Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Printer Friendly PDF!

April 2010 Issue

Coming Full Circle
Apr 1st, 2010
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

Three hundred years ago those who loved the Lord and wanted to worship Him freely without persecution left the shores of England and Europe to make the dangerous trip to the New World. They cherished the opportunity to freely worship the God they loved, and they endured tremendous hardships to win this freedom. God blessed them and the new country they established.

Now at this very hour that freedom is being taken away by those who are repeating the same injustice and intolerance of the past. From the beginning of time there have been those who would persecute and kill those who sought to worship the true and living God. It started with Cain who slew his brother Abel for worshipping God in the way God had instructed him.

There have always been two groups in the world, one that is committed to worshipping God and one that is antagonistic to God and those who would worship Him.

We have recently learned about the city of Gilbert, Arizona and their demand that a group having a Bible study in their home must cease and desist claiming that they are violating zoning bylaws.

Now in Rancho Cucamonga California, the city has ordered a Friday night bible study involving a dozen people to shut down it's meetings. The members are faced with financial sanctions unless they buy a very expensive permit from the city.  The city officials say they are not budging on the issue. There was also a similar issue last year in San Diego County.

Rancho Cucamonga officials are demanding that the small home Bible study group stop meeting – or apply to purchase a Conditional Use Permit that also would be required for a full church operation. 

Dacus said, the study group has been meeting Friday nights and averages about 15 people. Members are affiliated with Shiloh Tabernacle, which rents a community center for Sunday services. 

The city recently dispatched a letter to the homeowner insisting the study is not allowed because it is a "church," Dacus said. In the city, churches are required to obtain a "Conditional Use Permit" in residential areas. 

"The city has also indicated that no Conditional Use Permit would be granted and the gatherings must cease by Good Friday, April 2," PJI said.

Dacus said, the city's stance is a significant problem because its definition of a church is so broad, according to their definition, a family praying over their dinner would qualify as a church," he told WND.

"This is no misunderstanding," he said. "In this case the city knows exactly what they're doing, exactly what the facts are, and they're not budging."

The city, however, has no similar restrictions for Monday night football parties or various other events that would be held in homes, PJI pointed out.(unquote)

Down over the long years this very same persecution of Christians has persisted. As we consider what is behind it we realize that the one ongoing common factor is the great enemy of God, Satan, he hates God and those who would worship and obey Him.

Today, Hindus, Muslims and Communists are denying Christians the right to worship God and are slaughtering many of them.  In some cases, they are demanding that Christians recant their faith and convert to Islam or be put to death. This assault is occurring all around the world, with the nations raising little or no objections.

We have returned to the scenario of the first century. We have Israel back in the land, we have the revival of the Roman Empire taking place, and about to usurp authority over Israel.  We have the nations around Israel awakening out of a 2,000 year sleep (they almost ceased to exist). We have also returned to the first century persecution of the Church. The stage is being set for the completion of the Church and it's rapture, after which the Lord will return to dealing again with Israel and the nations.

Today the age long battle between God and Satan is coming to a great climax. It is focusing on those who would dare to worship God, and it is also focusing Jerusalem and upon Israel and the land God has promised to her. The climax of the age will see the slaughter of millions of tribulation saints and the final great attempt to annihilate Israel. Satan and God are locked in a great last days showdown.

We have read the last chapter of the book and we know who the winning side is. We read in Revelation 22:14, "Blessed are they who do His commandments, that may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city (Heaven)."

Israel's Agony
Apr 1st, 2010
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

Israel is now totally isolated among the nations of the world. For most of Israel’s modern history America has been her benefactor, this is no longer true. (that scenario has changed.)

Cal Thomas wrote on March 18, 2010: “Despite Vice President Joe Biden's recent pledge of unswerving fidelity to Israel during his recent visit there, the rhetoric and pressure directed by the Obama administration against the only fully functioning democracy in the Middle East more accurately resembles the behaviour of an enemy.

Increasingly under this administration — but also present in Republican administrations — America's policy toward Israel is full of "harmful designs" and "antagonistic activities." The intentions may not be deliberate, but the outcome would lead to the same injurious end.”

Last week the Obama administration denounced Israel’s intention to build houses in Jerusalem. Hillary Clinton turned down Israel’s initial proposals for easing the upset and laid down three prerequisites for restoring normal relations with Jerusalem:

1.     The Netanyahu government must extend the 10 month freeze on West Bank settlement construction to include East Jerusalem.
2.     Israel must make more concessions to the Palestinian Authority and its chairman, Mahmoud Abbas.
3.     When the moratorium runs out in September, it must be renewed for the duration of peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

The Israeli government has been informed that until these conditions are met, its ministers will not be received in Washington by high-level American officials - a virtual boycott - which downgrades the normal diplomatic, strategic and security exchanges between the two administrations and extends to the level of Senators and the special Middle East envoy George Mitchell.

Obama and Clinton have made it clear that they will brook no departures from these three demands, which Israel is required to treat as an ultimatum.

Neither party to the difference has mentioned the US administration's fourth condition for resuming normal relations:an Israeli commitment to refrain from attacking Iran's nuclear program without prior US consent.

