Why Christ Must Return ? Thursday, Sep 13 2007

by John MacArthur

Scripture is neither vague nor equivocal on the promise of Christ’s return. A large portion (by some accounts, as much as one-fifth) of Scripture is prophetic, and perhaps a third or more of the prophetic passages refer to the Second Coming of Christ or events related to it. It is undeniably a major theme in the prophecy of both Old and New Testaments.

And regardless of what the scoffers say, Jesus is coming (2 Peter 3:3-10). World history is barreling toward the conclusion that God ordained. It isn’t an end that will come as a result of nuclear war, environmental irresponsibility, or alien invasion; it is the one that comes by the purpose and plan of God, foretold in Scripture. Make no mistake–Christ will return!

Here are nine reasons from Scripture by which you can know that Christ is coming again.

The Promise of God Demands It
The Old Testament is full of Messianic promise–that promised is its main focus.

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Prophecy Past and Future: An Example Saturday, Sep 8 2007

by Chuck Missler

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As we explore the track record of fulfilled prophecies in the Bible, it becomes evident that Scripture has portrayed—centuries in advance—the rise and fall of the major empires on earth. Often we find the Biblical record of historical events contradicted by traditional secular scholarship, only to have subsequent archaeological discoveries later vindicate the Biblical historical record.

For example, the history of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, was regarded as a Biblical myth by scholars who denied even the existence of this ancient city until 1849, when the ruins were discovered, validating the Biblical accounts. A similar situation occurred in regard to ancient Babylon. The Biblical description of the fall of Babylon in Daniel 5 was at substantial variance with traditional scholarship until subsequent discoveries proved the Bible correct.

Though the Bible has spoken prophetically of all the major empires of the world, we see that it has most specifically focused on the nation of Israel. In fact, the entire history of Israel is an astonishing testimony to the supernatural origin of the Bible. When we examine the prophetic messages centering around it and see them fulfilled in its history, the Bible’s track record is validated and the providence of God is affirmed over and over.

A Prophetic Road Map: The Nation Israel

As the nation of Israel sat perched on the banks of the Jordan River, before its people ever set one foot upon the Promised Land, the Lord gave an outline of its entire history through His mouthpiece Moses. The book of Deuteronomy is like a road map for where history was headed before the trip got underway. It covers the whole history of Israel more than three thousand years in advance. While different segments of the historical journey have been updated with more details being added along the way, not a single variation from the earlier explicit course has ever been necessary.

In the process of Moses’ exhortation to the nation of Israel, he provides an outline of what will happen to this elect nation once it crosses over the Jordan River and settles the Promised Land (Deut 4:25-31). A summary of these events include the following:

1. Israel and its descendants will remain long in the land.
2. Israel will act corruptly and slip into idolatry.
3. Israel will be kicked out of the land.
4. The Lord will scatter the Israelites among the nations.
5. The Israelites will be given over to idolatry during their wanderings.
6. While dispersed among the nations, the Israelites will seek and find the Lord when they search for Him with all their heart.
7. There will come a time of tribulation, said to occur in the latter days, during which time Israel will turn to the Lord.

Since the first five events have happened to Israel—and that is beyond competent dispute—then it is reasonable to expect that the final events will also occur to the same people in the same way as the earlier events. An expanded narrative of Israel’s future history is provided … (click for the rest of the story)

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Tisha b’Av Saturday, Sep 8 2007

from the July 24, 2007 eNews issue (http://www.khouse.org/enews_article/2007/1227/)

Today, Tuesday, July 24th, is known in Israel as Tisha b’Av - which simply means the 9th day of the month of Av. However Tisha b’Av is much more than just a date on a calendar. This peculiar day holds great significance for the Jews, as it is expressly linked with Israel’s destiny.

On the 9th of Av, in the year 586 B.C., the First Temple, built by Solomon, was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and the Babylonian captivity began.

On the 9th of Av, 70 A.D., the Second Temple, that which was standing during Christ’s ministry, was destroyed by the Romans, precisely as Jesus predicted in Luke 19.

Also on this day, in the year 135 A.D., the famous Bar Kokhba revolt was squelched when Bethar, the last Jewish stronghold, fell to the Romans.

