Top News – 4/27/2016
Blatantly Ignoring Reality, Obama Announces “We Live in a Peaceful Era”
With pride, Obama added extreme strides in social equality to the list. “Around the world we’re more tolerant, with more opportunity for women and gays and lesbians as we push back on bigotry and prejudice,” he said. Discouraging any incredulity, he explained that the negative images portrayed in the media showing rampant global violence were misleading.We are fortunate to be living in the most peaceful, most prosperous, most progressive era in human history,” he said.
Relative Reality – When Perception Of Reality Is Based On Feelings
It is high time, then, that we stand up to this social madness and say, “Enough!” The emperor has no clothes, and if enough of us stand up and make our voices heard, society will be jarred back to reality. Otherwise, we will continue our descent into the madness of relative reality.
Does an ISIS Affiliate Have Chemical Weapons on Israel’s Syrian Border?
Israel’s concern is largely based on reported chemical weapons attacks by ISIS in eastern Syria and western Iraq, two regions where the border is porous between both countries. However, there is also some concern that the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade might have also been able to get hold of remnants from the Syrian government’s chemical weapons arsenal.
Face-off: Scientology leader threatens to sue his father over tell-all book
An exposé about internal Scientology leadership struggles between founder L. Ron Hubbard and current leader David Miscavige is at the center of a controversy. The book alleged poor living conditions and violence at the organization’s headquarters in California.
German nuclear plant in Bavaria infected with malware, logins compromised
Several computer viruses have been detected in a German nuclear power plant in Bavaria, the station operator said. The malware can steal login credentials and allow a remote attacker to access the cracked computer. The incident took place at Gundremmingen plant about 100km from Munich.
Carbon Dioxide Fertilization Greening Earth, Study Finds
From a quarter to half of Earth’s vegetated lands has shown significant greening over the last 35 years largely due to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on April 25.
Sweden faces a massive ISIS terror attack
Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists have infiltrated Sweden and are planning an imminent attack on the capital city of Stockholm, according to intelligence received by the Scandinavian nation. Security services in Sweden are investigating undisclosed information about the ISIS attack, local media reported Tuesday as cited by Reuters on Wednesday.
‘We need to say no thanks to American aid
Likud MK Yoav Kish, a fighter pilot in the Israel Air Force reserves, on Wednesday called on Israel to aspire to a situation in which it is independent enough to be able to refuse financial aid from the US.
IDF Confirms Hamas ‘Partnering’ With ISIS in Sinai
IDF officials warned this week that between 600 to 1,000 Da’esh (ISIS) operatives in the Sinai Peninsula are now “partnering” with Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization. In a graphic posted to the military service English-language blog online, the IDF confirmed Hamas support for Da’esh is wide-ranging.
Exclusive: Half of Americans think presidential nominating system ‘rigged’ – poll
More than half of American voters believe that the system U.S. political parties use to pick their candidates for the White House is “rigged” and more than two-thirds want to see the process changed, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Small earthquake hits north of Talkeetna
The event took place about 30 miles north of Talkeetna at 12:29 p.m. No Tsunami is expected. The event was recorded as a 4.6 magnitude quake by the Alaska Earthquake Center in Fairbanks.
Mini-quakes continue after Monday’s Weaverville earthquake
USGS data from Earthquaketrack.com shows another small quake in Weaverville around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, as well as two more earlier that same morning. A geophysicist with the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden Co. confirms there have actually been about 11 earthquakes in the area over the past day or two.
Europe will ‘soon have more Muslims than Christians’
Muslims will soon outnumber Christians in Europe, a Belgian minister has claimed. Speaking at a hearing into the Brussels attacks, Koen Geens said the European Community may not realise it “but this is the reality”….Belgian deputy prime minister Jan Jambon warning against Europeans “making an enemy of Islam” describing it as “the worst thing we can do”.
Islamic State: Up to $800m of funds ‘destroyed by strikes’
Up to $800m (£550m) in cash held by so-called Islamic State (IS) has been destroyed in air strikes, a US military official says. Maj Gen Peter Gersten, who is based in Baghdad, said the US had repeatedly targeted stores of the group’s funds. The blow to the group’s financing has contributed to a 90% jump in defections and a drop in new arrivals, he said.
Brazil swine flu: H1N1 vaccinations to begin as virus kills 230
The health ministry in Brazil says 230 people have been killed by swine flu this year – more than six times the number for the whole of 2015. More than 70 deaths were registered in the last week alone, officials said. A national campaign of free swine flu vaccinations begins on Saturday.
