Signs of the Times: Egypt, Israel and Gaza

Egypt warns Israel: Don't interfere with opening of Gaza border crossing - Haaretz Daily Newspaper

In a change of policy, Egypt will now leave the door into Gaza completely open. Previously, Israel had a say-so in the products and people that went into the strip which has been a thorn in their side.

Events like this are not a surprise considering we are quickly approaching the end-time and the events that are prophesied to transpire.

Note what Zechariah prophesies about the slavery of modern day Israel [Judah] by Egypt:

Zechariah 10:6, 10 “I will strengthen the house of Judah… I will bring them back, Because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; For I am the LORD their God, And I will hear them… I will also bring them back from the land of Egypt.

Isaiah also supports this in a couple of places:

Isaiah 11:11–12, “It shall come to pass in that day* That the LORD shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt...."

Isaiah 27:13 So it shall be in that day*: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

Continue to watch these events knowing they will inevitably culminate in the way they are described in the Word of God.

*This phrase refers to the last days, the very end-time and the return of Christ.

The Black Swan

In the first century A.D., the saying, "A rare bird in the lands, like a black swan," was meant to convey something that was not believed to exist. At that time, the European world had only seen white swans. So you can imagine their surprise more than 1,600 years later when the first one was seen and later caught and brought back to Europe. This changed the way many thought, even to the extent that the saying, "A rare bird in the lands..." was used ironically.

Recently, an author has taken this story and come up with the Black Swan idea. His criteria for such an effect is:

     1. The event is a surprise (to the observer).
     2. The event has a major impact.
     3. After the fact, the event is rationalized by hindsight, as if it had been expected.

Furthermore, he also states that these events can be either positive, negative or both.

An example of a Black Swan event would be the first coming of Christ. It was unexpected by most; affected many in a profound way; and now nearly 2,000 years later, many have said that Jesus was merely a man who caught the imagination of the people of His time, as so many before and after Him have done.

There is another Black Swan event on the horizon that will catch most everyone off guard; completely change the whole world; and after it has come to pass, most will be able to see that it was the consequence of predictable occurrences.  Of course, I am speaking of the return of Christ and all that immediately precedes and follows His second coming.

The world will not expect His coming at the time He arrives, nor in the manner in which He does. In one respect, it is amazing that we can live in a time where the Bible is the #1 best selling book worldwide, year after year, and yet most are unaware of its contents, thus making Christ's future return a Black Swan event.

In addition to being a surprising event for most, Christ's return will of course have a major impact. He will save mankind from utter destruction, and this present evil world will be totally changed for the better. And the third criterion of this concept is that Christ's second coming will be viewed after the fact, as having been foreseeable. This will be the outcome, after the Kingdom of God rules this earth and God has made His Spirit available to all and their minds become open to the truth. They will read the prophecies of the Bible, and the words will jump off the page at them, as they wonder how they did not see this before.

It should not and can not be this way for us today! The events of the very near future are not concealed to our eyes and therefore, should not be a bombshell to us, as it will be to the rest of humanity. Those, guided by the Holy Spirit, who correctly study the Word of God and watch and pray always, will see all of this fermenting.

We should not be oblivious to what is coming down the pike; rather, we should be knowledgeable and prepared for Christ's second coming. The result of this Black Swan event will be a dire outcome for many, but it should not and can not be that way for those who have been given an ear to hear and eyes to see.

Signs of the Times: Weather

No end in sight for South's drought  While at the same time just to the North:  Thousands Evacuate as Missouri Town's Levee Threatens to Burst

Wild weather continues to take its toll:
The Associated Press: "Dozens of tornadoes kill 194 in 5 Southern states"

When these events occur with an increasing frequency and calamity we know the end is near.

QA:  Great tempests in the end-time.

Signs of the Times: Economic Slavery

Dick Morris Reports: The IMF Takes Over Our Economy

In this move Europe continues to come to the fore as has been foretold, while the US tends towards an economic subjugation.

BOOKLET:  Europe in Prophecy - The Unfolding of End-Time Events
BOOKLET:  The Fall and Rise of Britain and America

By the Light

Paul uses a phrase in Philippians 1:10, “that you may be sincere.” The word used for “sincere” here is an interesting word: eilikrinēs.

This comes from Greek words that mean “the sun's rays” and “judge”.  When compounded it takes on the meaning “judged by sunlight” or “that which is judged in sunshine."

As Paul's eyes grew dim, with age and the problems that persisted in his life, he realized the necessity of having a good light to examine a subject.  In using this Greek word in this way he wanted to impart to the reader an essential quality of a Christian – we should not have anything that we want or need to hide.

By implication a saint should stand up to the scrutiny of light, and when focused on us, we should come out as a shining example.  It is our calling, as we walk in this way, to persistently remove the spots of darkness within our character.

