No Apologies Round Two

"Few if any recent generations could sit with a Bible in one hand and their newspapers in the other and see the fulfillment of prophecy, but for us it’s almost routine." Jack Kelly

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Islamic Mahdi and the Antichrist, or the King of Kings


And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, having fierce features, how understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.


In the last post we saw a part of a description of the Islamic Mahdi, who is awaited by many in the Muslim world to come. In this post, I want to look more closely at the similarities and differences between the Islamic version of the second coming and what the Bible says about the final times of Antichrist, and Christ's second coming.
Antichrist's amazing power will come from Satan himself, as the first prophecy in the Bible regarding him as the "seed of Satan".


He (Imam Mahdi) will appear as a handsome young man, clad in neat clothes and exuding the fragrance of paradise. His face will glow with love and kindness for the human beings


2 Corinthians 11:13-15 describes Satan in a similar way:
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

He will appear as a handsome young man, clad in neat clothes and exuding the fragrance of paradise. His face will glow with love and kindness for the human beings


The Bible describes in Revelation, Jesus' second coming this way:
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword ( the Word of God) with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev.19:11-17


And in Daniel:
I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.Daniel 10:5-6


The Bible describes the Antichrist this way in Daniel:
"In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
Daniel 8:23-25


Mahdi will establish security throughout the world. He will uproot lawlessness, remove anarchy and establish new social relations based on justice, law and respect for human rights. Everything will be precise and calculated, and as the holy Qu' ran says at that time fear will turn into security. Young women will be able to travel alone, even on highways, without the least fear of being harassed. No one is afraid of his or her right being trampled. Theft and swindling will no longer exist and there will no longer be any grounds for the corrupt and oppressors to move about. The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali says the time of difficulties and thirst will end by our hand. And when the Promised One appears, hatred will leave hearts Women can travel from Iraq to Syria with all their jewelry without fear of anything.
Imam Mahdi will appear all of a sudden on the world scene with a voice from the skies announcing his reappearance at the holy Kaâba in Mecca. (the Kaaba stone in Mecca)


The Bible describes when Jesus comes back: At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Matthew 24:30,31


He has a radiant forehead, black piercing eyes and a broad chest. He very much resembles his ancestor Prophet Mohammad. Heavenly light and justice accompany him. He will overcome enemies and oppressors with the help of God, and as per the promise of the Almighty the Mahdi will eradicate all corruption and injustice from the face of the earth and establish the global government of peace, justice and equity.


Daniel warns that he (Antichrist) will prosper and thrive in his drive to gain total control over the world. He will sit in the rebuilt Temple and declare himself to be God, and he will do everything in his power to "destroy the mighty and also the holy people."
He will rebel against the laws of man and God's Law. He will hate man's law because he despises God and His ultimate Law. He will change laws and the Holy days to suit his own purpose. He will have great success militarily- that is until he and his are defeated by Christ at Armageddon. His initial battles will be so successful that the people of the world will have no problem accepting him as their messiah. (Rev. 13:4,5) He will have control of all world Intelligence agencies and police forces. The Antichrist will have his own economic system - In other words, a global government, and people will see him as messiah, the one to be praised and fawned over.


Mahdi will establish security throughout the world. The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali says the time of difficulties and thirst will end by our hand.


The Bible states that only Jesus Christ can quench our thirst. He is the source of the Living Water.
We know that the Antichrist will wage war on the world, and those who refuses to follow him. What people need to understand is that when he comes on the world stage, the world will be much the way it is now- only worse. People will be"praying" for change and someone to take on all the problems we're dealing with. Someone who can fix the economy and make things fair for everyone. Someone who can promote peace to all the world, instead of continuing to fight with our enemies. Someone who will seem to remove those who are intolerant, old fashioned and yes, bitter and god clinging, in order for peace they want to come. Once he is "elected" or installed, he will seem to be the one who can do all of this peacefully. One day though, he will come up against those who are Christ's, and he won't be able to do anything about them- except wage war against them. And wage it he will, in a way that will make what folks like Hitler did seem like a mild spanking. Things will seem better for a time. Actually, for about 3 and a half years, but after that, all hell will break loose and people will have no choice in whom they follow.


for when the Imam reappears, he will make Kufa the capital of his world government of peace, security, justice and equity, while he will deal with world affairs from the Sahla Mosque.


