The Seed Week of 4/30/2018
When God created the heavens and earth (ref Gen 1:1), on the third day He created the seed. In Hebrew it means, fruit, plant, sowing‐time, posterity. God spoke into existence plants (herbs, grasses, trees) whose seed is in itself (ref Gen 1:11). This seed was to reproduce‐ref Gen 1:11, have it own distinct body‐ref 1 Cor 15:38, a season when the seed would propagate‐ref Gen 8:22 and a promise from God that while the earth continues to exist so will seed‐time‐ref Gen 8:21,22.
So, for thousands of years people have depended on God, or their god, for food. They have prayed, made sacrifices and looked to the heavens for rain and sunshine. For the Jews that would be the Feast of Tabernacles (or Feast of Booths-ref Lev 23:33-35, 39-43). These temporary booths (sukkots) were a reminder that God is what sustains us. He provides the seeds and water. He provides the harvest. However, not all are content to look to God for their livelihood.
As the men a hundred and thirty years after the flood, moved with pride and ambition trying to build the tower of Babel (translated means confusion)‐ref Gen 11, so man has tried to rebuild what the Lord God has had in existence since the third day of creation—the seed. What possibly was the brain child of those who wanted to help farmers produce bumper crops, has become a threat to all mankind—genetically modified organisms (GMO′s). GMO′s are plants (or animals) that have had genes copied from other plants (or animals) inserted into their DNA. They are produced in a laboratory to create certain traits. In the case of plants, that might be a resistance to a certain herbicide. These GMO seeds are patented (the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years) and protected by government laws. Their seeds cannot be saved, replanted, or shared by anyone. They must be purchased year to year. Many farmers, when tantalized with the option to grow GMO crops, are not always told the whole story.
For example, cotton farmers in India were encouraged by the Indian government to use the GMO seed (“magic seeds”). Monsanto (the U.S. based multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation responsible for the GMO seed) promised increased yields due to their seeds being resistant to pests. The result for the Indian farmers was bollworm destruction. Plus Mansanto′s never told the farmers that the GMO cotton seeds needed double the water as conventional cotton, leading to further crop failures. Due to these reasons and the higher cost of the “magic seeds” an estimated one hundred and twenty‐five thousand farmers committed suicide. Now the “magic seeds” have become “terminator” seeds.
There is no shortage of horror stories surrounding the Mansanto seed. Maybe that is why, according to investopedia.com, they have accepted an offer to sell to Bayer (a German multinational, pharmaceutical and life sciences company). The deal must be approved by U.S. federal and European regulators. If all approve the deal, Bayer will be the world′s largest maker of seeds and pesticides, which would control close to 30% share of the seeds market and 24% in pesticides. As some are calling this a “merger from hell” that threatens to harm human health, farming and the environment, the EU has decided to allow Bayer, Monsanto and BASF to become data giants in agriculture. Some believe they will be creating massive farm‐data collection platforms that allow the companies increased control over farmers and cut out competitors.
The effects of the GMO seed (governments often ignoring the scientific findings) have been catastrophic. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urges doctors to persuade their patients to eat non‐GMO foods. They base this on animal studies showing organ damage, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders, accelerated aging, and infertility just to name a few of the problems. Since the introduction of GMO′s Leukemia and cancers of the liver, kidney, bladder, thyroid, and breast have risen in the U.S. In Argentina, the rate of cancer in communities living near Roundup Ready (a Mansanto product) soybean fields has also skyrocketed, as have birth defects, thyroid conditions, lupus, and respiratory problems. Most medical doctors will tell you there is insignificant evidence, but a growing number of people see clear evidence that GMO′s are a health risk. The EU has allowed their member countries to decide for themselves if they will allow the GMO seeds in their countries. Most have allowed some forms of GMO′s in.
Besides the health issues, GMO seeds contaminate regular seeds just through the natural pollination process contributing to economic losses for organic and non‐GMO farmers.
The GMO seed sounds fit to order for the Anti‐Christ. Someone once said, “Control food and you control the people”. During the Tribulation the False Prophet causes all people to receive a mark, or the name of the Antichrist, or the number of his name (which is 666) in or on their right hand or forehead. No one can buy or sell without the mark. It will be nearly impossible to survive and easy for the Anti‐Christ to control the people if he controls the crops. Remember, during the first part of the Tribulation one‐third of trees will be burned up. All green grass worldwide will be burned up, due to the radio‐active fallout from the war between Russia and the U.S.—this includes farm crops.
If you have not committed your life to Jesus and have not repented (turned away) from all your sins—what are you waiting for? Remember the parable of the sower? “Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Do you have ears to hear? If you would like an in‐depth study of this parable, click here. Jesus says, Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me‐Rev 3:20 (NAS). Surrender your life to Jesus today!
