Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

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October 2007 Issue

Destruction of Damascus?
Oct 1st, 2007
A Sadlier
Uncategorized

Isaiah prophesied the destruction of Damascus in the last days, is that event soon to happen?

The world’s most reliable source of information on military matters is, “Jane’s Defense Weekly Magazine.” Jane’s has confirmed the story about a number of Iranian Engineers and Syrian workers who were killed in an explosion in Syria.

Jane’s reported that while these men were loading a chemical warhead into a Scud-C-Missile, an accidental explosion occurred. They were loading the deadly nerve agents VX and Sarin Gas, as well as Mustard Gas. How many others are loaded and ready to go?

The story also broke last week that Israel has attacked and destroyed, in Syria, a Nuclear Bomb or materials for a Nuclear Bomb that Syria had obtained from North Korea.

Israel has a policy called the “Samson Option.” It is named after Samson who sacrificed himself to destroy his enemies. In the event of Israel’s imminent destruction, it would launch its nuclear weapons to destroy its enemies.

It is now obvious that Syria is totally committed to utterly destroy Israel. The capital of Syria is Damascus; the Bible has some ominous words for Damascus.

Isaiah says, “The burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.” Isaiah 17: 1.

Damascus is the oldest city on earth, though it has been conquered many times, it has never been destroyed, but has remained in tact until this day.

This timing of the destruction of Damascus is revealed in verse 4, at a time when Israel is greatly threatened and is reduced to a state of peril and fear.

Another indication of the timing of this attack is implied in Ezekiel 38 & 39. The fact is that although Syria is now closely allied with Russia and Iran, yet they are not mentioned as being a part of that war, implying that the destruction of Damascus may well be imminent.

It is obvious that Syria with the help of Iran, Russia and North Korea, is preparing an arsenal of biological and possibly nuclear weapons to destroy Israel. I believe the moment Israeli Intelligence is alerted to such an imminent attack they will exercise the “Samson Option”.

Israel has low yield weapons that give a minimum of radio active fallout. These weapons could be used with pinpoint accuracy.

The whole scenario is falling into place. It is amazing how after 2800 years Isaiah’s prophecy seems about to be fulfilled.

A full scale nuclear war by Iran does not fit into the end time Biblical scenario, nevertheless the whole Mid-east crisis is rushing toward some kind of cataclysmic event which would finally set up the world for a Peace Treaty, even though it will be a false peace, by a false Messiah.

Isaiah 17:14 may well be a description of Damascus’ fate. “And behold at eventide trouble, and before the morning, he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us and the lot of them that rob us” (seek to take the Golan Heights).

These are awesome, momentous days in which we live!

“WATCH THEREFORE FOR YE KNOW NOT WHAT HOUR YOUR LORD DOTH COME”

Editor’s Note: I had just finished writing this article when the following item came off the news wire:

Israel to Syria: Use Chem weapons & we’ll wipe you off map nydailynews.com

Israeli officials vowed to wipe Syria off the map if it is attacked with chemical weapons like one that reportedly exploded in July at a secret Syrian base staffed with Iranian engineers.

Five Groups Now Being Prepared for the Coming of Antichrist
Oct 1st, 2007
A Sadlier
Uncategorized

Today there are two prospective kingdoms on a collision course.

God has appointed a man to rule the world. Luke 1:33 says “and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” The hymn says accurately, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, does its successive journeys run, His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, ‘til moons shall wax and wane no more.” Paul said, “That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow” Phil. 2: 10. That day will surely come.

Satan has chosen a man to rule the world. John said, “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.” Rev. 13:8 Satan will try to use this man as a front man to bring the world to worship him.

These two rulers, two powers, are on a collision course. We have two coming world rulers! Herein lays the great conflict of the last days.

The children of Israel will be the people on whom the rule of Christ will focus. The Land of Israel will be the land at the centre of Christ’s rule.

Satan knows that if he can destroy the children of Israel, Christ’s kingdom will never be realized.

Satan knows if he can take the land of Israel away from the children of Israel, Christ’s kingdom will never be realized.

This is exactly the struggle that is going on in the world today! Not that Israel is right with God today, she is not! That doesn’t change the issue of the hour, in a soon coming day she will get right with God.

When Christ comes to set up His kingdom, it will be at the end of the tribulation period. When He comes, all of the signs of His coming will be completely fulfilled. (Mt 24)

When Antichrist comes to set up his kingdom, it will be at the beginning of the tribulation period (2 Thessalonians 2: 1 – 3).

