Osama, Terrorism, Despair, and Hope

By Justin Edwards

The world has been in a whirlwind since the news of the death of Osama bin Laden broke late Sunday evening.  Reactions have varied from celebration to condemnation, with many Christians struggling with how they should respond to the death of the world's most notorious killer of the last 2 decades.  In his article, A Christian Response to the death of Osama bin Laden, Randy White revisits the evil acts of bin Laden in recent years:

Osama bin Laden is a clear enemy.  As the leader of Al Qaeda, he is responsible for the death of over 3,000 men, women, and children on 9/11, as well as those who died on the USS Cole, the deaths of US servicemen shot down in Somalia in Operation Restore Hope, the 301 persons killed and 5,000 injured in bombings of U.S. Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, the bombing of a synagogue in Tunisia, the deaths of 180 people in a nightclub in Bali, and the list goes on.  Clearly, Osama bin Laden has been the deadliest terrorist of this young century (HT: Worldview Weekend).

Osama bin Laden was a cold-blooded murderer who deserved death.  Christians can rejoice that this wicked man has received temporal justice for his crimes against humanity, and we can rejoice that he can no longer take another innocent human life.  Yet, while we can rejoice that bin Laden is history and can harm us no more, the reality is he is in hell and has yet to face God's final justice - in that, we cannot rejoice, but more on that later.

Although bin Laden is dead, the threat of terrorism did not die with him.  In fact, his death will likely be a catalyst for near-future attacks.  Coincidentally, about a week before May 2, I saw that Wikileaks had released information regarding repercussions of a bin Laden capture or assassination.  In this report, Al-Qaeda threatens to unleash a nuclear hellstorm if Osama is caught or assassinated.  The terrorist organization has supposedly hidden a nuclear bomb in Europe, ready for detonation should Osama be incarcerated or killed.  It is not unlikely that such a threat is imposed within the United States, given our security risks on the border among other things.

In my opinion, killing OBL is another win for Islam.  The U.S. was absolutely justified in this assassination, but the consequences will be more attacks and restricted freedoms.  Not only might Al-Qaeda accelerate its efforts to attack the United States, but there may be an increase in lone wolf terrorists or bin Laden sympathizers to unleash their frustrations against perceived tyranny of the United States.  In fact, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula publishes a high quality English-language magazine, Inspire, to recruit and instruct Muslims in the West to carry out terrorist attacks in their home countries. They released their 5th edition in April:

With this is mind, the threat of so-called "soft targets" being attacked has significantly increased since the killing of Osama bin Laden.  Security has been heightened in major cities around the country, and agencies are being encouraged to employ security measures that would invade the privacy of American citizens.  The following CBS report explains that routine patdowns may become the norm for entry into these soft targets:



As the next few weeks unfold, we will likely see an increase of Muslims memorializing bin Laden.  In fact, the location of his killing is already becoming a shrine for his admirers, where one Muslims states:

I've come here today to see a piece of our history...Osama was a good Muslim who fought for Islam. He was a hero to us. I expect in time to see all sorts of tourists here, even Japanese and Americans.

This shrine may serve as a rallying point and pilgrimage for bin Laden's followers to pay their respects.  What we are seeing is faithful Muslims supporting one of their heroes - a martyr in their eyes.

Such is the sentiment that may bring about a new wave of terror in the United States. The world is already in turmoil with a failing economy, natural disasters, and Middle East turmoil, and with the perhaps imminent threat of terrorist attacks in the United States and Europe, we can expect more death and restricted freedoms.

So what does this mean for you?  What kind of emotions do you feel knowing that the world has significantly become more volatile, as if it wasn't volatile enough already?  Are you afraid?  Are you fearful of the unexpected?  If all you have is this life now, then there really is no hope for you.  If this world, which ultimately offers you nothing but temporal happiness, despair and death - an evil place where wickedness reigns and immorality destroys, if this world is the only one you have to cling to - then you are utterly hopeless.  At any moment, your life could be taken from you, and the chances of that happening have now increased by the death of one evil man.  

If death knocked on your door today, would you find yourself in the same place as Osama bin Laden?  The truth is, if you are still living for yourself and for this world, if you have need of nothing and are trying to live in a manner that you believe would make you worthy of heaven, then you are just as guilty as bin Laden and will face the same judgment as he will face. While the wrath of God may come down more severely upon bin Laden, God's wrath is still unfathomable upon those who refuse to obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  You may think such a position is incredulous, and I don't blame you, but that doesn't change the reality that you are a law-breaker and deserve the wages of your sin.

To read more about this and how you can avoid facing the same judgment as Osama bin Laden, please see Eternal Life.

Now, for my brothers and sisters in Christ - we have an incredible opportunity to use the killing of Osama bin Laden to proclaim the Gospel.  First of all, as opposed to those without Christ, we have an enduring hope!  As we are secured by grace, it doesn't matter if we should be the victims of a terrorist attack.  We are not to fear the unexpected on this earth, for our hope is in the One who has conquered death and has established a kingdom for us to rule and reign with Christ for eternity!  This is the Hope that is within us, and we must be constantly ready to share this with others.

Secondly, I expect most people are willing to talk about the death of Osama bin Laden.  I can think of no easier way to transition into a spiritual conversation than using this instance to break the ice.  In the days to come, I may put a list of survey questions together to use in witnessing encounters, but for now, consider asking people this simple question: 

Where do you think Osama bin Laden is now?

This will be a springboard for you to eventually ask the person where they will go when they die. 

Most of us have lost people close to us.  The news of Osama bin Laden just might be a catalyst that sparks a new wave of terrorism, which could ultimately play into God's prophetic timetable.  In any case, the hour is now all the more urgent to proclaim the Gospel.  While we really don't know how any of this will play out, God, on the other hand, is in absolute control.  He is sovereign over all nations, people, angels, and devils, and these events are proceeding just as He has ordained them to proceed.  We do not know every detail of the future, but we do know that Christ is returning, and looking at the condition of the world today, I believe He is at the doorstep. 

If you have doubts as to where you will spend eternity, please do visit the Eternal Life page.  If you are unsure of your salvation, please don't hesitate to contact me.  If you know you are saved by the grace of God, what are you going to do with your life from here on out?  We have only one purpose in this life once we are bought by the blood of Christ - to love and obey Him with all of our hearts and to make His name known. 

Let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ... - Philippians 1:27

See also:

The Great White Throne Judgment

20 Reasons NOT to Hope for Christ's Return in 2011

Are You Ready?

Awake from Your Slumber

Don't Play Games with Your Eternity

Heart Inventory

People Who Will Not Go to Heaven

Donald Trump: "I am Christian"

By Justin Edwards

Donald Trump appeared on CBN News this morning apparently courting the evangelical right in a bid for a 2012 presidential nomination. I first discovered this interview yesterday as CBN published a portion of that interview where Trump professed to be a Christian. As there was no mention of Jesus during the clip, which of course was disappointing especially since the interview took place on a Christian network, I was inclined to give somewhat a benefit of doubt in hopes the full interview would be posted and reveal any mention of Jesus Christ. To my disappointment, my expectations fell flat. 