One year later, in 136 A.D., the Roman Emperor Hadrian established the heathen temple to Jupiter on the site of the Jewish Temple. Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as a pagan city, and renamed the land as Palestina, to distance its Jewish heritage. (This attempt to disavow the land from its Jewish roots was echoed by the British in their labeling the land “Palestine.”) The date when the Temple area was plowed under by the Romans was the 9th of Av.

On March 31, 1492, the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella issued a royal decree that all Jews must leave the Spanish territories. The deadline was set for August 3rd of that year. If any Jews were found in Spain after this period they were to be killed. On the Jewish calendar, it was the 9th of Av.

Jewish tradition also regards Tisha b’Av as the day the Children of Israel were prohibited from entering the Promised Land. You will recall, God commanded Moses to send 12 spies into the land of Canaan, one from each of the tribes of Israel. They returned with tales of a land flowing with milk and honey. However Israel feared the inhabitants of the land. Of the 12 spies, only 2, Joshua and Caleb, had faith that God would deliver the land into their hands. God had delivered them from slavery and Egypt, parted the waters of the Red Sea, protected them, and miraculously provided for their every need. Yet the nation of Israel was consumed by fear and doubt, thus God decreed that a generation would pass away, wandering in the wilderness, before Israel would be allowed to enter His Land.

If that weren’t enough, the 9th of Av has marked:

• The declaration of the Crusades by Pope Urban II in 1095
• The burning of the Talmud in 1242
• The signing of the edict by King Edward I in 1290 expelling the Jews from England
• The start of the First World War in 1914
• The first killings at the Treblinka extermination camp in Poland in 1942
• And the AMIA bombing by Arab terrorists in 1994 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which killed 86 and wounded more than 120.

Thus the 9th of Av, Tisha B’Av, has become a symbol of all the persecutions and misfortunes of the Jewish people, for the loss of their national independence and their sufferings in exile. It is a day of intensive mourning for the destruction of the Temple and for Jerusalem.

In 2005, the 9th of Av marked another milestone in Israel’s history. That year Tisha b’Av marked the beginning of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. All 21 Gaza settlements were evacuated along with four of 120 settlements in the West Bank. The withdrawal marked the end of Israel’s 38 year presence in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 9000 Jewish settlers were made to leave their homes, some were forcibly removed. The withdrawal took place amid a backdrop of widespread protests, and was accompanied by whispers of civil war.

The withdrawal was seen as necessary for Israel’s security. However in the eyes of the Palestinians, the Gaza withdrawal represented victory in their armed struggle against the Israeli occupation. Israel’s retreat was seen as the direct result of the sacrifice of suicide bombers and the almost constant barrage of mortar and rocket on settlements. The bottom line: it was a victory for terrorism. Six months later, after being credited for bringing about the Israeli retreat, the terrorist organization Hamas claimed victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Last year, Tisha b’Av was once again marked by violence and bloodshed as Israel was embroiled in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Tisha b’Av is indeed a day of mourning. It is marked with sadness and fasting. On this day the Jews are reminded of their tragic history. Yet they will also be looking forward, toward the ultimate rebuilding of the Temple, to a time when the 9th of Av will become a day of joy and gladness (as it was foretold in Zechariah 8:19).

We do know that the Temple will be rebuilt because Jesus, John, and Paul all make reference to it. But we also know that this Temple will be desecrated by the Coming World Leader when he sets himself up to be worshiped. It is possible this prophetic event will also take place on Tisha B’Av - and may happen in the not-too-distant future.Related Links:

• The Coming Temple Update - MP3 Download - Special Offer!

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The Tribe of Levi and the Coming Third Temple Saturday, Sep 8 2007

from the July 24, 2007 eNews issue (http://www.khouse.org/enews_article/2007/1225/)

A group of Jews believed to be members of the ancient tribe of Levi gathered in Jerusalem last week to edify one another and to bless Israel. There is more to the gathering than a simple family reunion, however. Moses and Aaron were Levites, and the sons of Aaron were called to be the priests of Israel and to minister in the Temple. These descendants of the priestly line of Israel cannot gather together without awakening the hope for rebuilding the Temple.

The Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and, ever since, the priests of Israel have felt a keen hole in their calling. The sons of Aaron were given the job of ministering in the Temple and serving as priests to Israel, not just for a set period, but forever:

“…and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.” -Exodus 29:9

“And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.” - Numbers 25:13

Yet, for nearly 2000 years there has been no Temple in Jerusalem, and the Dome of the Rock sits on the Temple Mount. Yet, certain groups like the Temple Mount Faithful and members of the Tribe of Levi wait with hopeful expectation for the day when the Temple will be rebuilt.

When that day comes, the Aaronic priests, a “Cohen” in Hebrew, will be necessary to minister in the Temple. They also serve another vital function; no Jew will be able to enter the Temple to worship without first going through ritual purification, which can only be accomplished by a Cohen.

The Cohen-Levi family members who gathered in Jerusalem last week believe that they are direct descendants of Aaron, qualified to perpetuate the priestly holy calling once the Temple is rebuilt. They point to DNA research that has demonstrated that members of the Cohen family scattered across the world have a common set of genetic markers on the Y chromosome - which is passed from father to son without recombination.

Certain religious Jews note that there are many problems still standing in the way of building the Temple, not the least of which is Muslim opposition. There are also questions about the exact location of the First and Second Temples, the precise spot to put the altar, the ability to assemble a Sanhedrin to appoint a high priest, and other vital issues.

They, like us, await the arrival of Elijah and the Messiah, who will answer all questions and put everything right.

The lack of a Temple in Jerusalem is no difficulty for the Christian. Paul pointed out that our bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). We have a High Priest who has passed through the heavens, and who sits on the right hand of God interceding for us (Heb. 4:14; 7:25-28; 8:1). We do not need the blood of lambs and goats to cover our sin, for we serve the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Heb. 9:12-14).

We do await, however, the rebuilding of the Third Temple. The Bible indicates it will be will be defiled by the Man of Sin (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess 2:4) before Christ returns to set up his Millennial Kingdom. There is still a future purpose for the Temple in the service of the LORD, as the throne of the Messiah.

Related Links:

• Israelite priests hold first gathering since Temple era - Israel Today
• The Discovery of the ‘Cohen Gene’ - Cohen-Levi.org
• Why Don’t We Rebuild The Holy Temple? - Being Jewish.com
• The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement -

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Different Views About The Rapture Tuesday, Sep 4 2007

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Cine n-are Internet? Sunday, Sep 2 2007

Cineva (”Reporteri fara frontiere”) s-a gandit sa faca o harta pe care sa arate tarile care cenzureaza inca Internetul.

Harta este insa si un monument al extraordinarei accelerari a posibilitatii de a comunica cu aproape oricine de pe fata pamantului. Sa fie si acesta un “semn” ca sfarsitul se apropie? Cum s-ar implini altfel posibilitatea de supraveghere si control a Antichristului?

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Noul Ierusalim Monday, Aug 20 2007

La “Alfa Omega” este postat un film despre noul Ierusalim:
http://www.streaming.alfaomega.tv/?video=501&tab=27

Vizionare placuta!

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The fall of Rome, US warned Tuesday, Aug 14 2007

By Jeremy Grant in Washington

The US government is on a ‘burning platform’ of unsustainable policies and practices with fiscal deficits, chronic healthcare underfunding, immigration and overseas military commitments threatening a crisis if action is not taken soon, the country’s top government inspector has warned.

David Walker, comptroller general of the US, issued the unusually downbeat assessment of his country’s future in a report that lays out what he called “chilling long-term simulations”.

These include “dramatic” tax rises, slashed government services and the large-scale dumping by foreign governments of holdings of US debt.

Drawing parallels with the end of the Roman empire, Mr Walker warned there were “striking similarities” between America’s current situation and the factors that brought down Rome, including “declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military in foreign lands and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government”.

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Cum vor arata Rusia si lumea peste 10 ani Tuesday, Aug 14 2007

(Articol din HotNews.ro, Olga Popescu, 13 aug 2007)

Recent, a vazut lumina tiparului lucrarea „Lumea din jurul Rusiei: 2017. Contururile unui viitor nu prea indepartat”. Este vorba despre o culegere de teze ale unui viitor studiu global vizand conditiile de dezvoltare a Rusiei, cercetare efectuata sub directionarea lui Serghei Karaganov si la care si-au dat concursul cei mai de seama analisti si politologi ai tarii.Va prezentam un interviu acordat de Serghei Karaganov cotidianului rus Komsomolskaia Pravda. Karaganov este unul din cei 100 cei mai influenti intelectuali ai Rusiei, conform topului alcatuit de publicatiile de analiza si comentarii Foreign Policy (SUA) si The Propect (Marea Britanie).

