the final puzzle piece is revealed, scripture says that the Church is removed along with the Holy Spirit. How much time in this scenario do you think it would take for all these events to being fulfilled? My friend, it could take several years, it could take ten years, but the point is, signs are saying that man’s history of self rule is drawing fast to a close. The revealing of the Anti-Christ will start the beginning of the Tribulation where peace will be illusive and as smoke in the wind. When this 7 year treaty has been signed, if you witness it, then you will have most likely missed the calling of the church to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The next 3.5 years from that time will be bad, economically, socially, spiritually and probably physically.







When this man who speaks of peace and looks like a saint trying to bring peace to the world, then without warning this man will approach the Temple in Jerusalem that he has allowed to be built as a part of this 7 year treaty and will stand in the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem and proclaim himself, to be a god. Then all of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all of the land held by Israel will realize that they have made a treaty with the devil and the Great Tribulation will have begun where if God allowed it, no man would be spared because of war, famine, and the wrath of Almighty God being poured out on an unrepentant mankind. My reader, I assure you that you do not want to be witness to the beginning of a 7 year treaty, much less a man standing in the Temple of God, proclaiming that he is God. It will be hell, quite literally, on earth. If you think that a Christian must endure the Tribulation and that Jesus Christ sacrifice didn’t finish the job, and we , the church saints, must be purified right along with Israel who is in spiritual rebellion and darkness, then my friend, you have more of a problem than the timing of the rapture of the church, as in your mind, Jesus and His blood sacrifice was insufficient to purchase your redemption. The Tribulation is designed to purify Israel and to remove sin from the earth in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ to rule with a rod of Iron for a Thousand years, called the Millineum.



My friend, do not be counted with the spiritual rebellion of Israel not accepting their Messiah. The nation of Israel are God’s people and He will save them out of this awful time and save them all, not losing one, but what about you? If you’re not Jewish, you have no idea that you will even have the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If war breaks out in the Middle East in the near future, your chance for making eternity with God may be very short. Make that decision today, as the Holy Spirit wishes to bring you home with our Lord and Savior. Want to know how to make that decision, which is the most important decision that you will ever make? Read the Gospel of John slowly and let God’s Holy Spirit reveal who this Man, Jesus was and is today. He is wishing to come into your life. Won’t you answer the call?



This is Pastor Mike Taylor, wishing God’s salvation for your life. If there is anything I can help you with, pray with you about, or show you the way to salvation, give me an email to realteam1999@sbcglobal.net, or visit me online at www.churchofgod-usa.org. God bless you, till we hopefully meet at Jesus feet.

The End Of The Last Days

The End Of The Last Days




By Matt Leasher





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------







In the decades that followed the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948, Bible prophecy scholars have been declaring the realization that we are in the last days and that Christ is coming soon. But as the decades continue to roll by many have become weary of the message that we are in the last days and have presumed Christ’s return to be far off. The problem with the people that are losing hope in Christ’s soon return is that perhaps they do not understand just exactly what the last days are in light of the big picture.







Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that the period known as being the “last days” began when Jesus Christ came into the world.







God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, (Hebrews 1:1-2).







The Holy Spirit inspired the writer of Hebrews to inform us that the last days began nearly 2,000 years ago. What does that mean to us now? Many people, (including myself), believe that God works in dispensations and that the time period of man’s governing the earth is 6,000 years divided into three sections. The first 2,000 years being approximately from Adam to Abraham. The next 2,000 years approximately from Abraham to Christ and the last 2,000 years, (hence the last days) being from Christ to the present. This could very well be the reason that the New Testament writers often referenced their day as being the last days, however to us it was nearly 2,000 years ago. Even though it seems so long ago to us for them to be referring to their day as the last days it was still within that last 2,000-year dispensation. They were just at the beginning of it. They knew about these dispensations. They knew that they were in the beginning section of the period of the last days. If that was nearly 2,000 years ago then that means that we are at the last section of that same period known as the last days.







In 2 Peter 3:8 and Psalm 90:4 it tells us that “a day with the Lord is as a thousand years.” I don’t believe this is just an arbitrary statement. I believe this is written so that we can use it as a measuring rod for knowing the timetable of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. So if a day is as a thousand years with the Lord then it may be that the six days of creation written in Genesis reflect the 6,000 years of man’s governing the world and that the 7th day of rest is the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth that is written about in Revelation 20.