Below is the full interview with CBN correspondent David Brody.  As you will see, Donald Trump will appeal to the conservatives of America, but if this testimony is representative of what is in Mr. Trump's heart - a form of religiosity - then let us be in prayer for this presidential candidate that he might come to know the risen Lord Jesus Christ through faith and repentance.





To understand more why this interview was disappointing yet typical of a professing American Christian testimony, please see the post yesterday at The Speak:Truth Project titled, A Rich Man's Testimony.  When you come across a testimony from a professing Christian on the streets in witnessing encounters, it's essential to know how to share the Gospel with someone who professes to be a Christian yet doesn't seem to know what faith in Christ is.  This article will help you learn what to do.

World in Chaos

By Justin Edwards

Headlines on Drudge show the world in chaos:

Egyptian protests continue

NATIONS MUST SPEAK WITH 'ONE VOICE'

Rockets fired at Israel...

Oil Rallies to $100...

LIBYAN OFFICIAL: Al Qaeda sets up Islamic emirate -- run by former Gitmo prisoner...

Saudi's $36 billion bid to beat unrest... 

King offers financial package as opposition calls 'day of rage'...

Nervous China puts security apparatus into overdrive...

Egypt protesters set cars alight in Cairo...  

Ahmadinejad: Mideast leaders should heed calls for change...

Greek riot police, protesters clash during strike...

Thousands protest against high food prices in India...

Christchurch Crumbles: New Zealand Imposes Curfew...

80% of city without water... 

Gaddafi loses more Libyan cities...     

American Genocide

By Justin Edwards

(HT: Tony Miano)

God Hates Westboro Baptist Church

By Justin Edwards

Westboro Baptist Church is in the news again after threatening to picket the funeral of 9-year old Christina Taylor-Green, who was among six victims shot and killed by Jared Loughner in Tucson, Arizona on January 8, 2011. It is now being reported this Independent Baptist Church will not picket the funeral of Taylor-Green in return for air-time in the media.

WBC is known for their hateful demonstrations at military funerals and other funerals of note. From their website, godhatesfags.com, WBC explains the content of their picketing on the About Us page:

WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including: GOD HATES FAGS, FAGS HATE GOD, AIDS CURES FAGS, THANK GOD FOR AIDS, FAGS BURN IN HELL, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FAGS ARE NATURE FREAKS, GOD GAVE FAGS UP, NO SPECIAL LAWS FOR FAGS, FAGS DOOM NATIONS, THANK GOD FOR DEAD SOLDIERS, FAG TROOPS, GOD BLEW UP THE TROOPS, GOD HATES AMERICA, AMERICA IS DOOMED, THE WORLD IS DOOMED, etc. (capital letters original)

While there are indeed many things that God hates, some of which can be found in the article I Hate Green Beans, He does not command us anywhere in Scripture to condemn people for their sinful behavior nor to take advantage of grieving families. On the contrary, this is what God expects of us when engaging lost people:

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, - 1 Peter 3:15

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. - Colossians 4:5-6

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:29

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. - 1 Timothy 1:5

All speech should flow from our mouths with the purpose of drawing people to Christ through the Gospel. This is not done by rude, insidious behavior. The charades of these moralistic Pharisees manifest no fruit of the Spirit and I hesitate to consider these people born again Christians. Though they profess the doctrines of grace, they seem to be more of the hyper-Calvinistic type.

If you are someone who has been offended by the hateful actions of these professing Christians, please know they by no means represent the heart of God and the heart of the Body of Christ. Yes, God does hate sin and we as Christians must condemn sin for what it is (unholy offense against a holy God), but God also calls all men everywhere to repent and believe the Gospel. Yes, our lifestyle as Christians is to be separate from an unholy world (2 Corinthians 6:14), but that does not mean we are to hate those from whom we are to separate. On the contrary, we are to share the truth with them in love (Ephesians 4:15) in hopes they might come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are from WBC and you happened across this article, your actions are antithetical to what Scripture teaches of biblical Christianity. I call you to repent from these hateful actions. What you are doing is an offense against God for it tarnishes the reputation of His Church - His True Church who is called to

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. - Ephesians 4:2

Anything that offends God, He hates. God hates what you are doing and what WBC represents. It is detestable to Him. I call you to fall on your face before Almighty God and plead with Him to forgive you of these deplorable acts against your neighbors and your enemies. Every time you open your mouths online, in the media, and at funerals, you are breaking the second greatest commandment to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). Repent and believe in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will shine His light, love, and grace through you so you can be the true salt of the earth.

For more information on Westboro Baptist Church from a biblical perspective, please see the following articles from CARM and gotquestions:

Westboro Baptist Church

Does God Hate Fags?

May 21, 2011 and the Harold Camping Cult "Prophecy"

By Justin Edwards

The world is not lacking in its number of cults who have attempted to set dates for the return of Christ or the end of the world. Whether drinking poisoned kool-aid to join the passing comet gods or merely predicting dates for TEOTWAWKI (the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it), obviously these have failed miserably - and for good, biblical reason. Despite the clear truth of Scripture on these matters, false prophets such as Harold Camping and his Family Radio cult continue to set dates for the end of all things.

Unfortunately, Camping's date of May 21, 2011 is only the surface of this deception. According to the Family Radio cult website, the church age ended and the Great Tribulation began on May 21, 1988. What's more,

Several years ago we had learned that the silence in Heaven for about half an hour referred to the 2,300 days that were the first part of the 23-year (exactly 8,400 days) Great Tribulation period. This period began on May 21, 1988. It was during this 2,300-day period that, both in the churches and throughout the world, very few, if any, were saved (emphasis added).

Yes, the teachings of the Camping cult are that the Holy Spirit has left the Church and it now stands in condemnation:

We had learned that May 21, 1988 was the last day of the church age and was also the first day of the 23-year period of Great Tribulation, during which Satan has been employed by God to officially rule all of the churches as well as the whole world. During the first 2,300 days of this 8,400-day period the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from all of the churches as well as the entire world. This produced silence in Heaven. This sad situation is to continue in the churches until the end of the 23-year Great Tribulation period. However, beginning 2,300 days after May 21, 1988 (the end of the church age), the Holy Spirit was again poured out, producing what the Bible calls the “latter rain” (Zechariah 10:1; James 5:7) throughout the world (but not in any church), and God began a final great harvest of salvation, bringing great joy in Heaven. This salvation is not occurring in any church, but will continue outside of the churches to the end of the Great Tribulation, on May 21, 2011 (emphasis added).

If you have not quite understood what the implications of this might be with regard to the Holy Spirit having withdrawn from the Church, continue reading the Family Radio cult's own words that have placed an anathema (Galatians 1:9) on themselves:

The language of this verse [1 Thessalonians 5:2-3] describes perfectly all of those in the world who on May 21, 2011 are still following any church. Because churches teach many things that are not true to the Bible, including a plan of salvation that is contrary to the Bible, and the Holy Spirit has abandoned all churches, those still following any church on May 21, 2011 are not saved. Nevertheless churches teach their members that (emphasis added):

1. They as confessing members of their church are safely in Christ’s care.

2. No man can know the day or hour of Christ’s return. Therefore, they are certain that Christ will come as a thief in the night.

