Thanks Jenna, unfortunately the blessing of my job has cut into my free time pretty seriously the past couple of months. While it is supposed to be a temporary thing as we make some big changes for the better, it seems to keep taking longer than planned. I appreciate your desire to watch and see life catch up to prophecy, keep watching!

Just to clarify, there have been more than 10 people who have destroyed American culture and no culture is perfect. It's not difficult to see the difference in culture from the 40's and earlier with today. America was more closely aligned with the principles laid out in the Bible then (in its imperfection) than it is today. And I agree, please do study history and do the research yourself.

I have a slightly different view of the order of events, but what God says will happen will happen and it is my prayer that the fulfillment of God's Word will continue to draw many to the realization that the Bible is the Word of God. I personally don't hold to a pre-trib rapture perspective. (http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Pretrib.htm) My studies have led me to accept the pre-wrath viewpoint. (http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Def_Prewrath.htm) I'm working to put together a better layout of the order as I see it, but you can see charts here: (http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/Resources/Charts.htm)

Actually I think it would be more historically accurate to say that the presence of Jews amongst Gentile nations brings out the worst in mankind against God's chosen people, hardly the "Jews causing problems." Not to say that Jews can't cause problems, but if you will look at the history of the diaspora, the Jews have been attacked for being who they are, a sure sign of hatred and bigotry against them simply for being from the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As I've pointed out many times before on the website, this is the result of spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 As laid out symbolically in Revelation 12, this hatred of Israel by the dragon has been going on for some time because it was through these people that the world loves to hate that the Messiah was born. Those who love this world and the ruler of it tend to align themselves with hatred, most viciously directed at Israel and the Jews. While the Jews aren't being "sent" to Israel, God is in the process of gathering them there to restore His people. Ezekiel 34:11-16 | Ezekiel 36:22-18 | Ezekiel 37:21-22 | Ezekiel 38:8 | Ezekiel 39:24-29 However that is still not going to stop the hatred of Israel and the gathering of the world against the nation of Israel. Ultimately this will culminate in the time of Jacob's trouble. But the Jews will be regathered to the promised land, whether drawn to it or driven by the bigots from the nations in which they currently reside. Zechariah 12:1-3 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Well clearly you've examined one whole side of the issue. Of course the world has not looked too positively on the desire for Israel to dwell in safety. After many wars initiated by threats and actions of the surrounding nations, Israel has taken and given back much land time and again in an attempt to defend her borders from those threatening to finish what Hitler started. This is not a surprise to me because you see the Bible said it would happen just like this, including naming the nations who would take part and making it clear that the whole world would be against Israel. It also says that good would be called bad and bad called good in this topsey-turvey time. Is Israel perfect? Hardly, but so too are they hardly the aggessors. Time and again they demonstrate their desire to just live in peace while the other side deomonstrates their desire to prevent that. If Islam would accept things as they are now, there would be peace. If Israel conceeded to the wishes of Islam, they would be left in pieces. Likewise, if Islam dropped all their weapons today there would be peace. If Israel did the opportunity would be grabbed and Israel would be wiped out. The bottom line is that what God foretold would happen will continue to. The world will increasingly hate Israel and eventually rejoice in her destruction during the time of great tribulation. Until that point, Israel will continue to act in defense of herself and we will see Damascus destroyed and an attack on Israel from the North through Lebanon by Turkey, Iran and likely Russia. God will intervene and for the time being Israel will be secure. Those who hate Israel will continue to see the crisis in the Middle East from one side and curse Israel. But don't forget that while the Lebanese undestand Israel very well indeed, so too does Israel understand them. It is for this reason that Israel has acted in self-defense, pulling out when a third party arrived to do what they were trying to do. However as time will soon show, having a fox guard the hen house will only lead to the prophesied attack from the North through the very nation Israel was trying to guard against. And the world will rejoice for a time.

Just FYI.

