Eye for an Eye.... not

Despite all of the mainstream news media stories that would attempt to portray Israel as oppressive occupiers, the truth is that they repeatedly show a spirit of forgiveness, humanitarianism and restraint with their "enemies'. A recent story about a mountain climber proves this once again.

Israeli mountain climber Nadav Ben-Yehuda set out to be the youngest Israeli to ever reach the peak of Mount Everest back in May. Just 300 metres from success, personal satisfaction and probably his 5 minutes of fame, he came across a Turkish climber, Aydin Irmak, who lost consciousness while on his way down from the peak. Ben-Yehuda set aside his personal goals and instead took on the role of the good Samaritan. He revived Irmak and and then carried him on his back for 8 hours until he reached their camp. In the process, he nearly lost some fingers to frostbite.

This, along with many other similar stories, are not going to appear on CNN or any other liberal media outlet. It has become uber-fashionable to hate Israel. I pray that this story opens up at least one persons eyes to the truth. The truth is that jews, struggle with sin and the flesh like we all do. They are just as capable of retribution and hatred as anyone and in some cases, do act that way but God's heart and hands are with them so that in spite of being isolated and hated by the world, they, for the most part, continue to show love and mercy. They need our prayer and support. They need the whole truth to be told.

Are There Any Dormant Volcanoes Left?

It seems that for the past few months, volcanoes, some of which have been dormant for centuries have begun in increasing fashion to wake up... even the mound that formed after Krakatoa took out most of it's island and killed 36,000 people in 1883, has started to rumble.

The bible makes no specific mention of volcanoes as an end time player but since earthquakes and volcanic explosions can have a similar cause (magma flow) this does seem natural. Some scientists have suggested that a single super volcano has the potential to wipe out life on this planet. We know that the many lives that will be lost in the coming months/years will not be from a single super volcano but the increased activity we are seeing makes one wonder what the final days of this planet will be like if it suffers under the effects of famine, disease, nuclear conflict, supers torms, earthquakes AND volcanoes.

If you haven't already done so, please realize that the natural disasters, political unrest, economic upheaval and stellar anomalies you are seeing are the final calls of a Holy and just God who wishes for no one to perish... but to turn to Him in obedience.

Seek His face now. Turn from all sin in your life and submit your life to Yeshua Ha Mashiach, who died to take your sins upon Himself so that if you accept His gift of eternal life, you can know ultimate peace, joy and fulfillment. Don't be one of the many that will have to face the tribulations that are about to hammer this planet and yet still stand in front of a Holy God to face further judgment. Humble yourself today and give your life to the One who gave His life for you.

May you be blessed in Yeshua.

Arab Spring, Islamic Winter, Antichrist "Fall"

Bible teachers have been declaring since the uprising in Tunisia in 2010 that what we were seeing was not a revolution of the people but a gambit of the enemy (Satan). Two years later, we are seeing multiple demonstrations and skirmishes (wars and rumours of wars) in areas all over the world that have are radical-islamic inspired. I'm not speaking against people of the islamic faith that want to live in peace (even though islam at its core is NOT a peaceful religion) but speaking against what is happening in the radical wings of the faith and against western governments that have been and still are blind to the real power behind this movement.

Syria is a perfect example of the nature of this revolution. We all agree that the Assad regime is evil and in a perfect world, it would be easy to side with the rebels that the mainstream media is trying to paint as a group humble civilians that have been pressed into action by years of oppression. The reality, however is that this grassroots uprising has been hi-jacked (and perhaps was instigated) by the Muslim brotherhood. This radical group is actively carrying out the goal of global jihad and the more victories they win, the more they become emboldened to press ever further. 

Let's clear our consciences right here and right now. An Arab Spring is a nice idea... where oppressed and dis-advantaged peoples of Arab origin win their right to self-determination. That is what we would like to see happen and so part of us seems to blinded to what the Arab Spring really was and is.

So... where is this leading? What comes after the Islamic winter? How about an Antichrist Fall?

How exactly does the Antichrist come to power? He's not just going to appear on CNN one day and announce himself supreme ruler... that comes later. He comes onto the scene with answers to crises that the world has never encountered before and is given successive power over the world. I believe that this islamic movement is part of Satan's scheme to put the man he will one day inhabit, into power. Imagine large groups of radical muslims storming the embassy in your city, taking over major intersections in protest or in prayer (as is seen in London) or imposing sharia law in your community. Imagine huge riots every time anyone does anything that the radicals find offensive (such as having a picture of Winnie the Pooh (Piglet) on an office wall... more on this another time). In the face of persistent violence and intimidation, people everywhere will cry for a "Spring" of their own and will welcome a leader... any leader that promises peace and safety. A man who seems able to placate the radicals, bring peace to the middle east and who has a solution for the devastating financial crises about the break, would be welcomed... even worshipped, as we know will happen. 

According to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, the antichrist will present himself as God and unleash a campaign of violence and terror that makes Syria look like a cafeteria food fight. Revelation 13:7 says he will overcome even some of the saints and exercise power over all peoples of the earth. Praise God for His mercy and power for this antichrist's end has already been established. When our Lord and Saviour comes back to establish His kingdom, He will cause the antichrist to "Fall" into the Lake of Fire and then there will be a true Spring for the people's of the earth... under a righteous loving king.

Maranatha

What Happens When We are Poor Stewards

Believers agree for the most part that things are winding down. Evil and wickedness are increasing, the love of many is growing cold. We are seeing what many call discipline, falling upon our world as well in the form of financial, political and natural upheavals. I want to proclaim God's mercy and grace in all of this for God abhors evil, especially from those under His favour and blessing. In North America, we have enjoyed blessing and influence unlike any other nation on earth, perhaps aside from Babylon or Egypt at their pinnacles, and yet we have been poor stewards in so many ways and are deserving of far more than we have to this day seen. God in His mercy, is giving us more time.

"We know all of this" you might say. Well there is a point. The pattern of judgements that we seem to be falling under are not new. 

In 1873, the American West was the focus of most of the interesting events. It was also a period when there was a relatively quiet war... against the aboriginals and the buffalo. Yes the buffalo. Without going into the finer details, the military and private citizens were hunting the native buffalo at an insane level. Millions were slaughtered partly in order to starve aboriginals out of the region. Skirmishes helped to finish off their way of life. Is it simple coincidence that a series of events followed which just about destroyed the settlers way of life in the region as well?

In 1873 the bank that had been financing the rapid expansion of the rail system, failed, which cascaded into a failure of the whole national banking system. Following that, yellow fever swept through the Mississippi valley and drought struck the plains. Swarms of locust descended on the region, sometimes massing so thickly that locomotives were forced to stop. 1 Million Americans became jobless and the country fell into a severe depression. 

This certainly sounds like the discipline of a holy God. One might argue that point but I hope you were struck by the parallels here. Today, people are still slaughtering aboriginals, and whites, and blacks and latinos and asians through abortion, violent crime and unholy wars. Poor stewardship of our environment and wildlife is on par with wiping out the buffalo. In short, many are exhibiting the same pride and carelessness that almost brought the US to its knees 140 years ago. It is only by God's mercy and grace are we still standing and only by turning to Him with a broken and contrite spirit over our sins can we hope to be spared the judgements yet to come. 

Don't wait for history to repeat itself. Cry out to God for His mercy to rain upon you, your family and your country before the panic of 1873 revisits 2012.