Venezuela introduces two-day week to deal with energy crisis
Venezuela’s government has imposed a two-day working week for public sector workers as a temporary measure to help it overcome a serious energy crisis. Vice-President Aristobulo Isturiz announced that civil servants should turn up for work only on Mondays and Tuesdays until the crisis was over. Venezuela is facing a major drought, which has dramatically reduced water levels at its main hydroelectric dam.
Eleven shot dead in Cape Verde, including two Spanish citizens
Eleven men were shot dead in Cape Verde on Tuesday, including eight soldiers, a local civilian and two Spanish citizens, the minister of Internal Administration for the archipelago off the African coast said in a statement.
Bright flash of light marks incredible moment life begins
Human life begins in bright flash of light as a sperm meets an egg, scientists have shown for the first time, after capturing the astonishing ‘fireworks’ on film.
As Old Friendships Cool, Netanyahu Looks East for Fresh Support
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to Israel’s international relations is changing. Criticized by U.S. and European leaders over his policies toward the Palestinians, the Israeli leader is cultivating allies in other parts of the world that share economic interests and enemies.
Turkey’s Erdogan Chases Critics At Home And Abroad
Ebru Umar was sleeping in her summer residence on Turkey’s Aegean coast when police arrived at her door and took her away for questioning about two of her tweets that were deemed offensive to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Billy Graham’s Daughter: God Is Turning Away From America And Leaving Us To Our Sins
Commenting on the moral state of America and God’s judgment on sinful nations, evangelist Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of pastor Billy Graham, said America is imploding “morally and spiritually,” that God is removing His “blessing and protection” from us, leaving us to our sins, and that this encroaching judgment is evident in the chaos of the political scene, the economy, and even the weather.
Top Headlines – 4/27/2016
Israeli hold on Golan ‘null and void,’ UN Security Council says
Saudi general: ‘If Netanyahu accepts the Arab Peace Initiative, we’ll open an embassy in Israel’
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas faces heat for UN resolution wavering
Palestinian Authority backs convicted killer for Nobel Peace Prize
Poll: Overwhelming majority of Palestinians support terror
Right-wing politicians call to annex Judea and Samaria
Clashes break out on Temple Mount after Jews bow down
EU looks to Eastern Mediterranean for gas
As Old Friendships Cool, Netanyahu Looks East for Fresh Support
Sanders opts out of senators’ letter backing Israel defense aid
Concern in the North: ISIS cells in the Golan could use chemical weapons
Pentagon adopts Israeli tactic in bombing ISIS
US launches cyber war against ISIS
ISIS foreign recruitment plummets as airstrikes destroy its cash supplies
ISIS blows up Mosul’s iconic Clock Church
Top U.S. intelligence official: ISIS has cells in UK, Germany, and Italy
ISIS fighters in Sweden to attack ‘civilian targets’ in Stockholm
Video of Paris attacker blowing himself up in cafe airs on French TV
Norway offers to pay asylum seekers to leave the country
There Will Soon Be More Muslims Than Practising Christians In Europe, Politician Warns
Iraq: Sadr supporters in mass protest for political reform
Egypt Clamps Down on Protests Over Red Sea Islands
Once a hidden kingdom, Saudi Arabia to open doors to tourists
Afghan president calls Taliban ‘slaves’ in Pakistan the enemy
Turkey’s Erdogan chases critics at home and abroad
US embassy warns citizens in Turkey about ‘credible’ terrorist threats
Russia: No chance of improving relations with Turkey in near future
Iran and Russia move closer but their alliance has limits
Russia supplying S-300 missiles to Iran ahead of schedule
Iran may have secretly tested ballistic missile tech with ‘space launch’
North Korea reportedly puts missile on standby, prepares for fifth nuclear test
Obama: US preparing to defend itself against N. Korea
As iPhone Sales Fade, Apple Prepares to Report Worst Earnings in a Decade
ExxonMobil loses coveted AAA credit rating from S&P on low oil prices
Oil Plunge Casts Doubt on South Sudan’s Plan to End Two-Year War
Spy planes catching property tax cheats in Spain with possible Brexit looming
Cannes Faces Backlash Over Chilling Terrorist Simulation Video
FBI won’t reveal method for cracking San Bernardino iPhone
German nuclear plant infected with computer viruses, operator says
5.7 magnitude earthquake hits near Tanahmerah, Indonesia
5.6 magnitude earthquake hits South of Africa
5.3 magnitude earthquake hits near Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Bristol Island, South Sandwich Islands
5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Ishinomaki, Japan
5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Caucete, Argentina
Klyuchevskoy volcano on Kamchatka, Russia erupts to 20,000ft
Tenggar Caldera volcano in Indonesia erupts to 12,000ft
Sinabung volcano in Indonesia erupts to 12,000ft
Blowing Dust Causes Pileup; I-10 Closed for 62 Miles in Arizona, New Mexico
Fires break out across Israel as country is hit by heat wave
Climate Models Fail Again, Didn’t Predict CO2 Would Green The Western US
Yemen braces for locust ‘plague’
