Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Prophecy Digest: Its About Time: When Was Jesus Born?-The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Editor's Note: James W. Hugg, PhD, has been a disciple of the Messiah since 1971 and has been a member of the Lamb & Lion Board of Trustees since 1982. He has been involved since 1989 in Messianic Judaism, working with Jews for Jesus in street evangelism, and serving as cantor in several Messianic Jewish congregations. James holds dual citizenship in the USA and Israel (where he is called Ya'akov). Dr. Hugg is formally a senior research physicist at the General Electric Global Research Center in Niskayuna, NY, where he designed molecular imaging scanners. Dr. Hugg earned his doctorate in nuclear physics from Stanford University.


I am a research physicist who escaped the slavery of devotion to the atheist religion of secular humanism and the evolutionary worldview. I have investigated a number of biblical topics related in some way to better understanding "time" and I want to share some of my faith-building findings with you.

God created time "In the beginning..." and placed humans into this temporal world to separate the sheep from the goats in preparation for the eternal world where we sheep will live in His presence. So the title of my article "It's about Time" has a double meaning: I want to write about topics related to questions of time, and the expression "it's about time" reminds us that our Lord and Savior will soon return to conclude this phase of world history and to establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth.


The Christmas Tradition

We celebrate the birth of Messiah (Christ) on Christmas (from Old English, meaning "coming of Christ"), the 25th day of December. This date was first observed in 336 AD, some 24 years after the Roman emperor Constantine established Christianity as the state religion. Apparently, Pope Julius I chose to replace the pagan winter solstice feast in honor of Mithra, the "Unconquered Sun," that had been officially recognized by the emperor Aurelian in 274 AD. From Rome, the new feast celebrating the birthday of the "Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2) spread to all other churches (except the Armenian church) over the following century.

As many Christians are aware, the modern Christmas celebration combines many strands of tradition including the ancient Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia (merrymaking, exchange of presents), the old Germanic midwinter customs (Yule log, decorating evergreen trees), the tradition of Francis of Assisi (displaying the crib, or crèche of Jesus), the medieval feast of St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas in Dutch, hence "Santa Claus"), and the British sending of greeting cards (1840s). The Puritan pilgrims did not celebrate Christmas because of its many unbiblical associations. The holiday was officially recognized in the United States in 1870.

The Dutch Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) is the origin of the North American Santa Claus. According to legend, Sinterklaas makes his rounds on December 5, Saint Nicholas's Eve. Dressed in a catholic bishop's robes, Sinterklaas rides through the streets distributing sweets to the children. According to some versions of the popular legend, another figure accompanies him named Black Peter, who carries a whip with which to chastise naughty children.


The Historical Evidence

I think it is fair and not overly critical for us to admit that the date chosen by Constantine and Pope Julius I to celebrate the birth of Jesus was not based on good historical or biblical evidence. Let's look for that overlooked evidence in the historical account of the birth of Jesus recorded by Dr. Luke.

1) Our first clue is found in Luke 1:5. Here is how it reads in the Complete Jewish Bible:1 "In the days of Herod, King of Y'hudah (Judea), there was a cohen (Jewish priest) named Z'kharyah (Zacharias) who belonged to the Aviyah (Abijah) division." The service of the Abijah division of priests was scheduled for the last two weeks of the fourth month of the Jewish religious calendar (15-29 Tammuz, June-July), according to the Talmud (rabbinic commentaries) and Qumran sources.2

Dr. Luke tells us that Zacharias was serving in the 2nd Jewish Temple in Jerusalem when he was chosen to enter the holy place to burn incense outside the Holy of Holies. The archangel Gavri'el (Gabriel) appeared to Zacharias and revealed that he and his barren wife Elisheva (Elizabeth) would have a son named Yochanan (John) who would precede and prepare the way for the Messiah. He returned home after his two-week service, then his wife conceived, as Gabriel had prophesied. The earliest date for John's conception would be the 1st of Av (July).

2) In the 6th month (Kislev-Tevet, December) of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel visited Miryam (Mary) in Nazareth to announce: "You will become pregnant, you will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Yeshua (Jesus, meaning "God's salvation")" (Luke 1:31, CJB). Gabriel also revealed to Mary that her relative, Elizabeth, was six-months pregnant. Elizabeth's sixth month included the celebration of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah, the "Feast of the Dedication" (John 10:22) connected with the rededication of the temple after the Maccabean revolt. Without delay, Mary hurried to visit Elizabeth (Luke 1:39), about a week's journey on foot from Nazareth.

3) When Mary arrived, Elizabeth greeted her: "How blessed is the child in your womb!" (Luke 1:42). From this, we conclude that there was no delay between the time of Gabriel's announcement to Mary and the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. We can infer that the same was true for the conception of John. At most, only a few days passed between the announcement and the fulfillment of each of these two angelic prophecies.

4) Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, until John was born (probably during Pesach or Passover, 15-21 Nisan, April), circumcised on the eighth day, and given his prophesied name (Luke 1:57-80). One of the long-held Jewish traditions is that the prophet Elijah will return at Passover (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). Gabriel had prophesied to Zacharias that John would come "in the spirit and power of Eliyahu (Elijah)" (Luke 1:17, CJB).

