Sound The Midnight Cry

“Another Roman Empire?”

A few years ago, I taught on the importance of the rise of the European Union in the light of bible prophecy. Recent developments there have brought a new twist to what is happening to fulfill events foretold thousands of years ago by the prophets in scripture.

The prophet Daniel records for us in chapter nine, that the Anti-Christ will be a prince/ruler that comes out of a revision of the old Roman Empire. Many people have assumed this to mean that he would be European but a closer look reveals that this is likely false, especially in light of current events.

In November 2009, we saw the nations of the EU elect a permanent president and a foreign policy chief (the EU presidency rotated every 6 months among different national leaders). Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden, which held the EU presidency until the year's end stated, “…what we were seeking were people to create continuity, to be able to put us together, to be the voice, the face and the presence of Europe throughout the world.”

In 2008, President Sarkozy of France, who was serving as the six-month EU president, brought into existence a new regional union—the Mediterranean Union or, as it's now officially called, the Union for the Mediterranean. The Associated Press reported, “It brought together around one table for the first time dignitaries of such rival nations as Israel and Syria, Algeria and Morocco, Turkey and Greece”. Its aim is to be “a means to end all hatreds, to make way for a great dream of peace and a great dream of civilization.”

Originally, Sarkozy meant it to be limited to nations bordering the Mediterranean with the intent of enhancing France's status. However, Germany and other northern EU states, however, were outraged at being cut out of this bloc and it was reshaped to include those countries.

Notably absent was Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who did send a representative. Angry that original plans were changed to include the whole EU and the Middle East, including Israel, Gaddafi boycotted the meeting, saying, “We shall have another Roman Empire and imperialist design.”

Recently, we have seen two new developments: Mevlut Cavusoglu was elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly at the Council of Europe today. “I am the first President of the Parliamentary Assembly born east of Vienna. For the last 60 years the Presidents have come from just ten countries,” Cavusoglu said, during his first meeting with the press.

Ahmad Massaadeh, a former Jordanian ambassador to the EU and NATO, has formally been named head of the Mediterranean Union project, making him the first leader of the forum created in 2008. “The appointment of the secretary general constitutes a decisive step in the institutional construction of the Union”, Bernard Kouchner said in a statement. The secretary general will be based in Barcelona and have Israeli, Palestinian, Turkish and Arab League deputies.

All of these actions simply point to the accuracy of the words told by the prophets of old. Along with these prophecies are the ones that point to the return of Jesus Christ to planet earth—and it’s getting closer with every passing day!

“The Man Behind The Curtain”

The news stories of the past few weeks, remind me of a great scene from the movie, “Wizard of Oz”. Events in the political arena, international conflicts, houses of finance and natural disasters, all seem to clamoring for our attention. Like the characters in the Land of Oz, when walking through the chambers of the great wizard, are awestruck by what they see.

When stepping back to look at the larger picture of world events, I can’t help but think of the scene in that great chamber room in Oz, when Toto the dog pulls back the curtain, exposing the ‘wizard’ to be an ordinary man making a lot of noise. And why is he putting on a show? Because he is powerless to address their real concerns.

In an effort to ‘save face’ he looks them in the eye, then turns back around and thunders into his microphone, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. I am the great and powerful Oz.”

By this time however, the charade is over—the truth is now known and Dorothy and her friends are each faced with a crisis—what to do now that the wizard is a fake.

As I take into account everything that is happening and how it seems to be accelerating to some unknown point on the horizon of time, questions of “why”? and “to what end?” have to be answered. Yet the politicians, financial gurus and world leaders seem to be yelling out “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” in hopes that no one will realize that they too are asking the same questions.

Shortly after the last U.S. Presidential election, incoming Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel told a Wall Street Journal CEO conference on the economy, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” He continued saying, “Things that we had postponed for too long, that were long-term, are now immediate and must be dealt with. This crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things that you could not do before.”

A few months later, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed a European audience on the environment stating, “Never waste a good crisis…” A good crisis!

A crisis has a way of getting our attention and breaking through the peripheral stuff that tends to get in our way. Unlike a politician that seizes a crisis to try and manipulate an agenda on distracted people, a truly “good crisis” can help us see through the agendas and schemes of others—even our own misguided beliefs.

The everyday events on the world stage should cause us to step back and ask the question “why?” and be determined to listen and accept the truth God reveals within the pages of the Bible.

The actions of a little dog brought forth the truth to the people of Oz. Though its actions created an immediate crisis, once the truth was known and accepted, the outcome was far better for everyone.

