World News Through the Third Lens: Birth Pains

Birth pains, with respect to child birth are something I have never experienced. I am told, by reliable sources, that they usually begin in relatively mild fashion and then increase in intensity as the birth draws ever closer. Likewise, the pains begin spaced quite far apart and increase in frequency as the baby's arrival approaches. When I was training to be an EMT, we were taught that when dealing with pain, one of the things we should ask the patient to do was rate their pain on a scale of 1 - 10 with 1 being very mild and 10 being the worst they had ever experienced. One of the students in the class, a mother of 3 piped up and said, "For female patients, they should add an 11th class - birth pains just prior to delivery.


In the picture above, birth pains are not necessarily being illustrated, but we can see the foot print of the little one pressing hard against its mother's stomach. At the very least, it's a picture of discomfort, and a sign that birth is not far off. I cannot say with certainty whether the world has now entered the birth pains stage of history, just prior to the return of Christ, or whether we are just in an ever-increasing state of discomfort. One thing is for certain, both the intensity and the frequency of troubling events is increasing.


I am far from being the most learned or informed person on the planet concerning the end-times and how current events fit into the prophesied scheme of things. I do know that many who claim to be experts, and who enjoy large spheres of influence are constantly getting it wrong. The errors range from naming the Antichrist to picking the date of the Rapture; from proclaiming an imminent (anytime, signless) Rapture, to preaching a feel-good Gospel with no mention of the prospect of suffering. And so they come, in Christ's Name, and deceive many with messages that appeal to the flesh.


In Matthew 24:3 Jesus' disciples asked Him three questions: 1) When will this happen (temple destroyed)? 2) What will be the sign of your coming? 3) What will be the sign of the end of the age?Jesus' first response was, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name claiming, 'I am the Christ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains." (Matthew 24:4-8)


The "I am the Christ" deception is not speaking just of those who claim to be the Christ, but also of those who claim to speak for him. So little is being done these days to prepare the saints for the return of Christ. The Bible makes it clear that the saints will have to endure all the way through and up to the sixth seal of Revelation 6. That means that the false Christs, the false peace-maker who initiates a 7-year covenant with Israel, wars and rumors of war, famines and earthquakes, the breaking of the 7-year covenant and the persecution of both godly Jews and Christians that follows will all have to be endured. Thus, the Bible does not fit with a "Your Best Life Now" philosophy or any variation thereof. The Bible declares "...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:12-13)


Jesus was asked to give signs of His coming. Jesus gave signs of His coming. The last sign, immediately preceding the return of Christ (the event which will cut short those days of terrible tribulation for the sake of the elect - Matthew 24:22) is the darkening and shaking of the heavenly bodies and the coming of the Son of Man visibly, as lightning from east to west (Matthew 24:27 - 30). And what happens at this coming? The angels are sent to gather the elect with a loud trumpet call (Matthew 24:31). This is the Resurrection/Rapture, right down to the trumpet call (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).


When Jesus was in the midst of listing all the things that would take place prior to His coming and the end of the age, He declared, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm (endures) to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:12-13). It is from this verse 13 that Encouragement for End-Times Endurance was birthed as a ministry. The only way to prepare people to endure is to speak a challenging message about the necessity to gird up our minds with a "boot-camp" mentality. Some teachers and preachers have said, with an air of righteousness, "I'm not looking for the Antichrist, I'm looking for Christ." That sounds so nice, but it disregards the fact that right in the middle of the signs that PRECEDE His coming, Jesus speaks of the revelation of the Antichrist, and his persecution which begins in Jerusalem and spreads throughout the world (Matthew 24:15 - 21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10; Revelation 13:7-8).


Contrary to other installments of this blog, there is no mention of a particular news item, followed by a Scriptural commentary. They are coming so fast and furious these days: Arab Spring Wars, Syrian oppression, Iran's nukes, economic chaos in Europe, floods in the Philippines, earthquakes in Turkey, famine in South Africa..........Rather than comment on any one, I would like to point out something I believe the Lord gave me. I say that, not to suggest that I am someone special, but to say that I have never read or heard this from any man. The signs which Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 would have meant little to people living 150 years ago, much less 1800 years ago. In fact, you and I are living in what has been dubbed "The Information Age." We are living at a time when virtually anything happening on the planet can be seen by anyone else on the planet. We are living in an age when the signs are more significant than ever, for they are signs for all people, signs that can be measured and counted, just just like birth pains.


"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:19-25)

World News Through the Third Lens: Limited Nuclear War?

Russia’s military chief warns that heightened risks of conflict near borders may turn nuclear (Associated Press, November 17, 2011).

Gen. Nikolai Makarov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, cautioned over NATO’s expansion eastward and warned that the risks for Russia to be pulled into local conflicts have “risen sharply.” Makarov added, according to Russian news agencies, that “under certain conditions local and regional conflicts may develop into a full-scale war involving nuclear weapons.”

FRANCE HAS RULED OUT A MILITARY OPTION IN DEALING WITH THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR THREAT: France has expressed deep concern over the Iranian nuclear program and its clear progress towards development of a nuclear warhead. The latest report by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency made it clear that Iran is intent on creating such a weapon. Nevertheless, the French government opposes a military strike against Tehran
because it might cause irreparable damage. Juppe said France would tighten sanctions by asking the European Investment bank to freeze loans to Iran. (INN, November 17, 2011)

Through the third lens of Scripture: The prophet Ezekiel spoke of a war between nations to the north of Israel, described by ancient names, such as Magog, Meshech and Tubal. There is not full agreement as to the present-day names of those nations (parts of Turkey, some of the "stans" and even Russia are possibilities). There is no doubt about the identity of one of the countries mentioned by Ezekiel. Persia is definitely present-day Iran. With no further ado, and with no commentary on my part, I invite you to read Ezekiel 38 and 39 and see if there might be some connection between these Scriptures and today's headlines.

Jesus said there would be signs preceding His coming and He told us to watch. Others He told to be watchmen. I pray that by His grace I can do both.

World News Through the Third Lens: Upside Down or Rightside Up?