5) Mary returned to Nazareth, where an angel (probably Gabriel again) reassured her betrothed husband: "Yosef (Joseph), son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam (Mary) home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Yeshua [which means ADONAI (God) saves], because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20-21, CJB). Emperor Augustus ordered a census that required Joseph to take Mary to Beit-Lechem (Bethlehem) where she gave birth to Jesus (probably during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, 15-21 Tishrei, September-October). "The Word [Jesus] became a human being and lived [tabernacled] with us" (John 1:14).

6) The night of the birth of Jesus, an angel (probably the archangel Michael) appeared with the angelic armies of heaven to announce the birth to the shepherds of Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-15). Perhaps there is a long forgotten connection with Michaelmas ("coming of Michael") Day, the feast of Michael the Archangel, which is celebrated in some traditions (particularly in the United Kingdom) on the 29th of September. Michael is the leader of the angelic armies who hurls Lucifer (Satan, the Devil) down from heaven because of his treachery (Revelation 12:7).

7) Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the Jewish Temple on the 40th day after His birth (probably late Cheshvan, early November) for the ceremony of Pidyon HaBen (redemption of the firstborn son). There He received the blessings of Shim'on (Simeon) and Hannah, two righteous Jewish prophets (Luke 2:22-38).

8) Magi from the east came (probably in Winter) to inquire of King Herod about the birth of Jesus. The head cohanim (Jewish priests) admitted that Messiah must be born in Bethlehem, so the Magi went there (three miles from Jerusalem) and found Joseph, Mary, and Jesus living in a house. They worshipped Him and gave Him gifts, then obeyed an angelic warning (probably Gabriel) to avoid revealing to King Herod the location of Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12).

9) After the Magi departed Bethlehem, an angel (probably Gabriel) warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod's attempt to murder Jesus. They left that same night (Matthew 2:13-15). King Herod ordered the slaughter of all boys in Bethlehem up to age two, but Joseph escaped with his family to Egypt (possibly the Sinai peninsula), where they remained until Herod's death (Matthew 2:16-18). I assume that Herod included a margin of error in calculating how old the newborn Messiah, King of the Jews, would be when he ordered the murder of all Bethlehem boys less than two years old.

10) After King Herod's death, an angel (probably Gabriel) appeared to Joseph to tell him it was safe to return home to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus recorded the death of the evil King Herod in the spring of 4 BC.3 I assume that Herod did not live long after the slaughter of the innocent boys of Bethlehem, and thus that the family of Jesus did not stay long in Egypt. Therefore, we can place the birth of Jesus on a fairly well constrained timeline.


Determining the Date

If Jesus was born during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, (which began the 29th of September) in 5 BC, as we deduced from the evidence above, then His conception was probably during Hanukkah, possibly as late as the 25th of December in 6 BC. It is also possible that the Magi visited Bethlehem around the 25th of December in 5 BC, when Jesus would have been almost 3 months old.

'Anno Domini' (AD) dating was adopted in Western Europe during the 8th century. In 525 AD when the monk Dionysius Exiguus (Dennis the Little, meaning humble) calculated the year of Jesus' birth, he missed by about 3 years. We now have evidence that Herod died in 4 BC, probably less than a year after Jesus was born.


The Significance

Does it really matter when Jesus was born or when we celebrate Christmas? In some ways, no, it doesn't matter — after all, if it was critically important to know precisely when Jesus was born, God would have told us He was born on a particular day and month and year. We have the freedom as believers to celebrate, or not to celebrate, the birth of our Lord and Savior on any day of our choosing (Romans 14:1-12).

Christmas is not a commandment. It is far more important HOW we celebrate ("remember the reason for the season") than WHEN. Let us not give or receive condemnation for observing the 25th of December, rather let us celebrate that God's Son became fully human and lived a perfect life so that He could become our perfect sacrifice and conquer sin and death in our place.

But, in another way, it IS important to consider the evidence God gave us and to place it in a proper Jewish context so that we can better understand the foundation of our faith. For example, the information I have presented in this article makes it clear that an important prophecy about the Messiah was fulfilled in the life of Jesus. That prophecy is found in Genesis 49:10  "The scepter will not pass from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his legs, until Shiloh [Messiah] comes, and it is He whom the peoples will obey." Second Temple rabbis understood this as a Messianic prophecy.

In about 7 AD, the Romans abolished the power of the Jewish Sanhedrin Council in Judah to pronounce the death penalty.4Furthermore, Herod was the first king of Israel who was not a descendent of the tribe of Judah. However, Jesus had already been born in 5 BC, before the scepter and staff (power) departed from Judah.

There is a deeper meaning and real significance to the conclusion that Jesus was probably born during the Feast of Tabernacles, thus bringing partial fulfillment to the prophetic type of that important feast established by God. Tabernacles (booths) are temporary, insecure dwellings and emphasize our reliance on God's grace. So also the temporary human body in which the Son of God dwelled among us demonstrated what total reliance on God can accomplish.

