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It's not the word "Easter" that's the problem...

The Perceived Problem:

Over the last 50 years or so, many people have written about the pagan origins of the word "Easter." And, despite the word being used in the KJV translation in Acts 12:4, a lot of Believers in good Bible-teaching churches have been taught that "Easter" can be linked to the fertility Goddess Astarte and other such proclamations.

I, too, had read several references that bemoaned Easter as a "Satanic" holiday. Hearing all the (mis)information caused me to offer rewards to my children if they could go the entire Resurrection Day holiday without saying the word "Easter."

But last year, Roger Patterson of Answers In Genesis wrote an excellently researched article showing the misinformation and myths floating around that supposedly tie "Easter" to a number of Satanic origins. He convincingly showed that the word "Easter" was a translation / transliteration of the word "resurrection" and its roots could be traced to solid Believers during the Reformation.(1)

Patterson pointed out that the basis for which the connection between Easter and Astarte is made is like saying, "Since Babylon was called the 'Golden City,' then McDonalds 'golden arches' must be rooted in Satanic ritual." That's quite a stretch!

And now the myths of Easter's origins have been repeated so long and so often that most believe them to be fact... when they're not facts at all.

Just to be clear, Easter bunnies and colored eggs ARE terrible--in a league with Santa Claus--missing the mark altogether and should never be part of any Christian Easter/Resurrection Day celebration.

But the word "Easter" actually comes from the German root word for "Resurrection." And the reformers of Martin Luther's day were the first to use the word, which had zero connection to Astarte the fertility god.

So much for making "Easter" the bad guy.

That being said, I still believe we should call the day of Jesus' resurrection "Resurrection Sunday," if for no other reason than to make the point that it has nothing to do with the Easter bunny and colored eggs.

The Real Problem

However, there IS a real BIG PROBLEM with WHEN we celebrate Resurrection Sunday--of which few Christians seem to be aware. And even though almost all Protestant churches will continue to celebrate Easter or Resurrection Sunday on the verifiably wrong Sunday, it's important for Believers to know when and why it should be celebrated.

There are four big days that Church Age Believers could make a case to celebrate each year:

1) The Birth of Jesus. 2) The Death of Jesus. 3) The Resurrection of Jesus. 4) The Arrival of God's Holy Spirit to indwell Believers on earth.

Two of the four get a lot of attention from Believers: Christmas and Resurrection Day.

The Day Jesus Was Born

The Bible doesn't give us a clue when Jesus was born. He was unlikely to have been born on December 25, but hey, maybe He was conceived on that date and born in September. 🙂

Since the Lord didn't reveal the date, there's no problem celebrating His birth on December 25. And thankfully the whole world celebrates His birth together, even though Satan has pretty much hijacked Christmas with Santa Claus-- which we refer to as "Satan's Claws."(2)

The Day Jesus Died Jesus died during the Passover celebration either in 30 AD or 33 AD. Nisan 14 fell on Wednesday in 30 AD and Friday in 33 AD.

Bible scholars are not unanimous on which is correct. But frankly it's a moot point regarding His resurrection because whether His death occurred in 30 AD or 33 AD, the Feast of First Fruits would have been the following Sunday.

The Day Jesus Was Resurrected But the Lord DID tell us when the Resurrection occurred. It occurred the Sunday after the Passover Shabbat, on the Feast of First Fruits. And the date for the first Passover celebration is quite clear in Exodus 12.

"You shall keep (the lamb to be sacrificed) until the fourteenth day of the same month (Nisan)..." Ex. 12:6

"And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever." Ex. 12:24

Therefore, it's a no-brainer that we should be celebrating Resurrection Sunday on the Feast of First Fruits, or the first Sunday following the Jewish Passover.

The Jews go to great lengths to celebrate Passover on the correct date that God instructed, on Nisan 14.

"They observed the Passover in the first month (Nisan), on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses," Num. 9:5

So it's not rocket science to know what day the Jewish Passover should be celebrated-- it's Nisan 14 on the Hebrew calendar--and all we have to do is celebrate Jesus' Resurrection Day on Feast of First Fruits, which is the Sunday following. But often we don't!

Strangely, the date we celebrate Easter/ Resurrection Sunday has no connection to Passover and sometimes it doesn't even fall on Passover week! Last year we missed it by a month!

(Note that Nisan 14 is not a fixed day of the week and therefore the Jewish Passover celebration week moves around each year.)

2016 (Last year) Passover/Nisan 14 fell on April 21 Correct Resurrection Day: April 24 Catholic Easter Date - March 27 (Incorrect!)

You have the same dilemma for 2021 and 2024 as the Catholic Easter dates also fall on different dates than the Passover week.

2021 Passover/Nisan 14 falls on March 27 Correct Resurrection Day: March 28 Catholic Easter Date - April 4 (Incorrect!)

2024 Passover/Nisan 14 falls on April 22 Correct Resurrection Day: April 28 Catholic Easter Date - March 31 (Incorrect!)

Why Are The Dates Off? So what happened that made Christians start celebrating Easter/ Resurrection Sunday on the wrong dates every few years? The answer is rooted in Catholic anti-Semitism.

By the early fourth century, many leaders of the church were still celebrating Passover and the Resurrection every year beginning on Nisan 14, the day of Jesus' crucifixion. Others were making the celebration day the first Sunday after Passover, which was scripturally correct.

Both days had notability as Jesus HAD to shed blood and He HAD to rise again.

The necessity of shedding blood:

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” Lev. 17:11

The necessity of a resurrection:

"... if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins." 1Cor. 15:17

In 325 AD, the first Council of Nicaea met. These were Catholic Bishops gathered by Constantine in the city of Nicaea. They addressed and voted on several theological issues, including the issue of what day to celebrate Resurrection Day--the 14th of Nisan (Passover) or the Sunday following the 14th.

The Nicean Bishops dismissed Nisan 14th because they wanted to distance themselves from the Jewish Passover. The Catholics believed that because the Jews killed Jesus the Church had inherited all the Biblical blessings from God. This anti-Semitic view of God's chosen people still prevails today in the Catholic Church.

But it gets worse! Not wanting to connect anything to the Jewish Passover, they also discarded the Sunday following Passover, the Feast of First Fruits, as the day to celebrate Easter.

These Catholic Bishops decided against using scripture to determine the date. Instead, they decided that Easter/Resurrection Day should be completely unrelated to scripturally based Passover date! Good grief, what were they smoking!

The Bishops instead came up with their own ridiculous and unbiblical way to determine when the Resurrection Day occurred! Specifically, they decided Easter should fall on "the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full-moon that occurs on or after the day of the vernal equinox." The vernal equinox is when the sun crosses the equator in the spring, which is the first day of spring.

By the Catholic Church basing the Resurrection Sunday date on the moon and the first day of spring, it removed any possibility of Easter being connected to Passover!

They explain it this way on catholic.com, answering the question "How is Easter Sunday determined?" After first admitting that Easter SHOULD immediately follow Passover, which occurs on Nisan 14, they then add:

"Christians didn't like being dependent on the pronouncements of rabbis for how to celebrate Christian feasts, so they (the Council of Nicaea) came up with another way of determining the date. They decided that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after (never on) the Paschal full moon." (3)

Really? Let's think about that for a moment... God established the specific day for Passover to be celebrated, Nisan 14. This was one of the greatest days in the entire Old Testament. Jews were commanded to celebrate the day each year with a feast, forever! And don't forget that Believers are adopted/grafted into the Jewish promises.

"...adoption as sons through Jesus Christ ..." Eph. 1:5

"...grafted in..." Rom. 11:17

The Bible tells us that Jesus was crucified during the Passover celebration and His tomb was discovered empty early Sunday morning, three days and three nights later, on the Feast of First Fruits. Therefore the Resurrection is forever tied to Passover and the Jewish feasts.

But rather than connect Resurrection Day to the Passover and celebrate our Jewish roots, the spiritually defiant leaders of the Catholic Church decided to change the date of the Resurrection so as not to be connected to the Jewish Passover! That is like changing/ adding to God's Word--which is NOT GOOD!

"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;" Rev. 22:18

This was Satan at his best--getting the Catholic Church to loathe Israel and the Jews so much they didn't want to be associated in any way with the Jewish Passover.

And all this stems from the Catholics holding to an a-millennial doctrinal stance ... foolishly believing the Church has inherited God's promises to the Jews. This also proves the incredible importance of accurately understanding Bible prophecy!

If you have the wrong eschatological position it will distort how you interpret the scriptures. The Catholic Church holds to an a-millennial position which means they don't take scripture literally.

For instance they take the six references to a "thousand years" of Jesus' reign on earth to mean a "long time." Correctly using a literal translation we understand that Jesus will reign 1000 years on the earth as King.

If the Catholic Church properly viewed the scriptures literally, they would be pre-millennial and embrace the Jews as God's chosen people. But their poor doctrine and anti-Semitic views blinded them to the point that they incorrectly changed the day we celebrate Resurrection Day.

But we can't be too hard on the Catholics. Martin Luther also misunderstood and loathed Israel and the Jewish people.(4) Although he was correct with his protesting of Catholic Church doctrines and policies, God did not reveal to him at that time the Catholic Church's incorrect eschatology positions.

In fact, Catholic eschatological error continued to be passed down to Protestant denominations for another 100 years or so before pre-millennial doctrines exposed the error of a-millennial theology.

Summary So to nail shut the case for which day we should be celebrating Resurrection Day, we need to quit being led by the incorrect calendar dates of the Catholic Church. Instead, we should use the scripturally commanded Nisan 14 date to determine which Sunday to celebrate.

Bottom line, Resurrection Day should be the Sunday following Passover. This year it falls, by chance, on the correct day. But it has no connection to Passover, which as Believers adopted into the Jewish promises, we should also be celebrating each year!

So if you're a pastor reading this, do you have the spiritual conviction to celebrate Resurrection Day on the Sunday following the Jewish Passover in the years to come? Or are you just going to continue using the incorrect dating of the Catholic Church? Pray about it!

Bill Perkins Founder and Executive Director Compass International, Inc. compass.org A non-profit ministry Biblecruise@compass.org

If you would like to print this article click here:Should We Celebrate "Easter"?

Notes: (1) https://answersingenesis.org/holidays/easter/is-the-name-easter-of-pagan-origin/

(2) Satan’s Claws/Santa’s Claws

(3) https://www.catholic.com/qa/how-is-easter-sunday-determined-palm-sunday-ash-wednesday

(4) http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/martin-luther-quot-the-jews-and-their-lies-quot

(5) http://tlarsen2.tripod.com/thomaslarsen/easterdates.html

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Say it ain't so!

It's amazing how many decisions we make each day based solely on what it will cost us monetarily and how few decisions we make each day based solely on God's Word.

There is the old joke about a very, very rich man having a conversation with a girl he was dating. He puts his money on the table and says, "I'll give you 10 million dollars if you will sleep with me tonight."

The sum of money was staggering for the girl to comprehend. She knew sleeping with him was wrong and definitely sinful. But, good grief she thought, is it really THAT bad, considering the 10 million dollars in return?

She thought through the fact she or her parents would never have to work again, she could buy the houses, cars and clothes she always wanted, and even considered the fact she could give millions to her church.

So she agreed to the rich man's proposition to have sex with him for 10 million dollars. The rich man responded to her acceptance of the offer and said, "Will you sleep with me tonight for $50?"

Incensed, the girl exclaimed, "I would never! What do you think I am, a prostitute?!" To which the rich man responded, "We've already established what you are, we're just negotiating the price."

Before you dismiss that as something you would never do, I think we (I'm guilty too) make decisions similar to the above and often justify them based on the economic impact to our life.

Here are just three examples of why I think Believers' decisions often don't differ too much from non-Christians' decisions when it comes to money:

#1) Rather than saving up to buy an automobile, television, boat, washing machine, church building, etc., most Christians instead finance their purchases so they can have them now, paying trillions in interest each year.

#2) Christian men think nothing of trading in their wives for cash each month. Given as a special gift from God and designed as a help-mate, anchor of the home, etc., most Christian men, women and pastors see nothing wrong with women working full-time outside the home.... for mere money.

#3) Birth control is used by almost all Christians. Rather than covet and trust God's blessings of children, Christians take matters into their own hands by trying to control when, where and how often God blesses them, usually giving a monetary reason for the lack of faith.

My argument is that if women got married, stayed home, had as many kids as God would bless them with while the dad worked and purchased items as they could save for and pay cash, eternally, ETERNALLY, this couple will be blessed beyond their wildest dreams.

***** Yes, yes, yes, I know full well I'm gonna get slammed for saying that! But hey, I'm just getting too old and too tired to stay quiet!******* 🙂

Yes, a couple might always be tired, worn out and broke in this life having six or more kids. So what? Where should their emphasis be?

God once spoke to Israel through Ezekiel and said:

"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are wrong?" Ezek. 18:25

And Solomon said:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding." Prov. 3:5

"There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Prov. 16:25

It seems that Satan, the god of this world, has taken the prosperity and success of America after World War ll and cunningly used it against us. There is nothing sinful about success, as all success ultimately comes from God. But if in the process you lose your spiritual moorings to Biblical stability, you can quickly loose your life-purpose bearings. And the penalty can be great.

Consider the ramifications of just one of the above three facts: Christians using birth control.

Christians in America average about two kids per family, citing, most often, money as the reason for fewer kids. If those children average having two children, and their children average two children, etc., in four generations the original couple will have a total of 30 descendants.

However, if Christians were focusing on eternal blessings and not temporal blessings, and averaged six children per family, instead of two, by the fourth generation they would have about 1500 descendants!

Generation #1: 6 children Generation #2: 36 children Generation #3: 216 children Generation #4: 1,296 children Total direct descendants in four generations: 1,554

Keep in mind that this is the impact of only one family and that children are a BLESSING from God. (We wrote extensively on this in the May issue-link to that article is on the right bottom- "Past Issues.'

Therefore, should our priority be to have more money, time and things in this life, or should God and eternity be our life's focus? Less now and more later, or more now and less later? Satan's emphasis or God's emphasis?

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phil. 1:21

As Believers who should be trusting the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary to completely erase our past, present and future sins, our priorities should be the same as God's priorities. Therefore every decision we make should be rooted in how it affects the long-term, not the short-term.

When you consciously or unconsciously move your emphasis from eternity/future to today/this life, without a Biblical thought process guiding those decisions, you're on a slippery slope to downtown Pagenville.

My favorite verse in the Bible is-

"forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead..." Phil 3:13

This means that regardless of where I am, regardless of what I've done wrong or didn't know was wrong, I can move boldly forward from any point in time, knowing God counts zero against me.

That verse also means that it's never too late to defend what I believe to my family, friends and my next door neighbor.

Bill and Susie Perkins founded Compass International, Inc. in 1993 as a non-profit, nondenominational ministry. For information on Compass’ Steeling the Mind Bible Conferences, Good Morning Lord! Bible studies, books, DVDs and Biblelands Cruises, go to compass.org

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When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations. Ezekiel 39:27

In the not-too-distant future, Israel will again be in the forefront of God’s actions on earth—and the whole world will be watching! Like the time of the Egyptian plagues, the world will again see God in visible action.

I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. Ezekiel 36:23

Currently we’re living in the “Church Age,” and the Lord reveals Himself to individual people via His invisible Holy Spirit. But the Church Age will soon end with the sudden disappearance of all living Believers. A shocked world will immediately know things have changed.

When the Rapture dust settles, the horrific seven-year Tribulation begins. All Hades will break loose on earth and close to two billion people will die! TWO BILLION!!!

I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:8

That’s a lot of tribulation! But we know that number is true because God inspired every word in the Bible.

…no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21

So the Bible is penned by man, but 100% inspired/authored by God. It’s perfect in every way. Perfect in word, doctrine, design… even perfect in number. You can depend on His numbers—there will be BILLIONS who die in the Tribulation.

The law of the LORD is perfect, Psalms 19:7

Jesus left no doubt about how accurate God’s Words are:

For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. Matthew 5:18

If God is the author of every word in the Bible, they are perfect and all prophecy will be fulfilled, then it’s not surprising to see that numbers used in the Bible are consistent from Genesis through Revelation.

For instance, when using the number 5, and/or multiples of 5, it always refers to grace. Jesus had 5 wounds on the cross. Almost all measurements in the Jewish Temple are multiples of 5.

Eight is the number of new beginnings—there were 8 people on the Ark and the 8th day of the week is a new week. Forty is the number of testing— Jesus fasted in the desert 40 days and Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Six is the number of man—as in 666.

But the most interesting of all the numbers is 7, God’s number He uses to indicate “completion.” There are 7 days in a week and there were 7 days in the creation week. Israel had 490 years assigned to her by the Lord…and 7 years are still left to be fulfilled in the future—called the “Tribulation” or “Time of Jacob’s trouble.”

Keep Your Eyes On Israel We know we’re very close to the end of the Church Age because Israel is being readied by God to again bring her and her land to the forefront of the world. Consider these fulfilled prophecies in the last 69 years:

1) In the latter days God would gather Israel back to her homeland after being scattered around the world. He did.

When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies… Ezekiel 39:27

…I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; Ezekiel 37:21

2) Israel would return to their homeland as a pure race. She did.

And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: Revelation 7:4

3) Israel would take over her land in a day. She did.

Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? Isaiah 66:8

4) Israel would have a mighty army. She does.

So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.” Ezekiel 37:10

5) Israel would have nuclear weapons. She does.

Now this will be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth. Zechariah 14:12 (Ezekiel 39:11-16)

6) The regathered nation would be a problem to the whole world. She is.

It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. Zechariah 12:3

7) Iran would be her enemy. They are.

Persia, … with shield and helmet; Ezekiel 38:5 (In 1932 Persia changed her name to Iran.)

Israel is in her “regathering” period, a length of time predetermined by God. It’s also called “The Time of God’s Patience.”(1)

So, for pure fun, how much time would you expect God to have predetermined for this period of time between Israel becoming a nation again and the start of the Tribulation?

Using God’s numbers as a guide, my guess is that it’s likely to be 70 years, God’s number for completion.

Seventy years from 1948 puts us at 2018. For the record, let me repeat, this is not a prediction, merely an observation or a guess based on God’s use of numbers in the past.

But you could just as well theorize that God might count 70 years from Israel’s takeover of Mount Moriah and the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967.

Or it could be anywhere in between. We don’t know for sure because the Rapture is a signless event. But Israel’s time clock is tick tick ticking. Keep your eyes on Israel!!

Any way you slice it, we’re definitely living in the last of the last days! How exciting that God has predetermined the day of our great titillating departure, and when it arrives, millions will be missing because we’ll have disappeared in the twinkling of an eye! Exactly as predetermined on God’s perfect schedule!

Until that day, use us, Lord!

Shalom!
Bill Perkins, Founder & Executive Director

If you would like to print this article, click here: Israel's Ticking Time Clock

1) https://compass.org/store/products/Article%3A-God%27s-Patience-in-the-Last-Days.html

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Why "The SHACK" Is Blasphemous

The Shack is a well-written "Christian fiction" book by William P. Young that has sold over 20 million copies since its debut in 2007.

Due to the intense story, for most readers it causes a flood of emotions to well up inside, masking the theological errors throughout the book.

We didn't recommend reading the book when we reviewed it it 2008 (1), nor do we recommend seeing the movie that is coming out in March. Here's why:

Although The Shack is a fiction book, it attempts to address significant theological issues. But the answers given to these issues are in grave Biblical error. And more often than not, these errors go undetected by most Christians. Here are some of them...

The Shack presents an unbiblical picture of God: God the Father is personified by a large black lady named Papa.

I could stop there, as most Believers see the blasphemous problems with making God into a woman-which basically is goddess worship. But there's much more.

The Bible never teaches that God the Father takes on a physical form. Just the opposite.

"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:24

"...who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see." 1Tim. 6:16

Even though God the Father is shown to possess both male and female attributes, the Bible always refers to God in the masculine gender, never female.

On page 95, "Papa" has scars in her hands. But, of course, only Christ bore the sins of the world. God the Father rendered judgment to His Son.

The Shack presents an unbiblical picture of the Holy Spirit: God the Holy Spirit is personified by an Asian woman. But the Holy Spirit never appears as a person, much less a woman, and is always referred to in the masculine gender.

The Shack presents an unbiblical picture of Jesus: Jesus of The Shack is not Jesus of the Bible!

"...for God is not a God of confusion..." 1Cor. 14:33

There are several verses in the Bible where Jesus exercised His headship, His divine attributes. But on pages 99-100 it says, "Jesus as a human being had no power within himself to heal anyone." And this is, of course, 100% false. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man.

The Shack presents an unbiblical picture of the Trinity: The Shack presents all three members of the Trinity in human form, but the Bible shows only Jesus taking human form.

The Shack says on page 122-124 that the Trinity is all equal, that they don't relate to each other within a hierarchy. But the Bible says clearly that God sent His Son. The Son did not send Himself. So while the members of the Trinity are all equal, there is also a divine order of headship and submission, which is hierarchy.

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; John 6:44

"But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ." 1Cor. 11:3

The Shack presents an unbiblical picture of salvation: The Shack suggests there is more than one way to be saved. Basically, it teaches pluralism. The book states on page 182, with regards to salvation:

"Those who love me come from every system that exists. They are Buddhists or Mormons... Muslims,"

The Bible disagrees:

"Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'" John 14:6

While it IS possible that a Mormon or Muslim could get saved, they wouldn't stay in the Mormon or Muslim faith. But The Shack suggests that those in the faith are indistinguishable ... no difference. Even adding:

"I have no desire to make them Christian."

And then it goes on to say:

"Does that mean all roads will lead to you?"

To which Jesus says:

"Most roads don't lead anywhere."

Of course, the Jesus of the Bible disagrees:

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it." Matt. 7:13

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'" John 14:6

Yet The Shack doesn't tell people they should seek the only way to avoid eternal damnation--believing Jesus was God, came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified, and defeated death by rising from the dead.

The Shack presents an unbiblical picture of your relationship with God: Throughout the book, The Shack places an emphasis on your "relationship" with God while downplaying proper doctrine. But how can you have a true relationship with God without scripturally understanding God's truth as revealed in His Word?

"...until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Eph. 4:13

The Shack embraces Pantheism: Pantheism is the false teaching that God is everything and everything is God. Trees, rocks, animals, the sun, pets, people...are all gods. But even though God may live in a person or be present in a rock, that doesn't mean He is a person or a rock.

Don't confuse this with God being "omnipresent." God is not immersed in the fabric of everything, God is present in all time and space. Noted New Ager Benjamin Creme wrote in his book, "The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom":

But eventually a new world religion will be inaugurated which will be a fusion and synthesis of the approach of the East and the approach of the West. The Christ will bring together, not simply Christianity and Buddhism, but the concept of God transcendent-outside of His creation-and also the concept of God immanent in all creation-in man and all creation. p. 88

The Shack also teaches the New Age principle that "God is in everything."

"God, who is the ground of all being, dwells in, around, and through all things." p. 112

This is the same garbage that Rick Warren teaches in his blasphemous "The Purpose Driven Life":

"He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything." p. 88

If pantheism were true, it would not be a sin to worship the sun, moon or stars because they would, in fact, be God. But the Bible forbids it.

"You shall have no other gods before Me." Deut. 5:7

"And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them..." Deut. 4:19

Funny thing, when you think about it. The same lie Satan used in the Garden of Eden, "You can be God," is still being used by Satan today!

Conclusion While a mature Believer may be able to read the fiction book and/or watch the fiction movie without being compromised, we believe that the dangerous theological errors in The Shack are from the pit of hell.

Reading and/or seeing The Shack movie by a mature Believer could expose less mature Believers to major Biblical error. What could have been an interesting story is actually playing with fire (i.e. Satan), which is never acceptable.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1Pet. 5:8

Shalom! BP

(1) https://compass.org/store/products/Article%3A-The-Shack-%252d-Book- Review.html

If you would like to print this article click here: Why the Shack is Blasphemous

The "repentance in salvation" question is hotly debated between the dispensationalists and covenant theologians. The idea of "salvation without repentance" understandably sends many into fits of rage. But is salvation without repentance even possible?

The Greek word for "repent" can be used as a noun or a verb so it is imperative to look at the context of the verse to determine how it is being used.

The Greek word for "repent" is metanoia (noun) or metanoeo (verb). It means "to change your mind" and the context must determine what is involved in that change of mind. Does it mean repent for salvation (addressing non-Believers) or repent from error or sin (addressing Believers)?

Strong's defines the two words this way:
1. (NOUN) metanoia, met-an´-oy-ah; from 3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision): -repentance.

2. (VERB) metanoeo, met-an-o-eh´-o; from 3326 and 3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction): - repent.

When the word repent was used in the Gospels, speaking to the Jews under the law (i.e. Mark 2:17; Acts 3:19) who had rejected Jesus as the Messiah, the word used was the verb "metanoe" ... they needed to think differently/reconsider what they thought about who Jesus was. The same is true in 1 Thess 1:9 when they had to change their previous conception about God and turn from idolatry.

But in, for instance, 2 Cor 7:10, a different Greek word was used, the verb "metanoia" -- and used interchangeably with "believe." They "changed their mind" about trusting self, good works or tradition and instead trusted the "finished" work of Jesus on the cross.

Nowhere in the Bible are "believe" and "repent" used together to teach two different requirements for salvation.

Therefore, when salvation from the sinful state is in view, "repent" (a change of mind) and "believe" (a change of what you're trusting) are in essence used as synonyms.

In Acts 20:21 the two words, repentance and faith, are joined by one article in the Greek text which means that the two are inseparable, although each focuses on a different part of the single requirement of needing a saving faith in the Gospel.

Lewis Chafer wrote:
"Too often, when it is asserted-as it is here-that repentance is not to be added to belief as a separated requirement for salvation, it is assumed that repentance is not necessary to salvation. Therefore it is as dogmatically stated as language can declare, that repentance is essential to salvation and that none could be saved apart from repentance, but it is included in believing and cannot be separated from it" (Lewis Sperry Chafer, Vital Theological Issues, Roy B. Zuck, General Editor, Kregel, Grand Rapids, 1994, p. 119).

Roy B. Zuck writes:
"Repentance is included in believing. Faith and repentance are
like two sides of a coin. Genuine faith includes repentance, and genuine repentance includes faith. The Greek word for repentance (metanoia) means to change one's mind. But to change one's mind about what? About sin, about one's adequacy to save himself, about Christ as the only way of salvation, the only One who can make a person righteous." ("Kindred Spirit," a quarterly publication of Dallas Seminary, Summer 1989, p. 5).

Even Luke substituted repentance in place of belief:

"and He said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.'" Luke 24:46-47

Dr. Charles Ryrie says of this verse, "Clearly, repentance for the forgiveness of sins is connected to the death and resurrection of Christ." (Charles C. Ryrie, So Great Salvation, Victor Books, p. 98).

Dr. John Ankerberg stated at a Steeling the Mind Bible Conference, Vail, CO, 1997, "It's not 'faith' that saves you, but rather, the 'object of your faith.' You can have faith that your good works will save you, but they won't. The only thing that can save you is your faith and belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

The object of your faith must be the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone.

Other passages clearly support the fact that repentance often means faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:43 with 11:17-18; Acts 13:38-39 with 2:38; and Acts 16:31 uses only "believe")

Ryrie also points out that in some 50 uses of "faith" or "believe," the Gospel of John never uses the word repent, and bringing men to faith is the written purpose of the Book of John. Did John miss something? Did he give only half the gospel? If Nicodemus needed to repent, "believe" is used interchangeably in place of "repent."

Neither did Jesus tell the woman at the well in Samaria to repent. When she recounted her story, the other Samaritans didn't "repent," rather they "believed."

"Belief in Christ, as an expression of a change of mind, focuses on the new direction that change about God must take, namely, trusting in Christ, God's Son, as personal Savior. Jews needed to change their minds about Jesus and realize that He is their true Messiah" (Ryrie, p. 98).

And finally there is, of course, repentance needed in our Christian walk in relation to specific sins we may/will commit (2 Cor. 7:9; Rev. 2:5, Rom 7).

Christians do sin and when we are convicted about that sin, we need to repent, or change directions, away from the sin toward God's way. But this repentance has nothing to do with salvation. It's simply a Believer maturing in his/her faith.

Also it is worth noting that both Nicodemus (John 3:2) and Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38) were secret Believers. On the outside they appeared like all the other non believing Jews. But on the inside they had saving faith in Jesus.

In conclusion, when a non-Believer puts their faith and trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they have changed directions/repented of their faith in something that would not save them, or, lack of faith in the only thing that can save them.

Shalom!

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The Pokémon Go phenomenon is more proof the world is being readied for Satan's rule.

The world is going crazy playing a game called Pokémon Go. The public saturation is so large the app downloads will soon surpass Twitter. There are some 20 million DAILY users of the game and large companies like Kellogg's, Kraft Foods and Burger King are heavily promoting it.

Few Believers realize what the game actually is and apparently see no problem letting their children play it hours on end. In a nutshell, Pokémon Go is an occult-rooted and demon-oriented game of witchcraft originally created in god-less Japan. Believers' children should have nothing to do with it!

If I were to suggest you should get out a Ouija Board and ask it a few questions, most grounded Believers would immediately point out the occult properties of Ouija that are obviously off-limits to Bible believing Christians.

And if you think using a Ouija Board is bad, Pokémon is 1000 times worse! It's like a three dimensional Ouija Board that is not played in one spot, but outside, all over the world as players chase and empower virtual demons. Yes, you read that correctly.

Let's start with the word "Pokémon." It's a Japanese word that means "pocket monster." And this comes from the same company (Wizards of the Coast) that originally developed the highly occultic and anti-Christian "Dungeons and Dragons" and "Magic the Gathering" games. Nintendo negotiated a license to distribute the game and its stock has since soared.

The game is played by downloading an app to your smart phone which is used to find and capture Pokeballs. The Pokeballs are found all over town--appearing as images on the players' phones in parks, schools, hospitals, businesses, freeways, landmarks, etc. They're then used to throw at and capture virtual pocket monsters appearing all around in the mapped streetscape.

Called "immersive play" or "augmented reality," players use their smart phone's GPS and camera functions to blur reality with fantasy that, in essence, gives spirit and soul to digital objects. Pokémon gives power to whomever catches them.

When you capture your pocket monsters, you train them to have more and more "power" to use against other people's Pokémon. The characters even mimic evolution as the Pokémon "evolve" from 1 to 100 as the game progresses. There are some 150 named Pokémon and they have special powers as they share the world with humans. For instance the Pokémon named "Haunter" can hypnotize, eat your dreams and drain your energy. "Abra" reads minds and "Kadabra" spews negative energy. Do note the names they use!

So the bottom line is that playing Pokémon Go is dealing with the devil's demonic world. "Pocket monster" is just a ruse for "pocket demon." The world has gone crazy searching out virtual demons! Most have no clue. Christian kids are being unsuspectingly sucked into the world of the occult by the millions.

"No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds." 2Cor. 11:14

Few realize, especially children, that this is a gateway to the occult and is strictly forbidden in the Bible. We certainly don't want our children dealing with demons! But most see no harm in letting their kids play the game.

'As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people. Lev. 20:6

Believe it or not, hundreds of churches, both liberal and conservative, are EMBRACING Pokémon Go by making their church a PokeStop or gym for the game. Really? REALLY?

These churches actually think that by advertising "come catch 'em all" they can reach more unchurched people. Unbelievable! They might as well advertise, "Come let your demons play with our demons."

The Bible is quite clear, even tying deceiving spirits into the latter days:

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons," 1Tim. 4:1

In the Old Testament the Lord was quite clear about steering clear of witchcraft as the penalty for practicing sorcery was death!

"You shall not allow a sorceress to live. Ex. 22:18

In multiple passages, we are warned. Yet somehow we missed the obvious. This game is quite evil! Two months into playing Pokémon an eight-year-old boy asked his mother "what is 'channeling?'" He explained that there were channelers, bad spirits and ghosts in his Pokemon game, calling out dead Pokémons' spirits.

"There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. Deut. 18:10-12

Paul the Apostle pointedly warned us about the invisible war going on around us in verses we all can quote from memory but never really seem to find a reason to apply:

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:11-12

We need to heed Paul's warning. If you have kids or grand-kids involved with this game, it's time to get out the Bible and teach the inerrant Truth in God's Word about the incredible dangers of the occult. Otherwise you risk losing them to the dark side.

Bill Perkins Executive Director Compass International, Inc.

If you would like to print this article click here:Pocket Demons.compressed

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pokemon-go-20160711-snap-story.html

http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=491

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?

http://walkingintruth.blogspot.com/2005/07/truth-behind-pokemon.html

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Rainbow over Old City of Jerusalem

Once again the world powers are attempting to fashion a peace treaty between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Regardless of what they eventually end up with, at best, the Bible says it will bring peace only temporarily - if it brings peace at all! There will be no true lasting peace until the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, returns to set up His earthly Kingdom.

The above picture of the Old City of Jerusalem, taken from the top of the Mount of Olives, shows the Muslim "Dome of the Rock" prominently located in the middle of the Temple Mount (the "Temple Mount" is the treed area around the gold plated Dome- approximately 35 acres). To the far left you can see the Al- Aqsa Mosque with it's black dome. All of this is on Mount Moriah, the place where Abraham offered Issac as a sacrifice, where the first two Jewish Temples were built, and where the future throne of Jesus will be located as He rules the world for 1000 years.

So why is a Muslim shrine located in the middle of this area that is so sacred to the Jews? The fact it was built there also explains why the Muslims are trying to build a Mosque near Ground Zero in New York. You see, when the Muslims conquer an area, they build a shrine or mosque to commemorate the victory. To build at ground zero would be to mark the spot of a great victory. The name they originally assigned it, "Cordoba," refers to a big Islamic victory in Spain in 711.

All this Mosque building is tied together in their brazen attempt to take over the world with Islam as the only religion. Don't you think it's odd that no churches or synagogues can be built in Saudi Arabia, yet they demand to build at Ground Zero! There are over 100 Mosques already in New York, so it's not too hard to figure out that there is an ulterior motivation - not to mention they won't even reveal the funding sources for the Ground Zero Mosque.

But the plot will really thicken when Bible prophecies come to fruition regarding the Temple Mount at the end of the Church Age. The Bible says PRIOR to the second coming, the Jews will rebuild their Temple and go back to blood sacrifices to God (Dan 9:27). Since sacrifices can only be made on Mount Moriah, there is a problem here... the Muslim Dome of the Rock is in the way. It will either be destroyed and a Jewish Temple rebuilt in its place, or, some other deal worked out so that Jews can rebuild their Temple on Mount Moriah and begin sacrifices again after a 2000 year or so lapse. Again, all of this is prior to the Second Coming of Christ, but after the Rapture.

Now you know what's at stake in Jerusalem. All the talk about land, settlements, Gaza, the West Bank and such, are secondary issues. What's really at stake is who controls Mount Moriah. The Muslims truly think they will take over the world one day. And every end-time battle deals with Muslim dominated nations. But the Bible says Allah (Satan) loses, the Jews (Jehovah God) win, and the Jewish God/man Jesus will set up His throne on Mount Moriah (Isaiah 32:1).

If you would like to print this article click here: Mount Moriah- God's Special Place on Earth

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"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Rapture)
Matthew 24:37-39

"It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:28-29

"Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.
1Thes. 5:1-6

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
1Thes. 5:9-11

Noah on the Ark is a picture of the Church being taken up and over the tribulation.

Lot is a picture of the Jews being removed to safety, protected and away from the destruction (in Petra?) during the Tribulation.

Paul gives us the picture of tribulation as a thief coming in the night ... but coming only for unbelievers. The thief won't be coming for Believers as we should be well aware of what's coming--the mass removal of the Church. And this should be "encouraging" to us!

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." Eccl. 3:1

In the not-too-distant future the world will change suddenly and dramatically.

At the end of each of God's specific time periods on earth, referred to as "dispensations," God judges the earth for failure to obey God's commands. There's a penalty to pay and no one on earth gets out of God's judgment.

Examples of God's worldwide judgment in the first three dispensations

1) In the first Dispensation of Innocence, God's command was very simple for Adam and Eve: "Don't eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil."

But they disobeyed, ate the fruit, and the result was that death entered the earth. God judged the earth by allowing every human to be infected with sin, separating them from a righteous God.

2) In the second Dispensation of Conscience, God's command was to be moral, which included the command to marry one man to one woman. That command was broken and a devastating worldwide flood wiped out everyone but those on Noah's Ark.

3) In the third Dispensation of Government, God said fill the earth. But instead of following God's command, the people of earth stayed in one place and built the Tower of Babel. So God judged the earth by mixing the languages.

Each time a dispensation ended, the whole earth was affected. The people alive at the time of those dispensation-ending judgments were affected whether they knew about God's commands or not. God never changed, but He changed how He dealt with humans on the earth.

The Flood of Noah was God's worldwide judgment. I can't imagine what it would have been like to be alive at the time of Noah when God shut the door of the Ark and the waters burst forth from below and flooded the earth.

The people of that day were going about their daily lives, ignoring God's warnings and had no clue what was dead ahead.

One minute things were normal. The next minute the foundations of the world were shaken. People certainly weren't standing around watching the water rise, wondering what to do. Rather, in an instant, the earth was moving under their feet, buildings were collapsing, the wind was howling and people were screaming.

The amount of water that came out of the ground all around the earth would have sent scores of tsunamis hundreds of feet high that traveled hundreds of miles inland, all while the earth shook mightily.

But this was not an earthquake like we think of today, where only one area is decimated. The whole earth shook as it was quickly covered with water. It is estimated that the earth could have been flooded from the waters below in eight hours.Click here to watch a remarkable 90-second video showing how this could have happened. The video is titled "When God Shut The Door On Noah's Ark."

Watching that video you realize that not only did that Ark have to be able to float with two of all the earth's animals, it also had to withstand the initial impact of the floodwaters smashing against the side of the Ark.

No doubt there were some who stayed alive a few seconds and remembered Noah's preaching and warnings of God's impending judgment.

Like the thief on the cross, I'm sure there were some people who, at the last second, believed what Noah said as they sank below the turbulent judgment waters. But the end of the Church Age, when suddenly the Believers disappear, there is no possibility of last second salvation. It's just over.

But the main point is this--all dispensations end with God's judgment for all who are not saved through the Door. One minute things were normal, the next minute God's judgment came without warning for those who did not enter God's Door of salvation via His Messiah.

The next dispensational change, the end of the Church Age in which we currently live, will be "just like" the time of Noah's Flood. Not "similar to", "comparable to" or "much the same as." No, it will be "JUST LIKE" the days before Noah enters into the Ark and God closes the door.