The pages of Scripture reveal the prophecies of events to come. They pull back the curtain of the unknown and allow a person to see the real events as they are and will soon be. The end result is the truth is liberating, brings a new freedom in living, opens our eyes to the 'bigger picture' and gives one confidence to the final outcome!

So we can choose to listen to the pundits of our day that pull the levers and wave their hands in hopes of persuading us that they know what they are doing and to follow them. Or we can listen to the One who was, and is and is to come, forevermore. The One who knows the end before the beginning. The One who said, "I'll never leave you, nor forsake you." The One in whom all things are created and held together...Jesus Christ.

I think I'll pay attention to Him and what He says...everything else is just smoke and mirrors!

"Ears To Hear, Eyes To See"

At the present time, the world is focused on the almost immeasurable crisis in Haiti. Cries are going out to the four corners of the earth; cries of help financially for food, water, rescue equipment, military and medical personnel and most of all--prayers. Anyone with any sense of compassion is responding, as they should.

I'm always amazed how in a crisis such as this one, the way people 'hear' the cries and respond to the need. It makes one feel good inside to know that people are willing to help when the need arises.

All of this has caused me to wonder why people can 'see' this type of need so quickly yet when other problems loom on the horizon, they fail to see or heed the warnings of what is coming.

It reminds me of the joke where to guys are standing on the side of the road holding a sign that says, “The end is near”. As a car speeds by ignoring their warning, one guy turns to his friend and says, “Maybe we should have said 'The Bridge is out'”.

Sometimes the signs around us are so confusing that rather than try to understand them, we simply ignore them and speed along with our lives. But just like the car that finds out too late that the bridge is out, people fail to see the inevitable until it is too late.

Every day I scan news events to ‘see’ what is happening in the light of bible prophecy. Regardless of what anyone may choose to believe, the Bible is as current (or more so) than you daily newspaper, evening news report or even “The Drudge Report”.

As one reads the Scriptures, we must ask God to open our ears and eyes so that we can hear and see with understanding. This is what Jesus told the people of his day when He said, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.” The Apostle John in the Book of Revelations recorded the Spirit of God saying to each of the seven churches, “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

For us today, the question is not “Does God still talk?” but rather, “Is anyone listening?” This was crossed my mind as I read an article posted two days ago titled, “Sovereign Debt Crisis Coming As Recovery Stalls – U.S. states in serious trouble”. Like the sign saying “the end is near” this headline garnered no airtime by the mainstream media. However, it like many others that keep popping up more and more frequently, are trying to warn anyone that will listen that “the bridge is out” and we need to stop.

Articles documenting the fiscal crisis brewing in the US, UK, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Japan, as well as the highly touted China have become almost a daily occurrence. My concern is that like the boy that cried “wolf” so often that people no longer considered him serious, these continual warnings have caused us to yawn each time we hear one.

Americans have a tendency to shrug off warnings that pertain to ‘other’ nations—after all, we’re the United States. So they close their eyes and cover their ears and never hear the warnings that a fiscal crisis is hitting almost every state in The Union. California alone has a whopping 56% deficit as a percent of its General Fund Budget.

An episode of “60 Minutes” addressed the current U.S. fiscal problems with one of the most respected investment fund managers Whitney Tilson. He gave a glimpse into what is coming very soon that will make the financial shock of 2008 look like a walk in the park. The first part of that video can be seen below.

In January of 1990, my wife and I were visiting an acquaintance in Guatemala. One afternoon in a time of prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed to me in a rather startling way, several things that were coming to the United States. For the last 19 years, I have been telling people about that experience as opportunities have allowed me to do so. One of the areas made clear to me was that a financial collapse was coming worldwide. I saw it beginning in Asia and spreading through Europe as well as South America upward. Eventually I saw it hitting the U.S. as I watched a financial meltdown happen over New York City. So when I ‘see’ and ‘hear’ news events such as these, I take note and try to understand what is happening in the light of biblical prophecy.

Now I know that there will be those that say I’m a full of gloom and doom to which I would say, “No so!” After all, if the bridge is out, the bridge is out—plain and simple. To know that it is out and not to warn others is not a doomsday message—it is simply the truth. The truth may hurt but it’s definitely better than the alternative.

