Archive for the ‘Archives 2008’ Category

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ABC News: Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

apocalypse(June 12, 2008)  ABC is promoting a September television special in which experts will discuss the survival of humanity. (Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts) In times of severe trouble most people look to God for the answers to what they are experiencing. Is what the world going through currently of biblical significance or just a cyclical experience that humanity has endured throughout the ages? This article quotes both skeptics and believers. However, there is more to the biblical apocalypse than just ecological upheaval. Humanity itself is going to be judged. Along with cataclysmic disasters, evil world leaders will strive for ascendancy on the political and economic systems of the world. One in particular will succeed for a time. Eventually the other leaders will come against him in a final war. The difference between the disasters and human rulers of the past 1800 years and now is that Israel has become a nation again. Prophecies that could not have been fulfilled (e.g. such as the whole world being able to witness the same event or the Third Temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem) are now in play.

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Posted in Archives 2008, Armageddon, Biblical prophecies, Revelation, Tribulation Period | No Comments »

World feels oil pressure and crisis

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

(June 8, 2008)  In a May 31 article the British newspaper, The Independent, enumerated the problems the world is facing because of the oil crisis. (Shocked! How the oil crisis has hit the world) The article reports on the situations various segments of societies around the world are experiencing,

“British pensioners who cannot afford to heat their homes. European hauliers and fishermen whose livelihoods are under threat. Palestinians forced to fill up their cars with olive oil. Americans asked to go down to a four-day week.”

The article gives some examples of the unrest that is occurring in every inhabited continent and some of the services that are being curtailed:

-Lorry drivers blockaded roads into London and in Wales to demand that a planned 2p rise in fuel tax be scrapped and that “essential users” should be granted a rebate

-Britain’s Silverjet airline announced it had stopped flights after failing to get a $5m loan from Abu Dhabi-based investors, becoming the third London to New York business class-only carrier to run out of money

-Protests by French truckers and fishermen left several motorways blocked and ports paralysed

-Fishermen across Europe went on a one-day strike, blocking ports. The biggest demonstrations were in Spain and Portugal where 10,000 protesters converged on Madrid

-The Newcastle to Scandinavia ferry route is being cut by the Danish company DFDS Seaways

-Brazil, the world’s largest ethanol producer, biofuels account for more than half of transport needs. But while biofuels have kept petrol prices down, food prices – particularly in Central American countries such as Mexico and Haiti – have shot up as vast tracts of arable land are switched from producing food to fuel

-Daily protests have erupted across Indonesia this week after the government removed subsidies on fuel

-Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Taiwan’s China Airlines announced they were considering scaling back some long-haul routes whilst Korean Air said it would temporarily cut flights on 12 international routes

-African governments already under pressure from food protests, and in some cases such as Mozambique violent riots, have now to contend with a new problem

-Middle Eastern countries unlucky enough not to be sitting on lakes of black gold are facing growing resentment from their own populations over fuel prices

-Australia’s Qantas airline announced this week that it was intending to slash hundreds of jobs, freeze executive pay and shut down some domestic rural routes

Since it is unlikely that oil prices will decrease in the long term, the world’s oil problem will continue to exacerbate the civil and economic unrest that the countries of the world are currently experiencing. The New York Times’ global edition, International Herald Tribune, has a June 8th article which reports the reductions in profits by many businesses as a result of the oil crisis. (Pressure from oil prices spreads) The reporter writes, “Airlines, package shippers and car owners are no longer the only ones being squeezed by the ever-mounting price of oil, which shot up almost $11 a barrel Friday, to a record $138.54. Companies that make hard goods using raw materials derived from oil, like tires, toiletries, plastic packaging and computer screens, are watching their costs skyrocket, and they find themselves forced into unpleasant choices: Should they raise prices, shift to less costly procedures, cut workers or all three?” Oil price hikes will continue to increase the cost of manufacturing commodities and the transportation of them.

On his June 9th program, Fox’s Bill O’Reilly discussed the oil crisis in his Talking Points memo. (We Are All in Danger) He declares, “We now know that Israel will attack Iran if that country continues its nuke buildup. That kind of attack will put oil well over $200 a barrel. We also know that radical Islamists and aggressive socialists like Hugo Chavez are using oil money to create terror and havoc. It is also apparent that Iran will continue to cause trouble in the Persian Gulf region, with the goal of destabilizing Western economies.” After suggesting a couple of solutions O’Reilly made the following statement, “Simply put, Americans must demand that Congress and the new president stop the nonsense, or there will be a world war over oil. That will happen and it will make Iraq look like a high school prom.”

As I have stated on this web site, I believe America will decline from its superpower status militarily or economically or both. Such a reduction in strength will allow the invasion of Israel by a conglomeration of countries seeking to rid the Middle East of Israel forever. (Coming Invasion of Israel)

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Water shortage threat to mankind; 45 Trillion dollars needed to solve world’s energy problems

Friday, June 6th, 2008

(June 6, 2008)  According to a panel of global experts “A catastrophic water shortage could prove an even bigger threat to mankind this century than soaring food prices and the relentless exhaustion of energy reserves.” (Water crisis to be biggest world risk) The article declares, “Demand for water continues to escalate at unsustainable rates. At the risk of being alarmist, we see parallels with Malthusian economics. Globally, water consumption is doubling every 20 years. By 2025, it is estimated that about one third of the global population will not have access to adequate drinking water.”