God is light (1 John 1:5; ), and Christ will help us expose the areas that we need to work on by the light (Ephesians 5:13-14).  As a help “the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light” (Proverbs 6:23).  Through these and with the help of the power of God that “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13), this can and will be accomplished.  As a begotten son of God, Jesus admonished us in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

As we come out of this spiritually high time of the year and go back into the world, we can continue to move forward with the momentum gained  during the Fall festival season.  And if we are complete in our effort to do what has been set before us, then we too can become a light of the world, shining through our good works, glorifying our Father (Matthew 5:14, 16) and walking sincerely in the hope of our calling.

Signs of the Times: Suffering

Pope Benedict admits there isn't a full answer to suffering

This really should be restated that he, as spiritual leader of most of the professing christian world (directly and indirectly) does not have the full answer to the reason for suffering in the world.

The short answer is that Satan is the god of this world (Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4) and we are the product of our own selfish ways. God is mostly in a hands off role, that is until the restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21).

Booklet: Human Suffering, Why...and How Much Longer?

Signs of the Times: Economic Slavery

Don't Like a Weak Dollar? Get Used to It

The title really says it all.  I know many believe that America can and will rebound to it's former glory, but this is not what prophecy states.  At the same time the Euro will continue to grow stronger despite it's nay-sayers.

Euro moves to 16-month high against US dollar

Mastering Relationship Choices

It was interesting to note at the 2011 Master's golf tournament this year, the significance of the "pairings."  In the opening two rounds on Thursday and Friday, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Ricky Fowler played together.  This grouping produced the two lowest scores as well as a very respectable showing for Ricky.  This of course meant that Rory and Jason would again be paired up for Day 3, which would again have Rory at the top of the leaderboard with Jason in the hunt.

Day 4 would find these 2 up and coming professionals playing with others for the first time at the tournament this year:  Rory with Angel Cabrera and Jason with fellow Aussie and long time friend Adam Scott.  Jason, now 23, has known Adam for eight years, a relatively long time.

Jason and Adam went on to produce two of the more spectacular rounds of the day with both of them starting out at 7 under par and both ending up at -12, tied for second overall.  Their comraderie and mateship were obvious on the course and no doubt attributed to their success.

When we are in right relationships the same is true.  It can be a case of iron sharpening iron.  We can benefit from and play off of each others strengths.  A synergism can be created, where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

When we choose our friends, our spouse or get involved in any close relationship, we need to be wise and realize the effect that this can have on who we become and where it may take us in this life.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer and polymath who said, “Behavior is a mirror in which every one displays his own image.”  I think it would be more accurate to say:  “Behavior is the mirror in which every one else sees our image."

With deference to Herr Goethe, I do not believe that we all see our behavior as clearly as others do.  When we look in the mirror we only see ourselves vaguely (1 Corinthians 13:12).

But, as the verse continues and intimates, it is only with the insight that comes from God that we can come face to face with who we really are and then begin to see ourselves as others do and more importantly as God does.

Fatal Sequence

The "fatal sequence" of an empire is most commonly attributed to Alexander Fraser Tytler. It states that a nation progresses as follows:

          From Bondage to Spiritual Faith
          From Spiritual Faith to Great Courage
          From Courage to Liberty
          From Liberty to Abundance
          From Abundance to Selfishness
          From Selfishness to Complacency
          From Complacency to Apathy
          From Apathy to Dependency
          From Dependency back into Bondage

There may be debate as to whether they all have followed this course, but when looking at it, there are some undeniable accuracies. For some time now the English speaking countries have been the dominant empires. So this begs the question, where might we be in Tytler's cycle?

If we are honest, we would have to say that we are near the end... in more ways than one. We are near the end of the list as well as being near "The End." The Bible long ago predicted that the end-times would come and that there would be indicators that we are living in those times. Those events are presently happening all around us, and harbingers of future events are becoming clearer every day.

There is no question that these prophecies are going to take place and this present day empire will come to an end. This WILL happen! What is not clear is whether we as individuals will get caught up in the surge and suffer the same fate.

What are our tendencies? Is it to head towards bondage and away from godliness? Or is it to head towards spirituality and away from carnality? As we live in this world and walk through it, is the world wearing off on us or are we wearing off on it?

In the parable of the sower, Christians are warned about "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches" (Matthew 13:22)--that they will choke off the Word of God and cause us to become unfruitful. If we succumb to these temptations, then we are in danger of receiving a great trial and tribulation (Matthew 24:21) to help get us back on the track.