Hebrews 4:1-5 informs us that there is a period still yet to come that has been promised by God as a time of rest for His people.







Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any on you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest,” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”



(Hebrews 4:1-5 emphasis added)







Notice that this promise of rest for God’s people is about entering into His rest and the writer of Hebrews quotes the Genesis creation account of the 7th Day as he informs us about this coming period of rest. The writer switches back and forth from the 1st person to the 3rd person. The people that are being spoke about in the 3rd person that will not enter into His rest are those that were rebellious with hardened hearts that were in the wilderness for 40 years during the Exodus as he is quoting from Psalm 95 there.







The apostle Paul spoke of the “the fullness of time” in a manner that seems to support that God’s overall plan for man is set up in specific dispensations of time. In Galatians chapter 4 Paul is describing the timing in which God sent His Son into the world and he phrases it like this:







“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we may receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)







If God’s dispensations for man are of three 2,000 year periods and Christ’s coming into the world was at the transition point from the 2nd period into the 3rd period which we are currently near the end of, then the phrase, “when the fullness of time had come” in the above verse seems to support this notion. Paul seems to be telling us that a certain dispensation of time had to be fulfilled before the Son of God could then come into the world, hence – a divine appointment! This implies that there is a predetermined scripted course of events that God has in place for us to know our position in history – or rather His story!







Israel becoming a nation again in 1948 is certainly the end time sign letting us know that things are beginning to wrap up and that we are coming close to the end of this last 2,000-year period. Since all of the prophecies about the return of the Lord in the end times involve Israel being back in their land we know that we are close to His return since Israel has re-emerged unto the world scene. Lets take a brief look at the scenario in the last days that involve Israel by going backwards from the time that the Lord Jesus Christ will be reigning on earth.







When Christ the Lord returns He will sit on His throne in Jerusalem, (see Ezekiel 43:7, Zechariah 14:16-21 and Matthew 19:28). His throne will be in the rebuilt Temple that will be in Israel. All of the nations of the world will be gathered to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which is in Israel, traditionally in the Kidron Valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. There the Lord will enter into judgment with them on account of His people and His heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and divided up His land, (Joel 3:1-2 paraphrased). This is likely where the “Sheep & Goat” Judgment will take place, (Matthew 25:31-46). Just prior to this the Lord Jesus Christ will have physically returned to the earth to intervene and cut short the battle of Armageddon, a.k.a. Megiddo which is a real place in Israel, (Revelation 16:16). Here Christ will destroy the antichrist and false prophet and have Satan bound for 1,000 years. He will also save the human race from extinction for if He did not cut the days short of this battle no human flesh would survive, (Matthew 24:22). Three and a half years prior to this event the antichrist will have entered the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and will have declared himself to be God, (2 Thessalonians 2:4 & Matthew 24:15). Just prior to the antichrist entering the Temple the Two Witnesses appointed by God will be prophesying in Jerusalem probably right on the Temple Mount according to Revelation 11, for the first three and a half years of the Tribulation. So when we trace the prophesied end time events backwards from when the Lord will reign on earth to the beginning of the Tribulation we can see that Israel is the centerpiece of all that is to come in the last days.







Before God’s 6,000-year plan for mankind is finished there will be 7 years of Tribulation on the earth as never has been before, (Matthew 24:21). This period of Tribulation is a time of testing for those that were too stubborn to come to Christ during the Age of Grace and a final time of purging Israel in preparation for the Kingdom of Christ to be set up there. Israel will finally come to know Christ as their Savior, (Zechariah 12:10). This will also be a time where God will purge the world of evil and wickedness ushering in a period of restoration in which the world will be restored to its formal state of perfection as it was in the time of Adam and Eve just after the creation.







The Rapture of the church is the next thing to take place on the prophetic calendar. There are no signs or events that must precede the Rapture. However, the Rapture must first occur before the antichrist can be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8), and before any of the Tribulation events can begin and yet we can see many of the Tribulation events being set up and falling into place on the world scene today. This is how we know that the Rapture is VERY close. What are some of the things that we are currently witnessing being set up that will occur in the Tribulation? Let’s take a look at just a few of them.







