The Future of Damascus?

November 28, 2012

Gary again. Interesting statements.

CR

4 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, News, The Middle East | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Chris

Truce? 11/27/12

November 27, 2012

There are so many different views about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  I have been Watching Prophecy in the News for quite some time now and I always like to hear what Gary Stearman has to say.  He is a Bible scholar, in my opinion, and he relates what is happening in Israel to scripture in a way that’s easy to understand.  Some of his guests have ideas that I don’t agree with and I don’t come as firmly down on a pre-trib view as Gary does.  I find him to be a humble man with great knowledge.  This doesn’t mean he is correct in his views, but I like his manner and what he has to say always interests me.  In this short podcast, he explains why Israel is so important and points out some of the latest developments in the Middle East.

CR

2 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, Israel, News, The Middle East | Permalink
Posted by Chris

The Annual Day of Atonement

November 19, 2012

I have reached Leviticus 16 in my personal study of God’s Word.  With what is happening now in Israel, I thought a couple of quotes about this important chapter in the Bible would be appropriate.  Both quotes are taken from Halley’s Bible Handbook.

CR

The Divine Origin of the Sacrificial System

“God placed the system of sacrifices at the center and heart of Jewish national life.  Whatever its immediate applications and implications may have been to the Jews, the unceasing sacrifice of animals and the never-ending glow of alter fires were without doubt designed by God to burn into the consciousness of the people of Israel a sense of their deep sinfulness.  They were also, for more than a millennium, a picture that pointed forward to the coming sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  The Levitical priesthood was divinely ordained to be the mediator between God and the Hebrew nation through the bringing of animal sacrifices.  But those sacrifices were fulfilled in Christ.  Animal sacrifices are no longer necessary.  Christ Himself is our Great High Priest, the only Mediator between God and humanity, as Hebrews 8-10 makes very clear.  Thus Christ is both our Sacrifice and our High Priest, our Mediator.” (1)

The Annual Day of Atonement

“The annual Day of Atonement (still celebrated in Judaism today in modified form and known by its Hebrew name, Yom Kippur) fell on the 10th day of the seventh month (Tishri).  It was the most solemn day of the year.  Each time, the removal of sin was only for one year (Hebrews 10:3), but it pointed forward to its eternal removal (Zechariah 3:4, 8-9; 13:1; Hebrews 10:14).

“After the sacrificial goat had been offered, the high priest laid his hands on the head of the scapegoat, confessing over him the sins of the people.  The goat was then sent away into the wilderness, bearing away with it the sins of the people.  This ceremony was one of God’s historical foreshadowings of the coming atonement for human sin by the death of Christ.” (2)

(1)  Halley’s Bible Handbook, Zondervan, 2000, Pg. 158

(2)  Ibid, Pg. 160

2 Comments | Commentary, Israel, LIFE, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

UC Irvine Student Government Approves Anti-Israel Boycott

November 16, 2012

“Even as missiles launched from Gaza are killing innocent Israelis, there is no rest for the anti-Semitic, Israel-bashers at the University of California, Irvine. On Tuesday night, the student senate passed a non-binding resolution requesting that the school divest from eight companies currently doing business with the Jewish State.”

The anti-Semitism that was alive and well in America in the pre-WWII era is evidently re-emerging.

CR

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Posted by Chris

Egypt PM to Visit Gaza in Support of Hamas Against Israel

November 15, 2012

This is the latest story I could find out of the “new” Israeli conflict as I make this post.

The story reminds me of a Biblical prophecy.  It is from the book of Ezekiel and goes like this:

“Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and beast out of thee.

“And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the lord; because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.

“Behold, therefore I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia.

“No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.”

-Ezekiel 29: 8-11

Has there ever been a time in Egypt’s history when it was not inhabited?  I don’t know of such a time.  So, unless I am ignorant of a historical fact, the prophecy is futuristic.  Will the current conflict lead to such an “event?”  Only time will tell.

