Even at the Doors

CIA director warns of Chinese military buildup

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:34:20 -0400

CIA director said that China's military buildup and international behavior could lead to an adversarial relationship with the rest of the world. (CIA: China's military could get 'adversarial') The article reports, "China and India will affect strategic planning, he said. 'Competition for influence will characterize the relationships between China, India, Japan and other emerging powers,' Hayden said during a speech at Kansas State University.
'But China, a communist-led nuclear state that aspires to and will likely achieve great power status during this century, will be the focus of American attention in that region of the world.'"

I believe it is biblically significant that the director mentions India and Japan along with China as seeking a greater influence in the world. Now it seems that they are following an aggressive military policy which will one day lead them to involve themselves in a devastating worldwide war.

In the Book of Revelation God showed to His servant John what would take place at the end of the current age. He told him to write down the things he saw and heard. In Revelation 9 John saw the judgments of God falling on the earth. Each of these judgments were preceded by an angel blowing a trumpet. When he heard the sixth angel blowing his trumpet he saw and heard the event that was unleashed by this angel:

"14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt." (Revelation 9:14-19)

Later on John saw the final series of God's judgments on the world. These were initiated by angels pouring out vials or bowls of judgment upon the earth:

"12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." (Revelation 16:12-14)

John heard the command for the angels in charge of the Euphrates River to go into action. As we see this action involves the drying up of this river. It would appear the reason for this is to allow a large army to pass through it uninhibited. John heard the number of soldiers in this army to be 200 million "horsemen". The description of the devastating capabilities of these horsemen can lead one to believe that what John saw was unfamiliar to his "First Century" eyes. It may very well be that he was seeing a modern mechanized army. This army will be led by the "kings of the east", those that live east of the Euphrates River. These kings could consist of China, India, Japan, and the other Asian countries. The combined population of these countries consists of billions of people which would be more than enough to field a military force of 200 million soldiers. It is interesting that at this time the Euphrates River is under the control of the United States military in Iraq. However I cannot say what, if any, role the U.S. would play in this area leading up to the "battle of that great day of God Almighty" or Armageddon as it is more popularly known.

CNN: More signs the world isn't ending [They're right!!]

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Tue, 6 May 2008 21:56:50 -0400

A CNN Money.com article states that the economic signs aren't showing the U.S. in as dire straits as recent news would seem to indicate. (More signs the world isn't ending) The report says, "Yes, companies cut jobs again, we learned today, for the fourth straight month. In April, 20,000 jobs were lost, but economists on average expected a loss of 75,000 - some feared more than 100,000 cuts. What's more, the unemployment rate dipped from 5.1% to 5%. Most thought it would tick higher. We've had news like this all week. In short, the economy is in bad shape....but it's simply not as bad as a lot of people are making it out to be. On Wednesday, an initial reading of the economy in the first quarter showed that the economy grew - not by a lot, but at least it didn't decline as many feared."

This seems to be the first good news the U.S. economy has had in a while. I would hesitate to exhibit too much elation though. As long as oil prices continue to increase, every area of the economy will be affected. With the world's population increasing and thus countries' need for more oil increasing, it's hard to see how things won't get worse in the long term.

The headline of this article is what caught my eye. CNN is absolutely correct about one thing, the world is not ending. The Bible makes it clear that the world is going to face a time of horror unlike anything in its history. After that, Jesus Christ will return and establish His kingdom on earth for one-thousand years. Then God will create a new earth and heavens. So the world still has a long way to go.

Oil=$200 Gas=$10?

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Tue, 6 May 2008 21:53:57 -0400

OIL=$200 GAS=$10? - According to a report in the New York Sun newspaper, gas prices could rise as high as 10 dollars a gallon the next few years. (Gasoline May Soon Cost a Sawbuck) The article states, "The forecasts calling for a jump to between $7 and $10 a gallon are based on the view that the price of crude is on its way to $200 in two to three years. Translating this price into dollars and cents at the gas pump, one of our forecasters, the chairman of Houston-based Dune Energy, Alan Gaines, sees gas rising to $7-$8 a gallon. The other, a commodities tracker at Weiss Research in Jupiter, Fla., Sean Brodrick, projects a range of $8 to $10 a gallon."

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) says that oil could reach 200 dollars in the future. (Opec chief says oil could hit $200) This article reports that OPEC officials blame the rising costs on the U.S. economy and weak dollar. U.S. officials blame OPEC for cutting oil production.

If this scenario plays out, commodity prices will also have to increase. This of course would adversely affect consumers everywhere as the global economy would continue to spiral downward.

UN Secretary-General calls food price rise a global crisis; biofuels contributing to food shortages?; WSJ: Americans should stockpile food

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:21:26 -0400

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, addressed the issue of the rising costs of food, "This steeply rising price of food — it has developed into a real global crisis," (UN secretary-general calls food price rise a global crisis) Another United Nations official noted that the UN food agency, World Food Program, needs 755 million dollars to help offset the rise in food prices. (UN food agency needs hundreds of millions for hungry)

On another front, it appears that biofuels (a solid, liquid, or gas fuel consisting of, or derived from recently dead biological material, most commonly plants. This distinguishes it from fossil fuel, which is derived from long dead biological material - Wikipedia) are contributing to food shortages around the world. (Food Crisis Starts Eclipsing Climate Change Worries) This article reports, "'One factor being blamed for the price hikes is the use of government subsidies to promote the use of corn for ethanol production. An estimated 30% of America’s corn crop now goes to fuel, not food...' A study by a Washington think tank, the International Food Policy Research Institute, indicated that between a quarter and a third of the recent hike in commodities prices is attributable to biofuels." The reporter mentions that some governments of the world could collapse if food prices don't recede.

A contributing writer for the Wall Street Journal, Brett Arends, suggests that Americans should start storing up food, "I don't want to alarm anybody, but maybe it's time for Americans to start stockpiling food." (Load Up the Pantry) The point of the article is that people should purchase non-perishable food items now before the prices increase and therefore lessens your money's current purchasing power.