1.) The current turmoil of the world economy – As I am writing this the current international world markets are collectively plummeting and the economy is failing on a global scale as never before. In the Tribulation the economy will be in dire straits. See Revelation 6:6 and James 5:1-6. This will result in a financially vulnerable world that will somehow allow a “one world order” where a world dictator takes control of all buying and selling known as the antichrist or “the beast”, (Revelation 13:11-18).







2.) The increase of earthquakes - Jesus told us that one of the things we are to watch out for, as a sign of His soon return, is the increase of earthquakes in various places, (Matthew 24:7). We live in a technological time where an earthquake can take place on the other side of the world and we will know about it in minutes. Back in Jesus’ day if an earthquake occurred on the other side of the world you would probably never hear about it. So we know that this prophecy is intended for our day and the use of technology has certainly kept us informed of the increase in earthquakes that we are witnessing and in various places!







3.) Cashless society - A mere 30 years or so ago it was hard to conceive how a world leader known as the antichrist would be able to monitor everyone so that they could not buy or sell unless they had his mark on their hand or forehead. Now with technology as advanced as it has quickly become not only is it possible but it is in the process of being set up! Cash would have to be eliminated for the antichrist to be able to electronically monitor all buying and selling. These days it is common for people to get paid on payday have their check electronically direct deposited and use their debit or credit card to spend that money without ever touching cash. The whole time all of their transactions are being documented. Cash could be eliminated and it wouldn’t really change the average way of life all that much. One of the motivations for the elimination of cash would be to end the war on drugs as all drug deals are done anonymously with cash as well as most other black markets. The country of Poland is purposely striving to become a cashless society by the year 2014!







4.) Technology - While technology has done wonders in the field of science and medicine, technology is also greatly assisting to help set up the system that the antichrist will use to control the world and everyone in it. The microchip is already being used in some places in Europe to contain a person’s personal information such as health records, citizenship status, police records, etc., and is about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted into the person’s hand. It is also being used as a scanning device for entrance into secured buildings and identification. The micro chipping of animals to monitor their whereabouts has been in use for years so the same technique could just as well be used for humans in the future. Skeptics often say that it would be impossible for the antichrist to microchip everyone on earth but what they are forgetting is that with the combination of the Rapture and all of the people that will be killed in the early part of the Tribulation, (Revelation 6), there won’t be nearly as many people on earth as there is now when the time comes that this would be implemented, (Revelation 13). Not to mention that there will be quite a few people that will not take the mark of the beast as well, (Revelation 20:4).







5.) Israel’s enemies - All of the alliances that the Bible prophets have foretold would be against Israel in the last days are currently in place now. There is Russia, Turkey and Iran for the Gog-Magog War and Lebanon, Syria, Jordan (Palestinians), and Gaza for the Psalm 83 War. The time is also ripe for the fulfillment of a nuclear destruction of Damascus that seems to be strongly predicted in Isaiah 17. Damascus happens to be a current popular meeting place at the crossroads for all of these nations that plot against Israel. Egypt also has just recently broken its frail alliance with Israel adding to the list of nations that are against Israel. Libya is also mentioned as being in conjunction with the Gog-Magog posse, (Ezekiel 38:5), and we are currently witnessing the changing of the guard occurring there. In the end, the prophet Zechariah predicts that ALL of the nations of the world will eventually be against Israel, (Zechariah 12:3), but the nations that are predicted to be coalitions in the wars against Israel that shall usher in the beginning of the Tribulation are now currently in place.







These are just a few of the many things that point to the soon to come Tribulation period. To the average person most of this goes by unnoticed but to the Bible believing watchmen these things are screaming at us! They scream at us because we know that the Rapture will precede all of these things and that Christ has commanded us to watch for these things so that we’ll know it is near and be able to warn others. It is our duty!







The apostle John is a perfect role model as being a New Testament watchman warning the brethren about being watchful in the times we live in. In his first epistle he said this:







Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18)







John’s warning about the coming antichrist is stated as being in the “last hour” which is where we are currently at in history. John certainly knew the judgments that would be coming upon the world, being the writer of the book of Revelation, (Christ being the author). So if John is warning us almost 2,000 years ago that the antichrist is coming then how much closer are we to it now! He warns us that many antichrists have come by which we know that it is the last hour. According to John, an antichrist is “he that denies that Jesus is the Christ and denies the Father and the Son,” (1 John 2:22). Obviously there can’t be an “anti-christ” unless there was first a “Christ” (which means “anointed one”), and we know that to be Jesus of Nazareth and as I mentioned earlier in this article, the “last days” began when Jesus Christ was sent into this world.