CR

2 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

Dinosaur Bone Tissue Study Refutes Critics

November 15, 2012

“Original dinosaur tissues in fossil bones are probably the most controversial finds in all of paleontology. Secular scientists have difficulty interpreting them. They debate whether the tissues are real, based on laboratory-measured tissue decay rates, or whether the tissue decay rates are real, based on plainly observed tissues.”

Read the rest of the article by Brian Thomas M.S. here.

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Posted by Chris

The Role of Human Government

November 14, 2012

Jimmy DeYoung is a prophecy teacher whom I listen to once in a while.  The man knows his Bible.  I agree with much of his take on government here.  I’m not so sure about his view of Daniel 7 and I am surely not certain that the “false church” will be headquartered in Rome, Italy.

It is clear there will be a “taking away” event.  Many call it the rapture.  The main reason I believe in this event comes from the words of Jesus in Matthew 24.  I hope that Mr. DeYoung is right about the possibility of the rapture happening at any time.  I agree with him that there will be a 7 year tribulation and a Millennial kingdom.  I lean towards the pre-trib view of the rapture but don’t hold a solid position on the topic.

With the recent events in the Middle East, those of us who are interested in Bible Prophecy are watching the events surrounding Israel closely.

God has made a commitment to the people of Israel.

“The Lord Jesus is called ‘shomer Yisrael, the one who guards Israel’; this Keeper never slumbers and never sleeps, but is always on duty. Psalm 121:4.”

May God Bless the descendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

CR

2 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, News, The Middle East, theology | Permalink
Posted by Chris

WE PUT OUR HOPE IN THE LORD OUR GOD

November 7, 2012

The results of the election are not surprising, given the polls and predictions in advance.  However, they are nonetheless shocking and sobering.  Voters have chosen to confirm an Administration in Washington, D.C. that has undertaken the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe vs. Wade forty years ago.

It is heartbreaking and distressing to see that our nation will continue being driven down this path for another four years; a decision that will, of course, drive the rest of the world more deeply into a culture of death.

This “choice” means that more babies will be killed through abortion and abortifacients, more mothers and fathers will suffer harm, more families will be destroyed, and our nation will slip further away (in national policy matters) from our Christian roots and founding principles—especially the principle that we are endowed with unalienable rights, the first of which is the right to life; and the principle, enshrined as the first right in our Bill of Rights, of freedom of religion.

It is a frightening time. But, as Christians, we know that the Lord has won victory over death.  We know that the Lord is still with us, and that He can do mighty deeds!  We never give up hope, never despair.

Today and going forward, Heartbeat International continues to start, strengthen, defend, and support pregnancy help ministries all over the world.

Today and going forward, Heartbeat continues to answer the call at Option Line®, 24/7, via the phone (800 712 HELP), internet (OptionLine.org), live chat, and email, connecting those in need to life-saving help in their own community.

Everything we do saves lives and advances a culture of life.  We continue to do what God is calling us to do.

One of my favorite reminders from Holy Scripture is Psalm 20:7, “Some put their hope in horses and chariots, but we put our hope in the Lord our God.”  How seemingly “old-fashioned” to put hope in horse and chariots when we now have atomic weapons and spaceships that explore outer space!  Yet, at one point in the history of the world, horses and chariots were the most powerful war implements imaginable.  The things of this world are ever-changing, including technology and political power.  But God does not change.  He can always bring life from death.

We will continue full speed ahead!  We know the Lord will bring many fruits from our labors, as He always has. We are willing to bear any burden to assert our right, as a Christian organization, to do what we are called to do, even in an increasingly anti-Christian atmosphere. We will continue the fight for LIFE, armed with His love and empowered by His grace.   We covet your continued prayers for courage, wisdom, protection, and success.

You make all of this possible with your support, prayers, and partnership.  Thank you!

In Christ,

Margaret Hartshorn, Ph.D., President

Margaret Hartshorn is the President of Heartbeat International. Heartbeat International works to inspire and equip Christian communities worldwide to rescue women and couples from abortion through the development of neighborhood pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and adoption services. These ministries provide life-saving help in a truly life-changing way by assisting women who are at risk for abortion with the life-affirming, practical support they need to choose life, then prepare them to parent or to place for adoption. Heartbeat serves as the leadership supply line for the Pregnancy HELP Movement worldwide.

