Sound The Midnight Cry

“Same Difference!”

Have you ever heard someone use the expression “same difference”? It sounds like an oxymoron—how can something be the same but different?

The concept behind the statement is something that you say which means that the difference between two things is not important or that there really isn’t any difference. Someone might say, “Purple, violet, what does it matter? Same difference.” Or they might say, “You can go or I can go; it’s the same difference.” The idea is that no matter what, it doesn’t change the bottom line or the overall subject or condition.

I was reminded of this when I recently read that King Abdullah of Jordan, who is considered the most moderate Arab leader in the Middle East, gave an interview to the London Sunday Times. "All eyes will be looking to Washington in May” Abdullah stated.  “If there are no clear signals and no clear directives to all of us, then there will be a feeling that this is just another American government that is going to let us all down."

He went on to declare the intent of the Organization of Islamic States (OIC): “If Israel doesn't make peace this year, there will be all out war in the Middle East next year.” Why? Because even though the OIC is divided on almost every issue, the one issue that they can unite behind is Israel. Whatever reasons they may have against Israel, it’s the same difference.

King Abdullah showed his hand and that of the OIC when he said, "If you consider that a third of the world does not recognize Israel — 57 nations of the United Nations do not recognize Israel, a third of the world — their international relationships can’t be all that good. More countries recognize North Korea than Israel. That is a very strong statement when we are offering a third of the world to meet them with open arms. The future is not the Jordan River or the Golan Heights or Sinai; the future is Morocco in the Atlantic to Indonesia in the Pacific."

The bottom line is the OIC’s refusal to recognize Israel’s existence. To do so would violate the Islamic doctrine of Dar al-Islam that divides the world into the House of Islam and the House of War. Having once been under Islamic rule, Islam sees Israel is part of the Dar al-Harb. The term refers to the relationship between an Islamic state and neighboring non-Muslim state with which it has not signed a peace agreement and Muslim law is not in force. The governments that control Dar al-Harb are technically not legitimate powers because they do not derive their authority from Allah. Therefore, recognition of Israel's permanent right to exist by the OIC is therefore impossible because the “little satan” cannot be from God.

Jerusalem is on notice by the political pundits of the world. If it wants to maintain its close relationship with Washington, there are but two choices facing them. They can cave in to the two-state solution demanded by Obama this year or it can face Abdullah's 57 State Solution next year--alone.

Israel would do well to remember God’s promise: “Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.” Deuteronomy 1:29-31

May be the rest of the world should take note also!

“Absolutely—NOT!”

I am absolutely stunned, shocked, stupefied, mortified, astounded and the list goes on. What about? The fact that well-known preachers of the Gospel (at least I thought it was the Gospel they preached) no longer believe or profess the absolute truth of the message.

Before I continue on my startled rant, let’s first examine the word “absolute.” The word means, “Not to be doubted or questioned.” In the area of philosophy it means, “Something regarded as the ultimate basis of all thought and being; something regarded as independent of and unrelated to anything else.”

We use it in phrases such as, “absolutely free” or “absolutely breath-taking”, “absolutely no regrets”, “absolutely fabulous” and the list goes on. The essence that one is trying to convey is that this is the ultimate; the pinnacle of truth; not to be questioned. It is this idea that brings me back to the reason I’m “absolutely” bewildered.

In recent days, I’ve listened and watched some name-dropper type TV ministers giving answers to a question that should shock every bible-believing Christian. Each one was asked if they believed Christ was the only way to heaven. Each one responded by saying (some used words that were couched) in essence “no.”

One responded that he wasn’t sure and wasn’t going to judge. Another stated that he didn’t really want to dip into that discussion but believed that God may have others in other faiths and would leave that up to Him. Another responded by saying, “…they may not even know the name of Jesus but they know in their heart they need something that they don’t have and they turn to the only light that they have and I think that they are saved and they are going to be with us in heaven.”

Now some may be thinking, “What’s wrong with that?” What’s wrong is that belief calls Jesus Christ a liar. Why? Because in John 14:6, Jesus said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

On the day of Pentecost, after preaching to thousands the people cried out and asked what they needed to do to be saved. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Now if you can get to God and heaven by other faith systems, then Jesus Christ is not the way; there is no need to preach repentance in Jesus’ name; there is no need to be discipled in the scriptures; there is no need to send missionaries to the world; there is no need to give money to “kingdom” purposes and there is no need to pray for our family and friends.

I’m sorry but I choose to believe that Jesus is as He stated—the only way; that the Bible means what it says; that the world needs a Savior; that we need to pray and give and tell the truth of God’s Word without worrying whether or not it is politically correct. Why? Because one day we will each stand before an ‘absolutely’ holy and pure God and there is only one way to receive His invitation to eternal life—the pure sacrifice of the "absolutely" perfect Lamb of God! And one day soon, a blast from heaven will sound and the whole world will “see the Son of Man coming in his father’s glory…” Matthew 16:27.

