BROWN FOR WOMEN’S ABORTION RIGHTS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


MA Republican Senator Scott Brown told media that he is not for feds funding abortions but believes in the woman’s right to choose one.


Brown says that more money should support reducing the number of abortions in America.


In other words, Brown straddles the fence.


Abortion is murder. To champion a woman’s right to kill in America is still supporting killing womb babies—whether that is funded by feds or that is the choice of a woman, her doctor and her family. For a politician to make that declaration is to state one reason at least why abortion can stay.


Those who have the conscience to give any allowance for slaying infant children in women’s bodies is not a conscience that lines up with the Christian ethic.


Yet Scott claims to be Protestant, his bio stating that he attends the evangelical, Calvinistic New England Chapel, a congregation of the Reformed Church.


It’s all too messy for those who cannot tolerate thinking that anyone would permit a wedge opening for doing away the unborn boy or girl in mother’s bodies.


Brown told media that he does not agree with Republicans who champion the overturn of Roe v Wade. He said that he is fiscally conservative but not so necessarily on social issues.


ADDENDUM:


THE BIBLE AND ABORTION


It is alarming to realize the nonchalance on the part of many concerning abortion. But it is not new. A popular newsmagazine quoted one medical opinion: "Abortion is finding its place as a perfectly acceptable and valid health measure. We no longer think of it as a crime."


There are those who say that every woman has a right to control her own body. That is true. Then, having control over her own body, she should not become pregnant if she does not want children. That is control! When she becomes pregnant, then she has lost her control over that situation.


But more importantly, only God has final rights to any person's body. He brought that body into life and someday will take that body out of life. In the meantime He provides the very sustaining power for the body's life to continue.


The Bible speaks of a fetus as a person, not simply tissue that can be discarded if found to be a bother or nuisance. Since the fetus is a person from the moment of conception, then the destroying of the fetus is killing a person.


“In the past, some people have mistakenly speculated that perhaps the body might be in the process of formation for some time, and then 'God breathes a soul into it.' They had it backward. The life that is present forms matter into a body for itself'” (Joseph Breig, "Life Forms Matter," The Catholic News, Jan. 24, 1974, p. 8).


"Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again? Did you not pour me out like milk ... and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit" (Job 10:8-12 NIV).


"Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name...and now the LORD says--he who formed me in the womb to be his servant..." (Isaiah 49:1, 5).


"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations’" (Jeremiah 1:4-5).


In the following passages we note that personality is ascribed to the unborn.


"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:13-16).


"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3).


Exodus 21:22-25 relates how Israel was to judge a circumstance relating to the death of the unborn:


"If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."


All of the latter deals with unintentional hurt that comes to a pregnant woman; how much more will divine penalty come upon those who intentionally discard the fetus? The Gospel of Luke ascribes personality to the fetus within Elizabeth:


"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit... As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy" (1:41, 44).


Mere tissue does not leap for joy; only personhood leaps for joy. The Bible regards the fetus as having personality. In Galatians, Paul speaks of himself as a person while still in his mother's womb, but more a person consecrated by God for a holy mission (compare Jeremiah 1:5 for the same accent):


"But when God, who set me apart from birth, and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles..." (Gal. 1: 15-16).


Since the Bible regards the fetus as personality, then the aborting of the fetus is murdering personality.


Some verses from Scripture dealing with murder are then appropriate for study, such as Genesis 9:6: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man." Also, read Exodus 23:7: "Have nothing to do with a false charge, and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty." Note I Peter 4:15: "If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer..."


If the Republic returned to the biblical definition of personhood, we would defend every womb child.


John Adams said the following:


"Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."


Andrew Jackson said the following:


"The BIBLE is the rock on which our Republic rests."


Daniel Webster:


"If we abide by the principles taught in the BIBLE, our country will go on prospering."


"For all the talk of freedom and self-determination, the abortion movement is at its heart a movement denying rights to a silent segment of humanity and soliciting public sanction, support and subsidy to its own cause" (Donald P. Shoemaker, ABORTION, THE BIBLE AND THE CHRISTIAN, Hayes Publishing Co., 1976, p. iv).


Read “Sen.-Elect Brown Says He Supports Abortion Rights” at http://newsmax.com/InsideCover/scott-Brown-Abortion-rights/2010/01/31/id/348502

ISRAELIS SQUEEZED BETWEEN TRUTH AND OBAMA

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Grassroots Israelis true to their own heritage are angry with their politicians playing up to Barack Hussein Obama.


These Israeli leaders in recent days changed their rhetoric not to offend Muslims so as not to offend Muslim Obama. Now they are slowly changing their vernacular due to pressure from the citizenry.


Three cheers for the citizenry, many who say that it would be healthy for Jews to be loyal to Jews and forget the pro-Islam US Oval Office.


Does that sound reasonable? Does that sound patriotic in the Israeli definition? Seems so to me.


It’s similar to politically correct media in America bowing and scraping before the anointed one. FoxNews plays the truth track. Thank God there is someone out there who won’t bend for the opportunists flattening America and Israel.


Obama wants Israeli leadership to hand over to Muslims Judea and Samaria. Why? It’s all so crazy. The Israeli grassroots is barking at leadership to forget it and play smart.


Now Israeli governmental officials are saying the are going to try again to make sense with Palestinian Authority crooks and liars. That’s like patriots in America trying to make sense of the Obama corruption.


It won’t work in Israel. It won’t work in DC.


Actually, peace will only come to the Middle East when Christ returns. At the close of the Church Age, Christ will return as Lord of Lords and King of Kings—religious and political venues.


He will rule from Jerusalem after His two feet touch down on the Mount of Olives, splitting it in half to indicate His power come to Earth.


Ruling from the Holy City, the redeemed of all time will rule with him as “kings and priests,” to use New Testament terms. Such reign will last one thousand years—the millennium.


Until Christ returns, the Middle East will always be unsettled, humans trying to bring peace in their own fractured selves. The Holy One has the means by which to usher in the age of peace, and He alone.


Israel in particular is very significant to the God of the Bible. He placed the father of the faithful, Abraham, there to establish a base from which holiness could flow throughout the then-known world.


Though Abraham’s descendants disobeyed God more than followed His projections, God has remained fond of the Holy Land. That strip of land is only the size of New Jersey; yet it is in keeping with God to have a high regard for the small. Throughout Scripture, God has bestowed honor upon the little and insignificant.


Israel is the navel of the planet. The globe spins upon its happenings. Therefore, the interplay going on today regarding Israel and the PA plus Obama’s nasty input is simply another chapter preceding the coming of the Christ.


Read “Christ is the Answer to Middle East Peace” at http://www.magic-city-news.com/J_Grant_Swank_61/Christ_is_the_Answer_to_Middle_East_Peace12886.shtml

NEXT MUSLIM ATTACK WILL SWING OBAMA INTO REALITY, MAYBE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“President Obama recently used the phrase that 'we are at war' with terrorists. But unfortunately his rhetoric does not match the actions of his administration,” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said.


Bill O’Reilly said practically the same on his O’Reilly Factor recently.


But O’Reilly added that the next Muslim attack on America will put Obama in the doghouse. I believe that to be true; however, he may adapt even to a doghouse for he is quite adept at swinging and swaying according to his opportunism.


Obama does not watch out for the United States as he should be because, of course, he is “one of them.” A Muslim looks out for Muslims, especially those tearing America apart. Obama, a Marxist Muslim with “Christian” mask, works night and day to see through his Islamic agenda. Thus far, for one year, he is on schedule.


