Heaven Bound

I was amazed to hear from a friend of mine the other day that her daughter and son-in-law, (both of whom hold leadership positions in a Bible-believing Evangelical Church) had informed her that they no longer needed to pray in the name of Jesus, as God already knows in whose name they are praying. Really?  I was stunned!  Christians, not praying in the name of Jesus!  I know the world is pressuring Christians in public forums to no longer use the name of Jesus, but, in our own homes and churches. Unbelievable!  Why would people, who should know better adopt this nonsense?

The diabolical insidiousness of this to me is obvious. There is power and authority in the name of Jesus, and, the evil one (who knows his time is short) is well aware of this. By taking our greatest spiritual weapon from us, he can neutralize our best efforts as believers, for what is a gun without a bullet, or a cannon with out its fodder? For the name of Jesus is the power behind our prayers; the fuse, by which, our prayers and requests before God are ignited.

First of all, I cannot imagine, why, anyone would want to exclude that precious name from their prayers. Yes, God knows in whose name we are praying. But, is  that the point?

It’s not that the name of Jesus is magic, a mantra or anything of that sort. But, we are told in scripture that all power and authority is given to him, and by, extension to us, when, we call upon his name.

In Luke 10:19, Jesus said:

“Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and, nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

This is Jesus talking and he is telling us how to have power over the enemy, just as he has. How is this possible? First of all, we have to understand that we have no power of our own; the only power, we possess is by and through his name and, it is the only name that demons recognize and respond to as demonstrated in this next verse and many others.

“At sunset people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people shouting, ‘You are the son of God, but, he rebuked  them and would not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Messiah.”  Luke 4:40-41

Folks, as most of you are aware, the spiritual battle is increasing by the day, the demonic manifesting all around us like cancerous weeds; weeds sowing seeds of destruction, mayhem, hopelessness and depression. Now is not the time to abandon, our greatest weapon, praying in the name of Jesus. And, I would also encourage setting in your minds ahead of time, when faced with an unexpected volatile situation such as that in Boston to be ready to call on the name of Jesus in rebuke of the demons behind the human perpetrators. As the darkness darkens, the light grows  brighter. I believe, therefore, we will see many miracles in Jesus name in these last dark days before his coming. Let’s be sure, we know in whose name we are praying and use it! The enemy trembles at that Holy and precious name! And, we bow in humble acceptance of the Lord’s willingness to share it with us. How blessed are we!

Grace and blessings to you all!  Keep praying in the precious name and powerful name of Jesus!

And, as always – “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee’. Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

We’re all familiar with the cell phone commercial, where the man is speaking in to his phone, trying to get a connection or signal that will enable him to hear the person on the other end of the line. We’re often like that with God; praying and wondering, if he hears us; wondering if the connection we’re trying to make is getting through. Thinking, that if perhaps, we speak a little louder, (as if God were deaf), or a little bit longer (like he’s impressed by the length of our prayers), he might just hear us now.

I’ve been suffering with severe tinnitus in my left ear for almost a week now. So, you can see, why hearing is on my mind. I have a very loud and constant whooshing noise in my left ear that resonates with every  beating of my pulse. Add to that vertigo and gait imbalance, and, you can see, I’m a bit of a mess. I already have markable hearing deficit and wear hearing aides in both ears. But, the pounding in my left ear is so bad right now, that the hearing aid is virtually useless; which leaves me with the already compromised hearing in my right ear to do all the work. Oy! I’m on a course of steroids and antibiotics that so far have not produced any improvement. But, that is only partially what today’s blog is about.

Hearing. Jesus, had a lot to say about hearing didn’t he?  When, it comes to spiritual things it seems, we can have two good ears and still not hear a thing.  In Matthew 13:15, it says this”

“For this people’s heart have become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and, turn and  I would heal them.” 

I think this says a lot for the state, we find ourselves in today. For all our modern technology, (cell phones and i-phones/pads in just about every hand), we still cannot see or hear.  And, why is that? Well, according to the verse above, we are hearing and vision impaired (spiritually speaking) because our hearts are calloused. And, a calloused heart, is a hardened heart. Hearts that have become hardened to the things of God. This is why, in spite, of everything that is happening today, few are able to see or understand. Their eyes are blurred and their  hearing is dull due to the hardness of their hearts. A condition that cannot be remedied without the work of the Holy Spirit to break up that fallow ground.

It’s interesting, I had not spoken to my daughters all weekend, not wanting to worry them unnecessarily, as I went to the ER yesterday for the severe tinnitus and vertigo. This morning, my oldest called (Seven Stars) and I informed her of what had been happening. And, she told me about an unusual incident from this morning, which, I believe fits with this topic of discussion.  She said, she had been listening to Pastor David Jeremiah preach and as he was preaching, she, was moved to sincerely pray for Jesus to give her the eyes to see things as he sees things. In other words, his compassion, his love, his mercy, to see others as he sees them .  An hour or so later, she was watching another Pastor preach (I’ll have to ask her again the name), when, in a sudden flash, she saw an angel standing at the right hand side of the Pastor in the pulpit. A little larger than the Pastor, he had flowing white robes and wings. Light in color and glowing. Startled, she put the program on re-wind, but, the image did not appear again.