The Bible tells us that the Antichrist will some day set up his world government from Babylon- which is in Iraq. Kufa, is a little south of Babylon. We know from the Bible that Christ is not coming to set up His kingdom in this world as we know it. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Christ will rule, and it will be an everlasting peace, no more sin, no more worries about present things. Absolute peace from our King and Lord who will rule from His heavenly throne.


When Christ comes, all the world will mourn the One they rejected. When the Mahdi comes, when the Antichrist comes, the world will rejoice in the one whom they believe will save the world. When Christ comes back, He will judge the nations. When the Mahdi comes, when the Antichrist comes, the nations will look to him for answers of peace and prosperity.


There is another verse from the Islamic prophecies, which says that Christ will come to co rule with the Mahdi. We know from the Bible that Christ needs no help in being Lord or Lords and King of Kings. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the Last.


Who would you rather place your trust in, some mystical (satanic) upstart who needs help in his global rule, or Christ- the Very God of the Universe. The one who already took on the sins of the world so we can all take part in His Heavenly kingdom?
What truly interests me about how Satan works, is that he throws in just enough truth to make the lie more believable- and that so many who know the truth refuse to see it and therefore follow after the lie. I pray that you are not one of them.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Isalmic Mahdi or Biblical Antichrist

In the last post, we looked closely at why the world is getting ready for Antichrist, and what he will be like. In this post, I want to look closely at the Islamic Mahdi- one who is Long awaited for by the likes of hard lined immams and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran.
Official Iranian radio has completed broadcasting a lengthy series on the imminent appearance of a messianic figure who will defeat Islam's enemies and impose Islamic Shiite rule over the entire world, even speculating on specific dates the so-called "Mahdi" will be revealed.
English-language transcripts of "The World Toward Illumination" programs can be found on the website of IRIB, a public broadcast arm of Tehran.
"Contrary to the views of western theoreticians, who usually depict an ambiguous and dark future for mankind, Muslim experts believe human history, despite its many ups and downs, has a very auspicious fate," explains the program. "Muslims believe hopes for the realization of such a happy ending for the world are called 'Awaiting Redemption,' and means waiting for man's problems to be solved by the Savior at the end of time. This awaiting influences many, and inspired them with activity and enthusiasm in confronting darkness and oppression for changing the existing situation. …"
This messianic figure will be a direct descendant of Muhammad, according to the broadcasts.
"In short, when he reappears, peace, justice and security will overcome oppression and deceit and one global government, the most perfect ever, will be established," it said.
The Mahdi will appear suddenly, according to the report, in Mecca. Though no one can know the day, Shiites believe, the report actually suggests possibilities in the Muslim calendar.
The Mahdi will lead a cataclysmic battle against a descendant of Muhammad's archenemy, Abu Sofyan, culminating in the cities of Kufa and Najaf, in Iraq. His enemy, though, is destroyed later in Jerusalem.
"Another beautiful moment of the Savior's appearance is the coming down of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) from heaven," says the report. "Hazrat Mahdi receives him courteously and asks him to lead the prayers. But Jesus says you are more qualified for this than me. We read in the book Tazkarat ol-Olia, 'the Mahdi will come with Jesus son of Mary accompanying him.' This indicates that these two great men are (sic) complement each other. Imam Mahdi will be the leader while Prophet Jesus will act as his lieutenant in the struggle against oppression and establishment of justice in the world. Jesus had himself given the tidings of the coming of God's last messenger and will see Mohammad's ideals materialize in the time of the Mahdi."
All Iran is buzzing about the Mahdi, the 12th imam and the role Iran and Ahmadinejad are playing in his anticipated return. There's a messiah hotline. There are news agencies especially devoted to the latest developments.
"People are anxious to know when and how will He rise; what they must do to receive this worldwide salvation," says Ali Lari, a cleric at the Bright Future Institute in Iran's religious center of Qom. "The timing is not clear, but the conditions are more specific," he adds. "There is a saying: 'When the students are ready, the teacher will come.'"
"Be joyous my heart, miracles of the Messiah will soon be here," reads a poem used to conclude the first broadcast. "The scent of breaths of the One we know comes from near. Grieve not of sorrow and melancholy, as assured I was last night that a Savior will come, it's clear."
: This is a partial transcript of the Nov. 20 and the complete : transcript of closing episode of the Jan. 1 of the radio : series titled "The World toward Illumination" : that is posted on the website of the governmental Islamic : Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). : This series prepares Iran citizens for the imminent arrival of : the Mahdi, the Twelfth or Hidden Imam, awaited by Shi'ites : as the Messiah.