I work at one of the help centers mentioned at the Heartbeat website.  Without exception, those whom I saw today who work to save lives felt as if they had the wind knocked out of them after last night’s election results.  As I have repeatedly asked on this blog site, “How can God bless a nation that has turned its back on Him?”  The only thing that will save the United States of America is a return to the God of the Bible.  I have thought for a long time that this return will not happen.  Sadly, last night’s decision confirmed my beliefs.

CR

You can see Heartbeat’s website here.

8 Comments | Abortion, Commentary, LIFE, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live

October 31, 2012

Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.  Exodus 22:18

I don’t know how you study your Bible, but some might call my current method “strange.”  I’ve done it many different ways.  There was the time when I felt I had to cover 10 chapters a day.  I’ve tried the “Bible in a year” technique.  Somehow that never worked for me.  Then there was the time I tried to read it in chronological order…with no help from any of the Bibles that are written that way.  Still have my notes on that one.   The Bible study I attend is currently in the book of Daniel.  It is a study that works its way through the Bible only hitting certain stories.

I have read many versions of the Bible.  My favorite has always been the NASB.  I know it has its critics like everything else, but I like it.  At the same time I know there are some issues with the NASB and I’ve been reading it and the KJV lately.

Currently, I am reading my way straight through the King James Version for the first time in my life.  It may take me 10 years (if Jesus tarries) to do so, but I’m not in a hurry.

To be honest, I feel more than ever that I have only scratched the surface of God’s Word.  His Word is so deep and powerful that I may make it through a few chapters a day or I might stop at a verse and ponder.

I am just starting into the many laws that were given to the Hebrews on that dusty trek through the wilderness.  Do I understand why God gave certain laws to the people?   Definitely not.  Do I believe that God’s ways are higher than my ways?  Yes.  “Who are we to know the mind of the Lord?”

I got to Exodus 22:18 yesterday (that was awhile ago…I’m now in chapter 37) and read, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”  A question went through my mind.  How prevalent is witchcraft in America today?  My studies are rarely exhaustive, but I am curious.

It didn’t even cross my mind that Halloween is not far away (today) until I had already started researching.

Before I begin to share what I have found, let it be known that I don’t think we should identify witches today and put them to death.   Jesus said, “I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.”  I believe the law still stands and that it identifies how far short of the glory of God we fall.  According to the laws of the O.T., a witch was to be put to death.  At the same time, I don’t feel we need to be conducting our own modern Salem Witch Trials.  God knows each person’s heart and whom they serve.  At this point in history, I’ll leave it to Him to deal with each person in His own way.

That doesn’t mean that I cannot make a judgment concerning something (witchcraft) that is contrary to God’s Word.

Thus, the study began.

I found that there is a special school established for the study of Wicca in New Bern, North Carolina. Although there is no one central organization for witches, Wicca is recognized as a religion by the IRS. Many Wiccan covens enjoy tax-exempt status. And there are some 3,000 covens in the United States.

As far as I can tell, there are close to 1 million who consider themselves witches in the U.S.  Witches argue amongst themselves (like Christians do) about who is doing it the “right” way.

It was very difficult for me to find an exact number.  There is not a great deal of information on the internet where I looked.

One of the best articles that I found is here.  It was written about 10 years ago by Linda P. Harvey.  If things were like that 10 years ago, how bad are things today?

Chris Reimers

Leave a Comment » | Commentary, Helps, News, theology | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Chris

Hurricane Sandy Is Even More Impressive From Space

October 30, 2012

“Every once in a while a storm comes along that is so big, it even looks
impressive from space. Hurricane Sandy has grown to be an enormous mass of wind stretching nearly 1,000 miles across at times.”

So says Wired Science which has a great deal of information on the storm here.

Why such a storm now?  Anyone have an opinion?

– CR

2 Comments | News | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Chris

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