So I will continue to speak out and try to garner people’s attention whenever and wherever I can. The message is anything but calamity but rather about the surety there is in having a relationship with Jesus Christ—the one who knows the end before we know the beginning. It is about having the direction of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent to us that would “…guide us into all truth…He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13

So let those that have ears to hear, let them ‘see and hear’ with spiritual understanding. The end is near—Jesus is coming soon!

“Hell Came Up!”

It is hard for one to imagine the magnitude of the destruction and suffering that has been taking place this past week in Haiti. The headline on “The Drudge Report” said it all, “Hell Came Up!” That description instills within the mind of every person the most dreaded fear that we can imagine.

I learned firsthand in 2005 in the first days of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, that pictures and news reports cannot convey the intensity of the devastation or the extent of human loss. Video does not allow the viewer the ability for all the senses to be engaged to really determine the enormity of the situation. Photos can capture a moment but the truth is that it is more than a short period of time that comes to end like a sporting event. With every passing day, the victims of the tragedy in Haiti wake-up to find that the harshness remains and that hopelessness looms over them.

Rescue operations and humanitarian assistance continues to pour into that tiny nation hoping to still find survivors among the rubble. Meanwhile, side stories are emerging of looting, gangs wielding machetes wandering the streets and questions of who is actually running the government. Reports have come in of roadblocks being formed with the bodies of victims as anger boils over from those desperately needing aid.

To say that the situation is dire is an understatement and the need for aid is great. What is also of great need at this time is understanding as people look for answers to questions that are of a spiritual nature. Unfortunately, statements made by certain religious leaders have caused confusion and disgust and cast a disdain towards Christianity in the minds of people.

One TV minister made a statement that Haiti’s problems (past and present) are the result of being cursed due to a pact with the devil. This statement essentially means that this was God’s judgment on that nation. Interestingly, that same ministry is sending tons of humanitarian help to the victims of “God’s judgment”.

And herein rests the problem for the person trying to figure out the answer to the “why’s?” and “what should I do about it”?

First - if the devastation and problems of that nation are due to God’s judgment, why should we be helping the victims recover? After all, if the nation is cursed, won’t it just happen again? Could we find ourselves “fighting against God”?

Second - I always believed our obligation as Christians is to be Christ-like. True, Jesus spoke out against the evils of His day but not once did he call down judgment on anyone. His disciples asked Jesus once about calling down fire on a village because the people refused to welcome them but Jesus rebuked them for their words and thoughts.

Third - I believe that Christians are called to point out the evils of a society in the same way in 2008, five scientists authored a paper warning that a fault line on the south side of Haiti posed a 'major seismic hazard’. To remain silent would be a crime of a moral nature.

Fourth - the estimates of the dead from the earthquake are now hitting numbers near half a million. Compare that to the less than 2,000 people that died in Katrina and it staggers the mind. With that in mind, I wonder how many Christians have anguished over the eternal souls of those that passed into an everlasting “living hell?”

Finally - there are times that God does bring judgment upon a nation, but it is an effort on His part to turn the people back to Him; for there mercy and grace is found.

If one truly believes that the actions of a nation results in God’s judgment, then it’s time for Christians to call out to God for His mercy on the USA--and pray that He hears us!

"What's That Sound?"

Years ago there was a game show called “Name That Tune.” Contestants would vie to see who could name the title of a song by choosing how many notes they would need to hear to figure out the song title.

The mention this only because of a unique experience I had last night. I was sitting in a restaurant in Orlando, Florida waiting to catch an early flight home to Lafayette, LA the next morning. I found myself surrounded by people from all over the world; most who came to experience “the magic” and excitement that Orlando and its theme parks offer. Dining solo among so many groups of people allows one to sit quietly and observe those around you.

The place was overflowing with people; the chatter, laughing and actions of those dining and those waiting made for a mini-movie. There were families, couples and friends sitting, standing, drinking and eating—all going about their day in a manner that belied reality.

I wish I could convey the strange sensation I had as I tried to absorb all that I was seeing. I suddenly had the thought “this must of have been what it was like when Noah was building the Ark.” I began to consider if Noah was building an Ark today, what it would be like.

We know from Scripture that his building project lasted for around 100 years. During that time, he preached and warned the people. The sound of every hammer striking its target, the groans exuded with the lifting of each piece of timber was a forewarning of a future event unseen yet very real. For the days leading up to that fateful day, the sounds of every creature crying out as they entered that ship was the crescendo of the 100 year old message. Yet, the people as a whole ignored the sounds and denied what they were hearing. The last sound they heard to Noah’s sermon was a giant “Amen” as God himself sealed the doors to the Ark. The cost of human life was cataclysmic not only in number of lives but the eternal loss of souls.