We have been given a tremendous blessing in the calling and knowledge that has been bestowed upon us. Matthew 13:16-17 says: "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

God brought us out of bondage and led us to the spiritual faith of Christ where He has given us courage, liberty and abundance in His way of life. Now we must be ever vigilant not to be caught in the vicious circle that leads back to the ignominy of bondage. Where are we in this "fatal sequence"?

"That's Good, That's Bad"

Growing up we used to play a game called "That's Good, That's Bad". One person would start a scenario and then everyone would chime in accordingly and say, "That's good!", except for the next person in the circle who would say, "No, that's bad because..." and then everyone would say in unison, "Oh, that's bad!", except for the next person in the circle who would say, "No, that's good because..." and so on and so forth.

For example:

• A young man went riding on his favorite horse one day.
• That's good.  No, that's bad because he fell off and broke his leg.
• Oh, that's bad. No, that's good because a war broke out and he wasn't recruited.

It was a good opportunity to teach us as children that not everything that seemed good was good nor was everything that seemed bad, bad.

The same is true for us today as adults in God's Church. We are enduring many trials and sometimes we may wonder to what end. We may ask ourselves how anything good could possibly come out of what I am going through now. We can rest assured knowing that God is working out a purpose in our lives, one in which He is refining us and shaping us into His image.

There is a reason for what we are going through now and many times when we say, "Oh, that's bad", God is saying, "No, that's good!". During these times of hardship it is our part to be happy with whatever state that find ourselves in and to be thankful in all things as God does a GOOD work in us.

Signs of the Times: Economic Slavery

Gold hits new record: "Spot gold rose to a record $1,458.50 an ounce as investors bought the precious metal to hedge against inflation and as a save haven as sovereign debt problems flared again in Europe after Portugal's credit rating was downgraded."

It seems that many people are pushing the purchase of gold and silver these days, and their price seems to really be going up and up. But the Bible says that in the end time, it will all be worthless. 

Click here....

While It Is Day

As the days grew shorter and shorter recently, I found myself reflecting on the things I wished I could do, but could not, because it was now dark. I long for the extended days of light when I could do the things that I want to do and need to do.

These days will come again, but the question that remains is, will I make the most of them when they arrive? Have I learned the lesson from the extra hours that I had to spend in the dark? Will I make hay while the sun shines? Will I accomplish the work that I need to do while I have the light to do it?

What about the Church?  Will we be productive and fruitful while we have the opportunity to do the Work?  Will we perform the work that God has placed in our hands and has given us the responsibility to accomplish? In John 9:4, we read Christ's words, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."

There was a time when we had more of the day in front of us, but now the night is near. Do we feel the deadline approaching? Is the onus of that which is ahead weighing heavily upon us? Are we motivated by the fact that we have made a commitment to do the work that God has given to each of us individually?

In Matthew 21:28-31, we read this, "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?"

The answer is obviously the one that repented of his wrong attitude and eventually did the work.

Right now it is still day, but we are rapidly approaching the twilight of the Work, and then it will be night. It may then be too late to do the work effectively that we will have to give an account for (Romans 14:11-12). Without delay, let us follow the example of Christ and work the works of Him who gave us this great calling... while it is day.

Imagine This Time

Satan would love nothing more than to drive a wedge into our spiritual life and separate us from God. His ultimate goal is to do whatever he can to take us out of the Church, the body of Christ. Now, especially at this pre-Passover time of the year and at this juncture in the end-time, he is for sure doing all that he can to disrupt us in our walk towards the Plan of God.

Imagine a spirit being that has been around for eons – 6,000 years would be a short time to him. Knowing that he only had this short time, he, as an entity that never tires, would be relentless in his goal to derail true Christians. Night and day, he would accuse the brethren before God (Revelation 12:10), and he would walk around seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8; Job 1:7; 2:2).

Now imagine that this very short period of 6,000 years is almost up. How much more, if it were possible, would Satan be stepping up his effort to thwart the Plan of God?

God would love nothing more than to have us as members of His Family in His Kingdom. His ultimate goal is to do whatever He can to see that we are successful in this calling. Now, especially at this pre-Passover time of the year and at this juncture in the end-time, He is for sure doing all that He can to reconcile us in our walk towards the Plan of God.

Imagine a loving God—the Father—who has inhabited eternity with only one other Family member—Jesus Christ. After all that time, He began carrying out His plan that included fashioning the physical universe with all the laws to govern it. God also created man and gave him His laws to be governed by. He sacrificed His only Son to pay for the penalty for our sin in order that we may live and have access to His Power – the Holy Spirit which further aids us in attaining His goal for us—to grant us the awesome opportunity to qualify for a position in His Kingdom and Family.

Now imagine we only have a short time left. We are quickly coming to a crossroads – a time when God will pronounce His final judgment on the firstfruits of His creation. Then, in the twinkling of an eye, it will all be decided. Do we sense the urgency?