Are These the End Times?

All throughout the history of the church there have been many that have speculated and even predicted when the return of Jesus would be. Obviously even a casual glance at scripture makes it pretty clear no one knows the day or the hour of the Lord's return (Matt. 25:13) and so those that do predict dates have seriously compromised their credibility and should not be listened to unless they repent from that sin.
That being said it is also said stated in scripture that we will know the season in which Jesus will return. To be clear this is not meant in an extreme literal sense as in Spring, Summer, etc. Check out what Jesus said here in Matthew 24:4-8 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
As we look carefully at what Jesus said here and look at the world we live in today it's looks pretty familiar. The 20th century was the bloodiest in history and that trend has continued here in the 21st century seems ready to go beyond anything we've seen so far.
We are also seeing many false teachers emerging on a daily basis as well as famines and earthquakes, tidal waves caused by undersea earthquakes. Jesus says though that these are the beginning of birth pains.
Well having three children and being in the delivery room for all three, I'm pretty familiar with how the whole birth pain thing works. My job while in the delivery room has always been to comfort my wife but also to keep track of the length and distance between contractions. When they get closer and more intense, the baby is getting ready for it's big arrival.
So as we look at the world and see the wars, rumors of wars, famines and every other calamity increase in frequency and duration, look up because it won't be long.
The real issue here is do you know Jesus? Have you surrendered your life to him fully trusting in him alone for your salvation. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6
If you haven't repented of your old life and put your trust Jesus, pray for God to reveal Himself to you, read His word and put your complete trust in Jesus as you never know when you will breathe your last breath.
If you're interested more in how the events of today are unfolding and how they line up with prophecy in scripture, check out this blog, http://joelrosenberg.blogspot.com/ which I also have listed with my links. Joel has written some novels based on end times prophecy in scripture which are amazingly accurate with what's happening in the world today. It's definitely worth giving it a look.
God bless you all,
Marc

Say What?

I just came across this article about this guy that has the opinion that in order for there to be peace, Christians need to basically let go of some of there beliefs like for example, the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Are you kidding me! If we do that we might as well throw the whole thing out then because if Jesus isn't Lord of all, he's not Lord at all.

Listen pal, if you want to preach some mamby pamby watered down wimpy Christianity, go ahead, but it aint happening on this end. Better yet, instead of highjacking the one true faith and one and only savior, why don't you try highjacking the Muslim faith and see how that goes over.

It just goes to show that there are so many out there that call themselves Christians that have absolutely no clue. Jesus said, my sheep hear my voice... I'm not sure who's voice this guy is hearing but it sure isn't Jesus'.

Check out this link for the rest of the story.

Breaking News!

Just wanted to inform you all that the new Foxe's Book of Martyrs - American Edition is out now. Click here for a sneak peak.

Where have all the Hurricanes Gone?

Here is an interesting little peice in regard to the lack of tropical activity for all the global warming prognosticators. As I'm sure you all remember, last season was a record year for hurricanes and who could forget what Katrina did to the Gulf coast states. That area is still a major mess with homes and lives that were shattered by a monster of a storm. The thing that's interesting is that there were so many blaming the storm on global warming which I felt and still feel was a leap of logic.

Well, now it's 2006 and next to nothing has happened weather wise with tropical development. So does that mean global warming is off? If I were to follow their logic, that's the conclusion I would come to. The reason (according to the global warming alarmists) we had so many hurricanes was because of the rise in sea surface temps. in the Carabean and Gulf of Mexico due to global warming, and their prediction was that it was going to get much warmer resulting in more frequent and intense hurricanes. Well guess what, the sea surface temps have gone down. Now how could that have happened with all the global warming? I don't know how these people get away with this propaganda. I mean, the weather forcasters can barely tell you what is going to happen in the next couple of days let alone the next 50 years. They're pathetic over here in the UK, as we have had many days where they can't even predict the weather for the next day accurately. Yesterday was one of those days as they predicted partly sunny skies and we spent much of the day dodging rain drops.

