The Land of Shinar

So I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?” And he said to me, “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”                          Zechariah 5:10-11  NKJV

It should come as no surprise to most that much has been made of the news recently of the decision by the United States to not veto a resolution put forward in the United Nations to condemn Israel for building settlements on land supposedly subject to negotiation concerning ownership.  This is, of course, the land that was captured by Israel as a result of the 1967 Six Day War, including the eastern part of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.  As part of the “peace process”, the world apparently believes that until an agreement can be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians, no new construction of homes or settlements should be started by Israel.  Rather than using its permanent veto power to defeat this resolution as it has always done in the past, the current administration allowed it to pass.

The fallout of this betrayal of Israel has been swift and vocal, with just this past week the US House of Representatives passing a motion condemning the UN resolution as “one sided” and a stumbling block to the peace process by allowing the Palestinian leadership to “impose” a solution outside of the negotiating process.  The House resolution was not the only reaction to the situation, however, and it is the conversations concerning other actions against the UN which have followed that have caught not only my attention, but others as well who study the end times and the one world government of which the Bible has so much to say.

One of the first subjects of conversation that followed the passing of the UN resolution to condemn Israel concerned the defunding of that body by the United States.  Many are unaware that although it is supposedly a “world” organization, the United States contributes more than 22 percent of the United Nations budget.  Consider what would happen to all of us if our income suddenly dropped by a quarter and you can imagine the hurt that would put on the UN.  The calls for defunding are coming from both parties in our government, and bills are already being drafted for consideration which would immediately stop our contribution to the UN.

Another aspect of this controversy is found in the calls from many for the US to withdraw as a member of the UN entirely.  Of the adjectives which have figured prominently in the news since the anti-Israel resolution was passed, the one which I personally have seen used the most is “corrupt”.  Although created after the Second World War with good intentions, what has slowly evolved over the years is an institution which has abandoned the goals it originally set in favor of what many are calling “greed, corruption, and outright hostility”.  While many may remember the oil-for-food scandal during the Iraq War, it has escaped most peoples notice that in the past year, the UN adopted 20 resolutions which reflected negatively on the nation of Israel and only three others against all other nations of the world combined.  Many believe, and I agree, this cannot be seen as anything less that bias against the nation of Israel.

There is one more suggestion, however, which immediately raised red flags in my mind when I read it and that is the call for the incoming administration to expel the UN from its headquarters in New York, and send it on its way to find another country to call home.  It is this possibility which captured my attention as most who have studied the end times understands that the center of the coming world government and the headquarters of the anti-Christ will be located on the plains of Shinar, in the country known by us as Iraq but formerly known as Babylonia.  Is it possible that the new government of the US could expel the UN, only to see them relocate to Iraq?

By now it seems common knowledge that Saddam Hussein spent an extraordinary amount of time and money rebuilding the city of Babylon before the Gulf War.  In late 2014 the UN committed to fund even more rebuilding to not only repair damage from the war, but do even more.  In 2009 the US completed construction of a new embassy in Baghdad which at 104 acres in size is the largest in the world.  Costing 750 million dollars, it is also the most expensive.  It has been said that it compares in size to the Vatican City in Rome, and has led many to question exactly why the US not only spent this amount of money to construct, but build an embassy this large in this part of the world.

While asking that question, some have speculated that whatever the reason, it would certainly make a perfect seat of power for the coming world leader when he attempts to consolidate his power using the “land of Shinar” as his base of operations.  Is it possible that we are seeing the steps towards the future consolidation of power to Babylon beginning to occur?  The Bible makes it clear that the future world government will rule from there so it should come as no surprise that we might see glimpses of that before the Lord returns for His bride.  The Bible also makes it clear what the end result of all of this will be.

Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place, In the wrath of the LORD of hosts And in the day of His fierce anger. It shall be as the hunted gazelle, And as a sheep that no man takes up; Every man will turn to his own people, And everyone will flee to his own land. Everyone who is found will be thrust through, And everyone who is captured will fall by the sword. Their children also will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; Their houses will be plundered And their wives ravished. “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, Who will not regard silver; And as for gold, they will not delight in it. Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces, And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; Their eye will not spare children. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.   Isaiah 13:13-19  NKJV

I personally believe 2017 is going to be a very eventful year for those who choose to watch.  Yet the key to understanding the times is using the Word of God as a light to show us the way.  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart, and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by simply praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered all of us by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Keep watching.

 http://www.lamblion.us/2009/06/antichrist-will-be-headquartered-in.html

Standing on the Promises of God

So 2016 comes to an end and the Church is still here.  If you are a watcher like I am, I am sure you are more than aware of all of the failed dreams, visions, and predictions of the past year that claimed we would be gone by now.  Something I learned as a small child and something I am equally sure most of you have learned by now is that the greater your expectations are, the more disappointed you are when it doesn’t come to pass.  As believers, our hope and expectation is in the Lord and the rapture of the Church to be with Him forever in our heavenly home.  Yet although the signs are all around us we finish another year still here on this earth struggling with our feelings. 

As I thought about this, it occurred to me that there are three steps leading downward we need to avoid at all costs, and by understanding what they are we can begin to maintain our perspective and better cope with the situation we find ourselves in as we wait patiently for our Lord.  It would appear to me that Paul might have been dealing with this in his letter to the church at Philippi, and his advice to them certainly seems to me to provide us some help while struggling with our feelings as we watch and wait.