Mob hysteria put him where he is. Now patriots are stuck with the Chief Enemy. The Chief Enemy’s actions speak louder than any speech he reads from the teleprompter.


By now the list of Obama’s shields protecting Muslim terrorists is so long it runs off the paper. So no use reading through that litany one more time. Too wearying.


Nevertheless, with that, Collins speaks fact. Congresspersons into brain cells working healthily should repeat the same.


Now what to do with a Muslim in the White House who parrots patriotism while plotting our demise?


View "My Muslim Faith" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdkqfBICw

NAZNET UNIVERSALIST HANS DEVENTER WOBBLY

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


NazNet Site Coordinator Hans Deventer wobbles again.


The question is asked on NazNet as to who believes in universalism.


Read http://www.naznet.com/community/showthread.php/30581-Are-you-a-universalist-at-heart


Universalism believes in no hell. All souls go to heaven.


The Bible over and over again states that there is an eternal hell and an eternal heaven. Those who follow Christ go to heaven. Those who do not, go to hell.


Can the Bible get clearer than that?


Obviously the Bible is offbeat for Deventer. He states in reply to the lead question: “Are you a universalist at heart?


“’I'm a Nazarene, I do not believe in universalism, but I hope God does.’”


Sappy.


That is typical sappy Deventer and others on NazNet. Instead of forthrightly endorsing the Bible, they wobble, they waffle. They must think that is cute. It is not cute. It is blasphemous to counter the Word of God with one’s willy-nilly statements.


Again, NazNet claims to be a friend of the evangelical, holiness Church of the Nazarene. No way does that church support universalism or wobbly sweet nothings as Deventer prints on the site.


NazNet cannot be trusted. It is not biblically solid.


Deventer also believes that unsaved souls are annihilated at death; they suffer no eternal hell.


He believes in infant baptism and wishes that the
Church of the Nazarene practiced it far and wide.


He does not believe in the Bible as the infallible Word of God. In other words, he and NazNet founder Dave McClung believe that the Bible has errors in it.


NazNet is no friend of God, the Bible or the Church of the Nazaerne.


Read NazNet Distorts at http://naznetdistorts.blogspot.com/

OBAMA CONTINUES ‘CHRISTIAN’ MASK

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Yawn.


Barack Hussein Obama and family have yet to find a church to attend regularly.


They left the Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, when its cultic rants delivered by Jeremiah Wright were exposed.


However, since moving to Washington, Obama has steered clear of Sunday worship in a city sanctuary. However, he tells media that he is practicing his Christian faith, regardless.


His “testimony” is backed up by liberal churchmen such as Jim Wallis. They endorse Obama’s Christian commitment.


Obama also says that he prays every night. He reads a devotional every morning. He counsels with church leaders—theological liberals—from time to time.


All this continues that Christian mask to cover up his Islamic loyalties.


The Bible says that by our fruits we are known.


Jesus would never support same-sex
“marriages.” Jesus would never endorse killing womb babies. Jesus would never give atheism the same level of importance as Christianity and other religions.


Jesus would not aggressively work to wipe out biblical broadcasting and telecasting in America. Jesus would not side with anti-Christian voices replete throughout the country. Jesus would not encourage unbelievers to up America’s Christian-heritage erase.


Yet Obama claims to be a “Christian” which means that he would follow the precepts of Jesus. However, he does everything but that.


Further, knowledgeable citizens know the long list of pro-Muslim policies and obvious gestures Obama has extended to Muslims worldwide, particularly in America.


In a TV interview, Obama confessed his “Muslim faith.”


View "My Muslim Faith" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdkqfBICw

CHRISTIAN: THINK THIS WAY

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.” (Colossians 3:1)


Christians must remind themselves over and over where the real planetary power is. It is not in the Oval Office, North Korea or Iran. It is in heaven.


It flows from the throne.


Christians have at their disposal the mighty Christ. . .”in the place of honor and power.”


When Christians get their heads into the secular newscasts, they tend to forget that all this is temporary. Further, it can be toppled in seconds.


That which is permanent and powerfully at work on the deepest levels is the heavenly dynamic overseeing all global happenings.


“Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and our real life is hidden with Christ in God.”


Paul continues to remind all generations throughout the church age that we must start with heaven before we can understand earth. We must begin with God before we can take in the human community.


At the moment, Muslim Barack Hussein Obama claims the power. His shadow government and the Dem Congress do the same. Even in these confusing days, they continue the mantra: We are the power. We are the power. We are the power.


That threatens every patriotic citizen except Christians. They know that Obama is not the all in all. His Islamic clique is not controlling America’s destiny.


The Christian-heritage America is watched over by God who blesses the intercessions of biblical believers. God is start and finish of everything that exists, including this nation’s welfare.


Therefore, when Christians dialogue with one another about current events, they should point constantly to the Word of God. It is there that we need to begin our discussions and end our discussions.


“When Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”


Read JESUS IS MY PRESIDENT at http://www.michnews.com/J_Grant_Swank_Jr/js012810.shtml

SCOTT BROWN: NO DC REP HELP

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Newly elected Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts told DC Republicans that he is going to stick to his own definition of who he is.


He is “Scott Brown Republican.” He is who he knows himself to be without having to mimic someone else or read up on what it means to be a Republican.


In responding to the queries, he simply stated that in running his campaign he did it with a few loyal friends. He did not get booster support from Washington Republicans.


So when Brown goes to DC, he warned media that he will dialogue with everyone—Dems as well as Reps. In other words, he’s his own person.


DC Reps left him to his own ingenuity to dump Dem Martha Coakley. Brown worked through it all with his own state connections—friends, real friends.


He made it to a win in the Kennedy-held state.


I like this about Brown. He is a unique, intelligent, committed patriot. What more do we need?


Read “In Praise of Scott Brown” at http://www.magic-city-news.com/J_Grant_Swank_61/In_Praise_of_Scott_Brown12966.shtml

JESUS IS MY PRESIDENT

J Grant Swank Jr.


"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6


". . .and the government shall be upon his shoulders. . ."


Right now, the coming King of Kings is my President. The coming Lord of Lords is my President.


The man sitting in the White House is a Marxist Muslim. He thereby is not my President.


What better way to destroy America than a Muslim sitting in the Oval Office putting forth the immoral platforms, the latter especially including his pro-abortion and pro-homosexual stance?


This man is anti-Israel. He is pro-Iran. The newsfeeds provide us the alarming detail on both these issues.


This man is a socialist. He is out to destroy the middle class with taxes maximum when having told his campaign hysteriacs that he was not going to raise taxes.


Remember that Muslims can lie. Lying is a virtue according to Allah in order to see through Islam World Rule.


Barack Hussein Obama lies in order to establish the ruination of this Republic. Muslims need not overthrow America with overt terrorism. The overthrow is being seen through daily from the Oval Office.


Therefore, Jesus in my President. The Word of God declares that Jesus, returning from the dead to defy death and the grave, is the Ruler Maximum.


The Word continually states that God has the last sentence in every nation's existence. God sees all. God judges all. God places the last period in every nation's existence. God's final declaration is the judgment of commendation or the judgment of condemnation.


Therefore, I claim this God as my President. He is the God who was incarnate in Jesus.


On April 18, 1775, a British soldier ordered John Hancock and others to "disperse in the name of George the Sovereign King of England."


John Adams responded to him: "We recognize no sovereign but God, and no king but Jesus!"


". . .no king but Jesus!"


These are the convicting words of one of our founding fathers.


