CNN: Hundreds of thousands may have died in Haiti quake, PM says
Watch live reports from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Anderson Cooper is on scene for firsthand accounts of the horror and devastation from the earthquake.
MSNBC: Death was everywhere Wednesday in this devastated city of 2 million. Bodies of tiny children were piled next to schools. Corpses of women lay on the street with stunned expressions frozen on their faces as flies began to gather. Bodies of men were covered with plastic tarps or cotton sheets.
NOTE: We will continually be updating this page. If you have more information about how people can get involved in relief efforts, leave a comment or e-mail us at impact@huffingtonpost.com.
What does the Bible say about talking to the dead?
The Old Testament term for communicating with the dead is “necromancy.” (Deuteronomy 18:11, also read verse 10) It is forbidden by God: “There shall not be found among you… For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord” (an “abomination,” KJV). Also see: 1 Samuel 28:3-20; 2 Chronicles 10:13, 14; Isaiah 8:19-22. The punishment for contacting the dead is very severe, if not repented of.
The real force at work in such “apparitions” (appearances of the deceased) is deception: demonic activity, evil spirits. Satan disguises himself as “an angel of light,” it says in 2 Corinthians 11:14.
When someone claims to have received a “vision” of the dead, it’s really a deception of the enemy — demon forces at work. Luke chapter 16 contains excellent instruction on the state of the dead, referring to an impassable separation between the after-life and this world. Those in the next world, saved or otherwise, simply do not return to deliver messages to the living. (Link)
Why would an unclean spirit seek to make contact with specific people?
Three possible reasons are,
The door for spiritual contacts was opened by someone in the immediate family who has engaged in occult activities.
An involvement in a church that engages in dangerous spiritual practices.
Involvement in a cult.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..” 1Jn. 4
Behind every prophet is a spirit. The question is does the Spirit of God or an unclean spirit lead the teacher. Before we trust any teacher, we must “test the spirits.” Test, not fear or close our mind to the real. Paul wrote in 1 Thess.5:20-22, “Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies…” 2 Pet.2
Authentic Pentecostalism has gone out of style for some folks in America but one preacher is determined to preserve its traditions and leave behind a wake of young Pentecostals.
“I started out as a Pentecostal preacher and I don’t care how far out of style it gets, I’m going to end as a Pentecostal preacher,” said the Rev. Don Nordin, senior pastor of Christian Temple Assembly of God, Houston, during the 2010 Assemblies of God Prayer and Bible Conference last week.
Born and raised in a Pentecostal home, Nordin sees Pentecostalism booming everywhere except in America. Though the Assemblies of God, one of the country’s largest Pentecostal denominations, has seen membership gains for the past 19 years, the Holy Spirit-filled believers have been receiving some bad press lately.
Some Pentecostal leaders have been called out for lavish lifestyles, believers have failed to demonstrate the power of Pentecost, legalism has been championed, and “the quacks” have been allowed to continue, Nordin lamented. (more)
As the role of religion in public life continues to spark intense political debate and high-profile court cases, a group of diverse leaders from religious and secular organizations has issued the most comprehensive joint statement of current law to date on legal issues dividing church and state.
Are persons elected or nominated to serve as government officials required to place their hands on the Bible when making oaths or affirmations? May elected officials reference religious ideas and discuss their personal religious beliefs while operating in their official capacities? Are individuals and groups permitted to use government property for religious activities and events? Must secular nongovernmental employers accommodate employees’ religious practices? These are just a few of the questions that the diverse group of leaders sought to answer in the 32-page document.
“The role of religion in public life has long been a source of controversy and litigation,” said Melissa Rogers, director of Wake Forest University Divinity School’s Center for Religion and Public Affairs, which produced the document. “We have brought together a diverse group of experts on law and religion to clarify what current law has to say about some of these matters.”
Members of the drafting committee include those associated with faith-based groups as diverse as the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the Islamic Networks Group, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, the Queens Federation of Churches, the American Jewish Committee, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Former staff members of the ACLU and People for the American Way also served on the drafting committee. On Tuesday, representatives of the American Center for Law and Justice, the American Jewish Congress, the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center and other members of the drafting committee will join Rogers for a two-hour discussion moderated by Brookings Institution Senior Fellow and Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne.
“Some of these groups are often on opposite sides of church-state litigation,” Rogers said. “But while the drafters of this document may disagree about how the legal line should draw be drawn between church and state, we have been able to come together and agree in many cases on what the law is today.”
