This video speaks for itself.  May we each take this man’s words to heart.  It isn’t all about discerning false religions and getting our prophecy stance straight and relating it to current events.  We must KNOW GOD and live for and with Him.  Love Him. Commune with Him. Exemplify Him. Take note . . .

Note from Heidi:  This article is half of one that Jack sent to me a couple weeks ago.  Over the holidays a number of people I am aware of entered eternity.  The ones I am thinking of are Christians, though many lost souls died during this time as well.  My thoughts have been, “What if we, as Christians, could even begin to grasp what has happened to our saved loved one?  They aren’t ‘dead,’ they’re just not with us right now.”  This is partly why I wanted to share this with you.

The other reason is because of what Jack brings out at the end — it gives us a better idea of what will happen to those who don’t know Jesus Christ as personal Savior after they die.  And, hopefully, will spur us on to be prepared to share the gospel with them as our Father provides the opportunity.

by Jack Kinsella

As a Christian, I have absolutely no fear of being dead.  (I am here referring to physical death).  But getting that way gives cause for pause.

I can think of very few ways to shuffle off this mortal coil that don’t involve some measure of discomfort, not to mention fear.

We’re born into this world in much the same way — it is a God-given blessing that we are incapable of remembering the experience.

At the moment of death, as our physical eyes close, our spiritual eyes open.  The best illustration I’ve ever seen of how this works is this diagram drawn by Clarence Larkin, explaining the threefold nature of man.

Note the outer ring of the diagram, labeled the carnal body, or soma.  This is the physical part — the part that dies. The body is an input device, similar in function to the keyboard and mouse on a computer.

It receives sensory input through the ability to see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

This is what physical life is.  It is the ability to see, hear, smell, taste and touch, and through those sensory inputs, we find the enjoyment of life.

Everything a natural man knows, feels or experiences comes to him through one of these sensory gates.

The next ring of the diagram is the one Larkin labels the soul, or the psyche.

Larkin also labels it ‘natural’ — for the ‘natural man.’  All human beings have souls, which consist of the mind, will and emotions.

Taken together, they make up that part that distinguishes you from all other human beings.  Your soul is what makes you you – my soul is what makes me me.

It is the part that owns all the rest of your existence.  You have a body, but that body is not you — it is your possession.  Your soul is you.

When you die, your soul leaves your body, which is then discarded as an empty shell.  Your soul no longer receives input from the five sensory gates, but it continues to exist.

One way to illustrate this is by looking at “cloud” computing — the next wave of data processing.  In cloud computing, one’s data is located online instead of on one’s computer.  This protects it from crashes, infections, etc., and makes it possible to access your data from any computer.

In pure cloud computing, even the operating system is located online.  So everything about your computer that makes your computer yours is not on your computer at all.

Your physical computer still sits on your desk and you still use it to input your data, but the data is stored in the ‘cloud’.  So if your computer dies tomorrow, your data doesn’t die with it.

Your data was never actually part of your computer — and so it exists independently of it in the cloud.

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by Nathan Jones

What signs can we specifically see happening right now that are indicating that the Rapture of the Church is close at hand?

On Saturday, November 19, 2011, I was interviewed by host August Rosado of the BlogTalkRadio show Signs of the Times. August is a Bible prophecy teacher and preacher and founder of a ministry called Today in Bible Prophecy. He has and continues to be a personable guest on our television program Christ in Prophecy. He and I spent some time discussing the signs of the times that point to Jesus Christ’s soon return.

Signs of Nature

Nathan Jones: Oh, my goodness! There are just so many signs that demonstrate the Lord’s soon return.

Nathan Jones: Take the signs of nature for one. Luke 21:11 says, “there will be great earthquakes in varies places, plagues and famines, there will be terror and great signs from heaven.” We know that as the time approaches for Jesus to come back, Matthew 24:8 says it will be like birth pains. You and I have children, August, so we have gotten to watch our wives (thank goodness we didn’t have to go through it), but our wives went through labor. The labor pains get stronger and closer together and faster as the baby is about to come. With the signs of nature, natural disasters the world has always experienced because it is a fallen and cursed world, but the disasters of the last days will come more frequent and intense. They will get stronger and cause more devastation.

It used to be years and not merely months between natural disasters, but now it seems like every week we hear about another natural disaster. As a matter of fact, I’m reading here some of Dr. Reagan’s research, that between October of 1991 and 2004 nine of the ten largest insurance natural disasters happened. Nine of the ten greatest disasters ranked by FEMA caused relief crises. Five of the costliest hurricanes happened in history. And, three of the four largest tornado swarms occurred.

