Friday, August 30, 2013
Genesis 47:13-27 ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THIS IS WOW!!! RECENT VIRGINIA CHURCH SERVICE - STIMULUS SERMON
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
'The Hal Lindsey Report'....August 23,2013
Much of the world's attention has been riveted on Egypt the past few weeks. First, millions of Egyptians rose up to protest the direction the government of Mohamed Morsi was headed -- directly toward Sharia law and the establishment of an Islamic state. Not to mention the fact that his one-year-old incompetent presidency had also allowed the bottom to drop out of Egypt's economy with no reasonable hope of recovery.
Then, the military stepped in. Many thought Egypt's armed forces, long the stabilizing force in the country, had been neutered by Morsi's removal of senior officers loyal to Hosni Mubarak and their replacement with Islamic loyalist officers. Led by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, though, it removed Morsi from office and has since arrested almost all of the senior political and spiritual leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Enraged by the turn of events, pro-Morsi, pro-Brotherhood, and pro-Sharia protesters have staged massive rallies that have been violently disrupted by the military. More than a thousand have died in the confrontations. In the chaos, Muslim mobs have torched scores of Christian churches and businesses throughout Egypt. Many Coptic Christians have been injured and several have died.
The notorious Muslim Brotherhood is one of the world's premier terrorist organizations and the sire of other groups such as Al-Qaeda and Hamas. It was the organization that benefited most from Mubarak's overthrow in 2011. Though long outlawed by the government, it was the best-organized political group at the time of the first elections in the post-Mubarak era. Even though the Brotherhood initially promised not to field a presidential candidate, it reneged and did so, and won. So not only did the Muslim Brotherhood -- which was responsible for the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981 -- hold the presidency of Egypt, it controlled the parliament as well.
This military "non-coup" (the U.S. declines to acknowledge it as a coup for legal reasons) has presented a problem for the administration of Barack Obama. He chose to help push Mubarak out of office in February, 2011, in favor of the only viable alternative at the time -- the Muslim Brotherhood. Various administration officials insisted that the Brotherhood was not politically strong enough to take over Egypt. When it did, they denied that the Brotherhood was a dangerous organization, despite its history of terrorism and mayhem. They also tried to deny the Brotherhood's Islamic connection. Remember when James Clapper, Obama's National Intelligence Director, called the Brotherhood "largely secular?" Even the western media gagged on that one!
So now the U.S. strategy is to find "moderate" Muslim Brotherhood members that it can force the Egyptian military to bring back into the government. Apparently, the administration doesn't realize that in Islam, "moderate" equates to "hypocrite." And the Koran insists that devout Muslims "Strive against the disbelievers (that's all non-Muslims) and the hypocrites (that's "moderate" Muslims). Be harsh with them!" (Quran 9:73)
Either the administration doesn't get it -- which is frightening -- or they do get it and don't care -- which is even more frightening!
Speaking of frightening, the level of paranoia across the Middle East is frightening. (However, it's nothing compared to the insane paranoia produced by "political correctness" in America today, which goes beyond frightening to terrifying. But that's been my focus the last few weeks and I'll not revisit it here.) Turkish officials recently detained a bird and accused it of spying for Israel. Seriously.
Villagers found a kestrel -- which is a type of falcon -- with a Tel Aviv University tag attached (no doubt for tracking the bird's migration). Turkish officials identified the bird as an Israeli spy. As funny as that sounds, it's not so unusual.The Times of Israelreports that Israel previously has been accused of using bee-eaters and eagles as spies. An Egyptian official once insisted that "Israel-controlled sharks could be involved in a number of attacks on tourists in the Red Sea."
By the way, x-rays revealed that the kestrel carried no surveillance equipment. Apparently, the charges were dropped and it was eventually released into the wild.