"The world is pretty much upside down," stated Bill Wilson, senior analyst with KIN in the October 21, 2011 edition of Koenig's Eye View. He proves his point with these remarks:


"We have presidential candidates in the United States who profess to be Christians but are unwilling to call a cult a cult. Heaven forbid that a Christian offend anyone with the truth. We have a president who says of communists, Islamists, anti-American protesters, 'We understand their struggles, and we are on their side.'"


"We have politicians who believe the bizarre idea that they could spend trillions of taxpayer dollars that they don't have and somehow create enough debt that the nation would prosper. And through it all, we have people who say they are followers of Christ who get angry when these truths are pointed out."


Wilson goes on to point out how the Arabs/Islamists of the middle east have millions of acres of land, their own closed societies, and significant amounts of money and wealth. Yet they continue to contend for a small area of land in the Jerusalem area whose value, truth be told, is that it contains Jews and is the center of God's promises to them. They are intent upon exterminating the Jews once and for all and in taking over the land promised to them. Satan, in his age-old attempt to defy and usurp God is behind it all, but politicians are so duped in their group-think that they believe that if they give the terrorists what they want, there will be peace.


Through the third lens of Scripture: "Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter." (Isaiah 5:20) Our American society and most other cultures of the world suffer woe because evil is being called good and good is being called evil. Just try and convince a politician or a corporate CEO that the economic woes of our country are really the result of serious moral failure as a nation. We have taken the practices of homosexuality and called them good, normal, alternative, genetic, and a dozen other things rather than what God calls them: "abominations." We have taken the practice of infanticide and called it a choice, a woman's right, a necessary medical procedure, et al rather than call it what God calls it: "murder."


"Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against His people." (Isaiah 5:25) Since people are so caught up in not only doing those things which anger the Lord, but societies and nations have gotten on board and legitimized those very things, should it surprise us that God is bringing judgment born out of His righteous anger? Yet He is a merciful God and as Jeremiah says: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23) So rather than bring judgment in one swift stroke, He does it in increments. These increments are compared to the pains of a pregnant woman in labor (Matthew 24:8).


Ironically, the Bible makes it very clear that a peace treaty (which proves to be false) between Israel and her neighbors will usher in a seven-year period in which calamity will increase world-wide on an exponential scale (Matthew 24:4-14; Revelation 6:1-17). Yet the world still clamors for this peace treaty, in spite of the overwhelming evidence from the natural perspective, that it's a sham. The Bible goes on to tell us that even when the treaty is broken Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) and the lawless one (Antichrist) is revealed, many will worship him (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:8) and will thus perish, their names not being found in the Lamb's Book of Life.


Many professing Christians will be caught up in the worship of the beast and the taking of his mark. That day will come upon them like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3) and they will fall for the deception. The deceptive work of the devil is aided, often inadvertently, by the false teaching that Christians will be raptured from the planet before the Antichrist begins his work. Consequently, they will be ill-prepared to face the great distress (tribulation) in those days (Matthew 24:21) and will succumb to the great deception. The deceptive work of the devil is also aided by the wide-spread teaching of "Once-saved-always-saved). Without getting into the details of this, suffice it to say that eternal security is dependent upon remaining in Christ. God's merciful keeping power has a lot to do with our remaining in Christ, but in the end, if faced with a choice of denying Christ of die physically; God will sufficiently aid those who choose to remain true, but He will not override the choices made to deny Him. Read the parable of the sower and you will find that there are those who once received the Word with gladness, but when persecution and affliction arise because of the Word, he quickly falls away (Matthew 13:21).


While there is yet time, all those who proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior (beginning with me) need to embrace a movement of God in their own hearts. This is not so much about jumping and shouting and claiming it as it is about a sober, solemn and humble reflection of the times in which we live vis-a-vis the Word of God. After all, Jesus was asked "...and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3) Jesus gave a number of progressive signs and then concluded with the most prominent one of all, which immediately follows the distress of those days (referring to the period of time from the revealing of Antichrist until Jesus' return). "'..the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all nations of the earth will mourn [note how this matches with Revelation 6:12-17). They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather the elect from the four winds [note how this matches with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18], from one end of the heavens to the others." (Matthew 24:29-31)


This is biblical; this is part of the doctrine of Christ, about which John wrote: "Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." Paul give this admonition to the professing Christians in Corinth (and through them to us): "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless of course you fail the test." (2 Corinthians 13:5) It is better to test oneself now while there is time, and thus be prepared to meet the real test (Jeremiah 12:5). To help turn your part of the world upside-down and make it right-side up, continue to speak the truth in love. That is the spirit in which this is meant to be written.

World News Through the Third Lens: Israel Again!

Jerusalem - Israel OK's 1100 new East Jerusalem settlement homes. (msnbc.com news service) US calls building in area coveted for 'Palestinian Capital' counter-productive to peace talks. The US also said that this move will complicate an international effort to diffuse the crisis caused by the Palestinians bid for statehood recognition at the UN. According to US State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland, this is "counterproductive to our efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties and we have long urged both parties to avoid actions which could undermine trust, including Jerusalem, and we will continue to work with parties to try to resume direct negotiations."

Through the third lens of Scripture - I know this is the second time in a row that the topic of this blog has been Israel and Jerusalem, but because this is the epicenter of God's end-times fulfillment of so many prophetic promises, it probably will not be the last. Scripture has so much to say about this, but I will try to be succinct here.

Jerusalem will be a problem to the nations until God finally says "No more!" "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it" (Zechariah 12:2-3).

In Luke's account of the Olivet discourse, a long and short term implication is given concerning Jerusalem when Jesus said, "And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). The first part of this statement was fulfilled in A.D. 70. The latter part has been on-going ever since. Even since 1967 Jerusalem has not been completely under Israeli control, especially the Temple Mount.

Again we read, concerning the temple and its courts (located in Jerusalem), "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months" (Revelation 11:2). So Israel, and Jerusalem in particular is a problem for the world. So much so that the US appears more troubled by the construction of homes in this area that it is by the continued rocket attacks against Israel (even in land defined as pre-1967). Irrationality flows through the issue like a water through a 5" hose. Yet........