I have found in my study of scripture regarding the harpazo (rapture) that I can't agree with the pre-trib view. http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Def_Pretrib.htm I have also found that I can't agree with the traditional post-trib view either. http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Def_Posttrib.htm What I've discovered in my studies is a place in between that differentiates between the time of great tribulation http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Def_GreatTribulation.htm and the day of the Lord, or God's wrath. http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Def_DayoftheLord.htm We are told to expect tribulation and clearly many believers go through tribulation both now around the world and increasingly in the future. However we are also promised to escape God's wrath, which is for the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:1-8 I believe there is a scriptural happy medium in the pre-wrath view that I've tried to lay out and will continue to as I study the subject more. http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/Definitions/Def_Prewrath.htm

A friend has just let me know of some ties with Ron and The Trumpet with the Worldwide Church of God and Herbert W. Armstrong. The Trumpet advertises his autobiography as well. --------------------------- From The Watchman Expositor: Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong Pasadena, CA: Under the leadership of its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong, this church rejected the essential doctrines of evangelical Christianity, denying the doctrine of the Trinity, the full deity of Jesus Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit. The church epitomized the somewhat eclectic set of beliefs and practices that became known as Armstrongism. Beginning in the early 1990s under the leadership Armstrong’s successors, Joseph W. Tkach and his son Joe Tkach, this group has undergone remarkable doctrinal transformation. They now hold to a traditional evangelical position on the nature of God and the gospel, teaching the Trinity and salvation by grace alone, through faith alone. Large numbers of its membership have left to join splinter groups that still teach classic Armstrongism. Publishes The Plain Truth magazine. Armstrongism: The doctrines and religious movement originating with Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), who founded the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). Armstrong rejected such essential doctrines of evangelical Christianity as the Trinity, the full deity of Jesus Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit. Armstrong taught British Israelism and believed that worthy humans could eventually “become God as God is God.” Teaches salvation by works predicated on Sabbatarianism, tithing (20-30%), and keeping the Old Testament feast days and dietary laws. Under the leadership of Armstrong’s successors, Joseph W. Tkach and his son Joe Tkach, the WCG has undergone a radical doctrinal transformation. Scores of splinter groups, such as the Global Church of God and the United Church of God, continue to teach various forms of Armstrongism. --------------------------- Let me clarify that I don't hold these beliefs and the article is meant to stand alone as a look into history and possibly piece together what could come to pass as foretold in the Bible. The news stories I share here are pieces that may or may not ultimately be significant, but as a whole I believe it helps understand the path we are on leading to the ultimate end. For more details about my beliefs, please check out my website: http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/about.htm

Looking back on what I know of history, the Hebrew people were content with their homeland as divided up by the West, even willing to allow the creation of a Philistine state in the beginning. However this has never been acceptable to a whole collection of nations whose foundational belief system has the hatred of Jews built into it and an attitude of cooperation only toward the goal of elimination of those who don't hold that same belief. In war all things are acceptable to the radicals and hence the style of guerrilla warfare that was used to help turn the world against Israel. As any nation who is drawn into these wars seems to discover, the price forced by those fighting in this style prevents complete victory. The American Revolution showed this as did Vietnam and now Afghanistan. I expect this tactic to continue to be used to make those fighting against it into the bad guys. At the same time, scripture was fulfilled in the return of the land from a wasteland as described by Mark Twain prior to the regathering of Israel, also prophesied by Ezekiel. So too is the current stumbling stone upon which all the nations of the world are gathered against. There is a prophesied end to all of this that will come through a time of Jacob's trouble to the completion of God's plan. This story brings to light the upside-down nature of the world we live in today as foretold in scripture, one of the many things those watching will see as the world in general continues on the collision course with their Creator's plans unawares. I just found this article that touches on this: The World’s Biggest Problem http://bible-prophecy-today.blogspot.com/2009/12/worlds-biggest-problem.html

Updated post with Joel Rosenberg's response.

I've just updated the story with further audio on this subject from Jan Markell's radio program. The counter argument is presented by Dr. Jim Bilby from Bethel College as well as audio from the event in question.