: The World toward Illumination
: Monday November 20, 2006
: He will appear as a handsome young man, clad in neat clothes : and exuding the fragrance of paradise. His face will glow : with love and kindness for the human beings and because of : this reason a famous hadith from the Prophet of Islam : (SAWA) has referred to him as Inn-al-Mahdi Tavous ahl : al-Jannah, which means Indeed the Mahdi will be like a : Peacock among the People of Paradise. He has a radiant : forehead, black piercing eyes and a broad chest. He very : much resembles his ancestor Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). : Heavenly light and justice accompany him. He will overcome : enemies and oppressors with the help of God, and as per the : promise of the Almighty the Mahdi will eradicate all : corruption and injustice from the face of the earth and : establish the global government of peace, justice and : equity.
: Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) will appear all : of a sudden on the world scene with a voice from the skies : announcing his reappearance at the holy Kaâba in Mecca. : The cloak and other special belongings of Prophet Mohammad : (SAWA) will be with him. He is the essence of all good and : the mirror reflecting the characteristics of the 124,000 : Prophets sent by God for the guidance of mankind since : creation. He calls on all and says I am Baqiat-Allah or the : Repository of God on earth. The Prophet had said: Mahdi : will appear with a cloud moving above his head. From the : sky it will be announced that the hands of the oppressors : have been cut and the best of men from the progeny of : Mohammad has taken over the leadership. Then the birds will : lay abundant eggs and the fish will exceedingly reproduce, : the rivers will flow in all their glory and the springs : will gush forth from the earth, and the fruits will be : multiplied."
: In our discussion of the world in the last days of the earth : we had said in our previous editions of this programme that : no source has pointed to the exact date when the Savior : will appear and only God knows about the exact timing of : the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS). The Prophet had said: : He will certainly appear and if only a day were to be left : to the end of the world God will make that day so long for : Mahdi to appear and rise. There are various versions of the : exact day of his reappearance. Some say it would be Friday : and the date will be Ashura or the 10th of Moharram, the : heart-rending martyrdom anniversary of his illustrious : ancestor, Imam Husain (AS). Others say the date will be the : 25th of the month of Zil-Qadah and may coincide with the : Spring Equinox or Nowrooz as the Iranians call. A saying : attributed to the Prophets 6th infallible heir, Imam : Jafar Sadeq (PBUH) says the Mahdi will appear on the : Spring Equinox and God will make him defeat Dajjal the : Impostor or the anti-Christ as the Christians say, who will : be hanged near the dump of Kufa. The 6th Imam goes on to : add: There will be no Nowrooz when we will not be waiting : for him.
: ......
: Monday January 1, 2007 Imam Hasan Askari (PBUH), who was martyred at the young age of : 28 years in the year 260 AH by the enemies of humanity, had : told his 5-year old son Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his : reappearance): God will break the back of the oppressors : with your hand, revive the principles of religion, brighten : world horizons, and establish peace from coast to coast. : Even the child lying in his cradle will wish to run toward : you. The savage ones in the desert will wish to find their : way to you. Every part of the world will become green and : fresh.
: Security is one of the primary needs and the cherished wish of : the human community, for in its light the flourishing of : talents and creativities as well as growth of civilizations : becomes possible. Man needs to establish a legal peaceful : government in the light of security. According to the Holy : Quran, security covers all individual, social, political : and economic fields. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) had prayed to : God for security. Ayah 126 of Surah Baqara has preserved : his words: "and when Abraham said: My Lord, make it a :secure town and provide its people with fruits."
: The Prophets cousin, son-in-law and first infallible : successor, Imam Ali (PBUH), says there is no blessing : better than security. He believes the worst city is one : without security and greenness. He says qualified rulers : are needed to establish this security. Imam Ali (PBUH) is : quoted as saying in the famous book Nahj al-Balagha that : people need a ruler under whom the faithful could go about : their work peacefully and under secure conditions. It is : the duty of the government to set up the treasury and use : to thwart the plots of the enemies, so that roads will be : safe and the rights of the weak will be taken back from the : powerful.
: Thus the creation of a legitimate and qualified government is : the most important source for creating social security. But : if the government has weaknesses, security will be : endangered. In our world governments are run by people who : have expansionist designs. They have not been brought up : well and not benefited from religious teachings. Thus they : are not committed to social justice and they create : insecurity in the society. Islam believes that true : security is provided in the light of faith. God Almighty : says in ayah 82 of Surah Anaam "those who believe and : do not mix up their faith with iniquity those are they who : shall have the security and they are those who go : aright."
: As could be gauged by the verses of the Holy Quran, Imam : Mahdi (AS) will establish security throughout the world. He : will uproot lawlessness, remove anarchy and establish new : social relations based on justice, law and respect for : human rights. Everything will be precise and calculated, : and as the holy Quran says at that time fear will turn into : security. Young women will be able to travel alone, even on : highways, without the least fear of being harassed. No one : is afraid of his or her right being trampled. Theft and : swindling will no longer exist and there will no longer be : any grounds for the corrupt and oppressors to move about. : The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS), says: the : time of difficulties and thirst will end by our hand. And : when the Promised One appears, hatred will leave hearts and : animals will also live in coexistence. Women can travel : from Iraq to Syria with all their jewelry without fear of : anything.
: Imam Mahdi (PBUH) says: I am the cause of tranquility and : peace for those on earth as the stars are the cause of : security in the skies.
: Although in occultation by Gods Will, it is because of the : existence of the Imam that the todays world exists, : despite the rampant corruption and aggression. As a matter : of fact, like the sun when it is behind the cloud, Imam : Mahdi (PBUH) continues to inspire hope in the hearts of the : faithful of his eventual appearance to fill the earth with : peace, security and justice. There are many places around : the world that are associated with the hidden Imam, who had : appeared there or instructed the building of a site of : worship at some specific spots.
: The holy mosque of Jamkaran in Qom is a renowned place. A few : kilometers from Qom the turquoise dome beckons the : faithful. The people's huge gatherings and the sound of : prayer draw the attention of those who just arrive. The : mosque was built on the instructions of Imam Mahdi (PBUH) : over a thousand years ago. Devotees gather at this place to : beseech God and they come from all over Iran and even from : other parts of the world. Some regularly visit the Jamkaran : Mosque every Tuesday of the week. Here we see a special : spirituality. Looks are filled with kindness, and faith is : seen among the waves of people." A female university : student says" When you enter the mosque you are like a : drop in a big sea, you feel that everyone has come for love : of the Mahdi and is impatiently awaiting his beautiful : world."
: The atmosphere is same every Tuesday in Iraq where on the : skirts of the city of Kufa stands the sprawling Sahla : Mosque, which was the home of Prophet Idris or Enoch : centuries before the great deluge of the days of Prophet : Noah. In the courtyard of the mosque is the Maqaam Saheb : oz-Zamaan or the Place of the Imam of the Age, that is, : Imam Mahdi. Like the Jamkaran Mosque, prayers are speedily : answered here as well, where despite the persecution of the : successive tyrannical minority regimes ruling from Baghdad, : the faithful have not stopped coming to this sacred site. : Now after the overthrow of Saddam, the masses have : considerably increased, for when the Imam reappears, he will make Kufa the capital of his world government of : peace, security, justice and equity, while he will deal : with world affairs from the Sahla Mosque.