These dear people do not realize at all that they, themselves, are in spiritual nighttime, a condition that guarantees that when Christ comes they, themselves, will be destroyed in the Day of Judgment. How awful! It is the true believers who know the time (the hour) and much about Judgment Day (the day). They are not in the nighttime of spiritual darkness (emphasis added).

My dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, I am posting this information today because deception is abounding not only in the world, but in the professing church as well. We are indeed on the doorstep of the last days, but not as Harold Camping and his cult would have you believe. Do not be deceived, this false prophet has reserved for himself the blackness of darkness forever (2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:13), as he is of the

evil men and impostors [who] will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. - 2 Timothy 3:13

The truth is, no one knows the day or hour of the coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:36). Scripture tells us we may know the season, and indeed tells us to lift our heads when we see the signs prior to the return of Christ (Luke 21:28), but never will we know the exact date.

Please understand, it is not this nonsensical date-setting that warrants the branding of heretic to Harold Camping and his minions. No doubt there are many true believers who are ignorant and immature in their eschatology who might also set dates for the rapture of the church. What awards this cult the title of rank heresy is their pronouncement for Christians to exit the churches and that no one who is currently in a local church is saved because the Holy Spirit has left all local churches around the world. Moreover, they pronounce that only true believers have this knowledge of the timing of Christ's return "as revealed to them by the Holy Spirit", so all professing Christians, as they say, who deny May 21, 2011 as the day of the rapture, are not saved at all and should expect the wrath of God to fall upon them.

As this cult phenomenon is making its way across the United States and around the world via internet (wecanknow.com), you will no doubt be hearing of this in the coming months. But let me warn you,

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. - 2 Timothy 1:13-14

The Apostle Paul is referring to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is to say, Christ died so that we might live. It is according to His righteousness alone that we may be justified by faith alone by the grace of God alone, and our salvation is secure in the person and work of Christ alone for the glory of God alone, not according to the deceptive ploys of men to sway the sheep from the Body of Christ to trust in heretical teachings. We must protect this good deposit with everything we are and shield ourselves from every wind of doctrine by staying grounded in the Word.

Unfortunately, Harold Camping is not the only person spreading this madness. According to the AP,

Billboards, bus stop benches, and travelling caravans of RVs from Bridgeport, Conn. to Little Rock, Ark. are being used to spread the word. 

It saddens me to believe that true Christians have been caught up in this deception. There may be many who have no idea of the teachings of Camping, and are merely running with the crowd in hysteria and hoping for Christ's return in 2011. If this is you, I also hope the Lord Jesus Christ returns in 2011, but it won't be on May 21. This is a false prophecy preached by a false prophet who says you are not saved if you go to church, and no one has been saved in the last 23 years except those who believe in May 21, 2011. This is destructive heresy of the worst kind, my friend - I pray you will make your calling and election sure according to the Word of God, not this false prophet.

Take a moment to catch your breath and seriously consider whether what you believe is actually true, and we can know this by going directly to Scripture and reading it in context. If you have any questions, please, by all means, post a comment below. I have a feeling this post will generate some traffic, so I'm prepared to help anyone with humility to walk this through, by the grace of God.  If you have questions about salvation, then please take a moment to read the following:  Eternal Life

Until that Glorious Day, the Lord will protect His Bride and she will be found holy and blameless on Her day of Redemption. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. - Ephesians 5:23-27

For additional information on Harold Camping and the Family Radio cult, please see the following:

Question: "Is Harold Camping and Family Radio a cult?"

Camping with Rapture Loons in 2011

Harold Camping Strikes (Out) Again!

Harold Camping: Modern Day Cult Leader 

Harold Camping: Heretical Attacker of Christ's People

Is 2011 the Year?

By Justin Edwards

Well 2010 is just about behind us! It has been an incredible year on many fronts, both personally and for the Church. Just as midnight will take us into the new year, the midnight hour of God's prophetic time clock is about to strike. While the world continues to carry on as if it always has, events continue to line up in preparation for the Last Things of Scripture to come to pass. Israel has been further isolated and is facing the greatest threats to her survival since 1948; the world is on the brink of major war on multiple fronts; the threat of terrorism looms in most Western countries; the economy is in dire straights; Russia and China are on the rise; religions continue to consciously merge and unify for the sake of peace, hunger, and poverty; nations are losing their sovereignty as global governance becomes more of a reality; and the visible church continues to sink into apostasy. This all sounds like doom and gloom doesn't it? Unless of course, you are called, redeemed, and sealed by the One True God of the universe!

As born again believers, we have so much to look forward to in 2011. This could very well be the year the dominoes of biblical prophecy take their final bow. So what does that mean for you? The Apostle Paul tells us exactly how we should be living in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11,

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

The Lord Jesus Christ is coming, brothers and sisters, whether it is in 2011 or the soon coming years. We cannot escape the obvious signs around us, the very ones Jesus Himself told us to look for and for which to lift our heads because our Redemption is drawing near. We are on the final stretch, so let us strive for the finish line with everything we have and finish the race well, and may we all share in these words from Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

If you have yet to submit your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, have doubts about your salvation, or are living a lifestyle that is contrary to the Word of God (if you don't know the answer to that, this should be telling for you), then please, by all means, make today and the days to come earth-shattering for your life. We are called to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) and to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 2:10). We do this by examining our lives in light of Scripture, using it as a mirror to see whether we see our reflection in it. In other words, is the lifestyle we are living one that is conforming to the Lord Jesus Christ and His written Word, or is our lifestyle conformed to the world and the things of the world?

There are numerous resources here on airō to challenge and help you examine yourself in the Word of God, so please take some time in the coming days and weeks to do this. Your very soul may be hanging in the balance, as if you're swinging on a string of silk over the flames of hell ready to be singed and cast into the lake of fire for all eternity. It would be so tragic if you died, fully expecting to enter heaven with your fire insurance policy, only to find out you believed in vain all of these years because you refused to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is calling you now, no matter where you've been or what you've done. Through repentance and faith, you can become a child of God today. For "the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:17).

Whether you are in Christ now or have yet to fall at His feet in surrender, I pray 2011 is the year you fall more in love with the One who sacrificed everything for you, or you fall in love with Him for the very first time.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. - Revelation 22:17

Maranatha!

The Kwanzaa Deception

By Justin Edwards

BLACKS IN AMERICA have suffered an endless series of insults and degradations, the latest of which goes by the name of Kwanzaa. - The late Tony Snow

Kwanzaa is a made-up holiday invented by the racist Marxist Maulana Karenga in 1966 as an alternative celebration for blacks beginning the day after Christmas and ending on January 1. Karenga once said,

People think its African but its not, I came up with Kwanzaa because black people wouldn’t celebrate it if they knew it was American. Also I put it around Christmas because I knew that’s when a lot of bloods were partying.

