America in Endtimes?? -- (Part 3) -- False Prophets

   It should be readily apparent to nearly all God-fearing people that the entire concept of Judea-Christian beliefs is under attack -- and there appears to be no letup in sight.  Not only here in America (which used to be a deeply Christian and conservative nation) but throughout the world, anyone who openly professes belief in God, Jesus Christ, His Son, and the Holy Spirit, and all that that Blessed Trinity represents, are all being rounded up, imprisoned, beat, tortured, and in many cases, exterminated.

   We hear of the plight of Coptic Christians (people who hold to the truths of Greek and Russian Orthodox Catholicism) throughout Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East.  We hear of similar abuses going on in Northern, Central, and parts of Southern Africa; we hear more of the same in parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, the Russian Republic, China, to name only a few.  In all these cases, devout Christians are being tormented because of their beliefs.

   Only this morning, I read a news article that I found absolutely SHOCKING!  This article can be found at:  http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/04/28/Pentagon-Consults-Extremist-Who-Calls-Christians-Monsters-and-Enemies-of-the-Constitution-to-Develop-Religious-Tolerance-Policy .

   A gentleman by the name of Mikey Weinstein has been appointed by the US Department of Defense to "advise on religious tolerance issues".  According to US Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, "Weinstein will be a consultant to the Pentagon to develop new policies on religious tolerance, including a policy for court-martialing military chaplains who share the Christian Gospel during spiritual counseling of American troops"

  Sounds like a good idea, right?  Well, maybe not so much:  Here are some excerpts from Mr. Weinstein's own writings in support of his work as founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a group that aligns itself with the Southern Poverty Law Center.

"Today, we face incredibly well-funded gangs of fundamentalist Christian monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans by forcing their weaponized and twisted version of Christianity upon their helpless subordinates in our nation’s armed forces.”

"Weinstein also supports Lt. Col. Jack Rich, the Army officer who wrote to subordinate officers that soldiers who hold traditional Christian beliefs agreeing with organizations on SPLC’s “hate group” list are incompatible with “Army values" and should be carefully watched and excluded from military service."

“We MUST vigorously support the continuing efforts to expose pathologically anti-gay, Islamaphobic, and rabidly intolerant agitators for what they are: die-hard enemies of the United States Constitution. Monsters, one and all. To do anything less would be to roll out a red carpet to those who would usher in a blood-drenched, draconian era of persecutions, nationalistic militarism, and superstitious theocracy.”

"If these fundamentalist Christian monsters of human degradation … and tyranny cannot broker or barter your acceptance of their putrid theology, then they crave for your universal silence in the face of their rapacious reign of theocratic terror. Indeed, they ceaselessly lust, ache, and pine for you to do absolutely nothing to thwart their oppression. Comply, my friends, and you become as monstrously savage as are they. I beg you, do not feed these hideous monsters with your stoic lethargy, callousness and neutrality. Do not lubricate the path of their racism, bigotry, and prejudice. Doing so directly threatens the national security of our beautiful nation."

   These are only four excerpts of Mr. Weinstein's lengthy article as referenced and quoted from the Breitbart site addressed above at the url link.  I find it unfathomable that this individual can possibly be expected to advocate for religious TOLERANCE as the Pentagon is expecting him to...  not with these words!

   So what does the Bible mean by "False Prophets"?  In 2 Peter, Ch 2, Vs 1 (KJV), it says:

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

   Someone like Mr. Weinstein could qualify as a false prophet or false teacher.  But so also could a great number of ministers and priests and bishops of any number of denominations of Christian faith...  those who seem to want to attract millions of people to their "mega-churches", where the message appears to be "God wants us all to feel good about ourselves", and to be living comfortable, with no worries, and apparently with no real consequences if we don't live a Godly life.

   As I have been stressing throughout this and my other blog-series, I CANNOT STRESS STRONGLY ENOUGH -- PRAY FOR WISDOM AND THEN STUDY YOUR BIBLE!!  Don't just read it -- STUDY IT.  There is a saying in Bible Study circles that goes like this:  "Bible verses taken out of context are just pretext!"  Meaning:  Even if we're not all Biblical scholars and master linguists, the Bible will interpret itself -- just be prepared to go to more than one or two chapters in one book...   Examples:  the Books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, all in the Old Testament, explain much of what you will read in the 4 Gospels and the Book of Revelations in the New Testament.

  I am not sure when yet, but I intend to do a fairly complete "review" of the major differences between Islam and Christianity...   I believe it is uniquely important to understand that Islam is not just another religion...  Indeed, our entire Planet is dependent on the decisions we all make as individuals and nations regarding Islam, and what we will ultimately accept as "the One True Faith"

Next, Part 4 -- Wars and Rumors of Wars

America in End-Times?? -- (Part 2) -- Earthquakes

In this article, I'd like to direct your attention to one of the listed "signs of the End-Times" that is mentioned in many places throughout the Bible, but most specifically in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (cited in my previous post).