I am not suggesting the hoarding of food by anyone. I used these news stories to illustrate the possibility that we will experience a global famine which biblical prophecy declares will occur in the End-Times. Whenever this prophetic famine occurs, I believe that the Antichrist will use it to rise to power. In the first news article listed above, there is an interesting statement made by the reporter that is unrelated to the food crisis. The Associated Press writer briefly mentioned the background story for the occasion of the UN Secretary-General's address: "He spoke to reporters at U.N. offices in Austria, where he was meeting with the nation's top leaders for talks on how the United Nations and European Union can forge closer ties." It is biblically possible (see Ch. 10 of my book 10 - Armageddon) that the Antichrist will come to prominence via the European Union. It may be that he will then consolidate his power through the United Nations.

Oil Prices to double

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:19:48 -0400

According to a Canadian study the price of oil is likely to rise to 150 dollars a barrel by 2010 and 225 dollars by 2012. (Oil prices to double by 2012: Canadian study) The article states, "'Despite the recent record jump in oil prices, oil prices will continue to rise steadily over the next five years, almost doubling from current levels.' The CIBC report also notes that while production increases are at a virtual standstill, global demand continues to grow...Although US oil consumption is likely to fall by over two million barrels a day over the next five years as pump prices rise, he says, more drivers on the road in Russia, China and India will surely pick up the slack in demand."

Since most commodities are transported by fuel-consuming vehicles, this will cause a significant increase in the cost of consumer products. This of course could lead to shortages of all types including food. One day, the world's need for oil may lead some countries to use aggressive means in order to obtain it. Whether this is the reason the armies of the world come together in the Middle East and eventually fight the battle of Armageddon is unclear at this time.

Americans hoard food, food rationing, limit rice buying, hungry Japan, era of cheap food ends

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:15:35 -0400

Worldwide food prices and shortages continue to increase. As a result of this, a Washington Times article states that some Americans have resorted to hoarding food: "Farmers and food executives appealed fruitlessly to federal officials yesterday for regulatory steps to limit speculative buying that is helping to drive food prices higher. Meanwhile, some Americans are stocking up on staples such as rice, flour and oil in anticipation of high prices and shortages spreading from overseas." (Americans hoard food as industry seeks regs)

The New York Sun newspaper is reporting that some retailers in America are limiting consumer purchases of some food staples: "Major retailers in New York, in areas of New England, and on the West Coast are limiting purchases of flour, rice, and cooking oil as demand outstrips supply. There are also anecdotal reports that some consumers are hoarding grain stocks." (Food Rationing Confronts Breadbasket of the World)

In San Francisco, at least one store is asking customers to limit their rice purchases. (Bay Area Shoppers Asked To Limit Rice Purchases)

Sam's Club and Costco are limiting sales of rice because of food shortage fears. (Sam's Club, Costco Limit Rice Purchases)

Across the Pacific, Japan's food problems are increasing. (Japan's hunger becomes a dire warning for other nations)

The British newspaper, The Times is reporting that high food prices are here to stay, "Families have been warned that the prices of basic foods will rise steeply again because of acute shortages in commodity markets. Experts told The Times yesterday that prices of rice, wheat and vegetable oil would rise further. They also forecast that high prices and shortages — which have caused riots in developing countries such as Bangladesh and Haiti — were here to stay, and that the days of cheap produce would not return. Food-price inflation has already pushed up a typical family's weekly shopping bill by 15 per cent in a year." (Era of cheap food ends as prices surge)

The problems facing the world's food supply are not going away. According to the Bible, one day in the future there is going to be a global famine which may lead to the rise of the Antichrist.

"4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, 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 sorrows." (Matthew 24:4-8)

"5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." (Revelation 6:5-6)

In the first passage Jesus predicted famines in the end-times. In the second passage the equivalent to a day's wages will be necessary to pay for food staples at some point in the future. Out of this famine a global leader will arise and seem to have all of the answers to the world's problems including the economic woes of the people. Just such a scenario played out in the 1920s and 30s when Adolph Hitler used the people's suffering to rise to power. So too will the Antichrist.

Hillary Clinton: We could obliterate Iran

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:11:24 -0400

In an interview with ABC news, Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton declared that if she were President and Iran attacked Israel the United States would retaliate against them. (Clinton: We could 'obliterate' Iran) "'I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran,' said Democratic Presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton Tuesday in an interview on ABC News. 'In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them,' she added."

Although it is true we could currently "obliterate" Iran or any other country with our nuclear arsenal, it may not be true over the next ten years. The Bible declares that Israel is going to be attacked one day by Iran and many other neighboring countries [see on this web site ("Coming Invasion of Israel")]. However, for the exact reason that Mrs. Clinton stated, I don't believe any country would be foolish enough to attack Israel as long as the United States is its protector. Therefore, in order for the prophetic invasion of Israel to occur, I believe that the United States has to become either economically or militarily impotent or both. As oil prices continue to soar and thus affecting every other area of our economy, it is possible that economically we will not be able to maintain our current level of military power. The Iraq/Afghanistan war has drained our resources immensely. It may be that if the American people become economically disadvantaged (U.S. Consumers Destined for a Future with Fewer Choices, Much-Higher Costs), they may rebel against any further intervention in the Middle East, even if it means sacrificing Israel.

Truce with Hamas must include Jerusalem as capital of Palestine

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:01:46 -0400

Former President Jimmy Carter traveled to the Middle East in order to try to jump start peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas. According to a Jerusalem Post article, any truce (notice that Hamas isn't speaking of a peace treaty) with Israel must include Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Palestine. (US: Hamas truce offer meaningless) The article elaborates on Hamas' conditions for a truce, "Khaled Mashaal, whose group has sworn to destroy Israel, told reporters in Damascus on Monday that Hamas would accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank with Israel as its neighbor, but stressed that his group would not formally recognize it, a move immediately dismissed by the US as meaningless. 'We agree to a (Palestinian) state on pre-67 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital with genuine sovereignty without settlements, but without recognizing
Israel,' Mashaal said.'We have offered a truce if Israel withdraws to the 1967 borders, a truce of 10 years as a proof of recognition.'"