Those founding fathers' and mothers' prayers on behalf of the Republic are still resounding powerfully before the eternal throne of God. Those intercessions were not for naught. They are mighty to this day.


Therefore, I join those intercessions in this time of crisis. Millions of other Christians are doing the same. This righteous remnant belongs to God, is honored by God and will be empowered by this God.


When Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, he asked that the Bible be opened to Deuteronomy 28.


Washington stated "So help me God" and then bent forward to kiss the Word before him.


He then delivered America's first inaugural address, noting America's indebtedness to the God of the Bible.


He stated: "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.


"Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency."


Compare that unapologetic faith of our first President with the Marxist Muslim in the Oval Office.


That is why my President is Jesus, not the mere mortal who claims power from Pennsylvania Avenue. That
mere mortal will answer to the God of eternity for seeking to destroy our Christian heritage as a country.


He will learn that God in Jesus is more powerful than his devilish schemes.


Read: http://jgrantswankjr.blogspot.com

OBAMA LIES: ‘TO DO OUR WORK OPENLY’

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


How can one believe Barack Hussein Obama on anything when he plants in the middle of his State of the Union speech these words: “. . .to do our work openly.”


Obama has been the most secretive President. Whatever he has done of significance to his hubris and opportunism has been sneaked behind closed doors. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have stood right alongside him in his cut and paste, slice and dice.


The knowing public catalogues the details. What frustrates that public most is when Obama mounts the SOTU pulpit to whitewash his destructive plots.


He surrounds himself with a non-vetted socialist shadow government. His czars report to him and him alone.


He claims bipartisan cooperation while he and Dems have shut out Republicans in the overbearing Dem arrogance of power.


Despot Obama will continue his modus operandi on his same dictatorial track. His speech sounded sweet on education this and that for the earnest youth anxious for college and university. So he pockets their ballots.


He speaks in illustrative glow of this family or that mother who writes him about her struggles. That pockets those ballots.


He speaks as one crippled by the Bush past. That pockets the Bush-haters’ ballots.


With that, only fools—of which there are millions—will buy into his patriotic vernacular as he attempts to sound like a flag-waving patriot. He’s not. He’s a secretive betrayer with a cadre of liars and crooks to right and left. That will continue.


“Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Jesus gave that counsel to His own. Those believers must maintain that vigilance when dealing with a Marxist Muslim President ever committed to imploding our democracy.


A one-night speech does not erase his first year of destructive undercutting. There is too much evidence in the fact file to support that, no matter his down home phrasing in his SOTU charade.

OBAMA, KEEP IN MIND THAT CHRIST RULES EVERY RULER

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“Christ is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.” Colossians 2:10


That’s either true or false.


Nonbelievers scoff. Believers hold to that with their very souls.


What does that verse mean? It means that Obama has not the final say regarding America. Christ does.


Hitler answered to Christ. So did Stalin. So will every present and future ruler just as every past authority.


That gives hope to the Christ follower for no matter how dreadful the present moment may be—as it was when Hitler gassed Jews and Gentiles, for instance—mortals will perish, going to their eternal destinies.


Likewise, those dealing such atrocities will stand before Judge Christ. They will consign their souls to heaven or hell. Christ plays the part as secretary in that scenario. He of course is Judge; however, by His own plan of eternal legal procedures, He in effect hands the gavel to the free will mortal.


Christ as Alpha and Omega has the first and last of everything existing in this spiritually sick sphere. That includes every ruler and authority, per Colossians.


American Christians, hold fast to your biblical faith. Keep it close to head and heart. Read God’s Word thoroughly and often. Keep the promises close to your every moment and live in the power of the God who cannot lie.


Your Christ “is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.” So be it.


Read “Jesus is My President” at http://www.magic-city-news.com/J_Grant_Swank_61/Jesus_is_My_President12265.shtml

HOW CULTIST OBAMA THINKS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Chris Wallace related to Fox News that Barack Hussein Obama appeared especially poised and optimistic at the White House luncheon for a dozen or so newscasters. This was the day of the State of the Union speech.


Fox several times pressed Wallace on Obama’s demeanor. Wallace’s response was always the same. Obama was not confused, angered or depressed. Instead, he was upbeat and anxious to present the address.


With that, I thought: Now that is the way a cultist thinks and acts—confident, unmoved by facts, and ready to charge ahead.


Wallace said that he expects no apology or anything like unto that from Obama. Obama will not recant or restart anything. Obama believes he is thoroughly in the know and totally on course. Most of America disagrees; however, that does not influence Obama.


Though Obama claims to be Protestant, he has himself stated his “Muslim faith.”


By now knowledgeable citizens around the world realize that a Muslim, not a Protestant, sits in the Oval Office. His United Church of Christ membership is a mask.


Obama and family have been Muslim minded at least throughout their twenty years under Muslim-aligned Jeremiah Wright’s brainwashing cult factory called a “church.”


Obama was a Muslim brother to Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, particularly when they planned the Muslim Million Man March on Washington DC in 1995.


Prior to attending the rant and rave at Wright’s conclave, Obama had so many Muslim influences molding his personality that it is not at all surprising that he is a devotee of Islam.


Islam is not a religion among world religions. It has nothing like it on the planet. It is a killing cult with a bloody ‘holy writ’ for its scriptures. Its deity is a slaughtering Allah. And its zealous members are out to establish Islam World Rule. That bottom line equals only Muslims alive on this globe.


To deny that is to deny reality. To whitewash that is to give the enemy front row seats in ridding the Earth of infidels.


Now that Obama is committed to a killing cult, one can realize all the more how he is elated over whatever he does. Cult members work that way. They have come upon their definition of truth. It is locked in their head and heart. Nothing then can persuade them to take a U-turn on their ideology.


Conservative newscasters know all this but they won’t say “Muslim” or “Islamic” relating to Obama. However, they will speak of him as an “ideologue.” That is code language for
“Muslim” and “Islamic.” So they get the truth message. However, in their own political correctness they cannot say the “M” or “I” words.


Nevertheless, for the rest of us into reality, we need to understand the make-up of the cultic mind. It is in cement. It is energetic and surrendered to the power of the cult.


Take any cult you have read about or experienced in any way and you will endorse that statement.


Therefore, that is who we have in the White House—a cultic member living out the cultic mindset. No wonder Obama is enthusiastic about a SOTU speech that runs directly counter to the non-cultic American mind.


Click: Oops! Barack Obama says 'my Muslim faith' in interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos at [url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1150540,CST-NWS-faith08.article]http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1150540,CST-NWS-faith08.article[/url]

SCOTT BROWN’S FRANKLIN MASS CHURCH

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


The Scott Brown family attends worship at the New England Chapel, 40 Kenwood Circle, Franklin, MA. Chris Mitchell is the Senior Pastor, a graduate of the evangelically renowned Gordon-Conwell Seminary, where Billy Graham once chaired the board.


The local congregation is a part of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.


This is what that congregation’s members believe per their website at http://app.razorplanet.com/acct/41591-7315/tmpl/index.php?nid=62094&s=hm&preview=true :


We believe that Scripture is the ultimate guide and authority for our faith and life. All of our values and ministries are guided by the Bible.


We believe that prayer is the best way to express our love and gratitude to God as well as our dependence on Him as our Heavenly Father. Our ministries are discovered, developed, and empowered through prayer.


Jesus said that the two greatest commandments were to love God and to love people wholeheartedly. Rather than pretending we have it all together, we strive to live out our love for God and each other honestly, with authenticity.


