The Amazing Table of Nations - Genesis chapters 10 and 11

Even the famous historian Arnold Toynbee, not a believer, had to admit that there is only one place in the whole world where the family tree, or origin, of all nations is given us. Of course that is Genesis chapters ten and eleven. This is no surprise to believers.

You can Google "table of nations" and get a very nice chart. We cannot substitute anything for these wonderful chapters of this wonderful book. And chapter nine tells of Noah's three sons, of whom "the whole Earth was overspread." Even non-believing historians also follow the division of humanity into the three sons of Noah.

And speaking of Noah, I see that one of my favorite actors, Russel Crowe, is starring in The film "Noah". I suspect that the discovery of the ark in Turkey has helped make people aware of our Biblical origins, as much as many would deny it. I'm sure the Hollywood guys will muck it up, but they are doing it, and that is a marvel.

The Ultimate Shopping Season

Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1

Such an invitation. The best marketers cannot match it or fulfill it.

For one who monitors food, such as I do, the outlook is grim. For African farmers, who have been doing it a long time, the latest plague is that American companies are urging them to grow American crops and export them to the U. S. So traditional plants and seeds are being deserted and alien ones substituted. It is all part of a grab for total control of the food supply. This is not only a takeover of supply, but the very seeds that produce them.

Years ago I learned of the African origin, not only of many beautiful flowers, but basic foods. An admitted seed enthusiast, I buy basic food crop seeds for a garden I probably will never plant, just to have them, just in case.

I learned a lovely way to circumvent garden restrictions in towns and suburbs. In case you have not tried them, it is the Love Lies Bleeding, or garden Amaranth. "What dazzling flowers you have!" they will say. And they are spectacular. They are drought resistant too.

But their seeds are a nutritious grain, easily harvested, without even harming the plant. Just tap the flowers and catch the seeds in a bucket or bag. They can be part of a stealth garden. I received mine yesterday. Some people grow them in large pots.

As Monsanto closes in on total control, and the poor cannot buy food at all, I see the only way out of starvation and sickness from modified plants, is the return of Christ. In His millennial kingdom the promise of Isaiah will be literally fulfilled.

Watch a video featuring one woman's first amaranth harvest.

Two Kingdoms

And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ. and he shall reign for ever and ever. Rev. 11:1

Does this passage refer to the past or the future? In my childhood church, we sang a hymn titled "This is My Father's World". Such a beautiful sentiment. How was I to know that this was a hymn referring to Satan?

The temptation of Jesus in Luke 4 proves this point. Satan says that he will give all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus, if only he will worship him. It is hard to find a more contentious point. When we state that the present world belongs to Satan, and has since the Fall in Eden, we are met with anger and scorn.

An entire segment of Christianity--a very large and powerful one--teaches in their seminaries (otherwise known as theological cemeteries) that the Kingdom of God is presently being "perfected". It is, of course a slow process, almost invisible, in fact. And of course there are setbacks from time to time, but we're getting there. That anyone can look at the world and say it is getting better, proves the power of deception, in whose throes so many are held.

Not long ago I sat in a class where sweetness and goodness just overflowed. To these people, The blood of Jesus was not mentioned. It must have been considered as superfluous. After all we're improving the world so much that it will soon be good enough for Jesus to return and say, "Well done!"

You know how I like to let people alone and never challenge their beliefs. It's a weakness of mine. But in this smiley-goodness class I said, "Isn't it wonderful how much better people are today than in the days of your parents and grandparents?"

The response was ludicrous. So many happy faces got that melted cheese look. What is more pathetic than the melting of a phoney smile? I'm sure the smiles and bright eyes have returned by now. I haven't been back to see.

But the coming of God's kingdom is best described as "striking", literally! Jesus said his return, like lightning, would be too fast to observe. It is pictured in Daniel chapter two as the "smiting stone", which first destroys the kingdoms of this world, then keeps growing larger.

God's kingdom does not coexist with Satan's kingdoms. He starts with a clean slate. The very dust of the great image is blown away leaving no traces before God's kingdom is established on the Earth. I shun the company and the churches that teach otherwise.

What Will Kill Me

Please pardon my autobiographical departure, but today I found what I will die from. I had a medical exam and found I have leukemia. Lucky me, I have cancer insurance that will cover my last expenses as they did my wife's.

I was thinking of writing a little entry and calling it "You Can't Take it With You, but You Can Sure Leave it Behind". I was told of life extending treatments, but I am not interested in them. To me death is a good way to witness to our faith. I believe we cling to life too desperately. What does that say about our beliefs and values?

Heaven sounds so wonderful that the only reason I would want to stay around is if I could be of use to my friends, and I feel that is about over. 78 years sounds like a good "run".

I believe in the resurrection of the just, though I prefer to call it the resurrection of the justified. He does it all.

I was in a gathering after Bible classes when a lady talked about how wonderful it will be to meet Peter and Paul. "But I'll be afraid to meet Jesus,", she said, and I am sure she meant it reverently. When John saw the risen Christ he fell down before him as if he were dead. Some day soon I hope to do the same thing.

Underestimating Your Enemy

"There is no greater danger than underestimating the enemy."
Lao Tsu, The Art of War

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

The devil is ignored or used as a source of humor in many parts of society. He appears on cans of lighter fluid or "deviled" meat. It has been said that his greatest accomplishment is to convince people that he does not exist. I would say rather, his primary tactic.

