Sound The Midnight Cry

“Countdown to 2012”

It’s strange how certain things will trigger memories. I read today about a newly released application for the iPhone called “Twenty12”. Its only purpose is to count down the moments until the world's destruction on Dec. 21, 2012. That's the date that the ancient Mayan Long Count Calendar marked as the end of a 5,126-year era, resetting the date to 0 and signaling the end of humanity. If you’re wondering–-it’s just three years, 87 days, 16 hours and 0 minutes and 44 seconds (as of this writing).

As strange as the idea seems to develop an application for such a bizarre scenario (you can find the counter on the internet also) there must be a reason for it. As the countdown continues, doomsday chatter echoes across the Internet. The search term "Dec. 21, 2012" over 3 million results on Google alone. The "official" 2012 web site, www.december212012.com is selling t-shirts announcing the coming end of the world. This November, two apocalyptic films will be released—“2012" and "The Road". Hollywood has obviously noted the interest by the masses tied to this idea of “the end”.

There have been “the end is near” predictions in the past with the most recent for most people being Y2K. The prophecies of the Irish saint Malachy, have said there will be only one more pope after the current one, Pope Benedict XVI, and during his reign comes the end of the world.

But the Mayan predictions have intrigued people the most for years. At the height of their civilization, advanced mathematics and astronomy created what many cite as the most accurate calendar in the world.

The Mayans predicted a final event that included a solar shift, a Venus transit and violent earthquakes. Interestingly, modern astronomy confirms that on the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years.

A 2008 report by the National Academy of Sciences reveals a scenario of destructive solar storms that will be at their height at the winter solstice in 2012. Lawrence Joseph, author of "Apocalypse 2012" told ABCNews, "The report said that the electric power grid was susceptible to solar blasts." He worries that a newly reported hole in the earth's magnetic field will make it more vulnerable to the "billion-ton blast" of proton radiation.

A similar event happened in 1859 causing the Northern Lights to be visible as far as the equator, disrupting telegraphs and creating small fires. "In the electrified society of today, a blast the same size as in 1859 would short out the electric grid and leave 130 million in the U.S. without electricity for months or even years," said Joseph.

Dates of doom have been around for years and the scoffers dismiss them pointing to past “events” that never happened. Those that buy into these events become disciples of the cause trying to awaken people to the need for action. Others simply become entrepreneurs making a quick dollar off the fears or fascination of other people.

Christians that are well versed in the Scriptures know that 2012 isn’t the end of the world. The "Tribulation Period" is seven years long and from this point in time, that takes us past 2012.

However, it should cause us to stop and consider the truth that “the end is near”. The Apostle Peter revealed this to us in his message on the day of Pentecost when he told the people, “This is that which was told…that in the last days…” From that day, we’re 2000 years closer now to the end of the end.

The countdown continues…not to 2012…but to the return of Jesus Christ!

Times Square Site of Massive Prayer Service: Thousands Gathering To Seek God's Forgiveness on Behalf of Our Nation

On Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 3:00pm, 30,000 people representing 327 churches and 65 youth organizations of every denomination are expected to converge in New York City's Times Square to pray for our nation. An estimated one hundred college ministries as well as churches in 28 states and 21 countries around the world, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Ireland, Burundi, Kenya, Mexico, Germany, Peru, United Kingdom, Benin, Singapore, and Israel will be praying and gathering via the live webcast at www.nycprayer.org

“Raising The Stakes”

We’ve all heard the expression “raising the stakes”. In the game of poker, it means to simply “up the ante” or add to the wager. When it comes to the Middle East, the stakes have once again been raised—almost to the limit.

The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics published figures this week showing the current state of affairs on the eve of the Jewish New Year. According to CBS figures, 7,456,000 people live in Israel; about 75% Jewish and 20 % Arab with the remaining 5% defined as “other”. Israeli society was found to be young relatively with 28% of the population children under the age of 14 (the future of this nation) as compared to the 17% average in other western countries.

Interestingly, 21% of Israeli Jews live in Tel Aviv and the surrounding suburbs, and 28% in the central region in general. Only 10% of the Jewish population lives in the north while 60% of the Arab population in Israel lives in the north. I point this out simply because of the rhetoric coming from Iran again this week.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once again raised the stakes against Israel by describing the Holocaust as “a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim.” In a speech broadcast live on state radio He stated, “Confronting the Zionist regime is a national and religious duty… This regime (Israel) will not last long. Do not tie your fate to it...This regime has no future. Its life has come to an end.”