God's Great Commission to His church is to bless the world by bringing Jesus to people, no matter where they are on their spiritual journeys. All of our ministries are guided by this purpose.


People cannot embrace something they do not understand. Our ministries aim to communicate God's love and truth in clear, practical, and creative ways that speak to us in meaningful and understandable ways.


Everyone needs to care and be cared for in order to grow in the love of Christ. Through intentional friendships and small groups, we seek to build relationships of love, honesty, and unconditional support.


Everyone plays an equally important part in the community, and each person is shaped to play a role on the team. We provide support and guidance in discovering and developing the gifts of each person.


The church’s website relates the congregation’s journey:

“About 10 years ago, a core group of people set out to have a different kind of church for people in today’s culture, showing God’s love in ways they could relate to. The group met in homes, then in Franklin school auditoriums, and in 2001 finally moved to 40 Kenwood Circle, our first permanent home. Since that time, we’ve more than doubled in size and just keep growing.


“NEC is a place to feel accepted, even if you have questions and doubts. It is a place to meet people without hidden agendas. It is a place where the music and the messages speak to your real life. It is a place to belong, share, and serve the community. It is a place to find God in your own time, at your own pace—all without pressure and judgment, but with hope and patience.”


Scott Brown, one many refer to as a “Bible Christian,” reaches out to those of other denominational communities, including Roman Catholic. Read about it here: http://truthinconviction.us/weblog.php?id=P3432


For information concerning his local church, phone 508.541.9078.

SCOTT BROWN DEFEATS OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


U. S. Senator Scott Brown would defeat Marxist Muslim Barack Hussein Obama in a presidential bid.


Already, the charismatic, intelligent, handsome Massachusetts Tuesday miracle has moved to the front.


Mr. Forty-first has got the attention of knowledgeable citizens. Appearing on Jay Leno Show Thursday night will no doubt continue the pace.


Read SCOTT BROWN ON JAY LENO at http://truthinconviction.us/weblog.php?id=P3432


“The poll asked likely voters: ‘If the election for president of the United States were held today and the only candidates were Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Scott Brown, for whom would you vote?’


“Based on the 4,163 responses, Obama leads Brown by 46.5 percent to 44.6 percent. That amounts to a statistical tie because the Zogby survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percent” per Newsmax.


When it comes to ticking off his conservative positions, Brown can do it in a flash—and impressively substantively.


When it comes to convictions that line up with middle class moralists, he appears to be one of them. One question involves pro-lifers. He, living in liberal environs, has not got on-board.


Nevertheless, conservatives endorsed Brown against Martha Coakley for she fell off the left margin.


Can Brown move into pro-life venue once he gets out of Massachusetts’ liberalism? Maybe.


Brown voted for the Massachusetts Marriage Amendment in 2007.


Brown is a survivalist. When a child, his parents divorced. He was reared by various relatives. His life was not all that stable, opening various situations for “getting into trouble.”


But then he was a survivalist and ended up with a law degree, commendable status among fellow politicians, and now Massachusetts Republican Senator.


Barack Hussein Obama was swooned into the White House by mob hysteriacs who had no idea that he was a Marxist Muslim. He lied. He said he was for America, was a Protestant. Both lies.


Now the world knows fact. Obama is the chief enemy to the Republic. He has lost his charm, even with many initial enthusiasts.


In other words, leaving the detail to you informed citizens, Obama’s house is crumbling after only one year. Many of his own house dwellers are scared because the master of the manor has not managed well at all.


The vacuum. Who then will come to the fore to fill in the void?


Perhaps Scott Brown.


It could be that Republicans have found their charismatic, intelligent, handsome leader. He’s fresh. He’s fun. He’s committed. He’s proven himself a winner. American voters--young and old--like that.


Remember Obama’s “I won”?


It just might be that that echo will come from Scott Brown in America’s future.


Read “Newsmax/Zogby Poll: Scott Brown Could Defeat Obama in Presidential Race” at http://newsmax.com/Headline/brown-obama-poll-president/2010/01/26/id/348031

OBAMA’S ‘STATE’ = AMERICA ALREADY LAUGHING, AND CRYING

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“President Obama, after spending hundreds of billions his first year, now is seeking a partial three-year federal spending freeze that would reduce budgets by less than 1 percent.


“The drop-in-the-bucket nature of the president's proposal was underscored Tuesday by a Congressional Budget Office estimate projecting the 2010 federal deficit to hit $1.35 trillion -- Obama's spending freeze would be expected to save up to $15 billion the first year.”


U. S. Chief Enemy Barack Hussein Obama still does not get it. America is not made up of mannequins. We are mortals with brains and free will. We think. We vote. And we elect Scott Brown over Martha Coakley.


Yet Obama lives in his dictatorial cocoon with his puppet shadow government bowing and scraping. With this, Obama scans across the nation to see like puppets heralded by Oprah bowing and scraping as they did on his inauguration day.


But reality is that America is already, prior to hearing his State of the Union Speech, laughing so loudly citizens have spun onto their living room floors. Yet at the same time, sincere individuals are crying out to God to deliver us from this despot.


Laughing and crying.


In response to media data regarding Obama’s money freeze, read this: “’Given Washington Democrats' unprecedented spending binge, this is like announcing you're going on a diet after winning a pie-eating contest,’ said Michael Steel, spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner.”


Read “Obama Seeks Partial Three-Year Spending Freeze” at http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/25/obama-seek-freeze-budget/

SCOTT BROWN ON JAY LENO

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


It’s Thursday night that US Senator Scott Brown appears on NBC’s soon-to-be-zipped Jay Leno Show.


Good. The charismatic, intelligent, handsome new Republican find then will be shown throughout the world via follow-up You-Tube showings.


Republicans salivated for a commendable leader who counts. Brown, Mr. Forty-first, could be it.


Among his magnetic qualities is his charm. What makes Brown charm significantly different from the Obama fraud is that Brown is genuine.


When I lived in Walpole, MA, I had surgery at a nearby hospital. In the same room was a monk who worked on a contemplative silence convent farm in Wrentham. We—I a Protestant and he obviously a Catholic—enjoyed a most friendly rapport.


From that meeting, my wife and I visited the farm—Cistercian Catholic nuns’ Mount Saint Mary's Abbey, Wrentham. We met some of the nuns in their bread lazy-Susan store.


We rang the bell. We then heard a nun’s voice asking what we would like to purchase. We told her what breads. The lazy-Susan apparatus spun around where we placed the cash and then with another turn received the bread. The Abbey accents its nun-made candies; however, bread is also available.


Now years have passed and we have moved to another state. Yet the Abbey and Wrentham hold a special place in our hearts.


Today I read that Scott Brown befriended the nuns when they were in a tight financial squeeze. As a Protestant, Brown raised funds for the nuns. In return, they vowed to pray for Brown three times each day.


Read “Scott Brown, a Protestant, Holds Special Relationship With Local Cistercian Nuns” at http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/01/scott-brown-a-protestant-holds-special-relationship-with-local-cistercian-nuns/


“It has turned into a beautiful friendship,” said Sister Katie McNamara, the monastery’s nurse.


“When you have nuns praying for you three times a day and you’re not Catholic, anything that anybody can do or say about me, it’s Teflon,” Brown said. “It bounces right off.”


I believe that when Brown takes America from coast to coast, that sincere charm plus intelligence will grab hold for the rescue of our Republic.


Read SCOTT BROWN = PRESIDENT? at http://grantswank.blogtownhall.com/2010/01/23/scott_brown_=_president.thtml

TRUST A LYING PRES’ STATE OF THE UNION?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Can honest people ever trust an addictive lying President, particularly with a State of the Union U-turn address?