For years I have had the opportunity to study the evil one and his works, both in the Bible and out. I must say this, as a warning, that the passage in 1 Peter, does not refer to the loss of salvation as many interpret it. Rather than argue to the contrary of this false doctrine, I cite the whole of Romans chapter eight.

A Christian cannot lose their salvation. But being devoured as by lions or the devil can occur. It is the end of this life.

In my studies I have found the evil Peter warned of to be more than most people can believe. And I mean the evil, in type and extent, in America. Many brave people are testifying to this, with graphic and first hand knowledge. For those who will listen there is no denial possible.

I speak not of isolated clusters of evil people, but of an infiltration of our entire culture, government and church included. It is a top down phenomenon.

So many people are in denial and in an escape mode, that even conversation about this is impossible. Try talking about The Franklin Coverup at a family gathering, and see if anyone will even let you talk. Along with the truth, you will be denied and avoided.

I do not keep company with those who do not listen. Maybe that is why I am alone?

View the video CIA and Satanism.

Red Saws in the Sunset

A friend asked me to think of a tool. I said, "A saw." Then he asked, "Now think of a color," and I said, "Red." He smiled as he told me that those choices were answers that men typically gave to these questions.

In a college class--not a very deep one--we were asked to make sketches illustrating wealth, and then poverty. All of us drew the same thing. The wealth drawing showed a curved driveway leading to a mansion on a hill. The poverty one showed a store front with a broken window and a for rent sign. We were amazed that the images in our minds were so nearly alike. Why it's almost like we have been programmed to think in identical terms.

This may not be so fantastic as it first seems. Noam Chomsky has written of the power of the media to influence us, to create a "manufactured consent". TV is usually the main culprit in such discussions. But the origin of such mind manipulation really became a big deal in 1928 with E. Bernays and the Creel commission.

People in the U.S. at that time were what many called "isolationists". They were for staying out of foreign wars--for peace, actually. Though the hero Charles Lindbergh campaigned to gather public support for the anti-war movement,we were not allowed to stay this way. There were powerful forces that felt otherwise. So, long before TV became popular, the art of molding public opinion became a science.

Such influence is with us today. In fact, more than ever. The world will have its way. With the consent of the masses, who like sheep, want to be led, the art of lying will flourish.

We all know of the lion and the lamb from Isaiah chapter 11. I saw a terrible film of a lion pouncing upon a lamb and killing it. But the Bible, in Isaiah, has no such pairing of animals. It is the wolf and the lamb. Looks like we are sheep in so many ways.

But there is hope for many of us--hope that we will be rebellious sheep. I saw a film of a wolf threatening a flock of sheep. The frightened sheep were bleating and running. Then a ram reversed his course and faced off with the wolf. The wolf was stopped in his tracks. Would it not be wonderful if a herder could separate out this brave ram and have him father many lambs? Some day there might be a whole flock who would stand their ground against wolves.

"Resist the devil and he will flee," says the Word. Such a wonderful promise.

Little Helpful Hints on How to be Better

Every day in every way the world is getting better and better.
Dr. Coue

Even the title is sickening! One of my interests (it sounds better than "obsessions") is to monitor the world's rapid decline. I have a file called "Threats". It covers a list of agonizing world conditions, none of which, I am sure, mankind will overcome. When I have trouble sleeping, which is every night, I mull them over, trying to weigh their relative merits. Yes, merits, if you believe that they fulfill or foreshadow terminal events soon to come.

Now this is not necessarily the mark of a gloomy person. Gloomy describes those poor souls holding betting tickets for the world to win.

A man witnessed a baseball game between an amateur team and a team of prison inmates. He was surprised to find the inmates rooting for the outside team. An inmate explained. "We hate anything to do with prison, even their ball team." Well, shake hands inmates. I am a prisoner too. Only the stakes in this game are far higher.

Heading my list of threats is the radiation reaching our shores and skies, from the battered reactors in Fukushima. Amazing how the Greek myths describe situations such as this. Pandora's box pictures it so well--troubles released that can not be called back.

I realize that "hope" was also let out of the box, but in this case the hope, or cure, is not of this world. I sincerely hope that this horrible event will force Christians to admit that only Jesus can rescue us from this calamity. Positive thinking won't do it this time.

Children and animals are suffering from released radiation already. No one even claims that they have an answer. The poison is already spreading and its effects are increasingly being described in Biblical terms.

In the 50's there was a song, "Show Me the Way to Get Out of this World, 'Cause That's Where Everything is." True, but the Answer is coming, soon I pray.

See Yale: Chief Arvol Looking Horse at U.N. to speak about Fukushima crisis and threat to future of humanity.

Og, We All Know Him

Not Og of Bashan. He came along much later. But the prototypical cave man. You know, the "pre-hystoric" brute whose relatives had just attained the erect position.

Og wore a rough garment held up by one shoulder strap. He carried a tapered, bumpy, club at right shoulder arms. He is usually dragging a woman by her hair. Presumably they just got engaged. Though he often is shown with a unibrow, Og has no beard. Such amazing detail for someone who no one living has ever seen.

But he once lived, maybe hundreds of millions of years ago. So, besides his name, very little is known about him. It took perhaps billions of years for Og to emerge from the "primordial soup".

I have searched in vain for the recipe of "primordial soup". It must have been good though. After all, it produced all living creatures, including man. This was a slow process, taking perhaps 6,000,000,000 years.