Anyway, here is a good article summing up what I've said and the stats to back it up.

Good News!

Here's a good news follow up story to the previous post. Many times I wonder what good it does to post some of this stuff but because Bud Press from the Christian Research Service put the effort in to contact Lifeway Books and post his concerns, they have set a precedence by removing all of their questional New Age leaning material.

Praise God for impressing upon them the importance of this in these very confusing times. Today there are so many philosophies crossing the planet at the speed of sound, it is imperative that Christians bring forth a clear gospel message not a message muddled with uncertainty.

New age books being sold by Lifeway Online Christian Bookstores

Not long after I became a Christian I found myself in a Christian bookstore checking out the books and the music. The thing that struck me was how they seemed to use the same marketing techniques as secular book and record stores. I would later find out that this was because most of the Christian publishers and record companies had been bought out by huge secular companies and the bottom line was and still is the bottom line.

I have always struggled while looking at some of the titles and authors of books in these stores with the lack of either discernment or concern over some of the material they would put on their shelves. It just seemed like they would sell just about anything if it resembled Christianity in some manner. That being said, I never thought I would see compromise to the point of selling full on New Age books in Christian bookstores. Check out this article by Bud Press from the Christian Research Service about what 'Lifeway', the online 'Christian' bookstore is selling these days.

Christian Yoga?

Some of you after reading the title of this post may be shocked or surprised and some may see it as no big deal. Well, believe it or not so-called 'Christian Yoga' is becoming a pretty big deal in some churches and some pretty big names are promoting it claiming it has many benefits. Check out what this Hindu has to say about Christian yoga on this program.

Here is an article written by a Hindu prophessor about so called 'Christian Yoga'.

Here is a link to several more links on the subject.

As I'm writing this I am just thinking I can't beleive how blatent the apostacy in the church is becoming. Remember these words from Deut. 18:9-13

"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God."

These verses also come to mind:

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." - 2 Timothy 3:1-5

"They said to you, In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." Jude 19



Here's one more link. This one is a PBS program on the Emerging church and how some of them are practicing 'Christian Yoga'. Click this link to see the program.

The more I am writing on this the more I am just blown away at the deception hitting the church right now. Pray before you read and view this stuff and then pray for the church.

Biblical Verses Cultural Christianity

I have often pondered how much the church has soaked up the culture to the point of losing it's distinction from the world. In doing this I have had to examine my own life and see where I am guilty in this regard. Intersting that I would find this comparison chart between biblical and cultural Christianity. I have to admit that as I read it I found myslef in the wrong column on a few of the catigories. I think it's always a good idea to be involved in personal spiritual inventory so give it a look and don't be surprised if it's a bit surprising and convicting. I have discovered that I have many blind spots that in part is the result of buying into much of what the church has been dishing out through the years in the spirit of being appealing to everyone. Jesus never told us to try and get everyone to like us. As a matter of fact, He said many would hate us for what we believe.

Remember the words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. - John 15:20

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matt. 5:11

"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. - Luke 21:12

There are many, many more. I guess the point is that our main focus is not to be people pleasers but it's to be obediant to Christ Jesus who allowed himself to be spit on, beaten, mocked, flogged and crucified on a cross all so we could spend eternity with him in heaven. Had Jesus been the voted most popular prophet in Jerusalem, I doubt he would have ever made it to that redeeming cross where he shed his blood for our sins.

Here's the comparison chart link:
http://www.crossroad.to/charts/cultural-Christianity.html

Keep Your Eyes On Iran

August 22 is a big day in out family because our son Liam was born on this date back in 2000. It is also lining up to be an interesting date for the globe because this is the date the Iranians have marked to give their anouncement with regard to their nuclear intentions. According to the article linked below, this could be much more than a simple statement.

Give it a read and pray that God would give our leaders wisdom and discerment.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110008768

End Times?