No.


Barack Hussein Obama is given to lying as a bottom line to his creed. It is part of his spiritual commitment as a Muslim. The Koran’s Allah informs devotees that lying is a virtue when it furthers Islam.


Obama has been a most devout Muslim while masking as a Protestant. That in itself is his religious affiliation lie.


Honest news reports have listed ad infinitum Obama’s lies, starting with his birth certificate whereabouts. Informed citizens can enumerate the long list themselves.


Obama has surrounded himself with a lying shadow government replete with czars. The whole White House is given to lying by keeping in step with the ‘anointed one.’


Therefore, who is gullible enough to believe Obama’s promises set forth in his State of the Union address? It cannot be done. His personality is wedded to lying. His speech writers are given to lying.


When listening to his SOTU speech, honest citizens will be side-listening. To the lie side they will hear what Obama is stating. To the honest side they will hear what their truthful heads are saying he’s saying.


Any honest listener will not absorb Obama’s sentences as believable for nothing he has stated since inauguration day has been believable.


We have been conned for a year-plus. Why should we be stupid enough to conclude that we are not going to be conned for three more years?


Further, Christians are taught in the Bible to pray for the gift of discernment. Therefore, when biblical believers listen to Obama, they will be praying to the Holy Spirit for discernment.


The gift of discernment is provided Christians for them to decipher between truth and fraud. This gift yields a leading of the Holy Spirit regarding any life situation—verbal and non-verbal. The Holy Spirit, in other words, puts up
the truth mirror to reveal to the Christian what is genuine and what is fake.


Consequently, when Christians hear the SOTU speech, they will constantly be beseeching the Holy Spirit’s interpretation. If those believers are honest disciples, they will receive the Holy Spirit’s message alongside Muslim Obama’s lies.


Wednesday evening’s address should prove quite revealing as a liar steps to the podium to con America one more time.


Moreover, it will be one thing to hear him say whatever he has to say and another thing to watch him in the months ahead as he slices through his promises, cancels out his positions, and proceeds with his dictatorial policies to behead the nation.

SCOTT BROWN FOR MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


It was mistakenly reported by some newsfeeds that Scott Brown voted against the Massachusetts Marriage Amendment. Fact: he voted for the Massachusetts Marriage Amendment in 2007.


Per Baptist Press’ Michael Foust: “Brown opposes ‘gay marriage’ and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and supports the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.


"’Scott Brown not only voted against our community, but he did so unequivocally, proudly and loudly,’ Arline Isaacson, chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus, told Keen News Service. ‘Brown voted at least 20 times against marriage equality, over and over again.’


Brian Brown, the executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, saw it much differently, calling the election ‘a victory for marriage.’


"’The support of the people of Massachusetts for traditional marriage was clearly a factor in this election as marriage supporters turned out to elect Scott Brown to the United States Senate,’ Brian Brown said in a statement.”


When it comes to Brown and pro-life issues, Brown is not fully pro-life but he does support pro-lifers regarding endorsing parental notification laws, opposing partial-birth abortion, opposing tax moneys paying for abortions. and opposing the so-called Freedom of Choice Act.


Read “Brown win a setback for gay activists, liberal causes” at http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32084

CHRIS MATTHEWS LOSES OBAMA LEG TINGLE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” was so adoring of Barack Hussein Obama that he exclaimed that when Obama talked, Matthews felt a “thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don’t have that too often.”


Imagine that. “. . .a thrill going up my leg. . .”


That anatomical surprise swooned Matthews during Obama’s presidential campaign.


The tingle thrill has disappeared since the Massachusetts Tuesday miracle putting Mr. Forty-first Scott Brown in the US Senate.


Once it dawned on Matthews that Brown headed toward DC, Matthews exploded to archliberal Rachel Maddow. He let loose on Tuesday evening when the Brown victory was sealed.


Per Newsmax here is Matthews uncovered publicly: “I look at the numbers and I’m worried.


“I’m worried about this government committing itself to so many entitlement programs and committing itself to such a level of taxation that supports those entitlement programs . . .


“The debt is too big. The government’s taking on too many responsibilities . . .


“We’re a dissatisfied people. We are easily drawn to a candidate who promises deliverance. Two years ago, we voted for deliverance with Barack Obama. We will vote for deliverance again in two years if we’re not happy.”


Then comes the leg thing. Let’s sound track back when Obama was thirsting for the White House. Matthews said then: "I have to tell you, you know, it's part of reporting this case, this election, the feeling most people get when they hear Barack Obama's speech. My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often."


But times change, don’t they, Chris?


Chris adds his name to the disenchanted liberals. Some are still quagmired in the Dem dictatorship due to hubris entrenched. However, some are beginning to see the light.


Best wishes, Chris. Maybe there is hope for your recovery since Tuesday’s blustering confession.

AMERICA, TOO: CHRIST HOLDS IT TOGETHER

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


The world should have blown up by now. Why are we still here?


America is under attack again. Our democracy is in danger. Why does the Republic still exist?


The answer is in Christ. Christ created the planet. Christ contains the planet. Christ will climax the planet.


Throughout the universe, this Earth is Christ’s particular property. He is ultimately in charge, though it is spiritually damaged due to The Fall.


Colossians 1:17: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (NIV)


Therefore, praise and prayer given Christ is paramount in the Christian’s life. Praise the One who has our planet in the palm of His hands. Pray to that One for guidance and peace.


Scripture, time and again, teaches that deity is very much aware of the political leaders of this world. He allows them free will as mortals; however, even when the damaged sphere yields atrocities, He has the final surveillance.


With America, His oversight is special in that this nation was founded on the Bible as God’s Word. Believing settlers breathed out their faith in the biblical deity. This is the only country with that unique start.


God has watched over this nation with a special concern since that beginning. He continues that concern to this day, especially since a Marxist Muslim sits in the Oval Office.


A Koran abiding Allah-worshiping disciple has got into the White House—with a wife of like commitment. He is surrounded in his shadow government with these anti-American slugs.


All the more, with the battle waged being between Christ and Satan, Christ oversees the protection of America.


Obviously the conflict is fierce. Day by day, it is played out in the newscasts, there presented in a secular context. However, biblical students know that the whole scene is spiritual.


What then is the poise of the Christian in this present war? It is peace through praise and prayer to Christ who “holds all things together.”


We wait. We wait upon Christ’s next move. We wait in strong faith.


ADDENDUM:


CHRIST CREATED ALL THINGS


Psalm 24:1
Psalm 33:6,9
Proverbs 3:19
John 1:1-3,14
I Corinthians 8:6
Ephesians 1:10; 3:9
Colossians 1:16
Hebrews 1:1-2


CHRIST CONTAINS ALL THINGS


I Corinthians 8:6
“through whom we exist”
Colossians 1:15-17
“in Him all things hold together”


CHRIST CLIMAXES ALL THINGS


Ephesians 1:10
“will unite all things in Christ”
Philippians 3:21
“subdue all things unto himself”
Matthew 28:18-20
“all power is given unto Me”

SCOTT BROWN = PRESIDENT?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Republicans have been searching for a charismatic, intelligent, attractive personage as leader.


Where has she been?


Some say it is Sarah Palin. And it could very well be. She is charismatic, intelligent, and attractive. She is moving across the scene with calculated speed—Fox News Correspondent, for instance.


Palin certainly has been vetted, more than many others seeking one position or another.