The origin of this life giving soup is a mystery, just as is the origin of the atoms from which it was made. We could use up a lot of tea bags, some rainy day, while we figured this one out.

For Og never lived, though we all know him. He is a member of a mythical world created by artists.

I happen to like artists. One of my friends was an editorial artist for the Cincinnati Enquirer, although he was not a typical copy catter. He was much too original.

Maybe these copiers had to meet deadlines, and this explains why they copy one another. No Pilgrim ever saw a blunderbuss, though they are so pictured every "turkey day". Vikings never wore horned helmets. On and on.

These graphic lies sink into our children's minds. How blessed to open the Bible and read of the six days of creation, and the 6,000 years of history.

We live in a world marinated with lies. There was no Og, or his vanquished woman. There was no prehistoric man at all. There was no primordial soup. There was a perfect man, made from dust. This satisfies the "naive literalist", such as I am.

The Fastest Boat

It is interesting to compare the design of sailboats for the prestigious America's Cup. The British and Americans used models in a tank to find the best design. The British used a traditional design for one model, and compared proposed boats against this previous winner. The Americans used an open ended approach and just went for the fastest model they could imagine.

The racing boats were built using the results as guides. The British were no slouches, but the Americans won the race. Tradition lost to innovation.

I remember when an old man told me that Easter was in the Bible, in Acts 12:4. He smiled at my incredulous expression.

Later I told an owner of a Bible shop that I had found a flaw in the King James Bible. She checked out this text and said, "Maybe the Jews followed Easter in those days?" Even if they did, the question was, what did the Bible say? I saw the anxiety in her face. The KJV was being challenged.

As with the boat models, many use the King James as an infallible standard to which all other translations are compared. If any deviate from this translation, they are automatically wrong. Now I love my King James. It is the most beautifully written I have ever read. But it does have a cult following who elevate it to the status of infallibility.

I believe in the infallibility of the original sources of the Bible, and this is a trivial deviation from them. But I also believe in other translations, including such as the Living Bible. They open up the Word to so many. I am presently listening to Ezekiel in this version. I find it very helpful and easy to understand.

I have checked out a number of translations pertaining to Acts 12:4. All but the KJV use the word "passover" or "Pesach" in this verse, and even the original text, from which the KJV was translated, says "passover". The beautiful King James will never let you down, but I am certain that Luke, who wrote Acts, knew more than any translator.

Why all the fuss? An old man wishes that people would open up a little. There are other translations of the Word. Some are the only ones that many people can understand.

Who Shall Do Our Thinking for Us?

We live in a nation of action-oriented people. Our tasks, sports, and entertainment are truly world class. So what are we lacking? I believe it is that the population shuns independent thought.

Many times we hear of Americans being called "rugged individualists." To the contrary, I believe we fit another category often used to describe us--"a nation of joiners". After all, there is safety in numbers. This must be true, because it has been said so many times.

I heard of a nation that says of a certain person, "He is different." This is considered a curse, in some societies.

Our major news outlets are almost all owned and controlled by five corporations. This would not be so bad if they were not of so much influence. President Truman said, of the most influential media of his time, "I have nothing but the profoundest pity for those who read the newspapers and believe what is in them." A close friend, who regularly dealt with Washington affairs, agreed with this statement.

Local news is often reported accurately, but major events and government policies are often distorted at the sacrifice of truth. Shall we list other sources looked to for information? Then where do we look?

Ironicly, public opinion is often formed as an echo of itself. We hear it, then believe it.

Shall we turn to religion? Would it shock you if I said "No"? Our local Saturday paper has a section of religious institutions that we may attend on Sunday. Wicca, the religion or practice of witchcraft, is included. But surely, we can turn to preachers or priests? Some of them do pretty good, and many rely on them as a substitute for thinking.

Don't I sound picky though? Yet I invite those who have not tried it, to "go independent". I have met many dear people who are afraid of the very idea. They fear that they just can't do it.

Think of a prophet in the Bible who had public support. Most were loners, and were rejected. They relied on God, and often inquired of Him as to the meaning of their revelations. So, though they spoke and acted independently, they were never really alone.

Seven Sneezes of Life

Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 2Kings 4:35

Of all the miracles in the life of Elisha, this one touches me very deeply. Who counted the child's sneezes? Who recorded that Elisha walked to and fro? It is as if we are watching the scene, that we are there. And the mother's reaction as she received her dead child, alive again. The narrative of that day is very briefly, but very intimately, told to us.

As we read the Old Testament we can try to apply all kinds of theological significance to each event, and of course it is there. However much God teaches us about the deep things we are to understand, there is another side to these stories. There is the very closeness we feel when we realize that these are not symbolic people, actors in a morality play.

We are in contact with our Creator's heart. He cares for each detail of our lives. His word not only teaches us the miracle of resurrection, but that He even counts a child's sneezes. How many of us, in crisis, have walked to and fro?

Reading this I feel close to this long ago man of God and to his Creator.

Bumping Into Truman's Wall

One of my favorite movies was The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey. In it, the hero lives in a giant set for a tv show, thinking it is a real world. Slowly he becomes suspicious and tries to escape by boat in a sea which is part of the set. His boat comes to the edge of the sea, bumping into the wall of the man-made set. He finally discovers he has been living in a phony world filled with actors and punctuated with commercials.