On a related front, a report from the Paris-based International Energy Agency envisions an “energy revolution” that would greatly reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels while maintaining steady economic growth. This study determined that it would take 45 trillion dollars to meet the world’s energy needs. ($45 trillion needed to combat warming) The article states, “A U.N.-network of scientists concluded last year that emissions have to be cut by at least half by 2050 to avoid an increase in world temperatures of between 3.6 and 4.2 degrees above pre-18th century levels. Scientists say temperature increases beyond that could trigger devastating effects, such as widespread loss of species, famines and droughts, and swamping of heavily populated coastal areas by rising oceans.”

In September, ABC News is conducting a televised forum of scientists from around the world to discuss whether the human race can survive to the year 2100. (Scientists From Around the Globe Join ABC News in a Forum on Surviving the Century) The article asks, “Are we living in the last century of our civilization? Is it possible that all of our technology, knowledge and wealth cannot save us from ourselves? Could our society actually be heading towards collapse? According to many of the world’s top scientists, the answer is yes, unless we take action now.”

Even if there was no God it is hard to see how the earth can continue to support the human race since water, food, and energy sources are necessary to sustain human life. However there is a God who has a plan for the earth to survive albeit it a plan that will cause the world to go through labor pains before it becomes a paradise again. In talking about the end of this age Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of the birth-pangs.” (Matthew 24:4-8) The prophet Daniel spoke about this time that is coming upon the world, “1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1) Jesus stated the same thing when He said, “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22) The angel revealing the future to Daniel went on to make an intriguing statement, “4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4) It is believed by some that the phrase “to and fro” refers to the human race traveling around the world and that “knowledge shall be increased” is a reference to the technological advances of the human race. If so, it seems that traveling and technology have exacerbated the shortages that mankind is experiencing on a global scale. This in turn may lead to “the time of the end”

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Survivalists gearing up for hard times ahead

Saturday, May 24th, 2008

shotgun(May 24, 2008) Some people (and at this stage I believe a relatively few) are preparing for hard economic times by stocking up on supplies, non-energy using devices, and guns because they believe the world is in dire straits. (Energy fears looming, new survivalists prepare) At this time these persons may be just a fringe group. The reporter writes, “Convinced the planet’s oil supply is dwindling and the world’s economies are heading for a crash, some people around the country are moving onto homesteads, learning to live off their land, conserving fuel and, in some cases, stocking up on guns they expect to use to defend themselves and their supplies from desperate crowds of people who didn’t prepare.” She goes on to write in her article, “Some members argue there will be no financial crash, but a slow slide into harder times. Some believe the federal government will respond to the loss of energy security with a clampdown on personal freedoms. Others simply don’t trust that the government can maintain basic services in the face of an energy crisis.” As a Christian I will observe the times as the Bible calls us to do. I am not a survivalist but plan on living my life according to the will of God and His word. It is interesting though that Jesus told the people in Israel to flee to the wilderness when the Antichrist enters into the rebuilt third Temple:

“15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before.” (Matthew 24:15-25)

As Jesus and the prophet Daniel said (Daniel 12:1), the Tribulation Period is going to be unlike any other time in the history of the world. The best way to prepare for it or just for your own personal end-times is to receive salvation through the atoning sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. (What must I do to be saved?)

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Unmarked helicopter patrols New York City from high above

Friday, May 23rd, 2008

(May 23, 2008)  A sophisticated surveillance helicopter flies over New York City monitoring the population below. (Unmarked chopper patrols NY city from high above) This is another example of the use of technology to fight crime. The article reports, “Police say the chopper’s sweeps of landmarks and other potential targets are invaluable in helping guard against another terrorist attack, providing a see-but-avoid-being-seen advantage against bad guys.” The helicopter has “an arsenal of sophisticated surveillance and tracking equipment powerful enough to read license plates—or scan pedestrians’ faces—from high above the nation’s largest metropolis.” “‘They don’t even know we’re here,’ said crew chief John Diaz, speaking into a headset over the din of the aircraft’s engine.” A revealing statement in the article declares, “Kelly even envisions someday using futuristic “stationary airborne devices” similar to blimps to conduct reconnaissance and guard against chemical, biological and radiological threats.” In other words governments are going to continue to increase their monitoring capabilities of their citizens.

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National fingerprint registry for U.S. citizens?