The ultimate fulfillment of the prophetic significance of the Feast of Tabernacles will occur when Jesus returns in glory and majesty to tabernacle among us as King of kings and Lord of lords. Maranatha!


Notes

1.     Dr. David H. Stern, Complete Jewish Bible, 1998, available from Lederer/Messianic Jewish Communications, 6120 Day Long Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029, 1-800-410-7367, www.MessianicJewish.net.

2.     Shmuel Safrai, "A Priest of the Division of Abijah," www.jerusalemperspective.org/%5Cdefault.aspx?tabid=27&ArticleID=1847.

3.     Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 17, Chapter 8, www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/ant-17.htm.>

4.     George A. Barton, "On the Trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin,"Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 41, No. 3/4 (1922), pp. 205-211, www.jstor.org/pss/3260096.>

 Nathan Jones  

    

This material was brought to you by Propehcy Digest, a ministry of Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, Michael James Stone, Volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. We know the End is near, as well as the return of Jesus, He is Coming Very Soon. Broadcast Christianity, operates by you and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can. You will be blessed if you do. It is for us to let others know the Truth we have received.

Posted via email from Prophecy Digest-"The Last Generation"

Christian Issue Digest: Tiger Woods Tip of the Iceberg Red Light District American Culture-The Ignorant Fisherman

Tiger Woods is just the Tip of the Iceberg of the Red Light District American Culture of Today

Tiger Woods of late has been the center of great controversy in light of his sexual addictions and appetites. Tiger has many exceedingly great accomplishments in his young life. One though that he has fallen short on is the discipline and managing of his own heart and the unbridled passions.

Tiger is just the tip of the iceberg in today’s Red Light District American culture. He is par for the course in light of the countless others in the professional sports world and the entertainment elite industry that are part of this decadent and licentious pleasure seeking crowd. With their grand achievements and prestige their godless heart is still empty and seeking to find sustainment in the basest and unbridled passions of fallen humanity (Romans 5:12-19) that never satisfy their soul (Eccl 3:11). Countless of these in this industry can attest to that in the end. Only Almighty God can satisfy and fill the eternal void and vacuum of man. It is only when a man or woman turns to Almighty God and seeks His pardon and forgiveness that there is great healing, restoration and satisfaction (1 Cor. 1:30).

The Bible teaches; So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never fulfill the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16) and; Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24) also; But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:34).

"Only in Christ can one be set free from the bondage of sin and such destructive passions and vices (John 8:36)"

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

Red Light District American Culture

I hate to come across as a "square" but it is nearly impossible to go anywhere in the United States of America today and not sense the oppressive sexual culture in which we live. It is a subliminal, hypnotic barrage of immoral images, lewd language and erotic enticements that consciously and subconsciously affects our entire nation. It has gone so far that we have become a base and morally callous people. Where can anyone go today without being continuously bombarded by the “24/ 7” decadent drumbeat of this licentious orchestra? We have indeed become a “Red Light District” nation!

This hypnotic drum beat comes from all different sources of media: TV, radio, the internet, billboards, advertising, the music industry, the fashion world, Hollywood, the sports world, newspapers, magazines, tabloids, classrooms, college campuses, government,….and on and on. Every facet of life has been affected. Every nook and cranny of American culture has been permeated and contaminated with this sickening vice. Teaching and preaching the moral values and virtues that are vital to preserve a healthy society brings only hate and slander from the vast secular faction here in the United States.

The Devastation

The withering attacks and devastating fallout from this tyrannical oppressor is formidable. These include 50 million abortions since 1973(representing a generation of Americans annihilated!), a ravished and wasted society, numberless unwed mothers and fatherless children, broken homes, psychological (mental) and physiological problems, a “red-lining” national guilty conscience (yet a nation unable to blush), a divorce rate higher than 50%, HIV/ AIDS and its related devastation, countless STD’s, rampant teen and college age promiscuity and unwanted pregnancies, increasing rapes, violence and murders, sex-trafficking, child porn and porn addiction (i.e., 70% of the total internet given over to porn in support of a 4 billion dollar-a-year porn industry), drug addictions, alcoholism, mass poverty, trillions of dollars spent for unaccountable social programs, promotion in government schools,government funding, rampant adultery, prostitution, approved red light districts, increased acceptance and approval of the mental and physiological disorder known as sodomy (homosexuality),….and on and on! Sexual addiction is the master oppressor today of Adam’s fallen race (see Romans 1:18-32, 5:12-19). Drug addiction, alcoholism and barbiturate addiction pales in comparison to this reigning despot. No nation has ever recovered from this self-indulging and self-gratifying addiction. How will ours be any different?

The Victims of the Sexual Revelation

Unfortunately, the greatest victims of this oppressive tyrant are children. These are absolutely ravished by the horrific consequences that followed in the wake of this super tsunami called the Sexual Revolution of the 60’s.

Women have also been shackled and enslaved in the repercussions from this decadent “Revolution.” There is nothing truly “liberating” about it at all. How could it be that the mothers (i.e., women) are the leading killing genocidal machines since 1973? A great number of women today in the U.S. are given over to reprobate practices of licentiousness, and have prostituted their bodies - and their humanity - to any individual in a vain attempt to satisfy their famished souls.