Once again it is clear there will be no peace between Israel and Hamas, Hizbullah, or any other Islamic terrorist organization because of unreasonable demands. It is going to take the future world leader whom Christians call the Antichrist to seemingly solve the Israeli-Arab conflict.

"Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and upon your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know
therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment
to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the
wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to
cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate." (Daniel 9:24-27)

In the last verse of this passage in chapter 9 of Daniel, it states that
this ruler or prince will confirm a covenant with many for one
week of seven years. Many believe this covenant will be a peace
treaty of some kind. Daniel speaks of this ruler or Antichrist
and what he will do during this period:

"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when
the transgressors are come to the full,
a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark
sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be
mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy
wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall
destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy
also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify
himself in his heart, and by peace shall
destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of
princes; but he shall be broken without
hand." (Daniel 8:23-25)

It declares here that this ruler will destroy many through his policy
of peace. The apostle Paul
agrees with Daniel where he says that the Antichrist will magnify
himself and stand up against the Prince of
princes:

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day
shall not come, except there come a
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that
is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits
in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is
God." (II Thessalonians 2:3-4)

On the Mount of Olives Jesus too made mention of the Antichrist
entering the Temple when He said:

"When you therefore shall see the abomination
of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him
understand:) Then let them which be in Judea flee into
the mountains." (Matthew 24:15-16)

It appears this future leader will either author or at least support
a peace treaty that lasts seven years. Part of this agreement
will probably include the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple since
the last verse of Daniel chapter 9 states that in the middle of
this seven-year period the Antichrist will cause the Temple
sacrifices to cease. This cessation of sacrificial offerings will
come about when the Antichrist enters the Temple to declare
himself God. Daniel writes that this will lead to the desolation
or desecration of the Temple. Paul seems to be speaking about the
results of this peace treaty in his first letter to the
Thessalonians:

"For yourselves know perfectly
that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For
when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden
destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with
child; and they shall not
escape." (I Thessalonians 5:2-3)

No matter how good the intentions of those who would bring peace to the Middle East, they will be unsuccessful until this future world leader initiates his reign. Even then though, true peace will not come until Jesus Christ comes again to set up His kingdom on earth.

Worldwide famine in the near future?

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:02:46 -0400

The last couple of months global food prices and shortages have been in the news. The price of the world's food staple, rice, is soaring to all-time highs. (Jump in rice price fuels fears of unrest) Rising prices affect over 2.5 billion people in Asia alone. Egypt and India are protecting their own supplies of the grain.

The Financial Times reports that record levels of oil and rice prices could lead to widespread social unrest. (Oil and rice race to record levels)

Australia's drought is contributing to the shortage of rice around the world. (As Australia dries, a global shortage of rice)
This article states, "The collapse of Australia's rice production is one of several factors contributing to a doubling of rice prices in the last three months — increases that have led the world's largest exporters to restrict exports severely, spurred panicked hoarding in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and set off violent protests in countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Yemen."

Rising oil prices are affecting the cost of most commodities. Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press Economics Writer, reports that wholesale prices have increased substantially. (Wholesale prices soared in March) The article states: "With the crude oil price rising to a record close of $113.79 per barrel on Tuesday, analysts said consumers should be braced for more bad inflation news to come. 'Wholesale prices are rising and the consumer should expect more shocks at the supermarket and the gas station,' said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors."

Ellen Simon, AP Business Writer, also reports on the rising food costs and how they affect the population, especially lower income families:
"For the U.S. poor, any increase in food costs sets up an either-or equation: Give something up to pay for food.
'I was talking to people who make $9 an hour, talking about how they might save $5 a week,' said Kathleen DiChiara, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. 'They really felt they couldn't. That was before. Now, they have to.' For some, that means adding an extra cup of water to their soup, watering down their milk, or giving their children soda because it's cheaper than milk, DiChiara said." (Food Costs Rising Fastest in 17 Years)

An article in the British newspaper The Independent is titled "USA 2008: The Great Depression" and speaks of the growing number of Americans (28 million) using food stamps (USA 2008: The Great Depression)

According to CBS News: "there have been food riots in Haiti, Bangladesh, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mozambique and Senegal. Rising prices have hit poor countries like Peru (and even developed countries like Italy and the United States)." (Food Shortages Herald "New Era Of Hunger")

There seems to be no glimmer of hope in the future with rising fuel prices adding to the cost of everything. The Bible indicates that near the time of the end there is going to be a worldwide famine:

"5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." (Revelation 6:5-6)

The cost of wheat and barley in this passage declares that a day's wages will be necessary to pay for food staples at some point in the future. Out of this famine a global leader will arise and seem to have all of the answers to the world's problems including the economic woes of the people. Just such a scenario played out in the 1920s and 30s when Adolph Hitler used the people's suffering to rise to power. So too will the Antichrist.

Hamas cleric predicts Rome will be conquered by Islam

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:01:26 -0400

According to Fox News, a prominent Hamas cleric gave a sermon that declared "The capital of the Catholics, or the Crusader capital" would soon be conquered by Islam. (Hamas Cleric Predicts 'Rome Will Be Conquered by Islam') He goes on to say that Islam will sweep across Europe followed by the Americas.

Whether or not this cleric is correct is up to God's plans for the End-Times. It is interesting that the book of Revelation speaks of something called "Mystery Babylon" and describes it as a whore who rides upon a scarlet covered beast with seven heads and ten horns:

"1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:1-18)

Babylon is located in the Islamic country of Iraq. It is the place where the false religion of human worship began at the tower of Babel when humankind wanted to become like God (Genesis 11:1-9). The passage above describes the whore as a great city which sits on seven mountains. This may be an allusion to Rome which sits upon seven hills. If Islam were to conquer Rome in the End-Times many Christians would be slaughtered as this scripture indicates: "6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration."

Starting in verse 10 the angel refers to the beast or Antichrist. In the context of this passage, it may be that the Antichrist will initially rule from Mystery Babylon which may be referring to Rome. From there he will attain power and make war against the followers of God eventually leading the armies of the world in the battle of Armageddon to fight against Jesus Himself. However Jesus will destroy these armies with the "brightness of His coming" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).