Gee, it sounds like the life of many in this world. But while Truman catches on and escapes, so many in this world cling to a reality created by the devil and succumb to the commercials which he has created. Many feel that Bible Christians are in such an artificial world of created false reality.

I study the crumbling world structure, knowing that its deception even now is being revealed. Optimism among the inhabitants of this world of lies, is getting hard to find. Words such as "apocalypse" and phrases pertaining to "the end of the world" are used even by people outside the faith.

Is the world catching on? Partly perhaps. But some even believe there may be solutions to the radioactivity of Fukushima and its pollution of the air and sea.

Believers have known that the set we now live in is being "struck". The show is almost over. Do you remember when your boat hit the wall?

Touchy, Touchy, Touchy

I was once assigned to work with a group of men, very congenial fellows, really. Except for one, that is. They warned me that when he arrived, not to mention religion. It would "set him off".

Sure enough, when he arrived he began to rave about his church."We have a preacher who is one of the 144,000," he told us. You would be tempted to ask, "Which one?", but he was not to be joked with. He continued to rave.

Strange, he looked normal, but he gave the impression of one who was--as I heard a man say--"mentally insane". This must be one of the worst forms of the disorder.

A personal friend of mine for over fifty years, could converse on almost any subject, except religion. Oddly he told me that he watched for anger in an argument, as a tip off of error. In anyone besides himself, I think he meant. But, I believe he was right on this score.

When I hear anger over my favorite subject, I think "This is the flesh getting mad", a sure give away. I once made a preacher so angry that he erupted on me, so violently that he later apologized. This is sure not bringing out the best in people, is it? Someone said of a person, "They could get shot at a Quaker picnic."

The problem I have, as I have been repeatedly told is, "You always think you're right." I wondered who in the church believed they were wrong when they spoke. Like to meet them.

I forgot to tell you that I later met a lovely woman who had been married to the "144,000" guy. I do believe I understand why they were divorced.

It seems to be true, that the weaker a person's argument, the more heated they become. They substitute feeling for knowledge, I guess. If a person knows their facts, sometimes after years of testing and making certain, they tend to be relaxed.

J. Vernon McGee said it so charmingly. "When we get to heaven you'll see that I was right."

Darken the Corner Where You Are

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning ; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:4

As a child I never experienced a family get together that was not totally saturated with humor and cleverness. By this I mean there was a complete lack of anything of any worth at all. It was so bad that I could not stand it. I wanted to escape from such gatherings and often did.

Each attendee seemed to try to be more humorous than the others. Every statement was topped or twisted by the hearers. I love humor, so that is not the problem. This was not true humor, but a mask of cleverness worn by those who were not funny.

I doubt if there was not anyone in these groups who as an individual who was not worth listening to. Groups brought out their attempts at being funny. The more the merrier was the rule.

Even as a child I knew this was wrong. If anyone had had a talk with me in a serious mood it would have been like pouring water on a plant that was wilting. It was not to be.

I never had such an experience in my entire youth. It never occurred in family or in church. I came to hate small talk and the people who engaged in it. I feel this way today. I learned to be serious by hearing endless foolish talk.

Even today I shun groups. Preachers who make jokes have the same effect. I find endlessly smiling people to be suspect.

I visited a Christian book store recently. Where were the good, basic books I had come to love and learn from? Instead I saw an entire section devoted to "Christian Humor". Another told how to produce humorous skits.

How many young people have undergone the struggle of growing up without a kindly, but serious listener or mentor? As young people like to say, "Tell it like it is." Those whose struggles cannot be covered up by false humor, could be comforted by someone who may just listen, but not laugh.

I worked with young people once, some of them blind. I heard a young man mutter, "Life's a bitch, and then you die." False hope and contrived humor were not the answer for him. Just one serious person could have helped so much.

The Great Treaty

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, Daniel 9:27

There are many stories and videos about strange things going on in various places, that have caused many to ask, "Are we in the great tribulation spoken of in the Bible?" Some ask, "Perhaps this is the 'beginning of sorrows'?"

It's easy to see how they might feel this way. When you observe the extreme weather and other phenomena that are happening world wide, you may come to these conclusions. Those who have not really studied Bible prophecy, see videos of rivers that have turned blood red, and see massive fish kills and fear that these are things predicted in the Book of Revelation, may be forgiven.

But we are not in a gun fight where the quickest draw wins. Rather we are in a long distance target match. Accuracy is what is vital. Even a slow learner, such as I am, can understand that the answer to questions about the events of Revelation can reply with a simple "No". We are not in the midst of the great tribulation.

"But," they may say, "these events are in Revelation's prophecies." Among believing Christians are there any more vilified Bible students and teachers, than those engaged in the study of prophecy? "Wild eyed fanatics" comes to mind. It is very popular. I have seen the rolling of eyes when you announce you are a teacher of prophecy. Ministers often deride such study.

But a good student is a very careful person--so slow and careful, in fact that he takes years before he speaks of the truth or falsehood of an interpretation. Especially his own.

A friend of mine was able to dismantle and automobile, repair it, then reassemble it. I watched as he had almost completed such a task. He was about to put the engine head onto the block, when another man said, "You forgot the push rods." In his haste, he had.

Now let me say to those who skip ahead in their interpretation of Bible events, "You forgot Daniel chapter nine verse twenty-seven." It's in there for a reason.

Daniel is the first book of Scripture to introduce us to Antichrist. Not only is he presented, but in chapter nine we are given a precise time table of his actions, down to the day. Until this most evil of men concludes a treaty with "many" in Israel, the Tribulation has not begun. A good Study Bible will rightly divide such times.