When the last days are mentioned in the Old Testament it is usually phrased as “in the latter days” which implies a future time or dispensation, (see for example Deuteronomy 4:30 and 31:29), but when the last days are mentioned in the New Testament it is usually phrased as “in these last days” as being in a present era or dispensation, (see for example the above verse from 1 John 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1-2). This is further indication that “the last days” is a period or dispensation and not just an arbitrary statement that we are not able to know the time of. In fact, Daniel 8:19 confirms that the end of this age is for an “appointed” time.







“And he said, “Look I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.” (Daniel 8:19)







The angel told Daniel that the end of this age of indignation is set for an appointed time, which means that there has been a preordained appointment made for the end time events that are to come. There is nothing arbitrary about it. We live in a predetermined age that has been predetermined by the sovereign Lord. See also Acts 17:31.







Many people tend to let there watchful guard down because of the statement that Jesus made saying that we don’t know the day or the hour of His return and that only the Father knows that day and hour, (Matthew 24:36). This is true but Jesus also commands us to be watchful of the times and seasons so that that Day does not come upon us as a snare, (Luke 21:35 & Mark 13:35-37). There are more admonitions from our Lord Jesus about watching the times and seasons than there are about not knowing the day or the hour. In fact, Jesus rebuked the people of His day for not knowing the time of their visitation, (Messiah Jesus’ first advent), even though they could predict the weather by watching the sky, (Luke 12:54-56). The only way the people would have known who He was and when He would be there is by searching the Scriptures and they only had the Old Testament at that time. So how much more should we be aware of the times we are living in pertaining to His Second Coming by searching the Scriptures that we have now. In the Old Testament Christ was concealed but we have the New Testament where Christ is revealed. The apostle Paul assured us that we who are Bible believing followers of Christ would not be in darkness concerning His return.







But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:4)







Judging from the time table that God has provided us in His Word, the signs He told us to watch for and the current events that are going on around the world, we can clearly see that we are not only living in the period of the “last days” but we are at the end of the last days! We are in the latter section of the last set out of three sets of 2,000-year periods. Due to discrepancies and differences in the early first few century calendars it is difficult to precisely pinpoint exactly where we are on God’s timeline of His 6,000 year plan. However, we do know that Christ was walking this earth 2,000 years ago. While we may not know the day or the hour we certainly know the season that we are living in and that should be more than enough to have us all looking up!







“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28)

Turning Point: June 17,1963

Turning Point: June 17, 1963 – Ed Wood – www.raptureready.com

 

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia moved "that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states." The resolution was adopted on July 2, and the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4.

 

Most of the signers had seminary degrees and this influence is strongly reflected in the first two paragraphs of the document in which the reality of God as Creator is clearly acknowledged. Defying the odds and beginning with a rag-tag militia, the colonies, with the help of France, goes on to win its freedom over what was then perhaps the greatest military power on Earth.

 

It was this enduring belief in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Father of Jesus of Nazareth that I believe made America the greatest nation in the history of civilization. this is not to say we were perfect. The injustices perpetrated on North America's original inhabitants, the perpetuation of the enslavement of other human beings, the denial of the right to vote for women still taints our history. But we learned from these mistakes and made moves to correct them - albeit some are still a work in progress.

 

Our willingness to step up and sacrifice ourselves to stop aggression and totalitarianism abroad have been legendary. The advances in living standards and technology this country has made has been no less than spectacular.

 

Then something went terribly wrong.

 

On June 17, 1963 by an 8-1 vote, the Supreme court effectively kicked God out of our schools. Worse than this outrage was the placidity of most of the Christians in this country to allow this to stand for almost 50 years with no significant challenge.

 

Within five months President Kennedy was gunned down in Dallas. The succeeding years of this decade were marked by the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., the deepening and divisive involvement in Viet Nam, the expansion of the drug culture, "free love," and the general loss of the innocence and optimism of our society.

 

I think it's safe to say that we never really recovered from the 1960's.