In an interview this week with NBC news, Ahmadinejad refused to explicitly rule out development of nuclear weapons, all the while repeating his claim that Iran is simply developing peaceful nuclear programs.

However, on the heels of that interview comes a secret report from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog warning that “Iran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb and is developing a missile system to carry it.” Up until now, the U.N. has clearly disavowed the notion that Iran was trying to develop anything but nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

So here’s the overall picture: Israel has the majority of its Jewish population living in the center of the country with 25% living in the city Tel Aviv. Iran has deployed dozens of military officers in Lebanon to actively command Hezbollah fighting units to the north of Israel. They are developing a missile system to carry nuclear warheads and the Iranian president tells his nation that Israel’s “life has come to an end.”

The reality is that when (not “if”) Iran gets a delivery system to carry a nuclear warhead, they will be able to do in six minutes what Hitler tried to do in six years: exterminate 6 million Jews. Is it any wonder that Israel may just have matched the ante placed on the table this week by Ahmadinejad?

See, there’s another phrase used in poker when someone raises the stakes—it’s call “all in.” It’s when an opponent decides to place it all on the table for one last play. And Israel may have done just that this past week.

The Jerusalem Post ran a headline this week stating: “We may have to attack Iran by December”. The article quoted former deputy defense minister Ephraim Sneh saying, “We cannot live under the shadow of an Iran with nuclear weapons….By the end of the year (2009), if there is no agreement on crippling sanctions aimed at this regime, we will have no choice.”

The enemies of Israel would do well to note that the Bible said that in the last days, there would be a place called “Israel” – and there it is—and will forever be!

April 15th—All Year Long!

(Author's Note: 99.9% of all articles written pertain to current events in the light of bible prophecy. Occasionally I write about a current event that may or may not have relevance to biblical events. This is not a political position as much as it is an observation, so disregard it if you disagree).

H.R. 3200 is a congressional bill that has become infamous—and it hasn’t even passed in Congress yet. (Link to bill)

This past weekend, over 1 million people gathered in Washington D.C. in what could be described as a 21st century "Conservative Woodstock", protesting the actions of their government on several issues. However, H.R. 3200 has become the lynchpin that has triggered the massive outcry.

Among the provisions proposed in a national health-care bill, there is one item that has been under the radar of the average U.S. citizen. That provision would give the enforcement of this bill (or law if it is passed and signed) to the IRS (that’s right—the Internal Revenue Service).

Now any taxpayer of this great nation already knows the anxiety that annually comes each year on April 15th. The tax code has become so complex and confusing that it puts fear in the hearts of the ordinary individual. If H.R. 3200 passes, April 15th will look like a holiday compared the power this bill would give to the IRS.

Division A, Title IV on pages 167-215 refers to “Amendments to IRS Code of 1986".The expanded powers of the IRS in H.R. 3200 would empower the IRS to require taxpayers to show proof of health insurance coverage, collect fines on individuals and employers who did not have adequate proof of health insurance and determine if your health insurance is a government approved plan.

If that doesn’t frighten you, then consider that including the expanded powers of the IRS, H.R. 3200 would create 53 New Government Programs, Offices, & Bureaucracies—listed here. No wonder a recent headline reported that over the next two years, the federal government is projected to hire 200,000 new employees.

This past year, the average U.S. taxpayer worked until April 13th to pay his taxes. If H.R. 3200 passes in its present form, we may be working a lot longer for a lot less.

“Hot Mic!”

It happens again and again; a politician, celebrity or TV anchor wearing a microphone says something embarrassing, followed shortly by, “Oh, is this thing on?” Well, the hot mic has struck again!

“What is a hot mic” you ask? Someone described it as “a loaded gun, without a safety. When mishandled, it shoots you in the foot, after that foot has been put in your mouth. Can it kill? No, despite the victim feeling better off dead.”

California Assemblyman Michael Duvall found out this week after he was caught over an open mic describing the details of an affair with a female lobbyist. Duvall, speaking to a colleague seated next to him, apparently had no idea his microphone became live about a minute before the start of a cable-televised committee hearing (which was also caught on video). He was captured in the middle of recounting portions of the affair. This revelation has caused him to resign his legislative position.