However, there now is on the scene Scott Brown. He too is charismatic, intelligent and handsome. His Massachusetts Tuesday win has catapulted him to daily headlines status, surely celebrity billing in many ways.


When it comes to ticking off his conservative positions, he can do it in a flash—and impressively substantively.


When it comes to convictions that line up with middle class moralists, he appears to be one of them. One question involves pro-lifers. He, living in liberal environs, has not got on-board.


Nevertheless, conservatives endorsed Brown against Martha Coakley for she fell off the left margin.


Can Brown move into pro-life venue once he gets out of Massachusetts’ liberalism? Maybe.


Brown voted for the Massachusetts Marriage Amendment in 2007.


Brown is a survivalist. When a child, his parents divorced. He was reared by various relatives. His life was not all that stable, opening various situations for “getting into trouble.”


But then he was a survivalist and ended up with a law degree, commendable status among fellow politicians, and now Massachusetts Republican Senator.


Barack Hussein Obama was swooned into the White House by mob hysteriacs who had no idea that he was a Marxist Muslim. He lied. He said he was for America, was a Protestant. Both lies.


Now the world knows fact. Obama is the chief enemy to the Republic. He has lost his charm, even with many initial enthusiasts.


In other words, leaving the detail to you informed citizens, Obama’s house is crumbling after only one year. Many of his own house dwellers are scared because the master of the manor has not managed well at all.


The vacuum. Who then will come to the fore to fill in the void?


Perhaps Sarah Palin.


But also perhaps Scott Brown.


It could be that Republicans have found their charismatic, intelligent, handsome leader. He’s fresh. He’s fun. He’s committed. He’s proven himself a winner. American voters--young and old--like that.


Remember Obama’s “I won”?


It just might be that that echo will come from Scott Brown in America’s future.

BROWN STRANGLES OBAMA IN SENATE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“The difference is that with 41 seats in the Senate they (Republicans) are in a position to block almost anything Mr. Obama proposes. . .” per Financial Times’ Edward Luce.


Luce referred to Scott Brown’s Massachusetts Tuesday win. Brown becomes Mr. Forty-first.


With Brown’s victory, this means that Republicans can do now just as Luce states: “. . .block almost anything Obama proposes. . .”


The Brown win was multi-dimensional, of course. One major dimension is the power Senate Republicans now wield.


With the Obama dictatorship alongside the
Dem Congress despotism it was a given that Republicans could have no say whatsoever regarding anything.


Not any more.


Read “White House nightmare persists” at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/821dce96-0786-11df-915f-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1


“Pride goes before a destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” per Proverbs 16:18.


Obama filled the Oval Office with hubris, particularly as mob hysteriacs cheered him onto Pennsylvania Avenue. He has surrounded himself with crooks and liars of like pride.


However, at times divine justice works slowly in human time frames; nevertheless, the “ontime God” performs his justice perfectly according to His timing.


Read GOD CAN WORK FAST at http://truthinconviction.us/weblog.php?id=P3424


Interestingly, for biblical believers the Massachusetts Tuesday victory revealed a God move that attributes to Him the source of that Scott Brown win.


Again, it is not just a Brown move to DC; the win is multi-dimensional, one of the dimensions being the splintering of Senate Dem power holds. Let the divine continue His just moves throughout the Republic’s caverns.


In the meantime, the righteous remnant continues its watch in power and faith.


Read AMERICAN BELIEVERS: LET GOD BE GOD, JUST BELIEVE at http://truthinconviction.us/weblog.php?id=P3425

GOD OWNS ONE TENTH OF YOUR INCOME

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Do you believe the Bible to be the infallible Word of God—divine revelation that needs neither adding to nor subtracting from?


If you do, then take seriously God’s statements regarding the tithe—one tenth of your income. It is God’s, not yours.


God calls you “robber” if you take His tithe for your own use.


Hebrews in Old Testament times brought down God’s unbridled anger upon themselves for various reasons. One chief reason was that they stole God’s tithe.


If every believer tithed to the local church, there would be no financial problems in Christendom. Then there would be no need for bean suppers and fairs and raffles.


The church is not the place for making money by such methods. Jesus cast out the merchandisers from the place of prayer because that kind of business was not to be tolerated in God’s House.


I shudder when I pass church buildings advertising Saturday night money-raising suppers. I ask myself: “Is that what the church is for? Is that what the church has come to?”


I would like to see those buildings posting signs that read: “Prayer Meets Here Weekly At Tuesday at 7 PM” or something of that sort.


It would be in place for those buildings to post signs reading: “Worship Gathers on the Lord’s Day Morning and Evening Here. All Welcome.”


The church is to be concentrating on saving souls. If souls are not saved, they are damned. What is the main thrust of any church? It is to see that souls escape hell and go to heaven.


Therefore, whatever the church can do to get souls under the preaching of salvation is what the church should be up to.


Again: if every believer gave God His tithe faithfully, the church could concentrate all its energies on worship, prayer, fellowship in Christ and Bible research.


God has an economic plan for His church. It is the tithes and offerings put into the local church—“the storehouse.” How can mortals sideline God’s economic plan? How can they be so stupid or brash to substitute the divine agenda for their own—many times a worldly-based gimmick?


God instituted the tithe with Abraham when Abraham gave the tithe to the priest. Then Abraham’s lineage continued the tithe. So it was to continue down through sacred history.


But Hebrews rewrote their own religion on numerous levels, one being absenting God’s tithe for mortals’ own take. God did not appreciate that at all.


Christ brought the tithe into the New Testament Church Age. He pointed to hypocrites who were tithing, thereby instructing His disciples that they were to do the same by being more righteous than even the tithing hypocrites.


Tithing then is not an Old Testament expectation alone. God brought that workable system into our present time.


I have tithed all my life because my parents were tithers. We children were taught to tithe with our weekly allowances. I never thought of robbing God when I was a child.


As a teen and young adult I tithed and never quarreled with God about it. I met a young girl at college who was reared the same way. We married and never fought over the tithe.


The firstfruits of our financial intake was God’s tithe. It was so because God said it was so. How could we disobey God? We could not and we would not.


Therefore, we gave God His tithe as the first item to set aside. All other bills came later. We did not say, “Well, we will tithe if we have it when we pay all the other bills.”


Never. We knew better than that.


Because we as a couple have tithed for nearly half a century we have never been forsaken. We have been through many trials and difficulties. But God has never forsaken us. We have never lost a night’s sleep over money. We have never questioned whether or not God was adequate to see through our financial obligations.


God is faithful. We have been faithful. The match-up has been glorious and a testimony to the fact that being honest with God is not only healthy for the wallet, but the heart as well.


I have had people try to argue with me about the Old Testament tithe and the New Testament Church Age, trying to twist my arm to admit that Christ really did not mean for that system to be brought into the Church Age.


I have not spent much time in that debate. I have been so convinced of the Scripture making sense and my own personal experience proving it out that I have little time with the arguers.


Instead, I think to myself: How can a person saved by grace ever argue with God when He spilled His holy blood to redeem a soul? How can a person even think of stealing from God who poured out His young body on such a bloody tree?


How groveling and low-life can a person be to try to steal God’s tithe when God has promised eternal life—blissful heaven—for the saved by grace?


Yet they argue. And they debate. I don’t think then that they really get the message of God’s love and care.


Do you?


FOOTNOTE: TITHING SCRIPTURE


Malachi 3:8-10: “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, `How are we robbing thee?' In your tithes and offerings.


“You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me; the whole nation of you.


“Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.”


Matthew 23:23: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”


Matthew 5:20: "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

COULD HAITI UNDO OBAMA?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Barack Hussein Obama has quickly come to the fore regarding the tragic Haitian situation.


However, in proposing extremely large funds to Haiti could Obama stretch the already stretched American dollar to its ripping point?


Further, in rushing to bring together a shredded society that has no governing base, could Obama become the stepfather to a deeply troubled Haitian public?


If that is so, Obama has over his head one project too much. It cannot work.


Obama already is in over his head concerning his own country. He has not brought hope and change as he promised. He has been discovered as the inept individual many knew him to be before he walked into the White House.


By now, countless Americans can recite the litany of failures catalogued in stacks standing alongside a failure President.


Then to take on a torn country would be something out of reach for a mere mortal. Obama may think that Haitian aliens someday in America would add up to be a Dem vote increase; but that cannot happen until they come upon immediate survival basics.


They have no governing head, no governing buildings, no societal structure with the fundamentals for a culture to build upon. Food, water, medicine, shelter—gone in a few moments of time.


Of course, Haiti is reaching out to America. Many Americans are reaching back to help. But Obama, being President of America, symbolizes that one individual Haitians may appeal to for the impossible.


Day upon day will spell such grief and loss, that who in the world will be able to step in to provide? Not Obama.


That in itself could bring such weights upon the man that he will collapse beneath the load of retrieving his own position in his own country while trying to bring survival surgery to Haiti.


Newsmax posted a photo of Obama with an extremely downcast countenance. The caption read: “A grim President Barack Obama stands with Vice President Joe Biden as he makes a statement about the earthquake in Haiti, Thursday, at the White House.”


That photo will show a countenance more and more fallen as the excruciating pressure increases beyond one man’s ability to fix Haiti.

END TIMES PROPHECY: BOOK OF REVELATION, CHAPTER 13

J. Grant Swank, Jr.



Political Leader: Antichrist


1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.


The beast coming out of the sea is the yet-to-be-revealed political leader —Antichrist. He has ten horns; see Rev 17:12 to read that the ten horns are ten political leaders who will give their allegiance to the Antichrist. They will rule together for “one hour” — that is, a brief time in comparison to all of history. They will attack Christ’s work but eventually Christ will topple them (Rev 19:20).


Some speculate that these ten will rule over the old Roman Empire geography that would place them in the present-tense European Union. Since “ten” is symbolic, the number does not necessarily have to tally a literal ten. Moreover, there is an aggressive effort within the EU to secularize all of Europe, hence the start of replacing any presence of God with Satan’s presence.


The Antichrist also has seven heads; see Rev 17:9 to read that the seven heads represent seven hills on which the prostitute sits. (The prostitute is graphically described in Rev 17. She, Babylon, “the great harlot,” is the religion of hell, that is, the prostituting of the true Christian faith). The city of seven hills in geography is Rome, the hills being Quirinal, Viminal, Esuiline, Palkatine, Caelian, Aventine, and Capitoline.


The seven hills are also seven political rulers, “five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes he must remain only a little while. . .” (Rev 17:10) The five rulerships that are past tense are the Chaldeans, Egyptians, Babylonians, Medes-Persians and Gracians. The one that “is” is Rome of John’s day (the apostle John being the recipient of Christ’s revelatory vision). The one that has “yet to come” is the revived Roman Empire of the Antichrist rule.


The Antichrist wears upon his head “blasphemy,” that is, he is of Satan’s domain.


2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast.


The dragon is Satan who gives his dynamic evil presence to indwell the Antichrist. One of the beast’s heads is wounded. With the heads representing hills, then one of Rome’s hills will be attacked by an enemy to the Antichrist. However, the Antichrist will overthrow the attacker, retrieving the whole of his headquarters city.


About the dragon, it is interesting how Christ uses that symbol in that Satan appeared at the start in Eden as a snake. By the close of the Church Age, the snake will have consumed scores of damned souls so as no longer to be handsomely slim but bloated to the size of a dragon.


4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?"


Worldlings worship Satan, hence today’s open Satan worship as well as the supposedly more respectable apostasy consuming many within various denominations. When Christian truth is prostituted, such as concluding practicing homosexual lifestyles to be sanctioned of God, then Satan worship takes the place of Christian truth. Therefore, the Church of Satan may appear occultic and grotesque or refined but void of biblical truth. Clergy of Satan may be satanic priests and priestesses or they may be Protestant and Catholic clergy who have sold out their ministries to unbiblical teachings. The Church of Satan may be a coven or a sanctuary within the community.


Worldlings will be enamored by the political charisma of the Antichrist so as to exclaim, “Who is like unto him. Who can ever even think of overpowering him?”


5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.


Christians aligned to biblical truth of course readily will recognize the Antichrist to be hell’s stooge on earth. As the Antichrist gives forth with demonic conceit and “blasphemies,” genuine believers will know him to be of Satan.


The Antichrist rule in particular vengeance will be forty-two months, or 3 l/2 years, the last half of the almost-seven-year tribulation period (Rev 11:1-2). (It will be almost seven years for in Matthew 24:21-22 Christ predicts that that time frame will be abbreviated somewhat for the believers’ sake). During that time, knowing his rule is short, the Antichrist will vehemently curse God’s name, any truly Christian place of worship and blaspheme the holy powers of eternity.


7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.


The Antichrist, his political rule being global, will single out especially genuine Christians for persecution.


8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.


All unbelievers on the planet will worship the political leader in his offer of world peace. (Rev 4:1-2 pictures the Antichrist as a rider on a white horse, holding only a bow in his hand, a crown on his head. He goes forth to conquer. The Antichrist here is represented as one offering peace for he has only a bow — absent an arrow — in his hand. His crown represents his political power. With the offer of worldwide peace, he goes forth to lure all peoples).


Religious Leader: The False Prophet


11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.


Ruling alongside the political leader Antichrist will be the city-of-seven-hills’ religious leader False Prophet. Since he is false he is not of God. He is of Satan. He has two horns like a lamb. That is, he appears lamb-like or as a Christian, follower of the Lamb of God. In fact, he is just the opposite for when he opens his mouth he speaks the doctrines of the dragon (Satan). In other words, he endorses apostasies such as the present-day teaching that practicing homosexual lifestyles are approved of God.


The False Prophet will acquiesce to the Antichrist. In reality, the political leader and religious leader will work in concert under demonic authority. This is similar to the political and religious dimensions that condemned Jesus to death — the Roman rule and the Judaic temple regime. All the more impacting is that both Antichrist and False Prophet will be overthrown by the Ultimate Political Leader / Ultimate Religious Leader — Christ — the King of Kings (politics) and Lord of Lords (religious).


The False Prophet will order the world to bow down to the Antichrist. Christians will disobey that order; worldlings will obey that order.


13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.


The False Prophet will act out amazing fetes, including miracles (Matthew 24:23-25) for Satan can performs miracles just as he does daily via cultic practices. Such splendors will lure worldlings into allegiance to Satan.


The False Prophet will include in his agenda making a statue of the Antichrist. The statue will particularly celebrate the fact that the Antichrist overthrew the enemy who previously had attacked one of Rome’s seven hills.


15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.


The False Prophet will cause the statue to speak. That of course is believable today, though when Christians read that prophecy in previous eras it might have seemed impossible. However, with machines now equipped with human voices, we now take that phenomenon as not a phenomenon at all.


The False Prophet will command those in the environs of the statue to bow down to it, symbolizing their worshiping the Antichrist. Those who refuse will be martyred.