An engine will not run without all its parts, and the Bible is misunderstood without its vital scriptures. When we see what is taking place--and it is horrible--we must not skip over this wonderful and revealing passage.

Prophecy Triple Distilled - Joel

The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and their stars shall withdraw their shining. Joel 3:15

Immeadiately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. Matt. 24:29

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. Rev. 6:12

In times long ago, I understand, when amphora were loaded with wine and sailed in ships, someone had the idea that some of the water could be removed and the concentrated wine could be shipped instead. This saved weight and space. Later, water was added to this concentrate and the wine was reconstituted. This reduction was achieved by distillation, which has long been understood.

Many of us have as much as one verse in the Bible which carries a great message in concentrated form. The little book of Joel does this for us. Joel is a short book, but packed with power. Peter quotes from Acts 2:20 in Joel to solve a controversy in the day of Pentecost. Of course the New Testament was not yet written, but the explanations of strange phenomena of that day were explained by quoting from the Old.

By carelessness or design, this portion of scripture has been referred to as the fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel. As if the day of the Lord began at that time. The passage refers to tongues, not to the Day of the Lord.

Partaking of this wonderful book can be--and is--used to confuse the unwary. Revelation, written much later, speaking of the darkening of the sun and moon, shows that Joel is yet to be fulfilled, even in our day. The concentrated Word, like the distilled wine, needs the addition of the water of the Word to be best understood.

The Doll That Flunked

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:30

When my wife was a little girl she loved to play with dolls. I have her doll chest from many years ago in which she packed them away carefully when she grew older. One of the games she played was doll school with her as teacher. She must have had very high standards because in every school session she flunked one of the dolls. The same doll each time.

I asked her, since it was all pretense, why she picked a doll that would fail. She told me that her doll school was like real life. Someone would fail. I think of her as so realistic as a child that she played this way. Perhaps the failing doll didn't do her home work. Maybe she didn't pay attention in class, but the teacher decided who would not pass.

I speak of this endearing fantasy to illustrate one of the Bible doctrines that many do not accept. Perhaps most people do not, as it seems so harsh and condemning. That is, that the Creator determined the fate of each of us before we were born, before the world was made. Some "dolls" would fail. The Eastern concept of Kismet expresses it well.

Oh the howls of protest! I know, because I once was one of the howlers. I believe Americans are particularly prone to objecting on the basis of our bred-in idea of Self-Determination, one of the most sacred of sacred cows.

That many otherwise nice people will not even discuss the matter, to defend it with other than anger, indicates fear to me. It is as if anger, or reluctance, is our turtle's shell in which we withdraw for safety. After all, do we not have a "constitutional right" to determine our own courses?

Some say, like one of my dear Baptist friends, that God fore sees how we will use our free will, as if to try to comprimise with the sovereignty of God. Scripture is definite on the subject for those willing to believe it. I know the robot argument, as I once used it myself.

Also in my wife's doll chest is a walking doll which she really loved. She would hold its hand and it would walk with her. There is a doll I can identify with. For I cannot walk unless God provides the power and guidance. His hand guides me, as He does with us all. Without Him I would never have walked at all.

Zest for Death

We like to sing Nearer My God to Thee
But we keep on taking vitamin B.
- Nipsy Russell

In the comic story "After Hours" a psychiatrist says of his wife, "That woman makes Hamlet's death wish sound like the happy laughter of a freckle faced boy!" In the play version, this line gets a big laugh.

However if you were to say that the apostle Paul had a death wish, people might think you had grossly misinterpreted him. But I do say it. This is based on his statement, "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:23).

"Far better"! What has Paul chosen? What does he desire, but death and his presence with Christ? Yet for the sake of his charges he will remain with them. Paul's escape, and his prolonging of his life, are not from fear of death, but to complete his mission on the earth. How many today can say the same?

I knew a lady who had her funeral performed before she died, to celebrate her soon departure. My wife faced her death with total peace. I hope to do the same. What a great example, for both believers and unbelievers alike, we can make by the manner in which we look at our deaths.

The sorrows and evils of the world threaten us with death. But Paul's example promises us eternal life and its rewards.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8

Like a Drunkard

The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and be removed like a cottage; Isaiah 24:20

Surely we don't mean the whole physical planet. This passage couldn't be literal. The spiritualizers must find a non literal meaning for this part of Isaiah. Or better yet, ignore it entirely.

If we are now in the kingdom of God, such a drastic fate surely cannot be in store for the planet. Why, it's a matter of our faulty theology vs. the Bible, and we know how that will come out. I was in such a church for a while, though I never honored their "kingdom now" interpretation.

For those who see the Earth as in store for just such a physical upheaval, we find support for this catastrophic event in--of all places--physical science, both past and future. Only these folks refer to such an occurance as a "pole shift" and not only champion such a shift, but maintain that one is due any time now.

For one who studies and believes Bible prophecy, the Earth is a seething instability of physical change. In the history of geology we find that the original scientists believed the Bible, and positing violence on a world wide scale was not at all contrary to the physical evidence they discovered. These original scientists were aptly named "catastrophists".

With the progression toward atheism there arose a school of thought called "uniformatism". Isn't it amazing how these latter deniers of the Word resemble the men Peter described who claimed there never was a flood? Many would say that Bible theology makes for bad science. But I say that bad science makes bad theology.