Unless you've got your head completely buried in the sand you have to have noticed there's been much happening in the world that is quite disturbing. A casual reading of the news today seems to mirror what Jesus spoke in Matt. 24:3-8
"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."

Now the Middle East has always been an extremely tumultuous region in the world but it seems that today the whole region is about to explode. I'm not one to jump to conclusions in regard to biblical prophecy but you have to admit, things are getting very interesting to say the least. Rather than blather on I thought I'd refer you all to a couple of well thought out sources on this subject. One is a sermon by Brian Broderson from Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California. You can listen to his message by clicking here and then scrolling down to the message entitled,"Signs of the Times".
The other link is an article found here. Both are well reasoned and thought provoking so I'll just shut up and get out of the way.

Emerging Church Gone Wild Follow Up

Here's a good follow up peice to the story I posted a couple of days ago about the Emerging church in California that is using sex to market their church.
Here's the link: http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2006/08/weekend-update-ec-gone-wilddo-you-have.html

'Psalm in a bog' linked to Israel's current war

Check out this story and how it relates to the current war with Israel. This is mind blowing to say the least. These are crazy times we are living in to be sure.

Using Sex to Sell the Church

I guess anything goes when you result to subjective reasoning rather than the word of God. Here is a great example of where it can lead you. This Emergent church has decided to use sex in marketing their church services. Check out the link here: http://www.mosaicrialto.com/
Sorry, but this has to be one of the most rediculous things I've seen in a long time.

Emerging From Reform

Recently while on the road I stopped into a used book store and found this little gem. It is a book by J.C. Ryle about what five English reformers had to face in standing up for the truth in the 16th century. I just thought it was interesting what these brave souls were willing to go through for the sake of the truth when today many that would identify themselves as part of the so-called Emerging church are basically saying was a waste of time and blood.

Here is a sample from the book:

"After a foolish and deplorable effort to obtain the crown for Lady Jane Grey, Edward was succeeded by his eldest sister Mary, daughter of Henry the VIII....best known in English history by the ill omened name of 'Bloody Mary'. Mary had been brought up from her infancy as a rigid adherent to the Romish Church....She began at once to pull down her brother's work in every possible way, and to restore the Popery in it's worst and most offensive forms....The mass was restored; the English service was taken away, the works of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Tyndale, Bucer, Latimer, Hooper, and Cranmer were proscribed....The foreign Protestants resident in England were banished...It is a broad fact that during the last four years of Queen Mary's reign no less than 288 persons were burnt at the stake for their adhesion to the Protestant faith."

Reminders of the reformation and what the reformers had to endure surround us here in Scotland. I have seen with my own eyes the dungeons John Knox and other protestants were thrown into because they dared to search the scriptures and preach what the bible actually said instead of being spoon fed the heretical controlling doctrines of the Catholic Church. I can't help but wonder how hard it must have been to do what they did. Think about that in light of some of Brian McLaren's words today; "[M]ysticism [contemplative prayer] provides some hope for common ground between Christianity and Islam. Both religions have within their histories examples of ecstatic union with God, which seem at odds with their own spiritual traditions but have much in common with each other." This from an interview he did recently, "[T]his is one of the huge problems with the traditional understanding of hell, because if the Cross is in line with Jesus' teaching, then I won't say the only and I certainly won't say ... or even the primary or a primary meaning of the Cross ... is that the Kingdom of God doesn't come like the kingdoms of this world by inflicting violence and coercing people. But that the kingdom of God comes thru suffering and willing voluntary sacrifice right? But in an ironic way the doctrine of hell basically says no, that's not really true. At the end God get's his way thru coercion and violence and intimidation and uh domination just like every other kingdom does. The Cross isn't the center then, the Cross is almost a distraction and false advertising for God."