I’m in Texas right now and we are having the worst drought ever. If you go out to Lake Lavon near us you can literally walk across where it once was because there’s almost no water left in it.

While there are terrible droughts, meanwhile in other parts of the world like up in the New England area and in Thailand. Bangkok is pretty much under water.

We are having earthquakes all over the planet in strange areas like in Washington D.C. and Oklahoma where we don’t usually experience them.

We have hurricanes like Katrina and a number of others which come destroying huge swaths of land.

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by Jack Kelley

This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, Who stretches out the Heavens Who lays the foundations of the Earth, and Who forms the spirit of man within him declares, “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.

On that day when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves” (Zech 12:1-3).

True, the ultimate fulfillment of this passage will come at the very end of the age, but a careful reading shows the progressive nature of the prophecy. First the surrounding nations will be sent reeling, with both Judah (West Bank) and Jerusalem besieged.  Ultimately all the nations of the earth will be involved, and those who move against Jerusalem will wind up injuring themselves. And please don’t miss the way the Author identifies Himself: the One Who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth and forms man’s spirit within him. Not much doubt as to Who’s speaking, so we better pay attention.

When Will These Things Happen?

It’s safe to say that all the nations of the earth are troubled over Jerusalem today. They realize the ease with which the whole world could be drawn into a conflict in the Middle East. And almost all are already aligned against Jerusalem. Remember, the prophecy is initially focused on  the surrounding peoples and indicates that Judah and Jerusalem will be besieged. The degree to which this part of the prophecy is already being fulfilled is frightening.  Much of the land bordering Israel has become little more than an armed camp, filled with troops at the ready.

Hezbollah has been moving their rockets and missiles into position again with Lebanon’s full support, while steadily increasing their inventories of weaponry.  Syria also has troops along Israel’s northern border as well as missiles set to fire upon Israeli cities. In the South Hamas and the PA are no less prepared.  Recent reports confirm that large numbers of rockets and missiles from Libya have turned up in Gaza. Together, these next door neighbors claim that every city in Israel is now within missile range.  In it’s headline report on Dec. 5, 2011 Debkafile assessed the likelihood of war in the Middle East, including an Israeli attack on Iran, to be very high between mid-December and mid-January.  The US and Russia have both stationed powerful fleets in the Eastern Mediterranean against this possibility.  There’s still time for diplomacy but for now no one believes a diplomatic solution will be forthcoming.

Psalm 83

As a result, this is beginning to look like a run-up to Psalm 83, a battle that’s never happened, but involves all of Israel’s next door neighbors in an effort to “destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more” (Psalm 83:4). The Psalmist pleads with God  to pursue Israel’s neighbors with His tempest and terrify them with His storm so they will perish in disgrace (Psalm 83:15-17). I believe his prayer will be answered because this outcome is necessary to set the stage for Ezekiel 38-39.

Isaiah 17, An Oracle Against Damascus

We should also consider what could be a related prophecy from Isaiah 17. It was partially fulfilled in 732 BC when the Assyrians conquered Damascus (Aram). But never did Damascus cease to be inhabited as the prophecy requires (Isaiah 17:1).  In fact to this day Damascus is described as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, over 5000 years and counting.  The fortified city in vs. 3 was Samaria, capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  It was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BC. The Northern Kingdom consisted of the 10 tribes of Israel who rebelled in the religious upheaval that followed King Solomon’s death and was allied with Damascus against Assyria. Like Damascus it was defeated and its people carried off into captivity.  Since Damascus was never destroyed and never ceased being inhabited, the world may have seen a partial fulfillment in history that points to a total fulfillment yet future to us.

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Note from Heidi: I had a reader email me this weekend and say, “Are you okay? We haven’t heard from you for a while!” So sweet, but Lisa you didn’t give me any email address so I could write you back, so I’ll just tell everybody — I’m fine, just busy!

The other thing is, when I set up this Web site, I was determined not to inundate you with information you could get just everywhere else on the Web, so I’m picky about what I put here. But I think, as Jack says in his article, below, that part of the problem with finding intriguing and informative news is that, “The signs continue to pile up. . . almost to the point where we can’t see them anymore because they are so ubiquitous. Like being unable to see the forest for the trees.” So I’ll see something and go, “Yeah, yeah — we already know that!” Hard to tell what my readers know, so I make a judgment call!

