Response on War and End times scenario - part I

The following is a response I wrote to a young woman who just moved out of our youth group and is now in the military. She just found out that she had to go to Iraq, and has the noramal reservations about killing other people. I thought my response to her might be good to remind us all of what is taking place today!
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M, I didn't know you're going to Iraq!!! I'm very proud of you and of your service. It is a terrible thing when you have to kill another human being... the Bible tells us in Romans 13 that God ordained government for the punishment of evildoers, and as an employee of government, your task will require that at times. You will see horrible things there. Probably the worst I saw in my missions experience was a drunken man who had his arm chopped off by a airplane propeller blade in Sudan. But you'll see much worse. We weren't intended by God to see or deal with this... but because of sin it is sometimes now necessary. You are not sinning by killing in war ordered by your country in a just war. If there was ever a just war, Pres. Bush eradicating Saddam and having troops work to establish democracy in Iraq [despite the lies of news media] is the closest instance of it I've seen. But remember Michelle, in God's eyes, any sin will send someone to hell apart from repentence and salvation in Jesus. 1 Jn 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

M, as you go to Iraq, you're going to NEED to walk with God and spend time with Him every day by studying his word to make it and grow in your faith. If you neglect prayer and God's word in such an environment it [or Satan] will tear you apart emotionally and spiritually. God is our refuge and strength. I mean, that's true for anywhere, but so much more as you go in to Iraq. I hope and pray you will be involved with other strong believers and a worship service on your base. "I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jer 29:11.

M, and not only this, but the Messiah's return is sooo close. Israel is the timeclock for the Messisah's return. They were returned to the promised land in 1948 as prophesied throughout the OT (Ezek. 36,37). Jesus said in Matt. 24 that generation will not pass away till all these [end time signs] take place. Ok, how long's a generation? Well, the Bible has different uses of generation, but in Ps. 90, Moses said 'a man lives 70 years, or if he has the strength, 80.' So Moses defines it as more or less 70 years. This year the Jews celebrated their 60th anniversary! :-D That leaves 10 years before the return of Christ! But before he returns (for good), the 7 yr peace plan and antichrist must appear. So minus 7 yrs, that puts us at 2011!!!

I'm not saying that it's going to be that year, but ALL the many prophetic indicators that inidicate His return are coming true! Go to www.100prophecies.org and www.prophecynewswatch.com to get an indication of how quickly prophetic signs are being fulfilled every day around us. And in the military, where you're going, did you realize you're going to the very place much of the Bible was written and speaks about in the last days!!! How awesome! :- D

The End of Athiesm

It's in the Bible, read it!

This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD . Every man's sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' (Ezek. 38:18-23)

With signs reminiscent of all the Heaven-fought wars of the past, the Lord is aroused in anger to execute judgment against the invaders of His land and enemies of His people. And as He has done before, He sows confusion in the hearts of Israel's enemies so that they commence attacking themselves while He unleashes the classic weapons of divine intervention. Earthquakes, plagues, bloodshed, rain, hailstones, and burning sulfur; these are His signature signs. Neither Israel, nor the enemy coalition, nor those watching from afar will fail to interpret them correctly.

So ends chapter 38. Next time we'll see why some think this battle goes nuclear and get another good reason why it's not the last battle of the Age of Man. See you then. 02-02-08

If this interests you, to see excellent teaching on Ezekiel 38, see http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ikvot/the-end-times-according-to-ezekiel-part-3 or just go to www.gracethrufaith.com