 

On January 22, 1973, by a vote of 7-2 Roe v. Wade prevented states from restricting abortions within the first three months of life, or banning it for the second trimester.

 

So, let's see where we've ended up since then.

 

Instead of the Lord's Prayer, our schools now hand out condoms, have full time police patrolling the halls, and are increasingly bringing in a homosexual-friendly agenda into even the earliest grades.

 

Instead of families consisting of a mother, father, and children, over half of them are now single-parent and a growing number of families are composed of homosexual or lesbian partners.

 

Even in "traditional" families, Mom and Dad are schlepping off the upbringing of their infant children to strangers (day care). Later on some of these absentee parents express complete surprise that their kid is using drugs . . . or planning, and sometimes succeeding, to carry out terrorist acts.

 

Four thousand of the unborn who had no voice or choice in their conception are terminated in what is euphemistically called a "procedure" every day.

 

As I write, America has willingly abandoned our leadership technologically, economically, and, as we have seen, morally as well.

 

We look in confusion at the converging of economic, political, religious, and even natural events enveloped in a turmoil that seems to be swallowing up not only the world, but now coming home in earnest to the United States and wonder why.

 

Though the passage below was specifically directed toward the Israelites as they headed for the Promised Land and the specifics regarding the Jordan and "graven images" (idolatry) differ, perhaps it still gives insight into why America has ended up where it is today and what its future will be if its present course continues to be followed:

 

When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of anything, and shall do evil in the sight of the Lord thy God to provoke him to anger. I call upon heaven and Earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over the Jordan to possess it: ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall be utterly destroyed. Deuteronomy 4:25-26

 

In the end we know God will make things right for those who believe and trust in Jesus. But when we stand before him as we all one day will, what account will we give of our stewardship and witness of his Word when it really counted?

 

---

 

ARE WE IN THE LAST DAYS?

Are We In The Last Days? - By Grant Phillips  www.raptureready.com




2 Timothy 3

1This know also (Realize), that in the last days perilous (difficult, dangerous) times shall come.



2For men shall be lovers of their own selves (self-centered), covetous (lovers of money), boasters (windbags), proud (arrogant), blasphemers (scoffing at God), disobedient to parents, unthankful (ungrateful), unholy (nothing sacred),



3Without natural affection (unloving), truce breakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (malicious gossips), incontinent (no self-control), fierce (cruel), despisers (haters) of those that are good,



4Traitors (treacherous), heady (reckless), high minded (conceited), lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;



5Having a form of godliness (acting religious), but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (avoid).



13But evil men and seducers (imposter's) shall wax (become) worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.



14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;



15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.



16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:



17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.



Are we in the last days? Some think the Apostle Paul thought he was in the last days. Notice what he said in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. It does appear at first glance that he may have thought so, but I think he was leaving it open. I feel that he knew Jesus could return while he was alive, if He chose to, but I believe He knew that Jesus could also return much later.



Over 2,000 years have passed, so obviously he was not in the last days. Or was he? Where does that leave us? In my opinion, Paul was in the last days, and so are we. The Church has always been in the last days of the Church age, because the removal, or Rapture, has always been imminent. It could happen at any time. So why is God waiting so long, at least in our view? Peter says it well, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) Jesus Himself also provides this information, And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24) Until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled fits perfectly with Peters statement in the previous verse (2 Peter 3:9). I say that because in my opinion, the Ark is almost full, except this time it won't be a flood, but a Tribulation unlike anything this world has ever witnessed.



The Church Age could be compared to a yardstick. The Apostles were at the one inch mark. I think, from what I am witnessing, we are well toward the other end of the yardstick. Could we be at the 33rd mark, 34th mark, 35th mark, or even very close to the 36th mark? I'll leave that answer up to our Lord, but surely we are somewhere very close to the end. We are not to predict, but He has told us to watch for the signs He provides and be ready.



I strongly feel that we are now in the last days of the Church age, not the last days of the Tribulation of course. Think about this, if Jesus came today for His Church, there would still be at least seven more years to fulfill the Tribulation. Seven years is nothing, even ten years. Think back seven or ten years in your life. I don't know about you, but to me, it seems like yesterday. So either way, when we mention last days, it can easily include the Tribulation and a short time prior to this horrible event. So this is where I am coming from in this article.