So the Bible gives us a good idea of what the time will be like. The Bible says specifically that the time before the flood was quite normal. People were not expecting God's judgment. They thought things would continue on unabated. It's the same today-

2Pet. 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 2Pet. 3:4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 2Pet. 3:5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 2Pet. 3:6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

People today have no clue. They will be eating, drinking, planting, harvesting, social events and construction....until God shuts the door. Luke 17:27, Mat 24:37.

Most people today go about their daily lives unconcerned about God's rules. By and large, the earth is unconcerned about God, much less about God's commands and fully ignorant of the coming world judgment. Pretty much the world is giving God the middle-finger.

But just as God shut the door of Noah's Ark and then it was too late to miss the judgment, God will also shut the Door (Jesus) with the Rapture and things will change in a split-second.

God's Wrath Is Coming Again That incredible God-ordained event brings the world into a global state of shock as the Lord removes those who are in the Body of Christ. By God's grace, Believers are whisked to heaven and therefore saved FROM the wrath of God.

"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him." Ro. 5:9

"...and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come." 1 Thes. 1:10

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thes. 5:9

Israel Will Again Be God's Focus Immediately after the Rapture, God will bring Israel back into the prophetic spotlight--big-time front and center. Just like the world revolved around Israel in the Old Testament, it will again revolve around Israel in the next dispensation referred to as "Tribulation."

The Bible says that at that time Israel will have become the envy of the world. They will be so rich and prosperous that right after the Rapture happens, a group of nations will invade to capture her riches.

We are just now seeing the beginning of Israel becoming a wealthy nation. In 2015 she discovered oil in Northern Israel's Golan Heights. The massive oil discovery is predicted to be one of the largest oil reservoirs in the world, 10 times larger than a typical oil discovery.

This is in addition to all the gas fields discovered in and around Israel. As they say in Texas, "Where there's gas, there's oil." So expect to hear more oil discoveries in the future in Israel.

The Bible also states that Israel will have abundant gold and silver.

"...to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world. Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"' Ezek 38:12,13

It's unclear if Israel will discover silver and gold in the ground or if nations just give them so much gold and silver for their oil. (Fiat/paper money will likely soon be replaced with a currency tied to gold and/or silver, so this could be quite prophetic!)

Regardless of how she acquires her riches, Israel post-Rapture will be sitting on so much oil, gold and silver that the Bible calls the amount "great."

The Hebrew word translated "great" is "gadol" and can be translated "exceedingly" or "extremely." And its root word "gadal" denotes the idea of recent riches, "became great" or "became wealthy."

Israel didn't start out rich, she is BECOMING rich, right in front of our eyes. And the richer she becomes the more the world will be envious.

God's Reason For Ezekiel 38/39 The MOST fascinating wording in the description of Ezekiel 38/39 invasion of Israel, which takes place shortly after the Rapture, is WHY God says He orchestrates all those events. The reasons are:

1) To bring Israel back into the WORLD limelight as God's special people and

2) To reintroduce the world to Jehovah God with whom to be reckoned.

Check out these quite-pointed statements about the WHOLE WORLD watching what God will be doing:

"...and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog." Ezek. 38:16

"The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; Ezek. 38:20

"I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD."' Ezek. 38:23

"And I will send fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the coastlands in safety; and they will know that I am the LORD." Ezek. 39:6

"My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel." Ezek. 39:7

"And I will set My glory among the nations; and all the nations will see My judgment which I have executed and My hand which I have laid on them." Ezek. 39:21

"When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations." Ezek. 39:27

Therefore, in no uncertain terms, the Creator God makes Himself known to the world. And the world will know that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (no Ishmael). Liberals and evolutionists will go out of vogue immediately.

Of course Satan will also be quite active during this time, trying to steal God's thunder. 🙂

In summary It doesn't seem far-fetched to believe that between now and the year 2040, the Church Age Dispensation will conclude with our exhilarating exit. Maybe sooner than later. And most people left behind on earth will be Biblically clueless as to what happened.

"For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false," 2Thes. 2:11

We don't know what the big lie will be. But whatever it is, people's eternal destiny will be at stake.

Then the next time period on God's calendar will begin, seven years long referred to as "The Time of Jacob's Trouble" or "The Tribulation." God will immediately reveal Himself both to Israel and the world as the Creator God of the universe. And literally, all hell breaks loose.

Those seven years get pretty messy, but thankfully those trusting the shed blood of Jesus to atone for their sins will miss it! PTL!

Shalom!

If you would like to print this article click here: Israel and The Mystery.compressed

References: 1) http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/10/07/potentially-game-changing-oilreserves- discovered-in-israel.html

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Background on the Roman World at the Time of Jesus At the time Jesus began His ministry on earth, only the Jews were looking for a future Messiah. Only the Jews had written prophecies from God foretelling of a time that their Messiah would come and rule the world in righteousness.

"And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one." Zech. 14:9

"... You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth." Psa. 67:4

But Israel's redeemer had yet to come, and the cruel Roman rule was detested by all of Israel as they waited for their Messiah.

The Jewish hierarchy, mostly Pharisees and Sadducees, controlled the theocratic Israeli government and worked with the Roman officials to stay in power. They promised Rome there would be no problems if they allowed the Jews to:

> Worship in their Temple > Celebrate their feasts > Make their sacrifices

This partnership kept the Jewish hierarchy in power and prestige.

But even though Israel managed to have some autonomy, Rome still had ultimate rule...and it was a vicious rule.

The glory of the pro-Israel days of King Herod the Great, who died in 4 BC, was fading fast.

After Herod's death, his son Archelaus ruled over Jerusalem, Jaffa and Caesarea for nine years, 4 BC to 6 AD. He acted like a pompous king wearing all white and sitting on a golden throne.

Archelaus made pagan changes to the outside of the Jewish Temple by force. Trying to keep peace, he had his army kill 3,000 Jews. He even cancelled an entire Passover! Obviously, he was loathed by the Jews. (3)

With the tax receipts from Jerusalem to Rome dropping and his inability to keep peace and rule effectively, Archelaus was eventually replaced by an appointed Prefect by Roman government.

Pontius Pilate, who was ruling at the time of Jesus' ministry, was the third in a series of these appointed Prefects to exercise an iron-clad rule over the Jews in Jerusalem.

However, not all the Jews were willing to wait for the Messiah. Between 20 AD and Jesus' death in 33 AD, there were some 60 Jewish insurrections put down by Rome.

The biggest rip-your-robe and throw-dirt-in-the-air of the Roman rules was that they made the Jews use Roman coins-forbidding Israel from minting and using its time-honored shekel.

And adding to the Jewish misery, most Roman coins had a physical image inscribed on the coins. The Jews thought this was blasphemous, due to the 2nd of the 10 commandments.

"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth." Ex. 20:4

And using a coin with Caesar's picture on it to pay for the mandatory 1/2 shekel Temple tax was detestable.

"Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a [Roman] denarius. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." Matt. 22:19-21

So by 30 AD the Roman taxes were sky-high and the tension between Rome and Israel was at a fever-pitch. The people in Israel prayed daily for relief as they waited for their Messiah to come, defeat Rome and set up His prophesied kingdom.

Messianic Expectations This was the life and times of the Jews into which Jesus was born. He began His ministry in this tense environment, and to local Jewish observers the miracles He performed made Him look, sound and act like He could be the prophesied Messiah.

This is why Jesus was asked so many times, by a wide range of people, whether He was the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Was He the Messiah? Had He come to set up His Kingdom?

So, expectations of a coming Messiah were quite rampant in Israel when Jesus came on the scene. King Herod mentions the future Messiah when the wise men came to Jerusalem looking for the King Who had just been born:

"Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, [Herod] inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: Matt. 2:4-5

The Samaritan woman at the well mentions the Messiah:

"The woman said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ);'" John 4:25

Prior to Jesus' arrest, the Pharisees ask about the Messiah:

"Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;'" Luke 17:20

Pontius Pilate quizzed Him...

"Pilate questioned Him, 'Are You the King of the Jews?'" Mark 15:2

The two thieves on the cross both mentioned it:

"One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, 'Are You not the Christ? [redeemer] Save Yourself and us!'" Luke 23:39

"And he was saying, 'Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!'" Luke 23:42

Even after Jesus' resurrection, His somewhat still-confused disciples asked Him if He was now going to set up His "kingdom."

"So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, 'Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?'" Acts 1:6

It was in this climate that Jesus spent 3 1/2 years healing myriads of sick and lame people all over Israel. He did so much in those few short years that John wrote:

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written." John 21:25

In 3 1/2 years Jesus criss-crossed the Holyland at a dizzying pace, drawing HUGE crowds everywhere He went.

"Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan." Matt. 4:23-25

But His incredible miracles were not welcomed by everyone in the land. The Jewish ruling authorities were at their wits' end. They feared He had grown so well known that if they allowed Him to continue, the populace would inaugurate Him as King and they would lose their power.

"Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, 'What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.'" John 11:47-48

Trying to catch and kill Jesus So after 3 1/2 years, we find Jesus and His disciples walking up the road from Jericho to Jerusalem for the required attendance of the Passover celebration.

"Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD." Ex. 23:17

But Jesus stopped short of Jerusalem by a mile or so to spend the night with Lazarus in Bethany.

One week earlier Jesus had raised Lazarus back to life. It was His biggest miracle yet and was performed right under the noses of those who wished to kill Him.

Lazarus had been dead for four days-the corpse was even beginning to rot and smell. So there was no doubt to anyone that he was quite dead.

The Roman historian Tacitus said 2,700,000 Jews came for the Passover celebration each year. Since only 350,000 or so could cram inside the walls of Jerusalem, the rest would have to camp in side-by-side tents and makeshift shelters easily stretching as far as Bethany. (1)

Therefore, when Jesus raised stinky Lazarus from the dead, everyone in town heard about it. Raising Lazurus from the dead was the talk of the town for the millions arriving for Passover.

Jesus, knowing the purpose for which He had come to earth, was simply stoking the fires of the Pharisees. They had given the order that if anyone knew where He was, they were to report it so Jesus could be seized.

After raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus left for one last week, sort of a goodbye trip to friends and family, and performing his last miracles in Galilee and the Jordan Valley.

His last stop was in Jericho, where He healed two blind men and spent the night with Zaccheus, a rich tax-gatherer who got saved by believing Jesus was the Messiah.

The next day Jesus departs Jericho on the road to Jerusalem, a day's journey by foot, weaving 23 miles up a total elevation of 3,000 feet through the Judean Desert.

"As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him." Matt. 20:29

Jesus arrived at Lazarus' house just before dark on Friday evening as the whole city shut down at dusk for Shabbat. But when Shabbat was over, the crowds came to Lazarus' house... to see both of them!

"The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. John 12:9

By this time the chief priests had seen enough. The entire town, 2 to 3 million people, was talking about Jesus. Was He the Messiah? Would He come to Passover so they could see Him?

"So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, 'What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?'" John 11:56

So in their fearful state of mind, the Chief Priests somehow determined that killing both Jesus AND Lazarus would solve the problem!

"But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus." John 12:10-11

"So the Pharisees said to one another, 'You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.'" John 12:19

So the day after Shabbat, Sunday, with the Pharisees seeking to kill Him, Jesus did the unthinkable. He sent two of His disciples to get a colt in nearby Bethphage so He could PUBLICLY ride it about a quarter-mile to the top of the Mount of Olives.

"When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, 'Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me.'" Matt. 21:1-2

This was a special day. Christians refer to it as Palm Sunday, because the throngs of people lining the narrow street threw their coats down in front of Jesus riding the colt while waving palm branches.

"Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!'" Matt. 21:8-9

This must have been some sight. If they hadn't seen Jesus healing people in their hometown, they certainly had heard about Him. The crowd would have been in the thousands... which means thousands of coats and palm branches would have been spread over the road.

And with people deliriously screaming "Jesus is the Messiah!" it must have been a celebration atmosphere beyond description. The Jews DO know how to party! But there were also Pharisees in the crowd watching all this take place. Again, fearing they were losing their power and influence, they demanded Jesus stop being called "King."

"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, 'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.' But Jesus answered, 'I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!'" Luke 19:39-40

Jesus made the profound statement that the crowd had to proclaim Him Messiah or the rocks would have to speak out that truth!

This sets up the most incredible fulfillment of Bible prophecy to date. For 3 1/2 years Jesus had discouraged any talk about Him being the Messiah. In Caesarea-Philippi, when Peter made his famous "You are the Christ" statement, Jesus said yes, He was the Messiah, but not to tell anyone.

"Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ." Matt. 16:20

But on this day, things had changed. On this day Jesus allowed, even encouraged, the multitudes to welcome Him as their Messiah. What was different? Why did Jesus say it was now OK to call Him Messiah and/or King?

The reason is simple. This was a prophesied day that the Jews should have recognized. The "70 Weeks" (490 years) prophecy given by Daniel had begun to count down 173,880 days earlier. (2)

"Seventy weeks (weeks of years, 490 years total) have been decreed for your people and your holy city,..." Dan 9:24

"Then after the sixty-two weeks (483 years from the beginning of the prophecy, 173,880 total days), the Messiah will be cut off ("executed")." Dan. 9:26

When Jesus got to the top of the Mount of Olives, seeing the Temple in the distance, He dismounted the donkey and cried. The Greek word actually means "sobbed."

"When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, 'If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.'" Luke 19:41

The Daniel 9:24-27 prophecy was being fulfilled right before the Pharisees' eyes. Daniel gave the exact day the Messiah would arrive. This was that day!

And, despite the prophecy in Daniel, the ruling Jewish hierarchy totally missed it! Instead of watching for and welcoming the Messiah, they instead crucified Him.

But the main point is that Jesus was holding the Pharisees accountable for knowing, understanding and applying Bible prophecy.

Interestingly, the Daniel 9 prophecy wasn't even in the first five books of the Bible (the Torah) that were read completely through once a year on Shabbat (each Saturday). You had to dig a little to find this scriptural nugget...and think a lot to understand it.

So we should learn a great lesson...Jesus believes Bible prophecy is important! He expects us to know, understand and apply latter-day prophecies! We'll probably also have to dig a little. But it's important to include it in our overall Biblical studies.

Too many churches today are moving away from teaching prophecy, usually saying it's too divisive. Well, Jesus sure thinks it's important. And it broke His heart when the Jews missed His arrival.

Therefore, we can safely and boldly say that Jesus wants us to know all about the Rapture and His Second Coming! And, as you're probably fully aware, Jesus is coming again! And with some 28% of the Bible actually being prophetically oriented, most Christians should be doing more, not less, study of Bible prophecy! Most importantly, Bible prophecy is an incredible witnessing tool as it gives hope to a hurting world! Jesus is coming as a just and righteous King of the World.

When the Church is Raptured, the more people left behind who understand what just happened (even though they didn't believe it at the time), the more likely they'll make decisions that count for eternity. For example, "Refuse the Mark!"

So, since we're living in the last of the last days, it's incumbent to us to have a working knowledge of what's ahead. We're to be ready to make a defense of what we believe.

“…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 1Pet. 3:15

Shalom!

If you would like to print this article click here: Jesus Holds Us Accountable for Bible Prophecy!

Notes 1- http://www.bible-history.com/backd2/jerusalem.html 2- Charting the Bible Chronologically, Hindson & Ice, Harvest House, p.97 3- Living in the Time of Jesus, Connolly, Steimatzky, p. 46

As the United States and the world move further and further away from a Biblical worldview, the attitude toward Israel becomes more and more hostile. Ignoring the fact that Israel (Ezek 5:5) is God's chosen land (Ps 24:1; Deut 32:8,9), for His chosen people (Deut. 7:6), will eventually be the harbinger of the final wars of this earth during the coming 7 Year Tribulation.

Zech. 12:3 "And it will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.

Currently the United States is still standing by Israel. At least publicly. In actuality, the U.S. relationship with Israel is hanging by a thread. And as the above verse states, eventually ALL nations, including the U.S., will be against Israel. When the Rapture happens, there will be none left to support Israel. We can only pray that the U.S. won't abandon Israel until after the Rapture!

It's an incredible fact that Jews have won 20% of the Nobel prizes (163 out of 829) since it began awarding them in 1901! It's also amazing to see what Israel has accomplished since it was re-founded in 1948, when it was given a U.N. Charter. Especially since it has only 1/1000th of the world's population.

• Israelis developed the cell phone. • Israelis developed WIndows NT & XP operating systems. • Israelis developed the Pentium-4 microprocessor. • Most microprocessors in computers were made in Israel. • Israelis developed voice mail. • Israelis developed AOL Instant Messenger. • Israel has the 4th largest air force in the world, after U.S., Russia, & China. • Israel has a $100 billion economy. • Israel has the highest percentage of home computers per capita. • Israel is second in the world for start up companies, after the U.S. • Israel is #2 in the world for venture capital funds, after U.S. • Israel is #2 in the world for hi-tech companies, after Silicon Valley, U.S. • Israel is #3 in the world for companies listed on NASDAQ, after U.S., Canada • Israel is #1 in biotech start ups. • Israel is #3 in the world in university degrees, behind the U.S. and Holland. • Israel is #1 in the world in museums per capita. • Israel is #1 in the world in scientists and technicians in the workforce. U.S. is #2. • Israel is #1 in the world for those employed in technical professions in workforce.

All of this, and much more, was done while having to build a nation from scratch, fight constantly with her neighbors who are committed to her destruction, and deal with anti-semitism on a global scale.

One of our best selling DVDs of all time is by Dave Reagan and is entitled "The Miracle of Israel." It covers how, time and time again, God miraculously protected Israel as she fulfilled the Ezekiel 37 prophecy of the "dry bones" returning to her homeland after being exiled for some 2000 years. We want everyone to see this DVD, it's an eye-opener.

Click the link below to order "The Miracle of Israel" https://www.compass.org/_product_5706/The_Miracle_of_Israel_- _Dave_Reagan

If you would like to print this article click here: Israel- A Burdening Stone For the World

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"...the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations." Col. 1:26

"the mystery which for ages has been hidden" Eph 3:9

The word mystery in the Greek is "mysterion," and it means "truth undiscoverable except by divine revelation." We have the divine Holy Spirit living in us so we should be able to understand deep truths.

The Bible mentions several mysteries in the New Testament Epistles, such as:

The Mystery of the Rapture. 1 Cor. 15:51
The Mystery of God coming in the flesh. Col 2:2,3,9
The Mystery of Israel's unbelief. Ro 11:25
The Mystery of the Antichrist. 2 Thes 2:6-10
The Mystery of Gentile inclusion in God's promises. Eph. 3:3-6

But the mystery of all mysteries is the mystery of the Church Age.

"...the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations." Col. 1:26

"the mystery which for ages has been hidden" Eph 3:9

To best understand the Church Age "mystery," we need to start with God's foundational purpose for sacrifices. Mankind is born sinful and separated from God because the penalty for sin is death.

"For the wages (penalty) of sin is death" Ro. 6:23

Therefore, in the Old Testament God provided a way to temporarily cover man's sin via an animal blood sacrifice so that He could fellowship with man. Blood is the key. Our life depends on our blood.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement." Lev. 17:11

"For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood;" Lev. 17:14

"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Heb. 9:22

Blood is an amazing thing. We can't live without it. Each human has about five gallons of constantly circulating blood. It's composed of red blood cells for carrying oxygen to the tissues, white blood cells for fighting infections and platelets that cause the blood to clot.

God even commanded Noah to not eat blood.

"Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. Only you shall not eat flesh with its
life, that is, its blood." Gen. 9:3-4

So the first thing Noah did when his family walked off the ark after the flood was to make a blood sacrifice to cover their sins (Gen.8:20). This
necessity of shedding blood to atone for man's sin (Lev. 17:11) was later incorporated in the Levitical law (Lev. 16).

So for over 1500 years God's Law demanded, and the Israelites furnished, blood sacrifices.Then, as prophesied, the Lord God came in the flesh and shed His blood on the cross as a permanent sacrifice (Eph. 1:7), ending the necessity of sacrifices for sin.

Saul (Paul) of Tarsus was chosen to explain this "Good News" to the world... that a great "mystery" had been revealed... that Jehovah God no longer demanded blood sacrifices because all sin had been "paid in full" by Jesus on the cross (Col. 2:13-14) and now God the Spirit was able to come to earth to permanently indwell Born-again Believers (2Cor. 1:22).

God's Spirit coming to the earth ushered in a completely new time period we call the Church Age. The Church Age is a new time period with a distinct purpose
and destiny. The Church Age will end when God's Spirit departs at the Rapture.

This was a complete surprise to the Jews living at the time of Christ. They were correctly reading all the verses in the Bible about the Lord sending a Messiah to conquer their enemies and rule the earth from a throne in Jerusalem.

But they totally missed the fact He first had to come, shed His blood, die and be resurrected as payment for their sins. They obviously skipped over Isaiah 53.

And because Believers' sins were paid on the cross making them sanctified, God could now send His Holy Spirit to indwell Believers even while they still lived in their sinful earthly containers. That was quite a shocker for the Jews.

Even today, if you want to mix it up with a Rabbinical Jew at the Wailing Wall, tell one you have God living in your heart. It makes them fighting mad because they fully understand man's sinfulness.

They know they need a Messiah. They just don't think He's come yet. One of the jokes among the guides in Israel is that when the Messiah comes, the first question they'll ask is whether or not He's been here before.

The problem of course is that God has blinded the eyes and hardened the hearts of the Jewish race from receiving understanding about the mystery.

John 12:40 "HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES, AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART; LEST THEY SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED, AND I HEAL THEM."

Rom. 11:25 "For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;"

When God says He's blinded the Jewish race, it was an understatement. We have non-Christian Jewish guides in Israel who lead us all over the holyland pointing out where the miracles of Jesus took place. They quote chapter and verse using the New Testament as a resource.

But even though they say the words, they can't make the connection. One time a guide said, "This is where I think Jesus rose from the dead." So I asked him if he thought Jesus was the Messiah,
and he said "no. I continued, "Do you think Jesus ever lied?" "No, never." the guide responded. I said, "Well, Jesus claimed to be God. Do you think He is God?" He said, "No."

Smiling I said, "Then you think Jesus is a liar." "No, no, no." the guide protested. "Then you think Jesus is God?" "No, no, no!" Round and round we went.

Being content to use this kind of circular reasoning is possible only because the Jews are blinded by God from understanding the truth. Otherwise they are a very, very intelligent race.

So the "mystery" remains unsolved with the Jew, but is made known to the Gentile. Just as God predicted!

Hos. 2:23 "And I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'Thou art my God!'"

Amazing! So when you're talking to a Jew, always be respectful because even though he IS chosen by God, he is also blinded by God, until the Rapture!

And it's only by the grace of God that we're given spiritual wisdom and knowledge!

Col. 2:2,3 "...attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is,Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Thank you Lord for the things we don't deserve!!

Bill and Susie Perkins founded Compass International, Inc. in 1993 as a non-profit, nondenominational
ministry. For information on Compass’ Steeling the Mind Bible
Conferences, Good Morning Lord! Bible studies, books, DVDs and Biblelands Cruises,
go to compass.org

LIKE us on Facebook: facebook.com/compassbible and FOLLOW us on Twitter:
@compass7 and Instagram: @compassbible

The uncomfortable truth about blacks in America today.

The book and movie "The Help" was a shocker to a lot of people. So was Rick Santorum's remark about needing to get Blacks true help -- "jobs" instead of "welfare." But he was telling the truth.

When I was a young kid in the 1950s in Alabama, I distinctly remember getting on a bus and the bus driver announcing "Colored to the rear." If you needed a restroom, there were always three from which to choose: "Male," "Female," and "Colored."

It didn't seem odd at the time that there were "white" and "colored" water fountains or that the city auditorium had a separate entrance to the balcony where the "colored" would sit. All the public schools were totally segregated.

In the 1950s and 1960s it was painful for many Americans, especially those in the deep south, to finally come to grips with a cold hard fact: Corrupt people had sinfully captured some 600,000 Africans from their homes and families on the African continent, brought them to America and sold them as slaves.

In the years that followed the civil rights legislation, giving blacks equal rights, America has tried to make up for her wrongs. Since the 1960's, billions of dollars have been spent to improve the lives of black Americans.

We've given the black community hugely disproportionate amounts of welfare, food stamps, Section 8 housing, Medicaid, poverty programs, tax credits, student loans, college scholarships and other specific advantages over whites--all meant to bring blacks up to the same standards white Americans have achieved.

To rid our guilt we've even resorted to reverse discrimination against whites through affirmative action and quotas in Governments, businesses and higher education--all to give the black American an advantage so they could "catch up."

So how is our investment in the black community doing?

Not so good. So badly in fact, all this "help" may have been worse than "no help" at all. Consider these sobering statistics today:

* A black man has an 89% chance of spending a night in jail before the age of 30.

* A black woman has a 70% chance of having a child outside of wedlock.

*A black is seven times more likely to go to prison for committing a crime than a white person.

* A black has about a 45% chance of dropping out of high school.

* Black on white crime happens 45% of the time while white on black crime is 3%.

* Black on white robberies are 139 times more likely than white on black.

* Black on white rapes are 100 times more likely than white on black.

* Blacks score 15% to 30% lower, compared to whites, on standard IQ tests.

* Black women are 5 times more likely to get an abortion than white women.

* In 2009, Black household net worth was $2,170, compared to $97,860 for white. (That's incredible!)

Blacks hold a disproportionately number of local, state and federal government jobs.

Blacks are 10% of the U.S. civilian work force but hold 25% of the jobs at U.S. Treasury, 25% at the Veterans, 31% at the State Department, 37% at the Department of Education, 38% at the Housing and Urban Development, 42% at the Equal Opportunity Commission, 44% at Fannie Mae, 50% at Freddie Mac, 55% at the Government Printing Office and 82% at the Court Services/Offender Agency.

The average government employee earns $123,000 per year, compared to $61,000 in the private sector. This poses a huge future economic impact to the black community when the government is forced to cut back. "When," not "if."

Making a bad situation worse, the visible black leadership in America (the Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc.) continue to push for more of the poorly thought through government programs that have created these problems in the first place.

On the spiritual side, it is sadly estimated that well over 80% of black churches don't specifically teach the Bible as God's inerrant and infallible word.

With Bible exposition lacking, and social sermons the norm, few blacks in America are armored with Biblical truths-which is their only hope out of their ever-encompassing mire. Their problem is spiritual, not monetary or discrimination.

The bottom line is that Blacks, as a community, are looking to the U.S. Government to solve their problems when they should be looking to God.

Who says this? Jesse Peterson at the Steeling the Mind Bible Conference presentation "How Black Leadership Exploits Black America." It's an eye-opening presentation showing how black leadership in America isn't doing any favors for black America.

Peterson, once himself a victim of America's "help," is one of the few blacks to both state the uncomfortable truths about blacks in America and boldly speak forth the answer--repentance and turning to Jesus Christ.

Refreshingly, Peterson sees the Light. We pray his Biblically sound message sheds the True Light on others the black community.

You can purchase Jessie's presentation on DVD or CD: https://compass.org/product/healing-america-from-racial-hate-jesse-lee-peterson/

If you would like print this article click here: Blacks in America

Bill and Susie Perkins founded Compass International, Inc. in 1993 as a non-profit, nondenominational ministry. For information on Compass’ Steeling the Mind Bible Conferences, Good Morning Lord! Bible studies, books, DVDs and Biblelands Trips and Cruises, go to compass.org

LIKE us on Facebook: facebook.com/compassbible and FOLLOW us on Twitter: @compass7 and Instagram: @compassbible

"Human DNA is like a computer program, but far, far more advanced than any software we've ever created."
-Bill Gates
"The Road Ahead"

Bill Gates let the cat out of the bag when he simply stated the obvious. He's well aware that Microsoft uses hundreds of programmers to write and DESIGN the code for their many software programs. He knows the information on your computer screen can be traced back to a programmer/designer.

So when Gates looks at the code in a single DNA molecule, he has to admit that it has the same property of "sequence specificity" that characterizes all computer software codes and language. DNA simply functions like a software program.

But where did the digital information come from? How did the cell's complex information processing system come about? Anyone with two brain cells knows it could not have "evolved."

If you took your car apart--every screw, bolt, wires, frame, stitches in the seats, wheels, all the plastic pieces, steering wheel, knobs, gas cap, radio, dash board pieces, the entire motor, etc.-- and threw it in a pile in your front yard, how long would it take it to evolve into a finely tuned car?

Ridiculously, evolution teaches that something a million times more complex than a car did just that. And there was no pile to start with! The car pieces would have to first evolve separately AND get themselves into a pile. Good grief.

Even more astounding, the digital information in DNA is only part of a complex digital information processing system. It's a mind-boggling complex design that uses logic as well as information storage. Logic isn't random and randomness cannot produce DNA.

Where did this designed digital information, logic and the system to process it come from? For scientists to even discuss this brings the feared word "designer." Even worse, an "intelligent" designer.

Secular scientists hate the "design" discussion because to admit design in humans, they admit to a designer. And if there is a master designer of humans... who is He and what does He expect.

Paul answered this question on Mars Hill in Athens. Pointing to a man-made "unknown god" statue, he said,

"...what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;" Acts 17:23-25

Antony Flew, a long-time atheistic philosopher, has come to accept the case for design and correctly insists that we must "follow the evidence wherever it leads." He knows where the evidence leads.

But contrary to Flew's conclusion, there are those who continue to bury their unscientific heads in the sand and insist there is no God.

Consider the bunch of ding-a-lings who call themselves the "Freedom From Religion Foundation" (FFRF).

They are putting up garbage billboards decrying religion, boldly proclaiming there is no god.

[To be fair, I too decry "religion" (man seeking God) and instead defend "Christianity" (God seeking man). But these nut-heads lump it all together.]

These are large billboards being erected across America. They are in-your-face atheists who ignore Biblical warnings and proclaim their foolishness.

"The fool has said in his heart,
'There is no God...'" Psa 53:1

These billboards below are from the Spokane / Coeur d'Alene area, but the FFRF has them up nationally. Here are a few more:

I find it most interesting that the 18,500 member Madison, Wisconsin based FFRF was founded by an evangelical minister who "just lost the faith." He claims FFRF is a support group for those who have lost faith and are trying to leave the ministry.

Too many Christians are sitting ducks for Satan's proselytizing. Most mega-churches are a mile wide and a quarter inch deep. With no true word-for-word defense of the Bible, most attending "church-lite" learn no solid answers to give when the Bible's accuracy is questioned.

This time of church apostasy was prophesied to come prior to the Millennium:

"Let no one in any way deceive you, for [the Day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first" 2Thes 2:3

If we allow the apostasy to continue, we'll eventually not be able to defend scripture INSIDE our own churches! We can't sit back and hope for Rapture, we must be proactive and vigorously defend our Bibles.

"... always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks..." 1Pet. 3:15

If we don't do a better job of defending the Bible, we'll lose our right to defend any of our faith.

Shalom!

If you would like to print this article click here: Bill Gates and Intelligent Design

------

Refs:

http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/2012/07/spokane-idaho-nontheists-come-out-of-the-closet-in-billboard-blitz/  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antony_Flew
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13930-16-of-us-science-teachers-are-creationists.html

Bill and Susie Perkins founded Compass International, Inc. in 1993 as a non-profit, non-denominational ministry. For information on Compass’ Steeling the Mind Bible Conferences, Good Morning Lord! Bible studies, books, DVDs and Biblelands Cruises, go to compass.org

LIKE us on Facebook: facebook.com/compassbible and FOLLOW us on Twitter: @compass7 and Instagram: @compassbible

God's Rules Rule!

Time to point America back to the Bible as our Authority!

You would have to be two short of a coaster set not to realize this country is getting deeper in doo-doo every day! How should we Believers respond?
Any Christian with two brain cells can see the writing on the wall. In a nutshell, Satan is on a fast track trying to stifle Believers' influence in this nation. And I'm tired of standing around watching the noose getting stighter and tighter around believers' necks. It's gotten to the point that Christians have become downright targets--just for believing the Bible!

Let's face the facts, they're killing Christians in other countries... and no one is stopping it. And if the Lord tarries, and that's more likely than not, then we've got to do SOMETHING or we'll eventually find ourselves where just admitting that you're a Christian is a crime!

Ask those Christian bakers, Aaron and Melissa Klein, in Washington State, or the Christian clerk, Kim Davis in Kentucky, if exercising their Christian beliefs is considered a crime. Shoot, it was only 11 years ago that South Carolina passed a state constitutional amendment banning homosexual marriage by over 70% approval. So the the vilification of true Believers in the U.S. is gaining strength at a breath-taking pace!

In the major media, conservative Christianity is openly being billed as close-minded, intolerant and harmful to both society and human dignity. In the future it will be impossible for true Believers to work for the government in any level, state or federal, while holding to their conservative evangelical Christian beliefs.

Consider the latest:

> Children are being told they can't write the words "Merry Christmas" to soldiers on Christmas cards.

> Seniors were told not to pray over their meals at a government-run Senior Center. (They have since backed down saying seniors should "Pray privately.")

> The VA has banned mentioning "Jesus" when counseling or at funerals.

> A federal judge held that prayers before a state House of Representatives could be to Allah, but not to Jesus.

> Obamacare forces organizations to participate in birth control and abortions, against their convictions.

> And God forbid if something has a cross on it. Displaying a cross is fast becoming a government-defined sin.

> Brendan Eich, CEO of Internet giant Mozilla Corporation, with over 300 million in annual sales, was forced to resign because he supported God's definition of marriage. It was discovered that six years earlier he had donated $1000 to support California's Proposition 8, which passed by 52% to 48%, making same sex marriage illegal.

Basically our spiritual adversary wants Christians and/or the Bible to have zero influence so he's having his minions actively removing any vestiges of pure Christianity from government and business.

Obviously these Satanically driven people have no clue about the importance of allowing God to be God. That God's rules rule. That God's rules matter. They fail to understand that He gave us the Word of God for our own protection!

"How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!"--Psa. 144:15b

God sees all that's going on and He is not mocked. Yet that's what we're doing when we as a nation ignore God's Word.

And if Christians continue to do NOTHING, Satan WILL continue to fill the gap. He's already started the "erase all evidence of Christianity" carnage here in America. History tells us what happens if we do nothing. If we don't do SOMETHING, we can't complain about the results.

The bottom line is that if we continue to stand on the sidelines, we'll be sitting ducks in the future!

But, before I began shouting "I'm not going to take it anymore" from my window, I'm reminded of something Frank Peretti once said at a Steeling Bible Conference.

While poking fun at people who over-react to things out of their control, Frank said, "Some people get so upset with the ________ (fill in the blank--politicians, communists, atheists, etc.) that I felt like saying, 'I've got $5 and a car, what can I do?'"

The point Frank made was that we need to always respond with Biblical balance and perspective. And these days, if we're not careful, we could end up in jail! Sad but true.

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."--Prov. 12:15

So, learning from Frank's wise words, we should be wise in our responses. And who is our best counselor? The answer is God's Holy Spirit illuminating scripture.

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.--Psa. 119:105

How To Respond
When choosing a response to all of the muck going on, God wants us to use the Bible to guide our footsteps.

"With Your counsel You will guide me,"--Psa. 73:24

"...He guides me in the paths of righteousness."--Psa. 23:3b

Bottom line is God assumes motion. We CHOOSE a path, based on Biblical principles, and He guides our steps. It's hard to steer a ship without first hoisting the sails. Based on God's Word, we need to choose a direction and pray for God to direct our steps.

So the simple answer to our nation's problems is that America needs to get back to the Bible as an authority.
But trying to get this country to read and trust the Bible is pretty much an impossible task.

So, rather than try to point America back to the Bible as our answer, we've decided to point to just ONE chapter in the Bible: Romans 1. Just read Romans 1. RR1 for short. That's our chosen path, trusting the Lord will guide our steps.

I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. Psa. 119:59

Consider what God addresses in this incredible chapter:
• That Jesus is both God and the Messiah v.1, 9
• The Bible is without error v.2
• The Jews are chosen by God v.3
• That Jesus was resurrected as Lord v.4, 5
• That salvation is by faith alone v. 5, 8,16,17
• That we should pray for God's Will v.10
• That we choose to be wise or foolish v.14
• That God's wrath is coming for sin v.18
• The earth was created, not random v.20, 25
• That mankind is accountable to God v.20
• That sin clouds our reasoning v.21, 22
• There ARE absolutes v.25
• God calls homosexuality sin v.26, 27
• That Sin leads to death v.28, 32

Is that not one great chapter that deals with most of our problems today? God's Word is more powerful than a two-edged sword so we're praying the Lord will use our RR1 campaign to convict America to repent of its sinful direction.

Hey, as we move close to the exhilarating climax of this age, this is something simple Believers can still do and not get arrested--point to a chapter in the Bible!

And if Rapture does happen soon, it will be nice to have left a not-so-subtle hint as to what happened to everyone! 🙂

So here's the plan:

> First, read Romans 1 again. See if you don't agree that America needs to also RR1!

> Second, add RR1 to your prayer list. Ask the Lord, if it be His Will, to use this to His glory.

> Third, when the Lord opens a door of opportunity with family, friends and coworkers, point them to Romans 1!

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. Psa. 40:2

Pray about helping us to point America back to God's Word. We don't know how much the Lord will use RR1, but we think it's definitely worth trying!

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD." Jer. 17:7

Shalom!

10 Unmistakable Signs That We're In The Last Days Of The Last Days

Today things are moving so fast it's helpful to just step back, take a breath and look at the numerous Bible prophecies being fulfilled all around us. Here are 10 big prophecies that should convince anyone with 2 brain cells that we're definitely living in the last of the last days!

1) Israel Back In Their Homeland "Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; Ezek. 37:21 Bible prophecies regarding the latter days begin and end with Israel. Until God regathered Israel back to their homeland, most latter-days prophecies could not begin. But return they did. In the late 1800s, after almost 2000 years of worldwide dispersion, the Jews began filtering back to their original God-given land. In 1917, at the end of WW1, the Balfour Agreement gave the Jews a legal right of return. And on May 14, 1948, the United Nations declared Israel a sovereign nation.

2) Israel Is A World Problem "It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. Zech. 12:3 The Bible not only promised Israel would return to their God-given land, but that this tiny nation would also become a burdensome stone to the world. Hardly a day goes by that Israel's not in the news. Israel has a population of about 8 million, the Arabs about 450 million.

You can barely see Israel (red) in the middle of a Muslim dominated land.