Peace will come. I don't know how much more volatile the situation must become before peace is so desired that it will finally be accepted as brokered by the man of Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 6:2. This is what we are to be looking for. When? I don't know, but I suspect soon. According to 2 Thessalionians 2:3 this individual will not be revealed until the middle of the 7 year peace treaty, so there is no use trying to guess his identity now.

I only urge the saints, in the middle of everything else that you do to fulfill the purposes God has for you, to keep an eye on Israel. She is God's prophetic time clock, and as we do so, we shall not be ignorant of the "times and seasons" (1 Thessalonains 5:1).

World News Through the Third Lens: Israel Dominates the News

Israel dominates the headlines, but not in the United States. I found none of the following stories in the local paper, either yesterday or today. Life goes on in the West, with precious little concern for the land of God's promise, or the people to whom He promised it. Meanwhile things are heating up on all sides surrounding the little strip of land called Israel. US Veto of PA Bid for UN State Recognition Not the End of the Matter (Jerusalem Post). Palestine could still gain recognition as a non-member state, with observer status. This would require only a simple majority vote of the General Assembly. 120 countries have already recognized Palestine. A decision is expected before the end of September.

UN Secretary General: Palestinian Statehood is Long Overdue. (Ha'aretz) Ban-Ki-Moon went on to say, "The two state vision where Israel and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security -- that is still a valid vision and I support it." As illogical as was the original Road map to Peace, it at least contained certain conditions that Palestine must keep for the process to move forward: 1) recognition of Israel as a legal state in the region, 2) renounce terror against the Jewish nation, 3) dismantle all terrorist groups within its territory, 4) end all forms of anti-Israel incitement within its systems. Not one of these conditions has been met, and yet the UN is about to recognize Palestine as a legal state. To Islamists, the two state solution is neither a reality nor a vision.

Israel Faces Worst Crisis With Egypt for 30 Years as Diplomats Flee (INN). Hundreds of protesters tore down the protective barrier in front of the building housing the Israeli embassy, stormed the building and entered the floors of the embassy, destroying hundreds of documents in the process, while 86 embassy members were air-lifted to safety. Egyptian security forces did not intervene, even as the Israeli flag was torn down and burned. This is the new face of "democracy" in Egypt which was supported by President Obama. The peace between Israel and Egypt has now been strained to the breaking point.

Jordanians Planning March on Israeli Embassy (INN). A group in Amman has called for one million people to gather at the large mosque near the Israeli Embassy, and to then march on it and do what protesters did in Cairo just last Friday.

Turkish Warships to Challenge Israel (DEBKA). Turkish PM, Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkish warship would henceforth accompany any aid ships on route to the Gaza Strip. This is in spite of the fact that this piece of land was given over to the Palestinians by Israel, and included in the cost was the displacement of over 9,000 Israeli citizens. The Palestinians destroyed most of the infrastructure left behind, killed many of their own during the infighting between Hamas and Fatah, and then continued to bombard the south of Israel with rockets and missiles. This lead to Operation Lead Cast in which Israel defended herself as any sovereign nation would, only to incur false defamation on the part of UN inspectors. Even now, rockets and missiles are fired into Israeli settlements, with no regard for targets.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: 'Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that i will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it'" (Zechariah 12:1-3). It's beginning to take shape, just as the Lord declared it. The problem in the Middle east, with Jerusalem the epi-center, will get so intense that peace will be sought at all cost; and to the relief of the un-believing world, it will be gained. Even the majority of Israel, gathered in the land in unbelief, will accept this 7 year peace agreement.

This will be the time for the saints of God to be watching and waiting for the return of their Lord and King. It will mark the beginning of Daniel's 70th week and the opening of the first seal in Revelation 6. It will be a time when faith must be strengthened, and trust renewed, for this will mark the beginning of sorrows. Follow the drama in Matthew 24. This will be a time when deception runs rampant, man-made and natural disasters increase, persecution of the true church intensifies, false prophets abound and apostasy runs rampant. This will lead right up to the "abomination of desolation" spoken of in Daniel 9:27, followed by the worst persecution the church has ever faced. Those days will be cut short by the return of Christ, who will raise the faithful dead, and in an instant transform those living in Him, gathering them all together to meet Him in the air (Matthew 24:22, 31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

This is just a brief summary of events to expect in the future, and in no way is meant to predict the timing of Christ's return. However, it is important to say to anyone reading this, "Let no man deceive you..." There is much deception out there concerning the return of Christ, ranging from exact date predictions (like last May 21st) to an "any-time rapture." While we do not, and will not know the day or the hour of Christ's return, He has gone to great lengths to give us the signs. That is why Paul said, "...concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write you" (1 Thessalonians 5:1). He goes on to say that "the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Don't be deceived into thinking that the day of the Lord is the entire seven years of Daniel's 70th week. It is not! The day of the Lord is not unbelieving man's wrath against the church, neither is it the wrath of Satan through the Antichrist against the church. The church must go through all of this, by which she will be purified and made spotless. The day of the Lord comes and He pours out His wrath upon the world, sometime well into the second half of the 7 year period, and only after He has gathered His saints unto himself - thereby cutting short the Great Tribulation. This happens between the 6th and 7th seals of Revelation. The signs are all there. Today's headlines are just harbingers of the signs that are yet to come..........shortly, it seems.

"And when you see these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift your heads; for your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28).

World News Through the Third Lens: The Nations Are Raging

British police face public anger as riots rage (The Associated Press, Tuesday, August 9, 2011). Britain began flooding London's streets with 16,000 police officers Tuesday, nearly tripling their presence as the nation feared its worst rioting in a generation would stretch into a fourth night. The violence has turned buildings into burnt out carcasses, triggered massive looting and spread to other U.K. cities.

US urges citizens to leave Syria immediately (Fox News, Monday, August 8, 2011). The United States urged US citizens Friday to depart from Syria "immediately," and noted the Damascus government had placed "severe" constraints on the travel of US diplomats in the country. The travel warning expressed growing concern over the violent crackdown by President Bashar Al Assad's security forces against pro-democracy protesters.