I find it interesting that this incident followed, her sincere prayer to see things as Jesus does … an encouragement to me and others, that he (Jesus) and his ministering angels are always in our midst. Something, we often doubt, when our hearts become hardened by trial and circumstance.

Her prayer an answer to mine ….. that in spite of my affliction, God does hear my prayer. What he wants from me (as, he does all of us) is a broken and contrite heart towards his will. Only then, will I be able to hear, what he is saying.

I have had a lot on my mind lately regarding the direction my life should take at this juncture in time.  Considering, whether or not it is time to leave the island and return to the mainland. I have petitioned God many times with this question – and, somehow now, believe, in the course of this affliction, that it is there, that I will find his answer. Believing as it says in Psalm 51:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” Psalm 51:17

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

The littered remains of the tragedy in Boston on Monday. The sad reminder of the reality of the world in which we live today. And, as the nation grieves, we ask our selves these questions, what can be done? What will it take to assure our safety?  And, the answer to that question, like it or not, is nothing. There is nothing we can do to assure  ourselves that a scene similar to the one above will not take place in our own cities or neighborhoods.

We abhor the violence that strikes without warning, and rightly, so. It keeps us off kilter, always looking over our shoulders, wondering, when and where, the next mass shooting, the next bombing, might be. We wonder, what places and events are secure enough for taking our families to. And, of course, there is no way of answering these questions as each event is as unpredictable as the mind of the one who plans and carries out events such as these.

But, if we are honest with our selves, we would realize that we, ourselves have created the fertile ground in which these individuals thrive.  As the Bible says,“a good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit.”  In other words, there is a reason why a society produces individuals such as these.  Fifty years ago, it wasn’t so. Why?  What has changed?  Well, a lot. Yet no one wants to think that the way they live their own personal life has any bearing on these tragedies. And, it is that unwillingness, more than anything else that ensures the likelihood and probability of further events. 

For the abortions, the divorces, the sexual and drug addictions, and, the removal of God from our public and private lives in the last fifty years have been as powerfully at work in fragmenting people and families as any physical bomb could ever be.  And, it’s this bomb, a bomb of another kind, that has lit a fuse of anger among many individuals. The repercussions of which, we feel today.

And, unless we recognize this fact, repent and get our lives in order before God. We cannot and will not see a change for the better. In fact, it’s going to get worse. 

May God open our eyes to the truth.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!   Cindy

“Faithful are the wounds of a friends but, the kisses of an enemy are deceitful”. Proverbs 27:6

From all appearances, President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu have become the closest of friends.  An image that belies the months of animosity that clearly existed between the two in the days leading up to the President’s recent visit. Causing many of us to scratch our heads, and ask ourselves, what has changed?

From the moment President Obama stepped off the plane, it was apparent that whatever this visit was about, it was not about contention. No arms would be twisted, no threats would be made, the purpose of this visit was purely symbolic in nature, the relaxed attitude and body language between the two powerfully suggesting that whatever agreement was on the table had already been reached.

There has been much speculation about the timing of this meeting and, although there was never perhaps any one dramatic moment that we can point our fingers at in regard to the prophetic nature of this visit, we would be remiss to take lightly any major political figure addressing the Israeli people on this very important date.

And, whether the world understands it, (or anyone else, for that matter), this date is of extreme importance to God. For he has declared in Exodus 12 –

“Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, on the tenth day of the month they shall take them every man a lamb … a lamb without blemish …. and, you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, at which time, you shall slaughter it at twilight”. Exodus 12:3-6  

Israel is between a rock and a hard place with Iran and they are looking for a friend to watch their back.  President Obama assures us (and them) that he is that friend; a friend, who can be trusted. But, is he?  The timing of this event, in my opinion, says otherwise. 

From Nisan 10 to Nisan 14, the Passover lamb is to be observed for blemishes; only a spotless lamb may be selected for Passover. Just as Jesus was observed for four days  until his trial before Pilate, (where, he was found to be faultless) so, President Obama in the days following his visit to Jerusalem is being scrutinized. In fact, with the exception of Jesus, it would be hard to say, when a man other than Mr. Obama has been scrutinized so carefully. Every word, every motion, every gesture, every facial expression carefully scrutinized and analyzed by most, if not, all of the world’s press. This alone should alert us that the four days following Nisan 10 until Nisan 14 are very, very important days in regard to this visit.

It’s quite obvious that the two-state solution and the division of Jerusalem is the key to middle-East peace in President Obama’s mind. And, for all the protesting otherwise is likely just a matter of time before it becomes a reality. An idea being sold hard to the young and impressionable Israeli’s by the American President, who challenged them  just days before Passover to be “masters of their own fate”.  Yes, masters of their own fate. Words that are sure to be an abomination and affront to the one, who paid the price for their freedom and who, established them back in the land less than a generation ago.

Yes, something has changed. And, yet nothing has changed. As it says in Lamentations after Israel went in to exile the first time –

“All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies …. her foes have become her masters, her enemies are at ease …”  Lamentations 1: 2-5

You would think by now, they would understand, where their help comes from – their help comes from the Lord. But, they like us, are slow to learn. We can encourage, we can love, we can defend, we can pray for and support Israel, but, we must never ask them to make concessions that violate God’s covenant with them. And, that is what President Obama is asking them to do. No true friend would do that.