More and more, even unbelievers, see that the globe is fated for great violence, including the well documented pole shift. Since I believe Isaiah, speaking through the Holy Spirit, was right, I recommend that those who are left behind at the Rapture, invest in East-West compasses.

Pike's Mysterious Letter a Hoax

It has long been held that the Civil War general Albert Pike wrote a letter to Mazzini telling about three world wars that would not only occur, but be planned and caused. Some say that Pike was a prophet. Others that he was a part of the great cabal that would foment them. In which case it would be like an arsonist predicting a fire that he would set. But the British Museum denies they ever had such a letter.

The third world war was to be stirred up between Christians and Moslems. Or as they say now, Muslims. Like the gingham cat and the calico dog, these nations would destroy themselves, leaving the world open for a new universal religion, maybe even including so-called space aliens.

It is such a relief to know that this letter is a hoax. Once again I can believe that wars are not planned, but are mere happenstances on the road to a better world. The idea that bankers and other members of occult religions conspire to foment terrible uprisings in places like Syria, sounds like the conspiracies that are the province of total nut cases. I certainly don't wish to be identified with such people as that.

Let me affirm my belief that evil forces do not plan to cause conflicts and financial disasters. Some even think that evil people in the very highest places--even the music industry--are working for Satan. No wonder that some individuals believe God will judge an ever increasingly evil world and set up His Kingdom on the Earth. Imagine that.

The safe and moderate way to look at the world is to maintain that governments do not lie, that politicians are honest, and that--though there are setbacks--the world gets better and better. Think of how much nicer and kinder people are than in the days of your parents or grandparents.

There is a religion that teaches the opposite of such terrible thoughts though. It is called Christianity.

View a video on the one eye symbol in the entertainment industry here.

The Man Who Didn't Know He Was a Saint

But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. Romans 15:25

I had prayed a short prayer asking God to bless his saints assembled to study the Bible. We went ahead and did just that. At the end of our study an old man spoke to me.

"I'm not so sure about that saint stuff," he told me. Turns out he was not certain that he was a saint or "saintly" as some say. And true enough he did not have a halo or a glow about him. He looked like a regular man who had come to a Bible study.

Now who would do that if they were not a saint? For, to a Protestant like myself, each and every one who believes in Jesus is a saint. After all, that is the Bible definition of a saint. It is a simple, but miraculous, work of God that we become saints.

To an unbeliever looking on, it would be so ironic that a person reared in a system that defined a saint Biblicly, would adopt the definition of a very different church, one they had rebelled against. I am not picking a fight with those who define saint differently. But I am so sad to think a member of a Protestant church would not know this definition and teach it to the congregation.

I once served under a Captain in the National Guard who ended each assembly with these words: "Any questions, any bitches or complaints?" Well I have a big complaint against such churches. Tell your people who they are in the eyes of God. Tell them how blessed they are to be separated out and be called saints.

But, as I was informed, the church I left, spent more on floor wax than on Biblical education. What a price to pay for shiny floors!

Redeemed from the Earth

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
Revelation 14:3

I am a slow learner. I picked my way through this wonderful book. The one hundred forty-four thousand were such a mystery to me. While concern for their identity consumed me, I neglected what God did for them.

Each person's denomination bring's its own interpretation to the study under the formula: first confirm your prejudice, then proceed to "interpret". It is like a number of people speaking a language, but each with an accent, some so strong as to mispronounce the words.

I have told you of reading about this group in Rev. 7 with a very bright businessman. When we read of 12,000 from each tribe, he said, "Of course, that is the church." I was amazed that he would apply a passage describing a select group of Israelites to the church. Is the church composed of 12 tribes, all Jews?

But his preconceived ideas kept him from even a basic understanding. We did not even proceed to this redeemed body's wonderful rescue by the Lord. He did not believe in a Rapture of the church and certainly not one of Jews! For in his church the Jews had long ago been transformed into the church and had no more national identity or future restoration.

How wonderful it is to be free from denominations. With such freedom you may read the Bible without the boundaries imposed by formal organizations.

Need I say that his church had never taught John's blessed book, though it includes a blessing on those who read it. I was finally allowed to, after much examination by those who feared it. They would have been horrified had I gone into such details as the identity of the 144,000 as actual, real Jews. Imagine 12,000 from the tribe of Judah, not being Presbyterians!

But though I may be offending some, let me say that redemption from the earth is not a soterilogical salvation, it is literal rescue from the planet. Winds are held back until this rescue. Put these two ideas together and we have a Jewish Rapture.

It is as if there were no sign in heaven saying "No Jews Allowed". Our Savior, who came as a Jewish lamb went there, serves as our High Priest there, still bearing the marks of His crucifixion. A body out of Israel will be taken to heaven before the Great Tribulation.

Jews do not believe it. Many, many, churches do not accept it, but the Woman's Manchild will be so rescued. Praise be to God!

All Whom the Father Draws

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:44

It is certain that the Father does not draw all men. Think of all the people who have died, never being drawn by the Father.

On my one trip to the Holy Land, I traveled with a man who headed a world wide missionary organization. He told of a man who spent 25 years as a missionary in India. At the end of his tour of duty this missionary admitted that he had not even one convert.

How can this be? A very inept missionary, preaching the Word, should have converts. Atheist preachers have changed lives because the Word is living and has the power to reach people even when preached by those who regard being a preacher as just an occupation. This is not so rare as you may think.