Of course, Islamic leaders have a tendency to proclaim empty boasts as their defeats in the wars against Israel have demonstrated. Yet in the current world situation, Islamic terrorists seem determined to destroy non-Islamic cultures.

Nuclear arms race in the Middle East?

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:01:29 -0400

U.S. diplomats in Saudi Arabia declare that if Iran obtains nuclear weapons a lot of the other Middle East countries will try to keep with up them by building their own nuclear arsenals. (U.S. Diplomats Forecast Nuclear Arms Race in Middle East if Iran Gets the Bomb) The report on this issue states, "the future Middle East landscape may include a number of nuclear-armed or nuclear weapons-capable states vying for influence in a notoriously unstable region." Though this scenario could be several years away it once again lends itself to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. God declares in His word:

"1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." (Zechariah 12:1-3)

And what appears to be a description of a nuclear war:

"12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. 13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. 14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. " (Zechariah 14:12-16)

Fingerprinting, biometrics, and spy drones in the news

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:40:30 -0400

There have been many news stories recently that indicate governments are increasing their capabilities to someday dictate to humans the types of behaviors that they will consider acceptable.

According to the Washington Post, intelligence centers across America have gathered personal information on millions of U.S. citizens. (Centers Tap Into Personal Databases) The article states that some of the information obtained included unlisted cell phone numbers, insurance claims, driver's license photographs and credit reports. This type of government oversight into an individual's personal data could obviously lead to potential abuse in the future.

The ACLU states that the Defense Department is using information that the FBI has gathered on some Americans. (ACLU: Military skirting law to spy) Some of the information obtained includes records of individual's Internet service providers, financial institutions and telephone companies.

A Reuters news story reports that international passengers flying into New York will be identified by all ten of their fingerprints. (U.S. increases fingerprints IDs at airports) This of course implies that the government will keep an extensive database on people from all over the world.

Some companies are now requiring their employees to use fingerprint scanners to clock in and out of their jobs. (Fingerprint Scanners Help Companies Track Workers) These biometric devices can be used to monitor arrival and departure of their workers for the various tasks they may be assigned. In other words they could keep track of their employees' movements throughout the day.

Miami police have requested that they be allowed to use spy drones to fly over urban areas. The stated purpose is to help them fight crime which is an understandable desire on law enforcement's part. (Spy-in-the-sky drone sets sights on Miami) Of course this would be added to the arsenal of many governments who already use street cameras in order to monitor their citizens in cities such as Washington D.C. which will begin using 5000 cameras to watch different activities in their city. (D.C. police set to monitor 5,000 cameras)

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips have been in use for several years now. They are used to track commercial products, passports, travel, animals and are even implanted in some human beings. (Radio-frequency identification) In Australia, RFID chips are placed in garbage cans in order to monitor the recycling habits of its population. (Bin Brother is watching you)

Individually, any of these methods of monitoring human activity could have beneficial aspects to it. However, when these technological advancements (along with many more that are on the way) are taken as a whole they can have a disturbing big-brother quality to them. From a biblical perspective just such a similar future society was prophesied in the Book of Revelation:

"16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." (Revelation 13:16-18)

The beast in this passage is the man whom Christians call the Antichrist. He is a future world leader who will be the most powerful person on earth. As these verses indicate, he will also be able to monitor the economic habits of the people of the world. From a technological point of view, such a capability would have been impossible for the last two thousand years. As you have just read in this article, technology keeps increasing and the buying and selling habits of any individual may come under the scrutiny of this evil leader in the very near future.

Foreclosures a sign of hard economic times ahead?

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:32:38 -0400

USA Today reports that home foreclosures are having a rippling effect on the U.S. economy. (Foreclosure crisis has ripple effect)

The foreclosure crisis in the U.S. is spreading to other areas of American society. According to this USA Today article:

"The mortgage foreclosure crisis has caused a drop in cities' revenues, a spike in crime, more homelessness and an increase in vacant properties, a survey of elected local officials out today shows."

This problem along with the U.S. dollar's value falling around the world and oil and gas prices spiraling out of control are indicators that the economy of America and possibly the whole world is in dire straits. History has shown us that America and the world have rebounded from economically tough times in the past. However, the Great Depression of the 1930s led to the rise of evil dictators who eventually led the world into a devastating World War. How far the economic indicators fall remains to be seen. The Bible does indicate that at some future point there will be economic devastation around the world that will eventually lead to the rise of a world leader who will seemingly have the answers to the world's problems.

In Revelation 6 God's servant John is shown some events that have worldwide effects. He sees these four horsemen who are unleashed upon the world who initiate a series of judgments upon the earth:

"5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. 7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." (Revelation 6:5-8)

What John saw was food staples such as wheat and barley costing a day's wages. This would indicate that some economic calamity had occurred in the world. After this he sees death from hunger and the animals of the world. These too would be the result of an economic disaster that would cause not only humans to starve but animals also who would resort to killing people in order to eat. The rest of Revelation deals with what Christians call the Tribulation Period and the rise of the Antichrist and the devastation of the earth and its inhabitants that follows it. As I stated above, it was just such circumstances that afforded a type of Antichrist to enter into world history in the 1930s.

I believe that one day America will cease to be a superpower. The reason for this is because the Bible declares that in the future Israel will be attacked by numerous countries in and around the Middle East. (See my article on this site "Coming Invasion of Israel") Right now America is protecting Israel from the aggression of other countries. However, if we become militarily or economically impotent then these countries will not have to fear America's military forces and would feel they could attack Israel with impunity. Like all prophecies in the Bible, the timing of these events is in God's domain and His alone.