Sources: Bibles-1611 King James Bible, 1560 Geneva Bible; jewsforjesus.org; nbcnews.com; dictionary.com; naturalrevolution.org; wikipedia.org; investopedia.com; responsibletechnology.org; biblestudies.org.
Photo: End-Time.com.
Happy Birthday Israel 4/23/2018
This past week Jews around the world (along with supporters of Israel) celebrated the Jewish State′s 70th anniversary; from Wednesday night (4/18/18) to Saturday evening. And although it appears to have been a grand success there abides an underlying anxiety. To live in Israel is to be constantly surrounded with life threatening aggressions, but, these dangers come not only from without, they are also coming from within her borders—those who are scheming her demise.
From within her borders Israelis face dangers from those who consider it a Divine decree to murder innocent Jewish men, women and children. She has also conceived problems from her own; those who accuse her leadership of desiring to dismantle her constitution and attempt to destroy her democracy. No means are too great to cause disturbances in the political arena. They have gone as far as to call the president (Benjamin Netanyahu) a traitor. There have even been law suits against the President′s wife, Sara Netanyahu—for allegedly diverting state money for meal expenses and treating employees like slaves—the majority of these accusations coming in 2017. (The U.S. is also experiencing like political waters.)
For years the United States has promised to move its Embassy recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. But in today′s political environment not only Arabs and the European world oppose the move, but also American and Israeli Jews sighting their main concern would be the Israeli‐Palestinian peace talks. To date, the scheduled US Embassy move has been postponed once again. Other countries have reluctantly agreed to move their Embassies; however, with the U.S. not keeping its commitment to open their Embassy in May other countries may also momentarily decline.
From without Israel′s borders many news sources have been embellishing stories of war between Israel and Iran. It is no secret Iran would like to run the Jews into the sea and with their position in Syria they have already been sending drones into Israel perhaps testing the waters. However, Iran is not as strong as it claims. Reports show the Islamic state is in serious trouble. Financially the Iranian government banned money changers from selling dollars and euro′s. The exchange rate for one U.S. $ to Iranian Rial is (1 USD =42,025.06IRR). In comparison, the exchange rate for one U.S. $ to the Euro is (1 USD =0.819150EUR).
Iran′s citizens are not happy rebelling with demonstrations (demonstrators have cursed the supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and wished him dead) and with worker strikes (some workers have not been paid in months). The weather has also brought some of the worst droughts to the region in years—water restrictions further agitating the Iranians. Crops are not getting the water causing food shortages and because of the lack of water electricity production has been cut by more than 40 percent. Iranians also wonder why their rials are going to helping Syria.
So what does it matter if Russia and Iran are allied with Syria? What does it matter that both Russia and Iran have air bases in Syria? Why is the fighting near Damascus so important to Bible Prophecy? Many of your questions can be answered on the home page of BibleStudies.org, but there is so much more on this site. Besides the side menu there is an additional alphabetized index that links to key words or phrases used in the website. Most every topic and what the Bible says about it. Do you want to know what the Bible says about a certain topic‐BibleStudies.org.
Sources: timesofisrael.com; jpost.com; aljazeera.com; israeltoday.co.il; jpost.com; foxnews.com; scofieldinstitute.org; xe.com.
The Syrian Hotel 4/16/2018
On April 14, 2018 the United States, France and Great Britain launched a joint attack on Syria-but why?
Bashar al-Assad ruler of Syria. Bashar was a medical student at the University of Damascus, graduating as an ophthalmologist (eye doctor/surgeon) in 1988. He then served as an army doctor at a Damascus military hospital and in 1992 moved to London to continue his studies. He was summoned back to Syria to be groomed as its President upon his father's death. During this time he trained at a Syrian military academy eventually gaining the rank of colonel in Syrian's elite Republican Guard.
Fast forward to July 2012, Syria confirmed that they had chemical weapons. They assured the International community that these weapons would never be used against the Syrian people, but only against "external aggression." Most felt they were talking about Israel. However, in December 2012, Syria did the unthinkable-they used chemical weapons on their own people.
Since that time there have been several conclusive reports that Syria continues to use these gasses not only on its enemies (Syrian rebels and ISIS), but also on its civilians. In 2013, President Obama warned Syria that its use of chemical gases on human life was a "game changer".
With impending air strikes from the US, in September 2013, Russia convinced Syria to agree to place its chemical weapons under International control and dismantle them provided the United States would agree not to conduct a military strike. Russia was given the responsibility, with US approval, of overseeing the destruction of those chemical weapons. As we understand, most of the stock piles of chemical gases were destroyed-those Syria claimed. There was evidence that not all the installations where the gas was produced were declared to the UN. Besides this, Syria was not very hospitable in allowing the UN to come in and check all its installations. And not surprisingly, there continued to be assaults on the Syrian people-toxic chemicals, likely chlorine gas that were still being used.
