Posts tagged End times
U.S. Military Pulls Its Insignias From Bibles Cites ‘National Security’ Threat
Jun 25th
A threat to National security
The Pentagon has revoked permission for a Christian ministry to produce Bibles for different branches of the military, marked with those insignias, after an anti-Christian group called them a threat to national security.
In 2003, B&H Publishing, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, was given authorization to use the official seals of the U.S. military branches on a line of Bibles. No government funds were used in the production of the Bibles, which contained devotional material unique to each service branch in much the same way they are tailored to other groups such as teens or children.
As part of the features, the Bibles featured the Pledge of Allegiance, the first and fourth verses of the Star Spangled Banner, Patton’s famous Christmas prayer card from 1944 as well as testimonials from the Officers’ Christian Fellowship.
In 2003, B&H Publishing, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, was given authorization to use the official seals of the U.S. military branches on a line of Bibles. No government funds were used in the production of the Bibles, which contained devotional material unique to each service branch in much the same way they are tailored to other groups such as teens or children.
Withdrawn authorization
Nowhere in the Bibles did they state that they were endorsed by any government entity or military branch. Despite this, last year the Military Religious Freedom Foundation sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta demanding the military rescind its authorization to use the service emblems, saying it was a violation of church and state separation.
The request by the group was subsequently granted. Marty King, communications director for LifeWay said, “We received notice last year from the various branches withdrawing authorization.”
While the group was told it would be able to sell its existing stock, last week it was announced that the Department of Defense was pulling all known copies of the Bibles from exchange stores.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation is taking credit for the removal of the Bibles from service exchanges and removal of the service insignias.
“Once again our foundation has decisively beaten back those who would see the wall separating church and state reduced to rubble,” said Mikey Weinstein, MRFF spokesman. “The very fact that the Pentagon – or ‘Pentacostal-gon’ – had allowed for the insignias of the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force to be used for such a clearly evangelical fundamentalist agenda should sicken anyone with any inkling of respect for the ‘sacred’ principle of religious freedom as enshrined by the foundational documents of our nation, namely the U.S. Constitution.”
While the group claims that it is not an atheist organization and that many of its members are Christians, Weinstein admitted the group was opposed to evangelical Christianity. In an interview with Anti-war.com, he said, “We’re fighting a Fundamentalist-Christian-Parachurch-Military-Corporate-Proselytizing-Complex.”
Additionally, the group says that placing service logos on Bibles is a “national security threat.”
“If their logos are being placed on a particular version of Christianity – particularly when we are engaged in a war with fundamentalist Muslims that are trying to view this as a cosmic war between Jesus and Allah – it’s a security threat,” he said. “It’s neither a problem, it’s not an issue or a challenge. It’s a national security threat.”
The group claims the military Bibles are also in violation of the law, but they have no problem with other Bibles being sold. “The Bible by itself is fine to be sold,” Weinstein told Fox News Radio.
The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty said it was outrageous that the DoD prohibited the publisher from printing the Bibles with the emblems.
“DoD regularly allows vendors to use branch insignia for other books, for paintings and other items,” the group said.
“From General George Washington until today, military personnel have taken counsel, received comfort, and been encouraged by biblical texts,”said Col. Ron Crews, executive director for the Chaplain Alliance. “These Bibles cost the Department of Defense nothing, and their presence is legally legitimate; therefore, no reason exists for the DoD to retreat in the face of the small anti-religious group that demanded removal of the Bibles.”
The group said the decision is another attempt by the DoD to create a “religion free” zone in the military and is calling on Congress to investigate the issue. - Source – WND
2012 and the Sure Word of Bible Prophecy
Jan 7th
Prophecy and 2012
“For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20,21
“For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20,21
The firmest, fondest Hope of the bible believing Christian is the return of Jesus Christ for His Bride, the Church
Startling prophetic events took place during 2011, especially with Islam, disasters and the world economy. Many of these disasters, I was able to tie directly to events with Israel. The Japanese earthquake and the Joplin tornadoes are the prime examples. If the nations continue to come against Israel and promote the homosexual agenda, there is no reason to think the events will slow down during 2012. The events are now escalating towards the Day of the LORD.
Based on the prophetic word of God, this is what I see could take place in 2012. The Arab uprising is not even a year old, and yet the Muslim Brotherhood has already taken over many Arab states. All the Arab states around Israel are going to create an Islamic caliphate with the immediate target being the destruction of Israel. They will want to destroy Israel and make Jerusalem the capital of this caliphate. The move to create this union will accelerate during 2012. Any type of military action by Israel will also accelerate this union.
Tremendous pressure is coming on Jordan as the Muslim Brotherhood is gaining support. Jordan is the key in this caliphate, as the Bible shows Jordan is going to become one of Israel’s leading enemies. Jordan is going to turn against Israel. If it happens during 2012, it is a sign that war is very near.