6 Measles Cases Reported in Memphis Area, Exceeding Rest of U.S.
WHO issues yellow fever warning as deadly outbreak grows
Meet the company offering a chance at immortality for $200,000
Scientists claim they’ve completed the first successful gene therapy against human ageing
DNA Test Measures Couple Compatibility
AmeriCorps Volunteers Escorted Women to Abortion Clinics
Al Qaeda claims responsibility for murder of gay rights activist in Bangladesh
Egypt jails 11 men accused of homosexuality
Online petition for Target boycott gets hundreds of thousands of signatures
Transgender Teen Suspended For Using ‘Wrong’ Bathroom Fights Back
Battle over N.C. transgender law intensifies as lawmakers reconvene
North Carolina Lawmaker: ‘Keep Our State Straight’
Revenge porn: the industry profiting from online abuse
Hillary supporters accused of taking down Bernie FB pages in porn attack
Muggers force teens to reset passwords before stealing phones
Burglar sues homeowner who shot him
California Firearm Owners Brace For ‘Gun-Megeddon’
Scientology Leader David Miscavige Threatens to Sue Over Father’s Tell-All
Billy Graham’s Daughter: God Is Turning Away From America And Leaving Us To Our Sins
Noah’s Ark replica could travel to Brazil this year
Joyce Meyer Reveals Father Raped Her 200 Times, Sexually Assaulted Other Girls Too
Pastor Saeed Abedini Answers Abuse Allegations
Sorry, ‘Left Behind’: Only One-Third of Pastors Share Your End Times Theology
Forfeiture Case Against Christian Rock Band Dropped by DA, Police Will Return $53K
Corporate revenues in the United States have been falling for quite some time, but now some of the biggest companies in the entire nation are reporting extremely disappointing results. On Tuesday, Apple shocked the financial world by reporting that revenue for the first quarter had fallen 7.4 billion dollars compared to the same quarter last year. That is an astounding plunge, and it represents the very first year-over-year quarterly sales decline that Apple has experienced since 2003. Analysts were anticipating some sort of drop, but nothing like this. And of course last week we learned that Google and Microsoft also missed revenue and earnings projections for the first quarter of 2016. The economic crisis that began during the second half of 2015 is really starting to take hold, and even our largest tech companies are now feeling the pain. (Read More….)
Prophecy in the News Video
The Most Dangerous Book in the World – Banning The Bible?
Apparently many folks find Scripture more dangerous than explicit sex. And you know what? Those who hold to a strictly materialistic and atheistic worldview probably should! And tyrants, from Roman emperors to Soviet premiers to North Korean dictators could agree with Mark Twain’s quip: “It ain’t the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it’s the parts that I do understand.”
To them, the Bible is the world’s most dangerous book.
The Daily Discovery (April 27, 2016)
ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:
(Click title to go to full article)
Continuationism is not a non-essential doctrinal issue – “I am becoming convinced more and more every day that continuationism is not just a non-essential doctrinal issue for Christians. My thinking about this started shortly after the Strange Fire conference as I engaged continuationist critics on social media. They denounced the conference with such fervent descriptions as hateful, divisive, painting with a broad brush, throwing all the faithful Pentecostal/charismatic people from around the world under a heresy bus.”
Continuationism is not a non-essential doctrinal issue [Part 2] – “I have taken up explaining why I believe continuationism is not a non-essential doctrinal issue. My previous post introduced my basic thoughts on the matter, but just a quick recap: Contrary to what is generally agreed upon among garden variety Evangelicals and Christian denominations, I don’t believe continuationism, or charismaticism, or even Pentecostalism for that matter, is merely a quirky, but otherwise acceptable tradition of Christianity. I believe the otherworldly claims of the paranormal, coupled with the bizarre, aberrant behavior inherent with continuationism, are detrimental to core doctrines of Christianity, most significantly, the person and work of the Holy Spirit.”
The Apostles Who Don’t Do Anything: The New Apostolic Reformation – “It is not new, it is not apostolic, and it is not a reformation. – John MacArthur on the New Apostolic Reformation. What should we think of self-styled apostles who meet none of the biblical standards for apostleship? They make much of the gift of prophecy but lack the prophetic ability to identify charlatans and phonies in their own midst. They can’t perform apostolic-quality miracles and healings, and their message sounds nothing like what the original apostles preached. The truth is that they don’t do anything that would qualify as ‘apostolic’ by any biblical standard. Who are these apostles?”