However, it all goes to illustrate the heightened state of uneasiness felt across the world these days. Even though throughout his campaign in 2012, President Obama insisted that he had al-Qaeda "on the run," we seem to be the ones doing the running. From massive university campuses evacuated because of telephoned bomb threats to 19 American embassies and consulates closed across the Middle East because of threatening "chatter," the terrorists seem to be getting exactly what they want: a population on edge and the world's only superpower in retreat -- without a shot being fired.
Not surprisingly, the mainstream media here in the U.S. largely chose to ignore three recent major prison breaks in the Middle East. In Pakistan, Libya, and Iraq, almost 2,000 extremely dangerous imprisoned terrorists escaped. Al-Qaeda apparently stopped running long enough to promise that more prison breakouts are coming and Interpol agrees. In fact, the international police organization has issued an official alert to the entire world.
In Israel, the first 26 of more than 100 prisoners are also on the loose now. This wasn't a breakout, however. It was what I would describe as an "extorted release." You see, the United States is once again pressuring Israel to engage in the laughable facade it chooses to call the "Israeli-Palestinian peace talks."
It's been three years since the sides actually sat down to discuss the "two-state solution." Since John Kerry became Secretary of State earlier this year, he has obsessed over reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Of course, Israel has been willing to resume the talks at any time, and has often publicly stated as much. The Palestinians, however, have been the reluctant participants.
Relenting under the Secretary's pressure, the Palestinian Authority demanded that Israel release 104 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons before it will even come to the table.
Also relenting under the Secretary's pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the release.
So now the Palestinians and the Israelis have met twice. The first time to discuss the size and shape of the table. The second time, presumably, to start talking about the issues.
Folks, a dark force menaces the world today and the nations don't know how to handle it. As Christians, we look at these bewildering events and understand that there are powerful supernatural forces at work. The ancient prophets described these days with astonishing accuracy. But God would not have us be afraid. In fact, through his prophet Isaiah He comforted us: "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness." (Isaiah41:10)
It's time to build up and begin to exercise our "combat faith" by standing firm on the immutable promises of God. He will then help you to enter His peace and rest in the midst of the most violent storms.
Then, the military stepped in. Many thought Egypt's armed forces, long the stabilizing force in the country, had been neutered by Morsi's removal of senior officers loyal to Hosni Mubarak and their replacement with Islamic loyalist officers. Led by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, though, it removed Morsi from office and has since arrested almost all of the senior political and spiritual leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Enraged by the turn of events, pro-Morsi, pro-Brotherhood, and pro-Sharia protesters have staged massive rallies that have been violently disrupted by the military. More than a thousand have died in the confrontations. In the chaos, Muslim mobs have torched scores of Christian churches and businesses throughout Egypt. Many Coptic Christians have been injured and several have died.
The notorious Muslim Brotherhood is one of the world's premier terrorist organizations and the sire of other groups such as Al-Qaeda and Hamas. It was the organization that benefited most from Mubarak's overthrow in 2011. Though long outlawed by the government, it was the best-organized political group at the time of the first elections in the post-Mubarak era. Even though the Brotherhood initially promised not to field a presidential candidate, it reneged and did so, and won. So not only did the Muslim Brotherhood -- which was responsible for the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981 -- hold the presidency of Egypt, it controlled the parliament as well.
This military "non-coup" (the U.S. declines to acknowledge it as a coup for legal reasons) has presented a problem for the administration of Barack Obama. He chose to help push Mubarak out of office in February, 2011, in favor of the only viable alternative at the time -- the Muslim Brotherhood. Various administration officials insisted that the Brotherhood was not politically strong enough to take over Egypt. When it did, they denied that the Brotherhood was a dangerous organization, despite its history of terrorism and mayhem. They also tried to deny the Brotherhood's Islamic connection. Remember when James Clapper, Obama's National Intelligence Director, called the Brotherhood "largely secular?" Even the western media gagged on that one!