Government to be given new powers to oversee financial markets among economic turmoil

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:57:34 -0400

The Treasury Department wants the U.S. government to oversee financial markets because of the current economic situation. An article in the N.Y. Times states that the goal of this action is to be: "part of a sweeping blueprint to overhaul the nation’s hodgepodge of financial regulatory agencies, which many experts say failed to recognize rampant excesses in mortgage lending until after they set off what is now the worst financial calamity in decades.(Treasury’s Plan Would Give Fed Wide New Power) Since the economy does seem to be in dire straits this could be a first step into further government control over every aspect of the economy. The article makes an interesting statement concerning this issue: "According to a summary provided by the administration, the plan would consolidate an alphabet soup of banking and securities regulators into a powerful trio of overseers responsible for everything from banks and brokerage firms to hedge funds and private equity firms." The Bible makes it clear that one day that a global-sized government will attempt to control economic habits of the entire world's population:

"16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

China speeds pace of military buildup. The 200 million man army?

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:30:28 -0400

According to the Washington Times China is increasing its military capabilities at a high rate of speed in order to wage wars beyond its perennial enemy Taiwan. (China speeds pace of military buildup) The article states, "The report also warned that China's expanding military forces "are changing East Asian military balances; improvements in China's strategic capabilities have implications beyond the Asia-Pacific region." "The new weapons include road-mobile long-range nuclear missiles."

China for centuries if not millennia kept to itself in the area of world events. That all changed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries when China became an economic and military power in the world. It appears that they have become equals with the United States in both of these domains. Now it seems that they are following an aggressive military policy which will one day lead them to involve themselves in a devastating worldwide war.

God showed to His servant John what would take place at the end of the current age. He told him to write down the things he saw and heard. In Revelation 9 John saw the judgments of God falling on the earth. Each of these judgments were preceded by an angel blowing a trumpet. When he heard the sixth angel blowing his trumpet he saw and heard the event that was unleashed by this angel:

"14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt." (Revelation 9:14-19)

Later on John saw the final series of God's judgments on the world. These were initiated by angels pouring out vials or bowls of judgment upon the earth:

"12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." (Revelation 16:12-14)

John heard the command for the angels in charge of the Euphrates River to go into action. As we see this action involves the drying up of this river. It would appear the reason for this is to allow a large army to pass through it uninhibited. John heard the number of soldiers in this army to be 200 million "horsemen". The description of the devastating capabilities of these horsemen can lead one to believe that what John saw was unfamiliar to his "First Century" eyes. It may very well be that he was seeing a modern mechanized army. This army will be led by the "kings of the east", those that live east of the Euphrates River. These kings could consist of China, India, Japan, and the other Asian countries. The combined population of these countries consists of billions of people which would be more than enough to field a military force of 200 million soldiers. It is interesting that at this time the Euphrates River is under the control of the United States military in Iraq. However I cannot say what, if any, role the U.S. would play in this area leading up to the "battle of that great day of God Almighty" or Armageddon as it is more popularly known.

The point is that for the first time in history this prophecy could come to pass because the numbers and capabilities are in play.

Why is Israel in the world news every day

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:28:12 -0400

About 1900 years ago the nation of Israel ceased to exist. The Jewish natives were dispersed throughout the world and no longer had a land to call their own. They should have assimilated into every culture they were sent to yet for those same 1900 years they maintained their identity and eventually wound up back in their land and reestablished the nation of Israel. Why?

The American author Mark Twain asked a question in a similar vein, "What is the secret of [the Jews'] immortality?" (Concerning the Jews by Mark Twain)

As I wrote in my book the answer to Mark Twain's question is God. God has a plan for the Jewish people and this plan included bringing them back to the land of Israel that He gave to them. God declared, through the prophet Amos, that one day He would bring the Jews back to the land of Israel forever:

"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. 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 your God." (Amos 9:14-15)

The Jews are in the land of Israel to stay. God's plans for the End-Times revolve around the modern nation of Israel. This is why a country two and a half times the size of Rhode Island is in the world news every day. Thus, it is interesting that some Middle East leaders keep calling for the destruction of Israel or declare that Israel will cease to exist. The head of the Hizbullah terrorist organization based in Lebanon declared, "The disappearance of Israel is an inevitable fact. It is a historic process in the region which will come about over several years." He was responding to the fact that arch-terrorist Imad Mughniyeh was assassinated in Damascus earlier in February.(Nasrallah: Israel's disappearance inevitable)

This is just one example of how Israel stays in the news. The president of Iran continues to make anti-Israel statements frequently. South American leaders have made disparaging remarks about Israel. The United States' foreign policy has a large interest in what goes on in Israel and its environs. China has a large investment in Middle East oil and is concerned about anything that may inhibit the free flowing oil to its country. This would include any disruptions caused by the Arab-Israeli conflict. The European Union constantly makes statements concerning the Israel-Mideast situation. The Russians have been involved in this conflict for decades. Islamic terrorism will continue its agenda of spreading Islam throughout the world while at the same time calling for the destruction of Israel. The impact of the tiny nation of Israel will continue to be felt by the world until Jesus returns again to set up His kingdom in Israel. God declared that this would be the case in the End-Times:

"1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." (Zechariah 12:1-3)

Humans are seeking a messiah to step onto the world stage

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:25:18 -0400

The 2008 U.S. Presidential election campaign is revealing some interesting insights into human behavior. Several news outlets have likened the attitude of people supporting the candidacy of Barack Obama as one of bordering on messianic fever. Slate.com even has a page titled "The Obama Messiah Watch" which states:

"Is Barack Obama—junior U.S. senator from Illinois, best-selling author, Harvard Law Review editor, Men's Vogue cover model, and "exploratory" presidential candidate—the second coming of our Savior and our Redeemer, Prince of Peace and King of Kings, Jesus Christ? His press coverage suggests we can't dismiss this possibility out of hand. I therefore inaugurate the Obama Messiah Watch, which will periodically highlight gratuitously adoring biographical details that appear in newspaper, television, and magazine profiles of this otherworldly presence in our midst." (The Obama Messiah Watch)

Jake Tapper on the blogs page of abcnews.com writes of this phenomenon:

"Inspiration is nice. But some folks seem to be getting out of hand.

It's as if Tom Daschle descended from on high saying, "Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of Chicago a Savior, who is Barack the Democrat."