   The U.S. Geodetic Survey agency has a "real-time" map display system that shows all earthquakes (globally) over the most recent 10-day period.  You can examine it for yourselves at their website:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/ 

    There are many, many more resources available to research earthquake data.  For instance, did you know that in the last 30 days (as of this writing), there have been:

 30 Days, Magnitude 4.5+Last Updated: 2013-04-27 17:33:44 (421 earthquakes)

 For a better look, go to this USGS website:  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/mobile/

   I believe the key to understanding this particular sign of prophecy is the specific notation that "there will be earthquakes in many and diverse places"  Just a cursory glance at the USGS Earthquake map for the 10-days it covers would bear that out!  If you do some research, you'll say there have been more than 400 moderate or higher magnitude quakes (moderate is usually defined as Magnitude 4.0 or higher) within the month of April, alone!!

  More research will lead you to strong opinions that western US (Specifically California) and very possibly the Yellowstone National Park area, and some other places as well, are all predicted to have devastating earthquakes (soon??).

   Reverend William Frederick has posted some recent blogs on his site that talk specifically to a possibility of devastating earthquakes, volcanic activity, or an event involving the Hoover Dam and elsewhere in the western United States.  For details, go here:

http://endtimesforecaster.blogspot.com/2013/04/alert-california-mega-earthquake-watch.html 

   I recommend reading this, and Rev. Frederick's other blogs with an open mind.  I believe some of the data he posts may be accurate, but Rev. Frederick also postulates a whole lot of timing criteria, which I believe is extremely difficult to pin down.  That sentiment in NO WAY DIMINISHES the material, the warnings, or the intent of his messages.  Overall, I believe his postings give the reader a whole lot of material to think about and to research!!  Please do so! 

   My next post, (Part 3), will cover another of the specific "warnings" introduced in previous postings.

   "Watch and be ready, for ye know not the hour of my coming!" 

America in End-Times?? -- (Part 1) -- Introduction

    How many times have you heard "The End is Near"??  It seems that statement has been around in one fashion or another for at least the last 25 years or so that I can remember.  That statement really becomes popular right after some great cataclysmic event in some part of the world.  I know I heard it said a few times as the world held its collective breath during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 1962, and again right after the late President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas in 1963.  I remember hearing it some more during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1990, in Homestead and Miami Florida.   We were all warned some more when Hurricane Katrina roared through nearly all of the US Gulf Coast area.  When terrorism really started rearing its ugly head in the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, and again after the major World Trade Center bombing in September, 2011, we heard that saying constantly -- and in the past 10 or 12 years, the sentiment, whether spoken aloud or not, has only increased dramatically, given the very obvious erosion of our society in the past several years.  So are all the doom-sayers correct?  Are we really approaching (or IN) the end times prophesied in the Bible?  If so, HOW do we know that?  How do we identify this period in our history?  Why is this time any more different than all the other times?

   As we mull over this question, let us look at some real facts:

   In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 21, vs 8-28, (NKJV) Jesus says:

"Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them.  And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”  Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.   But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.  But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.  So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,  for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!  Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you.  And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.  But not a hair of your head will perish!  By standing firm, you will win your souls. And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.  Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city.  For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.  How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people.  They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end. And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.  People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.  So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!"

   You can read nearly the same things in the Gospel of Mark, Ch 13, vs 5-27 (NKJV):

"Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.  But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.  And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.  But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.  Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.  And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  And pray that your flight may not be in winter.  For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.  And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it.  For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;  the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.  And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven."

   In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24, vs 4-31, you can read exactly the same text, nearly word-for-word identical.

  So, we have the Lord's very own words telling us what we should be looking for.  It should not be difficult to see if we're willing to look around us (look all over the globe, not just here in the USA).  WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND just how critical these warnings are!!

   To summarize all the text above, we should be looking for:

         False Prophets
         Wars and rumors of wars --
                 kingdoms shall rise up against kingdoms, and nations against nations.
         Earthquakes in various places, famines, and troubles
         Persecution in the churches and synagogues (and elsewhere)
         Betrayals within families -- brother betrays brothers, children betray parents
         Signs in the heavens, sun, moon, and the stars

   This is just this writer's personal opinion, but I do not believe that all these different signs are necessarily sequential in nature.  I believe this listing is in the collective --- in other words, all happening at once, or concurrently --

   The two text selections above are only two of hundreds and hundreds of Bible Scripture that could be included that warn specifically of End-Times events.  The Book of Revelations is probably the "premier" book of prophecy that nearly everyone on the planet has at least heard of...  But as we go through this study, you will also see that the Books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and a few others, all have critical information regarding End-Times.  Indeed, nearly one-third of the entire Biblical text is prophetic in nature, so in order to understand our current place on God's timeline, we really need to look at more than just Revelations.