Arab League tells Syria to halt violence as more than 60 die in Assad's latest crackdown. (Ha'aretz, Monday August 8, 2011). Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi on Sunday called on Syrian authorities to "immediately halt" a violent crackdown on anti-government protests and expedite steps to preserve the country's unity.

US stocks sink after Fed predicts slower growth (New York AP, August 9, 2011). The Federal Reserve spoke - and the financial markets responded with a dive. Stocks dropped Tuesday afternoon after the Fed said that economic growth this year has been "considerably slower" than it expected and that it will keep interest rates at their record low of almost zero until at least the middle of 2013.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and His Anointed, saying, "Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath. and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King on my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'" Now therefore, be wise O kings; be instructed you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:1-12).

Why do the nations rage? The question is left hanging without an answer. The inspired psalmist goes on to describe in broad strokes their raging and plotting, and the consequences of such actions, but he never answers the question, "Why?" Based on the whole counsel of Scripture, this seems to be the point to which human nature devolves, when left unchecked. In happened between the time of the first sin (Genesis 3) which quickly led to murder and polygamy (Genesis 4) which eventually led to this: The lord saw how great man's wickedness on earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5).

A New testament view of this same regression in natural man and his societies is seen in Romans 1-3. There Paul declares The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness...(Romans 1:18). In chapter one Paul focuses on the sins of idolatry, the rejection of the truth of God's Word, and it being exchanged for the lie of Satan, and homosexuality. While all these sins are indicative of the practices of Gentiles (people without a relationship with God), in Chapter 2 Paul turns on the Jews (who had a covenant relationship with God). He says that they do the same things; that they are stubborn and unrepentant, and that they do not practice what they preach. By the time you reach Romans 3:9, Paul concludes, "...Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin."

Then, just in case somebody dares to think that they belong to some special, third class of people, Paul writes, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This sin produces death. It will kill a nation, a society, a culture just as surely as it will kill an individual. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"(Romans 6:23).

When speaking of national sin and impending judgment, I have often quoted "Righteousness exalts an nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34). That is as true today as it ever has been. Perhaps it will help to distinguish between the judgment of individuals and the judgment of nations. I especially hope this is helpful to friends who, like me, have donned the uniform of the USA and consider themselves patriots. The Bible makes it very clear concerning the judgment of individuals that some of their sins are judged in this lifetime while others are judged in the next. Sins judged in this lifetime include all those sins that a person has washed away when he acknowledges that Jesus Christ bore them in His body while hanging on Calvary's cross (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Peter 2:24). The person who judges himself a sinner in need of a savior, and then in repentance cries out to Jesus for salvation will not be judged along with others in the world (1 Corinthians 11:31-32).

Nations are not eternal, as is man. Nations have been and will be judged in this life. People are all the time being saved from God's judgment by faith in Christ, even though they live in a nation which is under God's judgment. The nations are raging now - trying desperately to throw off the reign of God, and doing nothing positive to prepare for the arrival of His Kingdom. In all their raging, God is laughing, knowing that there is nothing they can do to thwart the purposes of God. The nations are raging and the Middle East is in turmoil. What will happen if next month, the UN declares Palestine a separate nation? I don't know, but I do know that there is nothing the UN can do to keep the Lord Jesus Christ from sitting upon His throne on the holy hill of Zion (which is Jerusalem)! The turmoil of this world will increase before that Day happens, and the Lord shall receive His inheritance of the nations out of the ashes of the outpouring of His wrath.

Why do the nations rage? It's their nature to. Don't get distraught by all the raging; don't get caught up in all the raging. "Kiss the Son" or pay Him the homage He is due. Prepare your heart as a throne for Him, before He assumes His rightful throne in Zion. "Blessed are ALL who put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:12).

World News Through the Third Lens: Clemens Mistrial

Judge declares mistrial in Clemens Case read the headlines today as reported by NewsCore on Fox Sports website. The reason for declaring a mistrial was because the federal prosecutor presented to the jury "evidence" that had already been declared by US District Judge Reggie Walton as inadmissible during the pre-trial. The evidence was a video clip of former Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte's wife Laura testifying before Congress that she heard her husband say that Roger Clemens had told him that he had used human growth hormones.

The judge had ruled, during pre-trial, that Mrs. Pettitte's testimony was hearsay, and therefore inadmissible. When the prosecutor presented the video to the jury, Clemens' lawyer objected and requested a mistrial, which was granted. Lot's of tax dollars have been spent to reach this point where there is still no verdict. Whether there will even be another trial is up to the federal prosecutor's.

Through the third lens of Scripture: The Bible makes no direct comment concerning the use of human growth hormones, or even vitamins or protein shakes to enhance one's athletic performance. I do believe that the Bible makes it clear that our culture's infatuation with and idolization of sports and the stars thereof is wrong. Consider "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them...." (Exodus 20:3-4a)

These are the first two of the Ten Commandments.

Please understand, I do not sit in judgment of anyone who is a sports fan, or who is an athlete. I myself am among the former and in my younger days was among the latter. This is a matter of one's own personal conscience. I will say though that if sports had not reached the place of idolatry on a national/international level that there would not be $20MM+ salaries being paid to professional athletes who are playing games and who are unionized.

Concerning this whole matter of athletics and physical training, the Bible says: "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). You see, this body of flesh and blood will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50) so anything done to improve or enhance the body has benefit for this life only. Godliness, and anything which trains the soul towards godliness (which by the way tends to keep the flesh and all its desires in check) has benefit in this life, AND the next. This is a subject worth several pages of teaching. Suffice it to say that the flesh and the spirit (soul) are at war with one another (read Romans 7:7 - 8:17), and the flesh (sinful nature) could care less about the Kingdom of God because it won't get to go there.

Now, continuing with Roger's case - the whole trial is about whether Roger lied in his testimony before the Congressional Committee. I find this a bit of a laugher because congressmen lie to each other and to us all the time. The president lies before Congress and the American people. The interesting thing is that Roger probably would not have gone to jail had he told the Committee that he used HGH (assuming that he did). That wasn't a crime, and for a number of years wasn't even against the rules of Major League Baseball. Had he admitted to using them though, his reputation would have been tarnished, and his entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame placed in jeopardy.