He speaks like a lamb, but, he has the heart of a dragon.

The wounds of a friend, the kisses of an enemy.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

      Aerial view Seffner, Florida sinkhole

Just before midnight, at 11:00 p.m. on the last day of February, suddenly and without warning, a man was swallowed alive in to the bowels of the earth, when, the ground beneath the bedroom, he was sleeping in opened in to a large sinkhole. Estimated to be at least 20 feet wide and 60 feet deep emergency personal could not reach the victim due to the instability of the area. And, after several days had no choice but to raze the remainder of the structure and to fill in the hole. The victim, 36 year old Jeffrey Bush is presumed dead and entombed with in the filled in site.

It’s hard to imagine a more tragic and terrifying story. But, the Bible tells of two men and their families, who likewise, suffered such a fate. In Numbers 16: 31-34, when, Korah and the families of all, who associated with him were swallowed alive in to the earth as a judgment for questioning the authority of Moses, and by extension rebelling against God, for it was God, who had placed Moses in authority over them.

And, while I am not suggesting that Mr. Bush or his family are responsible in any way for this terrible tragedy, (my heart and prayers go out to them), I am suggesting that this incident may in fact, be a warning that judgment (in regard to rebellion against the authority and word of God), is on the near horizon.

Remember what it says in Jude regarding those who, slip in among the church and use their authority to pervert the grace of God in to a license for immorality; specifically, homosexuality.  In verse 11, it says, they have “taken the way of Cain, they have rushed for profit in to Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion“.  Sinning in the same way the fallen angels did, who are even now being held in chains for their rebellious acts.

It is greatly evident that the Church, (especially in this nation) has fallen far from the word of God. Churches, which were once stalwarts of the faith, now openly endorse and advocate same-sex marriages, even ordaining some as shepherds over the flock.

It makes me think of the two individuals in this story. Mr. Jeffrey Bush and Mr. Jeremy Bush, the surviving brother. It’s interesting, when I think of the rebellion of Korah, for he was rebelling against the authority of Moses; Moses, who was given his commission by God through the burning bush. The name Jeffrey, which means “God’s peace or “divine peace” and Jeremy, which means “the Lord loosens” or “the Lord will lift up”.   Which could loosely be interpreted to mean:

There cannot be any peace, where there is a spirit of rebellion; the judgment on which, the Lord will soon loosen or lift up.

This incident, happened within 60 minutes of February 28 turning in to March 1.  A month that many of us are watching for a number of reasons in terms of prophetic fulfillment.

Friends, we are dangerously close to judgment. We know God is long suffering and patient with sinners, but, he will not long tolerate open rebellion in his own house, and, that is what is happening today. After Mr. Bush fell in to the pit, there was nothing to do, but to demolish the whole house, for the whole thing was unstable, good for nothing. But, the other Mr. Bush, who had also fallen in to the pit (in an effort to help his brother) was saved by a first responder, who risked his own life to pull him out.

My daughter, (Seven Stars) pointed out that Baphomet, (a widely recognized symbol of Satan) has both male and female body parts.  Interesting, when you consider that homosexuals by virtue of their behavior are androgynous, a blend of male and female; a behavior that is in direct opposition to God’s plan and design and, is in open rebellion against his word. This cannot go on. God will not tolerate it. It is one thing for unbelievers to practice such things, but, another, when it comes to God’s people. Remember, the Bible says, “judgment begins at the house of God.”

Friends, we are one minute to midnight in terms of judgment. We need to get serious about our relationship the Lord Jesus Christ, if we are not already. The blood of 50 million aborted babies cries out to God every day, add that to a church, who despises and mocks God’s own word, while at the same time claiming to love him and you can see why we are in big trouble.

Jesus, said, “If you love me, keep my commandments”.  In other words, we are to submit to his authority. We cannot claim to love him and do otherwise.

 One brother fell in to the pit and was lost, but, one was rescued and lifted up.  Which one are you?

Something to think.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”Psalm 122:6  Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

I have a six-year-old granddaughter, a kindergartener this year, due to her late birthday, who astonished her mother the other evening, when they were praying at bedtime. As they were discussing, what to pray about and for, my daughter was attempting to get her six-year-old to think beyond the usual request for puppies and kittens. So, she asked her daughter maybe instead of asking Jesus for things, we should ask him what he would like us to do. My granddaughter thought for a minute and said, “like what kinds of things” And, my daughter said, “well, helping people, being kind, telling your friends about Jesus”.  To which my granddaughter replied, “Oh, I do Mom, I tell my friends about Jesus” And, she mentioned a couple of their names. And, then added, “But, they don’t want to listen.”  (Just like adults!)  Then after a moment, she added this. “I don’t want to go hell”  My daughter was shocked that she would say such a thing, they had talked a lot about Jesus and heaven, of course, but, never about hell. At least not in any specific way that would terrify a child. So, she said, “oh, baby, you’re not going to go to hell, you believe in Jesus, the only people who go to hell are people who don’t believe in Jesus”.  But, Mom she said matter of factly,  “I had a “dream” yesterday that I was there!”

