Disgusting and Sick Sin

In the Bible, Jesus prophesied that society on earth at the time of his return would be similar to those eras of Noah (Genesis 6, i.e. accelerated progress, population and technology increasing, but also violence and corruption) and also Lot (Genesis 19, i.e. sexual immorality). In fact, regarding the latter you'll recall Genesis 19: 4-5 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.".

You'd have to be completely devoid of any moral compass or maybe recently relocated from, oh I don't know, Mars or Jupiter, in order not to notice and observe the absolute filth and sexual perversion going on in the world today. I know some of this next news broke a few days ago but as our other guest blogger mentioned, these articles are coming faster than I can keep up with.

On Wednesday, self-proclaimed, unashamed homosexual U.S. District judge Vaugn Walker overturned California’s ban on gay marriage. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynewspoint/20100804/ts_ynewspoint/ynewspoint_ts3338_42

Now today, the Terminator (i.e. Gov. Schwarzenegger) is calling for same-sex weddings to resume NOW.

Schwarzenegger: Let same-sex weddings resume now
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100807/ap_on_re_us/us_gay_marriage_trial;_ylt=AhOi8HD8AJ3YZ6Plcvg3xV39xg8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJvaGY4ampjBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwODA3L3VzX2dheV9tYXJyaWFnZV90cmlhbARjcG9zAzcEcG9zAzcEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNzY2h3YXJ6ZW5lZ2c-
SAN FRANCISCO – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who twice vetoed legislation that would have legalized same-sex marriage, has surprised gay rights supporters by urging a federal judge to allow gay couples to resume marrying in the state without further delay.


This is just so sick.

I Corinthians 6:9-10, among other Bible passages, is so clear...Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Game Changer in the Pacific

Some people point to Revelation 9:13-19 and, more specifically Revelation 9:16 (9:16 "The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number."), as the proof that China will someday bring forth an army of 200 million troops during the Tribulation. To be totally honest with you I'm not sure if this is true. I've read and studied for myself and from some really smart, God-fearing men who have slightly differing views of this passage. I tend to fall on the side which says these 200 million troops are fallen angels (see Genesis) who will carry out God's judgement. But certainly, when I see this next article and as we witness the incredible growth of China's economic and military power it does make me perk up.

Chinese missile could shift Pacific power balance
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/ap_on_re_as/as_china_us_carrier_killer
ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON – Nothing projects U.S. global air and sea power more vividly than supercarriers. Bristling with fighter jets that can reach deep into even landlocked trouble zones, America's virtually invincible carrier fleet has long enforced its dominance of the high seas.

China may soon put an end to that.

U.S. naval planners are scrambling to deal with what analysts say is a game-changing weapon being developed by China — an unprecedented carrier-killing missle called the Dong Feng 21D that could be launched from land with enough accuracy to penetrate the defenses of even the most advanced moving aircraft carrier at a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers (900 miles).

More Signs

Does it not seem that God is speaking very loudly today? Floods, fires, extreme dry weather, tropical storms, landslides, crops being destroyed, wheat prices rising, Putin putting on a grain embargo (http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20100806/874/twl-putin-bans-grain-exports-to-give-rus.html)...

From Fires in Russia to Flooding in Asia, Extreme Weather Taking Its Toll
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-06/from-fires-in-russia-to-flooding-in-asia-extreme-weather-taking-its-toll.html
Floods have killed thousands in Asia and left millions homeless from Pakistan to North Korea, while fires and drought in Russia have roiled global markets and a tropical storm bears down on Bermuda.

Asian devastation may stretch aid efforts as crops are destroyed at a time of soaring wheat prices, caused in part by Russia’s decision to ban grain exports through Dec. 31. Raw- sugar futures also rose in New York on speculation that Russia may import more to offset drought losses.

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Colin reformed and is bearing down on Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles (75 kilometers) per hour, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm is expected to drop as much as 5 inches of rain on the island nation starting tomorrow.

“Mother Nature is playing a very evil hand,” Peter McGuire, managing director at CWA Global Markets Pty., said in a telephone interview from Sydney today. “It’s always the poor that suffer.”


Ah Mr. McGuire, God made 'mother nature' and he is not evil.

Just an observation here, but it seems like many of these nations and regions mentioned in the article are not exactly friendly to the gospel of Jesus Christ...but like I said, it was just an observation.

Luke 21:11 "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."