Karenga also publicly espoused that Jesus was psychotic and Christianity was a white religion that blacks should shun (source).

The most disturbing part about Kwanzaa is that many who celebrate this holiday invented by a God-hater are professing black Christians. I have no doubt that some do so out of ignorance to what Karenga actually taught, however, it is important to speak the truth on this matter nevertheless. The bottom line is - Kwanzaa and Christianity are in no way compatible, just as Black Liberation Theology is in no way compatible with Christianity.

In an effort to honor expose this pagan holiday to shed light on its origins and challenge those who celebrate this unbiblical tradition, I will be posting a Kwanzaa article each day this week (December 26-January 1). I initially wanted to compile these articles in a single post, but felt there was too much that might be missed in doing so. Most of these articles are authored by black Christians who understand the fraudulence of Kwanzaa and Karenga's efforts to draw blacks away from Christianity. So with that, if you are sympathetic towards this fake holiday or participate in it yourself, I pray you will be open to what I present to you and exhort you to seek the Lord on this issue and ask Him to give you wisdom and discernment as to what this holiday actually represents.

No race, ethnicity, or nationality should be put on such a pedestal. Whether black, white, yellow, or brown, we all have one thing in common - our sin - and our focus must remain on the person and work of Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy of our worship and who alone is worthy to be exalted. If you are a black Christian who celebrates Kwanzaa, I leave you with these words from Karenga, which reduce Truth to mere myth:

In Christian and Jewish mythology, humans are born in sin, cursed with mythical ancestors who have sinned, and brought the wrath of an angry God on every generation head (source).

The first post of this series will serve to provide the socio-political background of Kwanzaa, which should give us a decent foundation before we delve into the spiritual and unbiblical aspect:


The TRUTH about Kwanzaa

By Tony Snow

BLACKS IN AMERICA have suffered an endless series of insults and degradations, the latest of which goes by the name of Kwanzaa.

Ron Karenga (aka Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga) invented the seven-day feast (Dec. 26-Jan. 1) in 1966, branding it a black alternative to Christmas. The idea was to celebrate the end of what he considered the Christmas-season exploitation of African Americans.

According to the official Kwanzaa Web site -- as opposed, say, to the Hallmark Cards Kwanzaa site -- the celebration was designed to foster "conditions that would enhance the revolutionary social change for the masses of Black Americans" and provide a "reassessment, reclaiming, recommitment, remembrance, retrieval, resumption, resurrection and rejuvenation of those principles (Way of Life) utilized by Black Americans' ancestors."

Karenga postulated seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith, each of which gets its day during Kwanzaa week. He and his votaries also crafted a flag of black nationalism and a pledge: "We pledge allegiance to the red, black, and green, our flag, the symbol of our eternal struggle, and to the land we must obtain; one nation of black people, with one G-d of us all, totally united in the struggle, for black love, black freedom, and black self-determination."

Now, the point: There is no part of Kwanzaa that is not fraudulent. Begin with the name. The celebration comes from the Swahili term "matunda yakwanza," or "first fruit," and the festival's trappings have Swahili names -- such as "ujima" for "collective work and responsibility" or "muhindi," which are ears of corn celebrants set aside for each child in a family.

Unfortunately, Swahili has little relevance for American blacks. Most slaves were ripped from the shores of West Africa. Swahili is an East African tongue.

To put that in perspective, the cultural gap between Senegal and Kenya is as dramatic as the chasm that separates, say, London and Tehran. Imagine singing "G-d Save the Queen" in Farsi, and you grasp the enormity of the gaffe.

Worse, Kwanzaa ceremonies have no discernible African roots. No culture on earth celebrates a harvesting ritual in December, for instance, and the implicit pledges about human dignity don't necessarily jibe with such still-common practices as female circumcision and polygamy. The inventors of Kwanzaa weren't promoting a return to roots; they were shilling for Marxism. They even appropriated the term "ujima," which Julius Nyrere cited when he uprooted tens of thousands of Tanzanians and shipped them forcibly to collective farms, where they proved more adept at cultivating misery than banishing hunger.

Even the rituals using corn don't fit. Corn isn't indigenous to Africa. Mexican Indians developed it, and the crop was carried worldwide by white colonialists.

The fact is, there is no Ur-African culture. The continent remains stubbornly tribal. Hutus and Tutsis still slaughter one another for sport.

Go to Kenya, where I taught briefly as a young man, and you'll see endless hostility between Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya and Masai. Even South African politics these days have more to do with tribal animosities than ideological differences.

Moreover, chaos too often prevails over order. Warlords hold sway in Somalia, Eritrea, Liberia and Zaire. Genocidal maniacs have wiped out millions in Rwanda, Uganda and Ethiopia. The once-shining hopes for Kenya have vanished.

Detroit native Keith Richburg writes in his extraordinary book, "Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa," that "this strange place defies even the staunchest of optimists; it drains you of hope ..."

Richburg, who served for three years as the African bureau chief for The Washington Post, offers a challenge for the likes of Karenga: "Talk to me about Africa and my black roots and my kinship with my African brothers and I'll throw it back in your face, and then I'll rub your nose in the images of rotting flesh."

His book concludes: "I have been here, and I have seen -- and frankly, I want no part of it. .... By an accident of birth, I am a black man born in America, and everything I am today -- my culture and my attitudes, my sensibilities, loves and desires -- derives from that one simple and irrefutable fact."

Nobody ever ennobled a people with a lie or restored stolen dignity through fraud. Kwanzaa is the ultimate chump holiday -- Jim Crow with a false and festive wardrobe. It praises practices -- "cooperative economics, and collective work and responsibility" -- that have succeeded nowhere on earth and would mire American blacks in endless backwardness.

Our treatment of Kwanzaa provides a revealing sign of how far we have yet to travel on the road to reconciliation. The white establishment has thrown in with it, not just to cash in on the business, but to patronize black activists and shut them up.

This year, President Clinton signed his fourth Kwanzaa proclamation. He crooned: "The symbols and ceremony of Kwanzaa, evoking the rich history and heritage of African Americans, remind us that our nation draws much of its strength from our diversity."

But our strength, as Richburg points out, comes from real principles: tolerance, brotherhood, hard work, personal responsibility, equality before the law. If Americans really cared about racial healing, they would focus on those ideas -- and not on a made-up rite that mistakes segregationism for spirituality and fiction for history.

UPDATE:  Although I set out to post a 7-part series on Kwanzaa, I have decided to provide you the links for your own reading. Against my better judgment I planned on using airō resources to expand on this topic, but quite frankly Kwanzaa does not deserve more attention than a single post. Please forgive me for the confusion.

I invite you to read the following links to learn more about this fraudulent and deceptive holiday:


Kwanzaa Is for Pagans

The Kwanzaa Deception

Don't Let Anyone Fool You, Kwanzaa IS Religious!

The Truth About Kwanzaa - New ebook!