Every American administration since Israel became a nation in 1948 has tried and failed to secure a lasting peace in the Middle East. The national news has a continuous dribble of problems regarding Israel and the Middle East, usually making Israel out to be the problem. This ultimately ends with every nation on earth coming against Israel in the Tribulation Period. Toward the end of the seven-year Tribulation period, the Antichrist will bring together the world's armies to "kill the Jews." But their Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, will return to earth and save them from annihilation.

3) Homosexual Perversion "...and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations (intercourse) with them." Gen 19:5 "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah." Matt. 24:37 "It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed." Luke 17:28-30

The Bible says that the days before the Rapture will be "just like" the days before God destroyed the earth with a global flood. And also just like the days before He destroyed Sodom and Gommorah. One of the distinguishing characteristics specifically mentioned was widespread homosexual sin. God will again judge homosexual sin in the future.

Always know that homosexual behavior IS sin. Homosexuals are not born that way, rather they CHOOSE to be. Much like a thief can't stop stealing without the transcending power of God, a homosexual can't repent/turn from his/her sin without the power of God. Murder, stealing, adultery, homosexuality, etc., ARE clearly defined as SIN by God's Word. God defines sin, not the government! Today, homosexual rights are on the front-burner of the politically-correct push to bring the perversion out into the open as normal, incorrectly equating their demands with the push for black rights in the 60s.

But comparing homosexual rights to civil rights is not an apples-to-apples comparison because homosexual behavior is a choice and black skin color isn't. That fact seems to be lost in the rhetoric as God-given and constitutionally protected rights of Christians are tossed out the window while homosexual perversion is elevated to "normal" status.

4) Cashless Society And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Rev. 13:16-17

A recent survey(1) said only 10% of Americans always carry cash. The worldwide movement toward electronic payments has been breathtaking. For most of those reading this article, if our bank unexpectedly froze our accounts, we'd be in deep trouble. With banking now tied worldwide we're obviously not too far from one person literally being able to control the world. And that's where we're headed... to a point where one person will have total control of all transactions on earth.

5) Russian / Iranian Coalition "Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him" Ezek 38:2

"I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; Persia, Ethiopia and Put (Libya in some translations) with them, all of them with shield and helmet;" Ezek 38:4,5

"After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them. Ezek 38:8

Amazingly the Bible predicts that Gog/Rosh (Modern day Russia) will invade Israel from the north with Persia (Modern day Iran) as one of her principal allies. So it's not surprising that today Russia and Iran are becoming so militarily close. Also keep in mind that the above prophecies, written 2700 years ago, pinpoint this time to be after Israel comes back into their land in the latter days.

6) Nuclear Weapons And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. Rev. 6:4

Now this will be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth. Zech. 14:12

How would you have described a nuclear bomb 2,500 years ago? John and Zechariah had to do just that! All they knew was that it was huge and quite destructive! So destructive that flesh melted off their bodies before their bones hit the ground! That sounds exactly like a neutron bomb that's designed to vaporize the people and leave the buildings intact.

7) Increase In Knowledge "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." Dan.12:4

"The chariots race madly in the streets, They rush wildly in the squares, Their appearance is like torches, They dash to and fro like lightning flashes." Nah. 2:4

The Internet has become the modern-day purveyor of information as you pretty much have access to anything and everything at your fingertips. Ease of local or worldwide transportation by car, plane, train or ship is considered normal. Nahum 2:4 sounds like the prophet is looking down on a busy intersection at night.

8) Mockers denying Jesus' Second Coming "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 2Pet 3:3,4

Denying the clear Biblical doctrines of the Lord first returning in the Rapture is a SIGN of the Rapture. The dispensational model for scripture interpretation is the only consistent way to know what God says to us in His written word.

Yet over 80% of the "Christian Church" in the world is A-millennial in their theology, which is a basic denial of the Rapture. Notice this is not a verse talking about non-Christians, but because it mentions "fathers" and God's "creation," it's referring to Christians living in the last days!!

9) 144,000 Jewish Evangelists Identified "And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:" Rev 7:4

"And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb." Rev. 14:3,4

This puzzling prophecy says God will choose 144,000 Jewish men and reveal Himself to them on Mount Zion in Jerusalem (different from Mount of Olives and Mount Moriah). Most interestingly, these men are virgins. I wrote an article a few years ago identifying these men as the unmarried Rabbinical Jews between the ages of 18 and 30. Today they're estimated to number approximately 150,000, and their ranks are growing. (Click here to read the entire article.)

10) Israel's Deserts Blooming "In the days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will blossom and sprout, and they will fill the whole world with fruit." Isaiah 27:6

"The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah (desert) will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus it will blossom profusely." Is. 35:1,2

The Bible prophesies that the parched and desert land of Israel will bloom profusely. In the late 1800s, Mark Twain commented that there was hardly anything green in the land.

Jordan River 1913 T

The Turks of Ottoman Empire who controlled the land for 400 years had heavily taxed trees on property. So most people cut down all their trees to avoid paying the tax!

Since the Jews began returning in earnest in the late 1800s, the Jewish National Fund has planted over 250 million trees throughout the country (which is roughly the size of Vermont).

One of the most amazing things we see in Israel today on our Bible trips is the incredible and colorful blooming vegetation in the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea--the lowest point on earth. Israelis invented the drip system that enables as little as a cupful of water to bountifully nourish a whole tree for a day. Using this method in the desert has literally caused it to bloom in the last 50 years. They now export fresh fruit and vegetables via plane to Europe every day but Saturday (Shabot).

The drip system allows Israel to export $65 million in dates each year from trees grown around the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

And the next big prophecy to be fulfilled:

Israel Discovering Great Riches

"Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"' Ezek 38:13

The Bible says there will be great riches discovered in the land. The riches are so great that sovereign nations band together to invade and take the riches. This is unfolding before our eyes!

Israel has discovered huge gas fields inland and off-shore her coasts. And as they say in Texas, "where there's gas, there's oil." So it's only a matter of time. Over 500 oil wells have been drilled in Israel to no avail. But recently Israel struck oil, and it's a whopper. It's over 10 times the average size of oil wells in the world and will provide billions of gallons of oil a year, far exceeding the needs of Israel.

As more wells are tapped into this massive reserve, Israel will become a major oil supplier to Europe and North America. Do you think this will sit well with the Arabs? They already seethe at Israel's success in rebuilding a great nation in only 50 years. They're going to go bonkers!

And the prophecy also mentions gold and silver riches. As the Dead Sea dries up, could it expose more and more unseen riches?

Trust me, when Israel is able to supply oil at a lower price from a closer delivery point (the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea), the Muslims will go nuts.

And if Israel also discovers gold and silver, the Arabs will wet their collective pants. So Israel's discovering great riches is closely tied into prophecy #2 above, Israel being a burdening stone to the world!

BDS Anyone?

Another point of contention worth mentioning between Israel and the world is the ridiculous attempt to pressure Israel through BDS, or Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel movement.

This laughable campaign by brain-dead liberals fails to make sense when one realizes how many incredible products Israel contributes to the world.Who would want to give up their smart phone?

Thankfully, many states are now passing anti-BDS laws. Colorado has recently joined Florida,Tennessee, New York, Indiana and Pennsylvania in passing anti-BDS legislation. Another 30+ states are reportedly considering similar legislation.

BDS makes ludicrous claims! The bottom line is that you have to be dumb as dirt to support BDS. If you're not up to speed on the stupidity of the BDS movement, watch this short video called "BDS or the Bible?"

Therefore, yes, I obviously believe we're living in the last of the last days. These 10 prophecies (there are of course a lot more!) prove the end of the current dispensation, the Church Age, is near. It will end with the Believers' exhilarating exit, shedding our present sinful containers.

To a trusting-the-blood Believer, seeing so much Bible prophecy coming together should be an exciting incentive to ask the Lord for His wisdom for being sensitive to the leading of His Spirit to reach our lost family, friends and co-workers with the Good News. And Good News it is!!!

The cold-hearted murders by Muslims in Paris finally exposed to the world what we're actually dealing with in respect to Islamic ideals and goals. Their goal is simple: They fully expect and work toward the world becoming 100% Islamic under Shari'ah Law.

You can laugh at Islam's world domination agenda if you want, but this clash of values will continue worldwide until either the Muslims are in full control or they are defeated. Yes, defeated. They will defeat us or we will defeat them. And if we don't begin to think in those terms, we will lose.

Over 100 Syrians, dozens of Lebanese soldiers, 10 Kurds, two American journalists, three American and British aid workers, were beheaded by the Islamic State in just the past year. These are not war kills, but rather mostly innocent humans who were murdered as a sort of appeasement to Allah.

Europe is in a mess
There are some 50 million Muslims living legally or illegally in Europe today, steadfastly refusing to assimilate into the local culture. The liberal European governments, until recently, left the Muslims to themselves. But inaction is not what is needed. By not addressing the true problem from the beginning, the Muslim population in Europe has now grown to be pretty much unmanageable.

Consider Belgium
This is the fourth year in a row that the number one baby name is "Mohammad." 40% of the school children are Muslim. And, surprise surprise, the Muslims won't assimilate into the Belgium culture, instead remaining segregated and using their own schools and Shari'ah courts.

Now Even Japan
Wanting to equally offend the world, the Muslims have now announced they have two Japanese men in custody and are demanding some $100 million or they will beheaded.

What's Really Happening
As the Church Age draws closer to its exciting conclusion for Believers, God is setting the stage for the Tribulation events to begin. We can see in the Bible that all but one country (Russia) who comes against Israel in the Tribulation is Islamic.

And it's fascinating to read that in the Tribulation, a large number of those who die standing on their belief in Jesus are actually beheaded.

An uncountable number of deaths in the Tribulation are due to faith in Jesus (Rev. 7:9-14), and it's most interesting that "beheading" is the only death specifically described.

So what we're seeing take place in the world today is simply a prelude to the satanic wars of the Tribulation when beheadings will be quite common for the uncountable millions who follow Jesus. So much so that those of us in heaven will be crying out, "How much longer?" Rev 6:9-11

Setting the Stage
While the West has been for decades buying Satan's lie by actively declining God's blessing of children (via birth control, abortion and other non-Godcentered priorities), the Muslim population is multiplying at four to five times the rate of natives in the countries in which they've immigrated. The FACT is, it's only a matter of time before they can just VOTE themselves into control of governments.

But they're not just waiting to have enough babies to get their way. They now have enough population currently in place in Europe to begin brazenly exerting their power. France and Belgium are just the first to see the Muslims' true intents.

Look at History
In the 1st Century AD, it seems as though Satan saw the need to blunt the early church's explosive growth so he used Mohammad and Islam as his tool.

Since 600 AD, Islam grew east and west. With the exception of the Crusader Period for a brief time around 1100 AD, the Muslims basically spread unchecked. And by the 1500s, they reached so far as to control all of Spain, Portugal and Greece!

Christianity is spread through sharing the good news of a loving God Who sent His Son as Savior, paying for our sins and promising eternal life to all who simply "Believed."

But in Islam there is no promise of salvation. The Muslim believes that when he or she dies, they stand before Allah to have their life's deeds judged, hoping he allows them into Paradise. The lone exception is through martyrdom where the martyr not only is promised heaven with 72 virgins, he could also bring with him 72 members of his family. Sick.

This is not a sick joke. This is quite appealing to the typical martyr who is a Muslim male between the age of 18 and 35, has no assets, no job and no future. The promise of going to heaven (referred to as "Paradise" by Islam) as a hero to his family is expertly fanned by Satan's minions.

The Messenger of Allah said: "I have been commanded to fight against the people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Muslim 1:33

And with over 100 verses in the Koran that say to murder the Jews and/or Christians, it's easy to push those Satanically blinded youth into doing what to us is unthinkable.

America's First War was against... guess who?
So Islam has spread through the fear of an unloving, unforgiving god who requires strict obedience to the Koran. Those who didn't convert had the choice of paying "tribute" or bribes, or were killed by beheading. Imagine going on one of their mission trips! "Worship Allah or we kill you!" We shake our heads at the tactics but it's been hugely successful for 1400 years! Most Americans think our first war was in 1812 against Britain. But that's not true. After our war for independence from 1776 - 1784, our first war was actually against the Muslims!

When we began as a nation in the late 1700s, along with the rest of the civilized world we paid tribute (bribes) to the Muslims of North Africa, to not attack our merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea. Only when Thomas Jefferson was elected President in 1801 did we cease paying these bribes.

Interestingly, Jefferson didn't just stop paying bribes. After reading what was in the Koran, he also sent a fleet of American ships to bomb the smithereens out of the North African coastal harbors of Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli. Only after repeated pummeling by the Americans did they agree to allow our ships safe passage.

Which brings up a major point. You can't fairly negotiate with a Muslim. The Bible says Arabs are born irrational (Gen 16:12).

You may think you're negotiating, but they simply lie about their intentions, and they love to fight...which is irrational. If you don't knock them in the head, they won't get it.

Israel, surrounded by their Muslim enemies, has found this out the hard way.

The Muslims have broken every treaty they've ever signed with Israel. 100%!

The only thing Muslims truly understand is pain and consequence. Muslims only wave the white flag if the pain is so great they think they will lose the battle. But surrender is only to delay until they attack again later.

Israel exists today because they inflict enormous pain in response to all acts of Muslim terrorism. And they certainly don't trust the Muslims for their safety. Imagine if the Muslims had a nuclear bomb...how long before they would use it on Israel? And the West? Two seconds.

Muslims Are To "Behead" Foes
But why in the world do Muslims behead their enemies? That seems to us quite archaic. But there is
a simple answer. The Koran, their bible, calls for beheading their enemies.

"So when you meet those who disbelieve, strike their necks until you have inflicted slaughter upon them..." Surah 47:4

"I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, so strike them upon the necks...." Surah 8:12

So they behead because Allah says to behead. You have to keep reminding yourself that Allah is just Satan in disguise for this to make any sense. We have to call a spade a spade.

Beheadings in the Tribulation

The Bible also tells us where all this will culminate. After the Church Age ends, the Bible specifically mentions "beheadings" as a major way Believers die in the future 7 Year Tribulation.

That's amazing since we're starting to actually see the Muslims beheading people pretty much weekly around the world.

And they're the only ones doing that barbaric act. So, if we're close to the end of the Church Age, we can easily project who the bad guys are in the Tribulation that follows.

It'll be Satan, using the Muslims, against God's Israel. Thankfully we know who wins. And thankfully we'll not be here to personally experience the shear horror of all those heads rolling.

And until the Rapture, what we MUST DO is be wise and aware as God allows all these things to come together for His purposes. And be willingly used by Him to witness His True Agape Love as He opens doors of opportunity.

And certainly do pray for our country's protection because it's no longer hoping our kids and grand-kids will have the same lifestyle we've had, it's now our kids' and grandkids' freedom that's at stake!

Our mostly Christian founders fought for these privileges:

> Freedom of religion.
> Freedom of speech.
> Freedom of assembly.
> Freedom of the press.
> Freedom of addressing grievances.

None of these are allowed under Islam!

One of the topics at a Steeling the Mind Bible Conference is "Beheadings and the Bible" by Shahram Hadian. He was a Muslim before getting saved and fleeing to America. His presentation is a must-see for every American, Christian or non-Christian! An "eye-opener" as we say.

Shalom!

Bill

If you would like to print this article, click here: Beheadings and the Bible

The three most often debated times for Rapture to occur are:

1) Prior to the 7 year Tribulation (Pre-Trib).

2) In the middle of the Tribulation (Mid-Trib).

3) At the end of the Tribulation (Post-Trib).

We believe Pre-Trib is the only time Rapture can occur if you are using a dispensational approach and interpret scripture using a literal hermeneutic. In other words, we take the Bible literally whenever possible. In the past, all Bible prophecy was fulfilled literally, so in the future we expect Bible prophecy to continue to be fulfilled literally (Ecc. 1:9). The main benefit of using dispensational theology is to define time periods where God deals differently with humans, while He Himself never changes. Therefore, when one dispensation ends, another begins. This, by definition, prohibits any overlap of dispensations. Since the Rapture marks the end of the Church Age dispensation, you can’t have part of the tribulation in the end of the Church Age. If the dispensation approach is confusing, Jesus, quite clearly, gave us a model to determine when Rapture occurs.

Matt. 24:37-39 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

This is a perfect and exact template for determining the timing of Rapture. We know that Jesus’ statement can’t be referring to the time of the 2nd Coming of Christ because the end of the Tribulation is horrible. The passage indicates “business as usual” and the Tribulation, is anything but, “business as usual.” So this could only be referring to the time of the Rapture where there is an economy, food, drink and social events. The template Jesus gave us shows Noah building his boat in normal times. People are locked out of their only escape when God shuts the door on the ark. The ark floats up, above the destruction, returns back down to earth and a new dispensation begins. Jesus said the same situation would be true just prior to the Rapture. People will be living in normal times with plenty of food, drink and social events. Then Rapture happens (God shuts the door—Jesus is the door). Those Raptured are taken up, above the tribulation below, and return to the earth to begin a new dispensation. Jesus said that just as Noah was pre-flood, Rapture will be pre-tribulational. Not mid-flood/mid-trib or post-flood/post-trib. Jesus confirms Rapture is pre-trib. Compass recorded a presentation titled Steeling Studies-Vol. 1—Five “make you think” mini-Bible studies that you’ve probably never heard before. This material is one of the five studies and you can order this presentation by Clicking Here.

Shalom,

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

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I will come again... John 14:3

Nothing gets me more excited than to think about Jesus' return. Some 30% of the Bible is prophetic and a lot is written about Jesus coming again.

But the Bible lists two returns-Jesus actually returns twice. So first we must distinguish which return we're discussing.

Jesus first comes in the air for His Church to rescue it prior to God's judgment, an event referred to as the Rapture. Then, seven years later and after God's judgment, He returns to begin His reign as King on the earth, referred to as the "2nd Coming."

What we're mostly interested in is the sudden Rapture exodus, not the Second Coming. The Rapture is dead ahead but the Second Coming is at least seven years away.

So here are short explanations of three major prophecies. To be clear, I'm not date setting, just looking at scriptures about the general time, not the day or hour.

The "Days of Noah & Lot" Prophecies

Jesus gave us two specific verses in scripture that tell us what the world will be like just before Rapture.

He said His return would be "just like the days of Noah" before the worldwide flood and

"just like days of Lot" before God rained fire and brimstone on Sodom. MT 24:37-38; LK 17:26-28

Noah is a picture of what will happen to the Church (lifted up and over the tribulation below) and Lot is a picture of what will happen to the Jews(protected off to the side, away from the destruction.)

In those days prior to those judgments, the Bible says people were:

> Buying,

> Selling,

> Eating,

> Drinking,

> Planting,

> Harvesting,

> Building,

> Having weddings

> Condoning homosexual activity

(Mt 24:37-38, Lk 17:26-28, Gen 19)

Life was fairly normal, but society wasn't God-fearing. Then, God shut the door of the ark and it started raining--an event that had never happened before caught everyone but the Godly off guard.

It had never rained prior to the flood.

Heb 11:7- "...things not yet seen."

Gen. 2:5-6 "... God had not sent rain upon the earth;... But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. "

God's judgment on the earth had commenced catching everyone by surprise. Noah, a preacher (2 Pet 2:5), tried to warn them, but the ungodly wouldn't listen.

1Pet. 3:20 "... the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah,"

So here's the Biblical word picture-

God SHUT THE DOOR on the ark, the flood came, lifted UP those saved by the Lord in the ark and carried them OVER the tribulation BELOW and then theyRETURNED TO THE EARTH.

And here's a graphic of the word picture-

That's quite a picture model.

So what does it tell us about our future? If it's going to be "just like the days of Noah" then our applicable model will look like this:

It's going to be life as usual prior to the Rapture. A world-wide event that has never happened will close the DOOR.

God shuts the DOOR with Rapture, lifting Believers UP and OVER the Tribulation BELOW. And then we'll RETURN TO THE EARTH.

And for sure, Noah was pre-flood! He wasn't mid- or post-flood! Jesus is pre-trib!!!

So what are the "signs" we've found so far? A wicked populous who doesn't listen to the warnings of God.

Plus the fact the world WON'T collapse before the Tribulation. Things will be relatively NORMAL up until Rapture. That's huge to understand.

We may have a currency reset, like many other countries have in the past. We might have wars, like many others in the past. We might even have

Sinking $

sporadic shortages of food and electricity from time to time, as we have many times in the past.

But all that is just life in a sinful fallen world. All those problems will be non-existent in heaven, but still here on this earth today for us to deal with.

So I'm not worried about storing up massive amounts of food, guns, and ammo to survive and/or protect my family and survive for months or years. Neither should you.

Yes, it's possible the electricity might go out for a few weeks like it did during an ice storm here once. So common sense says to always have plenty of firewood.

And it's extremely possible that there will be a new currency in the future as the current one is hanging by a thread--even though most people are unaware of that fact.

But do you really think that will affect this country more than a day or two, if even that?

Israel had to reset its currency in the early 80s and everyone woke up one day with a new currency. They simply traded the old for the new. Those with hard assets fared best.

So don't fear the future. God is, as always, in full control. Yes, be smart for short-term planning.

But if you want be overly concerned about something, be prayerfully concerned about the Lord giving you the opportunity to share the gospel with your lost family or neighbors.

The Day/Age Theory

The theory goes (I wholeheartedly believe it's a valid theory--but a theory nevertheless) that the 7 day creation week is a template for all time.

So looking at the Creation Week (Again, these are seven 24 hour days!), we see an interesting pattern. Four days before life, life came on day five and six, and God rested on day seven. The pattern is 4 days-2days-1day.

4 2 1

At least twice in the Bible God refers to a day as being ROUGHLY ("like") a thousand years.

"But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day." 2Pet. 3:8

(See also Ps 90:4)

Seven is God's number for completion... so using God's creation week of seven 24 hour days as a template, the Day/Age theory equates each 24 hour day with 1000 years, or 7000 total years for all mankind's days.

This is astonishingly accurate!

Using Ussher's timeline, we know that it was about 4004 years from Adam to Jesus--just like the Day/Age theory suggests.

And we know from scripture that there is Jesus' 1000 year reign on earth- just like the Day/Age theory suggests.

Church Age

That leaves two thousand years left between for the Church Age.

And, that would also mean that after 4000 years of no life, Jesus came and brought life on Day 5--five being the number of grace.

There are more fascinating scriptures that fit this model. Check this one out regarding the Jews:

"Come, let us return to the LORD.

For He has torn us, but He will heal us;

He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

He will revive us after two days;

He will raise us up on the third day,

That we may live before Him. Hos. 6:1-2

This unfulfilled prophecy in Hosea makes no sense unless you apply the Day/Age theory.

But if you do apply it, it makes perfect sense.

Israel will be scattered for about two days (2000 years), wounded and torn. Then the Lord will revive them after the two days. And on the third day, or the millennial reign of Jesus on the earth, they will live in His sight.

That's exactly what happened. Israel was scattered, torn and wounded for about 2000 years and then God began to bring them back. Soon, in the millennium, they'll live in His sight for 1000 years! Wow!

Here's another one:

"And He said to them, 'Go and tell that fox, "Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal."'" Luke 13:32

Again, this makes no sense unless you apply the Day/Age theory. Was Jesus saying He would do miracles for two days... or was He inferring 2000 years? And how is it that He reaches His goal on the third day unless it's the Jews living in His sight?

Another example of the Day/Age theory is in John 4:39-43. In a

nutshell, it's the only scripture recording Jesus staying with non-Jewish Believers. And guess how long He stayed? Two days! And then "After the two days" He went back to the Jews!! Amazing!

You can even see the Day/Age clearly in this Old Testament passage:

"The LORD also said to Moses, 'Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people." Ex 19:10-11

There's also that pesky little verse in Acts 2 where Peter says:

"This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,'God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; Acts 2:16-17

Peter said he was living in the last days. That would be strange, unless you apply the Day/Age theory. Then it makes sense--Peter WAS living in the last days, the last three days of seven!

You'll find more of these examples in scripture like the six water pots in John 2 and Lazarus being dead four days in John 11. Fascinating to read and think about through the lens of the Day/Age theory.

So, I think this clearly establishes that theChurch Age is approximately 2000 years long, beginning in Acts 2 and extending to Revelation 6.

But there are two things to consider. The Bible didn't say "exactly" 2000 years. Rather, it says "roughly" 2000 years. So we don't know the day or the hour. But we can know the generation!

But if Rapture IS near, God revealed it in scripture beforehand. I'm all smiles!!

Also, if you count 2000 years from Acts 2, you're in the neighborhood of the year 2033, plus or minus 20 years or so. And so we're definitely living in times of prophetic fulfillment!!

Israel Prophecies

In Matthew 23 Jesus spends the entire chapter blasting the scribes and the Pharisees for a plethora of sins and what they will bring on their lives. He ends by saying:

"...all these things will come upon this generation." Matt 23:36

He said this in 33 AD. In 70 AD the Roman army under Titus defeated Israel and except for a brief period 132 to134 AD, the Jews were scattered worldwide, never heard from again until the 20th Century.

So what Jesus said would happen to "this generation" happened in 37 years--within a generation.

He ends Chapter 23 lamenting that Jerusalem will be destroyed. His disciples, obviously perplexed over His comments, ask Him "Tell us when..."

So Jesus spends the next 30 verses in Matthew 24, discussing the problems for Israel coming at the end of the Church Age. Then He explains the Parable of the Fig Tree.

The fig tree has always been synonymous with Israel and in Matt 24:32-34, Jesus talks about being able to know that by the signs of the leaves sprouting on a fig tree, you know that summer is near.

Jesus infers that just like the fig tree, those who see the sign of Israel back in her land again will be the generation to see all those things come to pass... one sign being the Abomination of Desolation. Matt 24:15; Dan 11:31, 12:11

Israel became a nation in 1948, but they didn't actually get control of the Old City of Jerusalem and Mount Moriah until 1967. So most Bible prophecy scholars believe the generation starting point should begin in 1967.

Most of the time, the Bible refers to a generation as being between 40 and 70 years in duration.

"... He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the entire generation of those who had done evil in the sight of the LORD was destroyed." Num 32:13

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years," Ps 90:10

So, based on this theory, we're living in this prophetic window of time that began in 2007 and ends in 2037.

So not only does the Day/Age theory point toward 2033, also the generation window points toward roughly the same time--2037.

But what if we're wrong about using 1967? What if the generation should actually be counted from when Israel, the nation, was born?

Israel news 1948

There's even a prophecy that predicts Israel would be "born in one day." And that day would be May 14, 1948, when the United Nations declared Israel to be a nation again after almost 2000 years of dispersion.

So if 1948 is actually when we should begin counting our generation, then we're toward the end of that window!

That's an exciting graphic, don't you think?!

But, again, I am NOT saying the Rapture WILL happen by 2018. Just saying it could. Shoot, it could happen as you read this. Or it could happen in 2033 or later. Only God knows when.

Prophecies concerning Israel

The Bible has quite a few prophecies about Israel in the latter days, most of which have already come about. Here are the main ones.

Fulfilled Israel Last Days Prophecies

Israel will be back in their homeland.

Deut 30:3; Ezek 36 & 37

Israel will take over the land in one day.

Is 66:8

Israel will have an exceedingly strong army.

Ezek 37:10

Israel will have nuclear weapons.

Zech 14:12, Ezek 39:12-16

Israel will cause the world consternation.

Zech 12:3

Nations will try to divide Israel's land.

Joel 3:2, Dan 11:39

Un-fulfilled Israel Last Days Prophecies

Arrival of the two witnesses, Elijah and John

Mal 4:5, Rev 10:11, 11:3, John 21:21-23

Israel going back to live animal sacrifices.

Dan 9:27, 11:31

Russia, Iran and others attacking Israel.

Ezek 38 & 39

Israel wiping out her enemies around her.

Zech 12:6

2/3s of Israel being wiped out in one day.

Zech 13:7, Matt 24:15-21

Israel fleeing to the wilderness--3 1/2 years.

Rev 12:6, 14, Matt 24:16

Of course we're leaving out the long list of general prophecies such as the coming world currency, coming world government, mark of the beast, rise of a new world leader, etc.

But God gave us Bible prophecy to prove the Bible's accuracy... including all the above scriptures foretelling signs that will occur prior to Jesus' return.

And it's a great comfort for all Believers to know that we'll depart with the Holy Spirit at the Rapture prior to God's worldwide judgment--the awful Tribulation.

Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1Th 4:18

Shalom!

Notes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ussher_chronology

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc.www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Sometimes it takes a visual aid to better understand a problem and/or the solution. For instance:

The chart above makes a great visual point that what we've done in this nation via abortion in the last 45 years is unprecedented. Do you think God will overlook the fact we've murdered some 60 million innocent and defenseless human babies? Hardly.

You could make the case God's thinking, "I blessed you with more freedom and opportunities than all the nations of the world ... and this is what you choose to do?"

We don't know how closely connected our country's problems are to the abominable abortion murders but one has to wonder. Certainly God's not pleased with our country's actions in recent years. And on just about every economic indicator, this country seems to be struggling.

Here are nine pictures that give a good snapshot of the last eight years:

These pictures show beyond the shadow of a doubt that the United States is in a deep downward spiral. We'll soon have elections to choose new leadership who'll determine the direction of this nation. Do we continue our current direction or change course?

The greatest nation on planet earth is at a perilous crossroad. It seems obvious to me that if we don't change this country's direction now, we will lose the freedoms we currently enjoy. This is not an exaggeration!

To evaluate, let's start with how the candidates for POTUS compare to Biblical values? Here is my personal scorecard:

Seems like a no-brainer to me. Who in their right mind can't see that one candidate has more to offer from a Biblical perspective? It's not everything we want, but 44 is far better than 2! And the 2 is like jumping off a cliff.

I honestly believe if we don't BEGIN turning the country from its present course, we are headed for a crash that may be unrecoverable. This nation as we know it, with minority rights and privileges, could literally cease to exist.

Therefore I believe it's imperative to take what God's allowing and be thankful for getting more than what we deserve. Just because we didn't get everything in one candidate doesn't mean we shouldn't vote at all. That would be poor stewardship.

We've got to start the course correction! Then maybe we can get an even better candidate to continue turning this country into greener pastures.

We don't know how long it will be before the Rapture. Maybe soon, maybe later. So we have to assume our kids and grand-kids will grow up. If we don't change the course of this nation, I fully believe Believers WILL be faced with persecution, and even death, just for being Christian. It's already happening in other parts of the world. Don't think for a moment it can't happen here.

So vote for the candidate who you find to have the most Biblical value to Christians. Don't sit this one out because you didn't get all you wanted. If you don't vote, we could lose everything. Literally.

PS--This is assuming both Trump and Clinton are the nominees. But of course the fat lady has yet to sing.

PPS--A third party cannot win. Voting for a long shot will only make it more likely that Christians will lose.

Download PDF of Article here

Millions Missing?

If suddenly, in the blink of an eye, you find that a large number of people all over the earth have vanished into thin air, the following are important facts about what has happened.

The Bible Predicted This Would Happen

Some 2,000 years ago, God prophesied in the Bible that a time would come when He would remove true Christians from the earth.

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1Corinthians 15:51-53

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1Thessalonians 4:16-17

By predicting the future, it's proof the Bible is the only thing you can truly trust.

God's Purpose For This Mass Removal

God promised in the Bible that those who believed His Messiah's shed blood paid for their sins wouldn't have to endure the seven years of terrible events that were also prophesied in the Bible and now coming on the people on earth.

Therefore only true Believers have been removed (sometimes called the Rapture). You are left behind because you didn't truly believe Jesus came from heaven to die as a sacrifice for your personal sins and was resurrected, defeating death.

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Romans 5:9

. . . Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 1Thessalonians 1:10

Thankfully God gave the world access to heaven through what the Jewish Messiah had provided VIA the cross. If you wish to also be rescued from the wrath that is coming on the earth, believe that Jesus is the Messiah who died to pay for your sins and rose from the grave defeating death.

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. John 6:47

Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,' John 11:25

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10

And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1John 5:13

So if you believe the good news that Jesus saved you from eternal damnation, find a Bible if you can and begin reading God's love story to mankind. Read Luke, Acts and Ephesians to get started.

What Happens Next?

Even though you missed the "removal," if you now believe the good news of the gospel of Jesus by faith, you will escape the unquenchable and eternal fires of hell and immediately go to heaven when you die.

But the world is now under judgment and you very well may be killed for your faith. So the following is a guide for what's coming.

There are probably others who, like you, realize what has happened and now know the truth about God's Word. You should seek out these people as well as share this information with as many as you can. During these perilous times, you can really only trust the words in the Bible.

Below is a timeline of where we've been, where we are and what's dead ahead--7 years of horrific tribulation.

. . . behold, a pale horse; . . . Death; and Hades . . . to kill one fourth of the earth with sword, famine, pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:8

. . .there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Matthew 24:21

By following the red line above, you can see that after Jesus died on the cross, God's Holy Spirit came to earth to indwell those who believed that Jesus' sinless blood paid the price for their past, present and future sins.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, John 14:26

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 1Corinthians 2:12

The Holy Spirit also restrains wholesale evil on the earth.

. . . the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He (the Holy Spirit) who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 2Thessalonians 2:7

But God's Spirit was removed from the earth prior to the 7 Years of Tribulation, a time of God's judgment on earth. That's why millions just disappeared--all who had the Spirit of God living in them, who were alive at the time of His departure, were simultaneously removed from the earth with Him.

When the Holy Spirit left, they left with Him!

For He Himself has said, 'I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,' Hebrews 13:5

God's Purpose For The 7 Year Tribulation

The next 7 Years of Tribulation is also known as "the time of Jacob's distress" (Jeremiah 30:7) because Israel will come back into God's focus for the world to see. It will be obvious that Israel is God's chosen nation on earth.

My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Ezekiel 39:7

The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; Psalms 98:2-3

Some 2000 years ago Israel rejected their Messiah and therefore God blinded them during the Church Age period that followed Jesus' crucifixion.

. . . a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; Romans 11:25

The recent disappearance of the true Christians is proof that God is now again making Israel His primary focus on the earth.

God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Romans 11:2

People On Earth Now Have A Choice

After the removal of the Believers, people who are alive and remain have a clear-cut decision to make--you can choose God or Satan. People will either choose to believe the false signs and wonders by Satan--or eternal salvation offered via Jesus Christ.

The one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

Those who do not trust God's Word will fall for Satan's lie and be doomed to hell forever.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.2 Thessalonians 2:12

So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:49-50

These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, 2Thessalonians 2:12

The following is a list of major events predicted in the Bible that will happen in the near future, in their probable order:

* Many Nations Attack Israel

Soon, if it hasn't happened already, many nations will come against Israel to gain her riches, which could be gold, silver and/or oil.

You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.Ezekiel 38:9

". . . Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?" Ezekiel 38:13

The countries attacking Israel are:

Ezekiel 38:3: Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.

Ezekiel 38:5: Persia, Ethiopia and Put

Ezekiel 38:6: Gomer, Beth-togarmah

It's hard to predict with absolute certainty who these attacking nations will be, but Russia (Gog) and Iran (Persia) are likely to be two of them.

* Israel Is Victorious

Israel will have a huge victory over the invading nations and the world will see that God Himself is protecting Israel.

'It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,' declares the Lord GOD, 'that My fury will mount up in My anger.' Ezekiel 38:18

'I will strike your bow from your left hand and dash down your arrows from your right hand. You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field. You will fall on the open field; for it is I who have spoken,' declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 39:3-5

I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel38:23

* World War, Death, Famine & Cataclysmic Events

With God's Holy Spirit having been removed, Who is called "the Restrainer" of unrelenting evil, the world is aflame.

For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Matthew 24:21

And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; Daniel 12:1

The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. Revelation 8:7

* Emergence Of A World Leader

Seemingly out of nowhere, a man steps forward who sounds like he can save the world.

I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. Revelation 6:2

. . . the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, 2Thessalonians 2:3-4

He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; Daniel 7:25

* New World Leader Calls For Peace

This world leader orchestrates a seven-year peace treaty between 10 nations and Israel. This begins the seven years of prophesied tribulation.

And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week [seven years], but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; Daniel 9:27

There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. Revelation 13:5

They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, 'Peace, peace,' but there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14

* A New Worldwide Economic Order Is Instituted

The New World Leader will gain more and more power as he institutes a global economic system. The Bible gives specific warnings about this system that have eternal ramifications.

*** Refuse the Mark! ***

Those alive today will soon be told that they can stay alive only by joining the world system and voluntarily receiving an identifying mark on their body.

And he [the leader of the new world] causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16-17

God warns not to take this mark because if you choose to join the world system in order to live longer on earth, you will receive horrific plagues from angels in the sky.

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image. Revelation 16:2

And worst of all, if you take that mark, when you die you'll be cast into a punishing hell for eternity.

. . . If anyone . . . receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. Revelation 14:-11

[NOTE: If you're reading this before the removal has taken place, and the Internet is still working, you can view an overview of the entire Bible in 30 minutes at: compass.org/30]

Bottom Line: Don't Believe The Lies

Those who are now in power are going to lie to you about many things. Watch for these three big lies:

Lie #1:

About what happened to all those people who vanished.

Truth:

They're fine, God removed them, they're in heaven.

---------

Lie #2

About why you need to take the "Mark of the Beast."

Truth:

Don't, because if you do, you'll go to hell FOREVER!

---------

Lie #3

About the people of Israel being your enemy.

Truth:

They're not, they're God's chosen people whom He loves.

This is a difficult time to live

Standing against the earth-shaking evil powers will be difficult. And life as a Believer in Jesus during this time won't be easy. Quite frankly, you may very well be killed. But God promises that even though you may die on earth standing on your faith, you'll go straight to heaven for eternity.

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, 'These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?' I said to him, 'My lord, you know.' And he said to me, 'These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.' Revelation 7:13-17

. . . I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4

So there's incredible hope for you and anyone else who believes the good news that Jesus offers salvation from eternal damnation. If you believe the good news that Jesus died for your sins, He will save you from the eternal fires of hell.

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, 1 Timothy 1:15

7 Scriptural Truths That Affect Your Eternity

1) It is a fact that God loves you.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only fathered Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17

2) It is a fact that you're a sinner.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

3) It is a fact that sin separates you from God and heaven.

the result of sin is death, Romans 6:23

4) It is a fact that Jesus paid the price to redeem you from sin.

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Romans 5:8-9

. . . the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

5) It is a fact that you can be saved from eternity in hell.

If you believe the good news of what God has done for you--that God sent His Son from heaven to shed His blood in death to pay the price for your personal sins, and that He rose from the dead, defeating death, you will be saved by faith.