In my next post, I want to compare certain points in the above verses with those from the Bible about the Antichrist and also about Jesus Christ. Please stay tuned!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Who is the Antichrist?


In the last post, we saw how people are bracing themselves either for a messianic leader, which many falsely believe Barack Hussein Obama is, or the Antichrist who is written about in Bible prophecies concerning the end times. Now, Barack Obama is NOT the Antichrist, but for any Bible believing Christian, we can see that the world is ripe, especially in the adoration of people from different religions, backgrounds, race and ethnicity for Obama. In this post, I'd like to revisit my earlier post from a couple of years ago in which I wrote about the coming Antichrist as he is described in the Bible. Please read as it has been updated since then.
Who is the Antichrist, and where will he come from?
There is no way to know exactly who the Antichrist will be- as far as the final world ruler goes. There have already been many Antichrists in the world- that is those who are opposed to or teaching opposite than Christ. Some have thought Hitler was the Antichrist, some believed that various Caesars in the Roman Empire were the Antichrist. Some even have thought that George Bush is the Antichrist. The last one sounds ridiculous to those who read and study scripture, but the thoughts are out there. This Antichrist that we are looking at though, will be someone who suddenly rises to power, and either by his own skill, or by deception will eventually gain worldwide acceptance as the world's supreme leader. (Given President Bush's poll numbers not only in the US, but around the world- it's impossible to imagine that all of a sudden the whole world would accept him as the world's leader!) Face it- the world is ripe for wanting a leader who will lead- who will have answers to peace, the environment, diseases and all other things that are plaguing this world. Well- some day soon, they will get this person who will appear to have all the world's problems solved- and they will be more than happy to make this person their world ruler.
It makes the prophecies in the Bible hard to understand as we read about the coming of the Antichrist- when authors such as Daniel and John give descriptions of such things as horns, beasts, dragons and evil beings. For Bible believing Christians however, when you consider the Holy Trinity- it makes sense that Satan will have his Unholy trinity as well- as a perfect counterfeit of the True God. Satan will have his version of the son- as in the Antichrist, will have his false holy spirit in the prophet -as a witness to the Antichrist's arrival on the world stage, and the false religion which will seek to deceive all humankind in the great tribulation into worshiping and following after the 'beast' Antichrist, then you have Satan as god- as he likened himself to be above- which is why he is doomed to destruction.
Now. What will the Antichrist actually be like? Let's look at a passage from Daniel 8:23, 24: "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, having fierce features, how understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people."
First of all, the first sentence which reads- "when the transgressors have reached their fullness"- what can Daniel be talking about here? Well- there will be many who don't agree, but transgressions, means literally, a violation of Law or Command-as in violation of divine law- in sin. I for one have a hard time believing there can be worse in the world than what is happening now- but I also believe because the Bible shows- things will get worse and more depraved. The Law of God has been broken by all humans. While Bible believing Christians realize this, and so have faith in Jesus in that He already paid our penalties for our breaking the law- we also see God's Law being broken- but no repentance taking place.We really are living in the days where people call evil good and good evil. I know that all Bible believing Christians know what I'm talking about, in how far we have removed ourselves as nations from God. I won't be bothering to post it all here and now. Just to mention the complete reversal in society's position on homosexual marriage, abortion on demand, rampant pornography in movies, TV, printed media and other programs that our children view every day. These are just the tip of it. Our world has transgressed to a point to where very soon, God in His wisdom, will bring judgment- through the tribulation- a time in which the world has never seen, and never will see again. This time will bring to the world what it so richly deserves- in the Antichrist. Now, who will he be?
The Antichrist will eventually be a strong and brutal dictator with striking, most likely good looking physical features. Daniel warned that he would understand "sinister schemes", showing that he will most likely believe in the occult- that is witchcraft, psychic powers etc., and will be given to satanic deception. His amazing power will come from Satan himself, as the first prophecy in the Bible regarding the Antichrist as the "seed of Satan". In the story of Adam and Eve after they sinned, God told Satan, " I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed." Her seed refers to Christ's virgin birth, and to the fact that Israel gave birth to the world's Savior. The term "his seed" seems to tell us that somehow the Antichrist will be the seed of Satan.
The Antichrist will be a violent, vile and evil person during the tribulation times. Daniel warns that he will prosper and thrive in his drive to gain total control over the world. He will sit in the rebuilt Temple and declare himself to be God, and he will do everything in his power to "destroy the mighty and also the holy people." There is some good news here though- Revelation 12 tells us that God will supernaturally protect Israel and the Jewish remnant from the Antichrist's deadly persecution during the last three and a half years of the tribulation time- leading to the Battle at Armageddon.