Let me conclude that if Roger did lie, he was guilty of breaking the 9th Commandment. Whether a court ever finds him guilty will make no difference to God. He has the last say in matters of justice and mercy. I only pray that Roger, who like me has probably broken most, if not all of the Commandments, throws himself on God's mercy. To do so will require him to confess his sins and repent from them (change his mind about them) and place his trust in Jesus Christ. And then God, who in His holiness declares that breaking one commandment is as bad as breaking all of them (James 2:10) will cause mercy to triumph over justice (James 2:13). When we stand before the judgment seat of God, there will be no mistrial, no getting off on a technicality. The only way to escape judgment is to accept God's mercy and forgiveness offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10).

Be encouraged as you walk free from fear, children of God, and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17).

World News Through the Third Lens: Israel and the Apocalypse

Local ministers don't think today is the last day read the headlines in today's Johnson City Press. In the same issue, another headline declared Israel's leader rejects U.S. plan on borders. Thus this blog will look at two current event items through the third lens of Scripture. In an effort to not make this blog too long, only the surface will be scratched. The first headline was prompted by the proclamation of Harold Camping, 89-year-old retired civil engineer and the leader and founder of the fringe ministry group with the innocuous title: Family Radio Worldwide. Camping claims that his study of the Bible and numerological calculations make it clear that the end will come beginning at 6 P.M. on May 21, 2011, beginning in New Zealand. As I write this blog, it is now 6:40 A.M. on May 22, 2011 in New Zealand and I have heard no reports of their demise or of any of the other nations now on the other side of 6 P.M. the 21st.

Most pastors interviewed for this article, and several others, judging from posts on facebook, base their rejection of Camping's wild claims (which hundreds bought into and poured themselves and their resources into proclaiming the message) on Jesus' statement: "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). The Scripture is true and accurate, but it is far from the best reason for Camping's prediction being declared false. Camping's claim that the end of the world is today includes the claim that true believers will be raptured (taken up) by Christ. And here is where it gets a bit messy. A short blog is no place to mount all the defenses that the truth of Scripture provide, so I will make just a few statements, with limited Scriptural reference.

The article in the Johnson City Press states, "The Rapture - the belief that Christ will bring the faithful into paradise prior to a period of tribulation on earth that precedes the end of time - is a relatively new notion compared to Christianity itself, and most Christians don't believe in it." This ludicrous statement underscores the concern I have when somebody like Mr. Camping gains some notoriety. 1. He will be proven false, and by analogy, many sincere people with an interest in eschatology (the study of the last days) who have been called with a prophetic voice at this time in history (I believe I am one) will be labeled as false, fringe or fanatical. 2. Articles will be written which have little biblical foundation, but will be read and believed by the uninformed. 3. Many will conclude that Christianity as a whole is a joke, or irrelevant

The Rapture is not a new notion in Christianity, unless you want to label the inspired writings of Paul as "notions"; unless you you consider A.D. 49-54 as "recent." In Paul's two letters to the church at Thessalonica (a church founded by Paul over a period of about 3 weeks), he addressed concerns that this young church had about the Second Coming of Christ. In the first letter, he dispels their concern that the people in the church who had already died would miss the Second Coming. He did this by making it clear that the resurrection of all those in Christ would take place first at His Coming followed immediately by all the living Christ-followers being changed in the twinkling of an eye (1 Thess. 4:13-18 and 1 Cor. 15:51-52) and all would be gathered together to meet Christ in the air, and forever be with Him.

The Rapture will take place, but not without signs preceding it. In fact, in Matthew's Gospel, just before Jesus spoke about no man knowing the day or the hour, these are the things He spoke about preceding the Rapture: 1. Deceivers and false Christ's, 2. wars and rumors of wars, 3. famines, pestilence and earthquakes (all labeled "the beginning of sorrows"), 4. Great tribulation and martyrdom, 5. more false prophets and deception, 6. a great falling away or apostasy, 7. the abomination which causes desolation (which requires the building of the third temple in Jerusalem and which will serve to reveal the Antichrist), 8. the actual sign of His coming (cosmic disturbances. Thus far, Matthew 24 parallels Revelation 6. Then the Rapture (Matt. 24:31, 37-42), the exact day or hour of which is unknown, but which is preceded by signs and the surety of which is a obvious as is summer following the budding of the fig tree (Matt. 24:32-35).

There is much more I could write in this vein, but now we'll move to the second headline concerning Israel and our president's exchange with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Our president is in office for a time such as this. God raises up one leader and He puts down another. Our president sided with the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt and Mubarak was, in addition to being a dictator, was a secularist and he honored Egypt's peace treaty with Israel. There is precious little hope that the Muslim Brotherhood will do the same. Bashar Al-Assad, the president of Syria is also a dictator, and has killed hundreds of Syrians who have been protesting for reform, but the USA has done little against him. He is a hater of Israel and is aligned with Iran in a desire to exterminate her. I could go on and cite pages of evidence which display President Obama's true feelings towards Israel.

So, with Obama's ascension to power, God is now on the verge of being in a position to justly judge the United States for all of the innocent blood shed in the land (well over 50 million abortions and those are just the ones reported). God is now in a on the verge of being able to justly judge the USA for making a mockery out of His rules for marriage and family. I don't mean to sound like I am in a position to determine when God can and cannot act; it just seems like He has been withholding judgment for a long time now. It seems entirely plausible that the only thing that has kept the sword from falling is God honoring this promise: "I will bless all those who bless you, And I will curse all those who curse you" (Genesis 12:3a). Insisting that Israel withdraw to the pre-June 1967 borders is tantamount to cursing Israel. Those borders included a section of Israel less than 9 miles wide. It would make Israel virtually defenseless (one reason that we know it was by YAHWEH's intervention in 1967 that Israel captured the land that she did. Netanyahu rejected Obama's plan. But concurrent with the USA's backing of Israel diminishing under the present POTUS, we have seen our country ravaged by recession, mounting debt and potential insolvency, natural disaster upon natural disaster, and an influx of illegal aliens adding their burdens to an already strained system.