As the news comes down the wire faster than a person can read it, I too have been asked by Dennis to guest blog in his absence. In my regular day-to-day life, I am an avid watcher and listener to all things news related.

When I post for Dennis, I actually get the chance to dig into news stories deeper, which I appreciate. And so is the case for this story that I’ve been watching for a few days now. I have to say I have not heard much about it on talk radio, but we have our own crises here at home to focus our attention on. This story is a big tangle of natural disaster and militant disruption.

Pakistan floods 'kill 800' people and affect a million

The worst monsoon floods in living memory have killed at least 800 people and affected one million in north-west Pakistan, a local official has said. The government declared a state of emergency as Pakistan's meteorological department said 312mm (12in) of rain had fallen over the last 36 hours in the north-west - the largest amount for decades.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10826105

This flooding happened in the Swat Valley region in Northwestern Pakistan, an area with 3+ million people. This posting was on July 31st.

Today’s report is much grimmer for the country of Pakistan. It seems that the death toll is higher, and the monsoons are traveling south. The prognosis for the country’s vast crops is not looking good.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/04/pakistan-flooding-punjab-rain

The loss of farm produce has led to UN warnings of serious food shortages, and the World Food Program estimates that 1.8 million people will need to be fed over the next month.

But still, it gets more serious. It seems that the unpopular government is not performing emergency relief for its people fast enough, and the Taliban is there to fill the gap.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7922152/Pakistan-floods-flood-stirs-anger-at-government-as-death-toll-hits-1200.html

Widespread anger poses a serious threat to the already struggling government, which is now competing with Islamist movements to deliver aid to the north-western Pakistani region which already has a strong Taliban presence

It would appear that militant groups are taking advantage of the unpopular government and providing much-needed food and water to the desperate people there. It also does not help that the also unpopular president Asif Ali Zardari went ahead with his scheduled visits to Europe while leaving his country in dire straits.

Of course we have stepped in to offer millions we don’t have in aid to Pakistan, because we have a vested interest in keeping things calm there. But with millions starving in the near future, how much aid can any government really provide right now? The US certainly doesn't have stockpiles of money to keep an entire country afloat for the forseeable future.

At the same time the floods are ravaging the country, there have been suicide attacks in a city close to the flooded region, coordinated by militants, and unrest and deaths in Kashmir.

If we tie in previous posts by Dennis, we can indeed see how serious this situation is. Here’s a few of them:

http://thetrumpetblows.blogspot.com/2009/07/armageddon-alarm-bells.html

http://thetrumpetblows.blogspot.com/2009/05/dangerous-times-in-pakistan.html

The potential for these militants in Pakistan finding the weapons they so desperately seek seems much higher when the whole country is in chaos. Fuel that chaos with the citizens’ unhappiness with their current administration and we may be looking at some difficult times indeed.

All or None

Adm. Mike Mullen's comments on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday has touched off a firestorm of sorts when he admitted that the US has a war plan in place to attack Iran, just in case... (see http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100801/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_iran).

Many students of God's Word are watching for Psalm 83 (for many reasons) so one has to wonder how might Iran be neutralized for a short time, before they march towards Jerusalem with the coalition of nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38 & 39. The following might be one possibility.

Bombers, missiles could end Iran nukes
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/2/bombers-missiles-could-end-iran-nukes/?page=1

A Pentagon strike against Iran would rely heavily on the B-2 bomber and cruise missiles to try to destroy the regime's ability to make nuclear weapons, analysts say, after the top U.S. military officer said a war plan is in place.

The missiles, fired from surface ships, submarines and B-52 bombers, would take out air defenses and nuclear-related facilities.

The B-2s would drop tons of bombs, including ground penetrators, onto fortified and buried sites where Tehran is suspected of enriching uranium to fuel the weapons and working on warheads.

"It will be primarily an air attack with covert work to start a 'velvet' revolution so [the] Iranian people can take back their country," said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, a former fighter pilot.

The Obama administration this summer won the backing of the United Nations for another round of economic sanctions against Tehran, but there are doubts that limits on banking and trade would ever persuade the hard-line Islamic regime to give up plans to become a nuclear power.

In Tehran on Sunday, Yadollah Javani, deputy head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, said his country would make the Persian Gulf region unsafe for all if the U.S. attacks it over its nuclear program, Agence France-Presse reported.

