Hope you had a "Merry Christmas"! And I trust you will have a wonderful, prosperous, & happy New Year!

Be advised dear readers of this insignificant Blog; Here is the 'new' - "Threat Warning" under the "Obama Presidency":

Season's Greetings

Merry Christmas!

I know the subject of this 'blog', might not seem to inspire your 'Merriment'; but it really hit me hard, as I thought about all the joy I have, and yet there are multitudes who will never have that!

(Please Read The 'Article' Here, That Brought About This Serious Subject)

Let me quote some of the serious statements that I read:

1. While some “cultural” Christians and others recoil at any notion of divine wrath—after all, God is love—the more Biblically literate understand the proper place of God’s retributive justice in the grand scheme of things.


2. After all, what critic hasn’t already asked a thousand times, “How could a loving God have created a place called Hell?”


3. however, away from the “ivory towers” in which the critics ply their trade, ordinary people are asking just the opposite question: “Why does a loving God take so long to bring justice to hurting people?”


4. A view of retributive justice has always been difficult for us to process in this grace-enlightened age. In some quarters, Christian leaders would have us believe that all are saved in the end (universalism). Others would have us believe that lost people are, at the very least, spared the pain of eternal suffering (annihilationism). Still others are calling for restorative (as against retributive) justice within our nation’s temporal penal system. Very few people, it seems, have a stomach for retributive justice, even from the side of God.

I want to focus on the term "Retributive Justice", and it's implication in every human life that has been, or presently is on Earth!

First, let me say that the typical Christian would be more apt, to accept "Restorative Justice" over "Retributive Justice"! The one says, "God is loving & righteous", therefore He will find a way to save everyone! (Universalism, or at best - "Annihilationism") Whereas, the other says, "God is just, holy, & righteous", therefore He must eternally punish those who reject His truth and His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ! (Acts 4:12) One thing I know for sure is that life doesn't afford us the choice, of God's essential character and demands! (Hab. 1:13; Luke 13:3-5)

Second, let me say that "Retributive Justice" will be served upon all mankind; therefore we need to be warning those who are lost! The Bible is clear on this (Matt. 18:8; 25:46; 1 Thess. 1:8-10), and no amount of 'twisting Scripture' can change it!

Third, "Retributive Justice", is addressed in Revelation 6:10...

"And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"

Now, imagine a Holy, Righteous, Just, & Loving God saying to His special "blood-bought' children...

"Don't worry, I'll just make them disappear! That way they'll never bother you again!"

Does that sound "Just" - "Righteous" - "Holy" - & "Loving"? Of course not!

The critic's question, “How could a loving God have created such a place as Hell?” The question must be answered with another question: “How could a loving God have not created Hell?”

In closing I want to make it clear, that I want all men to be saved; I also believe that God does too. (2 Peter 3:9)

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

So during this Season of Hope & Light, let us rejoice in a Pure, Holy, and Consistent God, that can save anybody who comes to Him by faith!

Have a Merry Christmas, & a Wonderful Happy New Year,
ParsonRob

The Wars To Come

Why The Final Battles On Earth Are
Separate & Different?

I recently was listening to John MacArthur's series on Revelation, and came upon his point of view that the battles discussed in Ezekiel 38 & 39 takes place at the end of the Millennium, as referenced in Revelation 20:8-10. Now, I have a deep respect for John Mac on much of his Eschatological views concerning the “End-Times”! But I disagree with him on that one. I believe that anyone who seriously studies these ‘battles’ can only come to the logical conclusion that they are two different ‘battles’!