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14
“What have you and I to do with maintaining our influence at the expense of truth? It is never right to do a little wrong to obtain the greatest possible good … Your duty is to do the right: consequences are with God.” - Charles Spurgeon
Stephen Sizer has posted an excellent message titled:
“O Jerusalem”: Jesus and the Temple (Mark 11:1-25)
The Road from Jericho to Jerusalem is just 14 miles. A half-day’s journey, uphill all the way. Bethany is just on the other side of the Mount of Olives. A natural place to stop and rest before the final ascent and panoramic view of all Jerusalem. But it is not the road that should capture our attention. Dusty roads through dramatic scenery were as common then as now, indeed little has changed.
Israeli checkpoints, barbed wire, military settlements and the Separation Barrier have replaced the Roman garrisons but it is still Occupied Territory. It is ironic that if Jesus were born in Blackpool he would have no problem getting from Jericho to Jerusalem today. But because he was born in Bethlehem he would not be able to make the journey to the Mount of Olives, let alone join the Palm Sunday procession into the Old City.
Prosecutors against the accused killer of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller filed on Monday a motion in an attempt to keep abortion out of the trial.
Prosecutors filed the motion after Sedgwick County Judge Warren Wilbert said he would consider giving the jury the option of convicting Roeder on voluntary manslaughter. Such a conviction carries a less severe penalty than murder;
It is defined as “an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force”
“The State encourages this Court to not be the first to enable a defendant to justify premeditated murder because of an emotionally charged political belief,” the prosecution wrote, according to The Kansas City Star. “Such a ruling has far reaching consequences…”
“Taken to its logical extreme, this line of thinking would allow anyone to commit premeditated murder, but only be guilty of manslaughter, simply because the victim holds a different set of moral and political beliefs than the attacker,” the prosecution wrote. (more)
So, if you (or I) held to a different set of morals and political beliefs then say, one of our local elected politicians, and “honestly” believed we are justified in using deadly force, we could commit the unspeakable, against him/her and only be charged with voluntary manslaughter?
In today’s society, where such anger and/or hated is bubbling to the surface concerning all politicians, that sounds plain crazy.
It is so far, an excellent book for someone desiring to know the history behind some of the most common teachings concerning last day prophecy today. It also seeks to explain the different millennialist choices, and where each originated from and by whom.
An introductory chapter examines the differences within premillennial eschatology and considers reasons for the widespread popularity of dispensationalism in the twentieth century. This is followed by biblical, theological, historical, and missiological studies that reexamine classic premillennialism, particularly with regard to its understanding of the return of Christ.
One of the more interesting historical facts I’ve read so far, is how recent the teachings concerning a pretribulation rapture are, as well as the teachings concerning ‘the great parenthesis of prophecy time, between the 69th and 70th weeks’ of Daniel 9. Did you know when both of these were introduced in 1833, they were considered ‘novelties’ by some, and heresy by others within the Church?
I don’t promote books, but I would recommend this to anyone interested in knowing the history behind many of the eschatology teachings of today. But be prepared, for you may find yourself questioning some of the things you’ve been taught.
I also wanted to pass along the link to an (older) article which is somewhat related; it concerns another prophetic event which many today are anticipating:
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root… Luke 8:13
My soul, examine thyself this morning by the light of this text.
Thou hast received the word with joy; thy feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, remember, that to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into thy very soul is quite another; superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word is not always a lasting one.
In the parable, the seed in one case fell upon ground having a rocky bottom, covered over with a thin layer of earth; when the seed began to take root, its downward growth was hindered by the hard stone and therefore it spent its strength in pushing its green shoot aloft as high as it could, but having no inward moisture derived from root nourishment, it withered away.
Is this my case? Have I been making a fair show in the flesh without having a corresponding inner life?
Good growth takes place upwards and downwards at the same time. Am I rooted in sincere fidelity and love to Jesus? If my heart remains unsoftened and unfertilized by grace, the good seed may germinate for a season, but it must ultimately wither, for it cannot flourish on a rocky, unbroken, unsanctified heart.
….O heavenly Sower, plough me first, and then cast the truth into me, and let me yield thee a bounteous harvest.
C.H. Spurgeon – Morning and Evening Daily Readings
I read about this at a Christian board this evening and had to hear it for myself.
‘New revelation’ coming out of the IHOP:
“Well beloved, as I was saying that, the power of God hit Mark Anderson, one of YWAM’s major leaders, and the Lord reminded him of a word that the Lord had given him, which was “Two for One.” That in a meeting of major leaders of YWAM, the Lord visited him and said “For every abortion that God was going to release two souls and bring them into His kingdom.” That the greatness of His mercy, God was going to show great kindness to the earth. And for every abortion, He was going to release a mighty move, a mighty outpouring of His spirit, to bring in two souls.”