In April 2017 sarin gas (a nerve agent) was used in an attack that killed dozens of people in Syria's Northern Province. At that time the United States used Tomahawk cruise missiles to target an air base where the Assad regime is believed to have conducted the attack.
By June the White House warned of "possible preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime." They cautioned that Assad would "pay a heavy price" if he conducted an attack using chemical weapons. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said in a separate statement that by supporting the Assad regime, Russia and Iran would also be accountable for any further use of chemical weapons.
Since then there have been three more reports where chlorine gas was used in attacks. Finally on April 7, 2018 reports surfaced of a major chemical weapons attack in Douma, a suburb outside of Damascus, Syria, killing at least several dozen civilians. This follows smaller chlorine gas attacks that were reported in Douma on March 7 and 11.
In the words of President Obama, "The world set a red line when governments representing 98 percent of the world's population said the use of chemical weapons are abhorrent and passed a treaty forbidding their use even when countries are engaged in war." "(The) use of the chemical weapons, which the overwhelming consensus of humanity says is wrong…" "We can send a very clear, strong message against the prohibition-or in favor of the prohibition against using chemical weapons. We can change Assad's calculus about using them again. We can degrade his capabilities so that he does not use them again. And so what I'm talking about is an action that is limited in time and in scope, targeted at the specific task of degrading his capabilities and deterring the use of those weapons again."
The organization, Human Rights Watch, has documented 85 chemical weapon attacks in Syria since 2013. So, this is why the US, France and Great Britain allied to send a message to Assad.
A brief note: You may have wondered why the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, was warning Russia and Iran-they are Syria's strongest allies to date. With Syrian rebels being backed by Turkey, Quatar and Saudi Arabia, and ISIS gaining more and more territory in Syria, Assad needed help. In comes Russia in exchange for a sea port in the Mediterranean Sea and starts controlling several airports. Iran is helping Assad financially assuring their presence in the region. In exchange Iran is allowed to host and back Hezbollah in Syria, which is encroaching on Israel. It is thought that Iran would like nothing better than to gain back the Golan Heights from Israel. Exchanges have already been made by both sides and many believe war is inevitable. Russia and Iran have warned that such actions (the assault of April 14, 2018) will not be left without consequences. There will also be regional consequences.
On another note, it seems the US is looking to raise up an Arab force to replace the U.S. military in Syria helping to stabilize the northeastern part of the country after the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS). They have already spoken to Egypt and are looking for other countries to help rebuild the war torn Syria.
Sources: history.com; britannica.com; hrw.org; obamawhitehouse.archives.gov; hrw.org; economist.com; timesofisrael.com; aljazeera.com; haaretz.com; haaretz.com.
Photo: End-Time.com.
Populism-Good Or Not? 4/8/2018
In 1944 Gallup polled Brits (people from Great Britain) with the question, “Do you think that British politicians are out merely for themselves, for their party, or to do their best for their country?” In celebration of their 70th anniversary Gallup again asked Brits the same polling question in 2014. The responses were revealing. In 1944, thirty‐six percent of the people polled believed that politicians were trying to do their best. In 2014, only ten percent of the people felt politicians were trying their best for the voters. Forty‐eight percent felt that politicians were self‐serving and thirty percent saw politicians only interested in supporting their political agenda. These numbers show a growing disillusionment for politicians not only in Great Britain, but all over the world.
It is no secret that something strange is happening in the world of politics. Have you heard the term, global populist surge? This was the topic of many articles following Brits exit from the EU and the election of US President Donald Trump in 2016. A quote from Foxnews.com article, Fitch warns of ‘populist surge’ on global growth‐November 29, 2016, “…a surge in populism and anti‐establishment sentiment is pushing the world into an era of economic nationalism to the detriment of long‐term global growth.” Just in case you have never heard the term populism it means, (as defined by Scholar.Harvard.edu‐Working Paper Series), “Most scholars agree that “populism worships the people””. But, some have gone as far to say populism is, “an ideology that considers society to be ultimately separated into two homogeneous (essentially alike) and antagonistic (unfriendly) groups, ‘the pure people’ versus ‘the corrupt elite.’”
For northern Europe (this includes France and Germany) and the U.S., there is a growing intolerance for immigrants that do not desire to assimilate into the age old culture they have been, in some cases, graciously allowed to invade. The populist in these countries are intolerant to the repeated murders, rapes and bombings by immigrants. This intolerance is generally viewed, by most young people in their country, as those opposed to worldwide integration—they are afraid of losing their national identity.
The sad outcome to the populism in northern/central Europe is the rise in social prejudice—especially for Jews, Muslims and Roma (Gypsies). (The Jews and Roma were persecuted pre WW2 continuing through the war.) In many places, the shift to the populous right has allied those in the government establishment with Nazi collaborators—because they are often the defenders of national liberation. This is particularly the case with Hungary and Poland. These Europeans are indifferent about the EU, but, would prefer to have some powers returned to their nation‐state.