So, what else can we learn about this Antichrist? Daniel and John both tell about his blasphemy against God. ( Revelation 13:5.) Since he will have Satan's power within him, he will hate God with a passion. Daniel also tells us "He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desires of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above them all. " The Antichrist will not respect the God of his fathers (I will come back to this point later on in the series), and he may be a homosexual- yes, I'm sure I'm making a lot of people angry right now by saying this, but what other meaning can one conclude in reading the above verse, especially since homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted in all societies. Moving on, the Antichrist will boast that he is the only true god, all the while speaking evil things about God Almighty.
He is also described as the lawless one (2 thes. 2:8) as he will rebel against the laws of man and God's Law. He will hate man's law because he despises God and His ultimate Law. He will change laws and the Holy days to suit his own purpose. In these days of our own county's changing laws- due to the higher judges interpretation of a "living and breathing" constitution, and looking to other counties on which to base their decisions of cases, leads me to think the Antichrist will have no problem persuading governments and kingdoms to change their laws to according to what the Antichrist wants.
He is described to have great success militarily- that is until he and his minions are defeated by Christ at Armageddon. His initial battles will be so successful that the people of the world will have no problem accepting him as their messiah. (Rev. 13:4,5) He will have control of all world Intelligence agencies and police forces. Face it, with the worldwide problems of drug dealers and terrorism, human trafficking and other world problems, we already have a worldwide intelligence system, and policing in the UN- sharing of information between countries and governments. Government already can tap into any database and have complete files on all citizens. They have complete access to criminal and immigration records of all citizens. For instance, when I came to this country, I had to have my fingerprints taken and a criminal history background check done (just so you know- I'm clean!) before I could even cross the boarder. That info is now in Canadian and United States governments records. It is access to files like this, and the world already used to sharing information that will make it so easy and ready for the Antichrist to gain this power over all world citizens someday soon.
The Antichrist will have his own economic system. Even as I write this, Governments in the west are considering taking over some banks because of the recent economic meltdown. Gold and silver will be worthless and illegal, there will be no hard currency. We have been heading down this road for a while as well with the "cashless society" in that many employers transfer wages directly to the bank account of employees, the massive amounts of credit card use instead of paying with cash. Even charitable organizations have cashless transfers from a donor's bank account into the organization's account. Popularity among many of redistributing wealth, by way of tax increases for the rich, welfare and socialized medicine, transferring property from private individuals to big real estate conglomerates, or worse, seizure from the government or United Nations for their "protection of natural resources" as in the World Heritage Sites- these are all paving the way for the Antichrist to be accepted as a financial genius, thereby taking over the whole world's banking and financial institutions. Some day, those who are left to live during the last days will not be able to buy, or sell without the "Mark of the Beast"- that is without being subject to the Antichrist. If you do not worship him- you will be denied a way to provide for you and your family. This was unheard of technology in the days of Daniel and John. It is only now, in our generation that all these things became possible. Even 50 years ago, many ways of these things coming about hadn't been developed yet- looking at ID chips and iris scans- only these have been developed within the past decade or so. It is totally a logical argument that some day all people will be required to receive a "mark" by way of an identification chip implanted in their forearm or some other type of storing personal and DNA code data in a device which requires it to be scanned in some way.
There is much more to the subject of the Antichrist- such as where will he set up his government, whom will he make war with and how he will really convince all people that he is god. One thing to remember as satanic as the Antichrist will be- he will not start out that way. To begin with, people will see him as messiah, the one to be praised and fawned over, given leg tingles and shivers by, as the media is doing with Barack Obama.
For now though, it is well to remember that Bible believing Christians will not be around when this guy comes on the scene. If you really want to avoid having to live under this brute's regime- there is a way. His name is Jesus. He's waiting for you, and would like nothing more than to have you join the rest of His faithful in heaven so you won't be stuck on the earth when this all comes down. It's your choice. Next time, we'll look at the words of the Islamic prayers for their awaited Mahdi.