Cine va castiga noul „razboi rece” dintre Rusia si SUA si care, aparent, tinde sa prinda viteza?
Serghei Karaganov: Nu este vorba de nici un „razboi rece”. Pur si simplu, concurenta dintre Rusia si SUA, dintre Rusia si UE se intareste. Iar de vina nu este nici Litvinenko, nici tergiversarea primirii Rusiei in OMC…

Dar scandalul carnii poloneze?
Serghei Karaganov: Cu atat mai mult motivul nu este carnea poloneza. Astea nu sunt decat simptome, niste cosuri aparute pe fata. Lucrurile sunt mult mai profunde. Ultimii 10 ani au adus lumii schimbari radicale in domeniul energiei: acum un deceniu 80% din resursele energetice mondiale apartineau companiilor private, in special occidentale. Acum, aproape 80% apartine companiilor de stat. Si, evident, nu occidentale.

Aproape ca in Rusia?
Serghei Karaganov: Da. Iar acest detaliu a schimbat intregul tablou al lumii. Mai ales pentru europeni, care depind tot mai mult de resursele energetice externe. Pentru ei lumea s-a intors cu susul in jos. De aceea se simt vulnerabili si slabi in relatiile cu noi.
O a doua cauza profunda o constuie faptul ca la sfarsitul anilor 90, Occidentul a crezut ca a invins modelul liberal democratic al capitalismului, intruchipat de SUA si UE. Occidentul s-a bucurat de victorie. S-a dovedit ca reactia a fost prematura. Americanii si-au facut provocat o uriasa paguba politica cu Irakul, diminuandu-si influenta in lume.

Iar europenii s-au impotmolit in criza generata de extinderea UE si pierd, la randul lor, din influenta. In fata au iesit noii giganti capitalisti, definiti de Occident drept tari ale capitalismului tanar sau chiar autoritar. Este vorba de China, Rusia…

O Rusie puternica enerveaza Occidentul?
Serghei Karaganov: Nu asta e principala explicatie. Occidentul ataca din slabiciune, straduindu-se sa se mentina pe pozitii. Nu este un atac, este un contraatac. Este un fel de strigat salbatic, de genul celui care s-a auzit din Rusia in anii 90, cand rusii se simteau jefuiti, calcati in picioare, umiliti, cand Rusia ii acuza pe toti ca vor sa o rupa in bucati.

Cum poate fi evitata o cursa a inarmarilor?
Serghei Karaganov: Sistemul american de aparare antiracheta in Europa este, de fapt, o tentativa de provocare. Intreaga istorie a „razboiului rece” reprezinta raspuns la o provocare cu alta provocare, la prostie cu alta prostie. Asa ceva trebuie evitat.Daca nu vom actiona cu tact, daca vom ridica zid dupa zid, daca din parea noastra vor apare contramasuri, nu doar simplu aluzii la desfasurarea rachetelor cu raza medie de actiune, vom primi contramasuri.

Ce fel de contramasuri?
Serghei Karaganov: De exemplu, NATO se va extinde in Ucraina. Va fi cea mai puternica contramasura, capabila sa arunce Rusia cu multi ani in urma.

Cum trebuie actionat?
Serghei Karaganov: Sa-i lasam sa-si instaleze radarele si sistemele lor de urmarire. Cum se spune, bine ati venit. Daca joci corect, acesta va deveni punctul nevralgic al strategiei americane in lume. Cel putin in urmatorii 15 ani, Rusia nu va fi amenintata. In proportie de 80%, scutul american din Europa are caracter politic.
Pe de alta parte, Rusia trebuie sa se gandeasca la aliante strategice. Optima, dar prea putin realista, in aceasta etapa, este alianta cu UE, pe baza afacerii propuse de Putin: schimb de active, accesul Rusiei la retelele europene de distributie in schimbul permisiunii de a participa la exploatarea zacamintelor de hidrocarburi, ca parteneri ai companiilor rusesti.