We have an outline of events which will introduce the tribulation period (the day of the Lord).

Massive Apostasy in the Church

2 Thessalonians 2:3 “A falling away”

= Apostasy, departure from a previous position.

All through the church age there have been those who turn away from the faith, but this verse refers to a massive great last day’s apostasy, by those who have previously professed allegiance to the truth.

The Rapture of the Church

The great monolithic structure of unregenerate Christendom will remain on earth after the rapture.

The Appearance of Antichrist

“and that man of sin be revealed” 2 Thessalonians 2:4

The European Union is Being Prepared

The EU is most certainly the infrastructure of the Revived Roman Empire (RRE). It claims, emphatically, that it is.

When the church is raptured Antichrist will suddenly appear out of the EU and fashion the RRE which will consist of ten rulers. Right now a number of things are happening in the EU

They are preparing to ratify a constitution which will give them a single leader in whose hands will be great power.

They are building up a powerful army. If the 27 nations of the EU were to place all of their armies under central control, it would be the world’s largest army.

They are preparing to establish themselves as the negotiator of a Mid-east peace deal.

All of this prepares a platform for Antichrist to come on the scene and fulfill his role.

Israel is Being Prepared

Israel is becoming more desperate with each passing day. They are surrounded by formidable enemies, Syria, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.

Surrounded by thousands of missiles, Iran boasts that is has 600 missiles aimed at Israel, ready to fire.

The threat of nuclear weapons has now spread from Iran to Syria.

It is desperation which will drive them into the lap of Antichrist with his phony peace accord.

The Palestinians are Being Prepared

The present events are exacting a tremendous toll on the Palestinian people. They are being ground to powder. Turmoil and hardship are all about them, they will welcome a peace which seems to promise them something.

Islam is Being Prepared

The religion of Islam has its own eschatology; they are looking for their savior, the Mahdi.

In Islam’s eschatology, the Mahdi will do much the same as Antichrist will do. In fact there is such a similarity that when Antichrist comes, Islam could easily be deceived into believing that he is their Mahdi. Of course that deception would be a “temporary deception”.

Christendom is Being prepared

William Johnston has said, “something very powerful is emerging … we are witnessing a spiritual revolution of great magnitude in the whole world … the rise of a new school of mysticism in Christianity.”

New age mysticism is being introduced into all areas of life. It comes into the church as well, through contemplative prayer, labyrinth prayer, centering prayer.

Churches of all denominations, including evangelicals, are being brought together by this teaching. It appears that this new uniting factor will sweep the apostasizing church back to Rome. The world will have a counterfeit church for a counterfeit Christ, the Antichrist.

Political leaders of the western world are now finally realizing that they cannot solve the world’s problems, they cannot placate rampaging Islam. They are being prepared to turn to the religious leaders to help solve the world’s crisis situation.

Vladimir Putin has stated “The world is headed for a clash of culture, (Islam & Christianity) and only the unification of religious leaders can prevent a disaster”.

Rev. 17:3 describes a union of political power under Antichrist with the church of the last days.

Let me give you the scenario of the last days as I see it, as a Berean you need to study this for yourself:

1. American military and economic power has to be neutralized. They are too powerful today to allow end times events to unfold. This may happen after the rapture.
2. The trumpet will sound and we will join with Jesus in the Father’s presence. How awesome!
3. Antichrist will fashion the EU into a 10 unit RRE.
4. The peace treaty of Daniel 9:27 will be confirmed.
5. The tribulation period will begin.

Today, everywhere we look, we see the biblical scenario of the last days unfolding. I am reminded of the words of George Bush Sr. “If it walks like a duck and looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck”.

Peace and Safety?
Oct 1st, 2007
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

The prophetic scriptures give us two very improbable scenarios. They give us two scenarios that seem to be an absolute impossibility in this present hour.

The first scenario painted in the prophetic scriptures for the Last Days of the Last Days is a worldwide Peace Agreement.

The second scenario given in the prophetic scriptures for the Last Days, is a Worldwide Church that claims allegience to Christ, such as is now represented in what we term all of christendom. This scenario describes a great apostasy that will sweep over all of christendom. That Apostate Church is referred to in Revelation seventeen as the Harlot or Whore. It receives the term Harlot or Whore because of its unfaithfulness to its Head, Jesus Christ, its denial of Christ.