Kwanzaa Creator a Secular Kook, Convict

Kwanzaa - Racist Holiday from Hell

Terrorism Threat on Food - Public Information Release

By Justin Edwards

CBS News reported on Monday that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is plotting to poison salad bars and food buffets at multiple hotels and restaurants over a single weekend. While there is no specific or imminent threat, Homeland Security officials have determined the threats to be credible. You can see the CBS News video at this link: New Terror Threat Targets U.S. Food.

The Department of Homeland Security is pushing out a public document to raise awareness and to report suspicious activity. I received the document this morning and have uploaded here: If You See Something, Say Something. Please distribute to your business contacts, family, and friends, especially to those in the food industry. Even if you do not work in the food industry, some of the guidelines in the document should be acknowledged for when you visit restaurants and hotels, such as

• Person(s) taking notes, drawings, photos, or videos of your business

• Person(s) conducting surveillance of self-service areas (i.e., salad bars, condiment areas, and open bulk containers)

• Person(s) attempting to gain access to restricted or unauthorized areas

• Unattended vehicles illegally parked near your business

• Unattended items (e.g., backpacks, boxes) within or near your business

There is much chatter of terrorist activity among intelligence agencies, which is clearly overflowing into news sources these last couple of weeks. As there is a heightened state of alert over the holiday season due to critical threats of terrorism, please remember to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Should you see any sort of suspicious activity, do not hesitate to report to authorities.

For those who may have missed it on Monday, I provided some resources to help your family plan for major emergencies: Disaster Preparedness for Your Family.

Disaster Preparedness for Your Family

By Justin Edwards

Most of you do not know my professional field of work is in bioterrorism response. While my world is  likely quite different than yours in terms of thinking about natural or man-made disasters, I find it troubling that most people I talk to in casual conversations have no sort of disaster plan for themselves or their families. Although Americans have been through several catastrophic events over the last decade, the public is largely complacent when it comes to disaster preparedness. We have mostly lost touch with the reality of another 9/11 (or worse) because we live by the lie that "ignorance is bliss" and have our proverbial heads in the sand. The truth is, we are overdue for a major catastrophe here in America as the world continues to contract with the birth pangs of the end times, and when the inevitable comes, most Americans will find themselves in panic having no idea what to do or how to survive the worst-case scenario.

In a follow-up to last week's post, Merry Terror?, I'd like to provide you with some resources to encourage you to think about and prepare your family for an impending disaster. These resources will help you plan for a man-made disaster (intentional or incidental) or natural catastrophe (2010, by the way, was the deadliest year of disaster in more than a generation as earthquakes, heat waves, floods, volcanoes, super typhoons, blizzards, landslides and droughts killed at least a quarter million people). While I am not promoting or endorsing hording, preparing your family for the short term following any type of disaster is merely taking steps to be responsible for the health and safety of your family. Depending on the government to help you is not an option, so it must start with the wisdom and resources God provides you to get through these events.

To use the old cliche, it's not a matter of if these things will happen, but when they will happen. There are dark days ahead with a frail economy, rumors of war and terrorism, and an increase in natural disasters. As Christians eagerly awaiting our Savior's return, we are to expect these things and not be afraid, but we can take steps now to be prepared for when disaster strikes.

Please feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.

1. CDC - Personal Preparedness for Bio/Chem/Rad/Nuc Terrorism

The possibility of public health emergencies arising in the United States concerns many people in the wake of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic influenza. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps people deal with disasters of all sorts much more effectively when they do occur.

To help, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Red Cross have teamed up to answer common questions and provide step by step guidance you can take now to protect you and your loved ones.

2. FEMA Basic Preparedness: Are You Ready?

Are You Ready? provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking the reader through how to get informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that affect their local area, and how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Other topics covered include evacuation, emergency public shelters, animals in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities.

3. Ready.Gov (How to Prepare a Kit)

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

4. Emergency Supplies (Vendor)

“Helping People Prepare…for over 20 years. Offering Food Storage, Emergency Kits, Water Filtration, First Aid, MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), Survival Kits, Camping Gear, disaster preparedness and more! We are committed to serving you with over 900 products!"

5. Family Disaster Plan (Checklist and Guideline)

This booklet is a plan template and is intended to give you a format and possible suggestions about information you might want to include in a family disaster plan. It is not all inclusive and should be modified by the user as needed. Each individual or family should adapt this plan to their specific needs or requirements.

6. American Red Cross 

Do you know what to do? Do you have a plan? Fire, police and emergency medical services may be delayed in responding. You need to learn what to do, have a plan, and be prepared to take care of yourself, your family and your community. 

7. Nuclear Preparedness (Power Plants)

We always expect our nuclear stations to operate safely, but in the unlikely event of a nuclear station emergency, we want you to be prepared. We’ve prepared emergency planning information in conjunction with the states and counties around our nuclear facilities. These plans are designed to protect you. If you hear sirens, we want you to know what they mean and what you need to do. 

Merry Terror?

By Justin Edwards

The holiday season each year routinely raises alert levels among counter-terrorism agencies, but with the failed plot by the underwear bomber last Christmas day and numerous foiled plots in Europe and the United States in 2010, authorities have their work cut out for them over these next couple of weeks. What's more, Iraqi authorities are reporting that al Qaeda is planning suicide attacks in the United States and Europe during the Christmas holidays.

Drudge is running a major headline from the Associated Press that two insurgents have confessed these planned attacks to Iraqi senior officials. The Iraqi government has reported these claims as "critical threats" to Interpol and the U.S. Security Council this week. Allegedly among these plots were the suicide bombing in Sweden last weekend claimed the insurgents, who insist to be part of a cell taking its orders directly from al Qaeda's central leadership. Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani told the Associated Press,

Several members of this terrorist group have direct links with the central leaders of the al Qaeda organization.  Those captured represent the main structure of the al Qaeda organization in Iraq (source).

Having recently attended a counter-terrorism conference in November, I am confident that al Qaeda operatives are entrenched on American soil. For years our borders have given criminals and terrorists easy access to the U.S., using coyotes (smugglers) to import weapons, money, drugs, and people, including terrorists and parts for WMDs. In his book, The Day of Islam: The Annihilation of America and the Western World, Paul Williams details how Hezbollah and HAMAS have positioned themselves with Mexico's narcoterrorist groups and high profile gangs, such as MS-13, to smuggle these goods and terrorists into the United States. In his August 2009 article, MS-13 Smuggles Muslim Terrorists into the United States, Williams writes:

Mideast Prophecy Update 2010 - 2011 (Part 2)

PART TWO – What Should We Watch For In 2011

By Bill Salus

Read part one now

Israel is prepared to strategically strike Iran’s nuclear sites. This past September I spoke with retired Israeli Defense Forces General Shimon Erem who confirmed Saudi Arabia opened up a thin strip of air for Israel to attack Iran. It’s interesting that no Jewish Synagogue can be constructed in Saudi Arabia, but Israeli war planes are now allowed to fly overhead as long as they are on route to attack Iran. (Picture of Bill Salus and I.D.F. General Shimon Erem)

The open Saudi airspace, pending $60 billion arms deal with America, and the Wikileaks statements that the Saudis told the U.S. to “Cut off the head of the (Iranian) snake,” add credence to suspicions the Saudis are desperately concerned about Iran’s nuclear program. This clock is ticking.