Resolving Apparent Contradictions in Scripture – “Matthew 28:1 says that at the resurrection, Mary Magdalene and another Mary are at the tomb when it begins to dawn. And Mark tells us in chapter 16, that Mary Magdalene, the mother of Jesus, and Salome was there. And John, not to be outdone, says Mary Magdalene was there. He doesn’t say only Mary Magdalene was there, but he does say Mary Magdalene was there but doesn’t mention anyone else. But then says that when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb it was still dark. Contradictions—age-old, tiresome, weary contradictions.”
16 “Pro-LGBT” Businesses That Operate In Countries with Poor Human Rights Records – “Big corporations have come out to criticize state religious liberty measures in Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina as discriminating against those who aren’t heterosexual, some going as far as to propose boycotting states that enact such laws. However, several of the most vocal companies that say they stand with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans also operate in countries with troubling human rights records, including places where homosexuality can result in a death sentence, a review by The Daily Signal shows.”
SERMON:
Paul Luedke – Jesus’ Hometown Reception (Luke 4:14-21)
VIDEOS:
God Told Me…?
The Psychological Manipulation of the “Invitation”
“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus. It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur
A La Carte (April 27)
There are some good Kindle deals today: B&H has put many of their New American Commentary Studies on sale for $0.99 each: Believer’s Baptism by Thomas Schreiner; Enthroned on Our Praise by Timothy Pierce; God’s Indwelling Presence by James Hamilton; The Lord’s Supper by Thomas Schreiner; The End of the Law by Jason Meyer; That You May Know by Christopher Bass. Also, many volumes in the Perspectives series are also $0.99 or $2.99: Perspectives on the Ending of Mark; Perspectives on Your Child’s Education; Perspectives on the Doctrine of God; Perspectives on Election; Perspectives on Church Government; Perspectives on Children’s Spiritual Formation; Perspectives on Spirit Baptism; Perspectives on Christian Worship; Perspectives on the Extend of the Atonement; Perspectives on Our Struggle With Sin.
If You’ve Cheated, Should You Tell Your Spouse?
“Adultery is devastating. In the aftermath of an adulterous affair, the offending spouse must first turn away from sin through repentance before God. But after such repentance takes place, there’s another question that has to be answered: Should you confess the adultery to your spouse?” Russell Moore answers.
Should Christians Cremate Their Loved Ones?
John Piper: “My proposal in this article is that Christian churches be willing to help families financially with simple Christ-exalting funerals and burials, so that no Christian is drawn to cremation because it’s cheaper.”
Edwards and Interpreting Providence
Thomas Kidd writes about Jonathan Edwards and interpreting providence.
Inside the Popular, Controversial Bethel Church
Whatever you think of Bethel Church, I suspect you’ll be interested in this longform article from Christianity Today.
Home Row
Yesterday I was a guest on Home Row, Jeff Medders’ podcast about writing. I really enjoyed the conversation!
Love & Bragging
There are lots of good takeaways in this article. “The last thing that makes sense is for a human—something which can’t go a few days without food and water, gets sick, smells, uses the restroom, sins, can do nothing to get itself to heaven, deserves hell, has to spend ⅓ of its life sleeping, and then be buried in the ground—to brag.”
He Will Hold Me Fast
Southern Seminary’s Norton Hall Band sings a sweet rendition of “He Will Hold Me Fast.”
This Day in 1667. 349 years ago today, at age 58, English poet John Milton sold the copyright to his religious epic “Paradise Lost” for ten English pounds (less than $30). *
The Spirituality of Snoopy
I enjoyed this article on the spirituality of Charles Schulz.
Themelios 41.1
There’s a new edition of Themelios available. You can read it on the site or download it to read later.
By definition we cannot “qualify” for grace in any way, by any means, or through any action. —Sinclair Ferguson
Links I like
Kindle deals for Christian readers
- Preaching the Old Testament by Scott Gibson—$2.99
- Running Scared by Ed Welch—$2.99
- NIV Zondervan Study Bible edited by D.A. Carson—$4.99
Thoughts on the rise and fall of pastors
Scott Sauls:
In the past year, five of my friends who are pastors have lost their ministries because of moral failure.
Five.
Most of them were widely known beyond their local contexts as authors, conference speakers, movement leaders and such. From the outside, they appeared to be at their peak.
For reasons beyond my ability to understand, God has graciously protected me from moral collapse over the years. Knowing the fragility and fickleness of my own heart, sometimes I marvel at how this could be the case. Why them and not me? Sometimes I wonder if, under different circumstances, I, too, could collapse morally. As the famous hymn goes, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it…” On some level, I feel it every day.