Women have always been a good moral barometer in a given society. When they are degraded to base lewdness and licentious practices, a society suffers greatly. When women are at their lowest estate so also is the nation.

The Master Panderer and His Game Plan

Lucifer is the despotic tyrant and oppressor of Adam’s fallen race. He fully understands his unregenerate human slaves (Eph 2:1-3; Heb 2:14-15). He is the “supreme hunter” of souls (Isa. 14:16-17; Ezek. 28:19; Luke 4:5-6; 2 Cor. 4:34; 1 Peter 5:8). He fully comprehends the fallen nature of humanity and our sensual desires, which are governed and dominated by our 5 physical senses. He knows how to manipulate, entice, bait, snare and catch his prey for his twisted will (Eph 6:11-12). He has been an “active observer” of the sins of humanity for ~ 6000 years (see Gal 5:19-21), and he knows that once immoral lusts and sexual vices have taken hold and snared his prey, he’s accomplished his task.

"What other way to destroy a nation that was founded on Godly and Biblical principles - both natural and spiritual - but from within?"


One of the Founding Fathers of our country, John Adams stated, 
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious (Christian) people.”

This is the master tactic in the Luciferian play book, i.e., to initiate subtle suggestions via the world’s media and to cause a vast “dumbing down” of the people and nation to a base (immoral) and relativistic, unbelieving state (Rom 1:18-32). This serves to further his evil agenda of causing people to unknowingly join his ongoing rebellion against his Creator and Lord, Almighty God (Luke 4:5-6; Eph. 2:1-9, 6:12).

This tactic was used first in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-7), then as a catalyst to bring about the divine judgment and removal of the millions in the pre-flood world (Gen. 3:22, 6:1-2). Lucifer (or Satan) corrupted and sought to destroy God’s chosen nation of Israel and thus prevent them from displaying Almighty God’s glory to the unsaved nations of the world, and from being a vessel for God’s great redemptive plan and propose for all humanity (Num. 25:1-3, 31:16; 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14, 18:20-21; 1 Kings 11:1-13; Ezra 9:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:8). This tactic also corrupted the “heart soil” of the people of Israel for receiving their Messiah at His first coming (Matt. 12:39, 16:4). Even now this same tactic is being applied globally - as is evident in today’s current global licentious climate - to bring about the reception of Lucifer’s ultimate minion and tool, The Man of Lawlessness or the Anti-Christ (2 Thess. 2:3-12; Rev. 13). When this godless secularist and lawless (non-absolutist) individual is revealed, the whole world – now given over to total wickedness - will be ready to receive and worship the Lie of all Lies, the Abomination of Desolation (Matt. 24:11-12, 15; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev.13:12).

With his entire being Lucifer hates and despises Adam’s race created in the image of Almighty God . He oppresses, exploits and uses them(Eph. 2:1-3; Heb 2:14-15) until his doom is sealed (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10). It is because of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is “The Seed of the Woman” (Gen. 3:15; Matt. 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-35; John 1:14, Heb. 2:14-15, 10:4-12) that his doom is sure and his judgment final. That might be the reason for his intense hatred of the female population. In his fall and rebellion against Almighty God, the archangel Lucifer became known as the Devil (adversary) and “the accuser of our brethren,” Satan (Rev. 12:9-10).

Almighty God - Sobering Conclusion and Remedy

Just before Christ’s glorious second coming to earth to establish His 1000-year kingdom reign in righteousness, a massive global evangelization of the whole world will take place. Almighty God wants no one to perish but all to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ His Son (John 3:16-17; 1 Tim. 2:3-4).
.

"God’s Word states, Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Rom. 2:4)"

In His great mass-global evangelization effort to reach humanity, Almighty God uses His Two Witnesses, 144,000 Jewish missionaries and angelic decrees, pleading for man to repent and be delivered from the wrath to come (Matt. 24:14; Rev. 7:1-17, 11:1-13, 14:6-7)! The unrepentant attitude of the hard-hearted people during this time will only continue to worsen until their hearts attain a “diamond-like” (i.e., very hard) consistency. These will not repent to give Almighty God the glory (2 Thess. 2:10-12; Rev. 9:20-21, 16:9-11)! This will be the catalyst to lead the rebellious, demonically-controlled multitudes in the great climactic battle of all the ages, The Battle of Armageddon (Psalm 2; Isa. 10:27-34; Rev. 16:13-16, 19:11-21).

When all options have been exhausted, God in His great wrath will send His Son from Heaven to destroy this global mutiny against the sovereignty of Almighty God and His Christ (Psalm 2; Zech. 14:3-4, 12; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 19:11-21).

After this global blood bath and purge of all rebellious humanity (Mal. 4:2-3; Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21), Almighty God will set up His righteous kingdom on earth in Jerusalem (Isaiah 11:1-10; Daniel 2:44-45, 7:13-14; Rev. 11:15).