You can hear (and watch) it here. (It’s about 6:30 – 7 minutes into the clip.)
The ministry of a “Gnostic prophet”…
It is difficult for him to exercise a ministry within the confines of Scriptural revelations. The Gnostic Revelator has a freedom to minister whatever he likes, whether or not it is Scriptural. As we hear their words we shake our heads in bewilderment and disbelief wondering how it is possible to get away with such statements.. (Strange Fire, False Prophets)
In the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. – Jeremiah 23
This topic is similar to last day prophecy views, in that its “sticky”.
In every case where I’ve seen it discussed, it’s ended with those on both sides (of the issue) staying firmly planted where they began, with no change.
One thing we can all agree with…one belief is correct and one is wrong. And this is where it differs with last day prophecy; for if one is wrong concerning salvation, the results may be eternal.
My reason for putting this up is because I saw another post/topic which appears to be heading into a discussion of OSAS. I believe its best it has its own post in order to give those who want to discuss it, an opportunity to do so.
My belief is we are eternally secure in Christ…ONLY as long as we continue to abide in Him. If we depart from the faith, we are no longer abiding in truth–in Christ:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” (I Tim. 4:1).
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Tim. 4:16).
Two words in these passages are especially important “depart” and “continue”.
Clearly we cannot depart from something we never had, nor can we “continue” something not begun. Therefore, we can be sure Paul was speaking to Timothy about converted people.
Isn’t that a profound statement? - “All men can be divided into two groups”
When God look’s upon the 5-6 billion people on this planet this is what He sees–mankind divided into two groups; not 3, 4, or 24, but two. Its we, who seek to divide or classify mankind based on nationality, ethnicity or even skin color.
All men can be divided into two groups. They are either regenerate or unregenerate. All men are born unregenerate(John 3:3-8).
…Spiritual darkness is in all men and lies on all men until God, by an almighty work of the Spirit, shines into men’s hearts, or creates light in them (Matt 4:16; John 1:5; Act 26:18; Eph 5:8; Col 1:13; 1 Pet 2:9). …
The nature of this spiritual darkness must be understood. When men have no light to see by, then they are in darkness (Exod. 10:23). Blind men are in darkness, either by birth or by illness or accident (Psa. 69:23; Gen 19:11; Acts 13:11).
A spiritually blind man is in spiritual darkness and is ignorant of spiritual things.
There is an outward darkness on men and an inward darkness in men
Outward darkness is when men do not have that light by which they are enabled to see. So outward spiritual darkness is upon men when there is nothing to enlighten them about God and spiritual things (Matt 4:16; Psa 119:105; Psa. 19:1-4,8; 2 Pet 1:19; Rom 10:15, 18). It is the work of the Holy Spirit to remove this darkness by sending the light of the gospel (Acts 13:2, 4; 16:6-10; Psa. 147:19,20).
Inward darkness, on the other hand, arises from the natural depravity and corruption of the minds of men concerning spiritual things. Man’s mind is depraved and corrupted in things which are natural, civil, political, and moral, as well as in things which are spiritual, heavenly and evangelical. This depravity is often held back from having its full effects by the common grace of the Holy Spirit. So, man’s mind being darkened, he is unable to see, receive, understand or believe to the saving of his soul. Spiritual things, or the mysteries of the gospel, without the Holy Spirit first creating within the soul a new light by which they can see and receive those things, cannot bring salvation.
However brilliant the mind may be, and however brilliant the preaching and presentation of the gospel might be, yet without the Holy Spirit first creating this light in them, they cannot receive, understand and agree with the truths preached, and so will not be led to salvation (Eph 4:17, 18).
So the unregenerate ‘walk in the futility of their mind’ (Eph 4:17). The natural inclination of the unregenerate mind is to seek those things that cannot satisfy (Gen 6:5). It is an unstable mind (Prov. 7:11-12). The unregenerate understanding is darkened and cannot judge things properly (Jhn 1:5). The unregenerate heart is blind. In Scripture the heart includes the will also. Light is received by the mind, applied by the understanding and used by the heart.
‘But if the light within is darkness,’ said Jesus, ‘how great is that darkness.’