I have said it before and I will say it again, a diminished USA superpower seems to be inevitable for a one world government/economy/religion to prevail. Joel Rosenberg wove this theme into his last days novel, Dead Heat, I found very interesting in spite of his error in the timing of the Rapture. It grieves me to think that our brave men and women in uniform, who have been putting themselves on the line to defend us, have been able to do little to defend us from the real enemies - the enemies within. As a reward for their selfless service, they have been used as guinea pigs in social experimentation. May God pour out special grace upon them, especially as Memorial Day approaches.

World News Through the Third Lens: Tornadoes - A Deeper Meaning?

Tornadoes strike six states: over 250 killed. Until Thursday morning we had no idea just how bad things were because of the string of tornadoes that struck the southeastern United States. I can remember years ago when a tornado struck Connecticut, heavily damaging the air museum near Bradley Field, but I never remember regular TV programming being pre-empted by constant weather forecasts, warning about one tornado-laden storm after another. The storms which began in Alabama and Mississippi moved into Georgia and southeastern Tennessee by late afternoon on Thursday. Beginning with the 5 PM News, the northeastern Tennessee/southwestern Virginia (aka the Mountain Empire) was put on alert. The warnings which covered a time frame of 7-10 PM (later extended to 1 AM) showed a whole string of thunder storm cells moving roughly parallel with the Smokey Mountains. Many of the cells were packing hail and/or revolving winds.

After supper, we were glued to the TV and reading (check the following "Through the third Lens of Scripture" section for some of the reading material). Every storm cell was moving at speeds of 65-70 mph, so they came and went quickly. Most of them seemed to follow along the path of Interstate 81 (about 20 miles from us). Then one was projected to follow the north side of Route 11E (about 3 miles from us). Along about 10:30 PM one was shown as hitting Camp Creek area of Greene County with a projected path right over Telford (where we live). At that point Barb and I and Barb's Dad and the dogs headed for the cellar. There's no TV there, but with my computer and no loss of power or Internet service, I was able to track the cell. When Doppler showed it to be right over Telford, the wind could be heard roaring outside. However, that turned out to be just the cell passing through. The rotating winds never touched down and the trouble blew right by.

The next day everything in our area looked normal, while just a few miles over into Greene County, dozens of homes were destroyed and 7 people were killed. We've been praying a lot, for those who have suffered loss that God would comfort, and would show us how to be instruments of that comfort. We've also been thanking Him for our protection, and for protecting everyone else that we know personally in the area.

Through the third lens of Scripture: Here are some of the things we were reading on Wednesday...... "I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest"(Psalm 55:8). "And there will be a tabernacle for shade in daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain" (Isaiah 4:6). "For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall" (Isaiah 25:4).

I'm about to transition from something that will cause most people to say, "Praise God!" to something that might stir up a little controversy. Perhaps I can minimize that by saying that in no way do I attribute the fact that we were protected Wednesday night to some higher level of personal righteousness. I have no doubt that many God-fearing people suffered loss in those storms. What I am going to suggest, with absolutely no insinuation that God was punishing specific people for specific sins in those storms, is that God was once again trying to get our corporate attention.

On April 27, 2011, the Alabama House Health Committee was to vote on two personhood bills. That vote was delayed because of the introduction of amendments to exclude the earliest stage of human development, beginning at conception - thus denying personhood. Within hours, over 200 of Alabama's citizens had been killed by the fierce storms. Consider this: "And God said. 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created He them" (Genesis 1:26a, 27).

As this was happening, the military began its sensitivity training as a result of the repeal of the "Don't ask; Don't tell" policy. Here's how part of the curriculum goes..... If a marine sees two other male marines at the mall kissing each other, they should react no differently than if they had seen a man and a woman kissing. Some who have seed video portions of the training say, "They would make Sodom and Gomorrah look like Sunday School." Now consider this: "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion...... Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do those very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:26-27, 32).

As a parting note, consider this statement concerning how God uses things like tornadoes: "The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds...At His direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever He commands them. He brings the clouds to punish men or to water His earth and show His love" (Job 37:9, 12-13). Like I said, I do not believe for a minute that in this recent devastation the guilty suffered loss and the innocent escaped unscathed. I do think that all of us need to reflect seriously on God's holy standards; realize that we cannot live up to them apart from Christ; and then do what we can to be examples of righteousness in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, states and nation.

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"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7).

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34).

World News Through the Third Lens: Pastor Fired

"Who's in Hell? Pastor's Criticism of Eternal Torment for Some Sparks Fierce Debate." (Fox News, 3/24/11)

No, it's not the pastor who's image is gracing this blog (Rob Bell, Mars Hill Church) although he is definitely involved. This time it's Pastor Chad Holtz, who until recently pastored the 80 member Marrow's Chapel United Methodist Church in Henderson, NC who not only sparked some fierce debate by defending Rob Bell's recent book "Love Wins," but found himself being fired by his church. He had hoped that his personal beliefs, posted on facebook, would stir up some debate, but he never expected to be fired. His beliefs in the area of heaven and hell were deemed to be out of step with the beliefs of the people of Marrow's Chapel. When questioned about the incident, Gray Southern, district superintendent for the area that includes Henderson, said that there was more at stake than Holtz's facebook comments concerning Bell's book.

Holtz stated that church members had also been unhappy about his posts concerning gay marriage, the mix of religion and patriotism and that that the Bell posting was probably the last straw. Highlighted in the Fox News release was Bell's criticism of the belief that a select number of Christians will spend eternity in the bliss of heaven, while everyone else is tormented forever in hell. "This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus' message of love, peace, forgiveness and joy that our world so desperately needs," Bell writes in his book."

Through the third Lens of Scripture: Rob Bells quote makes Jesus sound like a flower-child-hippie from the '60's. Jesus did bring a message of love, peace, forgiveness and joy that is desperately needed by our world, but because His own cross was in the center of that message, He warned that it would NOT spread contagiously. Pastor Bell must have forgotten that the use of the word "world" in John 3:16 in no way supports his heresy of Universal Reconciliation. God's love was demonstrated towards the whole world, every last sinner, including you and me; but it would benefit only "whoever" believes. "For God so loved the world ['kosmos' - spec. inhabitants] that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, NKJV).