Friday, October 10, 2008

New old Stuff- Back to Prophecy! Part 1


I really am trying to get away from politics until after the election, but I came upon something this morning which I just had to write about. This is going to tie about three or four topics all together, so please bear with me. I, and others I know who are tired of this political race for obvious reasons have come to refer to Barack Obama as Obamessiah. Now, I know it's kind of immature, and not really a Christian thing to do, but in light of all the hoopla, all the fawning and all the media love fest, I really couldn't come up with a better term if I tried. A while back, I wrote on No Apologies about how some people were, and even I have seen things about Obama which, if I didn't know better would make one wonder if he is the Antichrist or the Messiah. Now, I do know better as there are clear passages in the Bible which refer to the future Antichrist, and Obama may be a lot of things, but he isn't that! And he certainly is NOT the Messiah, as all Bible Believing Christians know- is Jesus Christ.Now, I am going to revisit an entry I did over a year ago about what the Bible says about the Antichrist. I am also, for those who have been following my long series on Islam, Iran and the coming Conflict, going to continue on the next part- the awaited Islam Mahdi. I was just trying to figure out a way to tie everything together which has been going on in politics, and Islam, the end times Prophecy of the Bible, the last post I wrote about the Very Nature of Jesus, and this latest article I read this morning. Let me start by asking that if you haven't read the lyrics to the song HE IS, please go 2 entries below for it. In my last post, I talked about how there are many professing Christians who have real no clue as to Who Jesus is. Many people who say they are Christian are really no different than non Christians in that they are Biblically illiterate. I have no numbers, but I know that out of millions of people who claim to have a Bible- I can make a safe bet that the majority of them have never actually read it, or have not read it recently. I know how that is, as I used to never read it. Now I can't go a day without reading, and if I do, I feel lousy. I still don't read as much as I should, but I am finding that the more I read, the more the Holy Spirit helps me to understand it. So many people, Christians and unbelievers do not realize or do not believe that we are witnessing prophetic events which are written in the Bible. Many people do not see, or don't want to see how everything in our world today, from religion, politics, the economy, natural events and societal problems are all tied in together- in the soon to be second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It has been my main purpose for the past 2 years to try and help people to understand prophecy and the events which are happening in our world in a Biblical Perspective. I would like to continue with that now as the events I just talked about are going on.
The article I read about this morning, along with a you tube video shows the Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan comparing Barack Hussein Obama with the Messiah. He says when Obama talks "the Messiah is absolutely speaking."
"You are the instruments that God is going to use to bring about universal change, and that is why Barack has captured the youth. And he has involved young people in a political process that they didn't care anything about. That's a sign. When the Messiah speaks, the youth will hear, and the Messiah is absolutely speaking."
"Brothers and sisters," Farrakhan said, "Barack Obama to me, is a herald of the Messiah. Barack Obama is like the trumpet that alerts you something new, something better is on the way."
He then goes on to say, "(Obama) is not the Messiah for sure, but anytime he gives you a sign of uniting races, ethnic groups, ideologies, religions and makes people feel a sense of oneness, that's not necessarily Satan's work, that is, I believe, the work of God."
Now, put that together with so many other statements by the Obama, "… a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany, and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote"
And MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews admitting he felt a "thrill going up my leg" listening to an Obama speech.
At the media watchdog Newsbusters, P.J. Gladnick writes that Obama has a charisma that goes beyond "his youthful vigor, or handsomeness, or even inspiring rhetoric.... which is a sort of powerful luminosity, a unique high-vibration integrity," "Gladnick says. "Dismiss it all you like, but I've heard from far too many enormously smart, wise, spiritually attuned people who've been intuitively blown away by Obama's presence - not speeches, not policies, but sheer presence..."
Then there are some Democrats, including party strategist Donna Brazile and Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., who made nearly identical biblical comparisons of the characters in this presidential election, which compared Obama to Jesus Christ and Gov. Palen as Pilate.