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Romans 10:9

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

6) It is a fact that if you're now a Believer, you're saved by what He did, not what you do or don't do.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

7) If you are now a Believer, Satan hates you. You're not up against bad people, but rather the evil that is behind them.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:10-13

Although you may be tremendously confused about the events currently surrounding you, try to find a Bible because it has God's truth that you can trust. Be wise, refuse the mark and live for Him! Because eternity is a LONG LONG time!

---End of Millions Missing? booklet---

If you wish to purchase these booklets, single or in bulk, click here

From Gideon to Netanynhu

by: Bill Perkins

Deut. 14:2 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."

After Israel's Exodus from Egypt and subsequent wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua led Israel back into the Promised land. God gave Joshua victory after victory, wiping out the pagans in the land of Israel.

But after Joshua died, Israel never finished conquering her enemies in the land as God had commanded (Judges 1:27-36). These Baal-worshipping enemies had a terrible influence on Israel, even to the point of Israelites worshiping Baal (Judges 2:11), participating in pagan orgies and sacrificing children.

Eventually Israel understood her sin, repented, and God again allowed Israel to began rooting out her enemies. But one formidable enemy was the Midianites who were "as numerous as locusts" and had an army of 120,000 warriors.

So God raised up a Judge named Gideon

and promised Israel would take the Midianites in battle. Gideon had only 32,000 men to fight the 120,000 Midianites, yet God wanted Israel to see His might, rather than believe that it was their human strength that would win the battle.

Judg. 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.'"

God's desire was for Israel to trust Him, not their swords. So He began reducing the ranks of the Israeli fighters--first from 32,000 to 10,000 and then eventually down to only 300 men via the infamous elimination by how the men drank from the brook.

God was making a point. If Gideon's army of 300 could defeat the 120,000 Midianites, no doubt about it, Israel and the world would have to believe it to be a "God-thing."

The rest is history as Israel defeated the Midianites and God showed His might and divine protection by having the Midianites get confused and kill each other. The final result was that Israel was blessed with 40 years of peace (Judges 8:28).

Fast-forward To Today

Today we see a similar scene developing in Israel. Israel is once again returning to the Promised Land and is surrounded by large numbers of enemies. God again wants Israel to trust His protective hand, not their military might. That's hard to do because Israel is quite surrounded by her enemies!

In the map above, notice that God has allowed hundreds of millions of Muslims, who are descendants of Baal worshipers, to grow up around the land of Israel. Baal was the Moon God, and even today the symbol of Islam is a crescent moon.

And God again is preparing to show His might. He wants Israel to fully trust His Word, not their strength. And He wants the world to see His people return to strength and blessing.

Ezek. 39:7 "My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

How will the Lord do this? The Bible says you can look to the past to see what's coming in the future.

Eccl. 1:9 That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.

And just like God had the Midianites killing each other, God will again employ that method in the future with Israel's enemies who attack her.

Ezek. 38:21 "I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains," declares the Lord GOD. "Every man's sword will be against his brother.

In the not-too-distant future, this age will end and God will again bring Israel to the forefront where she will be elevated back to prominence. God also will be revealed to all the peoples on earth. And a new dispensation will begin with Israel in her rightful place as God's chosen nation.

Ezek. 39:25 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name.

Ezek. 39:27 "When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations.

Knowing that Israel is God's chosen nation, it's unnerving to see our nation's leadership trying to undermine and weaken her ability to defend herself.

For 67 years the U.S. has been blessed as we defended Israel. Now we watch as our leadership does just the opposite, having obvious disdain for Israel and her Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Psa. 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

'May they prosper who love you.'"

Our esteemed President will be quite shocked when he learns that a Jewish King will rule the earth from Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. My prayer is that he learns this truth before he dies, or he will suffer in unquenchable flames for eternity.

If our nation continues in this ungodly, anti-Israel direction, heaven help us! Is it too late to reverse the tide? Or is our nation doomed to continue to slide into the mire of unrighteousness? Thankfully it's never too late.

We can do all things through Christ.

We know that God was quite patient with Nineveh and when they repented/changed directions, God gave them another 150 years of peace. We pray for that kind of revival.

But if God doesn't grant us revival, we pray that Believer's will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and witness boldly about the Good News of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

This current age/dispensation will end suddenly and catch all the non-believers off-guard. Therefore it's likely that the economy will continue to putter along, up and down, right up until our abrupt departure. It's unlikely

that we'll have to flee to the woods to live and eat tree roots to survive.

Luke 17:26 "And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

Luke 17:27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were

marrying, they

were being given in marriage,

until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Luke 17:28 "It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building;

Luke 17:29 but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

We may experience a currency reset, or some social disorders here and there, or have wars here and there. But for the world as a whole, life will grind on until God shuts the door with the Rapture, just as He shut the door on the ark.

And any Believer with two brain cells should be able see all of God's plan coming together.

1Th. 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;

"How then shall we live?"

as Francis Schaeffer once asked. The Bible says we should live looking up at our secure destiny, not mired in the temporal things of this world.

Our goal for the time left, whatever we have, is to let the Lord use us mightily in our sphere of influence.

Heb 12:1-2 "...let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,"

It seems every day it's getting more and more interesting in this world, so now more than ever we need to put on the big-boy pants and use our time wisely. Here's a short list of suggestions to help keep the main thing, the main thing....

> We should seek to live a fruitful Bible-centered life, while keeping our eyes on our eternal destiny.

Col. 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

> We should seek to mature in our knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

Heb. 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

> We should pray daily for provision and protection of our families, friends and Israel;

James 5:16 The effective prayer of a righteous man can
accomplish much.

> We should pray for God to give us Godly leadership in our country, churches and workplaces;

Prov. 21:1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

> We should pray for opportunities to share the Gospel of

Jesus Christ;

Col. 4:3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ,

> We should look forward to the return of Jesus in the flesh to rule this world from Jerusalem.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

> We should praise the Lord daily for all He has allowed in our lives, good and bad.

Psa. 109:30 With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; And in the midst of many I will praise Him.

> We should live humbly, praying for wisdom, knowing that except by the grace of God, we too would be void of Biblical knowledge and understanding.

Eph. 4:1-2 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

> And it's never been as important to act and be smart!

Col. 4:5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

Matt. 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

Use us, Lord!

P.S.- We have an excellent presentation titled "Christians and Civil Disobedience." It was an eye-opener, to say the least! Click Here for more information.

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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No one, I mean no one, foresaw the world setting the stage for the post-rapture tribulation in such fast and climactic order! It seems like scores of Bible prophecies are coming together all at once.

On just about every front, the world seems to be racing to the Biblical end of the Church Age dispensation...and our legendary disappearing act. As we look incredulously at the prophetic signs being fulfilled, one area stands out more clearly than any other...finances!

The longer the Rapture is delayed, the more we'll see the world moving into a cashless society, which is, of course, the forerunner to everyone in the world being controlled from one place through the "Mark of the Beast."

"And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name."
Rev. 13:16-17

The United Nations, and other hugely influential world

organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have been aggressively promoting for years that the world needs to move away from cash and into all digital transactions. And now they're finally getting some traction.

Denmark, Norway and Sweden are literally making plans to scrap notes, coins and cash registers by January 2016. That's just six months away.

Michael Busk-Jepsen, Executive Director of the Danish Bankers Association, says this about moving Denmark completely away from physical currency: "It's no longer an illusion but a vision that can be fulfilled within a reasonable time frame."

This type of transaction will disappear completely in the near future as
whole countries are switching from
paper to digital money.

Some 40% of Denmark already uses Danske Bank's MobilePay, which allows money to be transferred not only in stores or online, but also between people! When they have their yard cut by a 10 year old, money can be exchanged via digital accounts.

Today Scandinavians use cash for only 6% of transactions. Even homeless people use the system to take donations, sell items, etc. In Great Britain, non-cash payments have grown to be over 50% of all British transactions.

In the future there will be no more
tussling with Uncle Sam because
he'll get his tax automatically
at the point of transaction!

Naturally, governments are drooling over the prospect of being able to track and tax every transaction on earth. They actually don't mention the "digital tax" part; instead they're wisely promoting the "security benefits" and "ease of use." But tax revenue is the motivating factor.

And do understand that better security is not designed for the consumer. Rather, it actually means better security for the banks. Total credit card fraud jumped 15% in 2012, to $1.7 billion, costing shareholders a lot of dividends. So American banks are following Europe's lead by switching to chip technology, and most will have it implemented by October 1st this year.

The magnetic strip that has been on credit cards for over 50 years is being phased out and replaced with an imbedded chip. If you haven't yet, soon you'll be receiving

new replacement credit cards with chips in them.

Magnetic strips make it far too easy for thieves to steal the information stored on them. Today's high tech thieves can even read your credit card info while your card is still in your wallet! With the stolen information, fake credit cards are quickly made...using your name, etc., and their picture. Since banks are on the hook for credit card losses, they had to find a way to have a more secure credit card.

So they embedded a chip in each card that assigns a unique code for every transaction made using your card. And eventually you'll use a pin, rather than a signature, to complete the transaction. So even if a thief steals your card, he couldn't make a purchase with it.

In the near future you won't "swipe and sign," but rather "insert and verify," using your security code, like you do at an ATM. These new chip cards still have a magnetic strip so you can use it with merchants who haven't yet switched their terminals.

But eventually, when all cards have been switched over to chips, it will become mandatory for merchants to use chip readers.

Now, think how close this is to the infamous "Mark of the Beast!" All you have to do is move one single step and embed your chip and code on your hand (or above your eye if you don't have a hand) and you're there! And no one even needs to remember a pin number!!

Timing of the Mark of the Beast

And I heard something like a voice in the center of
the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; Rev. 6:6

In response to the phenomenal currency inflation, where it takes a day's wage just to buy food, the Anti-christ will take control of all money and transactions for stability. You have to be in his system as he will have worldwide control. One person controlling everything. And to be in his system, you have to have his "mark."

Taxes are collected on each and every transaction. Control of people is achieved because if you don't go with his plan, you can't buy or sell... i.e. you can't eat!

So at what point is the Mark of the Beast implemented? That answer is fairly straight-forward in scripture. Following the Rapture, the order of events in the first half of the Tribulation are as follows:

>Israel is attacked. Ezek 38, 39

>Israel responds by taking out her enemies. Zech 12:6

>A 7 Year Peace Treaty is brokered with Israel by a man

The World Leader/ Anti-christ will be good-looking and a smooth talker.

Is. 14:16, Dan. 11:32

who rises quickly to power in the post-Rapture void, thereby stopping Israel's annihilation of her enemies. Dan 9:27

>The World Leader garners more and more power. Rev 6:2, Dan 11:23

>World war everywhere but Israel. Rev 6:4

>Worldwide economic chaos with inflation. Rev 6:5,6

>One fourth of the humans on earth die from war, famine and martyrdom. Rev 6:8

After 3 1/2 years of this world mess, the World leader blames it all on Israel and breaks the peace treaty. The Bible warns Israel never to make a treaty with her enemies (Ex. 23:32) and now she pays the price for depending on the treaty, instead of God, for protection.

The Tribulation is divided into two 3 1/2 year time periods

The mid-Tribulational events then begin when World Leader dies by a fatal head wound (Rev. 13:3). Satan, who is a demonic spirit, is thrown from heaven (Rev 12:9) and seizes the opportunity by indwelling the dead body. This appears to resurrect the dead world leader, mimicking Jesus' resurrection after three days. He is quite ugly, with one eye and a withered right arm (Zech 11:17).

After killing the two witnesses, he walks boldly into the rebuilt Jewish Temple and

Israel will go back to blood sacrifices on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in the first half
of the Tribulation

claims to be the Messiah (Matt 24:15).

It's at this point he changes from being the "World Leader" into being the "False Messiah," or "Anti-christ." The False Messiah then blames the world's woes on Israel and orders all Jews to immediately be killed, wiping out 2/3s of the Israelis in one day (Zech. 13:8).

The 1/3 of the Jews that survive flee to the mountains of Bozrah, Edom, most likely Petra, Jordan (Matt 24:15-21, Is. 63:1). If you read Isaiah 2, Petra, Jordan fits like a glove. It's all about caves, tombs, dust and dirt. Israel is protected there by God for 3 1/2 years (Rev 12:6).

But the Anti-christ World Leader has his hands full with all the death and destruction on earth. So he acts to solve the world's problems by exertingotal control over every human by instituting the Mark of the Beast. That Mark means 100% TOTAL control of everyone in his system from one central point.

Now, what is good about all of this is that all of these events are at least 3 1/2 years away. If the Rapture happens today, the Mark and the Antichrist's worldwide control won't come into play for another 3 1/2 years.

It's amazing that these Revelation prophecies were inspired by God almost 2000 years ago. The Daniel and Zechariah prophecies were recorded over 2500 years ago. Is this exciting or what!

A quick prophetic summary of Israel

Israel would kill her Messiah and be scattered around the world for about 2000 years (Hos 6:1-2). They would remain a pure race, preserving their culture and ethnicity (Rev 7:4).

They would be gathered back to their land by God (Ezek

Every spring Israel
blossoms spectacularly!!

37:12), becoming a nation in one day (Is 66:7-8). Once back, the desert wasteland would bloom (Is 35:1), she would have an exceedingly mighty army (Ezek 37:10) and she would become a heavy stone for the world to bear (Zech 12:3).

There is only one thing left to happen on God's prophetic list.

There has to be something found that is so economically strategic that it would cause Russia, Persia (Iran) and several other nations to invade immediately after the Rapture.

"You will devise an evil plan... to capture spoil and to seize plunder...to capture great spoil..." Ezek 38:9-13

Currently there is nothing in Israel that has that kind of economic attraction. There are no abundant natural resources, no diamond, gold or silver mines, nothing. All the Israelis have been able to accomplish since becoming a country again in 1948 has been due to their hard work and sacrifice.

So I have a hunch Israel will discover oil. A LOT of oil! There are currently two big oil companies drilling for the black gold in Israel. Both think that the largest oil reserve in the world is located somewhere under Israel.

They've already discovered massive underground gas fields. And as they say in Texas, "Where there's gas, there's oil." I think it's only a matter of time until we read in the news that Israel has discovered oil, massive amounts of oil.

If Israel becomes a bigger oil producer than Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq combined, it'll certainly make the Arabs hopping mad, to say the least! And it would give the Russians and company plenty of economic incentive to invade Israel--especially in the confusion left in the wake of the massive departure of the Holy Spirit and all born-again Believers from around the world.

Yep, the final act sure seems to be setting up nicely! So the next time you strike up a conversation with your lost neighbor, you might mention it's possible you'll disappear in the future. That'll get his attention and you might be able to sow some spiritual seeds!

Use us, Lord!!BP

(All scripture quotes are NASB)

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Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1Th. 4:17

The upcoming Rapture, literally the "catching away," is to me the most intriguing of all Biblical doctrine. Nothing could be more exciting than thinking about not dying physically, but rather changing from earth to heaven in the blink of an eye.Everything seems normal, then instantaneously everything changes forever.

The Greek word for this term "caught up" is "harpazo" which means "to seize, catch up, snatch away by force."

This is the same Greek word used to describe how the Spirit "snatched" Philip away from the Ethiopian eunuch.

"When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched (Greek-"harpazo") Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus," Acts 8:39-40

Philip was miraculously transported by God, in the blink of an eye, from one place to another. (Imagine him telling that story to his family!)

The English word "Rapture" comes from a Latin word, "rapio," which means to seize or snatch in relation to being carried away in spirit or in body from one place to another.

Therefore the Rapture of the church is the forceful removal, or carrying away, of Believers from earth to heaven.

Most Believers living today sense the day of the Rapture is getting close. I think the current generations have an odds-on chance of being in this ultimately famous group if they live out a normal life span. We easily see that what was written prophetically about the end of the Church Age is happening all around us! How close we are to our exodus we don't really know. But most solid Believers sense the end of this age could be close.

Just living in this time period is tough. We recoil when we see perversion flaunted. We cringe when we see sin exalted. And we know the Lord ranks lying up there in the same category as murder. Yet it's commonplace and mostly unchallenged in our nation today.

Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to those who constantly record unjust decisions" Is. 10:1God Gave Us Prophecy For Comfort

We know the Bible warns of God's coming judgment on sin, but at the same time we're COMFORTED by what we know about Bible prophecy! After discussing the Rapture of Believers, Paul ends with this sentence:

Therefore comfort one another with these words 1 Th 4:18

God's promise of the Rapture is comforting because it's His promise and assurance we'll NOT be part of the earth's horrific seven year tribulation, God's horrific judgment on sinful mankind.

God's Purpose for Rapture

Therefore, the purpose of the Rapture is to close the dispensation of the Church Age and remove Believers before God's wrath comes on earth.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Th 5:9

There is also a practical side necessitating the Rapture. Jesus explained that God's Holy Spirit could not come to earth to indwell Believers until He first departed earth.

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." John 16:7

Jesus departed earth enabling the Holy Spirit to come to earth, permanently indwelling all Believers (Acts 2). Therefore now the reverse is necessary. God's Spirit must be removed in order for Jesus to return.

When God removes His Spirit, all who have His Spirit are swept away at the same time..."caught up."

The Bible says others have been "caught up" to heaven in the past. So we can get a glimpse of what will transpire at that moment.Enoch Was Raptured

The first to be raptured, or "taken up" to heaven before death, was Enoch, who lived prior to Abraham.

Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Gen 5:24

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. Heb 11:5

Paul Was Raptured
Paul was also Raptured, or "caught up" to heaven, when he was living on the earth.

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago - whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows - such a man was caught up to the third heaven."
2 Cor 12:2

This "catching away" to heaven left a lasting impression on Paul. So profound was the experience that the Lord had to give him a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him humble back here on earth.

"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,

[seeing heaven] for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me - to keep me from exalting myself!"
2Cor. 12:7

God also forbade Paul from talking about what he saw in heaven, a fact that makes me heavily discount ANYTHING someone says he saw when he died briefly, went to heaven and came back.

"was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak." 2Cor. 12:4

Therefore, it seems highly unlikely that a six year old boy would be God's new spokesperson for heaven when Paul himself was told not permitted to talk about it. Just saying.

The "Great Lie" in the Tribulation

Undoubtedly, there will have to be an explanation as to what happened to all the missing people. The Bible calls it the "Lie."

"For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence (Greek= "activity of error") so that they will believe what is false, (THE LIE)" 2 Th. 2:11

It's quite possible that The Great Lie will be the explanation of what happened to all of the Believers who suddenly disappeared. Millions will vanish without warning and without a trace of where they went.Tim LaHaye surmises that all the clothes of the Raptured people will be left in a pile from where they were sitting/standing/lying. That seems logical since you won't need clothes in heaven.

But Ed Hindson says if that's what happens at the Rapture, then what about people who wear glasses? You would assume then glasses would be left behind. If so, then w Rapture-clothes hat about braces, false teeth and fillings? Surely they would be left behind too.

Taking that train of though you get to transplanted organs that are not your own...would they be left behind? What about fake hips, knees and breasts? The list is endless. Shoot, some might have more left behind than left the earth! It's an interesting thought. 🙂

Regardless, the sudden disappearance of so many will cause massive disruptions. Cars wrecking and planes falling due to drivers who vanished are only the tip of the iceberg. Key business leaders, prison guards and born again pastors will be gone. And possibly even a politician might be missing.

Therefore the lie could be that people from another planet or universe removed those who were ruining the planet. Or they were taken to another planet for reprogramming. That would also explain the 50 year push to make UFOs plausible.

Or "the lie" could refer to the middle of the tribulation when Satan is cast to earth. It's at this time the devil indwells the body of the three-days-dead world leader, bringing him back to life and claiming to be the resurrected Messiah... thus becoming the False Messiah/Abomination of Desolation (Dan. 11:31 /Mat. 24:15).

Blessings From Studying The Rapture

Lastly, the fact you're interested in reading this article, looking forward to meeting Jesus in the air at the Rapture, puts you in a special category of people: those LOOKING for that incredible day to arrive.

"in the future there is laid up 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 loved His appearing." 2Tim. 4:8

Not to mention, the Book of Revelation, which contains almost all prophecy, is the only book in the Bible promising a blessing for just reading it!

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy..." Rev 1:3

So, you're blessed for looking forward to the Rapture. You're blessed to be excluded from receiving God's wrath in the Tribulation. And you're comforted too by the fact God is still in control! And throughout it all, when we die or are Raptured, we win! Gotta love that!

We should pray always that the Lord will give us more and more occasions to explain what we know.

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity." Col. 4:5

"...he who turns a sinner from the error of his way [allows the Lord to use them] will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:20

Think about it, we've been studying the Bible all our lives in order to be able to respond to all this--and now is the time to put to practical use what we've learned! The bottom line is that we're most likely living in the last of the last days, a special generation of Believers who can be like Noah, testifying about Biblical truth right up to the end! 🙂

Use us, Lord!!BP

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The United States has "negotiated" an unbelievable wind-fall giveaway to Iran that may very well seal America's doom... if not the world's!

A lot has been in the press regarding this abominable treaty. Yes, it's worse than bad. Iran got everything, the U.S. got nothing in return.

Iran got billions of frozen oil dollar sanctions lifted. They got access to conventional weapons. They can still build their nukes because we have to get permission FROM THEM to see if they're not cheating. And they still have our American prisoners!

It's as if our Executive Branch is purposefully trying to set up Iran with nuclear weapons to launch against Israel and the world!

Above-actual word-for-word text

But that's not the biggest problem with the deal because a newly elected President and Congress could undo and/or change it in the long run.

The short term is the big problem! If this deal is approved by Congress, the language in the treaty says if Israel attacks Iran, the U.S. will support Iran and even attack Israel!

We've totally gone nuts. We're now supporting one of our terrorist enemies in the Middle East, instead of our ally, Israel!

So we have quite a dilemma on our hands if this treaty is confirmed. Israel MUST take out Iran's nuclear facilities. If they don't, Iran comes after Israel with nukes the same day they complete the task. Israel has no choice, they won't wait to be nuked.

But when Israel does go after Iran, the U.S. is OBLIGATED to support Iran! Unbelievable!

Remember, Ezekiel 38-39 says that in the future, Russia and Iran WILL attack Israel with nukes. Israel, thankfully, will repel that attack. I just can't believe the U.S. may be an enabling accomplice!

And if Ezekiel 38-39 are getting close, we must really be getting close to our exhilarating exit!

Shalom!
BP

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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God will openly humble Russia in the future. Pride comes before the fall. Is the prophesied defeat dead ahead?

Why God Gave Us Bible Prophecy
With over 25% of the Bible written in prophetic prose, there's apparently a good reason God gave us so much Bible Prophecy to study. Yet for some strange reason many churches today have simply quit teaching anything to do with prophecy.

The main reason God gave us Bible prophecy is to prove that the rest of the Bible is 100% accurate. This separates the Bible from the Koran, the Book of Mormon, and every other book in the universe because only God can predict the future.

And since 100% of all past prophecies were fulfilled literally, we know the future prophecies will also be fulfilled literally. If God says the millennium is 1000 years long, it doesn't mean "a long time." It means just what it says, in context.

Prophecy is comforting

Another reason God gave us Bible prophecy is to be a "comfort" to Believers. After penning several sentences discussing the Rapture, Paul gives us this command:

"Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1Thes. 4:18

We're comforted by knowing God is in control and that nothing is happening He didn't already know about and allow. God can't learn and therefore He is never surprised. There is not one thing happening in this country, or in your personal life, of which He wasn't fully aware and expecting.

But God is not mocked and in the future His wrath is coming again on this earth.

"and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;" Rev. 6:16

"Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God." Rev. 16:1

"The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. Men were scorched with fierce heat; Rev. 16:8,9a

But we're comforted because Bible prophecy tells us we're not going to have to endure God's wrath in the future seven-year tribulation because, thankfully Believers are taken away first.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Thes. 5:9

But it's interesting that just after Paul discusses Rapture in his letter to the Thessalonians, God inspired him to write:

"For you yourselves know full well that the day of th

e Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;"
1 Thes. 5:2-4

This statement runs parallel with Jesus' words that just before the Rapture it will be JUST LIKE the "Days of Noah" (Mat. 24:37-39). In the Days of Noah the pagan world had no idea the worldwide flood was about to happen, despite Noah's lifelong preaching (2Pet 2:5).

Noah Knew

It's easy to see that Noah could quite easily tell when the flood was getting close. When he and his sons had finished loading all the food and water, and the animals began showing up in twos and sevens, Noah obviously could see that time was short. That day didn't overtake him like a thief in the night. Noah saw the signs.

So it's not wrong to look at the Biblical signs regarding the latter days. It IS wrong to set dates.

Israel Is God's Prophetic Timepiece

Therefore as we properly assess the prophetic signs regarding Jesus' return, the very first thing we should do is look at Israel. Israel is God's prophetic timepiece.

When God closes the Church Age dispensation (time period), He will again make Israel His primary focus as He shakes the earth to its core. So what are the main latter-day Biblical signs tied into Israel? Here's a big one...

The Northern Invasion Led By Russia

In Ezekiel 37, written over 2500 years ago, God promised to miraculously bring the dispersed Jews back to their land from the four corners of the earth after having been dispersed for almost two millennia.

Then it will happen on that day that the Lord

will again recover the second time with His hand

the remnant of His people, who will remain...

And He will lift up a standard for the nations

and assemble the banished ones of Israel,

and will gather the dispersed of Judah

from the four corners of the earth. Is. 11:11-12

The first Jewish return was from their Babylonian exile, 586-538 BC. Their "second" return is from being scattered around the world in 70 AD, after rejecting their Messiah in 33 AD.

The Jews started returning from this worldwide banishment in 1917 and became a nation again in 1948. It's been 67 years since Israel became a nation again.

"God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew." Rom. 11:2a

In Ezekiel 38 and 39 Ezekiel prophesied that after Israel

was back in her land, she would be invaded from the north by a group of nations led by Gog/Magog, and most Bible scholars identify this to be Russia. Listed in the group of the accompanying countries is "Persia," which in 1935 changed its name to "Iran."

Russia Today In Syria

I believe the timing of this invasion is most likely to be post-Rapture. So when I read this month that Russia has just instituted a new military draft for 150,000 conscripts, and is already operating militarily in Syria (north of Israel- see map) while working hand-in-hand with Iran, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that this is Bible prophecy being fulfilled literally.

The Missing Ingredient

But there still is one more prophecy to be fulfilled. The Bible says the purpose of the Ezekiel 38/39 invasion is to capture Israel's riches. Riches? The Bible says Israel will have GREAT riches in the last days. This is mentioned four times in two verses.

Ezek. 38:12 ...to capture spoil and to seize plunder,

Ezek. 38:13 "...'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"'

Until recently, Israel had no natural resources like gold, silver, oil or gas. This prompted Golda Meir, Israel’s Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974, to famously say, "Moses dragged us through the desert for 40 years to bring us to the one place in the Middle East where there was no oil.”

But that is changing and changing fast! And it's another reason we believe we’re getting close to the Rapture. Israel has recently struck oil! After discovering an abundance of gas around the coasts of Israel, an oil exploration company has finally struck oil. After drilling over 500 dry wells, Afek Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Genie Energy, confirmed it struck a significant oil reservoir in Israel in 2015.

The discovery is a monstrous layer of oil over 1000 feet thick. They expect it to be large enough to produce billions of gallons of oil for Israel. They believe there's enough oil to both supply Israel’s energy needs as a country and also begin exporting oil to Europe. Think that will sit well with OPEC? (Ref. here)

Israel is playing down the oil discovery in the media so as to not to give other Arab nations more incentive to come against her. But there'll come a time when Russia invades with Iran to get Israel’s oil and whatever else she discovers in the land.

Russia Loses Badly

The Bible says this northern invasion fails miserably as it is God Himself who defeats the attacking nations:

"With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone." Ezek. 38:22

"I will strike your bow from your left hand and dash down your arrows from your right hand. You will fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and beast of the field." Ezek. 39:3-4

Notice that it's God Himself who defeats Russia. Not Israel. Four times in the above He says, "I will." Just like God wiped out entire armies of Israel's enemies in the Old Testament, God will PERSONALLY defeat and humiliate Russia. And this prideful atheistic nation will know it was almighty God who defeated them!

"I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD."' Ezek. 38:23

This is a good reason that this battle will take place in the next dispensation, post Rapture, because God's not personally wiping out nations with vengeance from the sky today. But the Rapture will change everything.

The Great Sword

This invasion will include nuclear weapons.

And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. Rev. 6:4

"...their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth." Zech. 14:12

Between the "great sword" and their "flesh rotting" before they fall to the ground, it sounds nuclear to me. So Iran WILL have nuclear weapons, and Russia of course already has them, and they'll try to use them against Israel.

God's Purpose For Crushing Russia

Post Rapture, the earth will be in a new dispensation. This new time period will be much different than the Church Age. The Restraining Power of the Holy Spirit will be gone.

People will be saved by faith in the Tribulation, just like before the Church Age, but those living in this new time will see destructive things worldwide that we never dreamed of seeing today.

And most interesting is that the purpose of this crushing defeat of Israel's invading enemies is to show both the people of Israel and the people of the world that God is not dead, but rather He is in complete control and is now actively defending Israel!

"I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD."' Ezek. 38:23

"My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Ezek. 39:7

With the United States having been decimated by the Rapture, this incredible victory by Israel over Russia and her cohorts will give Israel the confidence to fulfill this prophecy about militarily taking out ALL of her closest-in-proximity enemies.

Israel is 2nd only to the U.S. in the
number of F-16s in her air force.

"In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on their own sites in Jerusalem." Zech. 12:6

All of this wholesale destruction of the Arabs by Israel will bring the Middle East to its knees. Those nations next on Israel's hit list will beg for the world to stop Israel's carnage.

The 7-Year Peace Plan

The remaining Arab nations, and the rest of the world, promise the sky if Israel will just stop the destruction. Israel will reluctantly agree to a 7-year peace agreement between Israel, five Western European nations and five Eastern European Nations. (Dan. 2, 9:27)

The author of this peace agreement will be an unheralded man who comes out of nowhere. But the world is so impressed with his deft negotiation skills that tamed a previously untameable situation, they blindly support anything and all he does. More and more power is handed over to him.

Thus begins the Great Tribulation, which is also called the Time of Jacob's Trouble and/or The 70th Week of Daniel, which ushers in God's undiluted wrath on earth.

Marlin Goebel speaking at Steeling Denver

We just had a Steeling Bible Prophecy Conference that explains most of what I just wrote. The presenters are incredibly talented and bright Bible prophecy teachers who correctly interpret the Bible using a literal hermeneutic.

Thousands of people watched this conference live and via satellite. If you missed the conference, you should consider watching all eight presentations. Below is a complete list of the speakers and topics.

This is an exciting time to be alive and watch the 2500-year-old prophecies unfold before our very eyes. The information you gain from the Steeling Conference is excellent armor and incredibly helpful for understanding God's plan.

It's also vital information you can share with your friends, family and coworkers... because as the latter days Bible prophecies play out, it will be more and more obvious that a dispensational change might be just ahead! 🙂

Pray for eternal witnessing opportunities!

Shalom!

Bill

Important Note:

Those that follow Compass know that for 10 years I've been writing about Israel becoming a rich nation one day. My most recent article was in November 2014, entitled, "Why the World Will Envy Israel."

It goes into detail the oil exploration going on in Israel and the ramifications to Israel and the world when she fulfills the prophecies about her becoming a wealthy nation.

(Read it HERE).

I mention this because when this article, which was written for the October 2015 edition of Compass eNews, was being proofed, I saw a news flash that Israel has indeed stuck oil! They are estimating the size is "billions of gallons." It's too early to tell if this is the big one, but fascinating never-the-less. You can read about Israel striking oil HERE.

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

To sign up for our FREE Monthly Compass eNews with updates on future Bible conferences, Bible trips, specials on DVD Bible studies and an eye-opening look at a hot topic Click Here

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For more information on our life-impacting Biblelands Trips Click Here

picture of the meeting with Trump on the platform

Today (6/21/16) was a fascinating day in New York City as over 1000 Christian leaders from all over the U.S. gathered to ask Donald Trump tough specific questions about his policy and intentions should he be elected POTUS.

The event organizers originally requested Dallas, Texas as a middle-of-the-nation location to hold a private, get-some-private-time-with-Trump event--hoping to attract some 200-300 national Christian leaders. Seems a LOT of Christians are bothered by the idea of having to vote for him and this would be a chance to meet privately to ask questions.

But the only opening on Trump's schedule was in NYC for 20 minutes, only 30 days away. So they took it, despite little time to get the word out.

A screening committee was set up to find and send out invitations to about 1000 Christian leaders. Because the high expense of flying into and staying in NYC, and the date less than 30 days away, they reserved a room for only 100 people at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Each person who accepted the invitation then had to be vetted and ultimately ok'ed by the Secret Service. Once cleared, the person was notified by phone. I got two sets of phone questions about my work with Compass and when I finally got approved, I had 10 days to make plans. (I'm sure I was at the end of the list!!)

But despite receiving the late notices, the response to attend was off-the-charts. Almost everyone who they invited accepted the invitation. And some who were left off the original list apparently lobbied for inclusion. Ultimately there were over 1000 who hastily changed their schedules to attend.

The security was tight for the 7 a.m. opening for registrants. I stood in long lines for an hour, passing through three hotel and conference check points before finally getting through Secret Service security.

Once I finally got to my seat at my table I was astonished to be sitting next to a sharp-as-a tack Auburn grad who is married to another Auburn grad and lives in Vestavia, Alabama where I grew up. She's a registered lobbyist who worked for George Bush (2) when she first got out of Auburn. War Eagle to that one!

I'm trying to think of a reason I need a lobbyist. 🙂

a Barna chart showing most of the country wants change of direction, which favors Trump

One of Barna's charts showing most of the country wants change of direction—which favors Trump

Also at my table was a Congressional candidate from North Carolina, a Christian TV station owner from Florida and the Chairman of the Board of the Washington Times. There were about four past Steeling conference speakers in the room, that I noticed. Probably more I didn't see.

After opening remarks by the conference organizers, and an opening prayer by James Robison, Jerry Falwell Jr. spoke, followed by Franklin Graham. Both attested to the authenticity and trustworthiness of Donald Trump.

George Barna, the polling guy, spoke. Using several charts he showed that Trump has a genuine path to victory if Christians vote.

But in the last Presidential election, some 40 million evangelicals stayed home and that was literally the difference in the election. Bummer for us.

Then Ben Carson spoke for about 20 minutes. His easy and soft-spoken style easily warmed the crowd. He referred to the fact that Trump just had a bad three weeks, while Clinton had a good three weeks, and yet the race is still close, virtually tied.

picture of the presentation with Ben Carson showing on the monitor

Ben Carson was awesome.

But Carson's main point was that Trump is a proven leader. He's certainly not a politician who's always worried about offending someone. And that's what we need, a leader, not a politician. Politicians are what got us in this mess to begin with!

Next came Mike Huckabee, who moderated the discussion between the attendees and Trump. Before introducing Trump, he made the point that we're not voting on a pastor, or a Pope, but rather a leader. A leader who is quite different from the past to change things from the status quo.

So the day was set that this was not about Trump's Christian knowledge or virtues, but rather where Trump wanted to take the country. And where we're headed if Trump's not elected.

The biggest concern centered around the Supreme Court. The next President will appoint anywhere from one to five members. The Second Amendment, public bathroom policies, prayer in public places, etc. will likely be settled by the next President's appointees.

When Trump was introduced, he didn't speak from the podium but rather sat next to Huckabee on the stage fielding questions from the crowd for about 90 minutes. So much for the 20 minutes originally allotted. There was no press allowed inside, so it was just Trump and the Christian leaders talking back and forth.

The really big Christian leader names were pre-selected to directly ask Trump questions from the floor--i.e. people like James Dobson, Ralph Reed, David Jeremiah, Tony Perkins, Robert Jeffress, etc. Most felt religious liberty was at stake with this election saying that if the policies Obama has set in place were allowed to continue, Christians would eventually have no liberty. Harassment of Christian organizations would continue.

Through it all, Trump answered each of our questions with solid answers, both acknowledging the problem cited and how he would take care of the problem. He seemed to be genuinely concerned about changing the direction of the nation.

Trump addressed many subjects including the Supreme Court, national defense, border problems, Christian persecution, his pro-life stance, support of Israel, dumping Obamacare, education control back to the states and energy. All with conservative positions and answers.

listing of key states in the 2016 election, according to Barna

Barna said the election will come down to who wins these states.

I would say that most of those who attended, who were not sure if they would vote for him, left convinced of how much is at stake in this election if Trump is not elected.

After Trump left, to a standing ovation, more questions were taken from the audience addressed to a panel of Christian leaders. Things like the dismantling of the military, Christian business rights, etc. were discussed at length.

The last speaker was Eric Metaxas, who I had never heard of... but he was excellent. He showed that there is what he referred to as a Golden Triangle of Freedom.

Freedom requires virtue.
Virtue requires faith.
And faith requires freedom.

Therefore, America won't function as a republic without faith and virtue, and our freedoms are taken for granted. Our public schools have for 40 years taught a negative view of America, that we're the problem. America is the most successful country in the history of the world, yet we're teaching our kids that we're the problem??

I have to say, we pretty much all came away thinking that if Clinton, or any Democrat, is elected, the path this nation's on currently will continue and WILL lead to disaster. If we don't turn the ship now, we're headed to be like socialized Europe-a disaster getting worse by the month. Even potentially reaching problems like what's going on in Venezuela, where they are currently literally fighting for daily food. Don't think it can't happen here, it could. It's not out of the realm of possibilities...it's that serious. A LOT is at stake in this election!

picture of people at the meeting praying

The entire room was praying for our nation, most on their knees.

Our hope is in Christ, and our prayer is for one last chance (think Nineveh) so when the Lord takes out the Church at the Rapture, He will take us out in a revival, instead of bailing us out of a spiritual disaster. We want to finish well!

At the end of the day was time for prayer. With few exceptions, the entire room knelt on the floor in corporate prayer for our nation. I took the opportunity to take a quick picture of that sight, some 1000 people in their Sunday clothes, most on the floor of the room praying together. Who knows where this will lead. Maybe....

Everyone should pray daily for our country and add Mr. Trump to your prayer list even now. He is so upsetting the "establishment" that it's not a stretch to think his life's in danger.

The bottom line for me personally is that I love the constitution more than I dislike Trump's antics and ego. He will attempt to change the direction of this nation. Clinton won't. With Trump we have a chance. With Clinton we have no chance.

Be thankful we still have a chance and VOTE your conscience this fall.