As you read further on, you quickly realize that the entire world was under the condemnation, so that He came into the world, not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him. The only way to escape condemnation is to believe on Him, in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18). These verses record the words of Jesus, thus they are His message. His message continues "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit spoke these words concerning Jesus, "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:11-12).

Concerning the 'contagiousness" of Jesus' message, Jesus and the apostles had some pretty interesting things to say. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14). That doesn't sound like Jesus (the gate) is all that contagious. Right after this, Jesus warns us to beware of false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing. (v. 15).Did you ever stop and think about how many people are born into a religion? If you are born of Muslim parents, you are born a Muslim. If you are born of Hindu parents, you are born a Hindu. If you are born of Buddhist parents, you are born a Buddhist. And, while I don't wish to pick on any Roman Catholics here (I recognize there are some who actually preach the need to be "born again"), most people born of Catholic parents are considered Catholic. Other "Christian" denominations also place too much importance on natural birth, and run children through a program of religious instruction without ever mentioning the necessity of being "born again." Jesus said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Again He said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.....Do not marvel that I said to you, 'you must be born again" (John 3:5, 7).

So we come with the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ, but immediately must proclaim to people that the way they were born will not get them to spend eternity in Heaven with God; they must be born again. The new birth is describe by John in these words: "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God..." (1 John 5:1a) What it means to believe that Jesus is the Christ cannot be written on a bumper sticker. Paul scratches the surface best with these words: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel, which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all, that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

A person is not saved by believing some other gospel, no matter how sincerely he believes it. A person is not saved if he believes the true Gospel in vain and does not hold fast to it. Rob Bell's message of everyone ultimately being reconciled to God is a false gospel that makes him universally accepted by those who "perish because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Universal Reconciliation is the prelude to the "falling away" (2 Thessalonians 2:3) that will precede the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the prelude to a one-world religion spoken of in Revelation 13 and 17. The only thing that will stand opposed to this false religious system in the last days is true Christianity, which stands upon the exclusivity of Christ and His cross. "..the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God,,,,we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24).

This message offends many who wish to be saved (assuming they even consider salvation) according to their own terms. When this message is preached accurately, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew :10-12). That doesn't sound like Jesus and His message will be all that contagious. And as the signs of the end times increase in frequency and intensity like birth pains in an expectant mother, Jesus placed right at the top of the list "deceivers" (Matthew 24:4). He went on to say, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake" (Matthew 24:9).

Let me close with this additional warning, followed by a word of encouragement. "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). Continue to stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Warn and admonish others that He is the only Way and having done all to stand, continue standing. Remember Jesus' promise: "But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24;13).

World News Through the Third Lens: Rejoicing & Weeping

Said Mussa Released: According to a report from the Religious Freedom Coalition today, Afghan Christian convert, Said Mussa, was released and escaped to a European nation. Even with our huge military presence in Afghanistan, the US media had little to say about this incident. Just a few days ago, Encouragement for End-Times Endurance posted a link on facebook by which people could pressure our US State Department to intervene in Mussa's behalf. This also pointed out the need for prayer for our Christian brother. Praise God for his release and escape to safety.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3, NIV).

The Obama Administration Will No Longer Defend DOMA according to several news sources this past week. This makes official what the Justice Department has (not) been doing for the past two years - the only difference being that they will no longer have to fake it. DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law in 1996 by President Clinton, and defined (for federal purposes) marriage as between one man and one woman. Once the LGBT agenda became a civil rights issue rather than a moral issue, the battle was lost. Now we have reached the point where one man (President Obama) has elevated himself above the Congress and the Judiciary, declaring a law to be unconstitutional. This is a quantum leap from a democratic republic into the realms of dictatorship.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush" (Jeremiah 8:12, NIV). Conduct that was hardly spoken of in secret 50 years ago is now being paraded around as normal, as a civil right, and as legal. That's a far cry from blushing. God's proclamation on such behavior: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20, NIV). The people of God must be counted as those who "...grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done..." (Ezekiel 9:4a, NIV) and NOT as those who "...know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve deserve death (yet) they not only continue in such things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:32, NIV).

World News Through the Third Lens: State of the Union

"Leadership is now a shared responsibility" stated President Obama in his State of the Union address last night. Sounds a bit like the playground bully who dominates and dictates the rules until someone calls him out. Then he wants to govern by committee. How pompous is that? So let me get this straight. When the Dems were in power, it was their (B. O.'s) way or the highway. After the most lopsided transfer of congressional power since 1938, it's time to share the leadership? What leadership? There hasn't been any, and the American people said, loud and clear, that that horse won't plow any more.

Of course the president was polite, and some times even made an attempt at being humorous. He threw a bone of congratulations to the new congress and to the new Speaker of the House (who looked, most of the time, like enduring the speech was worse than wearing cactus underwear). He acknowledged the tragedy in Arizona 3 weeks ago. (One of the biggest tragedies is that with dozens of eye-witnesses, Jared Loughner has plead "not guilty" and probably won't go to trial until October). Gabrielle Giffords seat was vacant an often in the view of the cameras.

The president then launched into his four point plan with epithets such as, "We need to out build, out-educate, out-innovate the rest of the world." "We need to take responsibility for the deficit and reform our government." (Who was it that spent trillions in stimulus money, appointed dozens of powerful czars without Senate consent, and chose to use the military as a laboratory for social perversion?)