Oh my goodness! What kind of dream was this? Was this a nightmare? The boogie man in the closet kind of thing?  What six-year-old knows anything about hell.  Shocked but, intrigued my daughter cautiously asked her to describe what she was talking about. And, this is what she said:

 “Hell is a very dark place, and you can hear water dripping. There are people there, some that are vicious, (yes, she used the word vicious and she is six years old),  they are bad angels and they are in cells behind bars, if you get too close to them they will try to bite or scratch you. There are other people there too (besides the bad angels) and, they are behind brick and glass with three holes in the glass so they can breathe.

She is describing this quite matter of factly, so my daughter went on to ask her, if she had been frightened, when she was there.

“No“, she said. “Because Jesus was with me“.  She also said, the reason she could see in a place so dark was because Jesus was with her and he was the “light“.

“Graycie” (her name is Grayce), my daughter said,  “why would Jesus take you to a place like that?”  to which, she adamantly replied,   “I was there to count the cells; there are 20 of them.”

The next morning my daughter queried her again about the dream. No change in story. Adamant again that she was there to count the cells, of which there are 20.  What could that mean?

I was skyping with them yesterday and I ask my granddaughter if she wanted to tell me about the dream and, she said, “no”. And, she looked a little disturbed.  I said, “that’s okay. We don’t need to talk about it”.  And, I felt maybe there was too much talk about this for her little mind and it might be best to just drop the subject.  About thirty minutes later, she wanted to talk to me.  This time she said, “Grandma, do you want to know what our houses in heaven will be like?”  “Yes, I do”, I said.  “Well, mine”, she said,  “will have all kinds of princess stuff, my mommy’s will have all kinds of Queen stuff and my Daddy’s will have all kinds of Bronco stuff (football)”, she giggled.

Now, this is the kind of thing I expect from a six-year-old! As you can see, her “dream” of hell was far more advanced and detailed than your typical six-year-old kind of thinking. Which leads me to believe, this “dream” was somehow different from the rest.

Given the fact that she was adamant that she was there to “count” the cells, of which, there were 20 gave me some pause for thought.  According to her, the dream, which she described as “yesterday” would have been on 3/2/2013.  Which, if you add 20 days, is 3/22/2013.  A number most of us are familiar with as being associated with the occult i.e. Georgia Guidestones, Skull and Bones etc. Given the nature of the dream, (“bad angels” being held in confinement), I wondered if 3/22/2013 might be significant to what we read in the book of Jude and Revelation chapter 9 regarding the fallen ones and their release from the pit.

We live in amazing times.  Make of this what you will. I’m not saying this was a prophecy, a vision or anything else. I don’t know. If nothing else, food for thought – “hell” through the eyes of a six-year-old. And, just to let you know, when, she said, she did not want to “go to hell”, my daughter feels sure, it was not because she was frightened or thought that she might be sent there, but, rather it was a place she did not want to see or visit again. A place, no one would want to go.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

Leaving Eden

I’ve been thinking this week about President Obama’s trip to Israel at the end of this month. As we are all aware, his trip (barring a change in plans) is scheduled to coincide with Nisan 10, the day according to Exodus 12:3 that all Israel is to select a lamb for Passover. It is also, the same day Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey on what is commonly referred to as Palm Sunday and, four days before Pilate would declare, “I find no fault in him”.  For this reason, given all the Messianic imagery associated with the current President, there is good cause for those of us who are watching to cast a watchful eye on these dates.

I was discussing the President’s itinerary (along with dates for the selection of the new Pope) with my daughter “Seven Stars“, when, she pointed out some similarities between the dates of the last week of March and, these verses from Genesis 3.

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21

“And, the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and also take from the tree of life and eat and live forever'”. Genesis 3:22

“So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.” Genesis 3:23

“After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” Genesis 3:24

As one reads the Bible, we see how the enemy offers a counterfeit to what God has done or what God will do. This is the great deception that is coming.  On March 21, 2013, President Obama is slated to address the Israeli people from either the Israel Museum or the International Convention Center with a request by the White House for the promise of at least 1,000 Israeli’s in attendance.  Interesting, when you consider, it was a small group, who called for the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus; a small percentage that represented the nation as a whole. Something to keep in mind, when, the anti-Messiah, is received.

Looking at Genesis 3:21, we see a situation, in which, God must take charge. An innocent animal must die to provide covering for the nakedness of Adam and Eve. Transgression has caused the fellowship between God and man to be severed and, a hasty covering with fig leaves will not solve the problem.

 On 3/21/13, a man, will offer a “fig leaf” kind of plan to restore peace to the region (and, by extension, the planet) to a world weary of war. Void of God, this plan circumvents God’s plan for peace, as outlined in Genesis 3;21, the one that hints of the Messiah to come, who, by his blood will restore broken fellowship between God and man and, by extension, will bring peace to a world long-suffering under the weight of sin and transgression.

On March 22, the President will tour the Iron Dome Battery and meet with IDF soldiers.  It is on or by March 22, that the new Pope should be selected – a must in order for the Pope to be in place for the week of Easter services.  When you look at Genesis 3:22, it’s not hard to see why the number 322 is sacred to secret societies such as Skull and Bones and why, the Georgia Guidestones were erected on this very same date. For the act that God deplored (eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) is considered, admirable by those  who, seek “illumination” – a concept at the base of most cults, mystery religions and secret societies. Something the false prophet will be happy to direct under the power of the Anti-Messiah.