Some prophecies of the last days to consider in answering our question are weather patterns, the economy, society, placement of countries who will come against Israel, modern day technology that provides the means for fulfillment of end-time prophecies, but especially those concerning the State of Israel. In addition to all this though, the beginning Scripture passage of this article should answer this prevailing and burning question. Are we in the last days? If we are now seeing signs that are preparation indicators for the Tribulation, can the Tribulation be that far off? Since the Rapture precedes the Tribulation, then obviously it would be even closer.



Those of us who study prophecy, and I do not consider myself as well-versed as many of the writers, usually indicate that there are no signs for the Rapture. I believe there is one very clear sign; not of the Rapture itself, but the possible closeness of it. The sign is the context of Revelation chapters two and three. Seven literal churches are mentioned, and one of the things indicated is that each church represents a time in history. Each church progressively describes a period in our church history. The last period for the Church to exist is the Laodicean age. I feel, without a doubt, that we are in this Laodicean age. Now I grant you, we don’t know the length of this age, but we do know it is the last one. The Rapture will end this age as Revelation 3:22 moves over to Revelation 4:1 where we see a door standing open in Heaven, and the Church is not mentioned again until it is seen in Heaven, while the Tribulation is unfolding on earth. Clearly to me at least, the Church Age has traversed the entire length of the yardstick, and the end is nigh.



In our lead passage above (2 Timothy 3), Paul is explaining to Timothy how people will behave in the last days. Some feel that Paul is referring to the last days of the Tribulation, but I feel that he is including the time just before the Rapture and on into the Tribulation. When the Church is removed, the sinful acts of mankind will increase exponentially. So is there anything in Paul's message to Timothy, in all these verses, that could describe us today, not just faintly but strongly?



Verse 1



Paul told Timothy to be on guard because the last days would be perilous, (difficult or dangerous). We live in a day, right now, when it is not wise to no longer lock our doors and windows as in the past. Even in the daytime, danger lurks. It is unsafe to walk alone in many areas. Even in some parts of some cities, police agencies would rather not enter, especially at night. The criminal element today has no qualms about attacking or even murdering a police officer, let alone a civilian. If you have ever watched any of the real-life crime shows on television, you will be sickened at the lack of respect one person has for another.



We have known almost zero persecution for being a Christian in this country, up until the last few years. Christians today, in this country, are being persecuted for standing up against the elements of Satan. If you are a fundamentalist Christian, you are equated with terrorists. If you speak out in favor of child discipline (not abuse), or capital punishment, but against fornication, adultery, homosexuality and abortion you are classified as a hate monger. If you speak up for Christian values you will be called a do-good er (or worse). If you say that the Bible, God's Word, is the only source of Truth and the only yardstick for living, you are called a bigot. If you speak up for Jesus as the only way to the one and only true God, you will be called narrow-minded. If you speak out against the decadence of Hollywood and Washington, you are laughed at and called an old fogey. If you speak out against false doctrine, cults and liberalism you are called un-loving. If you speak up for the message of Christ's Rapture of His Church, you are called an idiot and a simpleton. We are beginning to experience a push against true Christianity that we have never seen, but have only read about in other areas of the world. It is here folks, and it is going to get much worse. As we speak, Christians in this country are losing their freedoms, some literally.



Verses 2-5



In these verses, Paul lists 19 traits of mankind that will be very prevalent in the last days. If these are true of our day and time, then these behaviors should be easy to see. So let us briefly take one at a time.



1. Lovers of themselves: People who are lovers of themselves are self-centered or selfish. The psychologists would call them narcissists. Look at the trash people throw out on others properties for example. Notice the lack of concern many have for the plight of others. Observe the interest in self-gratification from young to old. Do you remember the line, Just do your own thing. It is an example of total self-centeredness, with no regard for others.



By the way, every one of these 19 attributes all point to a self-centered, greedy attitude. I challenge you to think of anything in our culture today, contrary to God, that does not involve self-centeredness or greed.



Most politicians are not interested in doing what is right for the citizens of this country. They are only interested in being re-elected. I wonder why?



Divorce is usually about the self-centeredness of one or both partners over the innocent sacrifice of the children involved.



These are just a hand-full of examples from multiplied thousands that you will recognize also.