What do pastors believe about the end times?
Bob Smietana shares “how 1,000 Protestant clergy disagree on the rapture, the Antichrist, and other points of eschatology.”
When Character Matters Less Than Talent
Mike Leake:
I wonder how many churches—and para-churches, for that matter—use the same logic in picking their leaders. If you look at some of the celebrity pastors who have recently fallen you can see a pattern. They had obvious talents and gifts and passion, but there were a few questions about character. But we let some of those character issues slide in the hopes that character would eventually catch up with the talents.
Has the mission of the church changed?
Should Christians Cremate Their Loved Ones?
John Piper:
First, I am proposing that churches cultivate a Christian counter-culture where people expect simple, less expensive funerals, and where we all pitch in so that every church member can afford such a funeral. Second, I want to give biblical pointers for why burial is preferable to cremation. I say preferable, not commanded, in the hope that the culture created would not condemn or ostracize a person who chose differently. I encourage those who choose cremation not to equate our disapproval with ostracism. Otherwise, real disagreements are not possible among friends.
10 Things You Should Know about J. I. Packer
I really enjoyed this.
Check Out
Blogs
The smug style in American liberalism | Emmet Rensin, Vox
“There is a smug style in American liberalism. It has been growing these past decades. It is a way of conducting politics, predicated on the belief that American life is not divided by moral difference or policy divergence – not really – but by the failure of half the country to know what’s good for them.”
7 Questions About Transgender People, Answered | The Federalist
“What social science research we have on transgender people and gender dysphoria is limited, but it does not support the agenda of trans activists.”
Themelios 41.1 | Brian Tabb, TGC
“The Gospel Coalition just released the April 2016 issue of Themelios, which has 208 pages of editorials, articles, and book reviews. It is freely available in three formats: (1) PDF, (2) web version, and (3) Logos Bible Software. A print edition will be available for purchase in several weeks from Wipf and Stock.”
Should Christians Cremate Their Loved Ones? | John Piper, Desiring God
“My proposal in this article is that Christian churches be willing to help families financially with simple Christ-exalting funerals and burials, so that no Christian is drawn to cremation because it’s cheaper.”
My Answer to the Question ‘What Does Autism Feel Like?’ | Lori Sealy, The Mighty
“My hope is that this will help you understand a bit more about life with autism, and that as your understanding increases so will your heart for those who are hurting — no matter how they hurt.”
5 Writing Rules to Energize Your Prose | Justin Taylor, TGC
New Book
Your Days Are Numbered: A Closer Look at How We Spend Our Time & the Eternity Before Us by John Perritt.
Kindle Deals
For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping.
Preaching the Old Testament edited by Scott M. Gibson ($1.99)
Show Them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids by Jack Klumpenhower ($1.99)
I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives. by Dave Sterrett and Doug Bender ($0.99)
Where the Buck Stops: The Personal and Private Writings of Harry S. Truman edited by Margaret Truman ($2.99)
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DEVELOPING: Harvard Mumps Outbreak Grows; Dozens Infected Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:35 AM PDT Please stop infecting each other. That’s the message Harvard University has for students after a mumps outbreak left 40 people sick over the past two months. The… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
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How This Atheist Became an Unlikely Evangelist Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:30 AM PDT Rev. Billy Graham once said, “Sincerity is the biggest part of selling anything, including the Christian plan of salvation.” In London, CBN News met a renowned artist… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| ‘Preacher’ Claims Possessed by Offspring of Angel and Demon in New Sitcom
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:26 AM PDT The offspring of an angel and a demon enter the body of a pastor—what sounds like the beginning of a joke is the premise Preacher, a comic-turned-TV… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
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Huge Hailstones Kill 8 In Myanmar Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:21 AM PDT Violent storms which saw hailstones the size of golf balls rain down across Myanmar have killed at least eight people in recent days, toppled pagodas and damaged… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Illegal Shariah Law Court Operating In London
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:18 AM PDT A shocking video shows activists exposing a Sharia Law court operating inside London – and outside British law. The court, publicly known as the “Islamic Sharia Council,”… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| DEVELOPING: One of the Most Active Volcanoes In Russia Begins to Erupt
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:14 AM PDT The volcano, the highest mountain in the Kamchatka peninsula – Russia’s Land of Fire and Ice – is active again after one year’s relative calm. ‘The crater… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
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Soccer club in Argentina embedding microchips in fans Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:07 AM PDT It what is one of the weirdest, most unbelievable soccer stories in quite a while, an Argentine soccer club says it will be providing season tickets through… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Alabama city passes transgender bathroom ordinance
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 09:02 AM PDT The city of Oxford, Alabama, has passed an ordinance making it illegal to use a public restroom different from the gender on a person’s birth certificate. Council… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Missouri St University denies student degree over same sex stance
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 08:59 AM PDT Missouri State University (MSU) is being sued for dismissing a student from its graduate degree program because he expressed reservations about counseling same-sex couples and therefore compromising… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| British MP Calls For Removal Of All Jews From Britain