Today nothing would seem so improbable as the denial of Christ by all of Christendom.

Today in one single news item, we are presented with a scenario in which both of these improbabilities are presented as a possibility.

The following news Item from "The Times" appeared under the caption, "The Future Of Mankind Depends On Us Making Peace, Muslims Tell Pope" The story goes on to say, the survival of the world is at stake if Muslims and Christians do not make peace with each other, leaders of the Muslim World told the Pope and other Christian Leaders.

This statement places the survival of the world in the hands of the church. It is a peace proposal with a threat, the world will not survive unless the church meets the conditions being imposed by Islam.

The subjects of the proposal are, on one side, 138 leading scholars from every branch of Islam, these scholars signed this open letter.

The open letter, was addressed to the Pope, the Orthodox Patriarchs, the Archbishop of Cantebury, Dr. Rowan Williams, and leaders of "Christian Churches everywhere" - it is expected to be followed by a Joint Conference.

There are two conditions that the church must meet to obtain peace for the world.

First, the Muslim scholars stated: "As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them - (First Condition) so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes.

This is an obvious reference to Israel and the Palestinians, whom they allege that Israel has made war with and driven them out of their homes in Israel, and will not allow them to return to Israel. That is the first condition for World Peace and the Church is being charged with the responsibility of solving this problem.

These Islamic Leaders are trying to manipulate all of Christendom to take up the cause of the Palestinians against Israel and America, All in the name of the survival of the world.

That first condition will have the effect of causing the church to do what the Book of Revelation says the church will do. It will unite the church and government in a quest to bring peace to the world. Rev. 17:3

The second condition for world peace, we see,as the letter continues, "The Muslims plead with Christian Leaders to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions."

This is an appeal to Monotheism, if Christianity will agree that there is only one God, unity and peace is possible.

The Bishop of Rochester, Dr. Michael Nazir-Ali, an expert on Islam, criticized the letter, saying the appeal was based on the Muslim belief in the oneness of God. He added one partner cannot dictate the terms,in which a dialogue must be conducted.

The letter is indirectly calling for the rejection of the Deity of Christ. We see on the horizon a scenario in which the church would hold to Christ as a Great Teacher, a Great Prophet, and a Great Man, but not Divine. That would be the Great Apostasy in the Last Days , the church denying the Lord she had professed to follow.

The result of these two concessions by Christendom would bring the cessation of all hostilities and effect a great Peace Agreement that would sweep the world with a euphoria of peace,(l Thess. 5:3, Dan. 9:27) resulting in worldwide disarmament.

The Antichrist (The Mahdi in Muslim Eyes) would appear on the scene to fascilitate the whole scenario.

Some indication of the churches' willingness to respond to this Muslim initiative is seen in the response of the Archbishop of Cantebury, Dr. Rowan Williams, he said: "the letters understanding of the Unity of God provides an opportunity for Christians and Muslims to explore together their distinctive understandings of the ways in which these mold---our lives" These are code words for "let's talk about this proposition."

The whole last days' scenario of a World Church in union with a World Government to bring about a World Peace, is fast taking shape.

There is one thing that must take place prior to this Peace Treaty, the church must be raptured. 2 Thess. 2:3. It seems like the Trumpet is soon to sound, ARE YOU READY?

I do not believe Christianity and Islam will enter into a union, but into an arrangement for peace, Islam wil be disallusioned with this arrangement and will be destroyed in the battle of Ezek. 38&39. I believe this wiil take place early in the tribulation period, and Islam will be no more.

The Christian and the Theater:
Oct 1st, 2007

Uncategorized

Written in the 1820s, almost two centuries ago, the message below may seem narrow and absurd to Christians today. We forget that Jesus called us to walk His narrow road with Him! No matter how far the Church drifts from its Biblical moorings God’s call and guidelines remain the same. Like it or not, this is an important warning.

“When you return from the playhouse [now it’s TV, movies, etc.]... have you any taste for prayer, for reading the Scriptures, or holding communion with God in any sacred exercise? How common it is to find in the language of the theater the most unqualified profaneness, and even blasphemy! How often are mock-prayers and irreverent appeals to the Majesty of heaven, exhibited on the most trivial occasions! How often is the dialogue interspersed with such unchaste expressions or allusions as cannot but grievously pain the ear of modesty -- Piety and virtue are made to appear contemptible; and vice, in the person of some favorite hero, is exhibited as attractive, honorable, and triumphant.