It will take the absolute decimation of rebellious mankind to usher in God’s Kingdom and end Satan’s tyrannical reign and outworking of the lawless practices of man in this present evil world (Gal. 1:4).

God Calls Out To You

In these increasingly debauched and licentious days, Almighty God calls for all to be saved and delivered from the wrath to come(1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Have you received into your heart and life the Savior of the world - the Lord Jesus Christ - as your personal Savior from your transgressions against Almighty God and His righteousness?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Rev. 3:20).

The only solution to the depraved and ever-growing lawlessness of the world we are living in today is found in the Person of Jesus Christ. He is the ONLY ONE who can rescue humanity from the end result of sin and lawlessness. May you place your trust and hope in Him today. You will never be the same!

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

DJP I.F.

The Gospel of John Challenge

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 THE IGNORANT FISHERMEN  

This material was brought to you by Christian Issues Digest, a ministry ofBroadcast(B.C.)Christianity, Michael James Stone, Volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. We hope it helps you to face your issues daily as a Christian, as well as prepare for the return of Jesus Christ, He is Coming Very Soon.

Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, operates by you, for you and about you. You can make a difference in someone’s life.  “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can, anyway you can. You will be blessed if you do.

Posted via email from Michael James Stone Digest

Prophecy Digest: Iran's Nuclear Trigger-Leaving Normal

#from the Website:

LEAVING NORMAL

SO SAYS THE SIGNPOST UP AHEAD:
ROAD TO RUIN TO THE LEFT
ROAD TO FREEDOM TO THE RIGHT
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE TWILIGHT ZONE
AMERICA IS UNDER ATTACK! THEY WANT TO UNDO HER? CHANGE HER? REMAKE HER?
DEFEND HER! NO APOLOGIES! NEVER FORGET - REMEMBER THE AMERICA OF THE BEFORETIME!
FIGHT FOR OUR CONSTITUTION! DEMAND ADHERANCE TO IT!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2009

Iran's Nuclear Trigger

Although Iran might claim that this work is for civil purposes, there is no civil application,” said David Albright, a physicist and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, which has analysed hundreds of pages of documents related to the Iranian programme.

“This is a very strong indicator of weapons work.


The notes, from Iran’s most sensitive military nuclear project, describe a four-year plan to test a neutron initiator, the component of a nuclear bomb that triggers an explosion. Foreign intelligence agencies date them to early 2007, four years after Iran was thought to have suspended its weapons programme.


An Asian intelligence source last week confirmed to The Times that his country also believed that weapons work was being carried out as recently as 2007 — specifically, work on a neutron initiator.
The technical document describes the use of a neutron source, uranium deuteride, which independent experts confirm has no possible civilian or military use other than in a nuclear weapon. Uranium deuteride is the material used in Pakistan’s bomb, from where Iran obtained its blueprint.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6955351.ece

Iran may have worked on key atom bomb part: diplomats

Mark Fitzpatrick, chief proliferation analyst at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Reuters that, as described, the Iranian document "sounds very much like the elements of a nuclear weapons design."
"The implications are very serious because it means that Iran is marching closer to producing a nuclear weapon. And I don't think Israel will let that happen."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said concern about Iran's nuclear intentions had been heightened by Tehran's recent announcement that it needed more nuclear enrichment facilities, which "should raise deep concerns among all people."
Israel, assumed to have the Middle East's only atomic arsenal, says a nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to its existence and points to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's calls for the Jewish state to be wiped off the map.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/14/AR2009121401535_pf.html

 AUNTYGRAVITY  

This material was brought to you by Propehcy Digest, a ministry of Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, Michael James Stone, Volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. We know the End is near, as well as the return of Jesus, He is Coming Very Soon. Broadcast Christianity, operates by you and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can. You will be blessed if you do. It is for us to let others know the Truth we have received.

Posted via email from Prophecy Digest-"The Last Generation"

Christian Issues Digest: Should I Take The Supplement?-Jack Kelley

Should I Take The Supplement?

Jack Kelley

Q. There is a command from God somewhere in the first few books of the Bible not to drink the blood of any animal.  I can’t remember the exact place. 

Anyhow, I purchase protein powder for convenience and some brands carry a small amount of “bovine plasma protein”, which is literally blood protein from a cow (powdered, of course).  It is full of immunoglobins and agents beneficial for the intestines. 

Breast milk also contains some similar chemicals.  I’ve never consumed it and didn’t want to because of this command.

I know God doesn’t change his mind and if he doesn’t like it, I’m not taking it.  But then I remember Paul saying (again not sure exact placement) not to be offended by what we eat, what is sensible for a man to eat is okay for him, and to another for them. 

What do I do?  I just don’t want to consume it because I don’t want God to be angry, but if that’s my reasoning,  then I’m following the Law.  I’m uncertain.

A.     Deut. 12:23 says, “But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.” 

James repeated this in Acts 15:19-20.

God won’t be angry if you take the supplement.

He has made peace with you. (Colossians 1:19-20

But if it bothers you, don’t take it.  There must be other supplements that don’t contain powdered cow’s blood.  Paul was referring to eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols, but he also said each man should be convinced in his own mind that what he’s doing is right (Romans 14:5-6).