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:22 AM PDT UK Labour Party MP Naz Shah has declared that all Israeli Jews should be “relocated” to the United States. She even suggested that the British government could… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| God Is Turning Away From America And Leaving Us To Our Sins
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:16 AM PDT (Michael W. Chapman) Commenting on the moral state of America and God’s judgment on sinful nations, evangelist Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of pastor Billy Graham, said… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Economy In Decline: Apple Reports Massive Revenue Decline As iPhone Sales Plummet Dramatically
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:10 AM PDT (Michael Snyder) Corporate revenues in the United States have been falling for quite some time, but now some of the biggest companies in the entire nation are… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Claims of Venus Having Buildings Surface
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:08 AM PDT Space might very well be considered the “final frontier,” but according to alien hunters, intelligent life on Venus includes cities for its inhabitants. A 20-minute Spanish-language video… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
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UN rejects Israel’s claim over Syria’s Golan Heights Posted: 27 Apr 2016 06:01 AM PDT The UN Security Council has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that the annexed Golan Heights in Syria would “for ever” remain under Israeli control. The… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Only 37% of High School Seniors Prepared for College Math and Reading…
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:57 AM PDT Only 37% of American 12th-graders were academically prepared for college math and reading in 2015, a slight dip from two years earlier, according to test scores released… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Pastors Choose Apostasy Over Church Rules
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:44 AM PDT The United Methodist Church maintains marriage is between one man and one woman, yet two North Carolina pastors disregarded the stipulation to perform a ceremony for a… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Revival of Hope in West Virginia-Kentucky Gains Secular Media Attention
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:42 AM PDT Where West Virginia and Kentucky meld together, God is meeting his people. The revival is so strong that secular news sources determined it was front-page news. “The… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Green ‘Fireball’ Streaks Across Southern California.
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:37 AM PDT A giant green fireball streaked across the skies of Southern California Tuesday night. It happened just after 10 p.m. and was captured on dash-cam video, which shows… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| China Tests Hypersonic Missile…
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:34 AM PDT China successfully flight tested its new high-speed maneuvering warhead last week, days after Russia carried out its own hypersonic glider test, according to Pentagon officials. The test… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Snake River Plain’s Volcano Much Greater threat to America than Yellowstone
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:27 AM PDT Eruptions at Snake River Plain in Idaho were “significantly larger” than geologists had previously thought. Scientists from the University of Leicester discovered there were a staggering 12… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Tokyo Making Preparations For Coming Mega-Quake
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:24 AM PDT There’s nothing comical about this manga comic: office building windows shatter, trains derail and cars plunge from buckling bridges. It all happens at 4:35 p.m. on a… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| DEVELOPING: Measles Outbreak Occurring In Memphis
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:20 AM PDT Health officials in Tennessee have confirmed six cases of measles in the Memphis area since Thursday, surpassing in one weekend the nationwide total for all of 2016…. Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| North Carolina Lawmaker: ‘Keep Our State Straight’…
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:14 AM PDT Rhetorical skirmishes continued Tuesday in North Carolina over a law limiting protections for LGBT people, as Democrats criticized a Republican’s plea to “keep our state straight.” The… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Ted Cruz Is Mathematically Eliminated from GOP Race
Posted: 27 Apr 2016 05:12 AM PDT As we predicted on April 2nd…. As of today, April 26, 2016, Ted Cruz is mathematically eliminated from winning the Republican nomination outright. On April 2nd we… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| DEVELOPING: Cyber Attackers Infect Nuclear Power Plant Systems With Computer Virus
Posted: 26 Apr 2016 12:21 PM PDT The threat of a large-scale terrorist attack caused by chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction has been at the forefront of investigations in recent… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
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Israel Overdue for Huge Earthquake Which Could Fulfill Prophecy of Messiah Posted: 26 Apr 2016 12:13 PM PDT An end of days scenario has suddenly appeared in Japan and Ecuador as seven major earthquakes hit both coasts of the Pacific in 96 hours. Many seismologists… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| ALERT: Greece set to run out of cash by May pushing Europe into Another crisis
Posted: 26 Apr 2016 12:09 PM PDT Athens desperately needs £4BILLION worth of aid from creditors but is refusing to make any further cutbacks to government spending. The payment is part of a third… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Europe will ‘soon have more Muslims than Christians’…
Posted: 26 Apr 2016 12:04 PM PDT Muslims will soon outnumber Christians in Europe, a Belgian minister has claimed. Speaking at a hearing into the Brussels attacks, Koen Geens said the European Community may… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Dictionary Adds ‘Genderqueer,’ ‘Genderfluid’ and Gender-Neutral Title
Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:52 AM PDT Merriam-Webster, the leading publisher of dictionaries in the United States, added over 2,000 new words and phrases to their unabridged dictionary last week, including the terms “cisgender,”… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Muslim cemeteries planned across U.S.
Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:48 AM PDT On the site of a long-idle dairy farm, leaders of a local mosque hope to build a final resting place for about 500 Muslim families – to… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| What Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’ Shows Us About American Idols
Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:45 AM PDT (Larry Tomczak) Saturday evening artistic idol Beyoncé, unveiled her new “visual album” Lemonade on national TV. President Obama has said of her, “Beyonce could not be a… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
| Are You Prepared For The Coming Earthquakes And Volcanic Eruptions?
Posted: 26 Apr 2016 11:42 AM PDT (Michael Snyder) All over the world seismic activity is increasing. In recent weeks we have seen a dramatic earthquake in Ecuador, more than 600 earthquakes have experts… Read more at End Time Headlines. |
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What is The Gospel?
God made everything out of nothing, including you and me. His main purpose in creation was to bring him pleasure.
The chief way in which we as humanity do this is through loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
Instead of this, we have sinned against our loving Creator and acted in high-handed rebellion.
God has vowed that he will righteously and lovingly judge sinners with eternal death.
But God, being merciful, loving, gracious, and just, sent his own son, Jesus Christ, in the likeness of man to live as a man; fulfilling his perfect requirements in the place of sinners; loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
And further, his son bore the eternal judgment of God upon the cross of Calvary, as he satisfied the eternal anger of God, standing in the place of sinners. God treated Jesus as a sinner, though he was perfectly sinless, that he might declare sinners as perfect.
This glorious transaction occurs as the sinner puts their faith (dependence, trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ as their substitute. God then charges Christ’s perfection to the sinner, and no longer views him as an enemy but instead an adopted son covered in the perfect righteousness of his son.
God furnished proof that this sacrifice was accepted by raising Jesus from the dead.
God will judge the world in righteousness and all of those who are not covered in the righteousness of Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, will be forced to stand on their own to bear the eternal anger of God.
Therefore, all must turn from sin and receive Christ Jesus as Lord.
What Is the Gospel?
There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the gospel to you when they tell you, ‘you can have a purpose to your life’, or that ‘you can have meaning to your life’, or that ‘you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.’ All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the gospel.
The gospel is called the ‘good news’ because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness–or lack of it –or the righteousness of another. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn’t concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith–and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him–and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity.
The Gospel In A Nutshell
Now, with regard to this rule of faith—that we may from this point acknowledge what it is which we defend—it is, you must know, that which prescribes the belief that there is one only God, and that He is none other than the Creator of the world, who produced all things out of nothing through His own Word, first of all sent forth; that this Word is called His Son, and, under the name of God, was seen “in diverse manners” by the patriarchs, heard at all times in the prophets, at last brought down by the Spirit and Power of the Father into the Virgin Mary, was made flesh in her womb, and, being born of her, went forth as Jesus Christ; thenceforth He preached the new law and the new promise of the kingdom of heaven, worked miracles; having been crucified, He rose again the third day; (then) having ascended into the heavens, He sat at the right hand of the Father; sent instead of Himself the Power of the Holy Ghost to lead such as believe; will come with glory to take the saints to the enjoyment of everlasting life and of the heavenly promises, and to condemn the wicked to everlasting fire, after the resurrection of both these classes shall have happened, together with the restoration of their flesh. This rule, as it will be proved, was taught by Christ, and raises amongst ourselves no other questions than those which heresies introduce, and which make men heretics.
Tertullian, “On Prescription Against Heretics,” Chapter XIIl
Ravi Zacharias explains the gospel in two minutes:
The Gospel on 5 Fingers
Can you explain the gospel in 30 seconds? In one minute? In five minutes?Here’s one way I have found helpful. The five main components of the gospel can be remembered on 5 fingers of one hand. Here they are:
1) Jesus’ birth
2) Jesus’ life
3) Jesus’ death
4) Jesus’ resurrection
5) Jesus’ ascension
Obviously each point can be elaborated on depending on how much time you have. Here’s the short version:
1) Jesus’ birth – Jesus, God himself, the creator of the universe, the Messiah, became a human being – took on flesh, and was born of a virgin.