…Even though the unconverted mind is highly educated and talented, yet it is utterly unable to receive and understand spiritually those things needful for its eternal salvation. It will not respond to the preaching of the gospel until renewed, enlightened and enabled to do so by the Holy Spirit:
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (1 Cor 2:14).
The subject of this verse is the natural man. The natural man is quite opposite of the spiritual man (1 Cor 15:44; Jude 19).
Crystal, at Slaughter of the Sheep, has transcribed the Bob Jones’ prophecy mentioned in a previous post. Its this one in which he says curses were put upon Todd Bentley and Rick Joyner.
What I didn’t take the time to listen to yesterday was the word given out after Bob Jones spoke, by his wife Bonnie concerning Bob’s prophetic ‘shoes’.
When I read things like this I’m convinced our Father in Heaven must laugh at man’s utter foolishness.
(Bonnie speaking.) “Recently, the Lord spoke to me about the spoken word and He said, ‘We must take an aggressive stand against the spoken word because it gives the enemy permission to use it against us,’ and He said, ’We must cancel the power and the authority of that spoken word.’ And there has been spoken words against the women, and today when we were sitting here we were noticing Bob’s shoes … it says ‘NEW BALANCE 622,’ and I believe there is a new balance coming to the body of Christ … that you women are no longer second-class citizens, but that curse has been put upon you, but you will not be after today. We’re taking that curse off. And, just as I am one with Bob, we are a new balance, we are one body, we’re married, we are one body. And, the sixty-two-two (on Bob’s shoes) is Isaiah 62:2, this is what I believe the Lord is giving you. ‘The nations will see your righteousness, and the kings your glory, and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will designate.’ (She got this Scripture reference from Bob’s sneakers)
In light of what appears to be the start of another heavy round of so-called out pourings and revivals, I wanted to post this from the online book, Strange Fire, the Rise of Gnosticism in the Church. The title may sound familiar, owing to the fact its been quoted here a few times–or perhaps you’ve read it. Even if you have, it does no harm to remind ourselves of a few points concerning false Prophets.
Strange Fire is an older book, so you might not be familiar with a couple terms (passing under the Shepherds rod, etc), but you know what? The terms and phrases may change, but its the same-o same-o deception. Passing under the Shepherds rod, ‘fire tunnels’, or new “mantels”, it’s all the work of satan.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)
I may include a few scattered links through out the message–links to previous posts concerning Lakeland, Todd Bentley, or anything else which might be relevant.
Chapter 9: False Prophets
The ministry of a “Gnostic prophet” is always characterised by mystic experiences said to be of God, with the focus on self. It is difficult for him to exercise a ministry within the confines of Scriptural revelations. The Gnostic Revelator has a freedom to minister whatever he likes, whether or not it is Scriptural. As we hear their words we shake our heads in bewilderment and disbelief wondering how it is possible to get away with such statements as
. . . we had the odour of incense fill a meeting for about fifteen minutes. It was so intense that you couldn’t help but smell it. I mean, it was not one of those instances where you ‘think you get a whiff,’ but He gave it as a witness that He was receiving the intercession from these people – the prayers and their intercession. He had said He would come with a sign: that we would smell the incense. It came so powerfully faith was hardly needed. [Fullness, The Unfolding of a Prophet, Rick Joyner, p.13]
God can fill a place with sweet smelling incense. Nothing is impossible with God. However, the presumption to say that faith was hardly needed shows that these “new” dimensions are indeed in “another realm”. A realm of deception. The Bible says, Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. Nevertheless, this prophet and others like him are applauded and their messages carried in leading Christian periodicals.(Todd Bentley’s Encounter with Heaven)
Quite a number of Gnostic ministers are masquerading as true prophets of God and assuming to have a special anointing and relationship with the Spirit; (Todd Bentley’s ‘Emma’: Angel or Demon?). Their ministries are widely recognised, respected and feared. Personal prophecies and prediction of future events are given with some measure of accuracy. They get people to believe they have great power with God and that in them dwells a quality that makes them “god-like”. Control of minds and lives is gained by their feigning spirituality and assuming a “god-like” authority. To gain power, twisting Scriptures and abusing authority is of no consequence.
One cruel method used is to instill fear in the hearts of those who dare to criticise or question their ministries by making harsh judgments against them; (Rick Joyner’s Angry Response to Lee Grady’s Column). Sometimes those judgments even contain a death threat! They definitely are not prophets of the Word, nor can they be, because they put no confidence in the Written Word and its judgments.