Bill Perkins

If you wish to LIKE this or SHARE this article on Facebook, CLICK HERE. You can see all of George Barna's fascinating slides from his presentation at this meeting HERE PS- Best laugh at the conference came when Ralph Reed said, "Why is Hillary touting herself as the first woman Presidential candidate if that could change?"

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.

© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177 The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

To sign up for our FREE Monthly Compass eNews with updates on future Bible conferences, Bible trips, specials on DVD Bible studies and an eye-opening look at a hot topic, Click Here For more info or to sign up for our provocative FREE Good Morning Lord! Daily Devotional Email, Click Here

For more information on our life-impacting Biblelands Trips, Click Here

Noah's flood really did happen. To deny it's a real event, accurately recorded in scripture, is to deny the trustworthiness of the entire Bible.

Noah's Flood is NOT a fable, myth or parable and Christians need to know how to answer the most basic questions that people raise regarding this incredible event.

Let's begin with a quick summary of the events:

"God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth." Gen. 6:13

"Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. Gen. 6:17

"Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch. Gen. 6:14

"Then the LORD said to Noah, "Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time. You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth." Gen. 7:3

"... the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights." Gen. 7:11

"The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered." Gen. 7:19

"God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided." Gen. 8:1

"In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat." Gen. 8:4

"Then God spoke to Noah, saying, Go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." Gen. 8:15-17

To those of us who believe in Biblical inerrancy, the scriptural account of a worldwide flood is not hard to believe. We know the entire earth could be flooded because God originally created the earth as a planet of all water.

"The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." Gen. 1:2

On day two of the Creation week, the wording indicates a lot of the earth's water was taken up into the clouds.

Some have theorized that this was a sort of vapor canopy and it shielded the sun's rays... possibly the reason people lived longer in those days.

"...the earth was formed out of water and by water," 2Pet 3:5

"Then God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters. God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. Gen. 1:6-8

It's quite humorous that lately you hear the claim from

scientists that Mars was at one time flooded with water.(1) There's not a drop of water on Mars today, but they think it was once flooded! But the earth, with 5/6 of the planet covered with water today, couldn't have had a worldwide flood. Please, where is the common sense?

But realistically, all this is simply an attack on God and His authority. They don't want to admit that God can do anything He wants, anytime He wants.

Let's face the facts--God created the heavens and the earth by speaking them into existence (Ps. 33:9). We can never truly grasp that fact because we're mere mortals with limited brains and understanding. So it's not necessary that we totally understand everything about how or why God does what He does.

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law." Deut. 29:29

"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end." Eccl. 3:11

But God says we can trust what He reveals in His Word to be true. So we do, believing and defending every Word of the Bible, including the account of the worldwide flood.

And we're in good company--look who else believes the flood was real:

Isaiah - Is. 54:9

Ezekiel - Ezek. 14:14

Peter - 2 Pet. 2:5

Jesus - Mat. 24:37

But the unbelieving world doesn't accept that the Bible is God's infallible word-for-word truth. Most non-Believers think the creation story, the worldwide flood, the account of Jonah and the great fish, etc., are fanciful, imaginative and made-up stories.

And based on the number of people who are upset with

the mere notion that Noah's Ark was being rebuilt, the sight of the massive structure must have struck a deep-seated nerve in non-Bible Believers. They're aghast that the Bible could be portrayed so boldly as being 100% true, every word.

They SHOULD be concerned because if they can't shout down the truth about the accuracy of the story of Noah, then other parts of the Bible might also be true--like heaven and hell, and who goes where. Oh what a comical dilemma the rebuilt Ark is for those who don't believe the Bible is God's infallible Word.

This has so bothered so many that a group of atheists


	Atheists billboards in Kentucky

named "Tri-State Freethinkers" erected a billboard disparaging the Ark, comparing the Biblical account to "genocide and incest" and going "Back to the dARK ages."

They've raised over $10,000 to put up more billboards. But as of today the billboard companies in the area have declined to give them any more advertising space.

And here at Compass we know that just advertising our conference coming up this September has caused some people to come unglued! We've had more feedback on our Compass' Facebook conference ad than we ever imagined possible.

Here's the ad:

Above is the ad we're running in Facebook accounts in
Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana--some love it, some not so much!

The above ad is just simply giving them the details of how to join us. It's an advertisement, and not a normal post. The learn more link goes to: https://compass.org/steelingnoahsark/

Yet this ad's received over 500 likes and over 400 shares to date! That's amazing for a normal "look-what-we're-doing" post, much less a business ad!

Unfortunately many of the non-approving comments have had to be deleted due to the foul language used attacking our stance that the Bible is 100% true.

Obviously we're not trying to provoke the ire of non-Believers. In fact, Facebook promised the ads would only go on the Facebook personal pages of those who stated in their profile that their religion was "Christian."

Well, apparently a LOT of vocal "Christians" don't believe the Bible is literal. We're being called everything from "idiots" to "ignoring science."

The tone of their arguments really sound more like accusations because, again, if they lose this argument, oh dear, the Bible may be true. And that of course is unacceptable to have to be accountable to a sovereign and righteous God.

"So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:12

The bottom line is that this accurately replicated Ark is inciting nervousness in the non-Believer. And God may very well use it in an evangelistic way. Hey, when we SCIENTIFICALLY raise eyebrows proving the world was once totally flooded for over a year, then next to fall could be evolution itself--Satan's biggest lie! So their annoyance will move to anger to furious wrath. We should expect it.

In fact, the Bible says that in the time in which we live there will be mockers mocking. And they will vocally deride both the flood and the Second Coming.

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation. For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 2Pet. 3:3-6

Therefore, to provide some armor to use when this discussion comes up with friends, family and coworkers, here are basic answers to some of the typical arguments against Noah building an Ark and surviving a horrific and catastrophic flood of the earth.

The Bible says the flood was worldwide.

The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. Gen. 7:19

Bible Skeptics Say:

"Obviously the flood had to be local and not worldwide because it could not have covered all the mountain peaks like Mt. Everest."

Answer:
This is the classic mistake of assuming that the mountains like Mt. Everest were that high prior to the flood. But they were not. It didn't even rain before the flood... which I'm sure made Noah and his family the laughing stock of earth at the time he was building the Ark.

Below in Ps. 104:6-9 you can plainly see that after the world was flooded,THEN the mountains were raised and the valleys created by God. So the water only had to cover the highest mountain at the time of Noah.

"You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters were standing above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled, at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away. The mountains rose; the valleys sank down to the place which you established for them." Psa.104:6-8


	They've now discovered plenty of water below the earth's surface.

Scientists now have discovered there is a lot more water below the surface than above. Therefore there is certainly plenty of water to flood the earth.

Also, there is enough water on the exterior of the earth today that if the earth was smoothed over, the mountains flattened and the ocean depths raised, the water would be two miles deep over the entire earth!

It's also worth noting that the reason we have bad weather today is because when God "raised the mountains and lowered the valleys," the height and topography of these NEW mountains caused the storms, tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis and such that we have today.

And even more interestingly, during the coming 7-Year Tribulation the Bible says the mountains will again be lowered.

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. Rev. 16:20

Therefore after the tribulation when Jesus reigns on the earth for 1000 years, there won't be weather problems with which He'll have to concern Himself. The removal of the high mountains will smooth down the earth's surface to be more like the earth before the flood.

There's no telling how beautiful the earth was prior to the flood. The residual beauty today is probably only slightly similar to the unimaginable lushness of original earth created by God. All we know is that the destructive flood and receding waters radically rearranged the earth's surface.

The flood lasted for more than a year so there is no way it was a local flood, it could only be global. And if it were local, there would have been no need for an Ark to save mankind and all the animals.

Trying to make it local undermines the specificity of the account in the Bible, making a mockery of scripture.

The Bible says EVERYTHING was destroyed by the flood.

"Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark." Gen. 7:23

Bible Skeptics Say:

"Why would God flood the earth when he could just 'poof' everyone out of existence? That's so inefficient."

Answer:

God is God, He can do what He wants. He makes the rules and didn't consult us humans. He defines sin and the penalties for unforgiven sin. What He does, according to the Bible, is in our best interest, even if we don't understand it.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. Is. 55:8

The Bible Says the earth was destroyed by water:
"Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. Gen. 6:17

Bible skeptics say:

"There is no geographical or archeological evidence whatsoever for a worldwide flood."

That is simply untrue. The evidence for a worldwide flood is overwhelming. If there were a catastrophic worldwide flood where much or most of the water came from below, you would expect to find layers of

sedimentary rock laid down quickly by water containing billions of fossils.

And that's exactly what we find today, billions of plants and animal fossils laid down in sedimentary layers all over the globe. They were drowned and buried so quickly they couldn't even be eaten by scavengers.

And to add cold water in the face of evolutionists, the layers of sedimentary layers all over the globe are laid down by weight, the heaviest material at the bottom and the lightest at the top and perfectly graduated by weight in-between. Exactly what you would expect from a worldwide flood.

Fish Fossils Above 10,000 Feet

Millions of fish died in the turbulent waters during the flood and are fossilized today for us to see. Below is a fish fossil that not only contains a fossilized fish, but

also fish feces near his mouth.

When a fish poops in the water, the feces disintegrates in about 20-30 seconds. So for the fish to have been covered and fossilized together it would have had to have been a quite sudden and catastrophic event.

Even more interesting is that the fish and poop fossil was found near the top of Mt. Elbert in Colorado, the highest mountain in Colorado. How did those fish get buried quickly up that high if there had been no worldwide flood covering the mountains? Why can fish fossils be found on or near the top of every mountain worldwide? Because the flood covered the whole earth!

The Bible Says the Ark held two of every kind of animal.

"You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; Gen. 7:2

Bible skeptics say:

"There is no way two of all the animals on the earth could fit in the Ark!"

Answer:

That's precisely why the rebuilt Ark in Kentucky is raising so many eyebrows. It proves that the Ark, built to the dimensions God gave Noah in Genesis, is large enough to contain two of every kind (not species) of animal in the world, Noah and his family and food and water for all to live for over a year, with room to spare!

The rebuilt Ark in Kentucky even shows how Noah's family would have been able to care for all the animals and dispose of all their waste. It is likely Noah and his family only had to deal with about 6700 individual animals, and most of them were small and easily maintained.

Dinosaurs are often brought up for ridicule due to their size. But only two dinosaurs would have been needed, and most dinosaurs were about the size of an average sheep. Not to mention, you didn't need to bring along adults of every "kind," two youths of each kind would do.

You didn't need one of every dog breed. Two dogs would do just fine. Skeptics love to ask the question, "You're telling me all the dog breeds in the world came from only two dogs?" And of course the answer is yes, and it is easily proven through genetics. But also point out they think that dogs evolved from a rock! 🙂

The Bible says God gathered the animals and birds to the Ark.

"Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. Gen. 6:20

"... went into the ark to Noah by twos, male and female, as God had commanded Noah." Gen 7:9

Bible skeptics say:

"How did all the animals get to the Ark from other continents?"

Answer:

The Bible says God brought the animals. He certainly could have supernaturally brought them from afar. But also it's possible that there was just one continent at the time on the earth.

The Bible says God gave the size of the Ark to build.

"This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits." Gen. 6:15 (over 500 feet long)

Bible skeptics say:

"Noah didn't have the technology or manpower to build a boat of that size."

Answer:

The Ark was built only 16 centuries from the time of Adam and humans were originally built perfect. The ravages of sin had only begun to take its toll. The Bible says they were building cities, making musical instruments and even working with metal (Gen. 4:17, 21, 22). So there's no reason to think that Noah couldn't have built the Ark.

The Bible doesn't say whether or not Noah employed outside personnel to assist in the construction, which is possible. But even if the Ark construction was limited to Noah and his sons, they had ample time to build the Ark...between 80 and 100 years.

It's not surprising that the God-given ratio of 30 X 5 X 3 is the standard ratio used in shipbuilding today to be the most seaworthy.

The Bible says God destroyed every living thing in the flood.

"Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. Gen. 6:17

Bible Skeptics Say:

"A loving God would never destroy so many innocent people."

Answer:

Not true. God is a God of justice and sometimes killed tens of thousands at a time in the Old Testament due to mankind's sinful ways. Thankfully He sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins so we could escape the penalty of eternal death. This free gift is open to anyone who believes the Gospel.

"if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;" Rom. 10:9

Why?
And we need to never forget THE REASON for Noah's Flood: God's worldwide judgment on a sinful people. Our loving God is a righteous but just God. God gives us an account of His past

judgments to remind us of his future prophesied judgments. God is not mocked.

There is a penalty for sin. And there is a future worldwide judgement coming when the Lord removes the Holy Spirit from the earth. The Flood of Noah is a reminder of that fact.

So we hope you can join us in September for the Steeling the Mind Bible Conference at the rebuilt Noah's Ark. It's a great weekend of Bible teaching by great

teachers tackling tough subjects.

And best of all, your conference admission gets you into the Ark, and AiG's mind-boggling Creation Museum, for FREE, for two days! Click here for all the details, including discount hotel rooms in the area.

(1) http://science.time.com/2013/03/11/the-great-and-recent-martian-flood/

Watching our esteemed politicians jockey for positions to win votes in the Presidential election is always amazing. Truth is often hard to decipher. And the fact is, if you torture the evidence long enough, it will confess to anything.

But Christians are called to be discerning of the political rhetoric. We have the Holy Spirit of Truth living in us to guide us through the mire.

"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God." 1 Cor. 2:10

Therefore, as our nomination process unfolds, it's important to keep in mind that all politicians are sinners. All have all sinned in the past and all will sin in the future. Our duty as Christians is to vote for who we THINK will most likely govern along Biblical principles.

"choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:" Joshua 24:15

At this critical juncture of our nation, it's vitally important for all Believers to take voting seriously, as it IS a gift from God. Our God-given Republic seems to be hanging on by a thread. So do vote while you can still vote!

Sadly, only half of all Christians vote. If every Christian voted, it would make a huge difference in the kind of people we elect to govern us. Huge! So make voting a priority for everyone in your family!

But more importantly, prayer is what we need most.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Phil. 4:6

God is still in control and we need to ask Him to elect a leader that would allow this nation one more revival. God gave Nineveh the opportunity to turn away from debauchery and back to Him. It's not too late for us either.

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him." Col. 1:6

Do you believe this is possible? I do, if God wants it. And it's never wrong to ask the right thing. Who knows what the Lord might allow.

Use us, Lord!

Readromans1.com

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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Ingredients:

1) One large dose of Iranian irrationality.
2) A generous helping of Israel's need for survival.
3) A heaping ego from the American leader.

Instructions:

Mix together on high heat for 2 years while stirring rapidly 24/7.

Whether it's due to design or ignorance, our government is negotiating with Iran as if Iran is trustworthy. But they're not at all trustworthy. History has shown they don't negotiate in good faith. And this is because the Bible says the descendents of Ishmael have a propensity to be irrational.

"[Ishmael] will be a wild donkey of a man,

His hand will be against everyone,

And everyone's hand will be against him; Gen. 16:12

As we have often pointed out, the descendants of Ishmael were prophesied to always be fighting "everyone." That's irrational behavior. And the history of the Arab region around Israel is famous for those of the Muslim faith acting irrationally, always fighting each other and their neighboring countries.

Iran, which is Biblical Persia, although not technically Arab, has recently had a history of irrational and confrontational acts due to Muslim influence. Since the American-backed Shah was toppled in 1979 and replaced by an Islamic republic led by Ayatollah Khomeini, their behavior has been profoundly established.

1979 Time Magazine cover
featuring the captured American Hostages in Iran.

Following the 1970s revolution, in 1981 the United States imposed economic sanctions against Iran for human rights violations stemming from the capture and detention of 52 Americans as hostages for 444 days.

The imposed sanctions included freezing millions of dollars of cash assets in American banks and banning aviation companies from selling aircraft and repair parts to Iranian airlines.

In October 1987, President Reagan added additional sanctions by issuing an Executive Order prohibiting the importation and exportation of any goods or services from Iran.

In 1995 Congress passed more sanctions to include prohibiting American firms from dealing with the Iranian government in any capacity whatsoever.

In 2005 Iran refused to suspend its uranium enrichment program which would eventually allow them to build nuclear weapons. So in 2006, the U.N. Security Council imposed more sanctions. These U.N. United Nations logo

sanctions affected Europe's oil imports from Iran, effectively bringing them to a halt.

In June of 2010, the U.N. added more sanctions forbidding any Iranian products to be imported to any U.N. country.

And in July of 2013, the United States imposed even stiffer financial sanctions against Iran, effectively barring Iran from any banking transactions. These financial restrictions worked, crippling their economy, and caused Iran to finally agree to come to the negotiating table.

Iran had no choice but to negotiate. The Iraqi-Iranian war between 1980 and 1988 led to over 500,000 total casualties and 400 billion dollars in damages!The war ended in a stalemate with nothing to show for the great cost in lives and money. (Remember, they're irrational!)

The upside to the West was that that war, combined with all the financial sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the U.N., has held Iran somewhat in check for decades. Iran finally reached the point of having no option but to negotiate some relief or risk an internal revolt.

So Iran comes to the negotiating table and we hold all the cards. We have them on the ropes. We can dictate the terms. We can demand what is needed to ensure they act peacefully in the region.

But for some odd reason the Obama Administration is willing to

negotiate a deal to lift all Iranian sanctions in return for Iran delaying their nuclear program for 10 years. What kind of deal is that? That's like saying that Israel has 10 years to prepare for a nuclear strike. Would we agree to let Cuba have nuclear weapons in ten years? Hardly!

And if Iran does manage to acquire nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia has announced that they too will have to have nukes to protect themselves. So our leadership's mismanagement of the Middle Eastern situation has huge repercussions far beyond Iran and Israel.

Our administration's handling of the Middle East is much like taking a pot of water, cranking up the heat to high and hoping stirring the pot will keep it from boiling over. If you have Godless leadership, you usually have Godless actions. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Netanyahu before the U.S. Congress in March, 2015

Iran has vowed to nuke Israel as soon as it has the big bomb. So Israel is not about to wait around for it. Nor should they. Their country's life is a stake.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, recently vowed in a speech to a joint session of the American Congress that Israel was not about to stand around doing nothing while Iran built a nuclear bomb to launch at them. Who could blame them?

Israel was ready to take out the Iranian nuclear facilities a few years ago. But the Obama Administration exposed the plan publicly and threatened to shoot down any Israeli aircraft engaged in an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. Obama has shown he loathes Israel.

Polls show most Jews don't trust Obama. Duh!

A recent poll of Israelis by the Tel Aviv University and Israel Democracy Institute found that an astonishing 67% of Israelis don't believe Obama. (No telling what percentage of the American population thinks Obama lies!)

The poll also found that 66% of the Israelis think that the U.S.'s handling of the Middle East crisis projects weakness.

There is coming in the future a time when every nation in the world is against Israel, even the United States. I used to always assume that it was something that happens post-Rapture . . . but if the Lord tarries, who knows! Especially with an administration that, judging by its past actions, is more pro-Muslim than it is pro-American!

The Obama administration just proved this by announcing that they may not protect Israel from United Nations sanctions. If that actually happens, this nation is in deep trouble. Deep.

In reality, we're getting very close to the fulfillment of the verse that says one day there will be:

". . . all nations against Jerusalem."
Zech. 14

God has used the United States to protect Israel. Since 1972, the U.S. has used its veto power 39 times to cast the only dissenting vote to stop resolutions against Israel concerning a myriad of untrue, untested and unworkable declarations. The United States has vetoed resolutions that would declare Palestine a sovereign state, that would demand that Israel halt construction of new Jewish neighborhoods and would stop the construction of Israel's well-needed security fence.

So if the Obama Administration does what they're threatening to do, Israel will have not a single nation on her side.

God will protect Israel. But there are no assurances God will continue protecting and blessing America. His promise is simple:

Since 1948, the U.S. has stood
beside Israel. But our current administration is sending signals
that it's rethinking our full support.

And I will bless those who bless [Israel], and the one who curses [Israel] I will curse. Gen. 12:3

Since 1948 when Israel became a nation, America has undoubtedly been blessed because of our embracing and protecting God's special people on earth.

Now our esteemed President wants to throw Israel under the bus. He has announced we may not vote to protect Israel in the future. Heaven help us if we abandon Israel.

Based on the rhetoric coming from the current administration, Israel knows it can't trust the Obama Administration to look out for her interest. She will be on her own, making decisions based on her best interests, not having to worry about world politics.

Israel has nukes

It's common knowledge that Israel has nuclear weapons. Israel is smart enough not to publicly admit it, but they've had the big bomb for 30 plus years. I've personally seen the nuclear facility in Israel, from a distance.

Israel's nuclear facility--taken from a distance of about
two miles away. Photo by Bill Perkins

The Bible says Iran WILL succeed in their nuclear aspirations and eventually be part of a group of several nations who launch nuclear-equipped missiles at Israel in the last days.

Ezekiel 37 is the famous chapter of the regathering of Israel the second time back to their homeland. Described as a valley of dry bones that come together, grow tendons and walk, Ezekiel predicted the Jews regathering in their homeland from around the world.

Interestingly, the Bible predicts that when Israel regathers for the second time (which they did in 1948) they will have "an exceeding great army." (Ezk 37:10) They do!The Bible predicts that when Israel regathers for the second time they will become a "burdensome stone" for the world to bear. They are!

Following Ezekiel 37's bold prediction of a second regathering of

Israel to her homeland, chapters 38 and 39 predict a major invasion of Israel from a group of nations who surround Israel.

Led by Gog/Magog, Persia is also specifically mentioned.

Persia, Ethiopia, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Ezek. 38:5Regardless of who Gog/Magog (from the north of Israel) turns out to be (some theorize they have Russian roots), Persia is definitely one of the invading nations of Israel.

In 1935, Persia, the historical name used by its native people, changed its name to "Iran." Persia shows up first in the Bible in 2Chronicles 36:20-23. When Ezekiel gave his prophecy, Persia was the country that is today called Iran.

So Iran will be part of this invading army, which is defeated by Israel.

But here is the interesting part. The clean-up of the battle will last seven months as they have to send people into the

battlefield to "cleanse" it.

"For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order

to cleanse the land." Ezek 39:12

"Cleanse the land"? What happens to the land that it needs cleansing? It gets even more interesting when you read that after they spend seven months cleansing the land, they then make another sweep of the land looking for any "bones" they missed the first time.

And they don't dare touch the bones, but instead, set a marker next to where they're found so they can bury them later.

"At the end of seven months they will make a search. As those who pass through the land pass through and anyone sees a man's bone, then he will set up a marker by it until the buriers have buried it . . . " Ezek. 39:14-15

Burying contaminated waste obviously sounds like it could certainly be some kind of nuclear war contamination. So this may also tie into Zechariah's prophecy that the description sounds like a person who melted from the heat in a nuclear neutron bomb exchange.

". . . their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth." Zech. 14:12

That's exactly what a neutron bomb does. It melts anything living but leaves the structures intact. And the most amazing part of all of this is that it was written over 2500 years ago!

So today, Israel is back in their land, Persia/Iran is their enemy and a nuclear war is in the future. But before that horrible war described

in Ezekiel 38 and 39, God will remove His Spirit from the earth, along with all those who have His Spirit living in them--all born-again Believers. We call that event "The Rapture" or removal of the Church from the earth.

What a day that will be when millions of Christians disappear into thin air, saved from the horrific seven-year Tribulation. Bible prophecy is so relevant today, and God gave it to COMFORT us as the last days wind up.

"Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1Th. 4:18

Yet many churches are turning or have turned away from teaching Bible prophecy. Most of the so-called mega-churches

Bible prophecy is an integral part of scripture, offering comfort in an uncomfortable world.

ignore some or all of prophetic scripture. Which, of course, means they are avoiding about 25% of the Bible!

"I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." Acts 20:27

By studying Bible prophecy we gain a wonderful peace knowing that God is fully in control. He raises up and discards leaders for His own purposes. Everything that is happening today is part of His plan . . . and in His plan, all things work together for good for Believers.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Ro. 8:28

These are exciting times to be alive! It seems like more Bible prophecy is being fulfilled every month, every wee

k, every day. And whether we're on this earth for one more minute or two decades, wehave incredible opportunities to share God's truth with a lost world.

Use us, Lord!

Bill

-----------
sources:

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/obama-threatened-israeli-jets/2015/03/01/id/627575/

http://www.wrmea.org/2005-may-june/an-updated-list-of-vetoes-cast-by-the-united-states-to-shield-israel-from-criticism-by-the-u.n.-security-council.html

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

To sign up for our FREE Monthly Compass eNews with updates on future Bible conferences, Bible trips, specials on DVD Bible studies and an eye-opening look at a hot topicClick Here

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"Exodus: Gods and Kings"

Movie Reviews by: Bill Perkins & Randall Price

The following are Randall's concluding thoughts on a review he wrote on the movie Exodus that was recently released.

To read his entire critique, CLICK HERE

In the Bible Moses cannot be explained apart from his relationship with God. It is that relationship that motivates Him, empowers Him, and enables him to lead the multitude through the wilderness. Moses knows God and will not allow any trial or temptation (even from God!) to diminish His absolute confidence in God's promise-keeping character (see Exodus 32:1-14).

The absence of this kind of God in Ridley Scott's version made even the miracles somewhat boring and left the audience feeling more sympathy for Rameses than Moses. Here, for me, and I am sure for countless others, is the Moses I never knew (and frankly do not really care to know).

If the world grants success to this film it will be more of a sad statement of where our post-biblical culture is today than on the quality of one more prime season release blockbuster. Sadder still is the fact that this post-biblical and biblically illiterate culture may never realize just how far such a biblically inspired film is from the Bible itself. This, then, is the real shame, for while Ridley Scott's film fails to inspire, the Bible never does.

One more thought we just had to add.....

We passed along the scathing movie review by Randall Price on Ridley Scott's version of the movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings." Here's one final thought on that horrible movie.

When you're dealing with the Word of God, you're dealing with God Himself.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,

Therefore it's quite blasphemous to change the Word of God, to say things that are in direct opposition to God's Holy Word. And that's what this movie does. It rips apart God's Word, making a mockery of scripture. Woe be to the person who does that!

Rev. 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;

Rev. 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

Therefore we concluded it's difficult to imagine ANY set of circumstances in which a Believer could justify paying to see this movie!

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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God mixed the languages at the Tower of Babel because He said that if He didn't, nothing would be impossible for mankind. Obviously, God knew it would only slow mankind down, not make it impossible to reach the heavens.

(Gen 11:6-9)

Fast-forward a few thousand years and here we are again, uniting in one language, the language of the Internet. And, to repeat the phrase, the sky's the limit.

The wrist computer (pictured) is just an idea. A very GOOD idea. But there is no truly working prototype that we could find. However, this is the same imagination that fueled the Tower of Babel. And with the Internet as mankind's common language, nothing is impossible. Even a world where everyone is tied together as one.

Rev. 13:16-17 "And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark...."

See more here:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9J7GpVQCfms

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark . . . Revelation 13:16-17

The coming cashless society is, quite frankly, a great idea! Think about it ... doing away with money will solve most, if not all, of our monetary problems—worldwide! With the government now owning and/or controlling all the banks, this idea is actually feasible. And, considering today’s technology it would not be a difficult thing to do. The government would just assign a number to every person on the earth and mark that number permanently on their right hand (or on the forehead if their arm is missing). Several companies are already using imbedded chips in cattle, dogs, cats and other animals with great success. No muss, no fuss. Works like a charm. Besides, there’s really not much difference between a chip in a credit/debit card in your purse or wallet and a chip in your arm (or invisible ink on the back of your hand). Think of the possibilities:

All Taxes Collected - Every transaction could be controlled through a single central computer. Groceries, restaurant charges, furniture purchases, utilities, gas, clothes, supplies, business transactions, payroll . . . everything and anything purchased, could have their taxes collected on the spot. No more behind the scenes transactions to avoid paying taxes. And there would be no more reporting necessary. All those cumbersome retail tax filings, payroll tax deposits, etc. would be history. Everything would be taxed and paid at the transaction point.

All Income Taxes Paid - All your income and all your expenses would be part of the system, so no more fudging on your income taxes. Hey, you probably won’t even have to file taxes. They’ll just take a percentage of every transaction and tell you how much you have left.

Robberies -There would be no more money-motivated bank heists because there wouldn’t be any money in the bank to steal! Makes petty robberies a thing of the past. You also wouldn’t have to worry about bounced checks—there are no checks! If someone tries to purchase something and they don’t have the money, you would know immediately!

Identity Theft - You would never have to fear losing your check book or credit card again. Or having your identity stolen. Your permanent number would be attached to you and you would just wave it over the scanner to complete the transaction.

Illegal Drugs - Law enforcement officials have told us for years that the motive for drug sales is money, not drugs. Take away the money and presto, no more motive for selling drugs. What a wonderful world we would have without the drug problem.

Works Worldwide - This will work worldwide. Today, if you are in Jerusalem, and use a cash machine to withdraw Israeli Shekels from your personal bank account in the U.S., the approval (or disapproval) is instantaneous. There is no time difference between standing in front of the cash machine at your hometown bank and standing in front of the cash machine anyplace in the world.

So the system is in place! It’s just a matter of time, or having some kind of real or perceived world-wide crises, and the wise ones will demand that this wonderful and fair system be hurried into action.

The devil, of course, is in the details. What group of nations is going to control this world-wide monster? What criteria will be used to determine which people get into the system, and who will be in charge of keeping out those that are not, shall we say, “desirable”? And with all that control, what if they needed more taxes? Would those in the system have any say in the matter? Could you get out if you wanted to? There are lots of questions. But most importantly, if you peek at the end of the best-selling book of all time, you can see it’s Satan himself controlling this world-wide economic system and it turns into a living hell. Bummer, it was such a great idea!

Shalom,

Bill

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

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Dan. 11:41 "He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab and the foremost of the sons of Ammon.

The Bible is clear that in the future Tribulation period, Edom, Moab and Ammon, present day Jordan, will escape out of the Antichrist's hand. And that fact may be tied to the millions of Jews who will be fleeing to Edom to escape the Anti-chirst in the middle of the Tribulation. (Is 63.1, Rev 12:6, Is 2, Mat 24:15-20)

The Bible says the surviving Jews will spend 3 1/2 years somewhere in present day Jordan, in a place prepared and protected by God. Petra is in the middle of Edom. So it's interesting to see Jordan in the news in the Middle East, as prophesied over 2500 years ago.

We know from scripture that present day Jordan is referred to frequently in the Bible. Moses and the Israelites wandered in the Jordanian desert for much of their 40 year penalty. And it was Jordan where Moses viewed the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo. Today, the city next to the ancient ruins of Petra is named Wadi Musa, or The Valley of Moses.

Today, Jordan is in the news big-time! The recent horrific murder of the Jordanian fighter pilot has exposed the world to the sober truth of what we're dealing with in the Middle East. Which is pure Satanic evil.

The response by Jordan's King Abdullah II, to send his Royal Airforce to bomb away on ISIS targets, was a welcomed decision by everyone but our own government. Who knows the reason our government seems to delay or scale back any military effort dealing with Muslim countries? But the world applauded his no-nonsense response.

King Abdullah is one tough cookie. His exact words were that Jordan would attack ISIS "until we run out of fuel and bullets." And he is carrying through with his vow launching military air strikes daily in Syria and Iraq. He is a truly compassionate yet iron-fisted leader who knows his job is to protect his country.

King Abdullah is a polar opposite to our own President. Born in Jordan, he completed his military education at the prestigious Sandhurst Academy. Following his Jordanian studies he spent a year at Oxford studying Middle Eastern Affairs and then attended

King Abdullah is a trained
helicopter gunship pilot

the School Of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in the United States.

After his schooling he spent several years active duty in Jordan's military as a pilot on a helicopter gun ship and then in the diplomatic area of Jordan's government. Quite a well-rounded education!

He also is a certified scuba diver, freefall parachutist and auto racing fan. He once even won the Jordanian National Rally Racing Championship.

Jordan's Queen Rania

And to top off his achievements, he married the quite stunning Queen Rania with whom he has four children.

Queen Rania is sharp as a tack. She earned a degree in Business Administration from American University in Cairo, Egypt, after which she worked briefly at Citibank and Apple in Amman before marrying the future King of Jordan.

She vocally believes women in Jordan have the OPTION of wearing the headscarf and rarely wears one in public.

When we travel to Jordan on our tours to Petra, we easily see the love and total respect the Jordanian people have for King Abdullah and his wife. I've never met one person in Jordan who would not lay his life down for the King and Queen.

How present-day Jordan came into being...

"To the victor go the spoils."

After WWI, the British and the French divided up the defeated Ottoman Empire. France got control of Syria and Lebanon and Britain took the land south of Lebanon and Syria.

In their 1917 Balfour Agreement, Great Britain agreed to give land to the Jews to return to their homeland after some 1900 years of dispersion. In 1920, the British and the French, winners of World War I, divided up pieces of the Ottoman Empire.

As you can see in the map (left), the French Mandate gave France control of Lebanon and Syria. The British Mandate gave the British control of what is today Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Israel.

Originally, the British Mandate gave Israel, called "Palestine," the entire area that today is known as Israel and Jordan.

But the Arabs had a hissy-fit over Israel being given land right in the middle of all these Muslim nations. They ultimately prevailed to get Britain to take 2/3s of the land originally given to Israel and give it to the Arabs/Muslims, calling it Trans-Jordan.

Let me repeat. Britain, under Arab pressure, gave 2/3s of the original land allotted for the Jews to have as a homeland, to the Arabs. In the map above, the dark brown area labeled "Trans-Jordan," was originally "Palestine" which is what Britain called Israel in those days. Today "Palestine" is what the Arabs now call the West Bank and Gaza. Who can figure?

This new land lopped off from Israel was originally called "Trans-Jordan," later changed to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and today mostly referred to as just "Jordan."

King Abdullah l

In 1921 King Abdullah I was given headship over this new country for helping the British and T.E. Lawrence (AKA "Lawrence of Arabia") to conquer the Ottoman Empire.

Abdullah I was assassinated in 1951 at the Temple Mount's Al-Aqsaa mosque by a Muslim zealot. Abdullah's son, Talal, immediately became King. However, Talal was mentally ill (he really was) and after some closed door meetings, Talal's son, Prince Hussein became ruler at age 17.

King Hussein

King Hussein ruled Jordan until his death due to cancer in 1999. His even-handed and fair legislation stood out as unique in the Arab world.

Hussein reigned through four decades of Arab-Israeli conflicts, moving from being a hostile enemy of Israel to ultimately signing a peace treaty with them in 1994. Jordan is Israel's longest border of the four nations that surround her.

Queen Noor

Hussein also raised a lot of Arab eyebrows by marrying a beautiful American wife in 1978, Queen Noor. She brought American elegance and style to the title of Queen, quite unusual in the Arab world.

It was Queen Noor who took one look at Petra and immediately had it cleaned up for tourists. She also had a number of Five Star hotels built near the entrance and personally was involved in the design, look and feel of the highly successful worldwide advertising campaigns.

Key dates in Jordan's history:

1948-
Along with five other nations, Jordan attacked Israel on the day it became a United Nations designated country. Jordan captured the West Bank of the Jordan River--"illegally occupying" what was given to Israel by the U.N.

1967-

Golda Meir--Israeli Prime Minister 1969-74

Jordan was defeated by Israel in the Six Day War, losing the West Bank of the Jordan River.

1973- Jordan chose not to join Egypt and Syria in the Yom Kippur War. In fact, one week prior to the attack, King Hussein was moved to fly to Israel by stealth helicopter, under the cover of darkness, to warn then Prime Minister Golda Meir of an impending attack.

In 1997
A Jordanian soldier, later deemed to be mentally ill, opened fire near the Israeli border, killing seven Israeli school girls ages 13 and 14 and wounding six others.

King Hussein consoles Jewish families

King Hussein immediately traveled to Israel to personally apologize to each one of the grieving families.

He also visited those wounded in the hospital. All the while he was saying, "Your daughter is like my daughter. Your loss is my loss. I feel I have lost a child of my own."

The apologies to the Israeli families were carried on live TV and was broadcast to all of Israel and Jordan, showing Hussein walking side-by-side with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

Because of King Hussein's actions, he not only became Jordan's most-beloved King, he became revered in Israel as well. The respect given by Hussein after the school children massacre was so much appreciated by the Israelis that once an Israeli guide on one of our trips quipped, "King Hussein is loved so much in Israel he could be elected Prime Minister!"

The 1994 Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty also initially opened an interesting door for tourism in Jordan--to Jews from Israel. In the middle of the mostly desolate southern provinces of Jordan is

The main entrance to Petra is
a 20' wide, 200' high, mile
long split in the earth.

ancient Petra...to the Jews an archaeological wonder. It was the only place Israelis could drive across their border as tourists and return to Israel with little or no worry of being attacked.

So for the first few years after the peace treaty was signed, literally tens of thousands of Israelis visited Petra, marveling at its intricate 2000 year old rock carvings.

Eventually, the mass of Israeli visitors slowed to an insignificant crawl due to security concerns during the Intifada and has never recovered.

But many Bible prophecy buffs, including myself, believe Petra is the location described in Revelation 12 as the place the Jews will flee to in the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. And now, by God's providence, if we're near the time of the Rapture, tens of thousands of Jews have already visited for a sneak-peek! LOL! Don't you just love how God orchestrates events for His purposes!

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

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As we watch the ancient prophetic signs come to pass for the close of this age, most Believers know intrinsically that a huge spiritual change, a huge transition, is dead ahead. We sense things aren’t right. Something’s definitely going on. Many are assuming the Rapture is close. And it may be.

However, let’s face the facts, we don’t know if Rapture’s two seconds or thirty years away. And as we “occupy” Lk 19:13, Christians are being openly persecuted for their beliefs worldwide. For that we mourn while we comfort ourselves by trusting the fact that God is always in control.

Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1Th. 4:17-18

One of the more interesting observable facts occurring in the end of this age is the degree to which Satan has duped the world. Because the Bible has been ushered out of public discussion, few people, even Christians, realize our root problem is Satan himself.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:11-12

Our government is not our main problem. Neither is BHO. Or HRC. Or ISIS. Our problem is the same problem that surfaced in the Garden of Eden and has plagued the world since. Our problem is the god of this world who operates in disguise while promoting his relentless list of lies.

Satan lurks behind all things Christians detest. Our shameful public schools, our horrible pornography industry, the deplorable rate of Christian divorce, the low birthrate for Believers, the 60+ million abortions in the U.S., the push for homosexual perversion (God’s definition) to be accepted, our disgraceful national debt, worldwide Christian persecution, etc., all come directly from Satan.