On March 23, President Obama will depart Israel, to travel east to Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah.  In Genesis 3:23, Adam and Eve also travel east, (never to return) as God banishes them from the Garden to begin a life of toil and struggle; struggling against the very elements from which they were made; and, in verse 24, an  angel with a flaming sword is placed at the entrance barring them from ever entering again. But, God is not done with this place!

It was interesting to me, when I looked a little closer at these verses this week, that the Jordan River actually forms the border between eastern Israel and western Jordan. According to Wikipedia, the Jordan River is 156 miles long and ends it journey at the Dead Sea. And, the Jordan is of course, the site of Jesus baptism, the ministry of John the Baptist and the river the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land.  From an excellent article, I found titled “Return to Eden“, I also learned that the word “Jordan” means, “God came down and judged” and the word “Hebrew” means “crossed over”.  Now this is important, when we look at the President’s itinerary. When God expelled Adam and Eve, it was to the east, to Jordan that he drove them, but, when God brought them back, it was to the west, across the Jordan River and, back to the original site from where they had been expelled. (Many scholars place the Garden of Eden in Jerusalem). Therefore, President Obama after addressing the Israeli people and offering his peace plan will travel east to the very place, God had once expelled Adam and Eve to – a place, East of Eden. This in my opinion is critical, when you consider what has been placed in motion here. The next time President Obama travels west (his trip home), he will by-pass Jerusalem, (i.e. a return to Eden), flying high over the river Jordan; a river he has no intention of crossing.

* There are a number of variables in the scenario above any of which could change at any time. One news article reports that President Obama is going to Israel strictly to listen and not to present any kind of peace plan; a lot of “to do” over nothing if that is the case considering the extravagant plans made to honor his visit. Make no mistake about it – if this President can pull off peace in the Middle-East, he will have engraved his name in history, and he knows it. This is going to be slick, it’s going to be sly, a done deal before any one knows it. IMHO.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with you for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

**Resources: 

A wonderful article and a must read titled – “Return to Eden” – http://hissheep.org/special/hebrew/return_to_eden.html

Georgia Guidestones – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Guidestones

Skull and Bones Society – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_and_Bones

Daily News: Obama’s Trip to Israel – http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/obama-due-to-visit-israel-west-bank-jordan-next-month.aspx?PageID=238&NID=41903&NewsCatID=358

Yesterday, February 11, 2013 – just 42 days in to the new year, the world was stunned as Pope Benedict XVI announced his soon resignation. Citing health reasons and diminished energy for carrying out his responsibilities, the Pope made history, by being the first pope in 600 years to resign from his post. With a reported replacement to be selected sometime before Easter this year, the world is abuzz with speculation as to his who, his successor might be.

Most of us are familiar with the recent work of Tom Horn and Cris D. Putnam, titled, “Petrus Romanus: the Final Pope is Here”  which explores, the idea set forth in the prophecies of St. Malachy, that the 112th Pope, would be the last Pope; if true, the words to his prophecy, hold an ominous tone.

“During the last persecution of the Holy Roman Church there shall sit Peter of Rome, who shall feed the sheep amidst the many great tribulations, and, when these have passed, the City of the Seven Hills and the city shall be utterly destroyed and the awful, Judge will judge his people.”

Keeping in mind, that this is a non-Biblical prophecy, (the failed, Mayan prophecy of December 21, 2012, barely behind us), only time will tell, whether the prophecy of St. Malachy falls in to this same category or not. That being said, I feel the selection of the next Pope may prove to be prophetically important; the prophecy of St. Malachy not withstanding.

The Beast that Rises Out of the Earth

“And, I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but, he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the beast (the one, who comes out of the sea) and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.  And, he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.”  Revelation 13:11-13

   An indication of things to come?

When you think about what comes out of the earth, the obvious answer is fire; molten fire; lava.  A fit representation for the man who has power to summon fire (not from the earth) but, from heaven.  The reverse of which, is the source of his power, not heaven but, earth –  i.e. the pits of hell.

I personally believe, the fire referred to in his passage is not literal fire but, rather another kind of “fire” – an “energy” that will produce a fleet of UFO’s so, astonishing that it will change all previous thought, religious and otherwise.  The Vatican has already gone on record as having a great interest in the subject; preparation perhaps, for an event that will change the world.

One of the jobs of the beast out of the earth will be to facilitate worship of the first beast. I touched on this a little bit on my last post, but, I would like to re-visit it again, as my daughter, Seven Stars pointed out something to that I believe is quite telling.  To do this, we need to look at the Hoover Dam Memorial once again.

To see this clearly, you will need to go to the Wikipedia website and click on the image to enlarge it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam

What you will see if you look closely at the image of the man rising out of the water is that he (shockingly) is standing on the body of a man. Thank you to Kathy B for pointing this out to me in the comments section. I don’t know how I missed it but, I did. If you look at an enlarged version of the photo, it is clearly visible; a face in the left lower portion of the picture along with a body.