The apparent reasons Israel has refrained from attacking Iran thus far:
1. Sanctions needed time to work.
2. Diplomatic efforts toward Mideast peace were underway and remotely possible.
3. The Stuxnet virus and other related covert efforts inside Iran partially disrupted some aspects of Iran’s nuclear program.
4. It could provoke Hezbollah, Syria, and Hamas to join Iran in a multi-front war imposing significant Israeli casualties.
5. It could initiate unpredictable retaliatory responses from Iran and its proxies, like international terror and / or restricted oil production that could adversely affect America and other parts of the international community.

Interestingly, end time’s expert Jimmy DeYoung informed a group of us attending the Pre-Trib rapture conference in December, 2010 that Prime Minister Netanyahu informed him there were two red lines Israel would not allow Iran to cross;

1. The receipt from Russia of the S-300 missile defense system,
2. The development or acquisition of a weapon of mass destruction.

The missile defense system, which Iran has contracted Russia to deliver, would hinder Israel’s ability to attack Iran through surface to air missiles and endanger Israeli Air Forces in an air assault. Netanyahu takes Ahmadinejad’s genocidal threats to wipe Israel off the map literally and seriously.

Additionally, DeYoung informed us a movement for a Palestinian state within the United Nations is already underway. This movement threatens to set retro borders for the Palestinian state based upon the territories as they were before June 6, 1967 when Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and other additional land. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay have already accepted such a Palestinian State against harsh rebuke from Israel. Similarly, Venezuela is expected to soon follow course.

Possible events to be watchful of in 2011 are:

Mideast Prophecy Update 2010 -2011 (Part 1)

PART ONE - Looking Through the Rear View Mirror At 2010

By Bill Salus

As the door shuts on 2010, American led Middle East peace efforts have officially unraveled. The Obama administration has backed away for now from pressuring Israel into extending its moratorium on settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In the absence of peace we are reminded Israel, which equipped its citizens earlier this year with gas masks, remains war ready as 2011 approaches.

Even though 2010 has as of yet escaped a Mideast military conflict and a global financial collapse, by no means did it insulate humanity from the potential for either. The fact that Mideast war was averted in 2010 means it’s overdue in 2011. As we stand on the unstable threshold of the New Year it is helpful to review some 2010 Mideast events. In so doing it might reasonably be concluded that 2011 could be the year the Middle East goes apocalyptic.

In November 2009 the Obama administration hailed Israel’s decision to temporarily halt all residential building in the West Bank. This good will gesture opened up a ten-month window for Mideast peace talks to resume. However, as the world entered into 2010 Mideast peace remained elusive. Throughout most of 2010 Mideast peace talks were at best “indirect.” It wasn’t until September 2, 2010 that the Obama Administration seriously attempted to jump start “direct” Mideast peace talks.

To the Obama administration’s chagrin, but to nobody’s surprise, three weeks later on September 26, Israel’s temporary moratorium freeze on settlements and direct peace talks concluded. At the time Obama seemed content to leave Mideast matters alone as he was preoccupied with the November 2, 2010 midterm elections. Some analyst attributed Obama’s decision to concerns many of his Democratic colleagues were running against pro-Israel Republicans and pressuring Israel further could complicate their already compromised campaigns.

In June, 2010 I wrote an article outlining a series of alarming Mideast events spanning April to June linked here called Mighty Muscles Flex in the Mideast. It would be helpful to read the chronology of events outlined in the article before going further.

Mormon Parents Can't Be Scout Leaders Says Local Church

By Justin Edwards

The Defending.Contending blog posted an important news story regarding a Mormon couple's desire to be leaders of a Boy Scout troop chartered by Christ Covenant Church of Matthews, NC. As my family once attended this church and my brother was enrolled in its grade school for a couple years, it's very encouraging to learn they are standing firm for the truth and resisting to compromise on this issue.

Indeed, Mormons are not Christians because they reject the essential doctrines of the faith including the doctrine of the Trinity, justification by faith alone, and the sufficiency of Christ's death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Mormon doctrine also teaches polytheism (there is more than one god), that a good Mormon may become a god, that Jesus is a created being, that God was once a man who achieved godhood, different levels of heaven, and they believe the Book of Mormon is greater than the Bible. To learn more about the false teachings of the cult of Mormonism and how you can equip yourself to love Mormons through the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, please visit the Cults and World Religions page.

Here's the story from Defending.Contending:

Back in September we reported on a sad co-mingling with Mormonism by a Presbyterian church (see Compromising with a cult), but today we are pleased to report of another Presbyterian church not willing to compromise with LDS, much to the chagrin of some Mormons.

Hats off to Christ Covenant Church for being one of the few churches left in America who stills sees a difference between truth and error, right and wrong, and light and darkness.

This story was first reported here in the Charlotte Observer and contained the typical appeals from Mormons for us to accept them as true Christians (citing such evidences as the name of their church and a picture of “Jesus” in their living room as proof of their Christianity). The story also has a bit of irony to it when it reports:

“Mormon Bishop Rowlan, who heads the Stokes’ Weddington church, would not say whether he would be open to naming a non-Mormon as a Scouting leader.

‘I’d have to take each one on an individual basis,’ he said, adding that that is the policy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

The folks over at Mormon Coffee did a great job answering some of the remarks made in the article found on their site here, and they even went so far as to answer inevitably predictable questions here.

Ahmadinejad Prays to Hasten Apocalypse

By Joel Rosenberg

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made yet another inflammatory speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday. He began his remarks by praying, “O God, hasten the arrival of Imam al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his righteousness.” 

Imam al-Mahdi is another name for the “Twelfth Imam” or the “Hidden Imam.” Shia Muslims believe this Islamic messiah will come at the End of Days to destroy Judeo-Christian civilization as we have known it, force infidels to convert or be executed, and will set up a one-world Islamic government known as the “caliphate.” Ahmadinejad believes the way to “hasten” the Twelfth Imam’s coming is to annihilate the U.S. and Israel. This would bring about the “victory” that Ahmadinejad prayed for on American soil. The speech went downhill from there. Ahmadinejad accused the U.S. government of masterminding the 9/11 attacks in order to save Israel. Few in the West, including our leaders, understand what Ahmadinejad and his colleagues in the Iranian government believe. And that’s the problem.

What should we do in response? We need to “get ready” and “be prepared,” according to Ezekiel 38:7. We need to gather in small groups and as entire church congregations and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and mobilize others to pray, too. We need to travel to Israel to do prayer walks, and worship the Lord, and study and teach the Word of God, and to encourage Israelis that we are standing with them, and that the God of Israel loves them without limit. We need to care for poor and needy Israelis and Palestinians with unconditional love and unwavering support. We need to stockpile humanitarian relief supplies in Israel and build infrastructure to distribute even more emergency aid when the next war comes. We need to strengthen the Church in the epicenter in real and practical ways. We need to help our brothers and sisters throughout the region preach the gospel and make disciples and plant churches and show that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and the only hope of reconciliation. Time is short, but our path forward is clear.