How would we ensure this disrimination and hatred towards Christians ends? I agree that I would like it to end, but I also see it as a sign of the times. We are told that this hatred of Christians by the world would continue to get worse and worse as the end approached. Matthew 24:3-13 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. It is the message of repentance for sin that brings much of the hatred I believe. In a world that follows the message of "do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law," a message that limits desires of the flesh and points out their errors brings out an attitude against those who agree with scripture. We're thought as "high and mighty" who think we're better than anyone else. When in reality we're all in the same position, some just struggle against the flesh to live by the spirit instead of giving into every whim. For those who believe and try to follow God's Word, tripping along the way sometimes, we cannot turn away from what we believe while those who reject it refuse to turn to it. This will always keep the children of God at odds with the children of this world. I do believe that as Christians we need to live the Word and show how followers of Christ live their life in love, showing that the hatred of us is irrational, a witness for those around to see.

Just to clarify, I personally did not write this, Terry James at Bible Prophecy Today did and I agree with you both. What was foretold to come will come and catch the majority of the world by surprise as it does. Thank God we have been forewarned, and while this doesn't mean being unscathed, it prepares us mentally for what we have yet to go through. Walking into a pitch black room there is fear of the little things, like stubbing your toes on what you can't see or maybe who or what else is in there with you. As soon as the light goes on, all darkness and all fear go too. So it is being the light-bearers with the Truth of God's Word, like a light shining on a hill. Perfect love casts out all fear and God's Word is His gift of love to His creation, ensuring we aren't walking in darkness but fully aware of who we are in Him and where we fit as what He foretold comes to pass.

As for the Dajal, I believe the fight between the beast and false prophet against Yeshua may be the battle at Har Megiddo when Yeshua comes to take the kingdoms of the world and destroy the beast and false prophet. So in my understanding viewing from Bible prophecy and admittedly what little I know of Islamic eschatology is: 12th Imam = false prophet (rises out of the earth [well at Jamkaran mosque]) or possibly Esu Esu = man of sin (antichrist in Christianity) or possibly false prophet Dajal = Yeshua whom the Mahdi and Esu will fight against and be defeated by at Har Megiddo.

I personally don't agree with Joel Richardson's views and see the 12th Imam as separate from Esu, who appears after the rise of the 12th Mahdi. I also believe that the Dajal will be fought against by both of these. Where I differ is in the apparent 180 degree difference in the Quran's layout and the Bible's. According to scripture, there will be two end-time personalities that will take power with signs and lying wonders. These are both introduced in Revelation 13. Man of Sin (Revelation 13:1-4) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? False Prophet (Revelation 13:11-13) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men These two work together to bring the world under their control. With the ability to call fire from heaven and other such "miracles," mixed with the fear of death, many will willingly follow them.

I disagree, a simple look at Bible prophecy points to the clear distinction of Yeshua the Christ coming from a lineage traced back to the first Adam and it was through Israel that the Messiah came not to their glory, but for His glory. A peculiar people was chosen and set apart from the world and through them foreshadows of what came through Yeshua were written for all the world to see that God is who He says He is and means what He says. The lineage of Christ for anyone who accepts the Bible is clearly stated by several of the 12 disciples. The Jews as a people for the most part don't believe the prophesied Messiah has come and Islam views him as "a" prophet. This fits more with the New Age view of Yeshua as one of many "instructors" who came. The main difference with the New Age movement that I can see is that focus on finding God is within oneself whereas the three main monotheistic faiths view God as external to themselves. With Jews, it is simply a lack of observation of the fulfillment brought about through Yeshua, a blindness that will be lifted leading to them calling on Him and His return in glory. With Islam, it was a mix-and-match of Old and New Testament from the start along with other beliefs thrown in to build this religion as it is today. I would recommend getting some background from Craig's website http://www.prophetofdoom.net. Christianity is the only belief system that recognizes the fulfilled prophecies of Yeshua and His own words as well as those of the prophets showing the mystery of God revealed through the Gospel of Christ for the salvation of mankind. This doesn't negate His earthly origins through the nation of Israel, it reinforces the reality of God's plan as foretold by the Old Testament prophets further validating the Word of God as Truth. That other beliefs twist the Truth of Yeshua doesn't negate His earthly lineage and to make that case hides many fulfilled prophecies that further build faith in God and His Word. Yeshua is the Word made flesh, fulfillment of what was foretold and of God's plan for redemption, inseperable in this watchman's opinion.