The New Breed of arrogant apostles and prophets are known to usurp and abuse judgment over God’s people. They are reported to make the Church pass under what they call the “Shepherd’s Rod” of judgment. It is another divisive technique to control God’s people. They say the “Shepherd Rod” is the judgment seat of Christ on the Earth by which the so-called prophets judge the Church. The idea is borrowed from Old Testament Scripture where reference is made to “The Shepherd’s Rod” and “Judgments”. However, the way the test is applied to the church is false. It cries out against the true interpretation of God’s precious Word. This is one of the bizarre directions that Gnosticism is taking the church. The following unedited quote from one of the so-called “fallen” national prophets speaks for itself:
So when he [the prophet] went under that Shepherd Rod, we saw more people leave here than we saw anointed. They were rejected from leadership ’cause they had flaws in them. See that which is going to be holy unto the Lord must not have any flaw in it . . . It’s all in Scripture. When you go under it He just turns you upside down and He looks every place on your body. And if you be found all right, He marks you to be sacrificed as a living, holy sacrifice unto Him. One out of ten is marked totally unto the Lord. That’s a Shepherd Rod . . . He evaluates everyone that knows the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour . . . when I went under at this time He said, ‘There’s a couple of things that’s still wrong in you. There’s going to be a seven month delay in your anointing.’ [The Shepherd's Rod, Bob Jones tape from Grace Ministries, October 1989]
We must challenge the false prophets
(Ezekiel 13) Son of man, PROPHESY AGAINST THE PROPHETS . . . that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the Lord. (v.3)
Woe unto the foolish prophets that follow their own spirit and have seen nothing . . . Mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of my people . . . (v.9)
Set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them . . . (v.17)
Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations; for I will deliver my people out of your hand; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. (v.23)
A shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village, brought out the villagers three or four times by crying out, “Wolf! Wolf!” and when his neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for their pains. The Wolf, however, did truly come at last. The Shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted in terror: “Pray, do come and help me”; but no one paid any heed to his cries…
Moral:There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth.
That fable came to me when reading the two items below. Just substitute the word “wolf” with persecution.
With that done, I’d be forced to change the moral to one something along this line:
Moral: Only those who live righteously for God need worry about persecution. (Matthew 5:10)
Or in ‘PJ-talk’: To my American brothers and sisters, most of us don’t know “yet” what real persecution is.
WorldNetDaily reports on how Christians are persecuted in North Korea, noting:
“Christians are the target of fierce government action, and once caught, are not regarded as human,” said a veteran observer of North Korea who cannot be identified for security purposes. “Last year we had evidence that some were used as guinea pigs to test chemical and biological weapons.”
WorldNetDaily reports on how Christians are persecuted in the USA, noting:
The overt homosexual participation in Obama’s presidential inaugural events by ‘Bishop’ Vickie Eugene Robinson, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., and a homosexual marching band.
The first example comes from Open Doors; the second from a list compiled by the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission.
Some Christians in the United States are quick to cry “persecution” if courts, schools or businesses fail to favor their religion above others. But in places around the world where Christians face beatings, economic reprisal, imprisonment or even death because of their faith, Americans’ claims of religious persecution in the United States ring hollow….
The column speaks about real persecution of Christians around the world, for the sake of Christ,…not the so-called Christians, groups, and activists we hear from in the US who continually “Cry Wolf” or “Katy bar the door!” over what they want you to believe is ‘real Christian’ persecution for Christ’s sake.
The author, Robert Marus, ends his column with an interesting question,
One day, our sisters and brothers who have lived in contexts of dire persecution will meet their Master face to face and hear those consoling words from his mouth: ‘Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the rest prepared for you.’ Will we hear those same words?”
If I may add, take note of the section titled: Persecution that is Undeserved.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you…. If they persecuted Me they will persecute you… for they do not know the One who sent Me.” John 15:19-21
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10
America’s 50-million strong Evangelical community is convinced that the world’s future is foretold in Biblical prophecy – from the Rapture to the Battle of Armageddon. This astonishing documentary explores their world – in their homes, at conferences, and on a wide-ranging tour of Israel. By interweaving Christian, Zionist, Jewish and critical perspectives along with telling archival materials, the filmmakers probe the politically powerful – and potentially explosive – alliance between Evangelical Christians and Israel…an alliance that may set the stage for what one prominent Evangelical leader calls “World War III.”
Reviews:
The film allows Christian Zionists to explain their apocalyptic beliefs in comfortable settings using matter-of-fact language. The sense of foreboding is created as the audience comes to realize that the horrific bloody carnage centered in the Middle East, envisioned by their specific fundamentalist and Millennialist reading of prophetic scripture, is not just anticipated, but welcomed. Israel and the Jews emerge as merely momentary stepping stones on the road to the battle of Armageddon…
Why is all of this important to the rest of us?