Is it any wonder why some people are divided in thinking Obama is either Messiah or the Antichrist?
In my next posts, I want to show Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the Holy Bible, the Antichrist as described in the Bible, and an Official Iranian radio program which had completed broadcasting a lengthy series on the imminent appearance of a messianic figure who will defeat Islam's enemies and impose Islamic Shiite rule over the entire world – even speculating on specific dates the so-called "Mahdi" will be revealed.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

More of Him


The first time, and every time since I'd heard the song 'He Is', it's given me shivers (please see previous entry). It's an immensely powerful song, and the words alone are about as powerful. I had never seen Jesus quite like this before. While some of the descriptions are obvious, many have made me really ponder to see and understand just the vastness of my Lord's Nature.While I am always ready to admit my shortcomings as a Bible believing Christian, I am finding myself being drawn closer and closer to Him. What this means, that I have finally realized- is that I am Letting Him! Now, if you're way further along in your walk and relationship with Jesus, I hope you understand my being dense- it takes me longer to figure things out sometimes!I am letting Him show Himself to me, so that I can in turn walk closer to Him. I find it sad then, that many, many people who profess to be "believers" are no different than unbelievers. Let me try and explain before anyone gets mad at me.One of the ways in which He is convicting me more is in my witnessing to others. I know I am severely lacking in this, as in my community. I am able to do so much better in a writing format because I am able to take time and research, put my thoughts and heart into "categories" and collect myself to where I come across a little more coherent (at least sometimes!) but in a one on one- face to face conversation, all my thoughts get so jumbled up and confused that I end up feeling like I've blown it. I've always been this way- not just with witnessing. When I was younger, and I had something I felt very important to talk to my parents or friends about- I wrote it out and read it instead of just talking about it. Afterwards, I'd be able to answer questions because my thoughts were in order and I felt more sure of myself.One o my thoughts this week is that everyone I have tried to witness to in "real life" be it my family or friends or acquaintances- I have come away more dejected than ever. It's not that anyone outright denies or makes fun- I almost wish that were the case. I continuously get a luke warm reception.When I ask someone if they believe they are a good person, and if they think they deserve to go to heaven, I get the standard yes and yes. Then I go through the 10 commandments and God's absolute Holiness. To make a long story short- all my friends and family say they believe in God, but they have to "think about it". I warn them they may not have time, that we never know when our time is up, and in these days- Jesus may come back before they "decide". I have sent books, Bibles, Testaments. I ask if they read- "I just haven't found the time". My thought last night is that they have time to watch stupid sit coms and reality shows on TV- they can't find 10 minutes to read a verse?!Mind you- these are all folks I know and love, who have gone or still do go to church, and would classify themselves as Christians, but they have NO clue as to what or whom a Christian is and Serves! They are loving people, care deeply about things, yet when it comes to Jesus- He is the same to them as with 90 percent of all Christians - He's loving, doesn't condemn anyone, He's peace loving and we shouldn't judge because He doesn't judge.Too many people- Christians, I haven't a clue of what they believe because they don't talk about it- and if pressed, they don't have a clue of Him. Am I alone in seeing this more and more? It makes me sad and frustrated. But, as I cried out to Him last night, I am NOT ashamed of Him- the one who gave me life, new life and has saved me over and over! I LOVE YOU JESUS!This morning He showed me that He understands and reminded me that He has been there. Look- His OWN brothers didn't believe! So many after seeing His miracles, hearing His testimony still refused to believe!! I will not give up on sharing the Gospel of Christ, as He has never given up. I will continue to love the stubborn and hard hearted- because He has continued to love me. I will never give up telling, either in person or through my writing that He is the Only Way- the Only Truth and the Only Life, and that you may call yourself a Christian, but without Him in your heart- you will not get through Him to our Father in heaven. Some day everyone will confess He is Lord! Some day all knees will bow. Why wait? Like another song says, the greatest treasure belongs to those who Choose Him now. Please excuse my randomness with this post- it came straight from my heart- not through my head! God Bless and more on this another time~