That day is getting closer and closer—on that I’m “absolutely” sure!

“Unleash Heaven!”

Stan Goodenough has written another great article worthy of your reading time. Stan is a Christian Zionist; a South African national; a Mayflower descendant; an 18-year resident of the State of Israel; a journalist by profession and a Bible-believer by God's mercy and grace.

“You have no idea of the kind of pressure that is brought to bear on an Israeli prime minister when he enters the White House.” (The late David Bar-Ilan, Chief of Information and Policy Planning for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a personal conversation with this writer, November 1998.)

Netanyahu flew to Washington DC at the weekend, arriving Sunday morning, a day before his scheduled series of meetings with American President Barack Obama and other administration officials.

Despite calming words and promises from administration officials that the Americans won’t be too demanding “this time,” millions of Israelis and their friends are tense with anticipation about the outcome of these talks.

The US believes it has Israel over a barrel. Netanyahu must either endorse the “two-state-solution” or be seen to be resisting the will of the whole world.

Full article…

What's Good For The Goose...?

With the U.S. putting so much pressure on Israel to concede and give away it's land, why don't they understand that this would be good for them? This picture might explain it in terms that President Obama might understand. (click picture to enlarge)

“There You Go!”

I was listening to a comedian on the radio a few weeks ago who began talking about regional sayings used around the U.S. Honestly, most of them were really funny. It illustrated the uniqueness of the people of this great nation.

I personally loved the saying typical of the Deep South— “there you go”. The comedian noted that when you don’t know what to say…about anything, rather than say nothing, you simply reply, “there you go.” It’s become a joke around my office lately and it’s amazing how it does fit when you don’t know what to say.

Well, with all the lunacy coming out of Washington D.C. lately, I thought I would pass this little saying along to folks from other parts of the globe. After all, it has become so ridiculous that you will become frustrated if you don’t say something.

Example: Chinese female sex workers [government categorized as FSW's] drink too much. Evidently this has become a concern of the US National Institute of Health, since it has directed the National Institute of Alcohol and Alcoholism to fork out $2,600,000.00 in US TAX DOLLARS [our money] to teach Chinese prostitutes in China how to drink responsibly on the job…“there you go”.

Example: The idea that the US government can borrow it’s way out of debt when it was borrowing money and living beyond it’s means that got itself where it is today…“there you go”.

Example: Flying Air Force One in a low-level flight over New York City for a photo op and not realizing that it might cause a serious case of déjà vu for people living there…“there you go”.

Example: The US president bowing before a Saudi monarch while a few days before showing disdain for royal protocol in England…“there you go”.

Example: Though a large majority of US citizens disapprove of “gay marriage”, the media swarms like piranha against Miss California for expressing her opinion that marriage is between a man and woman [the same opinion President Obama gave during his campaign]…“there you go”.

Now Christians will point their fingers and say, “What do you expect from a corrupt society?” Yet, the world looks at the Church and quickly points out its own version of idiocy.

Example: Ministries that pushed financial prosperity as being a sign of God’s blessing are now going belly up or begging their constituents for money with all kinds of spiritual “gimmicks, offerings, covenants” to entice them to give their precious dollars…“there you go”.

Example: Leaders of “ministries” caught in financial scandals, marriage failures and delusional visions of angels; jewels and feathers falling from heaven, now scheming to create a new “revelation” to keep their following of gullible sheep…“there you go”.

Example: The largest watched TV preacher recently telling his listeners that eating pork dishonors God. But he believes Mormons are saved and he won’t preach against sin because he's called to preach 'hope'…“there you go”.

1 Peter 4:17 says, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

As the days go by and the lunacy continues, I will simply look at it with the understanding that God is beginning to “shake everything that can be shaken.” [Hebrews 12] Why? To prepare for His coming to take His Church out of here…“there we go”!

“The Times Of The Signs”

In the prelude to WWII, there were signs everywhere of Hitler’s intent as he telegraphed his intentions for Eastern Europe and its Jewish population in his book, “Mein Kampf”.

The Jews of Europe were a powerful asset to the Nazi war machine as slave labor. They kept the domestic infrastructure running, manufacturing goods, laboring on farms, repairing roads and bridges. So the Nazi threat to destroy them seemed illogical and people shrugged it off.

Today, another “Hitler” has arisen but his time he has no value put on the Jews but to see them “wiped from the face of the earth.” I’m speaking of Iran’s president Ahmadinejad. Let me explain the “big picture” so that we can recognize the times of the signs.

There is a sect within Shia Islam that is awaiting the return of the 12th Imam, also known as the Mahdi, the Muslim Messiah. The coming of the Mahdi will be preceded by cosmic chaos, war, bloodshed and pestilence. After this cataclysmic confrontation between the forces of good and evil, the Mahdi will lead the world to an era of Islamic paradise on earth. The Twelvers believe they can hasten the return of the Mahdi by starting the war of Armageddon.