When the head of the missionary organization was asked why the missionary had no converts, he said that this man was working apart from the will of God. To some this is too shocking to even think about. Those who believe it will certainly go to hell.

Why this is the much maligned doctrine of Limited Atonement! It is the "L" in TULIP of Calvin's teaching.

According to many--I think most-- Christians, God loves everyone and wants to save them. It is often said by them, "I can't believe in a God who doesn't want to save everyone." As if the truth is defined by what they can believe.

Let's look at their belief. God wishes to save all people, but He can't do it. He depends on human effort to accomplish His purposes, and people are not able to do it. There aren't enough missionaries. Even if there were some people would use their free wills to say no to God. Man's (so called) free will overcomes God's purpose. God arm wrestles with some people, and these people win. No wonder they will be tortured in hell forever.

I grew up with this belief. It was not until I was in my thirties that I broke free of it. Some wonderful people helped me to learn that God, not man, is sovereign.

But what about John 3:16? This all time favorite verse of many is considered a talisman that proves that God loves everyone. Isn't that what "world" means, everyone?. As if goats are not sheep because of free choice. Goats are goats from conception.

I urge people who misinterpret the term "world" to look it up online. There are seven major definitions of world in the Bible, including the world of the elect.

An old gunfighter said "A quick draw is not so important as accuracy." I believe this applies to Bible study too.

View "The Meaning of 'Kosmos' in John 3:16" here.

True Jews vs. Fake Israel and Zionism

Being old, I repeat myself a lot. But this time I do it conciously. A number of Christians say that they love Jews and even try to use Jewish terminology in their attempt to identify with them. It seems that Zionists are leading churches away from Christ instead of Christians leading Jews to Jesus.

And how do they do this? By claiming that the modern state called Israel and created by the United Nations, fulfills Bible prophecy. Those in the churches are made to believe that Israel should be created first, before the advent of Messiah. It is hard to overestimate the ignorance of such people concerning this order of events.

First of all, the Bible clearly states that Messiah will lead scattered Israel to the Holy Land. True Jews, shown in the accompanying video, understand this very well. Their oft-stated belief is that the Jewish people should remain among the nations and be good citizens of their respective home countries. In this they illustrate an understanding of the Old Testament totally lacking in many churches.

I will say this, as one who loves the Word of God and his true people. Zionism, promoted by those who are not even Jews, is a pure power grab, not a religious belief at all.

Bless God's true people, his remnant, temporarily unable to recognize who Jesus is. They are faithful to the extent that they know and hold to God's revelation of the true Israel and it's glorious future. How I wish that Biblically illiterate churches and their pastors could do the same. Please forgive me for repeating myself, but as I say, I am old.

Watch "Judaism VS Zionism - Naturei Karta Jews speak out!"

These Kids May Not Be as Good as Gold, But They Are Platinum

Attention has been centered recently on a number of children, worldwide, who not only have unusual physical characteristics, but messages beyond those normal to children. Oriental children with blue eyes, African children with white skin and straight blond hair. The first impulse may be to say they are albinos, but this is not the case, nor are they traditionally of mixed parentage.

I say traditionally, because many claim they are "star children", partly human and partly of extraterrestrial origin. Some feel they are ambassadors of a new race with messages of peace, preparing the world for a takeover of space benevolence. I wouldn't be surprised that half of this could be true.

Not that they are of space origin, as of alien planets. Anyone familiar with Genesis six, or Daniel 8, is not unaware of such spirit mixtures. I don't take a stand.

These could be innocent children with no other genetic material than that they have received from Eve. I just believe that Christians should be aware and should try to understand things that could deceive.

The Indian tradition of the white buffalo, indicating great change, has been fulfilled. So perhaps great change is in order.

Find out more about these children here, here and here.

Tradition or the Bible?

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Col. 2:8

Can I speak from experience? As a child, I grew up surrounded by such traditions. You expect them in schools and in society in general, but in church! It was not until I was much older that I began to understand the "elemental spiritual forces" part of this warning.

Far beyond mere error, children are deliberately taught many things of the devil. There, I said it. Really old Christians--historically old--understood this.

While moderns are careful to monitor their child's intake of food and television, they let them take in the very worst of these forces--SPIRITUAL ones that is. You can understand parents who park their young ones in front of a TV baby sitter while they eat junk food more than to deliberately teach evil teachings, as I was taught. One is neglect, the other is indoctrination.

Much is made of the Russian leader, Putin. Whatever he is, he celebrates the resurrection of Christ with his people and bans open displays of immorality. He has banned such programs as the Simpsons. I watched only one episode. In it Jesus was referred to as "the guy with a beard".

The world is not neutral. It swarms with spiritual forces. It's leader is Satan, though soon to be deposed.

View the difference between Russia's Putin and President Obama here.

Wormwood

And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. Rev. 8:11

Have you noticed that in this so called secular age, where media mentions of the Bible are reserved as the province of fanatics, how many scripture references are emerging in news reports? Perhaps none more than comet Ison.

Many discount the importance of comets because they were deluded into believing accounts of the "comet of the century", Khahoutec, which was a cover story in several magazines prior to its appearance. This comet was nowhere near what it was hyped up to be, so many people are skeptics concerning Ison. But perhaps Ison is not to be so easily dismissed? We are said to know in December, both about the comet and the effects of its extensive space debris.