2. Covetous: Those who are covetous are greedy for money. Now almost everyone I have heard partially quote 1 Timothy 6:10, has said that money is the root of all evil. That is not what this verse says. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)



Many large corporation executives live like kings and queens, while sacrificing the jobs of the worker bees  for more money. Scams are abundant from those who try to bilk money from the innocent  for the love of money. Thieves steal what is not theirs  to convert to money. Murderers often kill for love of money. Children murder their parents for an inheritance  love of money. Spouses murder spouses for insurance pay-offs  love of money. Millions are spent on lottery tickets in the hope of being rich love of money. There is nothing wrong with money, per se. It is needed to live. But went it controls us, we are a slave to covetousness.



3. Boasters: There is no shortage of people who will sing their own tune and blow their own whistle. Listen to all the braggadocio that comes from the mouths of self-made gods. There is certainly no shortage of windbags in our society. If you don't believe me, just wait until election time. You'll need to get your boots out of the closet though.



4. Proud: Very, very few give God the credit for the success in their life, but they're sure quick to blame Him for the failures. We would do well to heed the words of Paul, For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) Pride was Lucifer's downfall, and could be ours too. Many strut around like peacocks, but one day soon God is going to pluck out those proud feathers.



5. Blasphemers: Irreverence toward God flies in His face from Hollywood to the pulpit. There is no where you can go and not hear God's name blasphemed. We also blaspheme Him by our sinful actions that we throw in His face and laugh off. He is blasphemed when His Church, which he died for, is ridiculed and persecuted. Our society has blasphemed His Law and even His Son. Some ministers of the church flaunt their sins in the face of God, while they preach to the flock from the Good Book. Some are even so brazen as to declare equality with God.



6. Disobedient to parents: The Dr. Spock method of raising children has resulted in a generation of hoodlums who have no respect for their parents or anyone else. If children will not respect their parents, tell me, who will they respect? The answer is no one. We are born into this world with sin in our heart. A child must be taught respect. It is not inherent.



7. Unthankful: We live in a society where most people think everyone else owes them a living. Why should they work, when someone else can work and keep them up? Others are blessed in so many ways, and have never thanked the source of their blessings. Children display an unthankful character when they are given whatever they want, without having to work to earn it. This attitude is often on display in your retail stores, a child crying and screaming because they want something, but what they really need is usually not what they get. So they continue to throw tantrums. These same children grow up, and become spoiled adults, totally unthankful, thinking they are entitled to anything they want.



8. Unholy: This word means wicked or profane. Walk on the beaches, take a stroll through Tinsel town, sit in a theater, watch the idiot box, travel to the legislative chambers, listen to the teachings of Satan's little puppets, and the depravity of mankind will have you wanting to scrub yourself clean from the world's sewage. Also, there is no shortage of those who claim Jesus as their Savior, but profane His Holy name every time they open their mouths. They call themselves preachers, teachers, evangelists, but they are Satan's puppets. They're on the airwaves with false heeling's, even claiming to be like God, while they wiggle their greedy, sweaty palms in your back pocket, searching for your wallet. These are unholy, and many there are.



9. Without natural affection: The tide rises in those who number in the group who have no feelings for others, who will take a life without a blink. Even within families, no regard is shown for human life. One would probably get more prison time if they killed an animal, than a person.



The family structure has been ripped to shreds by un-natural affection toward ones own loved ones via, abortion, divorce, adultery, and even coming out of the closet.



10. Truce breakers: Those who will not keep their word are liars. They have made a promise, and failed to keep that promise. They have lied about their intent to be honest with another. I have seen many sign a contract, and while the ink is drying, they are thinking of ways to break it. If you haven't run across many truce breakers, your name must be Rip Van Winkle.



11. False accusers: Most will take no responsibility for their own actions. It's always someone else's fault. So they have no qualms in destroying another person's life by destroying their name and/or character. These people are called slanderers, more commonly, gossips. Notice the politicians, especially when on the campaign trail, you will hear many false accusers. Anyone guilty of being a slanderer is a puppet of Satan, for he was called a devil (slanderer) in the beginning.



12. Incontinent: Since the Spock kids were not taught self-control when they were young, society now suffers from their antics. They have no self-control over their actions, because they were not taught self-control when they were young. Again, we should heed the words of Paul, All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12) Our society commonly asserts if it feels good, do it, with no thought about the consequences. Incontinency, or self-control, must be taught from an early age. Otherwise, we just do whatever we want when the mood hits us.