I have since read and heard, that John Mac no longer teaches that viewpoint. In John's book, "Because the Time is Near", which was published in 2007, says this on page 301-302:

"Some believe that Ezekiel 38 and 39 describe this battle at the end of the millennium. There are, however, significant differences that argue against equating the two events. Ezekiel 39:4 and 17 describes the invaders perishing on the mountains of Israel, but according to Revelation 20:9 the rebels at the end of the millennium will be destroyed on a 'broad plain.' Also, the language of Ezekiel 39: 17-20 seems to be describing the same events depicted in Revelation 19: 17 - 18. Third, the events of Ezekiel 38 – 39 fit chronologically before the description of the millennial temple given in chapters 40-48, while the battle depicted in Revelation 20:7-10 takes place after the millennium". (From "Because the Time is Near", by John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL)

Although I don’t agree with his (2nd.) assessment where he says, “Also, the language of Ezekiel 39: 17-20 seems to be describing the same events depicted in Revelation 19: 17–18”!

If this is correct, then the battle in Ezekiel 38-39, is the same as “Armageddon” in Revelation 19:17-20! This can only confuse the Bible student even more. The Bible is clear on THREE Latter Day Battles taking place!

If you seriously read & study these three battles, the differences are clearly seen. They are all separate in timing, essence, and outcome. We will discuss these battles later in the article.

Now with that being said, I came across this article, written back in August 10, 2003. Notice what it says about burning the weapons:

“The operation at an Army depot is beginning slowly and will take seven years to destroy the GB, VX and mustard gas and the rockets that carry them, said Army spokesman Mike Abrams.”. (Read article here)

Now compare that, to these words in Ezekiel…

39:9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
39:10 So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

Here’s an interesting note on the “burning of weaponry” –

For seven years they will use them for fuel. This statement is remarkable for two reasons. First is the nature of the weapons. In the time that Ezekiel wrote this, burning weapons made perfect sense because they were made of wood. What of today’s weapons however? How do you burn warplanes and other metals? Amazingly, Russia has been using Lignostone in the production of its weapons. Lignostone “is a special kind of wood used for ‘coke breakers.’ It is stronger than steel, is very elastic… and it burns better than coal.”

Now in regard to what I said above, this supports the Battle of Ezekiel 38-39 taking place somewhere between the Rapture, and the beginning of the Seven Year Tribulation Period!

Seven years of cleaning up modern weaponry would make sense during the seven year tribulation period. Rather than the beginning of Christ’s 1,000 year reign. As a matter of fact Ezekiel says, in 39:23 –

“And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.”

In other words, after Ezekiel’s Battle there are still ‘heathen’ (non-regenerate people) in the Land! The Millennium will only be populated by the ‘regenerate people’! I love popular Bible teacher, Jack Kelley’s Q&A on this one:

Q. I have a question about Isaiah 65:17-25...

A. Isaiah 65:17-25 clearly mentions Jerusalem and its people. There’s no justification for thinking of this as anything other than a passage pertaining to Israel in the Millennium. Remember, for Israel the Millennium is the promised Kingdom Age, so it doesn’t make any sense to have a Millennium without them in their land.
Jewish believers who survive the Great Tribulation will live in Israel during the Millennium while believing Gentile survivors will populate the nations. They and their children will live on Earth during the Millennium.
The Church will inhabit the New Jerusalem, and that’s where the mansions are that Jesus spoke of in John 14:1-2. It’s seen coming down from Heaven in Rev. 21 but is never described as actually landing here. Truth be told, it wouldn’t really fit anywhere. Far bigger than all of Israel it will have a foot print as big as Western Europe or all of the Eastern US from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River and Maine to Florida. Besides that it’s 1400 miles tall. Compare that to the tallest building on earth today at 1800 feet. In volume it’s 1/6th the size of Earth.

Now let’s sum this up by stating…

There are Three Major Battles Looming in the World’s Future:

• Gog/Magog (Russia) & Islamic Coalition Battle – (Ezekiel 38-39) – Timing is shortly before/after Rapture.
• Armageddon’s Battle – (Revelation 19) – Timing is at end of 7 Year Tribulation Period.
• Gog & Magog - (Revelation 20:7-9) – Timing is at the end of the 1,000 Year Millennium.

Thus, we must see the imminent dangers of what’s happening in the World today, and that these ‘future’ wars are on the horizon! Therefore, we must be looking for the Savior to come, and we should be living for Him!