   In the next post (same title, Part 2), I will try to identify specific details regarding this "shopping list" so that you can see for yourselves what's happening all over this world -- and as I show the specifics, I'll point you to specific sources so you can research for yourselves.

   I will keep harping the point that each reader must do your own research!!!  Don't just take my word for anything, no matter how impressive the sources might appear to be!  God fully intended that we each of us study His Word.  The Bible is the ultimate authority, anything else is just supporting material, and some of that is questionable.

Is America Really in the Bible?

   In my previous blog-series, I tried to give a multitude of examples of all the different ways that we, American citizens, individually and collectively, have contributed to the total dismemberment of our God-fearing society as us "old-timers" remember it.  I also promised that in my next blog-series, I would present what I believe is credible evidence that God has seen enough, and that it's only a (short???) matter of time before He removes his protective hand that is shielding our beloved nation from His anger.

   I am truly concerned that the USA, and the world for that matter, is running out of time.

   We need to get right with God, and we need to do it soon!!  Like RIGHT NOW!!!  The way to get right with God is to first REPENT!  Repent means having true sorrow for the things we've done wrong, by commission and by omission, all our thoughts, all our deeds -- and THEN WORK HARD SO WE CAN TRY TO AVOID THOSE WRONG-DOINGS.  In other words, "I'm sorry God" all by itself isn't enough.  We have to act like we're sorry by striving really really hard not to do the stuff we've been doing.  Only then do we get true forgiveness, and only with God's forgiveness might we here on planet Earth get a chance to stay around a while longer!

   This blog-series will have a large number of individual posts because there is a lot to talk about.  Here is a partial listing of some of the subjects we'll be discussing:

                   America as "Mystery Babylon"
                   Economic Collapse
                   The role of Islam
                   Israel, Iran, Syria and the Rest of the Mid-East
                   European Union, United Nations, and Global "Regions"
                   One-World Government, New World Order -- all a "Conspiracy"?
                   Spread of Terrorism
                   American Alliances
                   Earthquakes in Diverse Places

   Again -- this list is only partial -- as things come to mind as I write this, I'm sure there will be more.  Neither is list necessarily in the order I will ultimately write about...   It will take a fair amount of planning and consideration so that I don't get all the various "carts in front of the horses"  Please bear with me as I work on this.                  

   Rather than trying to "re-invent the wheel", I will rely on a lot of quotes from sources that I believe are credible experts in Biblical prophecy.  As I indicated in my first blog-series, I've been doing my best to study this subject for the last 15 or so years, but that certainly doesn't make me an expert, because I have none of the linguistics and detailed knowledge in ancient Biblical texts, and all the different translations of those texts; so therefore, I'll be providing a lot of internet links and addresses so that the reader may go to those sources directly.

   As this blog-series develops, I will refer to my original series from time to time so that I can illustrate specifically which of our individual and national wrongs are specifically addressed in Bible prophecy.  Again, I will be using the New King James Version, unless specifically cited otherwise in the text.

  In the course of this blog-series, I will also do my best to correlate current events here in America, as well as a multitude of other places all over the Globe...   You cannot intelligently discuss Bible Prophecy without looking at the "big picture".  The Bible was written for all the world, not just our little corner of it.

   This is probably the most difficult writing task I've ever taken on -- One of my constant worries is that I have to stay true to what the Bible really says --- not what I think it says.  There are already way too many people who put their own spin on Bible passages.  There are way too many priests, ministers and supposedly educated Bible scholars who, I believe, mislead the masses, either by ignorance, accident, or design.

  I strongly encourage you --- not just encourage --- I, in fact, IMPLORE you:  please do your own Bible research!  Learn for yourselves what the Bible teaches.  To do that, one must pray for wisdom and discernment, and then believe that the Lord will give you that wisdom and discernment.  Don't rely on others to do your work!  We are all approaching troublesome days where the Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that there are liars and deceivers who would do everything they can to steer us away from God and His Truth.  That, I believe is totally honest fact!

   Once again, I invite the readers to leave comments on these posts as I publish them -- your comments tell me a bit about interest level, and what I can or should do to enhance the quality of these postings.  My intention is to make this info as plain as a sunny day so there's no confusion, no mystery -- this material is too important to leave people wondering and confused.  Only you can tell me if I've met that goal!

Thank you,
Bill Lantz