Southern Europe, especially the young, generally welcomes immigrants. According to a survey by Chatham House in January of 2016, twenty‐six percent, predominantly young Europeans, are not happy with the EU. Their politics is to the left and they don't like the political corruption in their nation‐states which has watered the seeds for new political parties sprouted up by the youth.
With only twenty‐three percent of Europeans happy with the EU, the rest are unresponsive or disillusioned. They are discouraged about the corruption in their national political leadership which tends to political unrest. Some suggest this has been the work of the Russians in order to destabilize Western liberal democracies.
All this unrest brings about serious consequences because when the people feel their leaders are incompetent, or selling their country out, they usually will retaliate—some peacefully, some violently. But, all this unrest and confusion make the conditions just ripe for a world leader to step in and take the world by storm. Eloquent in speak and divisive in dealings—the Anti‐Christ.
If you have not committed you life to Jesus, there is no time like the present. Click here if you would like help There is no shortage of current news to support the Scriptures when it comes to Bible Prophecy. Check out the Prophecies that have already been fulfilled and what is to happen next. Remember, the Rapture is scheduled to happen before the Russian invasion of Israel. Click here if you do not know why Russia invades Israel. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Are you ready for the Rapture? Does Jesus know you?
Sources: yougov.co.uk; theguardian.com; globalanticorruptionblog.com; fortune.com; thelocal.de; timesofisrael.com; erstestiftung.org; Word definitions generally from Dictionary.com.
Photo: End-Time.com.
The New School House 4/2/2018
According to Dictionary.com, the word school means‐(noun) 1) an institution where instruction is given, especially to persons under college age: 2) an institution for instruction in a particular skill or field. 3) a college or university. Today however, schools and universities are not only places of instruction; they are also places of violence, rebellion and confusion. And with all that schooling studies have showed more and more children are learning less and less. Click here for an informative graph.
April 2, 2018 news headlines from four countries focusing on problems within their school systems. Thelocal.de headline reads, Half a million students in Germany suffer from a mental health illness: study. From another news source the German headline is, Schools with high migrant populations face a surge in violence, with attacks on staff driven by teens whose view of women is ′incompatible with ours, warns German teaching chief′. France24.com reports, The dean and a professor at Montpellier University law school (in southern France) were taken into police custody on Wednesday, suspected of taking part in a violent attack on student protesters last week. The two men have since been suspended from their duties. Foxnews.com in the United States relays the actions of students in a Washington D.C. University. Headline reads, Howard (University) students occupy campus building (taking over the administration building), demand gender, sex, police changes due to ′systemic oppression′. And lastly, the UK provides us with this headline, Children as young as four showing signs of mental health problems, teachers say.
Not sure if this would come under the roof of mental health, but, narcissism is also a growing problem for students. That would be the inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self‐love. There is a NPR (National Public Radio) report from 2007 warning of the increase in narcissism amongst students explaining possible causes including social media and the internet. A more recent post from World.edu explains that because of this narcissism students think their grades are negotiable. They did the assignment, they should get a good grade—they are willing to challenge faculty—not humbly. And with the use of the internet most social problems are reduplicated worldwide.
And with all the stress at school, one needs only to consult the new age of astrology. Jan 16, 2018, theatlantic.com wrote, “Under conditions of high stress, the individual is prepared to use astrology as a coping device even though under low‐stress conditions he does not believe in it.” People hope certain events will happen in their life. Are they fortunate enough for these events to happen? What do the stars say? They look to astrology to achieve their goal or use it as a scapegoat—something that can explain why what they want to happen does not happen or visa versa.
In case you are very discouraged by now, you should not be—grieved, yes. Grieved that most young people today are not only taught to distrust, but also to hate those whose trust in the only true God. They don't want that ☀!♯☀! God stuff shoved at them. Their school books, pop music, peers and their flesh are all in agreement. Plus the educational system is behind them 100%. It′s sad that so many school systems have problems and the answer is as easy as obeying the 10 Commandments.
So how does this all relate to Bible Prophecy? In Matthew 10:35 Jesus states, For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Seems this upcoming generation is ripe for loyalty not to family, but to the state. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother‐Pr 30:11. Do the children today honor their father and mother? There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness‐Pr 30:12. Does that sound like this generation? This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves (narcissism)‐2 Tim 3:1, 2. Boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy‐2 Tim 3:2. Just to name a few characteristics of the way men (and women) should be in this generation. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ‐2 Pet 3:17, 18.
Sources: dictionary.com; theguardian.com; compareyourcountry.org; thelocal.de; dailymail.co.uk; france24.com; foxnews.com; telegraph.co.uk; npr.org; world.edu; theatlantic.com.
Photo: End-Time.com.