Obama supporter Kathleen Geier writes that she's "getting increasingly weirded out by some of Obama's supporters. On listservs I'm on, some people who should know better – hard-bitten, not-so-young cynics, even – are gushing about Barack…"
(And Obama Wept)

He relates Joe Klein's feeling on this issue:

"Joe Klein, writing at Time, notes 'something just a wee bit
creepy about the mass messianism' he sees in Obama's Super Tuesday speech.

'We are the ones we've been waiting for,' Obama said. 'This time can be different because this campaign for the presidency of the United States of America is different. It's different not because of me. It's different because of you.' "

I am writing about this issue because I believe it has End-Times connotations. I do not believe that Barack Obama thinks he is the Messiah. I do not think that Barack Obama is the Antichrist. What I do believe is that this issue reveals that human beings are hungry for a world leader that will solve all their problems. This is what Jesus declared would happen in the End-Times:

"3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Messiah; and shall deceive many...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 24:3-5,23-25)

Again, I am not saying that Obama is declaring himself to be the Messiah. I am saying that the times are ripe for a false messiah or messiahs to reveal themselves to the world. As John said concerning the ultimate false messiah, the Antichrist or beast, in Revelation 13:

"3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:3-8)

Prisoners to be implanted with microchips

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:22:38 -0400

According to the British newspaper "The Independent", authorities are going to implant microchips under the skin of prisoners in order to monitor them outside the confines of prison:

"Ministers are planning to implant "machine-readable" microchips under the skin of thousands of offenders as part of an expansion of the electronic tagging scheme that would create more space in British jails. Amid concerns about the security of existing tagging systems and prison overcrowding, the Ministry of Justice is investigating the use of satellite and radio-wave technology to monitor criminals."
(Prisoners 'to be chipped like dogs')

This of course plays into the end-times scenario which believes that one day a world government leader called the Antichrist will monitor the buying and selling habits of the population. The basis for this belief is found in Revelation 13:16-18:

"16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

Critics of the proposed chip implantation procedure have issued a revealing warning:

"Professionals in the criminal justice system maintain that the present system is 95 per cent effective. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is unproven. The technology is actually more invasive, and carries more information about the host. The devices have been dubbed "spychips" by critics who warn that they would transmit data about the movements of other people without their knowledge."

"Consumer privacy expert Liz McIntyre said a colleague had already proved he could "clone" a chip. 'He can bump into a chipped person and siphon the chip's unique signal in a matter of seconds,' she said."

"One company plans deeper implants that could vibrate, electroshock the implantee, broadcast a message, or serve as a microphone to transmit conversations. 'Some folks might foolishly discount all of these downsides and futuristic nightmares since the tagging is proposed for criminals like rapists and murderers,' Ms McIntyre said. 'The rest of us could be next.' "

"THE REST OF US COULD BE NEXT". The Bible does not declare what the mark of the beast consists of, only that John saw the people receiving some type of mark in their hand or forehead. However, our modern economy is becoming more and more based upon digital money and transactions including those of a global economic nature. Therefore, this is a perfectly acceptable scenario as to how Revelation 13:16-18 may come about.

Pat Buchanan's book "Day of Reckoning" predicts the end of America

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sun, 2 Dec 2007 21:58:38 -0400

In his new book "Day of Reckoning: How hubris, ideology and greed are tearing America apart", Pat Buchanan declares that America will not survive if it continues on its self-destructive course. According to the Drudge report (NEW BUCHANAN BOOK DECLARES 'END OF AMERICA') Buchanan lists some of the following reasons for the downfall of America:

-The U.S. Army is breaking and is too small to meet America's global commitments.

-The dollar has sunk to historic lows and is being abandoned by foreign governments.

-manufacturing is being hollowed out.

-The greatest invasion in history, from the Third World, is swamping the ethno-cultural core of the country, leading to Balkanization and the loss of the Southwest to Mexico.

-The culture is collapsing and the nation is being deconstructed along the lines of race and class.

-A fiscal crisis looms as the unfunded mandates of Social Security and Medicare remain unaddressed.

I too believe America's superpower status has to decline. On this web site I wrote an article titled ("Coming Invasion of Israel") which explains the biblical prophecy that speaks of an invasion of Israel by Middle East countries and their surrounding neighbors. For this invasion to occur I believe that the major defender of Israel, i.e. the United States of America, has to become either incapable of or unwilling to defend Israel. If Pat Buchanan is right about the causes of America's downfall then it would mean that we would be unable to protect the nation of Israel. This would then lead Israel's enemies to the conclusion that they could invade Israel with impunity.

United Nations scientific study declares Humanity's very survival is at risk

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 15:48:40 -0400

In a report submitted to the United Nations a group of 1400 scientists concluded that future of the human race is at risk. ('Humanity's very survival' is at risk, says UN) According to this study human beings are using up the earth's natural resources. This in turn will lead to the extinction of 30 per cent of amphibians, 23 per cent of mammals and 12 per cent of birds. Climate change will contribute significantly to the degradation of the earth and the resources humans need in order to survive. Whether or not the dire predictions of these scientists come to pass is yet undetermined. However, the Bible makes it clear that in the future both the environment of the earth and its human population will indeed be devastated by both natural and supernatural causes. In the Book of Revelation God showed to John the things that would happen at the end of the current age. John wrote about some of the events he had witnessed: "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. 10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter." (Revelation 8:7-11) John saw the earth environmentally devastated. Trees were burned up, waters became poisonous, and many humans died. Later on in Revelation John says that he saw men "scorched with great heat". The future of the world is indeed bleak until Jesus Christ comes again. From a scientific point of view it seems the world is running out of time. From a biblical point of view it would seem the scientists are right.