When we threw God and His Word out of our schools, our government, public places, etc., Satan was behind it all, lying through his teeth.

. . . [Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

So as we wind down this dispensation, expect the lies to become more sharply focused against Believers and their Christian values. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we armor up with Biblical truth. Satan is winding up, knowing his time is short. He’s pulling out all the stops.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Eph. 6:13

Bill

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

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The Miracle of Israel

A Movie Review

by: Bill Perkins

Growing up in the south in the 1950s and 60s, I was raised with a lot of prejudices. It’s almost comical looking back at my steeped opinions of the Jewish race. It wasn’t until I was washed in the blood that I began to understand God’s incredible love for the Jews . . . and His future plans for them in my lifetime, the coming Tribulation and future millennial reign of Christ on earth.

To understand what’s going on in Israel today, you must view the world according to God’s prophetic time clock. When you do understand the background, history and current events surrounding God’s special place on earth, even the nightly news and daily newspaper make sense.

Israel didn’t just accidentally become a nation again in 1948 after almost 2000 years of exile. God promised He would raise them up again in the latter days in their homeland (Ezekiel 37). And on schedule, the provincial hand of God put Israel on the map as the prophesied “burdening stone” of the world. The story of Israel coming back and taking over the land God had promised to give them “forever” is simply incredible! And none explains it better than Dave Reagan on our DVD (click Here to order), The Miracle of Israel Dave covered the subject in great anticipatory detail at one of our Steeling the Mind Bible Conference and it’s become a classic for understanding the nightly news headlines. After watching it, most people insist family and friends also watch it . . . it’s that good!

–BP

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

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Constitutional Convention 1787

Benjamin Franklin was asked, as he emerged from the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, what form of government the United States was going to have. Franklin answered matter of factly, "A Republic, if you can keep it." He had fascinating insight into the future!

I am totally amazed that both in front of and behind the scenes, otherwise logical people are calling for a Constitutional Convention...purportedly to deal with our failing dollar. The idea is that a Con Con is the only way we can pass a balanced budget amendment.

There are 16 trillion reasons we desperately need a current path balanced budget. And Article V of the U.S. Constitution gives the states the power to call for a Con Con.

Two-thirds of the states, 34 of 50, must call for a Con Con. If 34 states pass this simple resolution, Congress must call a Convention so that states can propose amendments to the Constitution.

However, Con Con would be a con job. Once the constitution was opened up to change anything, even if the stated purpose was to deal only with a single fan-flamed problem, everything in the constitution would be on the table. The result would be that our constitution, as we know it, would be open to politically correct change.

With our civil rights, 2nd Amendment and minority protections already hanging by a thread, who in their right mind would allow a majority of today's politicians from EITHER party to vote on ANY changes to the constitution??

We the people con con Liberals have for years salivated at the prospect of a Con Con. They know the constitution is a conservative, rights-protecting document. A Con Con would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rid of those protections and provisions that have held this country together for over 237 years.

Some say a Con Con could never happen. But there are both liberals and conservatives (wolves in sheep's clothing) extolling the virtues of such an event.

Conservative organizations like the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Goldwater Institute and several others think a Con Con should be called to pass a balanced budget amendment.

However, there are no rules for a Con Con. So who would be the delegates making up rules to operate a Con Con? Who would be in charge? Liberal Republicans or the Democrats?

Regardless of the stated purpose for a Con Con, EVERYTHING would be open to modify or change. Those in the room could vote (for our good of course) a new constitution that is more "up to date."

But there are no rules in a Con Con! The "delegates" (there are no guidelines as to how to select them) could even ratify this new constitution with whatever changes they saw fit. Do you see a problem here?

Again, there are no rules for a Con Con. Delegates in a Con Con would be the most powerful force in the history of our country. Not like the mostly God-fearing group of men who first penned the Articles of Confederation. Today, few people have the muster of our founding fathers. Can you imagine today ANY of our politicians choosing issues to debate and change?

One more time, there are no rules for a Con Con. We have enough trouble with Congress WITH rules. At the height of the Obamacare vote, it is estimated that some 70-75% of Americans were against even the concept of nationalized healthcare. Yet it was passed without even having been read!

Lest you think I'm nuts even talking about this, there are 29 states that have, on the record, officially called for a Con Con:

Alaska	Arizona	Arkansas	Delaware	Colorado
Georgia	Idaho	Indiana	Iowa	Kansas
Maryland	Mississippi	Missouri	Nebraska	Nevada
New Hampshire	New Mexico	North Carolina	North Dakota	Oklahoma
Oregon	Pennsylvania	South Carolina	South Dakota	Tennessee
Texas	Utah	Virginia	Wyoming

Three more states have called for a Con Con, but have rescinded their call: Alabama, Florida and Louisiana.

Naturally, some proponents of Con Con, liberals, are saying those three state rescissions are not legal and those states should be counted as calling for a Con Con. If they are counted, then only 3 more states would be necessary to call for a Con Con.

Let's just say, I would hate to see the legality of those three states having called for a Con Con to go to court! As we've seen with the Obamacare ruling, nothing is predictable in a Supreme Court vote.

Regardless, either way, only a few states need to call for a Con Con for this thing to get dicey. And in a national emergency, it would be easy for five additional states to be motivated to call for a Con Con.

Hypothetically speaking...
So what kind of crisis would precipitate such a call? Take your pick. Financial would be at the top of the list. But it could be anything—disease, weather, military...who knows.

Like it or not, BHO is Commander and Chief of the U.S. Army

I don't really feel comfortable that in any emergency Mr. Obama and his staff have the authority to take over pretty much everything...food, livestock, farming equipment, manufacturing, industry, energy, transportation, hospitals, water, defense, construction, etc.

But as our leader, he'll be the one making decisions in an emergency, regardless of what/who caused it. He can even authorize Martial Law, regulate the Internet and cell phones, and even suspend Habeas Corpus. If he felt things weren't going just right, you can forget Fox and conservative talk radio. That's a lot of power!

We do know that Homeland Security seems to be preparing to deal with some type of crisis. In early 2013 they purchased 1.6 billion rounds of ammo.* This is an astronomical number considering we were using less than 6 million rounds a month at the height of the Iraq War!

Why do we need a 20-25 year supply of bullets for Homeland Security when our Border Patrols agents can't get the ammo they need just to do their job?*

Homeland Security is also taking delivery on thousands of Armored Carrier MRAP (mine resistant) armored vehicles with bullet-proof glass and gun ports.

This is not our Department of Defense preparing for war with our enemies, it's our Department of Homeland Security preparing for....what? War against ourselves?

How is it that we're paring down the Department of Defense, which is the Federal entity charged with protecting us, and massively revving up Homeland Security. What the heck are they preparing for?

Logically, they are worried about something that has yet to be made known to the public at large!

FEMA has been busy building 600 fenced-in internment camps across the U.S. since 1984

FEMA REX Camp

Hypothetically, if the dollar collapses into financial chaos, food is scarce and people begin rioting in the streets, I would certainly want our government to step in and stop the chaos.

They would need a lot of those 1.6 billion bullets, the MRAPs and all those tens of thousands of assault rifles they've purportedly purchased to clear the streets until we get things sorted out.

They would even need a lot of those 600 or so fenced-in detention centers that FEMA's been building (via REX 84) across the U.S. to hold those rioters.* Maybe all of them if they suspend elections!

Again, hypothetically, you could easily see how a hysterical populous might support a Con Con. But to use a crisis to change the Constitution would probably be the last straw for a lot of people. Our nation would be changed forever. It's that serious.

God blessed this nation with wisdom, might and religious freedoms for His eternal purposes. Our founding Fathers feared and respected the Lord. Until our leadership understands that we serve and are accountable to a living risen Lord, we'll continue down this path of self-inflicted destruction.

Until our leadership understands that God is in control, not people, we'll reap what we sow. Until our leaders seek God's will, not Satan's, we'll reap what we sow.

Until our leaders understand that hell is a real place and all other priorities in this world pale in comparison, we'll reap what we sow. Until our leaders repent from a God-less agenda, we'll reap what we sow.

For Believers, we have personal and direct access to the Creator God of the universe. It's time we honestly put Mr. Obama and our nation's leaders fervently at the top of our prayer lists...because the Bible says that prayer changes things.

"I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and
thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,

for kings and all who are in authority, in order that
we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness
and dignity."1 Tim. 2:1-2

"The effective prayer of a righteous man can

accomplish much." James 5:16

"pray without ceasing;" 1 Th. 5:17

"Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the
Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it

did also with you;" 2 Th. 3:1

"Come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:21

Or maybe the Rapture is just closer than we think!

-----------------------------------
Additional Resource:
America's Founding Fathers, Deist or Christian?
By David Barton
Click Here for instant download or "shipped to you."

Notes:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphbenko/2013/03/11/1-6-billion-rounds-of-ammo-for-homeland-security-its-time-for-a-national-conversation/

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/05/border-patrol-now-experiencing-an-ammunition-shortage-n1558916

http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/con_camps_fema.htm

http://www.globalresearch.ca/rex-84-fema-s-blueprint-for-martial-law-in-america/3010

Bill Perkins

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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Christiana Figueres in Doha, Qatar in November 2012

The UN is moving the world, and the United States, toward a legally based agreement to go into effect by 2020.

Most of us never heard about the United Nations meetings on "Climate Change" in Doha, Qatar in November, but they will eventually affect every man, woman and child in the world. The meetings were called "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (UNFCCC). Moving without opposition in their convention in Doha, Qatar, Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres has quietly steered a plan to implement a new "global tax" to provide revenue for what is called the "Green Climate Fund."

But this tax is more than something to fund climate change studies. Rather, it is aimed at changing the world--

1) By taking assets from the United States and redistributing them to "less fortunate" nations and

2) By having the United Nations to reign superior over all sovereign nations of the world.

Figueres made a remarkable recorded statement to the entire assembly regarding the new "world tax" :

"What is occurring here, not just in Doha, but in the whole climate change process is the complete transformation of the economic structure of the world. It should happen much quicker (sic), but it cannot happen overnight,"

We're pretty sure the Arabs
in Doha are looking out for the
United States best interest!

To get all the delegates on board, they successfully fanned the flames of "Global Warming" enough to scare island nations into worrying that their countries will be under water if the problem is not addressed worldwide. The truth is that climate temperatures naturally move slightly up and down throughout the ages.

They plan to get a new Global Treaty approved by 2015 and begin taxing the world's citizens by 2020. They have proposed a small tax on all financial transactions worldwide (Rev 13:16) and a tax on global emissions.

(It is worth noting that the original income tax passed in 1913 and ratified in 1916 was only 1%. Point is, once a tax is in place, they will make it what they want it to be!)

The UN expects every nation to implement the treaty by 2020. The plan is for the U.N. to call several meetings in 2013 to finish the treaty. Then in 2014 the U.N. will begin to apply political pressure on nations to approve it by 2015.

The treaty would require the United States to switch to solar and wind for our primary energy source or pay United Nations logo billions of dollars in fines. This is, of course, ridiculous! Not to mention they plan to penalize the "rich nations" proportionally more... meaning the United States. We could never supply even 10% of our energy needs through wind and/or solar.

It was also decided in Doha to give the Green Climate Fund a new home in South Korea. This choice to locate its headquarters in the Far East is interesting because the Bible says the whole world will eventually come under the control of one entity.

Rev. 13:16-17 "And he [Antichrist] causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name."

Shalom,

References:

http://www.eagleforum.org/topics/global-warming/un-takes-concrete-steps-toward-global-tax.html

http://www.eagleforum.org/topics/global-warming/complete-transformation-of-the-economic-structure-of-the-world.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenue_Act_of_1913

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Traditionally it has been taught that the 10 Kings of Daniel and Revelation
will be 10 nations from the European Union-- but the Bible says differently!

The Bible states clearly that in the latter days there will be ten kings--dead in the center of the events in the 70th Week of Daniel.

"As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom
ten kings will arise;" Dan. 7:24

"And the ten horns which you saw are
ten kings, who have not yet received a
kingdom, but they receive authority as
kings with the beast for one hour." Rev. 17:12

These ten kings first show up in the image of the beast in Daniel 2. A typical, and accurate, description by Biblically sound Bible prophecy teachers usually looks something like this:
Daniel's Image

Daniel 2's image is a Gentile time-line of the entire future of man on earth. It accurately predicts the four major kingdoms that will rule the world from the time the prophecy was given until until Christ sets up his Millennial Kingdom on earth.

The Daniel 2 prophecy was so specific and accurate, covering thousands of years, that Bible critics claimed it must have been written "after the fact." Fortunately, the O.T. was translated into Greek in 250 BC, along with Daniel's prophecies.

As predicted, Babylon (the head of the image), who ruled the known world at the time, was conquered by the Meads/Persians (the two arms), who were conquered by Greece (the belly), who was conquered by Rome (the legs).

Rome eventually split and had two capitals-- Rome (West) and Constantinople (East). This division is represented by the two legs in Daniel's image.

Roman Emp East-West Map

As you can see in the map above, the Roman area ruled by Rome in the west was an area quite distinct from the Roman area ruled by Constantinople in the east.

The toes in Daniel's image represent the same Ten Kings of Daniel 7 and Rev 17. They are the Kings who will come together, post-Rapture, and make a peace treaty with Israel for seven years (Daniel 9:24-27).

But one important factor has been overlooked by almost everyone teaching these verses. There are only five toes coming out of the European side of the statue, not 10. The other five toes come from the eastern leg, the Arabs.

Dan with 5 toes each

This explains why the Bible says the two groups are completely different and won't adhere to each other.

     "And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron
      and partly of clay, so some of the kingdom will be
      strong and part of it will be brittle. And in that you
      saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will
      combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery." Dan 2:42-43

The Europeans and the Arabs will be forced into an uncomfortable and quite shaky seven year agreement. This alliance is brought about by the reemergence of Israel as a powerhouse in the post-Rapture chaos.

At that time Israel will have begun wiping out the nations around her with her powerful army.

"In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a
firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch
among sheaves, so they will consume on the right
hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples,
while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on
their own sites in Jerusalem." Zech. 12:6

"... an exceedingly great army" Ezek 37:10

With the Arabs screaming, and Israel having the upper hand, the 10 unequally yoked European and Arab nations will agree to protect Israel... if she will just stop her carnage! Israel agrees to peace from a position of strength!

So who are these 10 nations? Five from Daniel's western leg could be (for example):

1) Germany

2) France

3) Italy

4) Spain

5) England or Portugal

From Daniel's eastern leg could be (for example):

1) Iraq

2) Syria

3) Turkey

4) Egypt

5) Jordan or Saudi Arabia

Iran will have been wiped out by the Russian/ Iranian invasion--that takes place just after Rapture (Ezek 38 & 39). But who actually ends up in the two groups of five is not 100% clear in scripture...other than the area from which they they come-- Europe or the Middle East.

And don't forget that half-way through the 7 year peace agreement the World Leader's peace treaty is broken and the Jews experience the worst Jewish massacre in all of history (Dan 9:27; Mat 24:21).

"for then there will be a great tribulation,
such as has not occurred since the
beginning of the world until now, nor
ever shall." Matt. 24:21

And never forget that the Bible says ALL of the end-time nations that come against Israel are Muslim! Sorta nails down who the enemy is!

Bill

Bill Perkins is the founder and Executive Director of Compass International, Inc.
© Copyright 1993-2014, Compass International Inc. www.compass.org / 800-977-2177

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Book Review

"The Shack" by: William P. Young

Should you read or recommend this book?

by: Bill Perkins

We believe that the measure of a good book is not the results it brings, but its scriptural accuracy. The Shack, by William P. Young, is a book we do not recommend reading. At first glance many find it to be a masterfully written Christian book. But on closer examination, we find The Shack presents a very subjective, incomplete, and distorted view of God and His relationship with man.

When the disciples asked Jesus specifically about the last days, the very first thing He said to them was, “See to it that no one misleads you." Mark 13:4-5. Deception is a hallmark of the last days:

1 Tim 4:1 “. . . the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons."

The problems in The Shack are no doubt subtle. But deception that is subtle is all the more dangerous.

2 Cor 11:14 “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."

The strong appeal of the The Shack is that it presents a loving, caring God personally intervening in the life of the main character, Mack, in order to address and heal “the great sadness in his life. Plagued by the brutal death of his young daughter, Mack finds himself struggling with dejection, disillusionment, and universal questions that cause him to doubt everything—including God.

And Young does a masterful job of framing the ageless questions, and crafting heartfelt responses on God's part that have tremendous emotional appeal. He shows us a view of a loving God who heals every hurt and rights all wrongs.

So what could possibly be wrong with that?

First of all, Young almost totally dismisses any relevance of Scripture, referring to the Bible as “words on piece of paper." Really? God's Word just words? (John 1:1) Careful. That is a hallmark of church movements today that view God's Word as secondary to experiential, subjective truth.

As human beings, we have no capacity to comprehend our infinite God apart from what He reveals to us through the Holy Spirit and His written Word.

Is 55:8 9 “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thought" (Also read Psalm 119 and 1 Cor 2:12-14.)

But The Shack reduces God's unfathomable attributes down to human levels without scriptural backup. Many false religions and cults have sought to redefine God according to their own imagining, apart from what He says in His Word.

God's Word is so intricately tied to His being that Jesus is actually called “The Word."

Rev 19:13 “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God."

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

We don't define who God is. Only He can do that. So even the most appealing portrayal of Him is dangerous if it's subjective and man-made. God takes this seriously. When God addressed Job's friend Eliphaz, who had been trying to explain God, He said to him, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as my servant Job has." (Job 42:7)

Here are more the of many problems we see with this book:

The Shack calls for a denial of reality. It ignores and/or redefines sin and guilt, embraces a counterfeit “Christianity that pulls in the crowds at the expense of Biblical distortions, and discounts warnings about Satan's deceptions.

“God . . . dwells in . . . all things" (p.112). That is pantheism, not monotheism.

“Buddhists, Mormons, Baptists or Muslims . . . I have no desire to make them Christians . . ." (p.182). Here it's teaching that we have no need for the Cross.

The Shack's female “God is a “large beaming African-American woman" who says to Mack, “For me to appear to you as a woman and suggest that you call me Papa is simply to mix metaphors, to help you keep from falling so easily back into your religious conditioning" (p.93). Traditional, Biblical Christianity is now called “religious conditioning."

For the last 10-15 years there has been a growing worldwide movement to redefine Christianity. The reasoning is that these false teachers think Christianity, referred to as “Post-modern" must be re-thought, re-invented, and/or re-packaged if the name of Jesus Christ is going to survive here on planet earth. Wrong. Since when does God need any of man's help reaching the lost? A person's salvation has zero to do with how we package the Gospel! All we are commanded to do is teach that man is sinful and God has provided a fully adequate blood sacrifice in His Son Jesus. From there, it's all God. But The Shack embraces the new “Post-modern" line of reasoning.

God is made out to be a playful, culturally relevant “God." Biblical guidelines are non-existent as The Shack offers no eternal consequence for right or wrong, therefore, no need for repentance. It suggests church should be a unifying, all-inclusive, non-judgmental body.

The Shack also teaches that Jesus did not return to heaven but remained on the earth . . . but He can fly around (p. 99, 100). Scripture says Jesus HAD to go to heaven so the Holy Spirit could come to earth. In fact, if He didn't leave, the Holy Spirit couldn't come to earth! (John 16:7)

In The Shack, the main character is offered the chance to communicate with loved ones who have died. The Bible bans this practice (Deut 18:11).

The Shack has God the Father and God the Holy Spirit as flesh and blood. But the Bible teaches us that no one has ever seen the Father (John 1:18). Jesus is the only One who has taken on humanity, and that was for a very specific reason:

Heb 2:14 “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil."

The Shack has reversed roles of God and man by suggesting that God has no authority over man. Instead, the trinity is concerned that man could impede their main purpose, which is, “inclusive relationships" and “authentic community". Sinful man can now make his own rules, and own brand of religion (p.123).

“. . . enforcing rules [says Sarayu] . . . is a vain attempt to create certainty out of uncertainty. And contrary to what you might think, I have a great fondness for uncertainty." (p.203). So much for God always being in control. God's Word is NOT “a vain attempt to create certainty!"

In The Shack's new bedtime story, sin no longer separates unholy people from a holy God. This teaching fits right into post-modern churches that ignore scriptural commands such as, “Do not be conformed to the world." and “Abhor evil" (Romans 12:2,9). The Shack blurs the reality of sin, guilt and God's just judgments. Worse, it undermines any real understanding of our need for discernment, repentance or Jesus' shed blood on the cross. Even God's amazing grace becomes unmeaningful!

The Shack's false “God" mocks our true God by minimizing His sovereignty and judgments:

“I'm not a bully, not some self-centered demanding little deity insisting on my own way. I am good, and I desire only what is best for you. You cannot find that through guilt or condemnation . . ." (p.126)

But the Bible disagrees. It says our One true God offers a different kind of hope:

John 8:31-36 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

There is simply too much doctrinal error mixed into this book to recommend it as something beneficial.

2 Tim 1:14 “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."

Bill Perkins

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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God's Not Dead...(The Movie)

A Movie Critique by: Bill Perkins

Finally a decent movie made it to the theaters... it's definitely worth seeing!

The fictional plot revolves around a college student refusing a professor's request to sign a statement saying "God is dead."

Overall it's well produced and holds your interest throughout the movie. The characters are well played and believable. The sub-plots are (unfortunately) believable.

The scriptural problems are few, but just as an FYI, here are a few things we noticed that fell short of the scriptural mark. Some are subtle, some not.

> There is a positive reference that the earth is millions of years old. In the first verse of Genesis, God said He CREATED the heavens and earth. But when you throw out Genesis, it undermines the entire Bible.

> They quoted from the Gospels and misapplied the scriptures to those of us living in the Church Age. Satan's always trying to confuse Believers by incorrectly applying all of Jesus' Words to the Church Age. (We have a free video showing that one of Satan's lies is that we should do everything Jesus says.)

Willie and Korie Robertson play themselves in "God 's Not Dead"

> Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame, playing himself, says the words in the Bible attributed to Jesus (Red Letters) are more important than the words of Paul. But of course the Bible says "ALL" scripture is inspired by God.

> The Gospel is poorly presented. We have a free article titled "Why Asking Jesus Into Your Heart Won't Save You." Click here.

> And finally, the question should not really be "Does God exist?" The obvious question should be, "Are you going to trust Jesus' atonement?" You can believe in God and still go to hell.

"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. " James 2:19

Again, all things considered, we think this is a movie worth seeing.

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Heaven is for Real...(A Movie Critique)

by: Bill Perkins

The movie "Heaven is for Real." It's based on the book by the same name and written by an evangelical pastor about his three year old son, Colton. The pastor and his wife believe Colton had an "out-of-body" experience.

Based on what Colton said he saw during an emergency appendectomy, the parents determined that Colton must have gone to heaven because he was able to tell them things he shouldn't have known.

We don't know if this child really went to heaven or not, but we do have scripture to guide us, unemotionally, to discern whether or not we should embrace this as a "first hand account."

The Bible is our sole reliable source of information on heaven. Paul of Tarsus went to heaven and this is what he said about his experience:

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago - whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows - such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man - whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows - was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak." 2Cor. 12:2-4

Paul was forbidden to repeat whatever it was he saw and heard.

And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me - to keep me from exalting myself! 1Cor 12:7

His experience was so over-powering that the Lord gave Paul a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him from bragging about what he saw. Actually, the Bible says we can't even imagine what it can be like.

1Cor. 2:9 "...THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."

John, Isaiah and the writer of Ecclesiastes also went to heaven. That's a heady group of men. Should we add Colton to that list?

The film's promotional ads say the film would be "potentially helpful for people sitting on the fence." If they are suggesting that God will use the film to evangelize, we would argue that we have scripture to prove otherwise.

The Bible has an account of two men who died, and one went to hell. Referred to as the story of "The Rich Man and Lazarus," the Bible records an actual event, not a parable.

Cttr of earth One of the men was in Hades, in terrible pain, and asked if Abraham, whom he could see with the other man in Paradise, could return to earth to warn his family.

"And he said, 'Then I beg you, Father, that you send him to my father's house - for I have five brothers - that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'"

"But he said, 'No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent! But he said to him,

'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.'" Luke 16:27-31

This is clearly teaching that someone coming back from the dead will not transform people. Rather, the Word of God is what transforms people.

Sonja, Colton and Todd Burpo, author of "Heaven is for Real."

Another thing to note, there is nothing that the boy says he saw that is not already known by Satan and his demonic angels. We must include the possibility that what he unfortunately saw was a dark-side vision.

"Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind," Col. 2:18

Some of the things Colton said he saw were that everyone, including people, had wings. However, other than figurative references to God, the only literal references to wings are the cherubim and seraphim.

In heaven we won't need wings to fly! We'll move at the speed of thought. (The way my mind works, I'll have to get used to that or I'll be all over the place!)

And on those occasions where angels interacted with people on the earth, the angels looked like people and had no wings. In fact, some people on earth have actually talked to angels without realizing it.

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." Heb 13:2

The resurrected Jesus had
no wings.

The Bible tells us that when we die and go to heaven, we'll have a body just like Jesus' body, flesh and bone. No one who saw the resurrected Jesus mentioned Him having grown a set of wings.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory," Phil 3:20-21

We must ask, does God want us to know more about heaven than we already know through scriptures? Does God want us to know more about heaven through Colton? Not according to this verse.....

"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book;" Rev 22:!8

But the movie hopefully is entertaining. And it's causing a lot of people to think about the afterlife in these latter days! That in itself is huge!

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Noah...(A Movie Critique)

by: Bill Perkins

Don't waste your money on this one! 🙁

Produced by Paramount and starring Russell Crowe, it makes a mockery of the Biblical account.

In fact, it's so bad that when allowed to be previewed by Bible-believing Christians, they demanded, and got, a disclaimer added to the promotional material.

In order not to tip their hand about how "unbiblical" the movie is, the promotional materials and video trailer give no hint at the large Biblical deviations taken in the script.

The original movie production went over budget so before more money was made available, test screenings were given to three groups of people: Jews, Christians and general public.

And from the screenings, Hollywood brass insisted on changes to the script they believe will make it sell better. From that you can derive its bottom line purpose--it's a good movie if it makes money. They apparently could care less if it's accurate.

Noah himself is presented as a very dark character and, you'll love this, he is the very first environmentalist! Oh please!

Of course, the Bible says Noah was the only righteous man left on the planet! And Noah is even portrayed having "survivor's guilt" after living through the flood. Oh please!

The Bible warns those of us living in the last days that one of the characteristics would be giving them what they want.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires," prophecy being fulfilled. 2 Tim 4:3

So it behooves us to stick with the only thing we can trust, the written Word of God. And by armoring up you can be more discerning and able to exhort one another with the truth!

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Jesus' death was both prophetic and well documented. Isaiah 53 is uncomfortable reading for Jews who try to dismiss Jesus as anything but God's Son.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,

And by His scourging we are healed. Is. 53:5

    and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross,
    that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for
    by His wounds you were healed. 1Pet. 2:24

The movie "The Bible" incorrectly portrayed Jesus as being pierced through the palms of His hands.

Jesus had five "pierced" wounds from His crucifixion. That's an interesting number because five is God's number for grace.

By His five (grace) wounds we have been healed.

But our healing is permanent only after our transition from this life to the next--what the secular world calls earthly death. It's important to note that Christians actually don't die, they just change places. When a Believer dies, he/she is immediately with the Lord.

Page 51 - "Living in the Time of Jesus" by Peter Connolly

"we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord." 2Cor. 5:8

During the Roman Empire, crucifixion was about the worst death sentence you could receive. Often people lived days in agony before dying on a cross.

In some of the recently released Christian oriented movies, the person being crucified is incorrectly shown to be nailed through the palm of the hand. But actually, the Romans never nailed people to a cross by nailing through the palm of their hands.

There is nothing but flesh to hold up the weight of the body on the cross if the nails were nailed through the palm of the hands (see yellow circle to right). If nailed through the palm, the flesh would tear away in the first hour or so.

Therefore, the person was nailed just above the wrist (see red circle to right) between the two large bones in the forearm, in order to hold the person up on the crossbar indefinitely.

Since the prisoner might hang on the cross for days, the Romans would also nail a piece of wood as sort of a washer to keep the nails from pulling through.

Also, apparently crucified people writhed a lot in their pain and the repetitive back and forth motion would sometimes wiggle the nails loose and pull them out of the wood, offering temporary relief to the person.

Actual nail found in wrist of crucified man in Jerusalem around the time of Christ.

Note - there is a shadow in this picture.

So to keep that from happening, the nail was driven through the wood and bent on the back side, securing the hands and feet to the wood.

The feet were turned sideways, pushed up and under the buttocks and nailed together into the wooden post. This made it difficult to push up with the legs, leaving most of the weight on the arms.

This bodily configuration made it most difficult to even take asingle breath. To breathe, the prisoner had to both pull up with the arms while pushing up with the legs as best they could manage.

The word in the Greek for "hands" is "cheir," which does mean "hands," but can also mean any part of the lower arm below the elbow.

Nail found in ankle bone of crucified man crucified in the first century north
of Jerusalem.

An example of using the word "cheir" to mean the lower arms is in Acts 12:7 where the text says the chains fell from Peter's "hands." Was Peter chained around his hands? No, obviously he was chained around his wrists.

So it's probable that pictures depicting Jesus straight-legged, with underwear and ropes around his arms to hold Him up, are incorrect.

Unbelievably, He was instead crucified more like the depictions shown here. It was horrific torture that the Creator God of the universe willingly endured in order to atone for our sin.

Yes, the spiritual purchase was the most important aspect of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. But the physical pain should never be downplayed. Keep that in mind Resurrection Week.

Photo by Jodie Yelton

Reference-

Living in the Time of Jesus of Nazareth, by Peter Connolly, Steimatzky Publishers 1983

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Jesus (is not) Calling

by Bill Perkins

The Bible promises that scripture is all we need. It's our counselor, our guide, our protector and our shield against evil.

When we study the Word, we study God Himself and get to know Him more personally, not to mention learning His incredible plan for the future.

There's no substitute for the Biblical armor we need to fend against our foe, Satan. Studying God's Word also allows God's Holy Spirit to convict us, giving us the opportunity to mature in our Christian walk. After all, the Word IS God.

"In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word
was God." John 1:1

So it's not surprising that one of Satan's most effective tools is to challenge the authenticity of God's Words, replace God's Words or add to God's Words.

From the very beginning, Satan attacked God's Word. Speaking to Eve in the Garden of Eden, he challenged God's exact words.

"Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" Gen 3:1

God warns never to add anything to His written Word.

"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book;" Rev. 22:18

Undeterred by that warning, the Jehovah's Witnesses have their own Bible translation, The New World Translation. They've rewritten several passages to line up with their cultish beliefs.

For instance they changed John 1:1 to read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a God."

They changed "was God." to "was a God." No credible linguist or Bible scholar agrees with that translation.

In Genesis 1:2 they changed "Spirit" to "active force." They made this change because they don't believe in the Trinity.

The JWs simply got tired of trying to defend their flawed beliefs against the written Word, so they rewrote their own version of the Bible, changing at least 10 key passages to line up with their cult's teachings. Heaven help them on Judgment Day!

More recently, Satan seems to be working overtime to discredit the Bible through books and cinema. Here are a few examples:

Jesus (is not) Calling

."Jesus Calling" is a best-seller, a 365-day devotional study written by Sarah Young. She claims Jesus spoke to her and she wrote down the words compiling a book. And an unsuspecting Christian community is buying it hook, line and sinker.

It's sold over three million copies, and the publisher is now releasing Jesus Calling for Kids, Jesus Calling for Teens and a Jesus Calling Devotional Bible.

I suspect there will eventually be a "Jesus Calling Poodles" and "Jesus Calling Left-handed Arab Polo Players." But why stop there?

The attraction to Christians seems mostly due to the dramatic and emotional wording

Sarah Young

by using "Jesus said" in the first person. Young ropes in her readers by claiming she is passing along Jesus' words to her. But they can't be equated with Jesus' words.

Nothing can be added to the Bible.

If they ARE Jesus' words, they violate scripture that says don't add to the Bible. If they're NOT Jesus' words, then Young is either deluded or listening to a false spirit-- called a demon.

Young said when she was a missionary with her husband in Japan, she desired more than just the Bible. And she got her wish in the form of a "spirit Jesus" communicating with her.

She describes her initial experience this way:

"One morning as I prayed, I visualized God protecting each of us. I pictured first our daughter, then our son, and then Steve encircled by God's protective Presence, which looked like golden light. When I prayed for myself, I was suddenly enveloped in brilliant light and profound peace..."

She puts all her stock on "experience." And of course, "visualization" is a New Age practice.

The Bible warns that Satan can look awfully attractive.

...Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Cor 11:14

There are many Christians who believe they have benefited from using her book as a devotion. But Young's own words convict her that what they're reading is not what they think!

In the Introduction of "Jesus Calling" she talks about dealing with her "darkness," "encountering" this "spirit Jesus," "experiencing the Presence of Jesus," being under "intense spiritual warfare," "walking in the darkness," "receiving personal messages from God," and her "spiritual disciplines."

All of those phrases are red flags, deceptive words used by Emergent and New Age teachers. So it's not a stretch to wonder if Young was channeling a demon's words, not the real Jesus of Nazareth, Creator God of the Universe.

And to make matters worse, in the introduction to her book she even admits that she often interjected her own words into the "messages" she received and passed off as coming from God!

Sarah Young

To write this kind of book, Young had to ignore several Biblical warnings, including:

1) Women are not to authoritatively teach scripture. (1 Tim 2:12),
2) We are not to trust in visions. (Col 2:18)
3) Women are easily deceived. (2 Tim 2:14)

But she did ignore the warnings and used her encounters with this "spirit Jesus" to pen this book.

Young, on one hand, correctly admits only the Bible is God's Word.

"I knew these writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but they were helping me grow closer to God."

Later she says, "The Bible is, of course, the only inerrant Word of God; my writings must be consistent with that unchanging standard."

"My" writings? So sometimes she thinks she's making up things for Jesus to say?

Regardless, she then turns right around and assumes everything the "spirit" told her was Jesus' actual words, negating the disclaimer.

Young is correct that the Bible, God's infallible Word, is to be our anchor and our strength. Yet this truth is lost in her book as she takes the reader on an emotional journey channeling this "spirit Jesus" and/or her own words on every page.

Instead of imploring people to "diligently study" to show ourselves approved (2Tim 2:15), she instead says Jesus wants us to listen to a spirit? Really?

Several people have written extensively on the specific Biblical errors found in Young's book, and the links to these documentations are at the end of this article. But just to mention a few (in addition to adding to the words of the Bible)...

> Contemplative prayer (God is in everything) is, in essence, what Young is advocating. It's also disguised as "Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Disciplines, Contemplative Spirituality," etc., and it's all from the pit of hell. It has, unfortunately, now being embraced by mainline denominations.

The purpose of contemplative prayer is to enter into an altered state of conscienceness in order to find "one's true self." The Bible, of course, never tells us to do that. We're instead scripturally taught:

"... we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2Cor. 10:5

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Col 2:8

> Young un-scripturally calls her readers to "Whisper His Name." (A New Age practice

not found in the Bible)

> Young uses the word "Presence" 365 times in the book, a word heavily used by New Agers. She says that experiencing his presence will unlock secret teachings. I have no doubt that doing that might unlock "secret teachings." But who is actually teaching her is NOT Jesus!

> Instead of armoring up Biblically, she says Jesus just wants us to "listen to His voice." And "His voice" is a spirit. Do you see a problem here?

> Young continuously refers to Jesus as a spirit when He has, in fact, a flesh body.

"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form," Col. 2:9

"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God;" 1John 4:2-3

In fact, if Young actually believes Jesus is speaking through her, she is basically claiming to be a prophetess, channeling Jesus' messages, which is downright blasphemy, even if they're not demonic.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. 1 John 4:1

Sarah Young is badly deceived, totally duped about from whom she is receiving these messages.

If you want a really good "Bible study book," get out your Bible! It's all you need!

Son of God Movie

The same people who produced the terribly inaccurate story of The Bible that showed for 10 hours over five weeks on the History Channel have now released an even MORE error-prone movie.

Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett have produced Son of God, which seemed to have at least one error a minute throughout the movie.

They openly have said that Biblical accuracy was not their first priority. Which, of course, makes you wonder, what WAS their priority and purpose?

Downey, a Roman Catholic, has a master's degree in spiritual psychology.

Burnett has had a very successful run of television productions including Survivor, The Apprentice, People's Choice Awards and others.

I took nine pages of notes regarding the many scriptural inaccuracies on my first (and only) viewing of the movie. Errors ranged from the holes in Jesus' hands (instead of His wrists) to adding words to the Biblical narrative... adding words to what the Bible says Jesus said.

Downey appears to have had
"a lot of work done!"

Son of God has so many inaccuracies that it begs the question, "should you even watch it?" knowing that, right or wrong, the images will be burned in your mind forever.

For example, the movie has Jesus barging uninvited into Peter's boat out in the water on the Sea of Galilee (which bears no resemblance to the real Sea of Galilee).

He then commands Peter to cast his net into the water again. Jesus then stirs His hand in the water and the fish fill Peter's net. Then Jesus tells Peter to follow Him to "Change the world."

Well, that's certainly NOT what happened. Jesus called Peter and Andrew together to become disciples. Both had finished fishing and were back at the shore mending nets (Matt 4:18-20, Luke 5:1-11).

And He never said to Peter, "I've come to change the world."

Another example is that the Bible says Jesus slowly ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives with all watching. And also says He will return the same way.

But in the movie, Jesus is blasted up in the sky like a bottle rocket. Is He going to return the same way?

The Catholicism purposefully inserted in the movie is a non-issue. Hey, they put their money out to make the film so they are in control. It seemed like they put Mary, played by Downey, in just about every scene.

Obviously they believed the changes would make the movie better ... that fiction was better than the truth. And they added and subtracted from the Biblical story, literally, throughout the movie.

There are hundreds of things altered or changed that water-down or give the wrong impression of a scene.

But the changes were not only non-Biblical additions, but also major subtractions. Sin and repentance is never mentioned, which is the whole reason Jesus laid down His life.

Worst of all, only lip service is given to Jesus' resurrection.

"and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain." 1Cor. 15:14

That's one BIG omission!

There hasn't been a good solid Protestant controlled movie created for the big screen in sometime. If someone does get the funds to do it right, and they stick to Biblical truth, it will probably do well in a world that's starving for Biblical truth.