So now the U.S. strategy is to find "moderate" Muslim Brotherhood members that it can force the Egyptian military to bring back into the government. Apparently, the administration doesn't realize that in Islam, "moderate" equates to "hypocrite." And the Koran insists that devout Muslims "Strive against the disbelievers (that's all non-Muslims) and the hypocrites (that's "moderate" Muslims). Be harsh with them!" (Quran 9:73)
Either the administration doesn't get it -- which is frightening -- or they do get it and don't care -- which is even more frightening!
Speaking of frightening, the level of paranoia across the Middle East is frightening. (However, it's nothing compared to the insane paranoia produced by "political correctness" in America today, which goes beyond frightening to terrifying. But that's been my focus the last few weeks and I'll not revisit it here.) Turkish officials recently detained a bird and accused it of spying for Israel. Seriously.
Villagers found a kestrel -- which is a type of falcon -- with a Tel Aviv University tag attached (no doubt for tracking the bird's migration). Turkish officials identified the bird as an Israeli spy. As funny as that sounds, it's not so unusual.The Times of Israelreports that Israel previously has been accused of using bee-eaters and eagles as spies. An Egyptian official once insisted that "Israel-controlled sharks could be involved in a number of attacks on tourists in the Red Sea."
By the way, x-rays revealed that the kestrel carried no surveillance equipment. Apparently, the charges were dropped and it was eventually released into the wild.
However, it all goes to illustrate the heightened state of uneasiness felt across the world these days. Even though throughout his campaign in 2012, President Obama insisted that he had al-Qaeda "on the run," we seem to be the ones doing the running. From massive university campuses evacuated because of telephoned bomb threats to 19 American embassies and consulates closed across the Middle East because of threatening "chatter," the terrorists seem to be getting exactly what they want: a population on edge and the world's only superpower in retreat -- without a shot being fired.
Not surprisingly, the mainstream media here in the U.S. largely chose to ignore three recent major prison breaks in the Middle East. In Pakistan, Libya, and Iraq, almost 2,000 extremely dangerous imprisoned terrorists escaped. Al-Qaeda apparently stopped running long enough to promise that more prison breakouts are coming and Interpol agrees. In fact, the international police organization has issued an official alert to the entire world.
In Israel, the first 26 of more than 100 prisoners are also on the loose now. This wasn't a breakout, however. It was what I would describe as an "extorted release." You see, the United States is once again pressuring Israel to engage in the laughable facade it chooses to call the "Israeli-Palestinian peace talks."
It's been three years since the sides actually sat down to discuss the "two-state solution." Since John Kerry became Secretary of State earlier this year, he has obsessed over reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Of course, Israel has been willing to resume the talks at any time, and has often publicly stated as much. The Palestinians, however, have been the reluctant participants.
Relenting under the Secretary's pressure, the Palestinian Authority demanded that Israel release 104 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons before it will even come to the table.
Also relenting under the Secretary's pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the release.
So now the Palestinians and the Israelis have met twice. The first time to discuss the size and shape of the table. The second time, presumably, to start talking about the issues.
Folks, a dark force menaces the world today and the nations don't know how to handle it. As Christians, we look at these bewildering events and understand that there are powerful supernatural forces at work. The ancient prophets described these days with astonishing accuracy. But God would not have us be afraid. In fact, through his prophet Isaiah He comforted us: "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness." (Isaiah41:10)
It's time to build up and begin to exercise our "combat faith" by standing firm on the immutable promises of God. He will then help you to enter His peace and rest in the midst of the most violent storms.
PM Netanyahu says that Israel will respond to an attack by Syria
With the threat of a strike on Syria by US led forces in response to Syria's use of chemical weapons of mass destruction the Syrian leader says that if attacked, they will strike Israel. I asked broadcast partner David Dolan if this threat from Syria was of a concern to Israel.
David Dolan: Well it is ultimately because they can be fitted chemical warheads on long range and medium range missiles of which Syria possesses hundreds if not thousands that can strike virtually every part of Israel, so certainly something that the Israelis think is a strong possibility and then we have reports that activists associated with the Syrian opposition have smuggled samples of soil and other contaminated clothing and other things to a team of UN experts and while there, this attack apparently took place.