Today, there is no individual named Noah building a rescue ship but the sounds of warning are all around us telling us to prepare for what’s on the horizon. The fulfillment today of biblical prophecies are once again shouting out like a hammer pounding reminding us that Jesus said, a sign of the end times would be, “As in the days of Noah, they will be eating and drinking and giving in marriage.” In other words, living in a manner oblivious to the message of God’s mercy to prepare for what’s coming soon.

So the next time you’re in a crowded place, listen to the sounds and I’ll wager that you will hear it too—Jesus is coming soon!

“Fear: The Great Playwright”

It’s hard to imagine but it was ten years ago that the world watched the New Year role in with great fear and anxiety. The culprit: Y2K! That little computer glitch that had the world in a panic as the clocks on computers wouldn’t know how to role over into a new century.

Y2K fears were many: banks would be shut down, power grids would black out as computers around the world would shut down because the computers’ clocks wouldn’t be able to roll over from “1999” to “2000. People horded food during the year leading up to when at the stroke of midnight, the world as we knew it would end. Of course it didn’t end and very few problems were attributed to the Y2K or Millennium Bug.

However, looking back over the last decade, one can’t help but think that the fear generated by that fateful date was more of an icon for the coming ten years than one would have imagined. Consider the following:

• Terror was ushered to the center stage of the world when on September 11, 2001, when it witnessed two planes crashing into the “World Trade Center”.
• Two wars; thousands of lives gone and terror still looms larger than before.
  
• The Doomsday Scenario of planetary destruction by mankind on the environment was perpetuated by politicians, scientist and scam artists.
• Pandemic events from bird flu to H1N1 flu, governments and organizations world wide swung into a media frenzy perpetuating fear to the masses.
• International banking stared into the abyss as a near systemic financial collapse enveloped nations (and it still lingers behind the scenes).
• And now Iran stands on the threshold of securing nuclear materials to usher in a “global chaos” to force the Mahdi out of hiding to institute a world-wide Islamic society.

And like the closing act of decade long Broadway play, on Christmas Day, a Nigerian man tries to blow up an airplane preparing to land with a cocktail bomb sewed into his underwear. And the wheel of fear is once again given a spin.

So just as ten years ago people entered into the year 2000 with fear and anxiety, polls shows that the number one thing on people’s minds deal with fear of a terror strike and all that it entails.

Yet with all this looming on the horizon, 2010 also holds out the bright promise of hope. For when the world sees turmoil, confusion and fear, for those of us who know the truth, it is a period of blessed assurance. Like never before, the fulfillment of biblical prophecies are swiftly taking shape. It is evidence to those that know God, that He is in control and that nothing catches Him by surprise.

So as events continue to move us in the direction foretold, Jesus promised that the generation that witnessed the beginning will not pass until all these things are fulfilled. He also told us that in the last days, peoples hearts would fail them for the fear of the things happening on the earth.

So as the New Year dawns with all its anxieties and questions, remember: No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace!

“The Christmas Nazi Society”

It seems over the past few years that a group of people have become disciples of what I can only describe as “The Christmas Nazi”. They seem bent on doing everything they can to prohibit anyone from celebrating Christmas.

Now for those that don’t understand the “Nazi” reference, I refer you to the 116th episode of NBC sitcom, Seinfeld. The main characters of the show [Jerry, George and Elaine] go out to a soup stand that Kramer [another character—and I mean ‘character’] has been raving about. Its owner is referred to as the “Soup Nazi” due to his temperament and insistence on a strict manner of behavior while ordering. Jerry explains the procedure for ordering which George accepts.

When they get to the soup stand, George follows the procedure but notices that he did not get bread with his soup. Jerry tells him to let it go but he asks for some, and is told he will have to pay for it. George quickly objects claiming everybody in front of him got free bread, and quickly has his money returned and his soup taken back with the catchphrase “No soup for you!”

The episode has become a classic of the series. I was recently in a deli ordering soup and heard someone in front of me telling their friend who was holding up the line trying to decide on what soup to order, “No soup for you!” The whole group began laughing as the leader was donned “the Soup Nazi.”

The term “Nazi” is used as an exaggeration of the excessively strict regimentation the character in the TV show constantly demanded of his patrons. There was no allowance from the demanded protocol and anyone that objected, was quickly ostracized.