Friday, May 23rd, 2008

(May 23, 2008)  A Senate bill proposing to bailout the home mortgage crisis included a plan to create a national fingerprint registry for U.S. citizens. (Housing bailout bill creates national fingerprint registry) It seems this was going to be done under the radar according to the article, “What’s a little odd is the lack of public discussion about this new fingerprint database. No mention of it appears in the official summary of the revised Senate bill. No fingerprint database requirement is in the House version of the legislation approved earlier this month. No copy of the revised Senate legislation is posted on the Library of Congress’ Thomas Web site, which would be the usual procedure.” The purpose is to regulate those persons who handle housing loans. What’s interesting is that earlier this year Britain debated whether or not to do away with their national fingerprint registry because of the costs involved. (U.K. May Axe National Fingerprint Registry) They have already stopped using iris scans for the same reason. This article states “If fingerprinting everyone is scrapped, it won’t be the first casualty of the government’s search for better identity verification methods.” It’s the last phrase of this statement that captures one’s attention. The search by governments for a better identity verification method may one day lead to the infamous mark of the beast.

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Israel turns 60

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
Western Wall in Jerusalem

Western Wall in Jerusalem

(May 14, 2008)  The state of Israel turned 60 years old today (actually Israel celebrates Independence day on the Jewish date of 5 Iyar which is May 8 this year). (State of Israel turns 60) The modern state of Israel is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. In the Old Testament God declared that it is His decision when the Jews live in the promised land and when they don’t. In Genesis God promised the land of Israel to Abraham and his descendants:

“1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. 6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.” (Genesis 12:1-7)

Later on, He tells Moses to warn the Israelites that if they obey Him they will be blessed in the land of Israel. However, if they disobey Him, He will remove them from the land:

“1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field…63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. 64 And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. 65 And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-3,63-65)

Notice in this passage that it is the LORD who scatters the Jews from the land. Later in Israel’s history, God removed the Jews from the land for their disobedience. He used the Babylonian Empire to perform His judgment. However, He tells them that He will return them to the land after seventy years:

“4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon…10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:4,10-11)

Again, here God states that He is the one who caused the Jews to be carried away to Babylon and He will be the one to cause them to return to Israel. Jesus told the Jews that their Temple would be destroyed and their house left desolate. In 70 A.D. the Romans did destroy the Temple and in 135 A.D. they put down a Jewish uprising and dispersed the Jews throughout the Roman Empire. However, in the book of the prophet Amos God promised to bring the Jews back to the land forever:

“13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. 14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.” (Amos 9:13-15)

God states that He is always watching Israel:

“11 But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: 12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.” (Deuteronomy 11:11-12)

Since God emphasizes throughout His word that He is always interested in what is going on in the land of Israel and that He determines when the Jews live in the land, I have to believe that on May 14, 1948 God fulfilled His promise to bring the Jews back to the land forever. They were dispersed throughout the world for 1800 years yet they maintained their Jewish identity. One would have to be blind not to see the hand of God in the rebirth of the modern state of Israel. Happy Birthday Israel.

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Posted in Archives 2008, Israel | No Comments »

Airport-style scanners to be used on public streets

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

(May 14, 2008)  In an effort to fight street crime the London police force is using scanners to search people. (Airport-style scanners on the streets) It is interesting that a lot of monitoring equipment is being developed and used in the name of fighting crime. Some people would agree that anything that would prevent crime would be a step in the right direction. The article reports, “Stop and search has been strongly criticised in the past but police say there is now more support for the action – provided it it is done with sensitivity.” All good and well for now but one day a government will arise that will not be so sensitive to the desires of the public. The Bible indicates that the leader of this government will be able to monitor the consuming habits of the population. This evil leader will use whatever technology is available to maintain an iron fist over the people.

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Oil prices spark food riots in Egypt

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

(May 14, 2008)  As I have pointed out in other news stories, oil prices affect the costs of almost all commodities including food. In Egypt the price of bread is skyrocketing and leading to violence over the increasing costs of food staples. (OPEC Stands Silent While Oil Prices Spark Food Riots In Neighboring Egypt) The article states that ten people have been killed while waiting in bread lines. A three dollar bag of flour costs forty-five dollars on the black market. Thus far, OPEC nations have been unwilling to help out their Arab neighbor. The Bible predicts famines in the End-Times that will cause an upheaval in the global community. Out of this an evil world leader will arise seemingly having the answers to all the world’s problems. With China and India’s population growth and thereby oil consumption increases, it seems unlikely that the oil problem will go away in the long term. This means that the price of commodities will continue to increase and societal unrest will follow in its wake.

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Iran’s leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declares that Israel will be swept away

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

ahmadinejad1(May 13, 2008)  In light of Israel’s 60th anniversary, Iran’s president made a decidedly anti-Israel statement. (Ahmadinejad: Israel to be ‘swept away soon’) His exact quote is, “This terrorist and criminal state is backed by foreign powers, but this regime would soon be swept away by the Palestinians.” The Bible declares that actually it will be a coalition of countries including Iran that will attempt to sweep away Israel. They will be unsuccessful in this effort. You can read about this future attack here: (Coming Invasion of Israel) The Iranian president said last week that the anniversary feasts could not save this “rotten and stinking corpse.” He is correct but the God of the universe can and will save Israel.

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