Brian McLaren has also recently been quoted as saying the 'Left Behind' books were more dangerous in what they said than the 'Da Vinci Code'. I don't think all Christians have to agree on the end times view put forth in the 'Left Behind' series but to say they are more dangerous than the DaVinci Code is rediculous.

There is much more to be said about this but I would encourage you to think first about what Christ did for you on the Cross (which was not an accident as some Emergents will tell you) and also think about what the reformers went through as well back in the 16th century. Are we willing to suffer as they did or come up with some nice explanation that gets us off the hook. When I listen to people like Brian McLaren, it sounds to me like he thinks the reformation wasn't necessary and the blood of the reformers was spilt in vain. 

Comments Anyone

I've just been informed that the comment section was switched so that you could only leave a message if you have a blogger account. Sorry about that, I've just switched it so you can leave a comment if you want.

More stuff soon.

Prophetic Commentary on American Christianity

I found the commentary following this story to be quite stirring. Give it a read, it's worth it.

http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/07/a_press_release.php

The Emerging Church Departing from the Word

This is an excellent message (below) from Joe Focht the pastor of Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia. Please give it a listen when you get a chance.

In the past I have commented on the Emerging Church but there is much more that could be said. I should say I don't disagree with everything about the so called emerging church. I think mindless man made traditions that we've turned into the institution of the church bug me just like they bug the emergents. My issue with the EC is over doctrine. I don't like to make a big deal over non-essential doctrines although good healthy debate when done with the right attitude is benificial to the body. When we're talking about the authority of scripture, the doctrine of salvation and of penal substitutionary atonement (all doctrines that have been either denied or challenged by emergents) then we're talking about very central doctrines of the faith.

Let's put it this way, if you don't beleive in them, you're not a Christian. I'm not quite sure what you are but it's definitely not Christian. First of all when you compromise on the authority of scripture (many in the emergent movement like to think of the bible as a narrative which makes it true for you but not those that have their own narrative) you end up with all kinds of weird beliefs or you are just not sure about anything.

One of the major elements that has entered the church through the emergent door is contemplative prayer which has it's basis in eastern mysticism. This is a highly dangerous spiritual practice that has more in common with the Hindu faith than biblical Christianity. Another trend that is sweeping through the church is Yoga. They like to refer to it as Christian Yoga, which if you know anything about Yoga is an oxymoron. I'll get into more of that at a later time.

For now give this message a listen and think of these words spoken by the Apostle Peter, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."

http://www.ccphilly.org/audio/featuredmessages.aspx

Rick Warren in North Korea?

Hmmm. I'm not quite sure what to think about this one. I know when Luis Palau visited China recently he made some il advised comment about how the Christians there should all join the state church. He later apologized for his ignorant comment. A similar thing happened when Billy Graham went to the Soviet Union which the article posted below mentions. I don't know if he ever apologized though. I'm just hoping Mr. Warren has a little more sense and is aware of how he may potentially be used for political ends.

Check out this article, it hits the nail on the head.

http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/07/rick_warrens_no.php

A Convenient Lie

Here's a great article by John Stossel about the promulgation of fear by Al Gore and the global warming propagandists'.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/07/a_convenient_lie.html

American Christianity

Lately I've been wondering why it is that there are so many more prophessing christians in America but there doesn't seem to be much of a difference in the way people live their lives. Statistically there is very little difference with regard to divorce, abortion, murder, rape etc. To tell you the truth after living here for a couple of years I think in general it feels safer walking the streets here than in much of America these days and the people are very warm and friendly. Why is this? America has so many more that attend church on a regular basis than Scotland yet I'm just not seeing the difference played out in everyday life. I'm wondering if what's being peddled in America as Christianity has taken on so much of the culture that you can't even recognize it anymore. I found a couple of interesting commentaries that elaborate on this a bit further that I would definitely recommend checking out. One is a sermon and the other is a satire piece.

Here are the links:

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=52906154239
http://www.sacredsandwich.com/advertisement14.htm

Let me know what you think.

Marc