As I stated earlier, it seems that this time of year brings out the “Christmas Nazi’s” who are insistent that no one be allowed to celebrate Christmas. They want the named changed to “Happy Holidays”. [In actuality, that would apply to every holiday—New Years, Valentine’s Day, and July 4th among all the others.] They want nativities removed, angels taken down, carols banned and even Christmas trees outlawed—all because of the association of Christmas with Christianity.

For weeks leading up to December 25, scarcely a day goes by that towns, cities, schools and other organizations aren’t presented with a lawsuit by a member of the “Christmas Nazi Society.” It appears that they nearly successfully infiltrated the White House when it was reported that the crèche, annually displayed in the East Room, was not going up this year. After the gasps cleared the air, much discussion finally prevailed to restore the nativity to its traditional White House setting.

The Christmas Nazi Society members are obsessed with making sure that everything from public offices down to the stores you go to conform to their cultural beliefs and they go all out to enforce the “No Christmas for you” clause.

This should not really surprise us as it has its beginning with King Herod when he received the world from the magi of the child’s birth. He tried to wipe out the “Reason for the Season” before it ever began. For 2000 years those opposed to the blessed event have tried their best to destroy it for others.

Yet the angelic words uttered that glorious night continue to transcend the time continuum, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people”—even Christmas Nazi’s!

The irony is that the thing a “Christmas Nazi” fears the most is the good news of a Savior…Jesus Christ. His message? “Christmas for you” that will receive it!

“Christmas All Year Long?”

A news report this week highlighted the saga of 8,000 inmates complaining that the sheriff was forcing them to listen to Christmas music all day long. Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s policy of playing the songs has faced six lawsuits over the past two years for “cruel and unusual punishment” but that has not deterred him from doing it again.

Now I admit that listening to carols all day long, could get old pretty quick but then again, you can’t play these wonderful songs any other time of the year (at least not without people thinking you need to be locked up in a rubber room).

I’ve hearD several people this week remark that they are ready for the holiday season to be over and for life to return to ‘normal’. It’s a shame they feel that way as they not only miss out on the special moments that this time of year brings, but they may also miss the very meaning or purpose of the season.

I think Christmas more than any other time of the year is an opportunity to begin a fresh start with our lives. Why? Because Christmas is all about new beginnings.

The Apostle John writes in his Gospel letter, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1, 14

The Word of God was made in flesh form—a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. This was a first; a new beginning. The angel declared that very night to shepherds, “For unto you is born (new beginning) this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) “A Savior…”—one who saves!

The idea of someone needing a savior denotes that a person is in a situation or circumstance beyond their ability to deliver or free themselves from it. It necessitates an outside force to release or extract them from their ‘prison’ and in doing so, enables them to have a fresh start or new beginning.

That is what John conveyed in his Gospel, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12) “To become” — something new; a gift from God Himself to us when He gave His only Son. So you see, Christmas is all about new beginnings; a new leaf on life—through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Physics tells us that time exists because and when matter exists. But God is not matter; He is Spirit and not bound by the dimensions of time as we know it. And the words spoken that eve of the birth of Christ, transcends the element of time. The words spoken that night are as alive to us 2,000 years later as they were for those shepherds that first heard them. “For unto you (us) is born this day in the city of David a Savior…”

So while some are saying, “I’ll be glad when it’s all over” and others are lamenting “I can’t believe Christmas is almost over”, I would say, “Christmas is never over for those that understand it and have received that precious gift.”

That night long ago when an angel declared to the shepherds  the breaking news, they immediately rose from what they were doing and rushed to witness this extraordinary event. And once they saw Him, they went everywhere telling the story of God’s Christmas gift.

I would suggest this year we stop and follow their example. I think I’ll “go tell it on a mountain”… Merry Christmas!

“Beam Me Up, Scotty!”

“Beam me up, Scotty!” is a catch phrase that made its way into pop culture from the science fiction television series Star Trek. It comes from the command Captain Kirk gives his transporter chief, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, when he needs to transport back to the ship, Enterprise.

No doubt, that’s what some people were thinking this past Wednesday in Norway when a mysterious light appeared in the night sky. The mysterious blue light seemed to soar up from behind a mountain in the north of the country. It stopped mid-air, and then began to move in circles. Within seconds a giant spiral had covered the entire sky. Then a green-blue beam of light shot out from its center. The whole experience lasted for approximately 10-12 lasting for ten to 12 minutes before disappearing completely. The light appears to be unconnected with the aurora borealis, or northern lights, the natural magnetic phenomena that can often be viewed in that part of the world.