First, Dispensationalism is a growing force in American Evangelicalism and American religion generally… many do believe that the events of our time are the “birth pangs” of Future Time. Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth (a bestseller in the 1970s), and the more recent Left Behind series have translated Dispensationalist ideas into a popular idiom, and broadened their appeal still further.
Second, Dispensationalists love Jews… consider them the Chosen People, and insist, as Pastor Hagee declares in the film, that “if you take away the Jewish contribution to Christianity there would be no Christianity.” Throughout Christendom, super-sessionism is giving way to the idea that God’s promise to the Jewish People remains valid and stands ready to be fulfilled. That represents a great and important change in Christian thinking.
Third, Dispensationalists support a strong Israel and are suspicious of any concessions for peace. They believe, fervently, that they already know God’s plan for the future of the Middle East, and peace with Muslim Arabs is not part of it.
Waiting for Armageddon opens with James and Laura Bagg; “We could be raptured out of this world during this interview,” Laura says, referring to a miracle where all Christians disappear from earth and rematerialize in the clouds as chaos seizes the world. Then James Bagg explains that, “You see God has a plan for the world and it all centers around Israel.”
The Baggs are, in a way, typical of millions of Evangelicals who share one political belief even more sacred perhaps than opposition to abortion or same-sex marriage: The belief that Israel must remain a Jewish state forever. Or Jesus won’t return. Period.
Thus comes the central political reality explored in Waiting for Armageddon: that Evangelicals risk creating what the Rev. Rossing calls “a self-fulfilling prophesy of death and destruction.”
Here’s a line you wouldn’t have heard during many church sermons in the last, say, 2,000 years: “Father, we thank you for the Jews.”
Or: “We thank you for the fact that they’re the Chosen People throughout history.”
Yet, as surprising as such sentiments would have been to earlier generations, they’ve become commonplace in recent decades among tens of millions of American evangelicals – Christians for whom support of Jews and Israel has become not just a question of politics and morality, but a religious obligation.
The lines quoted above, for example, are spoken by the faithful in Waiting for Armageddon, a documentary opening Friday at the Cinema Village in New York’s East Village that follows evangelicals both to churches around the country and on a study tour of Israel.
Articulate, informed and above all passionate, the film’s Christian subjects offer insight into their 50-million-member community, ranging from its beliefs about divine prophecy and Jewish history, to the role those views could have on peace efforts in the Middle East.
For at least a subset of Israelis, the phenomenon is already familiar: Waiting for Armageddon notes that American evangelicals donate tens of millions of dollars to the country annually, and shows a clip of then-prime minister Ehud Olmert giving thanks via satellite to a large conference of Christians.
Evangelicals, the film notes, have for years been among Israel’s most dependable visitors, propping up the country’s tourism industry during the second intifada, as well as in other periods of distress.
AT THE same time, as some of the interviewees make clear, that support comes attached to a very specific set of political ideas – ideas that could limit Israel’s room for maneuver in foreign affairs, for example, and others that might strike many Jews as theologically problematic.
“With Orthodox Judaism, deep down inside,” says Roy Sanders, the director of Christian Friends of Israel, “there’s no love, there’s no hope. There’s no future.”
Instead, many evangelicals believe, Jews will convert to Christianity or die – a development they expect to coincide with the beginning of Armageddon.
The need to support Israel, in this view, derives less from a love of Jews on their own terms than from a belief that Jews must control the biblical land of Israel – all of it – for the Second Coming to occur.
Perhaps most significantly, several of the influential evangelicals shown in the documentary – allies of figures like John McCain – would seek to constrain Israel’s autonomy in peace talks, believing that a final and cataclysmic war must break out for New Testament prophecies to be fulfilled.
Rather than something to be prayed for, peace, in their view, represents a barrier to God’s will.
In the special onslaught of the deceiver, which will come upon the whole of the true Church of Christ at the close of the age through the army of deceiving spirits, there are some, more than others, who need light upon his deceptive workings, so that they may pass through the trial of the Last Hour which is to come upon the earth (Luke 21: 346; Rev. 3: 10).
Some of the members of Christ are yet in the stage of babyhood, and others do not even know the initial reception of the Holy Spirit. To such this book has not much to say, as they are among the weaker ones who need the “milk of the Word.”