As explained to me by my daughter: When you consider that Revelation is the completion of the book of Genesis; it’s interesting to note that the two elements held in the hands of the man are grain, he is also, surrounded by the image of fruit and other gourd like plants of the type that was rejected by God as an offering from Cain. Something that so angered him that he killed his brother Abel. Here in this image, we see an Atlas like man rising out of the water, standing on the body of his “brother” with the very elements in hand that were rejected by God.

This may provide an important clue as to what may transpire in the next few weeks.

On Nisan 10, President Obama will travel to Israel with a peace proposal (sheaves of grain in his hands, figuratively).  What day will he be traveling to Israel? Unless, his schedule changes, he should arrive in Israel on the 10th of Nisan. Why is Nisan 10 important? This is the day according to Exodus 12 that the nation of Israel must select a lamb for Passover.  Therefore, what transpires on this day and the days that follow may be critically important to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, ‘This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household …. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.'”  Exodus 12:1-6

Remember according to Exodus 12, the lamb after selected must be observed for four days before it is to be sacrificed on the 14th day of Nisan. Jesus was observed for four days (tried by Pilate, who found no fault in him) and was crucified at twilight, just as all Passover lambs were on the 14th day of the month.

Based on this well know portion of scripture, if President Obama arrives in Israel as scheduled, we would do well to pay close attention to the events that follow. Provided, we are still here.

Friends, we live in amazing days. Bible prophecy has hit warp speed and almost everyone, who has been watching can feel it. With the selection of the new Pope and the President’s trip to Israel all within the next few weeks, there is little to do now, but, watch and pray. Bride, make yourself ready, you’re going home soon!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“Obama, he’s on fi-yer!” crooned Alicia Keys, smiling broadly into the camera as she performed for President Obama at his second inaugural celebration. Changing the words to her hit single, “Girl on Fire” (from the recent movie, “The Hunger Games”) to apply to the President, Alicia drew wide applause, as the audience acknowledged and, accepted the change in metaphor for this very special occasion.

Interestingly, fire, would also be the theme for a performance that would dominate the theforty–seventhSuperbowl, on February 3, of this year. Dwarfed by raging flames that shot high into the night, Beyonce stomped and headbanged her way across stage in one of the highest watched events in television history.

Fire. Not a word most want to hear, especially, at a crowded performance. Ironically, it is the one word used that connects President Obama’s first inauguration with his second. Remember, how the 1971 hit,  American Pie was selected as the anthem for his first inauguration. Everyone singing together, remembering the good times, looking ahead to what many hoped would be even better times. No one seeming to notice, or care about the words they were swaying back and forth to:

“Good-bye, Miss American Pie” –  good-bye …  good-bye ….. 

Words (which for all their popularity) seem less like an anthem and, more like a dirge, in spite, of the spite of the incredibly catchy tune that accompanies them.  A strange choice for an inauguration, it would seem, considering the cryptic words that have kept fans guessing since the song first topped charts in 1971.

 Reminds me in some ways of those words spoken in ignorance after 9/11.

“The bricks have fallen down, but, we will rebuild with dressed stone. The fig trees have been felled, but, we will replace with cedar”  Isaiah 9:10

(Those of you familiar with The Harbinger, will know what I am talking about.)

So, why now? Why, American Pie as the theme for the first inauguration? And, even more interesting, why ,the sly reference to it at the second?

Cloaked in the theme of fire, the words to the fifth verse of America Pie come floating back at us   …. “fire is the Devil’s only friend”. 

“The President, he’s on “fi-yer!”  Alicia Keys, intones, over and over again, smiling a knowing smile, in a gaze that tells us that fire is a good thing …. her fingers pressing into the keys, in a way only accomplished performers can do. Assuring us that the change in metaphor from “she’s one fire” to “he’s on fire” should be of no concern in spite of the movie’s title, “The Hunger Games.”

Interestingly, this would not be the only reference in the early weeks of this year to either fire or American Pie.  Strangely, this years Superbowl featuring the Ravens and the 49’ers would take place at Mercedes-Benz stadium in New Orleans on February 3, the exact day that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP (the, Big Bopper) Richardson were killed back in 1959.  Whose untimely deaths were immortalized in song by Don McClean, who referenced the event, as “the day the music died.” And, whose lyrics ironically, suggest the city of New Orleans  (with the usage of the word levee) which, happened to be the chosen site for this years 2013 Superbowl.

 And, I would be remiss, if I did not add that Chevy widely known for years, as “the heart beat of America”,  represents in my opinon, the country at large.

“Drove my chevy to the levee but, the levee was dry.”

An obvious reference to the decline of a nation.

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And, then, there was the Superbowl itself, brother against brother in a showdown that would capture the imagination of the country and, the world. In a performance, punctuated by both fire and darkness, it would be a night of drama that few would forget.

James and John Harbaugh, are brother NFL coaches. One for the San Francisco 49’ers and, the other for the Baltimore Ravens. At a time, when the country itself seems in danger of splitting (once again) there couldn’t have been more (figuratively) at stake.

“Can music (or football) save your mortal soul?”