Jesus movie by Campus Crusade was filmed on location in Israel.

The BEST, MOST ACCURATE movie about the Bible ever produced was the movie "Jesus" done by Campus Crusade in the late 1970s.

Filmed in Israel, they used ONLY the Book of Luke as the script and the only words Jesus spoke were the exact words from scripture.

So whatever you're watching, whatever scene you see is handled with scriptural integrity.

You can view it HERE online for free or purchase it HERE for $5. Excellent!!!

Don't waste your money on this one! 🙁

Produced by Paramount and starring Russell Crowe, it makes a mockery of the Biblical account.

In fact, it's so bad that when allowed to be previewed by Bible-believing Christians, they demanded, and got, a disclaimer added to the promotional material.

In order not to tip their hand about how "unbiblical" the movie is, the promotional materials and video trailer give no hint at the large Biblical deviations taken in the script.

The original movie production went over budget so before more money was made available, test screenings were given to three groups of people: Jews, Christians and general public.

Russell Crow as Noah

Noah himself is presented as a very dark character and, you'll love this, he is the very first environmentalist! Oh please!

Of course, the Bible says Noah was the only righteous man left on the planet! And Noah is even portrayed having "survivor's guilt" after living through the flood. Oh please!

The Bible warns those of us living in the last days that one of the characteristics would be giving them what they want.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires," prophecy being fulfilled. 2 Tim 4:3

So it behooves us to stick with the only thing we can trust, the written Word of God. And by armoring up you can be more discerning and able to exhort one another with the truth!

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How to Spot Signs of "Emerging"

in YOUR Local Church

Commentary by Roger Oakland
www.understandthetimes.org

The world is changing. So is the Christian evangelical church. There was a time— not that long ago—when the Bible was considered to be the Word of God by the majority of evangelical Christians. Now that we are well into the third millennium and the post-modern, post-Christian era, the term evangelical can mean almost anything. What has happened? Why is this happening and what is the future for mainstream Christianity?

For the past several years, I have been speaking around the world on current trends that are impacting Christianity. After these presentations, I am approached by Christians who come from many different church backgrounds. Many are expressing their concerns about what is happening in their churches, troubled by the new direction they see their church going. While they may not always be able to discern what is wrong, they know something is wrong and that it needs to be addressed.

Further, many have told me they have attempted to express their concerns with their pastors or church elders. In almost every case, they were told they had a choice to make—get with the new program or get out of the church.

This move towards a reinvented Christianity (one designed to “reach people”) seems to be here for the long haul. It is not just a passing fad. I am often asked by concerned brothers and sisters in Christ to provide an explanation in order to help them understand what they have encountered. They want to know why these changes are underway and what to expect in the future. As well, they want to know what, if anything can be done, to stem this tide. It is for this reason I am writing this commentary—to provide biblical insight regarding the Emerging Church and where it is heading in the future.

The Gospel According to the Scriptures
Throughout church history, various trends have come and gone. While culture changes from place to place, biblical Christianity has always been based upon the central message of the Bible which is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the message never changes.

This gospel message is about who Jesus Christ is, and what He has done. A child can understand the gospel message. This message proclaims that life here on planet earth is finite and that life after death is eternal. The good news is that we can be saved from our sins if we will repent and simply ask for forgiveness and follow Him.

How we respond to the gospel message during the time we have on earth determines where we spend eternity—heaven or hell. Jesus, the Creator of the universe, provided a way and the only way we can spend eternity with Him. It is a matter of making a personal decision whether or not we will accept the plan He has provided.

God’s adversary does not want mankind to understand the simple message. His plan is to deceive the world. If he can blind people from the gospel or convince them that they believe the gospel when indeed they do not, his plan has been successful. Throughout the ages, countless billions have been duped, either rejecting the truth, or believing that they had believed the truth when instead they had been deceived.

The Gospel According to Postmoderism
Times change! However, the gospel must remain the same no matter what else changes. We are now living in the postmodern era.

In a sincere attempt to reach the postmodern generation with the gospel, it seems many Christians have become postmodern in their thinking.

Perhaps the term postmodern is new to you. Let’s examine what it means.

First, the modern era was characterized by a time of rational thinking based on factual observation. Many claim the modern era ended in the mid 1900s.

The postmodern mindset moves beyond the rational and the factual to the experiential and the mystical. In other words, in the past it was possible to know right from wrong and black from white. In the postmodern era all things are relative to the beholder. What may be right for you may be wrong for someone else. There is no such thing as absolute truth. The only thing that is absolute is that there is no absolute.

We now live in a time in history that is characterized as postmodern. Professors at universities teach students there is no right or wrong. All things are relative. The gospel message to the postmodern mindset is far too dogmatic and arrogant. They say it is necessary to find a more moderate gospel that can be accepted by the masses.

Many church leaders are now looking for ways to reach the postmodern generation. They believe they can find the appropriate methods to do so without changing the message. However, in their attempt to reach this postmodern generation, they have become postmodern themselves and have changed the message. As the gospel is fixed upon the Scriptures, the gospel cannot change, unless of course it becomes another gospel. I believe this is what is happening in the Emerging Church.

He Didn’t Come
Many have noticed that since the turn of the millennium, their churches have changed positions on Bible prophecy and the Second Coming of Jesus. Many have given up on the return of Jesus. From the ‘60s on there was an excitement about the imminent return of Jesus. The Jesus People were excited about Bible prophecy and could see signs that Jesus would descend from the heavens for His Bride at any moment.

The year 2000 was of particular importance. When Jesus didn’t show up, it seems many were apparently disappointed. “Perhaps Jesus has delayed His coming,” some have said. Others are even taking the position that He may not be coming at all, at least not in the manner we have been taught. They are now convinced that we need to be busy about “building His Kingdom” here on earth by “whatever human effort is required.”

The Gospel of the Kingdom
One of the main indicators that something has changed can be seen in the way the future is perceived. Rather than urgently proclaiming the gospel according to the Scriptures and believing the time to do so is short, the emphasis has now shifted. No longer are “signs of the times” significant. The battle cry is very different. A major emphasis among evangelicals is the idea that the world can be radically improved through social programs.

This concept, while on the surface may sound very good, has some serious biblical implications. According to the Scriptures, there will be no kingdom of God until the King arrives. All the human effort man can muster up will fall short of bringing utopia. In fact, according to the Scriptures, fallen man will lead us further down the road to a society of despair and lawlessness just like it was in the days of Noah.

Thus, this purpose-driven view of establishing global utopia may be a plan, but it is “driven” by humanistic reasoning and not led by the Holy Spirit. While it is of course good to do good unto others, all the goodness that we can do will not be good enough. Pastors and church leaders who get involved in such man-driven programs can usually be identified by certain characteristics:

• Sound biblical doctrine is dangerous and divisive, and the experiential (i.e.,mystical) is given a greater role than doctrine.

• Bible prophecy is no longer taught and is considered a waste of time.

• Israel becomes less and less important and has no biblical significance.

• Eventually the promises for Israel are applied to the church and not Israel (Replacement Theology).

• Bible study is replaced by studying someone’s book and his methods.

• Church health is evaluated on the quantity of people who attend.

• The truth of God’s Word becomes less and less important.

• God’s Word, especially concepts like hell, sin and repentance, is eventually downplayed so the unbeliever is not offended.

Spiritual Formation and Transformation
Much of what I have described provides the formula for a dumbingdown of Christianity that paves the way for an apostasy that will only intensify in the future. This trend away from the authority of God’s Word to the reinvented form of Christianity has overcome all evangelical denominations like an avalanche. Few Bible teachers saw this avalanche coming. Now that it is underway, few realize it has even happened.

However, there is another big piece to the puzzle that must be identified in order to understand what is emerging in the Emerging Church. While biblical Christianity has been dumbed-down and the light of God’s Word diminished, another avalanche of deception is underway that is equally devastating.

This is best described by the Word of God giving way to experiences that God’s Word forbids. The best way to understand this process is to recall what happened during the Dark Ages when the Bible became the “forbidden book.” Until the Reformers translated the Bible into the language of the common person, the people were in darkness. When the light of God’s Word became available, the gospel according to the Scriptures was once again understood.

This trend, which is underway today, shows us that history is in the process of repeating itself. As the Word of God becomes less and less important, the rise of mystical experiences is alarming and these experiences are being presented to convince the unsuspecting that Christianity is about feeling, touching, smelling and seeing God. The postmodern mindset is the perfect environment for the fostering of what is called “spiritual formation.” This teaching suggests there are various ways and means to get closer to God. Proponents of spiritual formation erroneously teach that anyone can practice these mystical rituals and find God within. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is not a prerequisite.

These teachings, while actually rooted in ancient wisdom (the occult), were presented to Christendom post-New Testament and not found in the Word of God. The spiritual formation movement is based upon experiences promoted by desert monks and Roman Catholic mystics – these mystics encouraged the use of rituals and practices, that if performed would bring the practitioner closer to God (or come into God’s presence). The premise was that if one went into the silence or sacred space, then the mind was emptied of distractions and the voice of God could be heard. In truth, these hypnotic, mantric style practices were leading these monks into altered states of consciousness. The methods they used are the same that Buddhists and the Hindus use as a means of encountering the spiritual realm.

Such methods are dangerous, and are not sanctioned in the Bible – God gives no instruction for this. On the contrary, he warns severely against divination, which is practicing a ritual or method in order to obtain information from a spiritual source. While proponents of spiritual formation (like Richard Foster) say these methods show that the Holy Spirit is doing something new to refresh Christianity, I would suggest that what is happening is not new and is not the Holy Spirit.

The spiritual formation movement is being widely promoted at colleges and seminaries as the latest and the greatest way to become a spiritual leader in these days. These ideas are then being exported from seminaries to churches by graduates who have been primed to take Christianity to a new level of enlightenment.

As well, these contemplative practices are being promoted by emergent leaders such as Brian McLaren, Robert Webber, Dallas Willard and others. Publishers like NavPress, InterVarsity and Zondervan are flooding the market with books promoting contemplative practices based on Eastern mysticism. Pastors and church leaders read these books and then promote the ideas as if they were the scriptural answer to drawing close to God.

Signs the Emerging Church is Emerging
There are specific warning signs that are symptomatic that a church may be headed down the emergent/contemplative road. In some cases a pastor may not be aware that he is on this road nor understand where the road ends up. Here are some of the warning signs:

• Scripture is no longer the ultimate authority as the basis for the Christian faith.

• The centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by humanistic methods promoting church growth and a social gospel.

• More and more emphasis is being placed on building the kingdom of God now and less and less on the warnings of Scripture about the imminent return of Jesus Christ and a coming judgment in the future.

• The teaching that Jesus Christ will rule and reign in a literal millennial period is considered unbiblical and heretical.

• The teaching that the church has taken the place of Israel and Israel has no prophetic significance is often embraced.

• The teaching that the Book of Revelation does not refer to the future, but instead has been already fulfilled in the past

• An experiential mystical form of Christianity begins to be promoted as a method to reach the postmodern generation.

• Ideas are promoted teaching that Christianity needs to be reinvented in order to provide meaning for this generation.

• The pastor may implement an idea called “ancient-future” or “vintage Christianity” claiming that in order to take the church forward, we need to go back in church history and find out what experiences were effective to get people to embrace Christianity.

• While the authority of the Word of God is undermined, images and sensual experiences are promoted as the key to experiencing and knowing God.

• These experiences include icons, candles, incense, liturgy, labyrinths, prayer stations, contemplative prayer, experiencing the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of the Eucharist.

• There seems to be a strong emphasis on ecumenism indicating that a bridge is being established that leads in the direction of unity with the Roman Catholic Church.

• Some evangelical Protestant leaders are saying that the Reformation went too far. They are reexamining the claims of the “church fathers” saying that communion is more than a symbol and that Jesus actually becomes present in the wafer at communion.

• There will be a growing trend towards an ecumenical unity for the cause of world peace claiming the validity of other religions and that there are many ways to God.

• Members of churches who question or resist the new changes that the pastor is implementing are reprimanded and usually asked to leave.

What does the Future Hold?
If the Emerging Church continues unfolding at the present pace, mainstream evangelical Christianity will be reinvented and the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures will be considered too narrow and too restrictive. In other words, the narrow way to heaven that Jesus proclaimed will eventually be abandoned for a wider way that embraces pagan experiential practices. I call this reinvented, re-imagined form of Christianity that is unfolding—“Christian Babylonianism”.

This new form of Christianity will replace biblical faith with a faith that says man can establish the kingdom of God here on earth. The Word will continue to become secondary to a system of works driven by experiences.

An ecumenical pattern towards unity with Rome will become more apparent. Those who refuse to embrace this direction will be considered spiritual oddballs that need to be reprimanded. Those who stand up for biblical faith will be considered the obstructions to the one world spirituality that is promoted as the answer for peace.

The best way to be prepared for what is coming is to gain an understanding of what is happening now. While there are not many who seem to discern the trend underway, there are some. Without the Bible and the Holy Spirit as our guide, the darkness that is coming would be overwhelming. However, the light of God’s Word penetrates the darkness and there are those who are being delivered from deception and see what is taking place.

I am convinced we are seeing apostasy underway, exactly as the Scriptures have forewarned. This means that this current trend is not likely to disappear. We must continue to proclaim the truth in themidst of deception with love. As Paul instructed Timothy:

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out ofthe snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will (2 Timothy 2: 24-26).

There are still pastors and churches who are dedicated to proclaiming the truth. Find out where they are and support them. If you are in a location where this does not seem to be possible, seek out materials that are available from solid Bible-based Christian ministries and hold Bible studies in your own home.

And keep looking up! Jesus is coming soon.

Where the US Constitution demands compensation for property seizures, the UN does not!

Problems with "The Harbinger"

by Bill Perkins

"The Harbinger,"written by Jonathan Cahn, is a New York Times best-seller and is accompanied by a companion DVD. The DVD boldly claims:"The #1 Christian Documentary of 2012"

Be careful, it's not a documentary, but rather, total fiction. And in his fiction, Cahn takes several scriptures totally out of context. And if you're not careful, this book can really screw up your theology. Here are some examples-

Cahn says Isaiah refers to America rebuilding the Twin Towers burning World Trade Towers in this verse:

"The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with smooth stones." Is 9:10

But using a literal hermeneutic, this verse is referring to Israel, was fulfilled in the past and has zero to do with the United States.

Cahn says that the first "harbinger" was Sept 11, 2001. But of course this was not the first time America's defenses have been breached. In the War of 1812 the British attacked America. They captured, occupied and burned Washington D.C.-- to the ground!

Cahn claims, among other things just as absurd, that 9/11 was secretly hidden in the Bible. This thinking is rooted in the horrible "Replacement Theology" doctrine. It claims America (or the Church) has inherited the blessings intended for Israel after she rejected the Messiah.

But a simple read of Romans 9,10 and 11 refutes that notion. God is NOT finished with Israel. In a nutshell, it clearly says God is NOT finished with the Jews.

"I say then, God has not rejected His people [Israel], has He? May it never be! Rom. 11:1

And a few verses later the Bible says:

"a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;" Ro 11:25

God predicted that Israel would reject the Messiah and therefore God hardened their hearts for approximately 2000 years.(Hos 6:1,2)

But then He would raise them up without His Spirit being in them, raise up Israel's remnants from the four corners of the earth and reestablish them in their homeland.(Ezek 37)

The Bible also said Israel would not lose its identity while dispersed over the world. And when reestablished, Israel would have a very strong army and be a burdening stone to the world. Amazing.(Zech 12:3)

Israel is still in God's future plans. The Church did not inherit Israel's blessings. America did not inherit Israel's blessings. Anyone saying otherwise is a false prophet.

But Cahn's attempt to somehow link America with 2Chron 7:14 takes the cake. (BTW- Cahn is not the only Bible teacher to incorrectly apply this verse to America.)

"[if] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

To try to somehow tie Christians repenting in America in order to heal our land is ridiculous. Paul Van Noy, Compass' doctrinal "go to guy," made a list of questions raised if you try to apply this verse to Believers.He states:

If "My People" refers to Christians in America then we have to draw several conclusions.

1) "My People" is the Church in America.

2) "...will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways..."

Suggests that God's people are engaged in pride, prayerlessness and wickedness; which may be true of some, but not all.

3) "I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin."

Suggests that God will listen to Christians and forgive their sins only if they humble themselves, pray, seek His face and stop sinning in order to be forgiven.

It would also suggest that the sins of Christians are not once and for all forgiven, but rather that Christians would have to continually humble themselves, pray, seek His face and stop sinning in order to be, or remain, forgiven.[i.e. a "works" doctrine]

* Has God ever said anywhere in the Scriptures that He is committed to America like He is to Israel?

* Has God (in the Church Age) ever healed a land because the Christians in the land stopped sinning?

* What form of healing are we referring to, as stated in II Chron. 7:13? Financial? Disease? Crime?

* Is there any prophecy of Scripture that says that Godwill heal any land but Israel?

* Has any "group" of Christians ever stopped sinning?

* Will God heal America if all Christians stopped sinning and the unregenerated still continue sinning?

* Will all Christians in America ever stop sinning?

* Is God holding America accountable for the sins of Christians?

* Will this rule apply to any other country? Canada? China? Russia?

* Can this be applied to a city? San Francisco? Damascus? Moscow? Beijing?

*Will the II Chron. 7:14 formula work in any country (other than Israel) if God has already said that the nations will not repent?

How many Christians have to repent? All? Some? Is God holding America accountable for the sins of Christians who Cahn claims are the "My people" of II Chronicles 7:14?

No one would deny that Christians in America sin. However, has God decided to hold in contempt Christians He claims to have forgiven and sanctified by His grace?

Is He going to judge America because Christians sin? Is he going to withhold judgment on unregenerated Americans if Christians stop sinning?

It seems that Cahn is mingling a functional form of Covenant style Theology with his Dispensational views.

When confronted with these problems, Cahn retreats to claim it's just a fiction book. But if it's fiction, why does he claim it's "The #1 Christian Documentary of 2012"?

In summary,The Harbingermay be an interesting read but you should be aware that we believe it teaches false doctrine.

Bill Perkins

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Don't Buy The Lie!

by Bill Perkins

Obama announces he wants to "cut 1.6 trillion dollars" from the federal budget.

Do Obama and the Democrats really want to cut the federal deficit?

I have to admit, when I first heard that Obama wanted that large of a tax cut, I was confused. Can a leopard change his spots (Jer. 13:23)?

No, of course not. And when I researched the details I found it IS a 1.6 trillion dollar cut that he has proposed, but it's spread over the next 10 years!

Really?

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) just announced that our national debt is expected to double in the next 15 years. And many non-government observers believe it will double in the next four to seven years.

So with deficits running about 1.2 trillion dollars a year and the total debt climbing to over 30 trillion dollars in the next 10 years or so, Obama wants to cut the deficit only 160 billion dollars a year? What a farce!

Sometimes it's hard to grasp those large numbers. So in numbers we can better understand, think of our Pie chart- budget see why we don't buy the lie situation this way--suppose this was our family financial situation.

Our income is $29,000
Our expenses are $38,000
Our total credit card debt is $121,000,000
Obama thinks it's ok to cut $1,600 a year for 10 years.

Try that with YOUR banker. Think he would continue to fund your account? Hardly.

Don't buy the lie. Obama is NOT serious about reducing the debt. It seems by all of his actions (not his words) he is trying to spend us into bankruptcy.

Getting to the heart of the Republican and Democratic problem is the debt ceiling. They have to vote to keep raising it in front of the public's eye. The last time they raised it, it made both parties suffer and look silly.

So I'm guessing that if this ridiculous "deficit reduction ruse" is ultimately concluded with an agreement to also raise the debt ceiling, it will just mean politicians did not want to vote publicly on such a lightning-rod issue. So they cover it with something else... in this case, fanning the fears about the national debt.

And that would mean, believe it or not, our politicians uncle sam pockets, he knows you don't buy the lie are actually WORSE than we thought they could be! They would have had to put this plan and timing together BEFORE the election. Which means BOTH parties are conspiring, both parties are lying.

All we really know is that God, in His infinite wisdom and His perfect purposes, has allowed Obama to be reelected.

Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Rom 13:1

We also know that the Bible tells us to rest in the assurance that, thankfully, God is in full control of our lives and country. Lies will continue to be perpetrated on us. We have to keep our eyes not on this life, but on the next.

"...while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Cor. 4:18

"For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life." Gal 6:8

Shalom!

Debt analysis numbers derived from U.S. Debt Clock: http://www.usdebtclock.org/

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The Hole in Our Gospel

By Richard Stearns

A book critique by Paul Van Noy

“The Hole in our Gospel,” by Richard Stearns, the recent Christian Book of the Year and apparently headed to be a New York Times best seller, is the newest danger to come against true Believers in the Church Age. It promotes a false gospel within a socialistic philosophy. It fails miserably in its hermeneutic, is ecumenical in focus, promotes human performance as a method of pleasing God, and believes people on earth can do good to “usher in the Kingdom.”

Richard Stearns writes from a “Kingdom Dominion” perspective and embraces an Amillennial or Postmillennial eschatology. He has embraced a social gospel and mingles “grace through faith” with “grace plus work,” which dangerously dilutes the power of God's redeeming Grace. In his words, “This gospel - the whole gospel – means much more than the personal salvation of individuals. It means a social revolution.” (Pg 20, Emphasis original)

Continuing, Stearns says:

“The gospel that we have been given – the whole gospel – is God's vision for a new way of living.” (Pg. 276) “Christ's vision was of a redeemedworld order populated by redeemed people – now. To accomplish this, we are to be salt and light in a dark and fallen world, the “yeast” that leavens the whole loaf of bread (the whole of society). We are the ones God has called to be His Church. It's up to us. We are to be the change. But a changed world requires change agents, and change agents are people who have first been changed themselves.” (Pgs 243-244, Italics emphasis original)

As stated above, Stearns says we are the “yeast” that leavens “the whole loaf of bread.” The definition of leaven/yeast in the Scriptures is debated by scholars.* All definitions associated with “yeast” in the Gospels indicate a reference to bad doctrine, evil, impurity, and hypocrisy. It is most often used in association with the Pharisees and sin. The two passages referred to by Stearns, Matt. 13:33, Luke 13:21, are interpreted in a variety of ways by a variety of scholars. Matt 13:33 reads:

“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

However Stearns intends to use this verse, we understand the Scriptures to say that the kingdom of heaven is like leaven. He makes it clear that he thinks we are the gospel. He says,

“The words of the Lord's prayer...are a clarion call to Jesus' followers not just to proclaim the good news but to be the good news, here and now.” (Pg 20, Italics emphasis original)

Either way, he fails to communicate the true Gospel when making this statement. If he is saying we are the gospel then we are all in a lot of trouble. We are not the Gospel. The Gospel comes to us. We can't save anyone!

I do appreciate the passion and desired focus the author has for the poor and needy. Poverty throughout the world has motivated a desire to care for the poor throughout the majority of our lives. At the church I pastor, we engage in missions work to spread the Gospel. In addition to many missions programs on which we focus, individuals in our church sponsor over 1,000 children through Compassion International - an organization similar to the one represented by the author.

I also understand that the author may not be a Biblical scholar. This fact can be seen throughout the book in what appears to be a flip-flop from theological position to theological position. Below is one such example. In his effort to articulate this struggle he brings light to the conflict between salvation by faith alone and the faith plus error. Stearns writes,

“One of the things drummed into my head as a young Christian was the doctrine that we are saved by faith alone and not by works.

Understanding and applying this simple truth has been at the root of fierce and contentious debates throughout the long history of the Christian faith. Indeed, the notion that one could be saved by doing enough good work – and could even purchase one's justification through the buying of ‘indulgences’ – was ultimately the root cause of Martin Luther's rebellion against the Roman Catholic system in the sixteenth century, leading to the protestant Reformation.

This same basic debate has seesawed back and forth within the Church since Luther's day, with the pendulum swinging more toward faith in some groups and more toward works in others. But faith and works were never meant to be in dichotomy. We need only to look at the primary proof text for salvation by faith alone to see the unity of faith and works intended in scripture:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

For the ‘faith-only’ crowd, this one verse seems to win the argument. But if we look at the very next verse, we will understand the harmony between faith and works: ‘For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (v 10).

Taken together, this powerful passage tells us that we are indeed saved through faith alone, the amazing gift of a loving God, but that we are saved for a purpose: to do good works God actually prepare beforehand for us to carry out. Simply put, we are: saved BY faith... saved FOR works.” (Pgs198-199)

There is truth in the comments above. However, as we will see, the message is muddied by poor application and weak hermeneutics throughout his book. The resulting message is blurry at best, and egregious in its conclusions. Here is a very brief example of just a few places that communicate this error. Please note the socialistic tone. When commenting on Isaiah 58, Stearn says,

“These words describe a people and a society characterized by justice, fairness, and a concern for the poor. They portray not just a personal ethic but also a community ethic. The reference to ‘break[ing] every yoke’ suggests that any system, law, or practice that is unjust must be broken – whether personal, social, political, or economic. This sounds a lot like what I described earlier as the ‘whole gospel,’ the good news...” (Pg 56)

Richard goes on to say,

God will delight in His people when they obey Him. When the hungry are fed, the poor are cared for, and justice is established, He will hear and answer His servant's prayers; He will guide them and protect them, and they will be a light to the world. This is a vision of God's people transforming God's world in God;s way. There is no hole in this gospel. (Pg 57)

I am forced to ask: Can God delight in His people when the hungry are not fed, the poor are not cared for, and when there is yet injustice in the world? Will He refuse to hear and answer our prayers or refuse to guide and protect us when we fail to transform the world? After all, Jesus said “The poor you have with you always.” (John 12:8)

This being said, we know we will fail to solve the problem. (I am not suggesting we abandon our desire to help those in poverty.) Secondly, Paul told Timothy, “...evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:13) So, until Christ comes and rules with a rod of iron, (in the Kingdom age) there will be injustice. Have we no hope of protection or hope of answered prayers until then? Does this message comfort the poor in spirit who are weak and need encouragement - now? Is this the message of the whole Gospel?

Stearns continues,

“If we are to be a part of this coming kingdom, God expects our lives – our churches and faith communities too – to be characterized by these authentic signs of our own transformation: compassion, mercy, justice, and love – demonstrated tangibly. Only then will our light break forthlike the dawn, our healing quickly appear, and our cries for help be answered with a divine Here am I. (Pg. 57, Italics emphasis in original)

Isaiah 58 was written to the Jews under the Old Covenant and does not provide a picture of the way God deals with individuals today in the Church Age. To suggest it does would be to say, “God expects us” to provide “authentic signs of our own transformation: compassion, mercy, justice, and love – demonstrated tangibly” if we are to expect God to answer “our cries for help with a divine Here am I.” This is a hermeneutical failure and it communicates a false gospel - of works.

Continuing in the same theme, Stearns uses Matthew 25, (the parable of the sheep and goats) to describe the “final judgment” (pg 58). He incorrectly applies this passage to the Church and says that

“Those who had failed to respond, whose faith found no expression in compassion to the needy, were banished into eternal fire.” (Pg 59)

Stearns misapplies the sheep and goat judgment to include the Church, calls it the final judgment, which is untrue, (the Great White Throne judgment is the final judgment) and suggests that our works will ultimately be the determining factor for salvation, and makes the least of these the poor. The literal context concerns the judgment of Gentile nations at the time of the Second Coming of Christ. The resulting life or death decision made by the Lord concerns their treatment of Israel - Jesus' brethren - during the preceding Tribulation. Those found worthy are granted entrance into the Millennial Kingdom - the literal 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth. Entrance to the Kingdom provides “eternal life” to those who, as believing residents of His Kingdom, willingly submit to Christ's rule. To suggest that one's eternal salvation is guaranteed, or otherwise offered, as a result of behavior toward the poor, is not the true Gospel.

Following Stearns pattern he then makes apology for the interpretive echo saying,

“But I want to be clear that this does not mean we are saved by piling up enough good works to satisfy God. It means that any authentic and genuine commitment to Christ will be accompanied by demonstrable evidence of a transformed life.” He then provides 1 John 2:3-4 as his proof text, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (Pg 59)

When giving this application as part of the context the reader is forced to ask a few questions. For example: Does this mean that any believer who does not or has not given to the poor is unsaved? Does this mean that the believer who has not or does not give to the poor is in danger of losing their salvation? You can see the danger this loosely communicated message provides. Stearns even follows up his thoughts by driving this pain deeper into the soul of his reader when he says,

“...many who profess to follow Christ, will be found, in the end, to be false, deceiving even themselves.” (Pg 60)

Stearns also says,

“We would much rather believe that the only things needed for our salvation are saying the right words and believing the right things – not living the lives that are characterized by Christ's concern for the poor.” (Pg 59)

I am forced to ask, how much “concern for the poor” is enough? How much do Christians have to “express in their compassion to the needy” to be assured they will not be “banished into eternal fire”? This kind of message leads only to fear and bondage. Not freedom in Christ!

Reinforcing the works based message he encourages the reader to actively pursue expressions of giving and serving as a “pattern of their lives and faith.” He says,

“That expression might involve small but regular gifts to compassion ministries, advocating on behalf of the poor, to government representatives, or regular volunteering at a soup kitchen, the local nursing home, or the Ronald McDonald House...” (Pg 60)

Once again I ask, is giving to a government agency (of all places), the Ronald McDonald house, serving at a nursing home, or volunteering at a soup kitchen the method of being assured that our salvation is secure in Christ? Is this the Gospel without a hole in it?

Stearns' message is the muddy water of a false gospel that clearly mingles faith and works as the formula for salvation. This message is not good news!

If a person has no “demonstrable evidence of a transformed life,” is he or she to be considered unsaved by those who do? (1 Cor 3:15) Can the poor themselves be saved if they have nothing to give? Can an incarcerated man or woman be saved if they cannot give “small but regular gifts to compassion ministries, advocating on behalf of the poor to government representatives”? Can a child be saved and assured of salvation if they fail to volunteer “at a soup kitchen, the local nursing home, or the Ronald McDonald House...”? Stearns says,

“There is no ‘whole gospel’ without compassion and justice shown to the poor. It's that simple.” (Pg 60)

It may seem like I am splitting hairs, but can you see the bondage to works this “whole gospel” develops?

If Stearns had said, “those who are born again should be reminded to care for the poor,” he would have been scriptural in his presentation. However, by suggesting that the message of the Gospel is incomplete, and has a hole in it, because it doesn't declare, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” ‘and care for the poor’ and you shall be saved,” we are preaching a gospel with a hole in it. This brings “The Hole in Our Gospel” my criticism. By communicating this very thing Stearns has set himself up as one who is proclaiming a false gospel – not the “whole” gospel he intends us to embrace. (Gal. 1)

While there are many other examples of his bad theology in his book, it is not my intention to condemn Richard Stearns with this critique. I trust his motivation is sincere and driven by a passion for the poor. It likewise appears that he desires to please the Lord. I pray that as he matures in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, these things will become clearer to him. My reason for putting this in writing is to make my voice known in defense of the faith and as an alarm for the Church—not to fall for another non-scriptural fad—regardless how well-meaning it is.

I have seen the fruit of this message and its agonizing effect on the Church. Believers who embrace this kind of teaching are hard pressed to answer (for themselves and for others) just how much work, service, giving, et al, is enough to meet God's standard to keep them from being a disappointment to Him.

Mistakenly trying to do enough good in their own flesh to be more pleasing to God, believers eventually become miserable and live under the guilt of doing too little to measure up. They are ultimately afraid of being “banished into eternal fire” (Pg 59) by the God who will not say “Here am I” (Pg 57) to them. I have found this most often in hospital rooms and around the beds of the dying. It is truly agonizing to watch believers enter into eternity in fear – fear of being cast away.

This kind of bondage, no matter how packaged, should be enthusiastically avoided.

END

Notes:

*Under the Mosaic law, yeast was forbidden in bread used in the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover (Ex 12:8,15 - 20; Lev 23:6 - 8), and similar exclusion of yeast applied to offerings placed on the altar (Exo 23:18; 34:25; Lev 2:11; 6:17). The only exceptions were the use of yeast in the two wave loaves offered as firstfruits (Lev 23:17) and some of the cakes of bread offered with the fellowship offerings (Lev 7:13). Yeast, which brings about fermentation, is uniformly regarded in Scripture as typifying the presence of impurity or evil (Exo 12:15,19; 13:7; Lev 2:11; Deu 16:4; Mat 16:6,12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1; 1 Cor 5:6 - 9; Gal 5:9). The two wave loaves, representing Israel and the Gentiles as forming the Church, contained yeast in recognition of imperfections in the believers (see Lev 23:17, note). The use of yeast in the flour seems intended likewise to represent evil within the kingdom of heaven. The teaching that yeast in this parable represents the beneficent influence of the Gospel pervading the world has no Scriptural justification. Nowhere in Scripture does yeast represent good; the idea of a converted world at the end of the age is contradicted by the presence of weeds among the wheat and bad fish among the good in the kingdom itself. Although Biblical truth has a beneficial moral influence on the world, the mingling of yeast is not the method of divine salvation or enlargement of the kingdom. Weeds never become wheat. The parable is, therefore, a warning that true doctrine, represented by the flour, would be corrupted by false doctrine (1 Tim 4:1 - 3; 2 Tim 2:17 - 18; 4:3 - 4; 2 Pet 2:1 - 3).

___________

Paul Van Noy contacted Richard Stearns and this was his response:

"The reason I wrote this book was because I believe that the Christian community in the United States for the most part has been missing something in our understanding of the gospel. We tend to think of the gospel as a private transaction between us and God. It's about being forgiven for our sins and being saved, which is good news, it's the good news of the gospel that we have been forgiven and we've been saved, but often we leave it there, we leave it as a private transaction between us and God. I don't think the gospel was ever meant to be private. I think it was meant to be public as well, and just like we have a private relationship with the Lord, we have to have a public and transforming relationship with the world, and that as followers of Jesus Christ we're meant to take this good news across the globe, but not just the good news of salvation, but [also] the good news of God's love for the poor, his concern for the sick and the downtrodden and the broken-hearted. We're to minister in his name. We're to stand up for justice in our world and fight for the underdog. That's why the gospel was good news for the poor, and I think we in America have missed that. Yes, our churches do a lot of good things in our country and our communities and around the world, but we're not doing nearly enough. We're the wealthiest community of Christians in the history of Christendom in 2,000 years. We have tremendous resources, we have tremendous opportunities, and we need to rise to this challenge to truly be the gospel, to be the Good news to the world."

(Compass note: The underlined emphasis above was added to show Stearns continues to miss the point. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins. We are not saved to transform the world. The good news to the poor is only that Jesus paid for their sins. Nothing more, nothing less.)

Since 1993, Compass has held Steeling the Mind Bible Conferences that defend the accuracy of the Bible. By providing this Biblical armor, it is our hope a Believer can better "make a defense" of what and why we believe (1Pet 3:15).

And as the world turns slowly toward God's predetermined conclusion, we expect to have more and more opportunities to be used by God in the lives of friends, family and loved ones. Nothing like being armed for action!

With that in mind, see if you can get your arms around these facts: There are over 300 prophecies in the Bible of Jesus' first coming, all having come true. What would be the odds of just eight of these prophecies coming true?

(1) Messiah to be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
(2) Messiah betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12-13)
(3) Messiah's clothes would be gambled away. (Psalms 22:18)
(4) Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced. (Psalms 22:16)
(5) Messiah's bones would not be broken. (Psalms 34:20)
(6) Messiah would be born in the tribe of Judah. (Isaiah 37:31)
(7) Messiah would be called from Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)
(8) Messiah would be buried in a rich man's grave. (Isaiah 53:9)

The odds of all eight coming true are virtually incomprehensible! Consider this illustration-

Suppose we filled the entire State of Texas with 100 trillion silver dollars. That would make the entire state about two feet deep in coins. Then we mark only one coin.

Next we stir-up the state full of coins so they are thoroughly mixed and random. The marked coin could be anywhere in the state in the two foot deep coins. Finally we blindfold a man and let him travel the entire state to choose one random coin.

What would be the odds of him finding the marked coin in one try? He would have the same chance the prophets had for those eight prophecies being fulfilled. Which is virtually no chance.

But that was only eight of the over 300 prophecies! Figuring the odds of fulfilling all 300 Bible prophecies is ridiculously astronomical. Simply incalculable-- except that the real author of these prophecies knew the future. The God Who created the universe out of nothing was in total control and knows the past, present AND future.

"Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." Is. 42:9

If this type of mathematical apologetics (defense of the faith) gets your blood pumping, consider ordering Mike Riddle's Steeling the Mind Bible Conference presentation,

"Evolution and Mathematical Probability."

Mike does a great job, in layman's terms, showing the utter impossibility of evolution in light of mathematical probabilities.

Great to watch and pass around! Order today!

Click here to order!

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

We received this interesting information from one of our readers regarding the above article—

I am a Christian who very much enjoys scientific apologetics, and wanted to point out a math issue with the silver dollar Texas reference.The land surface area of Texas according to the Encyclopedia Brittanica is 268,597 square miles.

The census.gov site gives the nearly-identical number 268,596 square miles (695,662 square kilometers).

This is equivalent to a square of 518 miles per side or 834 kilometers per side.The dimensions of an American Silver Eagle coin are 40.6 millimeters diameter, 2.98 killimeters thick, and the Morgan silver dollar is 38.1 millimeters diameter, 2.4 millimeters thick according to Wikipedia.

A kilometer = 1000 meters = 100,000 centimeters = 1,000,000 millimeters. 834 kilometers are 834,000,000 millimeters.

A one-dollar-layer-thick, row-and-column cover of the state therefore would require:

Silver eagles (40.6mm) : 834,000,000 / 40.6 = 20,541,872 coins per side, or 20,541,872 x 20,541,872 (basically 20 million coins per row in 20 million rows) = 421,968,502,026,254 total coins, one layer thick. That’s almost 422 trillion coins for a layer that is one coin thick.

But, to make a pile 2 feet thick (609.6 millimeters) requires 609.6 millimeters / 2.98 millimeters per coin = 204.5 coins in thickness. That means that for each coin in the bottom one-coin layer you must add 203.5 coins.

This works out to 203.5 x 422 trillion, or 8.63 x 10 to the 16th power = 8,630,000,000,000,000 coins. That is 8.63 quadrillion coins.

This means the odds would be one in 8.63 quadrillion for the person wandering a Texas-size state 2 feet-thick in Silver Eagle dollars.