Of course this is not the first “hot mic” event and I’m sure it won’t be the last one. Most of us remember last year after John McCain named Sarah Palin to be his running mate, Peggy Noonan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal was caught saying a derogatory comment about the choice.

In July 2008, Jesse Jackson was captured by his mic using an offensive phrase referring to his would be intentions to then President-elect Barack Obama.

In 2006, President George Bush was caught by a hot mic on a couple occasions: once speaking to British PM Tony Blair about the Syrians and the Middle East situation and another time speaking to VP Dick Cheney. In both instances, the conversation caused a flurry of explanations for the colorful language.

Probably one of the most memorable moments involved President Ronald Reagan, Aug. 11, 1984, on an NPR weekly broadcast. During a break he jokingly stated into a hot mic, “My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

Of course, hot mics are not limited to politicians. The infamous quote by Pat Robertson during a break on a Larry King show concerning Al Gore’s sexual persuasion caused an uproar. Speaking of Larry King, during the 2008 Democratic debate, he was caught by a “hot mic” while waiting to go on air and he gets upset that Anderson Cooper gets more time on his segment than his and wanted to know “why?”

And unless you think that only high profile people can become victims of the “hot mic”—think again. It can happen to anyone, anytime “if” there is a microphone available. I’ve even known a few pastors that made huge blunders not realizing their mics were turned on and later had to face those that heard their comments.

I’ve said all of this as these public events should be a reminder to each of us of what Jesus taught. “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” Luke 8:17

Moral of the story: Live every moment as if you are wearing a “hot mic”.

“Don’t Whisper”

As a child growing up, my mother would tell me that it wasn’t polite to whisper in public. In other words, if you can’t say it in front of everyone else, it probably shouldn’t be said anyway.

In the world of finance, there is a phrase used to describe the unofficial and unpublished earnings per share forecasts that circulate among professionals—“whisper number.” These numbers are usually reserved for the favored wealthy clients of brokers and analysts of businesses in a particular field. Though they are “unofficial”, statistics show that they tend to be more accurate than the officially published consensus estimates.

When it comes to the fields of defense, public safety, security and law enforcement, there is Jane's Defense Weekly. They are the authoritative source on equipment, forces, organizations, business, markets or geopolitics.

In 1997, JDW reported that Israel planned to attack Iraq if Saddam Hussein attacked them with chemical weapons. There weapon of choice: a neutron bomb. Of course, Israel refused to neither confirm nor deny the report.

A neutron bomb kills by exposing the area of detonation with trillions of neutrons that kill all humans and animals. The bomb releases radiation rather quickly concentrating on biological material rather than infrastructure, thus enabling the area to almost immediate occupation once again.

In 2007, Jane's reported the deaths of “dozens of Iranians and Syrians” in a “nerve gas” accident. According to the report "the joint Syrian-Iranian team was attempting to mount a chemical warhead on a Scud missile when the explosion occurred, spreading lethal chemical agents, including Sarin nerve gas."

Now come reports this week of a warehouse that exploded in July 2009, was operated by Hezbollah and traces of chemical weapons were found. News reports also told how residents along the southern Lebanon border were rebelling against Hezbollah trying to store what they believed to be chemical weapons in houses.

Hezbollah’s ties with Hamas (an Islamic Resistance Movement) are well documented. Hamas is the governing party in Gaza and continues its resistance against Israel declaring they will “never recognize them” as having a legitimate right to exist.

And behind all of these organizations, reports have trickled out the past few weeks of Iran’s role as the weapons supplier to Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah.

The prophet Zechariah foretold of a terrifying day when “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." The Prophet Isaiah predicts the utter destruction of Damascus at Israeli hands. The Prophet Obadiah was given a vision and writes: "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shall be cut off for ever." “Violence” in Hebrew is "chamac" which is pronounced “hamas”. The headquarters for both organizations are in Damascus, Syria.

The prophets 2,500 years ago “whispered” the current world venue—even naming the players of this drama. Different prophets living at different times foreseeing across the divide of time to the 21st century. Even Jane’s Defense isn’t that accurate.

Jesus told his disciples “What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!”

It’s time for Christians to stop whispering. We need to understand the times in which we are living, clear our throats and sound a sure word—Jesus is coming soon!