Through my forthcoming novel, The Twelfth Imam, I’m trying to help people imagine what the world would look like if Ahmadinejad’s world view began to come to pass. 

Through The Joshua Fund, I’m trying to help us get ready for such a world, and to mobilize Christians to make a difference. 

What is the Lord asking you to do?

(HT: Flashtraffic Blog)

Turkey: Iran No. 2?

By Michael Mickey
 

In my 8-27-10 commentary, I highlighted indicators from the news of our world today pointing to the nation of Turkey, a NATO member and long-time ally of the West, posturing itself for fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 which will see Turkey, Russia and Iran (among others) attack the nation of Israel in a time when Israel will falsely perceive it is dwelling in safety as a nation. (Ezekiel 38:11)

Little more than two weeks after my last commentary on this subject, there is much more to document. Let’s get right to it. 

On 9-12-10 the Christian Science Monitor reported that 26 amendments to Turkey’s Constitution were approved by 58% of voters in what many believe is going to strengthen the role Islam plays in dictating Turkish policy on a host of fronts. 

On 9-13-10 EUBusiness.com reported that Turkey is “losing patience” in its bid to become a member of the European Union. This comes as no surprise to me. Based on bible prophecy, I’ve been expecting it to happen for some time because it appears Turkey’s future is tied to powers not associated with the West. I wrote the following on 10-18-05 for example:

“Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda is stating Turkey’s ongoing negotiations to join the European Union will probably end with Turkey obtaining a kind of partnership rather than full membership, something I’ve documented on numerous occasions Turkey has said it will not accept. Suffice to say I expect, sooner or later, that Turkey, which has already been nuzzling up to its former enemy and future Gog-Magog ally, Russia, is going to turn from its goal of EU membership and align with its Gog-Magog counterparts. As we see, the tensions that may lead to this are already taking shape.”

On the heels of Turkish PM Erdogan’s Islamist AKP Party getting the voting public to back it in amending the Turkish Constitution,Ynetnews.com reported (on 9-15-10) that Iran would be donating $25,000,000 to aid Erdogan in his next election campaign. Is there anyone who believes the Iranian government would invest in the political future of a friend of Israel or a supporter of the West? Make no mistake about it, these two future Gog-Magog allies are becoming very cozy with one another! 

On 9-15-10 World Tribune reported that the Israeli defense community has assessed that Turkey is moving toward becoming a radical and nuclear Islamic state. Former Israeli National Security Council director Uzi Dayan summed up the tone of the report by saying, “If there is not a change in personality, then Turkey will become Iran No. 2.” 

It appears highly unlikely that a “change in personality” is forthcoming for Turkey, at least where its prophetic future is concerned. On 9-16-10 Ynetnews.com reported that recent polling indicates Turkey’s attitude toward the West has shifted with a solid majority of Turks now favoring Turkey strengthening its ties with Middle Eastern countries instead of the European Union. 

Having been one of the most frequent writers in the bible prophecy community to focus on Turkey’s role in Ezekiel 38′s prophecy of the battle of Gog-Magog, primarily how we should be able to witness Turkey swing from being a pro-Western nation to a nation willing to align itself with the likes of Iran as a sign of us living in the last days (Ezekiel 38:8), I am happy to report that God’s prophetic plan is proceeding exactly as anticipated. Simply put, this means we are getting closer and closer, both chronologically and conditionally, to the return of Jesus Christ our Lord! 

ARE YOU READY?

(HT: Standing for God)

Obama Omits "the Creator" from Speech

By Justin Edwards

Scott Sykes from Prophecy Update gives valuable insight into the recent omission from the Declaration of Independence by President Obama. In a speech given before the Congressional Hispanic Congress, Obama refrained from using "by their Creator" when quoting the nation's founding document of freedom. As Sykes correctly concludes, this is yet one more example of the fatalistic direction the United States is heading with the attempted removal of God through every fabric of life. It is representative of the same global trend that will result in the establishment of the ultimate godless society during the tribulation. These are all signs pointing to the soon return of Jesus Christ - the King is coming, are you ready?

Not a Coincidence

There are times when "end-of-days" prophecy and politics collide. Normally I try to avoid politics, primarily because of my dislike of politics in a general sense, but there are times when it just can't be avoided.

Whether Obama is a Muslim or not isn't really the issue anymore. The simple fact is, he clearly hates our God - the God of the Holy Bible, and looks at our God with nothing but contempt. Beyond that, what his "real" religion is - is mostly irrelevant.

Many folks were willing to give him a pass on these "slip=ups":

- Before a speech at Georgetown University, recall that Obama forced the school to cover the name of Jesus above the podium, and also stated that the U.S. was no longer a Christian nation (review here)

- Then we see the hate crimes bill, which Obama gleefully signed - a bill that will effectively silence Christians from speaking certain truths firmly established in the Holy Bible (see link here). One germane quote:

“I think that Christians who dare to tell the truth — including this program — about the social, moral, spiritual and health consequences of illicit homosexual acts are accused of hate speech and intimated into silence with threats of fines or jail,” she said. “I think this: The fact that the hate bill had to be passed in such an unscrupulous and cynical manner — which means attaching it to the Defense Authorization Act — reveals the depth of President Obama’s commitment to a radical anti-Christian agenda. I think he will stop at nothing to undermine the will of the majority of Americans to pay back militant homosexual activists who raised millions of dollars for him.”

- Then we recall his "slip" when he mentioned his "Muslim faith" before being "corrected" by the interviewer. We all remember that.

- Then we recall the interview in which he stated that there are many paths to heaven (link), something contrary to the most basic understandings of Christianity.

- We also have several quotes from Obama such as "...the Bible can't be the template for how we govern", and when James Dobson stated that we, as Americans should govern based on the tenants of the Bible, Obama repeated, "He (Dobson) is dead wrong."(more quotes here)

With this backdrop, we come to the most recent ominous finding:

"Obama drops 'Creator' from Declaration quote"

President Obama removed the reference to the "Creator" from the Declaration of Independence when he quoted a portion at a meeting of the Congressional Hispanic Congress.

Obama said, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

 But the the actual quotation is:

(note the bolded part, "by their Creator" below that Obama conveniently left out)

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Is this a coincidence? If this occurred in isolation, without the backdrop discussed above - maybe. Doubtful, but maybe. Considering the patterns and trends established by Obama, I'd say there is no way that this is a coincidence.

More below from the American Spectator:

"President Obama removes 'Creator' from the Declaration of Independence"

This link contains the actual video, and concludes with the following:

After President Obama says "created equal..", there is a long pause during which he scowls and blinks several times. For once, he may actually have opted to not read something that was on the teleprompter. It looks like he is disgusted and decided it would be better not to read what the preamble actually says.

President Obama, if our Creator is not the purveyor of our rights, then who is? The government?