It seems logical to many people to equate this phenomena with the account in Revelation chapter 8. If it turns out to match these predictions, could it not fulfill this prophecy? There is much mention of the trumpet judgements, for instance.

But this old, conservative, dispensationalist says that, just as the notes in a musical composition must be in proper sequence, so must the unfolding of prophetic events. For prophecy is more than a listing of events. It is a revealed time line concerning these events.

How boring! Can't we get into the exciting fulfillment of prophecy without the restraint of the limitation of time?

The answer is "No."

To misapply events of today to a Biblical basis has caused much derision and discredit to the church.

Could Ison cause great havoc? Certainly. We could lose electrical power, and this could devastate our nation. Its effects are hard to exaggerate. But for those who may some day be reading God's word by candle light, the rapture of the church, in Revelation 4, precedes the events, trumpets, and bowls, of later chapters--thanks be to God.

He Made Kittens, Too

All things were made by Him; and without him was not any thing that was made. John 1:3

My father was alone. My mother had died. He sat looking out his picture window at the birds that came to the feeder. He had an older gray tomcat. Not much play in him. He was beyond the scampering stage. He would sit, composed as an Egyptian statue, as silent and immobile as my father.

One day, on impulse I brought the cat a Pin Pong ball and placed it on the floor before him. He reached down, still with great dignity, and swatted the ball across the floor. Transfixed with its motion he left his paw curled and uplifted above his shoulder. Had there been a competition, he would have won on style points.

My father, seeing his cat's exaggerated style, began to smile, and as the elegant cat left his paw upraised, he chuckled. It was good to hear him laugh, all brought on by the actions of his cat.

What treasures cats are, and what special treasures are kittens. He who made spiral galaxies, the whole universe and all within it, reached down in His majesty and designed kittens.

I remember, as a child, lying in bed, so sad I had been crying. I felt a tug on the covers as a kitten's claws dug in. Soon his little staring eyes were fixed on me. He advanced with such deliberation, as if to say, "I want some attention, and I'm going to get it!" My sorrows were forgotten as I was treated to a demonstration of bread making by tiny paws.

Recently I was overjoyed to read that Noah's ark had been found, one of my favorite Biblical relics. Turkey is creating a national park at the site. Metal fastenings have been analyzed. The dimensions are the ones given in Genesis. This is it! Ground penetration radar has helped, and core sample was taken to check the contents.

The results? The core contained fossilized dung and cat hair. I wonder what the cat looked like? Did it not bring joy to Noah, as our cats do today?

* * * * *

View documentaries about finding Noah's ark here, here and here.

Dr. Doctor, the Exalted One

But be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your master, even Christ. Matt. 23:8

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matt. 23:12

I knew a drunken artist, a man who crumbled away. This fact may discredit his utterances to many. Yet years later I find his words have proven true. He said, "Take any religion, as propounded by its originator, and sooner or later it gets turned upside down."

Now I do not believe the church has been turned upside down, but certain precepts of Jesus have been ignored, in fact reversed and violated. An associate pastor told me, after he received his doctorate (in communications), that his Doctorate really boosted his career. "It even helps get my car repaired more quickly," he told me.

When the head pastor of the same church finally received his doctorate, he proudly wore his doctor's robes in the pulpit. This after he warned us that "Too much learning can make you constipated with knowledge"! He, apparently, was immune to such a condition.

Now I can hear some protest that I do not understand or appreciate the effort involved in attaining such a high degree. Not so. Please go out and get as many degrees as Luther had. Paul was renowned for his learning, as was Moses. That is not the issue at all. It's the assumption, even flaunting, of titles that is very unbiblical.

Imagine people bowing down to Paul and kissing his ring. Imagine anyone calling him Master or Rabbi. He would not have it.

I know that there are orders that teach humility as a primary virtue. Often, I hear, they are overseen by an individual entitled Mother Superior.

Pickles and Coconut Cake

Every once in awhile I like some pickles, sweet or dill. Eaten all by themselves they give you a kind of taste zing that wakes you up. I like them with meat, too, or in relish on a hot dog.

When I was a little kid we didn't make much of birthdays. Forget parties. You would get a store bought cake at the end of supper with the usual candles. That's it.

So when a dear aunt made me a coconut cake for my birthday when I was visiting it was a big deal. Somehow while bustling about as she prepared a meal, she spilled pickle juice on my coconut cake. She thought I wouldn't mind. We could eat it anyway. So in a very half-hearted manner we did. It was the only time in my life I ever ate a cake I didn't like.

I still like whatever you set in front of me. I try to be eclectic in my eating habits. But maybe based on this ancient memory, I don't like food all mixed up. No pickles on my cake please.

I read all kinds of stuff, some of it quite old. I mean who cares about Narcissus looking at his reflection all day until he turned into a flower of that name? Sometimes legends can be so charming and so basic I find them hard to resist. But there are times when I think, "Old boy, why not read Malachi?" I know it will be so good to read the pure word of God, unmixed with something else.

But as I study or just read casually I see the two things have been mixed. I know scaring people is good for controlling them. Like a training collar on a dog, hurt him and he will obey. Doesn't work on me though. I crave reason and divine revelation. I get it too, by looking at what the Word really says. Taking out the myths and crowd control devices leaves you with the unmixed meaning of God's Word.

You don't need to be a scholar. I'm sure not one. But keep the pickles away from the cake--the cake, how sweet it is!