The numbers are somewhat higher for the smaller Morgan Silver dollar: 479,161,758,323,516 one layer x 254/2 feet = 1.21 x 10 17th power : odds of one in 1.21 quintillion. So Peter Stoner was basically correct in his Texas 2-feet-deep in silver coins analogy, assuming 1 x 10^17 odds.

Your 100 trillion number is too small by a factor of 10,000. It is actually 1 million trillion (1 x 10^17).

To sign up for our FREE Monthly Compass ENews with updates on future Bible conferences, Bible trips, specials on DVD Bible studies and an eye-opening look at a hot topic Click Here

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Israel Trip Tips

“Must” reading for your trip of a lifetime!

Please review these overseas travel tips now and 30 days prior to departure. Many require some pre-trip planning and shopping.

Packing for the trip of a lifetime

Extras To Bring

It is always a good idea when traveling to bring along an extra pair of your prescription glasses and/or sunglasses and prescription medicines (with original prescription and generic name for drug). These items are available overseas, but are generally time-consuming to locate and may make you miss a day of sightseeing. Also, while items such as camera batteries and film are readily available, they are generally much less expensive in the U.S.

Helpful items to bring from home . . .

o Small binoculars

o Kleenex

o Packaged snacks

o Hand sanitizer

o Small calculator

o Melatonin (sleep aid)

o Travel blow dryer (low wattage, less than 500)

o Travel umbrella

o Cold medicine

o Copies of all prescriptions

o Nylon gym bag for return trip

o Lots of digital memory!

o Extra pair of glasses or contacts

o Laptop for email and pic downloads

Fanny packs/Backpacks

Many past tour attendees have found it convenient to wear a “fanny pack” or backpack for carrying such items as your camera, wallet, film, pen, sunscreen, fold-up umbrella, compact Bible, passport, binoculars, etc. Other people use camera or athletic-type bags. The buses in Israel are safe and locked when you get off at each stop, so leaving things on the seat is safe and ok. It is also a good idea to bring a few small packages of Kleenex for bathroom stops there is a good chance you will need them!

Clothing

For the site tours comfort before fashion is the key! The weather varies from day to day at this time of the year in Israel. Generally, layered clothing works best as you may need a jacket early in the day and short sleeves in the afternoon. A jacket, sweaters, and shirts (long or short sleeved) seem to work the best. Wrinkle free clothes are a must! Check the weather forecast each evening for the next day's suggested clothing.

Women must cover their shoulders and knees for Holy sites-at Capernaum in Galilee and the Temple Mount area in Jerusalem. They've even banned very tight-fitting jeans and/or leggings in the past. Leggings or tight-fitting stretch pants are not allowed on the Holy sites unless knees are covered by a skirt. Specific dress requirements will be announced the night before touring.

Always wear comfortable walking shoes for the day tours. There is no reason to bring dress shoes or dress clothing. Think casual!

Quick Tip

Many Internet sites (weather.com) and search engines have a section where you can look up international weather forecasts. We recommend bookmarking these pages and checking periodically before departure. This will give you a good idea of what to expect weather-wise and help with your packing decisions. Looking at a ten day forecast a couple of days prior to departure is incredibly valuable in determining your clothes selection! If you don’t do Internet, ask a family member to give you the information.

Local Currency

Money

Dollars are widely accepted in Israel and it's easy to exchange currency if necessary. You will pay a small charge for conversion, which makes little difference in changing small amounts like $20 dollar bills but you should always compare several exchange rates before converting large amounts of dollars, to be certain you are getting a fair rate of exchange.

Many tour participants find it's good to have 50 or so one-dollar bills and several five-dollar bills on their tour. They come in handy for small purchases and you can keep $10 or $20 in your pocket while leaving your wallet and/or purse in the bus. You can use larger bills, but if you want to get change for a $100 bill, you will get local currency, not dollars. In Israel the currency is called the Shekel. It is currently trading at approximately 3 1/2 shekels to one dollar.

Credit Cards

Many people prefer to charge purchases on a credit card rather than carry a large amount of cash. The benefit to this is that the conversion rate is the actual rate of exchange for that day (+ 2 % fee from the company). If, for instance, you purchase an item with your MasterCard in Israel for 125 shekels, the charge will come out in dollars on your statement-at the current international exchange rate, which is the best rate of exchange available. However, you generally will find the need to have a few dollars or shekels in your possession for small purchases like Cokes, newspapers, postcards, etc. Visa is the most accepted credit card, then MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club. Others, such as Discover, are more difficult to use.

ATMs

ATM machines are available but not usually easy to find. They work like machines in the US, in English, but they dispense the local currency, not dollars.

Personal Checks

Always bring a few pre-printed personal checks from your local bank-a number of places accept them for merchandise, especially for large items like oriental rugs or nice jewelry. Apparently they figure that if you can afford the $6,000 trip, your check will clear. Sometimes a check is accepted when a credit card isn't!

Passports

Obtaining a Passport

By now you should have a valid passport that is good through six months past your date of return. If you don't yet have a passport, you need to start the process as soon as possible. You can pick up an application at either the post office or county courthouse (varies by area). Applications can also be downloaded off internet (http://travel.state.gov/download_applications.html). You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate (the one with the footprints doesn't qualify 🙂 to submit with the application. If you don't have a certified copy, you can request one by calling the department of records at the capital of the state in which you were born. There is usually a fee for this and it can take several weeks to receive it.

Traveling with Your Passport

Rule #1, always keep your passport with you (not in your luggage) while traveling unless it is locked in a secure place, such as the hotel's safe.

Before leaving home, make two photocopies of the main page of your passport. Leave one with someone you could easily contact while you are on your trip and take the other with you (keep it in a separate location than your original passport). Remember, you will need to be able to produce your original passport at all airports in the U.S. and abroad, along with your plane tickets.

Always keep your passport and plane tickets with you while traveling. Never pack them in a suitcase that will be checked. This means you will need to decide where to keep them on your

body. Some people purchase safety pockets that attach to your belt and hang inside your pants. Others simple keep them in their front or back pockets, or a well-guarded purse. If you lose your passport, it's impossible to leave a foreign country or get past customs in the U.S. until you get a new one.

Flights

Sleep Aids

We recommend that you consider purchasing some items that will help you sleep on the long flights to and from Israel, as well as through the night for the first few nights overseas. Ask your doctor if he thinks sleeping pills are appropriate.

A neck pillow that allows you to sleep sitting-up without hurting your neck. Some of the larger planes have them built in to the seat. Other suggestions are sleeping shades (cloth eye covers that block light) and ear plugs. Noise cancellation headphones and an iPod with some smooth music are excellent if you can afford them.

Blankets and small pillows are provided. Wear comfortable and loose shoes on the overseas plane ride (shoes that tie are best). Your feet will retain fluids over the course of the flight but will return to normal after landing. If you can locate them, “No Jet Lag” pills really help.

Many people believe that the less you eat, the better you sleep. And we encourage you to sleep as best you can. Even short naps are helpful. Bring a toothbrush, deodorant, wash cloth, make-up, etc., as well as a change of clothes, in your carry-on bag to use on the plane the next morning.

How You Can Beat Jet Lag

Eating

1. Eat sparingly, less is better!

2. Eat cautiously if turbulence is predicted.

3. Minimize food intake to get maximum rest. You'll doze off faster & sleep more soundly if your stomach is not stuffed.

4. Avoid gas-forming foods, i.e. beans, cabbage, onions, raw apples, cucumber, melons, foods cooked in grease.

5. Try to match your eating time with your “stomach clock.” For instance, if dinner on the plane is going to be significantly later than your regular time, eat something at the airport before boarding, then pass up the in-flight feast.

6. Drink lots of water on the plane!

Dr. F. S. Preston of British Airways advises crew members to drink between 4-5 pints of fluid, preferably water, when they fly to prevent dehydration. The ventilation system tends to remove moisture from the cabin and body tissues, causing dehydration sufficient to cause fatigue and irritability. When passengers get dehydrated and feel thirsty, they tend to replenish their fluid deficits with the wrong fluids-liquor, soft drinks, coffee and tea.

Remember:

o Liquor is almost twice as potent at high altitude.

o Soft drinks cause abdominal discomfort. At 35,000 feet, gases in the stomach and intestines increase approximately 20% because of the decrease in atmospheric pressure. Soft drinks worsen this condition.

o Coffee and tea are mild diuretics and speed up the loss of liquids through the kidneys.

o The best fluids to drink are water and fruit juices.

Exercise

1. Get out of your seat and move around the cabin from time to time.

2. Try some isometric exercises while you are in your seat.

3. Do a few calisthenics and stretches in the aisle or lavatory to get your circulation going.

Rest

1. Recline your seat back.

2. Put a pillow behind your head-it's a good psychological device.

3. Cover yourself with a blanket-it will trap body heat, keep you warm, and help you fall asleep faster.

4. When you arrive in Israel, don't go to bed (not even for a nap) until well after dinner. This will help you adjust to the time change much more quickly.

Important Note!!!

You are provided luggage tags that must be attached to the handles of your luggage before you check your luggage in at your home airport. This insures that your luggage will be handled with our group at both airports and hotels. It also speeds up customs as identifying you as part of a tour group. An extra tag is given for purse or camera bag.

Luggage

You must limit your luggage to one checked piece and one carry-on per person - this is due to limited luggage space on the buses.

Carry-ons

In addition to make-up, toiletries, medicine, and two good books, pack at least one change of clothing and two changes of underwear in your carry-on. In the unlikely event your luggage is lost or delayed, this can be a life saver. If your luggage is lost, you may not see it for a few days. Pray now that your luggage won't get lost!

Carry-on Dimensions & Restrictions

Your carry-on should not be larger than 45 inches in circumference and under 18 pounds. Because airlines are getting very sticky about this, we recommend that you accurately measure your carry-on to make sure it does not exceed the limit--even if you have used it before without a problem.

Customs

Going through customs into foreign countries is generally slow. When arriving in Israel, if you have lost a suitcase, tell a Compass staff member and they will show you where to go to fill out the forms. We usually have about one out of every 100 people that don't have all their luggage make it. Usually the lost luggage is back to you in two days to four days. Again, remember to pack an extra change of clothes and two changes of underwear in your carry-on.

Always include necessities such as make-up, camera, valuables, medicine, etc. in your carry-on. Before leaving, pray that the Lord will allow all of your bags to arrive with your flight, and, if God allows your bag to be delayed or lost, that you will have a Christ- centered response as the “chosen one.”

You are allowed to bring back to the United States up to $400.00 of foreign goods per person in most countries, but for Israel, it has “Favored Nation“ status. So you have no limit as long as it’s not for resale. You will receive a stamped form when you arrive in Israel regarding customs--keep it with your passport--you will need it when you leave the country.

Many times, going through customs will try your ability to be a Christian witness. Tip: Always remember that you are in a foreign country and things are not like the U.S. So, be flexible and pray a lot!

First Day of Trip

The first day of your trip is a long one as most will depart a North American city and continue on to Israel. Since we are traveling against the time zone we will arrive in Tel Aviv the next day. With this in mind, it is important to be organized enough to get a good night's sleep the day before you depart. That way, as the little world travel problems crop up, you are rested and better able to properly respond to any situation that God allows.

Get to the airport two hours prior to departure for international flights. This insures you have time to deal with check-in and any problems that might crop up.

If for some reason you don't get seated next to your spouse or travel mate, ask the gate agent to try to find seats together. You can usually work it out before getting on the plane but once or twice we have had to do some seat trading after we boarded the plane.

Dietary Concerns

Water

The water in Israel is of the same quality as the U.S. and is unlikely to cause you any problems. However, it is always safer to drink bottled water whenever possible. Your bus will have an ample supply of bottled water at very reasonable prices, usually $1 per bottle. The bus drivers sell them as a side business. Soft drinks are usually available at food stands at most sites.

Special diet requests

Special meals are also available from the airlines. Once you have received your tickets, call the airline direct and they will help you with your request.

Meals

Meals--all breakfasts and dinners are included in the trip; lunches may be included or time allowed to eat on your own. Ice tea and water are provided at lunches and dinners, juices and coffee for breakfast. Soft drinks and wine may be purchased as well as bottled water for most meals.

Laundry

Laundry service is available at most of the hotels. A few items are not too costly, but before you send a large number of items to be cleaned, check the total costs (usually a laundry list is left in your room). The clothes are returned to your room.

Name Badges

You will be sent a Compass tour name badge prior to your departure from home. You are required to wear your badge during all day trips for both security and admission to sites, as well as your meal ticket. If you lose your badge, see a Compass staff member for a replacement.

Electricity

You will need to purchase a converter for shavers, hair dryers, curling irons, etc. These are usually available at any Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. Electricity in Israel (and Jordan) is 220 volts/50 cycles.

Phone Calls

Direct calls to the U.S. are simple and work best dialing direct from a pay phone using a calling card or prepaid phone card. You can call from the hotels using their system, but they charge extra-a lot extra. The time difference is ten hours for the West Coast, seven for the East Coast.

Internet

Most hotels have Internet access. Some for a log-on fee, some free of charge. So you can bring a laptop and stay in touch by email.

Tipping

Tips in Israel are prepaid. Your bus captain will collect an additional tip for your guide and driver at the end of the tour for a job well done.

Guides, Buses & Tours

Buses/T ours

For larger groups, you will be assigned a bus number and a corresponding color (#1-Blue, #2-Red, #3 Green, etc.). This will be your bus assignment for all day trips. You will receive your bus assignment 2-3 weeks prior to departure, When you receive your assignment, if you are not assigned a bus with your travel mate(s) or group, please call Compass immediately.

Israeli Guides

Your Israeli guide and bus driver usually work together as a team. They are Jewish, and rarely Christian, but will become like family to you by the time you leave Israel. In crowded places like the Old City of Jerusalem, always be aware of where your guide/flag is as it is very easy to get lost. You'll ride the same bus each day.

The guides also receive income, in the form of a small commission, from several gift shops at some of the sites that we will visit. This is part of the culture in Israel and is considered part of the guides' income. The gift shops know the guides can stop anywhere along the route and this encourages them to stop at their place. The souvenir prices at these “bathroom stops” are very similar to other shops and the guides usually choose the locations based on cleanliness of rest rooms, acceptance and security of credit cards, broadness of stock, price, etc. So you generally don't pay more even though the guide is getting a commission. For major purchases, always offer less!

A word to the wise . . .

If you think you may want to purchase items from the many roving souvenir salesman at a site, put a few dollars in your pocket before you get off the bus so you don't have to open your wallet in front of them. Although rare, there have been instances of pick-pocketing.

Bus Etiquette

Always be considerate of your fellow passengers while the guides are talking. If you are talking to your seat mate it makes it harder for those nearby to hear the guide clearly. Also, with the obvious exception of the guide, the seats toward the front with the best view should be rotated each day. When given a few minutes for bathroom stops, shopping or free time, please return to the bus promptly so we can continue without delay. The 5-10 minutes spent gathering stray passengers at a site can add up to shortened site time or Bible studies later.

Most of all . . .

> Pray for God's blessing on this trip and that He will use our interaction with the Jewish people to His glory.

Questions Compass (208) 762-7777

Killing O'Reilly

77 Scriptural Errors in O'Reilly's book "Killing Jesus."

A book critique by Bill Perkins

Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard "Killing Jesus"

Bill O'Reilly hosts Fox New's "The O'Reilly Factor" the highest rated cable news show in the country.

Coming from a background mix that includes a liberal Yale education and cafeteria Catholicism, O'Reilly uses his sharp egotistical wit and probing, no-nonsense interviews to entertain millions in prime time cable television in America.

O'Reilly smartly uses his Fox TV show as a promotional tool sending his two previous books: "Killing Lincoln," "Killing Kennedy" and his latest, "Killing Jesus," onto the best-seller lists.

They were co-written with best-selling author Martin Dugard. O'Reilly donates the profit from his share of the sale of these books to charities but Compass has yet to make that list. 😉

O'Reilly really dropped the ball with Killing Jesus. His account of Jesus' life and death on this earth is rife with technical mistakes, doctrinal errors and uncomfortable speculation from a Catholic mindset. He should be renamed "Bill O'Really?"

Many readers probably won't be aware of the book's errors and misinformation, causing a subtly incorrect account of Jesus' life to be burned into their unsuspecting minds.

There IS a lot of fascinating and accurate information about the Romans and the times in which Jesus lived sprinkled throughout the book. But because O'Reilly doesn't use the Bible as a measuring stick for his research, the technical errors can throw you off.

It is also worth noting that throughout the book, O'Reilly seems somewhat bewildered and/or confused as he attempts to tell the age-old story of Jesus. The book approaches the Bible as something less than the inspired, infallible Word of God, and as a result, views the true identity of Jesus through a faulty and distorted lens.

On Pg. 176 O'Reilly says:

"It could be argued that as [Jesus] grew and learned scripture, he intentionally began contriving his actions and words to mimic the prophet's predictions."

Good grief O'Reilly, that's scary! Jesus didn't make Himself "fit" Bible prophecy, but rather fulfilled Bible prophecy!

On Pg. 72

"[Jesus] feels a keen desire to debate its nuances and legends...and finding new questions to ask."

This, of course, is not true. I take offense at the scriptures being called "legends" as if they were passed down fables. And worse, O'Reilly says Jesus is debating the nuances, as if there are contradictions in scripture.

And finally, O'Reilly makes it sound as if Jesus was only asking questions, when the revelation of that scriptural record was that His answers were amazing.

Luke 2:47 "And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers."

Pg. 259

"To this day, the body of Jesus of Nazareth has never been found."

Over 30 verses refer to Jesus appearing 12 times to groups ranging from one person to 500 people. (2 Pet 2:16, Mk 16:9-11, Lk 24:34 et al.) To say that Jesus' body has never been found means you have to deny the resurrection.

1Cor. 15:14 "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain."

Pg. 261

"These apparitions...."

After first saying the body of Jesus has never been found, in the "Afterward" of the book O'Reilly does say "the Gospels state" that Jesus was seen 12 times as "apparitions!"

Really O'Reilly? You're saying Jesus was resurrected as a ghost? NO, Jesus appeared with a physical body of flesh and bone, and has that same resurrected body today. He ate with the disciples after His resurrection. So Jesus was anything but a ghost!

John 20:27 "Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.'"

Luke 24:42-43 "And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them."

In addition to the above, the following is a partial list of technical errors that I also found in a quick one-time read. I'm sure I didn't catch them all. But the fact I found so many affects the credibility of the book. The link to the entire list of 77 errors is at the end of this article.

Pg. 19

O'Reilly says "tens of thousands" of Jews converged on Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. Historical accounts, such as the writings of Josephus, put that number in the millions. Later, on pg. 66, O'Reilly states "Passover is a time that Jerusalem is packed with hundreds of thousands of worshipers..." So internally the book is in conflict with itself.

Pg. 69

"There are few sources of water."

Regarding traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, O'Reilly says there are few sources of water. Not true. 2/3rds of the route Joseph and Mary would have traveled was next to the Jordan River, a bountiful source of water.

Pg. 73 Temple Mount, Israel

"the Temple Mount is a three-acre platform with walls stretching a quarter mile in length."

I'm dumfounded that a Yale educated guy could think a wall could be 1/4 mile on one side and only be three acres on the inside! The Temple Mount is about 37 acres total, not three.

Pg. 90

"[Mary Magdalene] will grow up to be a prostitute."

There is no evidence whatsoever that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute.

Pg. 97

O'Reilly obviously embraces his Catholic roots as he has John the Baptist listening to men confessing their sins in the Jordan River. But that's not true. John is preaching repentance, not listening to confessions.

There is a great distance between repentance, which is confessing that you're a sinner in need of a Savior and wishing to change directions, and listing out your sins one by one (as the Catholic Church doctrine requires you to do today).

Pg. 98

"[John is] telling one and all that the end of the world is near and that they must prepare by being baptized."

O'Reilly misunderstands the Bible, again, as to what is being proclaimed. What John said was "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." And indeed it was with the world's Messiah beginning His ministry.

But O'Reilly calls it the "end of the world," seemingly to try to make John a false prophet and the scriptures incorrect.

Pg. 121

"the partially enclosed Temple Courts...." Temple Mount in Jesus' day

The Temple Courts were fully enclosed.

Pg. 121

" ... this coinage must be converted into shekels, the standard currency of Jerusalem. In keeping with the Jewish law forbidding graven images, these special coins are decorated with images of plants and other nonhuman likenesses."

Roman coin used by Jews for Temple Tax

Incorrect. The Jews were FORBIDDEN from minting their own coins and were forced to designate a Roman coin as a substitute for their half- shekel Temple tax (see photo above--the "designated" temple tax coin).

It was only after 66 AD, following the 1st Jewish Revolt, that the Jews could mint their own coins without images, often stamping the new image over the old Roman image. Four years later the Romans conquered Jerusalem and the Jewish coins were outlawed.

Pg. 133

"[Jesus'] words of hope and love] will eventually rally billions of human beings to his spiritual cause. But they will not convert the powerful men who currently hold the life of Jesus in their hands."

There were two powerful men who did convert- Joseph of Aramathia and Nicodemas.

Pg. 133

"... the powerful men who currently hold the life of Jesus in their hands."

Jesus willingly allowed Himself to die for our sins. The Bible is clear that it was Jesus who held all the power.

John 19:11 "Jesus answered, 'You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above;'"

Pg. 136

"Though [Jesus] knows nothing about fishing..."

O'Reilly's disregard for Jesus being God is scary. Jesus CREATED fish!

Pg. 151

"Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you,..."

The text says up to "half" his kingdom, not "anything you want."

Mark 6:23 "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom."

Pg. 158-159

O'Reilly describes a scene where Pharisees gather around Jesus in a Galilean marketplace. He says the Pharisees are wearing wooden boxes on their foreheads with a tiny scroll on the inside "telling about their exodus from Egypt."

This is laughable! The Jews don't wear their phylacteries on their heads causally around the marketplace as if it were part of their everyday dress.

Instead, they wear them, both on their head and attached to their upper inside left arm, only for time of prayer. And the verse inside is almost always from Deut 6 about loving God with all your heart and mind... in order that you don't forget that it was God Who brought them out of Egypt.

Deut. 6:8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead."

Deut. 6:12 "then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt,"

Pg. 165 Footnote

"Since the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, it is no longer required that Jews make the pilgrimages to Jerusalem."

Not correct. The commandment to go to Jerusalem is still in the Law. The reason they don't go to Jerusalem is that the Romans conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple and scattered the Jews. So they can't make sacrifices on Mt. Moriah as called for in the Torah.

In fact, in 132 AD, during the Bar Corba revolt, the Jews took back Jerusalem for about 3 years and resumed sacrifices, although they weren't able to rebuild their Temple.

Pg. 169

"This same man who stands in the presence of God and sees that sins are forgiven is also the high priest..."

The wording here comes from O'Reilly's Catholic roots where Priests oversee forgiveness of sins. The High Priest did NOT forgive sins, but rather, made atonement for sins. Therefore a more correct statement would be "make atonement so they could be forgiven."

Lev. 17:11 "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.

Lev. 4:35 "Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offerings, and the priest shall offer them up in smoke on the altar, on the offerings by fire to the LORD. Thus the priest shall make atonement for him in regard to his sin which he has committed, and he will be forgiven."

Pg. 183

"James and John ask the Nazarene if they can be his principal assistants in the new regime..."

Incorrect. It was their mother who asked, not James and John.

Matt. 20:20-21 "Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him."

Pg. 186

"'O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' The words of thanksgiving are in Psalm 118."

The words "O Lord, grant us success" are not in Psalm 118.

Pg. 210

"Judas has lived the hand-to-mouth existence of Jesus's disciples for two long years, rarely having more than a few extra coins in his purse, and very little in the way of luxury."

Judas often had "more than a few extra coins" in his pocket because he constantly dipped into the disciples' money box for personal needs.

John 12:4-6 "But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 'Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor people?' Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it."

Pg. 214

"It would be easy enough to ask the high priest to send Temple guards to the home of Lazarus..."

Mount of Olives today, from the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount

Whether or not Jesus was crucified on Thursday or Friday, He was NOT at Lazarus' house in Bethany the night before His crucifixion. Rather He went from the Mount of Olives where He gave His famous Sermon on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24, to the Upper Room and then back to Gethsemane at the base of the Mount of Olives. Bethany, where Lazarus lived, was two miles away.

Matt. 24:3 "And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives,"

Pg. 222

"Jesus returns to the garden at Gethsemane."

Jesus never left the Garden of Gethsemane. The size of the Garden is huge covering an area of roughly six football fields. Jesus said He was going "over there" indicating a spot close by. Luke records He went a distance of about a "stones throw."

Matt. 26:36 "Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.'"

Luke 22:41 "And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,"

Pg. 230

"By this time Jesus is led back into Annas's house...."

O'Reilly again refuses to follow scripture by writing that the events of the evening before Jesus' crucifixion took place at Annas' house.

Jesus was originally taken to Annas, the revered former High Priest, but because he was no longer in power, Jesus was taken to Caiaphas house, who was in power.

John 18:24 "So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest."

So all the action O'Reilly writes about Annas on pages 226 to 231, should be about Caiaphas.

Pg. 247

Jesus was crucified at 9 AM

"It's getting close to noon."

O'Reilly has Jesus still carrying His cross to Golgotha "close to noon." Jesus was crucified at 9 AM and died at 3 PM.

Mark 15:25 "It was the third hour when they crucified Him."[9AM]

Luke 23:44 "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour,"

Pg. 268

"...the Via Dolorosa wasn't established until centuries later and was not in existence during Jesus's lifetime. The real path that Jesus walked began at Herod's palace, near what is now the Jaffa Gate. It ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is thought to have been built atop the site of Golgotha and near Jesus's tomb."

O'Reilly has this all wrong. The path that Jesus walked carrying His cross began leaving Pilate at the Antonia Fortress, NOT Herod's Palace, and proceeded through the Damascus Gate, NOT Jaffa Gate.

It is scripturally impossible (see map to right) for any sacrifice to take place on any mountain other than Mt. Moriah. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not on Mt. Moriah and is not north of the altar.

Lev. 1:11 "And he shall slay it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD,"

As you can see, I'm only pointing out Biblical error and not Roman history error, of which O'Reilly writes quite extensively. I have no clue if what he wrote about the Romans is accurate. Hopefully it is.

To download/read all 77 Biblical errors I found, Click Add to Cart (below)

The above article may be forwarded in its entirety (including credits) without permission.

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Compass Biblelands Cruise

October 2015 with Pre-Trip option to Italy

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Compass Biblelands Cruise (hereinafter “Compass”) is developed and organized by Compass International, Inc. (a non-profit ministry).

Please fill out the registration form and return it as soon as possible. Please note that this is a private trip and participants must be approved. Payment due dates and cancellation fees are structured to match those incurred by the trip. Please read the following Terms and Conditions in their entirety—it’s important to know all the details, payment dates and coverage.

By signing the registration sheet you acknowledge receiv- ing and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions set forth below covering Biblelands Cruise 2015 and any pre-trip options. The Conditions of Carriage of the Cruise Carrier are expressly incorporated into this contract.

Smoking
The Biblelands Cruise 2015 is a smoke-free trip for all passengers in the common areas of the hotels, site visits and inside the ship. This includes halls, dining rooms, lounges, game rooms, meeting rooms and individual staterooms. Smoking outside the land hotels and on certain outside cruise decks is permissible.

Name Changes
Participation in this trip is limited to persons whose payment and contract have been received by Compass. Name changes are not allowed unless previously approved by Compass. Circumstances prohibit transfer of participation to passengers other than those to whom the original registration was made.

Proper Documentation
All members of this trip must carry passports valid for at least six months beyond the scheduled date of return to the United States. This means your passport must be valid through April 10, 2016, or longer if you choose to extend your trip beyond the cruise. Also, document requirements may vary depending on your citizenship. Non-U.S. passport holders may be required to obtain other visas for certain countries or ports of call and are personally responsible for securing such per- mits/visas. Passengers denied boarding of planes and/or cruise ship due to missing or improper documentation will not be the responsibility of Compass. Compass will process and obtain group visas for those visiting Malta & Turkey. No visa is required for Italy, Greece or Israel for U.S. citizens.

Air and Cruise Tickets
All trip air and ship tickets are valid only for the dates booked and indicated on documents. Tickets will be sent to you approximately 7-10 days prior to your scheduled departure and after full payment has been received by Compass. Tickets for bookings made within 14 days of departure (if available) may be picked up from our representative at the designated airport on the day of departure. Re-issuance of air tickets that are lost or stolen prior to departure, or required to be reissued for any other reasons, may be subject to charges or fees by the air carriers and/or other vendors, and may be substantial.

Limitations

This is a private trip. Compass reserves the right to decline, reject, or retain any member as a participant in this trip at any time for any reason. The air carrier(s), cruise line, group operators and Compass reserve the right to substitute equipment and properties to add or delete en route stops at their discretion with or without notice. The hotels, ground operators, cruise lines and other vendors used by Compass reserve the right, in special circumstances, to substitute accommodations and/or transportation of similar or better quality without penalty.

Baggage
Compass cannot be held responsible for delay, loss, or dam- age to baggage. Travelers are encouraged to check their Travel Tips booklet to find ways to reduce the likelihood, or minimize the problem, of having lost or delayed luggage.
Baggage restrictions apply to this trip. You are allowed to check one piece of luggage, maximum 50 lbs, one “car- ry-on” bag and one purse per person. Your “carry-on” must be one piece of luggage (or handicap devices) not to exceed 24X10X16, which will fit under your seat.

Deposits and Reservations
Your reservation cannot be confirmed until the signed registration form and a total deposit of $750 pp plus the full amount of the insurance, if selected, are received. One half of the balance is due July 11, 2015 and the remaining balance is due August 11, 2015. Payment is due in full if registering after July 30. Your booking may be canceled if not fully paid by the due date. Please make all checks payable to Compass.

Cancellation and Refunds

In the event that you must cancel your reservation (assuming no insurance or a non-covered reason) or payments are not received by specified deadlines, refunds are made in accordance with the following schedule:

Per person cancellation fee, if notice is received:

* 140 days or more prior to your departure date:Cancellation fee is $500 per person plus any domestic air and insurance or add-on travel you have purchased.

* 139-90 days prior to your departure date: Cancellation fee is $1,000 per person plus any domestic air and insurance or add-on travel you have purchased.

* 89-0 days prior to your departure date: Cancellation fee is 100% of package price or deposit (the insurance
allows cancellation for covered reasons).

Refunds and Problems
Unused Trips: No refund will be made for any transporta-tion, accommodations or services included in the trip price which you, by your choice, do not use.
We recommend you use the Compass appointed travel agent to book your domestic flights for you. We regret we cannot be held responsible for missed connections due to weather or mechanical problems. We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance.

Additional Charges
The airlines and cruise operator have given us a price of fuel “not to exceed.” Also, Compass pays most of the trip expenses in euros. If at the time of sailing fuel does exceed the fuel con- tractual amount or the dollar loses more than 5% value against the euro, a surcharge will be added. The cost will be pro-rated among all passengers not to exceed $150 per passenger. (This has happened only once in our last 20 cruises.) The included airfare from NYC to Rome has pre-determined budgets. If the airfare cost at the time of booking exceeds these budgets, an additional charge reflecting the difference may added--although this has never happened in the past.

Responsibility
Compass has the responsibility of booking with airlines, hotels, condominiums, ground operators, guides, and cruise lines to provide you with these services. The carriers, hotels, cruise lines, and other suppliers providing services are indepen- dent contractors and are not agents, employees, or servants of, or joint venturers with, Compass or its affiliates. All certificates and other travel documents for services issued by Compass are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the supplier and to the laws of the countries in which the services are sup- plied. Each participant agrees not to hold Compass International Inc, its employees, or trip leaders liable, in the absence of its own negligence, for any loss, act or omission, whether negli- gent or otherwise, of any person or firm which is to or does provide goods or services for the trip and shall have no liability to the participant for the quality of services or the condition or cleanliness of accommodations or for any transportation delay, including but not limited to liability for inconvenience, shortened vacation time, additional expense, or any other kind of damage. Compass is not responsible for government actions, weather, mechanical breakdowns, war, terrorism, acts of nature (secularly know as “Acts of God”), or other circumstances beyond its control. (Insurance is included that covers most of these plus other coverages.) If a travel ban is imposed by the United States on any country we are scheduled to visit, another route or port may be substituted.
In the past we have always traveled to Israel under State Department “travel warnings” without incident and expect to do so in the future. In the event of delay, the airline or cruise line, and not Compass, determines delay procedures and the amenities/compensation, if any, to be offered.

Optional Trip Activities
Excursion Activities: Trip participants may choose to engage in various activities including, but not limited to, swimming, jogging, water sports, horseback or camel riding, car rental traveling, shipboard activities and other “activities;” participants are hereby notified that these activities may be dangerous and may result in a serious injury and that participation in these activities shall be at the participant’s own risk. Compass shall not be liable for any injuries sustained by trip participants which are a result of participants engaging in such activities.

Travelers Who Need Special Assistance
Compass must be advised of a participant’s special requirements at the time of booking and we will make every effort to accommodate special requests, but cannot confirm a reservation until all travel suppliers have acknowledged that they can provide the services requested. Note: It is possible that Compass or its suppliers may have to deny boarding if prior notification of special need is not given. We regret that, due to the nature of the planned itinerary, we cannot guarantee full participation to a member whose physical needs cannot be met. However, the average age of participants on past trips is 55 and roughly 98% enjoy full participation at each site.

Major Changes
“Major changes” consist only of changes in the trip’s departure city and/or departure dates by more than 72 hours, hotel substitutions of lower quality, or a price increase exceeding 10 percent of the trip price occurring 21 or more days before departure. In such cases Compass shall notify par- ticipant(s) within 14 days after first knowing of such change, but in any event at least 21 days before scheduled departure. If Compass first learns of a major change less than 21 days before scheduled departure, Compass’ liability is limited to a full refund excluding insurance paid.
Compass has contracted with certain hotels to supply accommodation. Occasionally, the accommodation reserved is not available for a variety of reasons (i.e. unexpected maintenance problems, guest stay-overs, and overbooking by the hotel) and a substitute hotel of equal or greater quality is provided. In the event of your hotel standard being substantially downgraded, a refund reflecting the difference in price will be issued. The gov- erning laws of the State of Idaho shall prevail and any dispute may be resolved in the City of Coeur d’Alene by means of arbi- tration. The prevailing party of any dispute will be entitled to recuperate pertinent legal fees and costs from the other party.

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This brochure and Terms & Conditions cancels and super- sedes any previous publications or advertisements to this same trip and cruise. The most current brochure or terms and condi- tions may be viewed and/or downloaded at www.compass.org.

Trip Insurance
We highly recommend that you purchase trip protection. The coverage includes sickness, death or accident of imme- diate family or travelling companion, trip interruption, and lost baggage. It covers pre-existing conditions if you purchase it when you first sign up for the trip. Check “Trip Insurance” on your registration form for a quote. You will receive a com- plete policy in the mail after you register.

END: Compass 2015 “Terms and Conditions” For questions, call Compass toll-free at 1-800-977-2177 or email: biblecruise@compass.org.

This is a shocker!

"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (7 years)". Dan. 9:27

This treaty, we believe, is consummated just after the Rapture of the Church and begins the seven-year period of Tribulation when God goes back to dealing with the Jews as His chosen people.

Well, shocker of all shockers, read this headline in an Israeli newspaper last week:

Israel Wants Five Years of Quiet - Attila Somfalvi
(3rd paragraph down)

Asked about what Israelis should expect after a Gaza ceasefire, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday: "I estimate that we will get a lasting calm. We spoke with our colleagues around the world and explained that we want lasting quiet - not for a week, not for two weeks. After a week of suffering, (we want) at least five or six years of quiet, stability and security."

Ynet News: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4309430,00.html

Israel wants five or six years of peace? That's pretty close to seven years of peace!

The fact that they are even talking about a peace treaty with a length of time anywhere near seven years is astonishing--considering the prophecy was written over 2500 years ago!!!

Consider these other prophecies already fulfilled in my lifetime regarding Israel and the Jews:

The Jews would be scattered over the world and return to their homeland after about 2000 years. Is 11:11-12; Hos 6:1-2
(They were and they did!)
> The Jews would not lose their identity--they would remain a pure race during their exile and return as a pure race. Rev 7:4
(They did!)
> When they returned, the Jews would take over their land to begin in one day. Is 66:8
(They did!)
> When the Jews come back into their land, they will not have the Spirit of God in them. Ezek 37:8
(They don't!)
> The Jews would come back into their land and have a mighty army. Ezek 37:10
(They do!)
> Israel will have atomic weapons. Zech 14:12
(They do!)
> Israel, a very small nation, would be a problematic country burdening the entire world. Zech 12:3
(They are!)
When you think about it, God used the Jews to provide the world with the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, Bible and even our Savior.
John 4:22; Is 44:1

 So keep your eyes on Israel--they're God's focus in the next dispensation and He's getting them ready!

What an exciting time to be alive!!!!!
Shalom!

The trip of a lifetime!

Make your Bible turn from black and white to living color!

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Steel-on-steel!

Join us to steel your mind with God’s truth!

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Who needs coffee!

A provocative one-minute email Bible study—a great way to start your day!

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You never know what we might write about! Plus latest Compass info!

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Grand Canyon Tour

Join us for an awesome Bible tour of the Grand Canyon. Learn and see scientific facts from a young earth view that will embolden your faith.

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In Your Mailbox!

Mailed a couple of times a year with steel-on-steel Bible Studies and trip/event updates.

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Become a Compass Pointe

Your support helps us get solid Biblical truth into a hurting world...and you receive benefits!

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Compass Books

Check out Compass' selection of paperback, digital and audio books – from Biblically accurate historical fiction to hard-hitting, biblical topics.

Compass Books

Watch the Entire Bible in 30 Minutes!

Genesis through Revelation, watch the entire bible in 30 minutes at no cost!

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RR1 Read Romans 1

A simple yet powerful way to point America back to God’s Word! Follow & read God’s truth in Romans chapter one!

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Millions Missing?

A great 16-page resource to “leave behind” in the event the rapture takes place in our lifetime. Save “just in case I’m correct.”

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CompassTV

Watch an awesome free streaming Bible teaching video each week!

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P.O. Box 3747, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83816
Toll-Free: 800.977.2177
Coeur d'Alene: 208.762.7777
Fax: 208.762.3363

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Fri: CLOSED–

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Compass is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-denominational ministry based in Coeur d’Alene, ID, founded in 1993 by Bill and Susie Perkins. Our mission is to defend the accuracy of the Bible through our email Bible studies, Bible trips and cruises, missionary outreach, and Steeling the Mind Bible Conferences.

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