That is the most ominous finding. When our laws aren't based on God's given freedoms and rights, but based on man's governance, we see horrors and human abuses such as seen in the old Soviet Union, China, North Korea etc etc etc.

However, as stated so many times before, this is part of the process which leads into the Tribulation. We will have a Godless world, and a world which will be forced to worship a man (the antichrist) - and a world which will hate the God of the Holy Bible.

It's all part of the "stage-setting" process - a process that we have been watching for decades. This is just one of many examples that we have been observing.

It's coming, and it's coming sooner than anyone can expect.

The Tribulation is rapidly approaching - we see evidence on a daily basis.

Obama is just one small piece of this world-wide puzzle - but an important piece. When the Rapture of the Church happens, the process will be complete and the Tribulation can finally begin. And that can't happen soon enough for this prophecy watcher.

Maranatha! Come quickly Lord!

ESCALATION: Violence Increasing in Israel

By Justin Edwards

Scott Sykes from Prophecy Update provides a medley of current news to emphasize the increased amount of violence taking place in Israel and how it is underscoring the rapid deterioration of any likelihood of peace negotiations. We continue to see the convergence of end-times events and the situation in Israel seems to be bringing us even closer to the midnight hour. Israel will not remain patient for much longer. As Scott alludes, this twilight-zone-like condition of the world will only worsen as the deception increases - and it surely will. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

ESCALATION: Violence Increasing in Israel

Things are deteriorating rapidly in the Middle East:

"Israel Under Massive Attack"

At least 10 explosions rocked the south from the western Negev to an area between the port cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod. A major electricity generating station and oil and gas pipelines are located in Ashkelon. Ashdod is home to dozens of oil refineries.

Israeli Air Force bombed targets in Gaza Wednesday, killing at least one terrorist after a massive missile and mortar barrage on southern Israel Wednesday morning.

The IDF aerial attack came hours before Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at his official residence in Jerusalem.

This comes in the face of (once again) failing "peace talks":

The PA reportedly has so far rejected American proposals for a compromise and has rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu's demand to recognize that Israel is a Jewish state..

"War on Peace: Rocket Attack Near Ashdod"

Terrorists in Hamas-controlled Gaza escalated rocket fire Wednesday morning and fired what apparently was a Grad missile that flew over Ashkelon and exploded near Ashdod

A Kassam rocket and at least three more mortars exploded in the Eshkol region south of Ashkelon in the second round of attacks in several hours, bringing to 10 the total number of rocket and mortar fire

The attacks have brought back the era of trauma and anger that reigned over southern Israel two years ago, shortly before Israel launched the Operation Cast Lead campaign against the terrorist infrastructure in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Several southern Israel leaders called on the government to allow the IDF to return to Gaza and silence the terrorists. However, the attacks apparently are timed to coincide with the Palestinian Authority-Israeli talks for the creation of a new country on the land of Judea, Samaria and Gaza to be headed by the PA, led by Hamas' rival Fatah party.

To make matters even worse, we see the following:

"IDF confirms Gaza militants fired phosphorous bombs at Israel"

Two of the nine mortar shells fired from the Gaza Strip at southern Israel on Tuesday were actually phosphorous bombs, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed.

Militants in the coastal territory also fired two Qassam rockets into Israel, yielding an Israel Air Force strike in response that led to the death of one Palestinian working in a smuggling tunnel on the border with Egypt.

There was also a fear of renewed violence across the border in Jordan, with the U.S. embassy in the country warning of a high chance of terror attacks in the Red Sea city of Aqaba over the coming 48 hours.

That last quote is detailed in the following article:

"US Issues Travel Warning to Aqaba"

In a strong and unusual warning, the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan warned on Wednesday against travel to Aqaba, citing “credible information” that has been received about a possible imminent threat in the region.

Aqaba, located in the south of Jordan, is its only seaport. It is a major tourist attraction in Jordan due to its beach resorts and luxury hotels. Tourists typically go to Aqaba to take part in watersport activities such as windsurfing and scuba diving.

The US Embassy warned US citizens to avoid the downtown and port areas of the city of Aqaba, and recommended that all non-official and personal travel to Aqaba be deferred for at least 48 hours. No details about the nature of the imminent threat in the area were given.

All of the above articles could be summarized below:

"No Deal"

A mortar attack by Palestinian militants and airstrikes by Israel formed the grim backdrop as Mideast leaders ended their latest round of peace talks Wednesday, still divided on major issues. There was no word on when they would meet again.

Militants opposed to any deal with Israel have threatened to derail the negotiations, and the Israeli military said eight mortars and one rocket hit Israel Wednesday -- the highest daily total since March 2009

Israeli warplanes responded by bombing a smuggling tunnel along the Gaza-Egypt border, the military said. Hamas officials said one person was killed and four wounded.

Based on everything we have seen over the past several weeks, it would seem that the focus of the so-called "peace talks" would be around the issue of terrorist related violence and how to curb it, as this increasing violence is targeted at ending the peace talks.

But that isn't the case. In a scenario which is both bizarre and surreal, the focus shifts to Israel instead:

But the most immediate obstacle is the approaching expiration of a 10-month Israeli government curb on construction of housing in areas that the Palestinians expect will form the bulk of their sovereign state.

Huh? No concerns about increasing, daily rocket attacks into Israel?

The stated "crisis" is not about missiles being launched into Israeli civilian regions. Nope. The "crisis" is defined below:

But the leaders face a looming crisis with the expiration this month of Israel's partial moratorium on West Bank settlement construction, and it was not clear when they would reconvene.

But the most immediate obstacle is the approaching expiration of a 10-month Israeli government curb on construction of housing in areas that the Palestinians expect will form the bulk of their sovereign state.

Achieving at least a tacit understanding on West Bank settlements that allows the peace talks to continue is crucial for the Obama administration, which has made an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians a foreign policy priority.

So the crisis isn't the daily rocket attacks, but the crisis is that Israel hasn't given up enough land.

Have I somehow entered a parallel universe? A universe in which everything is upside-down? Where wrong is right and right is wrong? A universe in which NOTHING makes ANY sense? Apparently so. It gets even better:

Mitchell made no mention of the mortar shells fired into Israel by Palestinian militants in Gaza or of Israel's retaliatory air strike on Gaza -- violence that erupted just as the leaders were sitting down for a second day of talks. Clinton and the two leaders had met on Tuesday in Egypt to begin their first substantive negotiations in nearly two years.

Nope. Nothing to see here. What is the problem? So missiles enter Israeli civilian regions every day - forcing parents to fear simple acts such as taking their children to school every morning - or simply running errands in the afternoon - under the constant threat of having a face-to-face meeting with an explosion from an incoming missile. No problem. The problem is that Israel hasn't given away (more) land. OK. I get it -after all we are living in the bizarro-parallel universe.

The sad thing is - if only these "leaders" would read the Bible. They would understand that the "peace deal" will only come with the antichrist when he confirms the covenant of Daniel 9:27. Until then, these efforts will be a complete waste of time.

Meanwhile, we continue to live in bizarro land. And it will continue to be more and more bizarre as the Tribulation approaches.