Know that I’m fine and JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!!! Maranatha!

By Jack Kinsella

To be “sovereign” means to have supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory or country. In centuries past, the concept of sovereignty was linked to the ability to act in the best interests of sovereign citizens.

From time immemorial, the definition of a sovereign was two-fold. Only a sovereign had the power to levy taxes or to put a man to death.

The Treaty of Wesphalia signed in 1648 set forth the basic principles of sovereignty, but all spring from those two basic powers. The power to impose taxes, or tribute, is the bedrock definition of sovereignty.

The Jews of Israel at the time of Jesus were NOT sovereign citizens, but rather, citizens under foreign occupation.

That they were not sovereign is clearly established in Matthew 22:15-21 where the Pharisees attempt to trip Jesus up by tricking Him into making either a blasphemous or a politically insurgent statement.

The Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful for Jews to pay tribute (taxes) to Rome. The Pharisees hoped to trick Him into a yes or no answer. If He answered “Yes” then He was open to charges that He accepted Caesar’s sovereign rule instead of God’s.

If He answered “No” then he was open to charges of subverting Caesar’s sovereign authority — the charge for which He was eventually brought before Pilate anyway.

The Jews had to bring Him before Pilate because lacking sovereign authority, the Jewish courts had no authority to sentence someone to death on their own. Jesus’ reply settled the issue of legal sovereignty under God this way:

“But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny. And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto Him, Caesar’s. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:18-21)

What does this verse teach us? Among other things, it defines political sovereignty as the authority to levy taxes. Since Caesar was the political sovereign of the time,Jesus said it was lawful to pay tribute, or taxes, as a recognition of his sovereignty.

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Note from Heidi: It seems to me that it is easy to become saturated with information on all the end-times events and scenarios taking place in our world today.  But there comes a point where we each must regroup and decide what we are going to do in light of these things.  Roy’s short devotional below is very apropos in this regard.  It is something we must all take to heart . . .

By Roy Lessin

by Jack Kinsella

At Babel, God deliberately confused the languages of men and dispersed them into different nations. The purpose, according to Genesis, was to prevent them from all coming under the authority of a single dictator, as happened under Nimrod.

“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Genesis 11:6)

Denominationalism is the spiritual equivalent, ensuring that one powerful leader couldn’t take over Christianity and lead the true Church into error, as the Bible says the antichrist will during the Tribulation Period.

There is an effort by some world church denominations to reverse the process and bring all denominations together under the banner of ‘ecumenism’ but, because the separation is Divinely ordained, it has been unable to attract those denominations that most closely follow the Bible.

The World Council of Religious leaders is such an organization.  Formed at the Millennium World Peace Summit in 2002, The World Council adopted its own charter outlining how they can play an active role in global government:

“The World Council of Religious Leaders aims to serve as a model and guide for the creation of a community of world religions. It seeks to inspire women and men of all faiths in the pursuit of peace and mutual understanding. It will undertake initiatives that will assist the United Nations and its agencies by providing the spiritual resources of the world’s religious traditions in the prevention, resolution and healing of conflicts, and in addressing global social and environmental problems.”

Jesus Himself addressed denominationalism, writing to the seven Churches in the first three chapters of Revelation. Each of these churches is different, both in their doctrine and in the emphasis they place on it.

Thus, we have the Church of Ephesus ‘hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes’ (a separate status for clergy and ‘laity’) whereas the Church of Pergamos is depicted as holding to “the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” (Revelation 2:6,15)

It isn’t the denominationalism that Jesus ‘hated’ but the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, who developed a complicated hierarchy of bishops, priests, and ‘laity’ to oversee a Grand Church, as opposed to the Biblical model of local church self-government.

Theoretically, Christian denominations share the same basic statement of faith, that of the sin nature, the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, the Power of the Shed Blood of Christ to cover sin, the free offer of salvation to all who trust Jesus’ sacrifice, and who share the belief that salvation is the product of a relationship with Christ, not a relationship with a church.