But there are others, who may be described as the advance guard of the Church of Christ, who have been baptized with the Holy Ghost or who are seeking that Baptism; honest and earnest believers, who sigh and cry over the powerlessness of the true Church of Christ, and who grieve that her witness is so ineffective; that Spiritism and and other “isms,” are sweeping thousands into deceptive errors, little thinking that as they themselves go forward the deceiver who has misled others, has special wiles prepared for them so that he might render ineffective their aggressiveness against him.
These are the ones who are in danger of the special deception of the counterfeit “Christs,” and false prophets, and the dazzling lure of “signs and wonders,” and “fire out of heaven,” planned to meet their longing for the mighty interposition of God in the darkness settling upon the earth, but who do not recognize that such workings of the spirits of evil are possible, and so are unprepared to meet them.
Haven’t seen it (I don’t go to movie theaters) and probably won’t, unless one of my kids buy it once its out on DVD and I borrow it. But what’s all the fuss being made about the film, coming from conservatives? Its a science fiction flick, isn’t it? Its not ‘real’. I happen to like good science fiction, personally.
What’s the scoop folks…anyone seen it?
I read the headline [and subsequent article] at Christian News Headlines, and still don’t get what all the fuss is about. I mean, for goodness sakes, we can politicize anything (or everything) if we want to–but why would we want to?
I have to laugh, thinking of past (goofy) and sometimes excellent science fiction films, wondering how today’s American political culture would try to politicize them;
-Attack of the Puppet People
-Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
-Them!
-The Planet of the Apes film series
-Soylent Green (“Soylent Green is PEOPLE!)
-Close Encounters of the Third Kind
-The Star Wars film series
-Alien
The list is endless!
What a strange time we live in folks. Everything here in the United States is now seen to have a hidden political agenda behind it.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel recently told the Israeli consul in Los Angeles that the Obama administration is fed up with both Israel and the Palestinians, Army Radio reported on Wednesday.
The small devotional message below by Charles Philpot (1802-1869), was such a blessing to me tonight.
I found myself sitting in silent contemplation today thinking back on the early days of my salvation, remembering the ‘newness’ of my faith. The days before doubt and unbelief became a constant enemy which had to be battled diligently. Years of observing leaders fall, Church problems, apostasy, and yes, even ‘fellow Christian’ problems, can not only disappoint but can work to rob the believer of that early exciting faith which believes God for any and everything! I found myself today, asking God to renew in me that child-like faith once again.
This wasn’t the first time I had prayed in a similar manner and been answered by being shown to reflect or ‘look back’. One of my early posts here was about the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart,
One afternoon in prayer, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart saying I needed to “take out my book of remembrance”… At that time I was going through a pretty rough time in my life, and found my faith at a low point. When hearing those words I knew exactly what “book” He spoke of; it is the inward journal which we all keep in our hearts of past times, when in despair, we can look back and see that God has never failed us…Little snap-shots they are…memories, like in a scrapbook… A reminder of the everlasting goodness and faithfulness of God. (Book of Remembrance -2007)
It’s good (and even sometimes necessary) to open that book up folks and flip through its pages; In order to recall the landmarks or “waymarks” behind us, so that we stay strong in the faith in the days ahead.
It reminds us of where we’ve been, how God brought us to where we are today, our victories, and even our failures and falling’s when our Father lovingly set us back upon our feet, dusted us off and told us ‘you are forgiven, don’t give up’.
And best of all it reminds us of where this highway we’re on is headed: to Zion!
Anyway, I hope brother Philpot’s message will bless you as it did me…
“Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps; set thine heart toward the highway, even the way where thou wentest.”- Jer 31:21
To look at the past is often a blessed encouragement for the future. If we are travellers in the way Zionward, we shall have our various waymarks;
A conspicuous call, or a signal deliverance, or a gracious manifestation of Christ; a promise applied here, or a marked answer to prayer there; a special blessing under the preached word; a soft and unexpected assurance of an interest in the blood of the Lamb; a breaking in of divine light when walking in great darkness; a sweet sip of consolation in a season of sorrow and trouble; a calming down of the winds and waves without and within by, “It is I, be not afraid”-such and similar waymarks it is most blessed to be able to set up as evidences that we are in the road.
And if many who really fear God cannot set up these conspicuous waymarks, yet they are not without their testimonies equally sure, if not equally satisfying.