As Iran grows closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, the greater the chance for war between Israel and Iran. Israel has no choice but to attack Iran to destroy its nuclear weapons program. This war will unite Islam against Israel and could overnight bring the caliphate together. On January 1, Obama signed into law severe economic sanctions against Iran. These sanctions go into effect the first week of March. Iran said the sanctions are an act of war. In response, Iran said it will close the Straight of Hormuz to shipping, which will cripple the world’s oil supply. The US stated, it will not allow Iran to do this. The potential for war is great this Spring. It appears that 2012 is the year for this war as time has run out.
If the US backs Israel in the war or initiates the attack against Iran, it will be to defend Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is terrified of a nuclear Iran. Iran is Shiite Muslim while Saudi is Sunni. These two fought vicious wars to control Islam with the Sunnis winning. Iran is now moving to control Islam and Saudi Arabia is the in way. Iran would use the threat of nuclear weapons against Saudi Arabia to gain control of Islam. Obama loves the Sunnis, if he is not one! He will protect the Sunnis and use protecting Israel as the cover. I have no doubt of this.
The Middle East is ripe for the all-out war that is described in Psalm 83 and by so many of the prophets. The time has arrived as the caliphate is forming and Iran is on the verge of nuclear weapons. It is not, if the war will start but when. Watch events involving Jerusalem, as it is a possible that the war will start over Jerusalem. If the war does not start over Jerusalem, it could ignite a smoldering fire into the all-out war.
The world economy is about to melt down. Watch the EU to melt down in direct coinciding with trying to force Israel to divide the land. Based on all that I have documented in the last 20 years, God is going to bring down the world economy in direct connection to dividing Jerusalem. There is no hope for the world economy, as it is under the direct judgment from the Holy God of Israel.
There were incredible disasters connected to the nations touching Israel. I would expect the same to continue into 2012. The disasters will coincide with the nations violating God’s prophetic word for Israel. There has been nonstop volcanic activity all over the world, and it is possible that there will be major eruptions this year. If the EU comes against Israel, watch the volcanoes in Iceland as a major eruption would devastate Europe.
As America goes deeper in national sin, the West Coast is in great danger. There have been numerous major earthquakes all over the Pacific rim of fire but not on the West Coast. The West Coast is now LONG OVERDUE for huge earthquakes. This could be the year, as the homosexual agenda continues to advance.
If all these events converge, it could appear to the world’s population as Armageddon. The war in the Middle East has the potential to kill millions, destroy entire nations and create millions of refugees. The war would drive the price of oil skyward and crush the already fragile world economy. The combination of this horrific war over Israel, the world-wide social unrest from the economic collapse and mega disasters will lead people to think that it is Armageddon. In addition, there are numerous movies and stories about the world ending in 2012. If events break like this in 2012, it is very possible that people who are not grounded in God’s prophetic word will think it is Armageddon.
I do believe that in this coming war that Islam is going to be defeated. The end time religion will be paganism and not Islam. A military leader from Europe could be the one who defeats Islam. He would be looked upon as a savior. A world government will form to put the economy and nations back together. This “savior” will have the ideas to create peace. He will call for a world religion to end religious wars. He will want to merge all the religions into one. The masses of people will follow him, and he is none other than the Beast of Revelation 13 or better known as the antichrist!
I cannot say for sure that all this is going to start in 2012. What I can say is that time is running out. How much time is left until Israel and Iran are at war? How much time before the Islamic caliphate is formed? How much time is left for the world economy? I believed that the end time events described throughout the Bible are now coming into clear focus. The world is looking for a human savior and not the Lord Jesus from heaven. They will get a savior, but he is nothing more than a deception to trap multitudes into perdition.
The world has nothing to look forward to but the antichrist and Armageddon!
We look to heaven for the coming of the Lord Jesus for His church. From any angle we look, there is not much time left. Use the remaining time wisely to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. What you do now for the Lord will carry over into eternity. Do not hold back, but go full speed for the LORD.
May the Holy God of Israel bless and protect you. source – John McTernan’s INSIGHTS
Rapture Date Setters, When Will You Ever Learn?
Oct 25th
Failure rate to predict the day of the Rapture remains at 100%
Oh, date setters, you were wrong. Again. Over the last several weeks, there’s been a large movement that the Rapture would occur during Rosh Hashanah, 2011. It didn’t. Now, instead of simply seeing that setting a date was wrong, the rapture has been postponed until October. Have you learned nothing from Harold Camping or the countless others before him?
Setting a date for the day of the Rapture is a guaranteed impossibility.
The Rosh Hashanah theory did have some interesting points. The Jewish holiday certainly has some similarities to the Rapture. It’s a wedding ceremony, a new year, the “last trump,” a day of repentance, and even sometimes called the “day that no man knows,” since it’s a different date each year.
This year, its also 63 years afterIsraelbecame a state. 63 years +7 years of tribulation= 70. The Bible refers to 70 years as a generation, and Matthew 24:34 says, “…this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” It does not, however, say that THIS generation will be exactly 70 years. It also does not tell us the day to expect it. In fact, it says the exact opposite…
Just a short two verses away, we are told, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Now, go back and read that again. MY FATHER ONLY. If you’re reading that correctly, you’ll see that ONLY means NOBODY ELSE. That means not even Jesus knows!