Tags: Christian Life, Interpreting Verses

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o   Adding To Or Subtracting From God’s Word

o   Do Jews In The Church Have Different Standards?

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This material was brought to you by B.C.Digest, a ministry of Michael James Stone, Volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. We hope it helps you to prepare daily for life and living, as well as the return of Jesus, He is Coming Very Soon. Broadcast Christianity, operates by you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can. You will be blessed if you do.

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Christian Issue Digest: "Tis the Season?"-GQ

Tis the Season?

What do you enjoy most about the Christmas season? What do you enjoy least about the Christmas season?

Comments (18)



18 Comments »

1. Comment by Mark

From a spiritual standpoint, I really don’t like Christmas. I know that I may hear some flack for that, but Christmas has lost all it’s meaning. I think that Thanksgiving is a much more appropriate holiday. No where in the Bible does it mention celebrating the anniversary of a birthday (that I’m aware of), but it’s riddled with giving thanks. I just get sick when I look around at all of the money being spent on junk, the scowls on people’s faces as they shop for stuff, the lack of true focus on the holiday. To me, Christmas has lost a lot of the celebration of Christ, and I’m not so sure that it’s ever had it in my lifetime. I’d much rather gather family and give thanks and worship our God and our Creator on Thanksgiving than to exchange gifts to each other in the name of celebrating Christ’s Birthday.

2. Comment by Robert

All year round, I have a relationship with God and seek to be a good Christian, but at Christmas time, I feel able to step up even more in spreading the word. I do try and do that the rest of the year, but at Christmas, people tend to be more open to the message of Christ and I try to use the time to speak to people about Christ.
The thing I enjoy least about Christmas is the debt that people get into. I have fallen into that trap myself before, but hope I have improved in that area of my life. I don’t like the thought of my family or friends (or anyone) spending lots of money on gifts. I am happy with a small modest gift (such as a fruit or chocolates) and I believe it should be more about interacting with each other and continuing a relationship with Christ than spending lots of money on gifts.

3. Comment by curtis newman

No where in God’s word do I read anything about Christmas, I believe it is originally a pegan holiday. I wish I would concentrate more about the Birth of Christ everyday, and the relationships I have and need to make, then celebrating with lots of cost, and debt, and encourage the ones I know to just let me know they love me and forget about the expensive gifts, I too would just like to have a holiday card telling me how much I am loved and cared for and then Celebrating everyday as Christ Birthday, since we do not know His exact birthday, part of telling our kids the Truth about Christmas and Santa Clause and all the other fairly tales we are inclined to tell them. I know that a lot of people will disagree, but I only write this to remind you and me that Jesus came to earth to Seek and Save the lost.

4. Comment by Rachel

Mark, I’m with you! It’s not a very popular stance to take, but I totally get what you’re saying! We keep the gift giving to our kids only and try to keep it to a minimum. We enjoy things such as shopping in the Gospel for Asia Christmas Catalog (http://www.gfa.org/gift/). But we instill in our children that we need to be careful that the gospel we spread to others on Christmas and throughout the year is THE GOSPEL and not the social gospel.

After reading, Revolution In World Missions by K.P. Yohanan, I’ll never be able to stomach the materialism in our present culture…especially around Christmas   We save our spare change during the year so we can buy bicycles and other items for missionaries.

Yes, Christmas can be fun and there’s no rule against us having some fun, but as Christians, we have to show self control and not blur the line between a follower of Christ and any other lost person out there. And most importantly, remember that God’s work…the Great Commission, should be year round!

Maranatha!

5. Comment by Rachel

Curtis…you’re right   My Dad is the same way. He does not like receiving gifts. He’d much rather money be donated to a Christian organization. This year, I’ll be sending money to GFA to buy things from their Christmas Catalog and putting it in the name of those I love. Such as my Mom, she loves to sew, so I’m going to buy a sewing machine for an Indian woman and put it in my Mom’s name 

6. Comment by Beryl Franklin

I love Christmas and what it represents. I’m aware of how commercial it’s become, overlooking the true meaning, but having grown up Jewish & always feeling left out & excluded from sharing with my Christian friends, I am no longer alone looking for approval and admiration through how much money I’ve earned & saved. I have found what I’ve always been searching for-brothers & sisters that don’t look to each other for approval, but to a God who loves us shows no condemnation, & in whom we are saved only by his grace and love for each other. Our Christian family consists of many different ethnicities & levels of education. If we remember to follow Jesus and treat others respectfully as we which to be treated, the world will be a better place, without anger, competiveness, fear, and a multitude of emotions from our flesh and intellect.

7. Comment by Douglas Summers

Hi,
As a child I loved Christmas. Now that I have grown up in the Lord, it is a sad affair. I read in the news today that a man was trampled to death at a Wall Mart Store as customer’s broke both doors down and trampled over the man…He is dead at the age of 32.

One Church I use to attend had a Christmas play. Every song they had the children sing were; Jingle Bell, Rudolf the Red Nose Raindeer, Santa Clause is Comming to Town….But nothing about Christ???