13. Fierce: Movies and games have developed a desensitized society that does not flinch at the fierceness of its actions. Our consciences have grown cold, and iced over. Our society frowns on the influence of the Ten Commandments, because people just might be influenced to obey them. However, the cruelest inflictions that could be placed on another human being are freely displayed upon our children. Could this be why the atrocity of murder has become so common and gruesome? Mankind is losing its sensitivity toward the death and gruesome dismemberment of another fellow human being. Human life is no longer a valued gift from God.



14. Despise rs of those that are good: True Christians today are rapidly becoming the most hated group of people in our society. In my opinion, the reason is that Christians stand for Jesus Christ and all that is about Him, such as holiness, purity, justice, Godly love, and a voice against all that is evil. Those who follow Satan do not want to see themselves as God sees them. They want to wallow freely in the mud of their atrocities against God and feel no guilt. They don't want to be told that they are sinners, and they can only be saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. They don't want to be told that without Jesus they will spend an eternity in hell. In other words, they do not want to give up their sins. On top of that, their father, Satan, hates the very thought of Christianity and its God.



15. Traitors: Our governmental leaders, who are supposed to be protecting the citizenry of this great country, are now betraying them and the Constitution upon which we stand. When they took their oath of office, they held up their hand and made a solemn vow to the citizenry of the United States of America, and before their hands reached their side, they knew they would not honor their oath. Greed has ruled the day. They are traitors. As far as they are concerned, the citizenry can eat cake.



16. Heady: What better example of a reckless attitude than those who handle the money of its citizenry? It is confiscated by taxes, and thrown to the wind. We are 14.3 trillion dollars in debt, and our corrupt leaders want more money from the citizenry to throw to the wind! As David Farragut said (at least attributed to him) at the battle of Mobile Bay, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. There is no thought for the future, only for the present. These heady, bull-headed people could care less about the repercussions and the fate of our children, as long as they get their way.



17. High minded: This term refers to conceit, pride, and even stupidity (because of their pride). Our society is saturated with those who are choking on pride, and filled to the rim with conceit. We usually think of those who are wealthy when discussing conceited people, but I have found that is not always the case. It is more rare, but even the poor can have a serious problem with pride. Why is that? The sin of pride comes from the heart, not the pocketbook.



18. Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God: Our American society is just one big playground of pleasure. It has gotten so bad in this country, most think it is an entitlement to have pleasures in life. We just move from one to the other. Also, many who claim to be Christians have set their pleasure of this world above their need of God. This is readily seen in the churches, either empty pews or social hours. Let's just have a good time. God cramps my style. It's important that I have time for me. Just notice what we spend on movies, books, music, boats, activities, sports, dining, clothes, and other toys and for me activities. How much is left for God? Our pleasures have become our gods.



19. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: I have spoken of this in other articles, but briefly, we are a lot of talk, but we don't walk the talk. Oh, we are blessed indeed with religion. It's everywhere you look, but religion and Christianity are not the same. Religion is mankind seeking his own godliness. Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But  We are sophisticated. We are so advanced in technology, science, our universe, well, just everything. Those people who lived before us just aren't cultured like we are. We're too smart for all that stuff about God. We are in control. I wonder what God would say about that. Let's see, You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle. (Proverbs 27:22 NLT)



Out of the nineteen points that Paul tells Timothy to be aware of, do any of them sound like us today, even one? If we are on the same page, there is no doubt in my mind that every last one of them is clearly where we are today, not just in this country, but elsewhere also.



So, are we in the last days? I think we are most definitely in the last days of the Church age. When is Jesus coming back for His Church in the Rapture? As I have stated before, I haven't a clue, but I do feel that we need to take Paul's advice to Timothy in the latter part of our passage in 2 Timothy three. We need to continue in the Scriptures. If we haven't started, then get started  now. Jesus rebutted Satan with Scriptures when He was tempted during the 40 days in the wilderness. If you don't know the Scripture, how on earth are you going to stand a chance against Satan's treachery? God expects us to know His Word. He didn't go through the long process of having His Word written down, so we can use it for a dust collector. Time is running out. We need to be ready. Jesus is coming. Are you ready?



Grant Phillips - grantphillips@windstream.net http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com