Before reading further, if you are one of the ones who got caught up (no pun intended) in this theory, ask yourself exactly when you were given a higher knowledge than Jesus Christ? You weren’t. You do not have more authority than Jesus, and to assume you do shows a great deal of arrogance. Instead, trust that the Bible is correct and humble yourself to God and his word.
Has there ever been a date setter to be proven correct in all the 2000 years we’ve been waiting? EVERY one of them has been wrong. There is good reason for that. The Bible specifically tells us we don’t know. That, like everything else in the book, has not changed. You will never be right when you set a date. NEVER. God will not be wrong, and never has been. You can’t outsmart him.
Now, many people date set because of the hope it gives. The problem, however, is that the hope is short lived, as many see now that Rosh Hashanah is over. It also ruins your credibility. To those non believers you’re trying to convince, any progress you’ve made is now destroyed. Now you’re the crazy person nobody will listen to. How many times will it take of debunked predictions before we learn that we simply can NOT do it?
Setting dates is essentially the same as working for the Devil. Each time a Rapture date is set, and fails, more and more become part of the falling away, and fall into the “scoffer” category. The number of people (several thousand) that joined an online event for after rapture looting should be proof of that. Way to go, Harold Camping, for giving believers a bad name. Again.
But please, do not let the false prophets fool you for even one second. The Rapture is indeed going to happen soon. Jesus said so.
The bottom line is that we all want our Lord to come get us. It’s really tough in 2011. I want out just as much as you. God has told us not just in words, but in previous failed predictions, that we simply do not know when it’s going to happen. We do know to have faith, and to wait. We know that it can happen today. It could’ve also happened on Rosh Hashanah…but not because you predicted it. Don’t lose your faith, destroy your credibility and go against God’s word by deciding you know better than the son of God himself.
It’s been set in stone long before your days on this Earth, and isn’t going to change. People have set dates for thousands of years, and not a one of them have been right. Instead of getting your hopes up for next Wednesday at4:00, just know that it WILL happen, when God sees fit. That is enough of a gift in itself, even if you don’t know when it’s coming.
Remember, God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect. Stop trying to change it.
How Can These Signs Be Ignored?
Jan 30th
While the Bible teaches us that those left behind will be blind to the real cause of the Rapture, it’s hard to believe how far that really goes. The Bible has all the answers, yet people go out of their way to find explanations for recent events. The most common answer for these happenings is coincidence…it’s no coincidence. Is it really so hard to believe what the good book tells us? It couldn’t be more clear in what to watch for, and it’s all happening right now.
While some prophesies have been fulfilled since 1948 (Israel existing as a nation, as foretold in Ezekiel 37:1-14…and even more specific, Isaiah 66:8; “Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once?”), others are appearing almost too fast to keep up with.
While there are many more than the ones listed here, some of the most amazing signs are unfolding right before our eyes…how can these be ignored?
Let’s start with Daniel 12:4; “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Any idea what that could be referring to? In 2011, we have TV, cable, satellites, radio, GPS, movies, cell phones, and the biggie, the internet! It’s pretty evident that knowledge has been increased, and hard to dispute, as well. Remember when the set of encyclopedias would be updated, once every year or so? The internet is literally updated every second. That, friends, is knowledge increasing. This is no coincidence.
Next, examine the topic of war. More than one Bible verse describing the last days discuss this topic: Mark 13:8: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…Matthew 24:6: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Both verses are describing the end times as well as OUR time. “War” is not an uncommon word in our time, and rumors of war can be found on the news at any given time. Coincidence? Not at all. These are days the Bible has warned us about.
What about Earthquakes? Have you noticed how many we’ve had lately? It’s almost every day that another new quake is reported. In the short start of 2011, there have already been over 90 earthquakes worldwide. Again, over 90 worldwide quakes in less that one month. What does the Bible say about this? Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Notice what else that verse says…not just quakes, but quakes in places that don’t normally host such events. Very few of the quakes in 2011 have been in California…not even 10 out of 90. If you think this is coincidence, check the facts for 2010…and 2009…and then keep looking. Even more interesting, since 1948, an important year to believers, earthquakes have an overall increase of over 2,000% in frequency. It is no coincidence; this is our Heavenly Father sending us warnings.
There are many more teachings in the Holy Bible that warn what to expect in the end days. Have you read them? Are they truly coincidence, or God’s exact signs coming true? More importantly, have you been saved? Salvation with Jesus Christ means you will not be left behind! It is free, costs you nothing, and a genuine gift from our creator. Our time on this earth is quickly drawing to an end. The time to reach out to Jesus is now! There is no way on earth that God’s gift of signs to us is coincidental. These are very real warnings, and if you look around, you’ll see them happening every single day. Time is short…that’s also no coincidence.