I think the International Community will rise up, of course not with Russia, not with China, but the Western powers in particular and take some sort of action. That obviously interests Israel very much. This is all very worrisome. As PM Netanyahu said, Iran in particular is watching how the world responds, how the West responds and if they just sit back and do nothing, that will encourage them in their nuclear program and their goal to annihilate Israel he said.
Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News
As the world prepares to deal with the usage of chemical weapons of mass destruction in Syria, the stage is being set for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
It's undeniable that chemical weapons of mass destruction have been used in Syria. The only question is, who used them? Was it the Assad government or the opposition forces? However, the alarming thing is that Syria has said that they will attack Israel if the Western powers attack Syria.
This scenario is actually found in Bible prophecy. Daniel, the ancient Jewish prophet reveals that Syria is the nation that will make the first move against the Jewish state of Israel, Daniel 11:40. Isaiah, another of the ancient Jewish prophets also foretold of the destruction of the city of Damascus, Isaiah 17 and Isaiah revealed that this will happen at the same time in history when Syria does attack the Jewish state.
The crisis in the Middle East over the usage of chemical weapons in Syria is actually setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
David Dolan: Well it is ultimately because they can be fitted chemical warheads on long range and medium range missiles of which Syria possesses hundreds if not thousands that can strike virtually every part of Israel, so certainly something that the Israelis think is a strong possibility and then we have reports that activists associated with the Syrian opposition have smuggled samples of soil and other contaminated clothing and other things to a team of UN experts and while there, this attack apparently took place.
I think the International Community will rise up, of course not with Russia, not with China, but the Western powers in particular and take some sort of action. That obviously interests Israel very much. This is all very worrisome. As PM Netanyahu said, Iran in particular is watching how the world responds, how the West responds and if they just sit back and do nothing, that will encourage them in their nuclear program and their goal to annihilate Israel he said.
Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News
As the world prepares to deal with the usage of chemical weapons of mass destruction in Syria, the stage is being set for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
It's undeniable that chemical weapons of mass destruction have been used in Syria. The only question is, who used them? Was it the Assad government or the opposition forces? However, the alarming thing is that Syria has said that they will attack Israel if the Western powers attack Syria.
This scenario is actually found in Bible prophecy. Daniel, the ancient Jewish prophet reveals that Syria is the nation that will make the first move against the Jewish state of Israel, Daniel 11:40. Isaiah, another of the ancient Jewish prophets also foretold of the destruction of the city of Damascus, Isaiah 17 and Isaiah revealed that this will happen at the same time in history when Syria does attack the Jewish state.
The crisis in the Middle East over the usage of chemical weapons in Syria is actually setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
The Egyptian military has shut down the Muslim Brotherhood but these radical Islamists have started to attack churches in retaliation August 27, 2013
The strong arm of the Egyptian military has pretty much shut down the Muslim Brotherhood protest in Cairo, but these radical Islamists have now focused their attacks on the Coptic Christians and their churches in Egypt. With more on that story, here's Prophecy Today broadcast partner Ken Timmerman.
Ken Timmerman: The Muslim Brotherhood's ideology is based on a hatred, a contempt, and an assault on all who are not Muslim. First, they turn against bad Muslims and then they turn against the Jews and the Christians and they blame others for their failures to lead or their failures to bring prosperity to their countries. The assault on Christian churches and on the Coptic Christian community in Egypt is absolutely mind boggling.
Hundreds if not thousands of Christians have been murdered. Mass graves have been discovered near Alexandria up on the coast of the Mediterranean where Coptic Christians have been found bound and tortured to death. Some of these very recently, the deaths are very recent. Some of them the deaths go back to a year or more. So, you you see that this is part of a concerted policy of the Muslim Brotherhood to target Christians, to drive Christians out of Egypt, and to reclaim Egypt as so-called Muslim land and this is the deep dark underside of this so-called Arab Spring is the expulsion of Christians from the Middle East.
Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News
Muslim Brotherhood attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt are only the precursor to future attacks across the Middle East according to Bible prophecy.
What is happening to Coptic Christians and churches in Egypt is actually only the tip of the iceberg as it relates to attacks and even martyrdom of Christians in the Middle East and in fact around the world.
The untold story in the Middle East is how Christians are being persecuted. Christians are being killed and their churches burned down in many of the different Muslim nations across the Middle East. Revelation 6:9-11 reveals how believers in Christ will be killed during the seven year period of time referred to as the Tribulation. Revelation 7:9 says a multitude that no man could number will be saved during that time and many of these Tribulation saints will in fact be killed.
What's happening to Christians in Egypt and the Middle East as I said is only a precursor to the events of the future. Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.
Friday, August 23, 2013
The Hal Lindsey Report
The Hal Lindsey Report'
Much of the world's attention has been riveted on Egypt the past few weeks. First, millions of Egyptians rose up to protest the direction the government of Mohamed Morsi was headed -- directly toward Sharia law and the establishment of an Islamic state. Not to mention the fact that his one-year-old incompetent presidency had also allowed the bottom to drop out of Egypt's economy with no reasonable hope of recovery.
Then, the military stepped in. Many thought Egypt's armed forces, long the stabilizing force in the country, had been neutered by Morsi's removal of senior officers loyal to Hosni Mubarak and their replacement with Islamic loyalist officers. Led by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, though, it removed Morsi from office and has since arrested almost all of the senior political and spiritual leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Enraged by the turn of events, pro-Morsi, pro-Brotherhood, and pro-Sharia protesters have staged massive rallies that have been violently disrupted by the military. More than a thousand have died in the confrontations. In the chaos, Muslim mobs have torched scores of Christian churches and businesses throughout Egypt. Many Coptic Christians have been injured and several have died.
The notorious Muslim Brotherhood is one of the world's premier terrorist organizations and the sire of other groups such as Al-Qaeda and Hamas. It was the organization that benefited most from Mubarak's overthrow in 2011. Though long outlawed by the government, it was the best-organized political group at the time of the first elections in the post-Mubarak era. Even though the Brotherhood initially promised not to field a presidential candidate, it reneged and did so, and won. So not only did the Muslim Brotherhood -- which was responsible for the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981 -- hold the presidency of Egypt, it controlled the parliament as well.
This military "non-coup" (the U.S. declines to acknowledge it as a coup for legal reasons) has presented a problem for the administration of Barack Obama. He chose to help push Mubarak out of office in February, 2011, in favor of the only viable alternative at the time -- the Muslim Brotherhood. Various administration officials insisted that the Brotherhood was not politically strong enough to take over Egypt. When it did, they denied that the Brotherhood was a dangerous organization, despite its history of terrorism and mayhem. They also tried to deny the Brotherhood's Islamic connection. Remember when James Clapper, Obama's National Intelligence Director, called the Brotherhood "largely secular?" Even the western media gagged on that one!
So now the U.S. strategy is to find "moderate" Muslim Brotherhood members that it can force the Egyptian military to bring back into the government. Apparently, the administration doesn't realize that in Islam, "moderate" equates to "hypocrite." And the Koran insists that devout Muslims "Strive against the disbelievers (that's all non-Muslims) and the hypocrites (that's "moderate" Muslims). Be harsh with them!" (Quran 9:73)
Either the administration doesn't get it -- which is frightening -- or they do get it and don't care -- which is even more frightening!
Speaking of frightening, the level of paranoia across the Middle East is frightening. (However, it's nothing compared to the insane paranoia produced by "political correctness" in America today, which goes beyond frightening to terrifying. But that's been my focus the last few weeks and I'll not revisit it here.) Turkish officials recently detained a bird and accused it of spying for Israel. Seriously.