2) Jesus’ life – Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to his Father. Though he was tempted in every way as we are, he never once sinned.
3) Jesus’ death – on the cross, Jesus himself took all our sins and paid for them. God the father counted all our sins to Jesus as if he himself had personally committed them. Then Jesus bore God’s wrath towards sin – the punishment we deserved – as a substitute for us.
4) Jesus’ resurrection – within 3 days, Jesus rose physically from the dead, proving that his sacrifice for sins have been accepted by God, since the punishment for sin was death. Jesus was seen by numerous people after he rose including 500 at one time (1 Corinthians 15).
5) Jesus’ ascension – Jesus ascended physically into heaven where he reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. And someday he will return to the earth.
That’s the gospel, the good news, and if we believe in Jesus Christ and this good news and call upon him he will save us from our sins and give us eternal life.
That’s a simple way to remember the gospel – five fingers. Even a child can do it. So ask God to give you opportunities to share his good news today.
Ready to start your new life with God?
Who do you think that I am?
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well.
Consider what the Bible says about Him: Read more
Resource Links
CanIKnowGod.com is a website inspired by LifesGreatestQuestion.com, with new content, images, audio and video that will help you understand more about who God is and how to know Him. The site is mobile responsive and has an infinite scroll which makes for a very user-friendly experience. After you indicate a decision on CanIKnowGod.com, you are directed to a page that details what it means to have a new and transformed life through Jesus Christ. There’s even a Facebook page for daily updates, encouragement and scripture sharing.
Look to Jesus
Have you ever felt a little lost and wished there was a quick-start guide to your relationship with God? This is it!
30 Day Next Steps
John Beckett, a leading Christian businessman, has written a series to read over 30 days for new believers.
New Believers Guide
The New Believer’s Guide is a series of articles designed to show you how to walk in the new life Christ has given you— a life of faith and freedom.
Jesus Booklet
Jesus is the Savior of the world. Discover who Jesus is today in this series.
About Christianity
Know Jesus Christ and your life will be transformed
The Perseverance (Security) of the Saints
Notice all the Scripture references!
It is not just a handful of texts that teach the perseverance of the saints: the entire gospel sustains and confirms it. The Father has chosen them before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), ordained them to eternal life (Acts 13:48), to be conformed to the image of his Son (Rom. 8:29). This election stands (Rom. 9:11; Heb. 6:17) and in due time carries with it the calling and justification and glorification (Rom. 8:30). Christ, in whom all the promises of God are Yes and Amen (2 Cor. 1:20), died for those who were given him by the Father (John 17:6, 12) in order that he might give them eternal life and not lose a single one of them (6:40; 17:2); he therefore gives them eternal life and they will never be lost in all eternity; no one will snatch them out of his hand (6:39; 10:28).
The Holy Spirit who regenerates them remains eternally with them (14:16) and seals them for the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). The covenant of grace is firm and confirmed with an oath (Heb. 6:16–18; 13:20), unbreakable like a marriage (Eph. 5:31–32), like a testament (Heb. 9:17), and by virtue of that covenant, God calls his elect. He inscribes the law upon their inmost being, puts his fear in their heart (Heb. 8:10; 10:14ff.), will not let them be tempted beyond their strength (1 Cor. 10:13), confirms and completes the good work he has begun in them (1 Cor. 1:9; Phil. 1:6), and keeps them for the return of Christ to receive the heavenly inheritance (1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:4–5).
In his intercession before the Father, Christ acts in such a way that their faith may not fail (Luke 22:32), that in the world they may be kept from the evil one (John 17:11, 20), that they may be saved for all times (Heb. 7:20), that their sins will be forgiven them (1 John 2:1), and that they may all be where he is to behold his glory (John 17:24). The benefits of Christ, which the Holy Spirit imparts to them, are all irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). Those who are called are also glorified (8:30). Those who are adopted as children are heirs of eternal life (8:17; Gal. 4:7). Those who believe have eternal life already here and now (John 3:16). That life itself, being eternal, cannot be lost. It cannot die since it cannot sin (1 John 3:9). Faith is a firm ground (Heb. 11:1), hope is an anchor (6:19) and does not disappoint us (Rom. 5:5), and love never ends (1 Cor. 13:8).
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(Alternative News, Apologetics, Current Events, Commentary, Opinion, Theology, Discernment Blog, Devotionals, Christian Internet Evangelism & Missions Activist).
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— Augustine
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