Crearea, in acest fel, a unui sistem de interdependenta activa, capabila sa sporeasca din punct de vedere calitativ securitatea energetica a Europei. Pe acest fundament se poate construi atat o alianta economica, dar si una politica. Deocamdata, europenii se tem de agresivitatea noastrta. Si, desigur, SUA se va opune unei asemenea aliante.

In urmatorul deceniu, Rusia va reusi sa se impace cu Polonia si tarile baltice?
Serghei Karaganov: Aceste state actioneaza la ordinul SUA, pentru ele America fiind un partener chiar mai apropiat decat UE. Ce-i de facut? Mai nimic. Asta-i soarta. Cu unele din tarile membre UE, relatiile naostre sunt destul de bune: cu Bulgaria, Ungaria, Romania, Cehia, cu Slovacia. Iar aceste relatii trebuie dezvoltate.

Ce se va intampla cu Transnistria si Abhazia?
Serghei Karaganov: Integritatea Moldovei poate fi restabilita. Dar Transnistria va avea un statut aparte, acolo vor ramane bazele militare rusesti. Va fi o federatie, dar cu un grad ridicat de autonomie. Practic, am convenit deja acest lucru cu Moldova.
Dar UE si, in special, SUA impiedica derularea normala a acestui proces, pentru ca nu vor ca el sa evolueze dupa un scenariu rusesc. In privinta Abhaziei, in 15 ani ea a devenit un stat ca toate celelalte. Are propriile ei institutii, deseori mai eficiente decat in statele puternice, are propria ei justitie. Sansele ca Abhazia sa revina in componenta Georgiei sunt reduse aproape la zero.

Anul 2008 poate deveni un an de cotitura in istoria Rusiei?
Serghei Karaganov: Prognozam ca nu. In schimb, urmatorii 6-8 ani vor fi pentru Rusia foarte importanti si dificili. Va fi loc si pentru greseli, dar si pentru mari succese. Mediul extern va fi haotic, deosebit de periculos, dar si propice extinderii influentei. De aceea, in conditiile unei diplomatii inteligente, Rusia ar putea avea de castigat.

De ce greseli va trebui sa se fereasca viitorul presedinte al Rusiei?
Serghei Karaganov: Sa se lase dus de valul preturilor ridicate la resuse energice, tarife care se vor mentine, din fericire, dar si din nefericire, in urmatorii ani. Un val care poate sa infunde, treptat, Rusia in nisip, transformand-o intr-un stat de mana a doua. Daca nu se va investi intr-o noua economie si in educatie, in stimularea mintilor. Asta ar fi una.A doua greseala de care trebuie sa se fereasca - sa se lase atras intr-o confruntare cu Occidentul. 

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Primele ecouri Monday, Aug 13 2007

Multumesc celor care ati vizitat deja acest site. O mie de vizite in doua zile dovedesc ca am atins o coarda sensibila.

Felicitari celor care mi-au facut corectari si mai ales celor care au observat ca unele materiale nu se armonizeaza perfect cu altele. Interpretarea profetiilor nu este o stiinta exacta. Exacte sunt profetiile, aproximative si mereu corectabile sunt interpretarile lor.

Este intentia mea sa public materiale de autori diferiti si veti observa deosebirile lor de vedere. Cercetati toate lucrurile si opriti ce este bun. Ma voi feri de interpretarile pe care le consider false din capul locului si sper sa rezist tentatiei de a urmari cu orice pret spectaculosul ieftin si speculatiile imbolnavite de sanzationalism panicard.

Multumesc celor care mi-au spus ca Babilonul este pomenit in Biblie de 280 de ori si celui care mi-a semnalat o evidenta contradictie de date aparute in cadrul aceluiasi articol. Contributia voastra va imbunatati permanent materialele publicate, facandu-le astfel mai complete.

Lucrez la cateva teme la care m-ati putea ajuta: Rusia - incotro? Europa - incotro? Biserica - incotro? Israelul - incotro?

Vreau sa public cate un studiu despre fiecare profet al Bibliei. Lucrez la Ieremia. Daca aveti ceva materiale pe care le-ati dori afisate pe blogul acesta, trimiteti si vom afisa ce vom crede de cuviinta (fara nici o suparare?).

Pe curand - Daniel

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