President Bush warns Iran that U.S. may defend Israel

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:54:37 -0400

President Bush warned Iran that if they are serious about destroying Israel then he believed the United States would defend Israel. The actual quote in the article is, "My belief is that the United States will defend our ally Israel." (Bush: US will 'defend its ally Israel') I find the word belief to be an interesting choice of words by the President. In the past the United States has defended Israel's interests many times. However, this time the President used the word belief instead of saying "The United States will defend". I'm not sure if any hesitancy on his part was intended but that is the way it sounds. I believe that one day the U.S. will either be unable or unwilling to defend Israel. This scenario would lead to an invasion of Israel as predicted in the Bible (See my article: The Coming Invasion of Israel'). It is difficult to say what the Presidential elections in 2008 will bring to the global arena. What the new President's policies toward Israel and the Middle East will be are unknown and are worthy of careful observance.

Israeli government may divide Jerusalem

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:00:23 -0400

Top Israeli government officials have indicated that they might be willing to give parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinians in exchange for a peace agreement. It seems that Israeli Prime minister Ehud Olmert is determined to reach a peace accord with the Palestinians no matter what the cost. (Israel Signals Shift on Jerusalem Split) If such a concession is granted to the Palestinians then the consequences may be disastrous. For 1800 years the Jews ended their Passover seders with the phrase "Next year in Jerusalem". In 1948 the Jews returned to Israel and in 1967 regained control of Jerusalem. Their dreams were realized. Now in the futile hope of achieving "peace" with the Arabs they might be willing to abandon their dream. The problem is that history has shown that when the Israelis give concessions to the Palestinians it emboldens the Muslim terrorists to seek more. Their stated goal is the destruction of Israel. If Jerusalem and its holy sites are abandoned to the Palestinians this will escalate the violence and terror even further. The terrorist organization Hamas would then have access to the Temple Mount from which they could launch further aggression on the Jews. Terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Iranian-backed groups would be given full access to the center of Jerusalem. Who would keep them out? Such a scenario could lead to catastrophic consequences for the state of Israel. I find it hard to believe that the Israeli government would actually relinquish sovereignty over the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. However, if they do the events that follow may have biblical implications. In any event, this concession or any other concession will not lead to peace. Peace with the Israelis is not the goal of the Islamic-terrorist organizations.

Iran vows to liberate all of Palestine

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 15:01:48 -0400

In a speech made on the observance of the Islamic-political "Al Quds Day" (i.e. Jerusalem Day), Iran's President Ahmadinejad stated, "The Palestinian people are standing firm. The Iranian people and other peoples will not stop until all of Palestinian territory is liberated." (Ahmadinejad in new tirade against Israel) Since there never has been a country created named Palestine, one could interpret his words in different ways. He was apparently misinterpreted in a 2005 speech where the media claimed he said, "Our dear Imam said that the occupying regime must be wiped off the map and this was a very wise statement." The phrase "wiped off the map" was trumpeted around the world and Internet in news stories. Since then others have claimed that the translation of the speech was incorrect and should have read "'This regime that is occupying Qods [Jerusalem] must be eliminated from the pages of history.' This sentence is very wise." Their reason for pointing out this clarification is to resist the apparent momentum in parts of the U.S. and world to attack Iran. The same analysis of his Al Quds Day speech could possibly lead to a seeming misinterpretation of his words again. Is Ahmadinejad referring to not only "liberating" the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Israeli hands but also the rest of Israel? It is historically noteworthy that Arab League formed the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964. At that time the Arabs had control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. It wasn't until three years later in the 1967 Six Days War that Israel gained control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. This then begs the question, "What part of Palestine were the Arabs trying to liberate in 1964?" If President Ahmadinejad's intentions toward Israel are not aggressive then he should make that clear. Instead his ambiguity could lead to disaster as recent events have made clear. The Bible does declare that one day an alliance between Iran and its neighboring countries will indeed invade the land of Israel. The results for this alliance will be devastating. Only God knows the timing for this event and whether the current regime in Iran will participate in it.

Michael Savage calls Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the Antichrist but...

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:42:37 -0400

Columbia University invited the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to speak at the college in a public forum. The controversy surrounding this invitation was the subject of many news and radio programs. Talk show host Michael Savage also discussed this event on his national radio program. Many commentators referred to Ahmadinejad as Hitler jr. and other such epithets. Mr. Savage took it a step further and called him the Antichrist. He also said that he thought that Ahmadinejad would be assassinated by his own people in Iran. Indeed Ahmadinejad has called for the destruction of the nation of Israel. He is an anti-semite of the first degree and as such does follow in the footsteps of Adolph Hitler in his desire to exterminate the Jews. However, his rhetoric leaves nothing to the imagination. Just as Hitler laid out his plans for the domination of Europe and its inhabitants so too Ahmadinejad has discussed openly his wish to see Israel and the Jews destroyed. This is where the Antichrist analogy breaks down. The Bible makes it clear that the Antichrist is going to deceive the world through a false message of peace. The prophet Daniel declared concerning the Antichrist, "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand." (Daniel 8:25) The apostle Paul stated that in the End-Times the world would be fooled by these peaceful overtures, "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:3) Unless Ahmadinejad changes the threatening tone of his message he would not fit the description of the Antichrist. As far as an assassination attempt, the Book of Revelation does indicate that the Antichrist (or beast as John refers to him) will suffer a fatal wound from which he will be resurrected, "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" (Revelation 13:1-4) I don't know who the Antichrist is but when he does arrive on the world stage, he will come across as a peaceful messianic figure but actually will be the most evil man ever to walk the earth. He will hunt down the followers of the God of the Bible and persecute them mercilessly. The world will follow after him and he will lead them down the path of destruction.