Saturday, October 4, 2008

He IS...

Trinity Circles
Genesis, He's the breath of life In Exodus, the Passover Lamb In Leviticus, He's our High Priest Numbers, The fire by night Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice In Joshua, He is salvation's choice Judges, law giver In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer First and second Samuel, our trusted prophet In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign
Ezra, true and faithful scribe Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage In Job, the timeless redeemer In Psalms, He is our morning song
In Proverbs, wisdom's cry Ecclesiastes, the time and season In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
He is, He is, HE IS!
In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace Jeremiah, the weeping prophet In Lamentations, the cry for Israel Ezekiel, He's the call from sin In Daniel, the stranger in the fire
In Hosea, He is forever faithful In Joel, He's the Spirits power In Amos, the arms that carry us In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior In Jonah, He's the great missionary
In Micah, the promise of peace In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage In Zechariah, our fountain
In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
He is, He is, HE IS!
In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven In Romans, He's the grace of God In Corinthians, the power of love In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure Philippians, the servants heart In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity Thessalonians, our coming King In Timothy, Titus, Philemon He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant In James, the one who heals the sick. In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
He is, He is, HE IS!
The prince of peace The Son of man The Lamb of God The great I AM
He's the alpha and omega Our God and our Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord and when time is no more He is, HE IS!


By Aaron Jeoffry


More on this song later. Until then, meditate on the words...

Thursday, October 2, 2008

My E Mail tonight to the McCain/Palin Campaign

McCain Palin 3 I thought John McCain was excellent in the debate, and Sarah Palin was so gracious and made some great points. However on the subject of this major economic "crisis", I am perturbed as to why neither John McCain, or Sarah Palin have spoken out on the fact that Senator McCain DID warn about a crisis and proposed regulations over 2 years ago, nor have they spoken about the ties between Obama and his being the number 2 recipient of pac money from Fanny/Freddie. There has been no coverage by anyone from this campaign about Obama's political advisors- maybe "ex" advisors by now because of this- Franklin Raines, former Clinton administration budget director and James Johnson, former aide to Democratic Vice President Walter Mondale. Johnson earned $21 million in just his last year serving as Fannie Mae CEO from 1991 to 1998; and Raines earned $90 million in his five years as Fannie Mae CEO, from 1999 to 2004. I am wondering why, except that maybe they are both too nice and polite, they have not brought up the fact that it was large part because of the Democrat pushing mortgage companies into giving loans to highly UNqualified borrowers. And again, it was certain Democrat leaders who over 4 years ago accused the Republican leaders of scare mongering, and that "There was nothing wrong". I can understand the McCain camp not wanting to go into negative campaigning, but for the sake of this country, and because of the unabashed media bias for Barack Obama, could we not start hearing the truth for a change? Gee- Change. Truth. What a concept. Other than those issues, I am grateful for Senator McCain's service to this wonderful country, and his continuing love and support for our troops. I am equally grateful for the campaign picking a strong Christian Conservative Sarah Palin. God Bless and thank you.