I did a quick search on the meaning of the name Harbaugh and found it to be rather fitting.  Derived from the angle-saxon, it means “shelter or lodging”.  Interesting, when you consider that the country was effectively represented with one team coming from the east coast, and, the other from the west. In other words, this game (symbolically) was about us; our home, our “lodging”.

And, among all the strange and unexpected things that could occur in a perfectly choreographed program (with the exception of the game itself) was the 34 minutes, the stadium was plunged in to darkness just after half time – leaving half of the stadium dimly lit and, the other half, completely dark. Note the Mercedes-Benz symbol still visible in the darkness. 

Much has been written about this and it should be obvious by now, to all but, the most dull that a time is coming, when brother will be pitted against brother and darkness will seek to overtake the light. A grandiose plan laid out in the auspices of a football stadium; by an enemy, who delights in showing his hand.

“and half-time air was sweet perfume, while the Sergeants played a marching tune, We all got up to dance, oh, but we never got the chance. ‘Cause the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield, do you recall what was revealed, the day the music died”?

Yet, this is not the first time, the 49’ers experienced a darkened stadium. If you will remember back in December 2011, a 25 minute power outage delayed the start of a game on the 19th of December at Candlestick Stadium on the eve of Hanukkah; a warning you might say, for a nation, whose light is close to going out.

The Ravens and the 49’ers

In 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California and by May of 1849, nearly two-thirds of the population would have headed west to claim their part in what is now referred to as,” the American dream” …. getting rich!  Thus the term 49’ers. But, just three years earlier, American poet, Edgar Allen Poe penned the words to the poem for which, he would become most famous  – “The Raven”.

“While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,  As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. ‘Tis some visitor” I muttered. ‘Tapping at my chamber door — and, nothing more.'”

Heralded, as the first poem produced on the American continent, “The Raven” captured the imagination of poetry lovers around the world and remains immensely popular to this day.  Perhaps, even then, there was something tapping at the door of America, something begging for her soul. An unclean presence knocking to be let in, (compare to Jesus, who it says in Revelation 3:20, also, stands at the door and knocks). The raven, according to the Bible (and legend) is an unclean bird, a known thief and a symbol often associated with death and destruction.

Tapping, rapping ….. at our door.

    *A raven stealing a gold coin or “the light” (as depicted on this book cover) is a popular theme in art and literature.

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California, the golden state. Flourishing with new-found wealth, California had something for everyone. The only thing it lacked was water. Water to turn desert land in to lush gardens that even Eden would envy and water to generate electricity for lights so bright that even the stars would fade from view. Therefore, in the early part of the new century, it was decided that a dam would be built to provide just those things and in 1920, a man by the name of JG Tierney, a surveyor, was sent to scout out a location. Unfortunately, he drowned in his endeavor making him the first victim of what is now known as Hoover Dam.

It may seem like a far stretch to go from the Superbowl to the Hoover dam, but, I see a thread developing. Many of you are familiar with the idea of the Hoover dam becoming the next 9/11. Strangely enough, if you fold a fifty dollar bill “just so”, it appears that the dam has been breached and, water can clearly be seen flowing over the spillway. On the old fifty dollar bill, the dam is intact. How odd!  I was talking with my daughter, the other day, the one I often refer to as “Seven Stars” and, she pointed out to me something, which, I found to be quite interesting.  If you look at the monument erected in memory of those who died building of the dam, you will see a man who is holding wheat and rye in his upraised hands.  And, while a dam is not exactly a levee, it does bring to mind, these words from American Pie.

“Drove my Chevy to the levee but, the levee was dry. Them good ol’ boys were drinking whisky (wheat) and rye. Singing, this will be the day that I die.”

   Hoover Dam Memorial. 

*For a larger version of this photo, go to this link and click on the image. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam

If you look at this memorial, you will find a number of interesting things. For one, there are the words written on each side of the image of the man, which reads:   “They died to make the desert bloom”. 

And, die they did. With 112 deaths officially associated with the construction of the dam and, another 42, listed as having expired from “pneumonia” – which, was in all likely hood, not pneumonia, at all, but, rather carbon monoxide poisoning from the poorly ventilated tunnels, in which, they were working; (a fact, Six Companies, the company contracted to build the dam never owned up to for a number of reasons, one of which, included paying out compensation to the victims families). 

Yes, a total of 154 men gave their lives to bring light and life to the desert Southwest, without whom, much of what we see today, would not exist, including the glittering lights of Vegas and the cameras on which, the studios of Hollywood roll.

Of the official deaths, none was more curious than the last, (Mr. Patrick W. Tierney), who, died, an exact 13 years, “to the day” of the first victim, his father, Mr. JG Tierney, who, perished, (as mentioned above) while scouting out a location for the dam on December 20, 1922.  Interesting, when you consider the name Tierney, which, is Irish in origin, and, means “noble”, Lord”, or “descendant of a Lord.”  And, in pronunciation sounds a lot like “tyranny”.

Looking again at the image, a man is seen with water rising up around him or  rising up out of the waters – depending on how you look at it.  Either way, it is an odd choice for a memorial, in my opinion. Kind of morbid.