Speculation about the phenomenon has been driven by internet bloggers and news agencies. Photos and videos have been posted as millions of people try to find an explanation for the incident. Reports have surfaced that it may have been a Russian missile launched from the Barents Sea area north of Norway. Another report mentioned it was UFO’s welcoming President Obama in picking up his Nobel Peace Prize (I didn’t make this up). Whatever the cause, I am sure that the source of the wonder will be discovered.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but think about the irony that it appeared during the Christmas season. Over two-thousand years ago, a star in the heavens appeared that stirred enough interest to cause magi from the East to travel an extensive journey to find the meaning of its appearance.

Like this week’s Norway incident, the star of the magi also caused a stir among the population under Herod’s rule. The scribes poured through the sacred scrolls to find the answer: “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

This week’s “light in the sky” occurrence does two things:

• It points to the past (the birth of Jesus Christ)
• It points to the future (the return of Jesus Christ to planet earth)

Revelation 6:13-16 says, “Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. The sky was rolled up like a scroll…Then everyone…cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.”

When that event happens, there will be no speculation of what is taking place. There will be no efforts to uncover the “who” or “why” it’s taking place. Christ comes again; this time not as a baby in a manger but as King of kings and Lord of lords. He comes not to bring grace as He did the first time but to execute righteous judgment and to establish a kingdom of peace. At His first coming, they asked where the king of the Jews was to be born; in His second coming He will be brighter than the stars and all will see HIm.

So maybe we should view this week’s event as a Christmas Star of another kind reminding us of what lies just over the horizon of time!

What do you think?

“The Genius of Vilna”

The internet is buzzing with the story of an 18th century prophecy concerning the building of the 3rd Jewish Temple. A centuries-old rabbinical could be coming true on March 16, 2010.

During the 18th century, the Vilna Gaon, a respected rabbinical authority, prophesied that the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem, which was built during his day, would be destroyed and rebuilt twice, and that when the Hurva was completed for the third time, construction on the Third Temple would begin.

On March 15, the reconstructed Hurva Synagogue, considered the most important house of prayer in Jerusalem will be rededicated. It was last destroyed in the War of Independence. In 2001, Israel finally decided to rebuild the landmark, which today stands in the center of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City.

So who is this Vilna Gaon and what else did he say that should cause us to take note?

Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman, known as the Vilna Gaon [the word “gaon” means genius] or Elijah of Vilna, was one of the most influential rabbinic authorities since the Middle Ages. The Gaon's single biggest contribution to the Jewish people was his corrective notes ancient texts, particularly the Talmud. Over the centuries, scribal errors had crept into the various texts [ancient texts other than the Torah itself].

These errors were serious obstacles to advanced study of the Talmud and other texts. The Gaon, with his phenomenal knowledge of the entirety of the Torah literature, was possibly the only individual capable of creating authoritative corrections of these texts. There is almost no ancient Torah text that does not bear the notes of the Gaon.

Why is this important to us today, especially if one is not of Jewish descent? Could it be due to his writing more than 200 years ago concerning the attacks on 9/11?

The earliest Jewish sages spoke of this future Rome as a “branch” of Esau/Edon, and its “industriousness” was a key in recognizing this symbolic Rome. The Jewish Talmad's “Zohar” predicted that on a certain calendar date the future Rome will suffer the “tumbling” of three high buildings, or strongholds - and that this will be the triggering process which will lead ultimately to the coming of the Messiah. It was said that this “tumbling” would occur on the 25th day of the 6th Hebrew month, the month known as Elul. On September 11th, the twin towers fell as did a 47-floor building which was part of the twin towers complex. But in the year 2001, the 25th day of Elul was September 13th, and not September 11th.

Writing in the 18th century, the “Genius of Vilna” stated that the Zohar text which described the devastation in “Rome” of the three buildings on the 25th of Elul was “off by two” (02) days. The Zohar was then corrected so that the most correct version [Sifra d'Tsniutha] reads the devastation will occur on the 23rd of Elul – which was September 11th.

This reveals that the event of September 11th was another sign pointing to the return of the Messiah—Jesus Christ. We also know that the third Jewish Temple will be built at the time of His coming, for the Antichrist will have desecrated that holy place prior to the return of Jesus Christ.

Vilna stated, “The rule is that all that was, is, and will be unto the end of time is included in the Torah, from the first word to the last word.” Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (the Torah) until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:18

2010 is shaping up to be an interesting year—are you ready for it?