Another thing I noticed when I was a child was that during the Christmas Season, everyone had a lot of cheer and a kindered spirit. But it went away January 2!!!

Now your not even allowed to associate Christmas with the birth of Christ! But as all of those who are born again know, that our joy in Christ does not come by seasons, but by the fellowship of His Spirit from day to day to eternity.

The Early Church never celebrated Christmas or Easter. These are RCC practices put into the Church and are of OT origin of heathen idol worship.

In Christ
Doug

8. Comment by Jerry Teets

What do you enjoy most about the Christmas season?

Answer: That Jesus is mentioned….that He came into the world to be our Savior.

What do you enjoy least about the Christmas season?

Answer: The commercialization and the distration that Santa Claus has to this season.

9. Comment by Debbie

Every day is Christmas for a Christian…

10.            Comment by Douglas Summers

Amen, Debbie.

In Christ
Doug

11.            Comment by Douglas Summers

Hi,
In the list of Questions asked on this Blog, I would like to ask some meatier questions that all mature Christians should know. Most Christians can witness to others that they need Christ, and that He died on the cross for our sins. But that is usually as far as one goes…or understands.

The meatier questions are, “Why did the Christ come”?….and, “What is the purpose of the Church”?

These questions are the whole of all Scripture and cover the OT and NT. Can you answer them?…..From the Scriptures. If you want, you can email me or just Blog your answers.

douglas.summers@nashville.gov

In Christ
Doug

12.            Comment by ceseeley

All;

Doug,

It seems to be a foregone conclusion today that Christ came into this world over 2000 years ago to establish his glorious earthly kingdom in Israel. And since he failed to do that at that time, he must return soon to set it up! This establishment of an earthly kingdom in Israel was the same thing that was on the minds of many apostate Jews of that day also, and so we see the impetus of their thought processes when they sought to take Jesus by force and make him their king over Israel, but he would have none of it (Jo. 6:15). We still see thinking like this today, so not much has changed, even though we have the inspired Word that should set us straight on such things.
Had the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day been more intent on actually listening to what Christ really had to say on the matter, instead of persistently following all of their own thoughts, they would have likely been led to seriously question their own ideas as to Christ’s real purpose in coming here. But we see the very same problem manifested today, even among those who profess Christ. The Jews clearly had no interest in bothering themselves and their time with the truth. Is this what we are going to continue to see today among this other modern group as well? Perhaps so! From all that I have seen and experienced they seem very determined to cling to something outside of the real Scripture testimony.
And just what is the real Scripture testimony? Well, we see many things in many different places in Scripture that lead any rational person to an entirely different conclusion. Let’s take a good look in one specific area.
Christ made it very clear what his real purpose was for coming into the world. We read at Matthew 20:28: “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” (See also Ma. 10:45.)
We read at Luke 19:10: “And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those …who are lost.”
We read at Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
We read at Jo. 12:27: “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came!”
Christ precisely confirms the words of the Old Testament prophets that spoke of his coming to bear our load of sin. You can read these prophecies that refer to what he was about to do at places like Isaiah 53:10-12 and 61:1-2. The Jews of Jesus’ day failed to see the truth in these Scriptures, just as the modern professing Christians and apostates of today also do.
Again, he told us that “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jo. 18:36). He further states that he was born as a King, but not in the earthly sense that they thought. He tells them that he came “to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true” (Jo. 18:37. See also I Jo. 4:4-6). Indeed, instead of an earthly kingdom he told those in Capernaum that the Kingdom of Heaven was near (Mt. 4:17). Other Scriptures such as Phil. 3:14, Col. 1:5 and 3:2-3, and Heb. 3:1 and 6:19 tell us that our calling is heavenward! This was clearly his Kingdom! No earthly kingdom is ever mentioned by our Lord at all, nor by the apostles! So who do we believe, if not our Lord himself? Do we just keep on believing the made up stories of men?

As a body, the ultimate purpose for the Christian Church is to bring glory to its Head, Jesus Christ. As the church brings honor to Christ, it also fulfills two specific purposes related to God’s plan for the earth: (1) evangelism to non-believers and (2) edification for fellow members of the church. Among other things, the church is also known as the bride of Christ and the living temple of the true God. Obviously, the church is not a building, a meeting place, an organization, or a denomination. The church is the totality of all believers in Christ, regardless of denomination or meeting place. The entire body of believers is the church, and as such, the church is the dwelling place of God.

13.            Comment by Douglas Summers

Hi ceseeley,
That was a good understanding. I’m glad to see you understand about Israel. Here is the Scripture that sums up what you were refereeing to(Rom.15:8)+(15:9-16). This is a sum of the promise to Adam and Eve (Gen.3:15) and Abraham (Gen.12:1-3). Study on them and tell me what you think.

In Christ
Doug

14.            Comment by windyblue

Chirstmas has be come so commerical. And Jesus is lost in it. I see all kinds of christmas lights up, snowmen, Santa, Reindeer, but where is Christ. He is no where to be found. i personally do not like Christmas, being one of those people who have no family nor friends to spend it with. It is rather lonely.
No christmas presents either. I just keep praying to the Lord about it, but so far, it’s still about the same. I have no one to buy for, And IF there was a church that was doing Christmas Day dinners I would go and help out.
but there is not. I am glad when its over.