Villagers found a kestrel -- which is a type of falcon -- with a Tel Aviv University tag attached (no doubt for tracking the bird's migration). Turkish officials identified the bird as an Israeli spy. As funny as that sounds, it's not so unusual. The Times of Israelreports that Israel previously has been accused of using bee-eaters and eagles as spies. An Egyptian official once insisted that "Israel-controlled sharks could be involved in a number of attacks on tourists in the Red Sea."
By the way, x-rays revealed that the kestrel carried no surveillance equipment. Apparently, the charges were dropped and it was eventually released into the wild.
However, it all goes to illustrate the heightened state of uneasiness felt across the world these days. Even though throughout his campaign in 2012, President Obama insisted that he had al-Qaeda "on the run," we seem to be the ones doing the running. From massive university campuses evacuated because of telephoned bomb threats to 19 American embassies and consulates closed across the Middle East because of threatening "chatter," the terrorists seem to be getting exactly what they want: a population on edge and the world's only superpower in retreat -- without a shot being fired.
Not surprisingly, the mainstream media here in the U.S. largely chose to ignore three recent major prison breaks in the Middle East. In Pakistan, Libya, and Iraq, almost 2,000 extremely dangerous imprisoned terrorists escaped. Al-Qaeda apparently stopped running long enough to promise that more prison breakouts are coming and Interpol agrees. In fact, the international police organization has issued an official alert to the entire world.
In Israel, the first 26 of more than 100 prisoners are also on the loose now. This wasn't a breakout, however. It was what I would describe as an "extorted release." You see, the United States is once again pressuring Israel to engage in the laughable facade it chooses to call the "Israeli-Palestinian peace talks."
It's been three years since the sides actually sat down to discuss the "two-state solution." Since John Kerry became Secretary of State earlier this year, he has obsessed over reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Of course, Israel has been willing to resume the talks at any time, and has often publicly stated as much. The Palestinians, however, have been the reluctant participants.
Relenting under the Secretary's pressure, the Palestinian Authority demanded that Israel release 104 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons before it will even come to the table.
Also relenting under the Secretary's pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the release.
So now the Palestinians and the Israelis have met twice. The first time to discuss the size and shape of the table. The second time, presumably, to start talking about the issues.
Folks, a dark force menaces the world today and the nations don't know how to handle it. As Christians, we look at these bewildering events and understand that there are powerful supernatural forces at work. The ancient prophets described these days with astonishing accuracy. But God would not have us be afraid. In fact, through his prophet Isaiah He comforted us: "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness." (Isaiah4:10)
It's time to build up and begin to exercise our "combat faith" by standing firm on the immutable promises of God. He will then help you to enter His peace and rest in the midst of the most violent storms.
Then, the military stepped in. Many thought Egypt's armed forces, long the stabilizing force in the country, had been neutered by Morsi's removal of senior officers loyal to Hosni Mubarak and their replacement with Islamic loyalist officers. Led by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, though, it removed Morsi from office and has since arrested almost all of the senior political and spiritual leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Enraged by the turn of events, pro-Morsi, pro-Brotherhood, and pro-Sharia protesters have staged massive rallies that have been violently disrupted by the military. More than a thousand have died in the confrontations. In the chaos, Muslim mobs have torched scores of Christian churches and businesses throughout Egypt. Many Coptic Christians have been injured and several have died.
The notorious Muslim Brotherhood is one of the world's premier terrorist organizations and the sire of other groups such as Al-Qaeda and Hamas. It was the organization that benefited most from Mubarak's overthrow in 2011. Though long outlawed by the government, it was the best-organized political group at the time of the first elections in the post-Mubarak era. Even though the Brotherhood initially promised not to field a presidential candidate, it reneged and did so, and won. So not only did the Muslim Brotherhood -- which was responsible for the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981 -- hold the presidency of Egypt, it controlled the parliament as well.