According to Muslim tradition, the Mahdi is believed to ride forth on a white horse at the head of his forces. In their book, “Al Mahdi and the End of Time”, Muhammad Ibn Izzat and Muhammad Arif, two well-known Egyptian authors, identify the Mahdi from the Book of the Revelation: “I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophet. For instance, the Book of Revelation says: ‘And I saw and behold a white horse. He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer.’” Izzat and Arif then go on to say: “It is clear that this man is the Mahdi who will ride the white horse and judge by the Koran (with justice) and with whom will be men with marks of prostration on their foreheads.”

President Ahmadinejad is not only a Twelver but is connected with the messianic Hojjatieh Society, which is governed by the conviction that the 12th Imam's return will be hastened by “the creation of chaos on Earth.” Ahmadinejad's ideological mentor and spiritual guide is Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi who believes the 12th Imam's return is “imminent.”

Ahmadinejad believes he was chosen by Allah to start that war, which will then force the Mahdi out of hiding. Ahmadinejad has made no secret of his belief, saying at a mosque recently that he expected such a war within two years.

The idea of beginning a nuclear war to fulfill a religious belief is one that the world cannot fully comprehend. Why? Because they don’t understand how powerful a motivator religious duty becomes. How does one negotiate with a suicide bomber who blows themselves up along with innocent people in the name of their god? The idea that one can reason or negotiate with them to change their belief is not any more likely than your government trying to convince a Christian to deny Jesus Christ!

Jesus said, “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”

This past week, a congressional report stated foreign intelligence analysts are fearful that US experts have underestimated Iran’s nuclear capability. Add to that the latest estimates of 7000 centrifuges now in operation, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could have a nuclear weapon within sixty days.

This my friends, are the times of the signs. Are you ready for Christ return?

“Has Iran Gone MAD?”

I mentioned last week that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started the U.N. Durban II Conference on racism with a racist rant against Israel. This resulted in representatives from over 40 countries walking out on him. But did he care? The reason one must wonder stems from statements that he has made over the last few years revealing his aspirations and the motives behind them.

Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for wiping Israel from the map. He has noted that striking Israel would result in nuclear retaliation from them, but he determined that he could afford to lose half of his countries population if the end result would be “the annihilation of the Zionist state.” Hence, the MAD [mutual assured destruction] doctrine held by the superpowers of the world, holds no weight with him.

In the 1973 Yom Kippur War when it looked like Israel was going to lose, Israeli PM Golda Meir ordered 13 nuclear bombs loaded on bombers with 13 different assigned targets. In the end, the tide turned on the ground and the plan aborted.

Though the story is no doubt known by Ahmadinejad, the question must be asked “Why doesn’t that cause him to back down from his position of eliminating the ‘little satan’ [Israel] and the ‘big satan’ [the U.S.]?”

There is a sect within Shia Islam that is awaiting the return of the 12th Imam, also known as the Mahdi [Islamic messiah]. The Twelvers believe that the Mahdi is Muhammed ibn Hasan, the righteous descendant of the prophet Muhammed.

According to the state religion of Iran, Muhammed ibn Hasan has been in hiding since the year 941. End times prophecy is one of the 'five pillars of Islam' and holds a central a role in Islam, as does the 2nd Coming of Christ does within Christianity.

The coming of the Mahdi will be preceded by cosmic chaos, war, bloodshed and pestilence. After this cataclysmic confrontation between the forces of good and evil, the Mahdi will lead the world to an era of Islamic paradise on earth.

Ahmadinejad believes, as does Iran's dominant religious sect, that lesser mortals can not merely influence his return, but, by initiating that end-times conflict between Dar al Islam (the Zone of Islam) and Dar al Haran (the Zone of War), he can actually hasten the Mahdi's return.

In an address to the U.N. in 2005, Ahmadinejad said, “The ultimate promise of all Divine religions will be fulfilled with the emergence of a perfect human being [the 12th Imam], who is heir to all prophets. He will lead the world to justice and absolute peace. Oh mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last repository, the promised one.”

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is more than just a Twelver as he is connected with the messianic Hojjatieh Society, which is governed by the conviction that the 12th Imam's return will be hastened by “the creation of chaos on Earth.” Ahmadinejad believes he was chosen by Allah to start that war, which will then force the Mahdi out of hiding. He has made no secret of his belief, saying at a mosque recently that he expected such a war within two years.

What most of the world doesn’t understand is that Iran’s Ahmadinejad is not “mad”—he is as one writer put it, “simply little more than a suicide bomber waiting for the right time to detonate himself for Allah.” If he gets his hands on a nuclear bomb and a missile capable of delivering it, it will be his religious duty to use it against Israel. The latest estimates say that with 7000 centrifuges in operation, he could have a nuclear weapon within 60 days. We could know soon how “mad” he really is—or isn’t!