Disappointment

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.    Philippians 3:20-21  NKJV

Paul’s first reminder to the church is that we have a promise from God that Jesus will return to take us to heaven, the place prepared for us to live for eternity with Him.  When we accepted His gift of eternal life, we became citizens of heaven and although we may be living on this earth right now, it is but temporary and we have a promise from God Himself that we need to remind ourselves of daily in order to avoid the disappointment which can come from our having to wait.  This earth is not our home, and we need to focus on His promise rather than the disappointment of still being here.

Discouragement

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.    Philippians 4:4-7  NKJV

Have you found yourself becoming discouraged by having to wait so long for our deliverance from this world?  Have you considered that discouragement is one of Satan’s best weapons against believers who choose to watch for Christ’s return?  Disappointment, if left unchecked, leads directly to discouragement.  Have you ever noticed that inside of the word discouragement is the word courage? One of the first things that can happen to a discouraged believer is losing the courage to speak of what he or she believes in.  Paul says to rejoice always!  Have you talked with God about your struggles?  Have you told Him you are disappointed and discouraged?  Paul says if we do, His peace will surround us and help us guard against this downward spiral.

Despair

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.    Philippians 4:8-9  NKJV

To me, despair is the bottom of the emotional hole Satan wants all of us to fall into.  Despair is a total lack of hope, and it is a result of focusing solely on the negative, and ignoring all of the positive promises of God that are available to us as believers.  Paul says here to meditate, the Greek word for number, all the things God has done and promised to do for us.  To combat despair, believers need to number the many blessings we do have, and the future blessings we have been promised which will help us regain the trust that we will receive that which has yet to be given.  

I began this article by mentioning there were a few failed predictions of this past year.  To be truthful, I think I can safely say that this year will also give rise to many failed predictions.  As believers, we need to be especially careful to focus solely on what the Word of God says, rather than what man might say based on his own calculations and observations.  Many predictions for this coming year are already making news, and many of them concern astrological signs.  I thought I would leave you with an excerpt from an article by Jack Kelley written back in 2011 which contains some advice many of us should take to heart as we watch for the rapture of the Church.

So how could an idea like this one become so easily accepted by so many? It’s because as a Church we are a people of zeal without knowledge. For several generations now our leaders have consistently misinformed and misled us and we’ve been too lazy to search the Scriptures on our own to see if the things they’re teaching us about the End Times are true. As a result some who should know better can be fooled into believing that applying astrology to the interpretation of Scripture is a legitimate approach, even though its practice was a sin in Old Testament times (Lev. 19:26 KJV).

Some of us want the rapture to come so badly that we’ll believe anything we’re told that points to an early fulfillment even though it’s certain to result in disappointment. Sure the Bible says there’ll be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, but there have always been such things, and history has shown that seeing them is no excuse for ignoring sound doctrine. These signs are meant to support what the Bible says, not replace what it says.

This is an application of Paul’s warning that in the last days people would not put up with sound doctrine but would gather around themselves teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

So when someone comes out with a new idea based on eclipses, or comets, or even Scripture, don’t assume he’s done his homework. And that includes articles you find on this site. Do what Paul told you to do and search the scriptures daily to prove whether these things be true (Acts 17:11).

As the time grows shorter there will be all kinds of false information bombarding us. Some will be out of ignorance and some will be out of malevolence. Either way you could easily become confused or discouraged. Do your homework. Make sure you understand why no part of Daniel’s 70th Week, which begins in Rev.6, can take place until the Church is gone.

https://gracethrufaith.com/end-times-prophecy/why-sept-29-will-not-fulfill-rev-12/#more-27926

I can’t help but remember the words of an old hymn I learned in church as a young believer which says simply,  “I’m standing on the promises of God.”  Amen.

Keep watching.

Faithfully Watching

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.         Luke 2:1-16 NKJV

I’m sure most of us are familiar with the Christmas story and have either read or heard it preached on for many years.  Being raised in a Christian home my earliest memories of Christmas are filled with images of Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem, finding no room at the inn, and Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger.  Of course, like most of us, as I grew older I began to study and learn about the “stories within the story” and of those, the one that has always fascinated me concerned the wise men who followed the star, and exactly how they knew to do so.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard [these things], he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found [him], bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.       Matthew 2:1-12 NKJV

The answer as to why the Magi came in search of Jesus is contained in the single phrase, “ Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east”.  Obviously, the Magi had been told that a future King of the Jews would be born one day and a star in the east would not only herald His birth, but lead them to Him.  The Magi were priests and advisors to the rulers of Parthia, a kingdom whose roots go back to the Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar.  Their knowledge of the prophecy of a coming King came from the teaching of Daniel, and his revelation of the message he received from the angel Gabriel spoken of in Daniel 9:24-27.  The result was that these Magi had been “faithfully watching” for over 600 years for the sign they had been told to watch for.

Believers too, have been given the task of faithfully watching for the return of this King, Jesus, for His bride.  We have been given signs to watch for and they are all around us today.  The most important question is, though, are you prepared to go home with Him when He calls?

My prayer is that all of you have a joyful holiday season remembering that Christmas is all about the most precious gift of all, the gift of God's Son to die for our sin so we may spend eternity with Him. I hope you have received that free gift by praying to our Father and accepting the salvation He has offered.  As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, I hope we remember that He was born to die, so that we can live. While we celebrate His birth by giving gifts to one another, may we never forget that it was His gift to us, the ultimate sacrifice, which allows us to make the choice to accept Him as our Savior and become one of His own.

If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart, and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by simply praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered all of us by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Keep watching.