Note the words of Paul to his ‘preacher-boy’ Titus…(2:11-14)

11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 - Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, & purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

May our God truly bless us we these truths, and change our lives for the better.

In Christ,
ParsonRob (Rob Madden)

A Harbinger To Come?

Ahmadinejad Reportedly Claims U.S. is Blocking Return of Mankind's Savior - Is this a harbinger of the anti-christ? The 'Mahdi' that they are looking for, fits much of what the Bible says about the "anti-christ"!

According to scholar Moojan Momen, signs that Sunni and Shi'a are agreed upon include the following:

1.The Mahdi will be a descendant of Muhammad of the line of Fatimah.
2.His name will be as the name of Muhammad.
3.He and Isa (Jesus) will rule for either 40 years (though these years are consisted of days not necessarily the same as 24 hour days)
4.He will distribute wealth.
5.His coming will be accompanied by the raising of a Black Standard.
6.His coming will be accompanied by the appearance of the Ad-Dajjal (the 'Great Deceiver').[7]
7.There will be a lunar and solar eclipse within the same month of Ramadan
8.A star with a luminous tail will rise from the East before the Mahdi emerges.
9.He will restore faith to its original form and eradicate moral corruption.
10.He will fight for the cause of Islam and make it prevail throughout the world[8]
11.He will have a broad forehead, a prominent nose, and his eyes will be naturally mascaraed[9]
12.He will fill the world with justice and fairness at a time when the world will be filled with oppression.

Please read this article by Jerry Robinson @ Rapture Ready. The similarities between the Islamic Savior and the Biblical "anti-christ", is startling!

Jesus is coming, and it seems to be closer than ever!

God bless!
ParsonRob

A Rebuilt Temple In Jerusalem?

First you must read this news item, and then I will comment!

>>>In Daniel's "70 Weeks" Prophecy, he confirms a 'rebuilt Temple' in Jerusalem, in the 'Latter Days"! (Daniel 9:27)

Now if you have any doubt about this Prophecy being true or fulfilled, look at verses 25-26! We have 'Historic Proof' that they have been fulfilled.

>>>In Jesus' Prophecy of Matthew 24:15, He clearly says there will be a Temple in Jerusalem, in the 'Last Days'!

>>>In Paul's Prophecy of 2 Thess. 2:4), he clearly teaches a Temple will be built in the Last Days!

>>>In Rev. 11:1-3, John sees a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, already functioning by midway through the seven year Tribulation!

So, we see Bible prophecy being fulfilled right before our very eyes! - Luke 21:28

Note one statement made in the article...

The debate reflects wider issues of identity facing the Jewish Quarter, which has become increasingly ultra-Orthodox in recent years.

City councilwoman Rachel Azariya said, "The Hurva must not become just another synagogue, and the Jewish Quarter just another Haredi neighborhood."

Here's my final thought... "Hasidic Jews", are becoming more and more prevalent in Jerusalem, especially in the 'Old City'! The Bible says in Rev. 7, that at the start of the Tribulation Period, an Angel will put a seal on the foreheads of 144,000 Jewish men, (12,000) from each tribe! It appears in verses 9-17, that these Jewish men proclaim the Gospel message to the people of the Earth, and multitudes from all tribes, tongues, and nations come to the Savior!

Now I've often wondered about these 144,000 Jewish male 'virgins'! (Rev.14:4-6) Where in the World are there 144,000 Jewish young men that have kept their virginity? Well, guess what???

New York City has over 250,000 Hasidic Jews!
Israel has 15-20 per cent of its population, as Hasidic! (That's over 1,000,000) Surely there could be 144,000 young Jewish men, in that number.
Other large cities around the World have large populations of 'Hasidic Jews'!

Hasidic Jews pride themselves on their moral 'chastity'! They are like the "Pharisees" of old...
'puritanical, proud, learned, & ultra-orthodox Jewish people!'

This could be the 'means' of how God will find that many young 'virgin' men, to put a seal on their foreheads, during the 'Great' Tribulation!

These things are beginning to unfold, and we must be prepared for His Coming!

God bless you.

ParsonRob