15.            Comment by Douglas Summers

Ceseeley, I missed part if your Comment #12 where you said : “We read at Jo. 12:27: “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came!”
Christ precisely confirms the words of the Old Testament prophets that spoke of his coming to bear our load of sin. You can read these prophecies that refer to what he was about to do at places like Isaiah 53:10-12 and 61:1-2. The Jews of Jesus’ day failed to see the truth in these Scriptures, just as the modern professing Christians and apostates of today also do.
Again, he told us that “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jo. 18:36). He further states that he was born as a King, but not in the earthly sense that they thought. He tells them that he came “to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true” (Jo. 18:37. See also I Jo. 4:4-6). Indeed, instead of an earthly kingdom he told those in Capernaum that the Kingdom of Heaven was near (Mt. 4:17). Other Scriptures such as Phil. 3:14, Col. 1:5 and 3:2-3, and Heb. 3:1 and 6:19 tell us that our calling is heavenward! This was clearly his Kingdom! No earthly kingdom is ever mentioned by our Lord at all, nor by the apostles! So who do we believe, if not our Lord himself? Do we just keep on believing the made up stories of men?”

You are in error here. When Christ says that His Kingdom was not of this world, He was speaking of “ages”(periods of time). He was not the King of this age (This age is governed under the principles of Satan). The whole promise of the Davidic Kingdom is earthward and a promise to Israel to be still fulfilled. That is the 1000 year reign of Christ and His Church (body).

I got to excited when I read where you understood about Israel….I should have concentrated more on the rest of your exegesis.

You are way off on your understanding. How is it that two who claim to be born again have two completely different understandings of God’s purpose?

In Christ
Doug

16.            Comment by Douglas Summers

ceseeley,
I just realized you must have copied this from some other source…It may be what you believe, but I do not believe it is of your own structure. This is completely a scatter of different Scripture out of the Bible that are not related to each other of the same subject matter or discourse. Did you study the Scripture’s I gave you?

In Christ
Doug

17.            Comment by Douglas Summers

ceseeley, There are two advents of Christ….this was only His first advent below that was in your comment.

“Christ made it very clear what his real purpose was for coming into the world. We read at Matthew 20:28: “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” (See also Ma. 10:45.)
We read at Luke 19:10: “And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those …who are lost.”
We read at Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
We read at Jo. 12:27: “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came!”
Christ precisely confirms the words of the Old Testament prophets that spoke of his coming to bear our load of sin. You can read these prophecies that refer to what he was about to do at places like Isaiah 53:10-12 and 61:1-2. The Jews of Jesus’ day failed to see the truth in these Scriptures, just as the modern professing Christians and apostates of today also do.”

This prophecy is in Isa.61:1-11. Notice in Luke 4:16-21. Notice in verse 19 of Luke 4, that He only quotes part A of that verse. Why? Because this prophecy is of two advents. He only quotes the first one because that was what He was here to fulfill. How would He know to quote it that way?…Because He was God, He wrote the Scripture’s.

The Book of Daniel explains this time period between the two advents (Dan.9:23-27) The reader must understand there is an interim between the 69th and 70th week in which the Church is called out. The original author of the comment you wrote is the apostate!

In Christ
Doug

18.            Comment by Child of the King

What I least enjoy? I don’t have a fireplace since I live near the Gulf of Mexico therefore I get Depressed Knowing I can’t have “Chestnuts Roasting in an open Fire” as Nat King Cole sings. Nor can I forsee “Jack Frost nipping at my nose” since I live so far south but you never know! “Frosty the Snowman” is some creature from another state. The last time we had Snow was 1993 and it was all gone 5 hours after it fell.

Then there is the reality of dealing with Santa Claus bringing Gifts to people in poorer areas like the “Projects” in cities where most are African-Americans live who are mostly poor.

One Black Gentlemen who grew up in that enviorment said he learned very early age Santa was bogus. He said one Christmas his father came back in his apartment and told his children (Faking tears) I’m sorry Kids Santa told him he could’nt come there this year because he ran out of gifts 2 blocks back!

The same man said once he asked his Mom “Momma what does Santa look like”? She told him “He wears a Red Suit and Black Boots” He thought to himself “Hmmmm that could be any of The Brothers in this
Neighborhood”!! When his mom further told him Santa always came down the chimney and was a white guy. Again he thought at his young age; “Ain’t no White Guy gonna come down the chimney at midnite in this neighborhood”!!

He told me his neighborhood was so rough when the Milk Truck came by there to deliver the Milk..They had a Tailgunner in the back!

Anyway that’s my case..Happy Whatever!!

This material was brought to you by B.C.Digest, a ministry of Michael James Stone, Volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. We hope it helps you to prepare daily for life and living, as well as the return of Jesus, He is Coming Very Soon. Broadcast Christianity, operates by you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can. You will be blessed if you do.

Posted via email from Michael James Stone Digest