The fear of God in a tender conscience, the spirit of grace and of supplications in their breast, their cleaving to the people of God in warm affection, their love for the truth in its purity and power, their earnest desires, their budding hopes, their anxious fears, their honesty and simplicity making them jealous over themselves lest they be deceived or deluded, their separation from the world, their humility, meekness, quietness, and general consistency often putting to shame louder profession and higher pretensions-these and similar evidences mark many as children of God who cannot read their title clear to such a privilege and such a blessing.
But whether the waymarks be high or low, shining in the sun or obscure in the dawn, the virgin of Israel is still bidden to “set them up,” and to “set also her heart toward the highway, even the way by which she came.”
Over at Elijah List I found more 2010 predictions, this time from John Mark Pool; plus an ad for an upcoming conference,“What is God Saying for 2010″ ElijahList Conference”(with Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Kimberly Daniels, Denny Cline) which guarantees we’ll be seeing more posted soon.
I also read the weirdest bunch of ‘prophetic words’ from Paul L. Cox; I’ll post a few quotes, but first a few of Pool’s predictons:
We Have Now Entered into a 10-Year Period of Extreme Breakout!
In this time, Christians will begin understanding our birthing was “supernatural” before we came to earth to be born in the natural. We will begin to understand that God’s plan on earth was not to end our destiny when we leave this natural life, yet His endless plan was rather to sow us eternally with Him! As we move into the breakout of old, false mindsets that have been sowed into our lives, God is now drawing us back to the eternal DNA we were made from..Be prepared to have strong supernatural desires overwhelm your natural mind, taking you into the destiny you have known deep down inside is where you belong!
America is About to Be Financially Restored
From the time of October 1, 2009, for the next 37 Months, the Economy of the United States will become restored to 10 times better than it was ever before..World financial leaders will become astounded how much Israel will now play into this “financial restoration” of the USA.
Remember—from the time of October 1, 2009, for the next 37 Months—this is about to be the Nation of immense wealth for the Kingdom of God to be brought further into this earth, as it is in Heaven! Heaven has a word, and you can “bank on it!”…Our Nation will now begin to see God in a different light than a God of judgment.
moving on…
2010 Will Bring About Some Major Shaking of Both Sky and Earth Realms
When the shaking becomes much more intensified from 2010 through 2012, you can be sure that those who have ever known God will fall on their knees and repent. Also, followers of God will freely offer the value of His “awesome” respect and who He really is compared to earthly pleasures..
Friday’s story reported that Dobson is now competing with Focus for the donor dollars needed to support his new venture, which is called James Dobson on the Family.
And in a post on his blog, “The Pulpit,” Barna raises questions about Dobson’s motivation..
A friend use to tell how he and his brothers would laugh at their dad, who when getting really upset would say he felt like running into the street screaming. After reading this I feel like joining him, or at least walking out on my balcony and yelling at the top of my lungs.
“…..we must be careful in how we use gender in our interpretations — thus, don’t absolutize the gender of Jesus!”
“Finally, if God is beyond gender, and if Jesus incarnates this God, then can we absolutize Jesus’ maleness? Or, to put it another way, how inclusive are we willing our Jesus to be?” - (Deconstructing our Visions of a Male Jesus)
(the article concerns women in the priesthood)
I must say this is one new ‘trend’ Lee Grady missed when writing out his list.
The Road from Jericho to Jerusalem is just 14 miles. A half-day’s journey, uphill all the way. Bethany is just on the other side of the Mount of Olives. A natural place to stop and rest before the final ascent and panoramic view of all Jerusalem. But it is not the road that should capture our attention. Dusty roads through dramatic scenery were as common then as now, indeed little has changed.
A year ago I was excited to hear about a new book soon to be released, 
(Bonnie speaking.) “Recently, the Lord spoke to me about the spoken word and He said, ‘We must take an aggressive stand against the spoken word because it gives the enemy permission to use it against us,’ and He said, ’We must cancel the power and the authority of that spoken word.’ And there has been spoken words against the women, and today when we were sitting here we were noticing Bob’s shoes … it says ‘NEW BALANCE 622,’ and I believe there is a new balance coming to the body of Christ … that you women are no longer second-class citizens, but that curse has been put upon you, but you will not be after today. We’re taking that curse off. And, just as I am one with Bob, we are a new balance, we are one body, we’re married, we are one body. And, the
In the special onslaught of the deceiver, which will come upon the whole of the true Church of Christ at the close of the age through the army of deceiving spirits, there are some, more than others, who need light upon his deceptive workings, so that they may pass through the trial of the Last Hour which is to come upon the earth (Luke 21: 346; Rev. 3: 10).
“Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps; set thine heart toward the highway, even the way where thou wentest.”- 