Madeleine Albright states that anybody who can solve the problem of Jerusalem is a Solomon; [It won't be Solomon but a man much more evil]

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Wed, 5 Sep 2007 23:22:52 -0400

In an interview with CNN, former Clinton Secretary of State Madeleine Albright discussed the importance of religion in foreign policy. (Albright: Ignore religion 'at our own peril') During the course of this interview Ms. Albright was asked about the problem of the religious divisiveness over the city of Jerusalem. She responded by saying "Anybody that can really solve that issue is a Solomon. With this being holy to all three of the Abrahamic religions, it's very difficult. And religion, rather than bringing people together on this, is driving them apart, which ... I don't think [is] what is intended. It's so interesting; we're talking about the whole issue of sovereignty here. Because the parties both believed that God gave them that little piece of land, we started playing with a term, which was that it belonged to God. Divine sovereignty." On September 13, 1993, my wife and I watched the Prime minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat shake hands in front of President Clinton on the White House lawn. They had just concluded a peace agreement that hopefully would settle the problems between their two peoples. Several issues were supposed to be resolved through this agreement. However, the future of Jerusalem would be determined at sometime in the future. After listening to Mr. Rabin's and Mr. Arafat's speeches conducted on the lawn that day I turned to my wife and told her that this peace agreement was a sham. Both men within a few minutes of speaking had declared Jerusalem to be their people's undivided capital. This meant that there had been no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ms. Albright now seems to understand the importance of Jerusalem in resolving the Arab-Israeli problem. She stated that it would take a man with the wisdom of Solomon to solve this dilemma. Actually, the man who seemingly solves this issue is going to be a world leader whom Christians refer to as the Antichrist. In the Book of Revelation God revealed the future to one of his servants named John. One of the events God showed to him was the rising of a man whom John called the beast and Christians call the Antichrist. John's description of him explains how this evil leader is going to deceive the world: "...and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon [i.e. the Devil] which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?... And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."(Revelation 13:3-4,8) The prophet Daniel spoke of this man and declared; "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."(Daniel 8:25) The Antichrist will come with a peace initiative which will include the rebuilding of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. For the Muslims to allow this they too will have "wondered after the beast". The apostle Paul states that this Antichrist will then sit in the rebuilt Temple and commit the greatest blasphemy, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."(2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) So it would seem that the Antichrist will have finally solved the problem of Jerusalem but just a short time late the true problem-solver, Jesus Christ, will return. He will destroy the Antichrist and reign from Jerusalem as the King of Kings.

Jerusalem Post articles speaks of Third Temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem which was not possible for 1800 year

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Wed, 5 Sep 2007 23:21:10 -0400

An article in the Jerusalem Post discusses whether a Third Jewish Temple should be built. (Should Jews build the Third Temple?) The author gives a history of the previous two Temples and gives reasons as to why he doesn't think that the rebuilding should take place. The Jewish groups who support building it have already made all the utensils and articles of clothing that will be used in this Temple. The Third Temple will be rebuilt! The Bible declares that it will have a prominent place in the Tribulation Period or time of trouble that is coming upon the whole world before Jesus comes again. The amazing aspect to all this is that for 1800 years the Jews have been dispersed from Israel throughout the world. Yet in 1948 that changed and the Jews once again resided in their land. Here in 2007, the rebuilding of the Temple is the subject of a major world newspaper. (To see the preparations that the Jews have made for the Third Temple go to: The Temple Institute

U. S. Comptroller General warns that America parallels the fall of the Roman Empire

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Wed, 5 Sep 2007 23:19:30 -0400

The director of the Government Accounting Office for the U.S.A. declared to the Financial Times that America "is on a 'burning platform' of unsustainable policies and practices with fiscal deficits, chronic healthcare underfunding, immigration and overseas military commitments threatening a crisis if action is not taken soon." (Article: Learn from the fall of Rome, US warned) The article goes on to say, "Drawing parallels with the end of the Roman empire, Mr Walker warned there were “striking similarities” between America’s current situation and the factors that brought down Rome, including “declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military in foreign lands and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government”. I have no doubt that Mr. Walker's warning will come true. The Bible declares that in the last days military alliances will be formed which will attack Israel. These alliances are occurring at the present time such as the one between Russia and Iran. However, America has been the protector of Israel since its rebirth in 1948. No one outside of the surrounding Arab countries would dare attack Israel knowing full well that they would have to fight America also. Russia considered intervening militarily in the 1967 Six Day War but refrained from doing so after the American Fleet pulled up off the coast of Israel. Thus, for biblical prophecy to come true, America has to either be out of the way or its power and influence greatly reduced. What the Comptroller General warned of may actually be part of God's plans for the consummation of His End-Times plans.

Russia will sell Jets to Iran

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Wed, 5 Sep 2007 23:10:44 -0400

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that Russia will sell 250 long-range fighter jets to Iran (Reports: Iran to buy jets from Russia). Russia has already had other military business dealings with the Iranians as the article points out, "Despite Israeli and US opposition, Russia recently supplied Iran with advanced antiaircraft systems used to protect Teheran's nuclear installations. At the time, Moscow said it reserved the right to sell Iran weapons, such as the antiaircraft system, that were of a defensive nature." The prophet Ezekiel declares that in the end the enemies of Israel will form many military alliances. These alliances will include Russia, Persia (i.e. Iran), Turkey and other Islamic states in the Middle East. They will then attack Israel albeit unsuccessfully which in turn may set in motion God's plans for the final stage of the current age we are living in.

Petra in Jordan named new 7th Wonder of the World; It is also a possible End-Times refuge for the Jews

jjkoine@insight.rr.com — Wed, 5 Sep 2007 21:23:23 -0400

On July 7 the non-profit New Open World Corporation declared that participants in their effort had chosen the ancient rock city of Petra as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World (Petra Chosen as New Wonder of the World). Why is this significant? Outside of archaeologists and their students, I'm sure the majority of the world has never heard of Petra (although Hollywood chose to use it for a backdrop to the 1989 movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"). For prophecy students however, Petra may play a significant role in the End-Times. A man whom Christians refer to as the Antichrist is going to rise to a position of global leadership. He is going to deceive the world into thinking he is a benevolent leader. Once in power though, he is going to persecute the followers of God. He also will persecute God's chosen people, the Jews. Jesus said that when this occurs, the Jews are to flee into the wilderness. This wilderness is thought to be in the ancient area of Moab which is modern-day Jordan and Petra the ancient city known as Sela in Biblical times. The prophet Daniel states that the Antichrist will be unable to assault the area of Jordan, "He [i.e. the Antichrist] shall enter also into the glorious land (Israel), and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon."(Daniel 11:41) God will supernaturally protect His chosen people in Jordan where they fled and thus the Antichrist will fail in his efforts to destroy the Jews.