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September 10, 2004
Israeli Rhetoric Heats UpIsraelis
Strike In Gaza As Settlers Warn Of Civil War
Ireland Online Fri, 10 Sep 2004 2:29 AM PDT
An Israeli helicopter today fired a missile at a site Palestinian
militants used to launch a rocket at a nearby Israeli town in the latest
of a series of clashes in the northern Gaza strip.
Britain
Begins 'Long Haul' To Make North Korea Come Clean On Nukes
AFP via Yahoo! News Thu, 09 Sep 2004 8:13 PM
PDT
Britain's first mission to Pyongyang will be the start of a "very
long haul" to persuade North Korea to come clean on its nuclear
weapons programs, its junior foreign minister for Asia said.
Germany
Backs Nuclear Subs For Israel
WorldNetDaily Thu, 09 Sep 2004 10:10 PM PDT
Germany said yesterday it will help Israel acquire two nuclear-capable
submarines and modernize three older vessels amid escalating tensions
between Iran and Israel over Iran's planned construction of several
nuclear reactors.
Brown:
'Europe Endangers Economy'
Ananova Thu, 09 Sep 2004 10:47 PM PDT
Weak growth in Europe is endangering the global economy, Chancellor Gordon
Brown has claimed. Writing in the Financial Times, Mr Brown said "it
is the weakness of European Union growth that lies at the root of
imbalances" in the global economy, turning the spotlight away from
the United States.
Comments
Air
strikes continue in Gaza and Israeli settlers warn that if Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon goes ahead with dismantling settlements in occupied areas
there could be a civil war.
I'm not sure where this security fence or the dismantling of settlements is heading. I have a suspicion that in the long run both will be done away with in the signing of a peace agreement but that's only an educated guess.
Great Britain has taken on the task of trying to persuade North Korea to end its quest for a nuclear program. Good luck! They may get favorable results at the table but North Korea will never give up their secret underground nuclear endeavors. Why should they! Most have taken a blind eye to them anyway. They will have their place in the next great war (Revelation 6) and very well maybe the cause of it.
Of all the countries that will try and upgrade Israel's navy, Germany has agreed to help Israel obtain two nuclear submarines in the wake of tensions between Iran and Israel. "The submarines, which could carry two nuclear warheads, could be used as a deterrent against Iran, which is going ahead with plans to build several nuclear facilities despite American and Israeli pressure to halt construction (Germany backs nuclear subs for Israel)."
Things are really heating up in the world. I realize that wars and rumors of wars have been the story of planet earth from the very beginning. We just can't seem to get along without the Lord ruling our lives. But the magnitude has never been greater and it's going to get a lot worse as we get closer to the tribulation period.
Of course, the first thing we should be looking for is the rapture of the church (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). I believe that life will be pretty normal up until that time. Take a look at I Thessalonians 5:2-4:
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:4)
I believe this to be a picture of the transformation from a pre-tribulation period to the day after the rapture. It's hard to say what will transpire directly after the rapture takes place due to insufficient Biblical facts. I would say that there would probably be a period of time that will pass before the actual tribulation period comes about. It could be as short as a few days or years could pass before a peace treaty with Israel comes about. If you remember, the signing of a peace agreement between Israel and the coming antichrist marks day one of the tribulation period.
During that time between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation period I believe satan will cause the antichrist and false prophet to rise to great power in a very short time. How long this will take would only be a guess but they will take the world by storm. Eventually, the antichrist will literally be worshipped as God.
Before this happens, there will be a great falling away, which I believe will be enhanced by the departing of the Holy Spirit. He will go when all Christians are raptured but will return when 144,000 witnesses are filled and sealed at the beginning of the tribulation.
During this gap of time before the tribulation period, man will become increasingly evil and religion will become institutionalized. A Christ centered church will no longer exist. God will take on an impersonal role in the church and it will be more ceremonial than anything else. The belief that God is the same God to all but under different names for different religions will be the world's central belief. That is until the antichrist declares himself to be God, then all religions and beliefs will cease and the world will serve him.
This will be a very dark time and the change will be shocking yet subtle. "Then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
The Bible says that this time will be the most horrible and terrible in the history of mankind where men will seek death but it will flee from them. Did you hear that, men will actually try to kill themselves but God will not allow them to (Revelation 9:6).
Do you know the Lord? If not your time is running out!
One day I will write this phrase for the last time. Don't allow yourself to be one day late...come to Jesus today before it's too late!
Pastor Malone