Step #1 - Innovation. While he stated that free enterprise drives it, the government has to help. He said we need a "Sputnik moment," and that the budget will reflect this. OK, let's spend some more money we don't have because we've about busted the free enterprise system with red tape, regulations, penalties and taxes. Then he said something scary - about promoting clean energy technology, establishing a goal of having 1 million electric cars on the road by 2014 and 85% of our electricity being generated by "clean sources" by 2035. Can anybody say, "Here come the EPA Police with way higher electric rates!"? Then he said that politicians have to work to make this happen/ Why not business and industry?

step #2 - Education. He began by lamenting that we as a nation are 9th in math and science. Then he stated that good education starts at home, yet nothing is done to honor home schooling by the granting of tax relief or school vouchers. Then he revealed the "Race to the Top" program whereby the States who show the best plan get the money. (Like there's not enough cheating on things like Mastery Tests for the money's sake already). Then the ominous left foot fell as he stated that there were hundreds of thousands of students in schools who aren't citizens and that we have to address the issue of illegal aliens once and for all. His conclusion was that many of these are good students and that America loses if they are sent back home to be scientists and teachers in other countries. Ouch! I don't hear much of a plan there other than to keep paying for the education of citizens of other countries PLUS entice them to remain in this country with further rewards for being ILLEGAL! Many would argue that the 10th Amendment excludes the Federal Government from being involved in education.

step #3 - Rebuild America's Infrastructure. I can see the Federal Government being involved in the interstate system and other means of travel across state lines (air, train, bus, etc.), but why do they have to get involved in making the Internet and digital technology available to everyone. I would think that the private sector would figure this out eventually. I don't think that the American taxpayers should subsidize some guy's Internet just because he chooses to live 100 miles from Point Barrow. I do agree with the president's statement that the tax code should be simplified and loopholes cut. (I've never heard a politician openly say the opposite, while the opposite is what always seems to happen). Then he plugged his healthcare reform program, admitting that it could be improved, but offering no suggestions for improvement. How about deleting all coverage for abortions, tax-payer funded or not? How about removing all so-called "domestic partner" benefits?

step #4 - Stop the Debt. He said that government must live within its means, just like individuals and families have to. Good! He called for a 5 year freeze on annual domestic spending (which for some crazy reason only amounts to 12% of the budget! Oh, I guess that the $720MM spent in Lebanon, only to have the government now controlled by Hizbullah is part of the 88% non-domestic spending not subject to freeze. He spoke of initiating medical mal-practice reform We'll see if the lawyers let him get away with that, although it's long overdue. He said he will submit a proposal to streamline the government. (Start by getting rid of the czars, their staffs, regulations and budgets!) And just when i couldn't take any more, he said, "American Muslims are part of our American family." Mr. president, there may be some; but why do we seldom hear of a Muslim taking a stand against terrorist organizations and terrorist activities? Why do we not see them upholding the American flag. Why do they keep pushing for Sharia law? And why hasn't Major Nidal Malik Hasan faced a firing squad yet?

Through the third lens of Scripture: I realize that some of the things I've said do not sound very loving, but the truth has a tendency to sound that way at times. So please let me begin this part with an oft repeated mantra of mine: "We must pray for President Obama." We must first of all that he "be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Why should we do this? He is obviously not saved, and God wants him to be (1 Timothy 2:4).

Paul writes: "I urge, then, first of all. that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -for kings and all those in authority...." (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Now for a few observations about his speech as compared to the Word of God. He played the pride card several times. We're the richest, we have the best institutions of higher learning, we have the largest economy, we have grit, determination and ingenuity. Not once did he acknowledge any of these as coming from God, nor that we are accountable to Him for how we use them. Then there is this warning: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). Wouldn't it be better to be second or third or ninth and right rather than first and wrong?

Many parts of the speech reminded me of how these words of wisdom have frequently been ignored: "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (Proverbs 6:16-19). By his silence, or by his contrary actions, President Obama has been an affront to Almighty God in these seven areas and more. Prideful looks, lies (or at least hiding the truth) concerning his birth and even records right through college, his radical pro-abortion stand, rushing quickly into the repeal of "Don't Ask - Don't Tell," Lying about abortion provisions in the health care reform, and pandering to Muslims who will even don a US Army uniform to attack US Soldiers.

I fear that the last global superpower is about to be brought to her knees. I don't know how far we can push God's mercy and avoid His justice. "Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). One small step towards righteousness and towards trimming the budget - cut off all funding to Planned Parenthood ($320MM)!

World News Through the Third Lens: It's For the Birds

Dead birds showing up everywhere around the world declares the headlines of Internet news source, http://www.offgridsurvival.com/ This source, along with several others which are better known, such as http://www.msnbc.com/ has reported hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dead birds of varying species showing up dead in Italy, Sweden, Canada, South Korea, et al. Dead fish are also showing up in different places well beyond the Arkansas River. The fanatical group led by Rev. Hocking will probably declare that this is further proof that the world will end on May 21, 2011. Meanwhile, popular actor/evangelist Kirk Cameron has declared that the dead birds and fish are not a sign of the Apocalypse.

So who do you believe? Is the end coming this year. Are these things signs of the end? Should we buy a bunch of MRE's, fuel up the 4 X 4 and head for the hills? All I can say is: "Read your Bible and believe/obey what it says.

Through the third lens of Scripture: Watch for the biblical signs, such as: 1) false Christ's, deceiving many; 2) wars and rumors of wars; 3) famines (those already present get very little news coverage); 4) pestilence (birds and fish dying in large numbers could definitely qualify); 5) earthquakes (2010 was quite a year for these - first 7 days of 2011 rather quiet); 6) being hated for being a Christian (U.S. Gov't. even getting a little alarmed because of Christians being murdered in Africa and middle East); 7) rise of false prophets (the list of those present and popular is too big to tackle here); 8) lawlessness (just read the papers. USA has highest percentage of incarcerated people in western world, and yet new crimes dominate the news).

What are we to do. Since these instructions come from Scripture, they speak primarily to Christians. 1) Do not let anyone deceive you; 2) occupy until Christ returns; 3) preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to all the world as a witness (see blog on this topic at http://www.endtimesencouragement.blogspot.com ); 4) endure until the end; 5) look up, for your redemption is drawing near; 6) bear the testimony of Christ; 7) love not your life, even unto death; 8) remain ready, always loving and always living in faith.

So, don't be frightened by scary news; neither dismiss everything thinking that everything will go on as it always has (western version - just keep getting better and better. After all, we spent 3.8% more on stuff for Christmas this year than we did last year). Be encouraged in Christ. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!"