From JOHN O’ROURKE... UPDATE: THE REFERENDUM ON THE LISBON TREATY (SECOND TIME AROUND) IS TO TAKE PLACE IN IRELAND ON OCTOBER, 2009. THREE OF THE MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES IN IRELAND (FINE GAEL, LABOUR, AND FIANNA FAIL) ARE PUSHING FOR THE IRISH PEOPLE TO VOTE: “YES”. THEY SAY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROMISES MADE TO IRELAND IN RELATION TO ABORTION, NEUTRALITY ETC. MY PERSONAL OPINION: SINCE WE HAVE THIS EXCLUSIVIST IDEOLOGY CLAUSE IN THE TREATY, IT IS TOTALLY ANTI-CHRIST. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN.

Thanks Art, I fixed it!

Scientists' stem cell breakthrough ends ethical dilemma http://watchmannewsletter.typepad.com/news/2009/03/scientists-stem-cell-breakthrough-ends-ethical-dilemma.html

I would post this news article if anyone in power were saying it because it is stating the intentions to use fear of the current situation to further the goal of global governance. Please examine the facts and read the ending from scripture. Watchman Bible Study Guide: http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/BibleStudyGuide.htm

Lurker, you seem somewhat obsessed with race. http://watchmannewsletter.typepad.com/blog/2009/02/what-happened-to-february-16-2009.html#comment-6a010536390c9e970c011168d21fa9970c I'm not sure why, aside from playing the race card, you feel I'm racist. I know this tactic and it only makes it clear that you haven't read my website. So to be clear, there is no difference between white, black or any other race of people. We all have the same blood, the life of the body and are all God's creation. Moreover we are spirits only temporarily living in these temples of flesh and one day will receive new and immortal bodies. A true Biblical Christian cannot hate on basis of color. I consider myself a Biblical Christian, flawed as we all are, but also covered by the blood of the Lamb as I continue to walk the straight and narrow path to the point that I will meet Him face to face. I will answer to Him at that time for any hatred in my heart, which I am unafraid to do. I am watching Obama not because of his skin color, a completely trivial and inconsequencial thing, but rather because of the policies that the current government is bringing about. Make no mistake that I blame the Republicrats as much as the Demicans in this as this plan has been in the works for some time now. I also don't put it squarely on the shoulders of Obama since I believe the plan cannot be changed by elected officials. There are too many powerful people behind the scenes pulling the strings. If you really think that this is a Demican/Republicrat issue, then you're missing the bigger picture, the one painted by the study of history and examination of Bible prophecy. The mystery of iniquity has been at work for longer than any civilization has been around and is much smarter and much more deceiptful than we understand. Personally, related to the story, I don't agree with the toying with embryos, especially when there are other options. Moreover it is my understanding that the policies in place before didn't prevent research, but simply held back government funding for it. So in a time like this when we're already spending more than ever before in history and almost $10 trillion in debt, are we opening up the coffers for something businesses could spend their own money on?

I see nothing racist in the comment, yet it's interesting how that is the basis for response. Look at the policies, not the color - that's irrelevant. We, along with the other nations of the world (and from both sides of the isle) are being moved into a New World Order. While I don't believe Obama is the antichrist as some, a close examination of America's direction falls right in line with the global control prophesied for the end.

I pray whatever site you find, you keep your focus on God.

Very true, there is always the possibility of things changing overnight. The rebuilding of the temple of course would not be overnight, but if the rumors that it is being pre-fabricated off-site in secret it could go up faster than thought. The middle of April? Probably not, but changes are certainly coming in Israel and time will tell.