Because this commitment has not been made, administration officials are continuing to hammer Israel in every possible arena. Indeed, the gloves are now off in earnest for insinuation that Israel's settlement policy is the root-cause of Iran's drive for a nuclear bomb, and of the conflicts endangering American lives in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A much-admired American military figure, CENTCOM chief, Gen. David Petraeus, was the next US official to put this linkage into words. In his briefing to a Senate panel on Wednesday March 16, he said: “Clearly the tensions on these issues with Israel have enormous effect on the strategic context in which we operate in the Central Command's area of responsibility."
The general denied that he had as yet formally asked for the Palestinian territories to be transferred to his command, but added: "In fact, staff members at various times have discussed asking for the Palestinian territories to be added to CENTCOM's turf."
Debkafile's military sources explain that, if approved, this step would be tantamount to providing the Palestinians with an American military umbrella against Israel.

In his testimony in Washington, Former Republican Presidential candidate,  Senator John McCain, caught on the lay of the land in the Obama Washington. During his testimony, he asked: "Isn't the issue not the issue of settlements as much as it is the existence of the state of Israel…? So maybe you could put it all into the larger context of what needs to be done to reduce tensions on the US's closest ally and friend in many respects."

General Petraeus’ response was not to respond to the challenge but rather to politely state: "Absolutely true."

It has been reported that Obama has promised to give Abbas, all that he is asking for, indeed why should Abbas negotiate, when Obama is demanding Israel surrender to his demands. Abbas seems to be a puppet of Obama, the focal point of Obama’s attempts to gain the favour and support of the Arab world, a puppet, whom the Arab world will certainly drop for a more aggressive leader when he has done his job.

Remember what Abbas is demanding, all of Judea, Samaria and East Jerusalem as well as the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees to Israel proper. Such concessions would spell the end of the state of Israel.

In our opinion, the Obama administration is now saying what the Arabs have been saying all along, Israel is responsible for all of the world's problems. If Israel ceased to exist all of the problems would be solved, there would be peace.  Senator John McCain understands the issue correctly; the issue is the existence of the state of Israel. This is also the sum and substance of the entire end-time scenario. This will continue to be the issue until the King of Israel comes and establishes peace in the world through the Nation of Israel.

America is rapidly becoming Israel's enemy. Apparently what Obama says for home consumption is different than what is actually unfolding in US / Israeli relations. Obama is seemingly demanding that Israel surrender to both the PA and Iran. According to the above report American guns could be turned on Israel, as the US becomes the protector of the PA.

In another commentary in the Jerusalem Post entitled, "America’s shiny new Palestinian militia" we read the following. “At the expense of American taxpayers the US government has spent 100 million dollars a year to train and equip a Palestinian force of 30,000 troops. These troops have undergone 1,400 hours of training at a US facility in Jordan.” It is hard to believe that these troops will not eventually turn their guns on Israel.

Arutz Sheva, reported the following, “The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) revealed in a January report that was updated recently that the government of Israel has been concealing a change in arms policy by the United States against the Jewish state. The Institute further stated that the Likud-led government of Binyamin Netanyahu has also refrained from protesting massive American weapons sales to Arab states in the region, (10 billion dollars) an initiative that has eroded Israel’s military edge over its neighbours.”

The Institute reports that over the last year, the Obama administration has refused to approve any major Israeli weapons requests. Government sources asserted that the refusal represents a new White House policy to link arms sales to the Jewish state with the Netanyahu government’s willingness to submit to Washington’s demands that Israel surrender Judea, Samaria and most of Jerusalem to the American-backed Palestinian Authority.
Obama now has his hands around Netanyahu’s throat and is saying surrender or die. Obama’s assault on Israel has prompted the nations of the world to become more aggressive against Israel. Israel is now like piece of meat with a pack of dogs it tearing to shreds.
This is the most blatant interference ever by the US administration in the affairs of Israel. What they are demanding is nothing less than the total surrender of Israel to the demands of the Palestinians.

In another dramatic turn of events, a news item reports: ”The US is considering abstaining if the United Nations Security Council votes on a resolution against Israeli construction in eastern Jerusalem, the BBC reported Sunday. For decades, Israel has depended on the US to veto UNSC resolutions aimed against it. A change in this US policy could be very perilous for Israel.

Anti-Israeli resolutions pass regularly in the UN General Assembly, but their meaning is largely declarative. The UNSC, however, has the power to back its resolutions with action.”Obama’s policy change in this area could bring Israel under attack from a UN army.

The American administration of Obama is in the process of switching allegiance from Israel to Islam.  Obama has apparently chosen to sacrifice Israel in order to gain the favour of the Arab / Islamic world. He may, or he may not gain peace with Islam, but the cost will be the favour of God upon America. Remember, what God said to Jacob concerning his seed. "Cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee."  Genesis 27:29. Remember, how this has worked out in the experience of men and nations throughout history.

God’s plan for the end of the age is unfolding exactly as the prophets foretold. The amazing thing is that so very few seem to have any realization about what is actually happening!

The world has finally found one issue on which they have common ground and can come together in a common cause. That cause is the ultimate destruction of Israel. The cause is identified as world peace and Israel is portrayed as the major obstacle. When Israel has her back to the wall and all hope seems gone, the false Messiah will come on the scene and seem to rescue her with a false peace treaty which will be short lived.