"If the Americans make the slightest mistake, the security of the region will be endangered. Security in the Persian Gulf should be for all or none," Mr. Javani told the official IRNA news agency.


Iran is prepared to "make the Persian Gulf region unsafe for all" if attacked. Hmmm...does anyone not think oil would go to $150-200 per barrel overnight, or gas to $5.00 per gallon overnight?

On the Border

You think tensions aren't high along the Israel / Lebanon border? Today five people were killed when Israeli soldiers were simply trying to remove a tree along a border fence.

Lebanon, Israel troops clash on border http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6721ET20100803
Three Lebanese soldiers and an Israeli officer have been killed in the first serious border clash since Israel's 2006 conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah. A Lebanese journalist also died in the fighting.

Lebanon says troops opened fire after Israeli troops entered its territory. Israel denied the charge. PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would respond "aggressively" to any attack. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said militants would not "stand idle" if Israel attacked again...

...The Lebanese army says Israeli soldiers crossed the border to uproot a tree which was blocking their view near the Lebanese village of Adaysseh...

...In a statement, Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Lebanese sovereignty had been violated. However, UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon said later on Tuesday there was no evidence that Israeli soldiers had crossed the border, the BBC's Wyre Davies reports.

Solar Tsunami

This next article reminds me of two passages of Scripture.

Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

Jesus said in Luke 21:25-28 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Nasa scientists braced for 'solar tsunami' to hit earth
The earth could be hit by a wave of violent space weather as early as Tuesday after a massive explosion on the sun, scientists have warned.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7923069/Nasa-scientists-braced-for-solar-tsunami-to-hit-earth.html

The solar fireworks at the weekend were recorded by several satellites, including Nasa’s new Solar Dynamics Observatory which watched its shock wave rippling outwards.

Astronomers from all over the world witnessed the huge flare above a giant sunspot the size of the Earth, which they linked to an even larger eruption across the surface of Sun.

The explosion, called a coronal mass ejection, was aimed directly towards Earth, which then sent a “solar tsunami” racing 93 million miles across space.

Experts said the wave of supercharged gas will likely reach the Earth on Tuesday, when it will buffet the natural magnetic shield protecting Earth.


What a great time to be alive. Thank you Lord for making this day. The universe declares your Majesty!

War Risks on the Rise

My name is Mike and I have the unique privilege of filling in for Dennis for a few days. Perhaps like many of you, I believe that we are living near the end of the Church Age. There are simply too many signs to ignore. But don't take my word for it...discover for yourselves and you will find that God's Word is chock full of prophecies that have already come true, to perfection.

As we view the events of the Middle East and Israel, in particular, through the third lens of Scripture, we know that something big is in the works. The next article pertains to recent comments from Syrian President Bashar Assad, as the pressure continues to build against Israel.

DAMASCUS: Syria's president warned yesterday that the prospects for war in the region were on the rise as chances for peace dwindled amid increased tensions.

Bashar Assad's comments come after Israel accused Syria of smuggling Scuds and other missiles to Lebanon's Hizbollah group. Syria has denied the charge.

"Chances to achieve real peace are dwindling and war prospects are mounting," he said in comments marking Army Day, carried by state-run news agency SANA.

He said his country is still willing to achieve "a just peace and consolidate security and stability the region," adding this will only be realised after Israel fully pulls out from the Golan Heights it captured from Syria during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

He stressed that "anyone who thinks that Syria might negotiate over its occupied land will be deluding himself."

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=283773

Turkish-mediated indirect talks between Syria and Israel ended unsuccessfully in late 2008.

Assad said in the past that the indirect talks failed because the Jewish state would not make an unambiguous commitment to return all the territory captured in 1967.

The Golan Heights have been the central point of disagreement between both countries for years and Assad said: "The liberation of the Golan is a deeply ingrained right. Peace requires restoring all the occupied soil until the line of June 4, 1967."

"The world is certain now that Israel is the one putting obstacles in front of peace and its requirements," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would not accept pre-conditions to negotiations, indicating he would not agree ahead of time to a withdrawal.

Ah, no Mr. Assad, you are the one who is "deluding himself". Israel learned its lesson from its withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, and I'm firmly convinced that President Netanyahu will not make that mistake regarding the Golan Heights. Did you know that the Golan Heights land area which Mr. Assad is complaining about represents less than 0.65% of Syria's total landmass?