This military "non-coup" (the U.S. declines to acknowledge it as a coup for legal reasons) has presented a problem for the administration of Barack Obama. He chose to help push Mubarak out of office in February, 2011, in favor of the only viable alternative at the time -- the Muslim Brotherhood. Various administration officials insisted that the Brotherhood was not politically strong enough to take over Egypt. When it did, they denied that the Brotherhood was a dangerous organization, despite its history of terrorism and mayhem. They also tried to deny the Brotherhood's Islamic connection. Remember when James Clapper, Obama's National Intelligence Director, called the Brotherhood "largely secular?" Even the western media gagged on that one!
So now the U.S. strategy is to find "moderate" Muslim Brotherhood members that it can force the Egyptian military to bring back into the government. Apparently, the administration doesn't realize that in Islam, "moderate" equates to "hypocrite." And the Koran insists that devout Muslims "Strive against the disbelievers (that's all non-Muslims) and the hypocrites (that's "moderate" Muslims). Be harsh with them!" (Quran 9:73)
Either the administration doesn't get it -- which is frightening -- or they do get it and don't care -- which is even more frightening!
Speaking of frightening, the level of paranoia across the Middle East is frightening. (However, it's nothing compared to the insane paranoia produced by "political correctness" in America today, which goes beyond frightening to terrifying. But that's been my focus the last few weeks and I'll not revisit it here.) Turkish officials recently detained a bird and accused it of spying for Israel. Seriously.
Villagers found a kestrel -- which is a type of falcon -- with a Tel Aviv University tag attached (no doubt for tracking the bird's migration). Turkish officials identified the bird as an Israeli spy. As funny as that sounds, it's not so unusual. The Times of Israelreports that Israel previously has been accused of using bee-eaters and eagles as spies. An Egyptian official once insisted that "Israel-controlled sharks could be involved in a number of attacks on tourists in the Red Sea."
By the way, x-rays revealed that the kestrel carried no surveillance equipment. Apparently, the charges were dropped and it was eventually released into the wild.
However, it all goes to illustrate the heightened state of uneasiness felt across the world these days. Even though throughout his campaign in 2012, President Obama insisted that he had al-Qaeda "on the run," we seem to be the ones doing the running. From massive university campuses evacuated because of telephoned bomb threats to 19 American embassies and consulates closed across the Middle East because of threatening "chatter," the terrorists seem to be getting exactly what they want: a population on edge and the world's only superpower in retreat -- without a shot being fired.
Not surprisingly, the mainstream media here in the U.S. largely chose to ignore three recent major prison breaks in the Middle East. In Pakistan, Libya, and Iraq, almost 2,000 extremely dangerous imprisoned terrorists escaped. Al-Qaeda apparently stopped running long enough to promise that more prison breakouts are coming and Interpol agrees. In fact, the international police organization has issued an official alert to the entire world.
In Israel, the first 26 of more than 100 prisoners are also on the loose now. This wasn't a breakout, however. It was what I would describe as an "extorted release." You see, the United States is once again pressuring Israel to engage in the laughable facade it chooses to call the "Israeli-Palestinian peace talks."
It's been three years since the sides actually sat down to discuss the "two-state solution." Since John Kerry became Secretary of State earlier this year, he has obsessed over reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Of course, Israel has been willing to resume the talks at any time, and has often publicly stated as much. The Palestinians, however, have been the reluctant participants.
Relenting under the Secretary's pressure, the Palestinian Authority demanded that Israel release 104 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons before it will even come to the table.
Also relenting under the Secretary's pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the release.
So now the Palestinians and the Israelis have met twice. The first time to discuss the size and shape of the table. The second time, presumably, to start talking about the issues.
Folks, a dark force menaces the world today and the nations don't know how to handle it. As Christians, we look at these bewildering events and understand that there are powerful supernatural forces at work. The ancient prophets described these days with astonishing accuracy. But God would not have us be afraid. In fact, through his prophet Isaiah He comforted us: "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness." (Isaiah4:10)
It's time to build up and begin to exercise our "combat faith" by standing firm on the immutable promises of God. He will then help you to enter His peace and rest in the midst of the most violent storms.
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