Also, odd, is the appearance of the man, as his waist is overly narrow, in comparison to his shoulders. This cannot be an oversight on the part of the artist, but, rather suggests to me that the man depicted here is no ordinary man. He is in fact, like the name Tierney suggests, the descendant of a “Lord” or a “god”.  Maybe even, a hybrid. Rising up from the water, he holds sheaves of wheat and rye in his hands. Causing me to wonder, who, is this man?  Is he the one, the London Olympics spoke of (waiting to be born out of the water of destruction)? Is he the one waiting to come forth from the womb of fire and destruction as indicated in Beyonce’s performance. 

Is he the one, who waits to exchange our souls for all the material possessions we could ever want or need – as indicated in the Mercedes-Benz commercial below. 

Or, is he the raven, tap, tap, tapping at our door? The one the 49’ers sold their souls to long ago. The heartbeat of America, gone dead. 

*Friends, the days ahead look to be more difficult and dreadful than most of us can even imagine. We can look at symbols all day long, but, if, they don’t move us,  if, we don’t attempt to understand them, they are useless. Yes, symbols are just symbols. But, the fact, is that have always been an important to understanding our lives. What husband or wife, does not look at the ring they wear and understand, what it means? Or, what American, when, seeing the flag flown at half-mast does not instantly, understand, that the nation is in mourning.

As I look at these symbols and some of the history that surrounds them, I am humbled. I realize in a much greater way, how much, we enjoy in terms of luxury and freedom has come at the expense of others, women and children included.  Surely, we are a people, who have lost our way. Our society has become one of self-aggrandizement and entitlement; so, completely intoxicated with wealth, luxury and easy living that we no longer see ourselves as we really are; desperately, wicked and desperately in need of a Savior.

But, the enemy sees and mocks us to our faces.

“And, the three men I admired most, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, took the last train to the coast. The day the music died. “

Leading us to believe that God has abandoned us to our sins.

Friends, the judgment of God is coming, not just on America, but, on the world.

It couldn’t be more serious. As nations, we must repent, as individuals, we must repent!

It is time to see ourselves as we really are. Helpless and hopeless, and so in need of God’s mercy and his grace. No longer can we view our sin as a minor scratches on the living room table of our lives, minor infractions, easily buffed out with the help of a little wood polish.  Instead, in all humility, we must recognize our wretched condition and confess our need for a Savior, without which, we are forever, helplessly and hopelessly lost. Thankfully, there is still time.  How much? I don’t know. I wouldn’t count on it to be very long. As, the Bible says, “today, is the day of salvation”  do not put off for tomorrow, what you can do today.

2013 – a year on fire!  

How blessed we are to know that it is fire that God uses in the life of a believer to refine us like gold. What the enemy uses for destruction, our God uses for construction!  Therefore, we walk not in fear, but, faith, by, the power of the Holy Spirit.

And, as always,

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee”  Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

Imagine someone wearing this mask (or one similar to it) in a place of business at lunch time on busy Friday afternoon. Yesterday, I stopped in at Taco Bell near where I work and after I had placed my order, I turned around to see the person in line behind me wearing a navy blue sweatshirt with the hood pulled up around a mask similar to this one. The man was about 5’10” tall and with his hands jammed into his pockets, it was impossible to determine his age or race.  I was completely stunned. The Taco Bell was fairly busy with twenty or so customers (some of which, were men) and, I could see everyone nervously eyeing the man in the mask from the corners of their eyes. I had planned to eat at the restaurant, but, thankfully, my order came up almost immediately and I grabbed it off the tray and left the restaurant.

Not sure what this person was up to I considered calling 911 but, instead watched the Taco Bell from the safety of the other side of the parking lot. From where I sat, I could not see the door, so, I never really knew if the person in the mask just ordered food and left. Or, if he stayed in the restaurant removing his mask, so he could eat his lunch. Either way. It was an un-nerving experience and one sadly, typical of the times in which we live.

I’m writing this, because it was a wake up call for me. We never really expect these things to happen to us; to come to our neighborhoods. I’ve racked my brain as to what the response to this man should have been. And, while apparently, he did nothing illegal, it is completely inappropriate ( in my opinion) to enter a place of business dressed like this. Not one of us knew, whether or not he had a weapon in his sweatshirt and no one confronted him or said anything about his appearance (at least while I was there).  Watching the restaurant for about 30 minutes, no police cars arrived, so I assume they were never summoned. Apparently, nothing dramatic transpired. Although, it could have turned out much differently.

When I got back to work, I shared the experience with my co-workers, most of whom found it as alarming as I did, although, one co-worker ( a physician), suggested I was being “hypersensitive”.  Hypersensitive????

It’s obvious that we live in evil times. With God’s help, we need to be prepared to expect, the unexpected. Situations like these arise suddenly and, without warning. Shopping at the mall, attending a movie, eating in a restaurant. Situations like these catch us off guard because, they occur in the most ordinary of circumstances, a situation, the perpetrator exploits to his advantage. And, while we cannot plan for each and every situation, we can pray that God will give us help and wisdom in advance. What if this man is testing public reaction to his appearance before carrying out some other plan? Obviously, no one did anything. A reaction, he may be banking on for the future.  A very frightening thought.

May God strengthen and guide us in these turbulent times in which we live.

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! And, as always,

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Cindy