How can you tell if you are a member of a Christian denomination or a form of ‘Christian religion’? There are eight sure signs, any of which should make a Bible-believing Christian sit up and take notice.
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Note from Heidi: This is a little different fare from what I usually post.  However, considering all the climactic weather, the threat of terrorism, the concern about impending financial collapse, it is certainly apropos.  But it would be, regardless, because we humans tend to worry about a LOT of stuff.  Oh that we would know our God well enough to know that He is completely capable of meeting every need and taking care of every concern in our lives.  As I like to say at my house when a challenge presents itself, “Well Lord, You’re the Man of the house.  You take care of it!”  May this short article inspire and challenge you!

by John MacArthur

We all have to admit that worry is a common temptation in life–for many it is a favorite pastime. America, the most affluent society in the world is also the most worry-filled society in the world–that is, if spending on security, mental illnesses, and intoxicants are any indication. Americans worry, and worry is a sin. It is neither insignificant, nor inconsequential. And for the Christian, it is absolutely contrary to faith Christ.

Jesus categorically prohibited worry in a familiar portion of the Sermon on the Mount–Matthew 6:25-34. Three times in that short passage He commanded, “Do not worry!”, and the way He said it shows the comprehensiveness of His charge. In verse 25 He acknowledges worry as a common practice and says, “Stop worrying;” in verses 31 and 34 He uses the same word, but in a way that means “Don’t even start worrying.” To continue worrying about anything, or to start worrying in the first place, is to violate the Lord’s command.

If you worry, what kind of faith do you manifest? “Little faith,” according to Jesus (Matt. 6:30). Now if you are a child of God, by definition you have a Heavenly Father. To act like you don’t–nervously asking, “What shall I eat? What shall I drink? With what shall I clothe myself?”–is to act like an unbeliever in God’s eyes (vv. 31-32).

Think about it this way: Christians who worry believe God can redeem them, break the shackles of Satan, take them from hell to heaven, put them into His kingdom, and give them eternal life, but just don’t think He can get them through the next couple of days. That is pretty ridiculous, isn’t it? That we can believe God for the greater gift and then stumble and not believe Him for the lesser one reveals an embarrassing lack of faith.

The Worrier Strikes Out at God
Someone might say, “Why make a big deal out of worry? It’s just a trivial sin.” No, it is not. I suspect a majority of mental illnesses and some physical illnesses are directly related to worry. Many cases of drunkenness and drug addiction are symptomatic of worry. And because of worry, many make foolish life decisions, incurring painful consequences. Worry is devastating. But more important than what worry does to you is what you are communicating about God. When you worry you are saying in effect, “God, I just don’t think I can trust You.” Worry strikes a blow at the person and character of God.

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Here is a snippet of a message by John MacArthur explaining his reasons for continuing to believe in a pre-tribulation rapture.  I love this subject, and just this week had someone contact us at work who wanted me to provide something to “convince” her of the pre-tribulation rapture.  I feel no compunction to coerce someone to believe in this doctrine.  It doesn’t determine someone’s salvation.  I like Chuck Missler’s attitude toward it:  “We’ll explain it to you on the way up!”  Be blessed.  — Heidi

by Jack Kelley

A number of people have wondered about using Acts 15:13-18 to support my position that the rapture of the church has to precede the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week. Most of their comments have contained a request for a clearer understanding of why I do this, so here it is.

It was almost 20 years after the cross when the Council of Jerusalem took place. James, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, some believers from the Pharisees, and others had gathered to settle the issue of whether Gentiles had to convert to Judaism before they could become Christians. But another question, unspoken, was also on their minds and as Jews it was even more important to them. “If not, what’s to become of Israel?”

The Pharisees argued that the path to Christianity for Jews and Gentiles alike was through Judaism. To them this meant keeping the Law, being circumcised and following the traditions in addition to recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. Then Peter, Barnabas, and Paul presented a different opinion, based on seeing firsthand the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles. They said because of that, Gentiles should be allowed to come directly into the Church. Now let’s turn to Acts 15:13 for the outcome of the meeting.

When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. Simon (Peter) has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. (Acts 15:13-14)

The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’ that have been known for ages. (Acts 15:15-18)

What Does That Mean?

In simple language James, the brother of Jesus and Head of the Church in Jerusalem, said Israel was being set aside while the Lord took a people from among the Gentiles for Himself (or for His name’s sake.) Remember, 69 weeks of Daniel’s 70 Week prophecy had transpired. It was becoming obvious that with the Lord’s crucifixion the clock had stopped short of the promised 70 weeks. Although Jerusalem and the Temple had not yet been destroyed the Lord’s prophecy that they soon would be was a matter of public record.

Already there were signs that all was not well where the Temple was concerned. The Jewish Talmud records four ominous indications that trouble was coming. (Talmud Mas. Yoma 39b)

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