16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.


The False Prophet causes everyone to be marked on right hand or forehead with the symbol of the Antichrist rule — 666. Those with the mark are able to engage in commerce. Those without the mark will not be able to engage in commerce.


For those without the mark, they will either die because of lack of food, fuel and medicine or the mark will be leveled just prior to the Second Coming so supplies last into the millennial reign. Or God will miraculously provide as He did for Hebrews during the forty-years wilderness sojourn, giving manna and quail for food as well as keeping shoes from wearing out.


In Rev 14: 1 Christ reveals that genuine Christians will receive God’s mark upon their forehead. Could it be that 7 is that mark since 666 is Satan’s mark? Or, since Christ unfolded the Revelation mostly in symbolism, we could leave the literal understanding to the future.


However, the symbolism given does represent 666 as less than the divine number of perfection, 7; that is, the work of Satan is less able than the work of God. In other words, God tops Satan. Satan’s 666 is his straining to be 7, an old satanic plot in seeking to overthrow the divine throne in order to be deity. (As an aside, there are 3 sets of sevens in Revelation: 7 trumpets, 7 seals, 7 bowls of wrath — 7 topping 3 sixes or 666).


After studying Revelation 13, it is spiritually enriching to study Revelation 19, the Second Coming hope that sets forth the defeat of the Antichrist and False Prophet. “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. . .” (Rev 19:1).


“The beast was captured and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone” (Rev 19:20).

DO YOU TRUST A LYING PRESIDENT?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Marxist Muslim Barack Hussein Obama has lied repeatedly to the American people before and since being elected.


He continues lying as a speaking method. Obviously, having crafted deceit to his satisfaction, that mode will be ongoing.


The Republic has had lying executives before Obama. But they have lied occasionally. Some have been caught.


However, what makes Obama different than the occasional lying previous Presidents is that Obama is religiously committed to lying. It is his conviction that lying is a virtue.


Because Obama is a surrendered Muslim, he knows the cult’s teaching that lying is a must to further Islam World Rule. Therefore, lying occasionally is not his option. It is a spiritual ritual honored by the Koran’s Allah.


Obama lies with a straight face. He lies promptly. He lies on delay. He lies from the Christian pulpit. He lies whenever convenient.


This is the first time that America has had an Islamic disciple sitting in the Oval Office. That man is not aligned with the US Constitution. He is a man of the Koran, regarding it as holy writ.


Obama has a history of Islamic devotion dating back to childhood. He has wedded it to his every thought. It graces his soul’s lodging. He has no question that Islam is the “righteousness” the world needs; therefore, he works with fellow Muslims to bring down our democracy for Islamic despotism.


That means that infidels must be slain or made slaves. Does Obama believe that? Surely he believes that for he has given every indication that he deletes nothing from orthodox Islamic doctrine.


It was Michelle Obama who stated that when the two housed themselves on Pennsylvania Avenue, America would change its “conversation, traditions and history.”


That was said from the depths of her soul. That was her abbreviation for declaring the Islamic lifestyle would replace our American way of life with its Christian heritage.


Obamas despise Christianity. They used their United Church of Christ membership as a mask in order to trick Americans into thinking they were “Christians.” Not so.


Obamas have done nothing to encourage biblical morality, Christian beliefs and convictions in this country. They have worked with liberals to eradicate everything Christian for the secularization of the United States, followed by Islam World Rule filling in the spiritual vacuum.


Because civil citizens loyal to democracy have been purposefully lied to over and over again, Obama should be ousted. He is a fraud. He has the spirit of antichrist. He is the Chief Enemy to America, yet sits in the White House power chair.


Unless Americans rid the executive suite of this wretched specimen, life will grow increasingly difficult for every citizen from coast to coast.


There is no time to waste. It is an immediate issue that must become paramount if we hope to remain a democracy under God.


Read MICHELLE: AMERICA CHANGES TRADITIONS, HISTORY? at http://www.michnews.com/J_Grant_Swank_Jr/gs121909.shtml

MUSLIM OBAMA, US MONEY AND CORRUPT HAITIAN PAST

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


At the top of the matter, let’s not think that any US government aid to Haiti will ever reach the poor. We all feel for the agonizing Haitian poor if we have any conscience; but that said, don’t think that any US government aid will reach the poor.


Marxist Muslim Barack Hussein Obama, late in responding to the Fort Hood massacre, inefficient in his support for US troops in Afghanistan, and tagging pants bomber as an “isolated extremist,” came through quickly to the Haitian earthquake tragedy.


He meets at 7:30 a.m. on Haiti. He meets at 9:30 or 10:00 to discuss national security.


True, Haiti needs all the aid anyone anywhere can give. Of course. And particularly Christian heritage American grassroots will rise to the occasion as in the past with other disasters around the globe, even in these economically stressed times.


So, recognize that humanitarian compassion in practice is high on the grassroots agenda.


With that follows this question: With Obama promising lots of money to Haiti, where is it going to come from? Where oh where? Is Obama simply going to print more money? No doubt. He’s out to behead the country.


Sincerely compassionate people have the noblest motives when they respond to hurting Haitians. But even then the US government wallet is only so deep.


Obama has just asked for $708 billion for two wars. Count the pennies on that one and wonder. It might turn out that the US will need aid more than Haiti. Really.


I support private citizens and corporations and such giving to Haiti, but not the US government shelling out. There are scores of individuals and good-heart agencies willing to help.


By the way, don’t send contributions for Haitian relief to the US government as Obama has asked. One cannot trust the cheat in the White House, surely not as a charity outfit. It is Obama out to tax charities. Remember?


Further, Obama responds so promptly to a predominantly black people’s tragedy. When it came to whites laid low at Fort Hood, why was the Obama delay so pronounced?


Now that opens the door for being labeled racist. I am not. I am simply pointing out the obvious. To not mention it is to be irrational.


Moreover, wait not too long for Robin Hood Obama to open US doors to Haitian aliens for their Dem votes will count healthily.


This question also comes to mind: when the US government gives to another government such as Haiti, do dollars go into fat cats’ pockets? Naturally. Haiti has an open greedy officialdom history.


Previous governments there stashed rotting US dollars under the presidential palace. So what’s with the grassroots poor not coming upon US handouts?


Think on this: media reports that the Presidential Palace was leveled by the quake. Why does a mere mortal live in a Palace while God-created peasants live on $2 a day? One can be sure that the first building to be restored will be the Presidential Palace.


It is so sad that Haitians for years have had to endure money-grabbing Papa Docs jamming their thumbs in the backs of the poor. And yet with a quake staring us in the face, the US is to trust another round with these thieves?


Lastly, what ever happened to the $50 billion Clinton handed over to Haitian officials?


Oh, but permit this post script: Surely Yemen hospital ships are on their way to Haiti as well as real-life real-time aid from Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iran.


And where is the UN coordination of massive aid to Haiti?

PAT ROBERTSON: HAITI SURRENDERED TO SATAN AND SO IS CURSED

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Years ago, Haitians told the Devil they would serve him if they could be severed from French rule.


They were severed from French rule and so now live under the curse.


You may believe that or not. Some conclude it is but a legend. Robertson considers it to be history.


There are some events regarded as legend that in fact were historical. When I attended Harvard Divinity School I was taught basically that biblical miracles could be traced back to legends and were not history.
I did not accept that. I believed just the opposite.


Who today was at the events referred to by Robertson? No one. So the debate will go on till the end of time.


Countless will discount Robertson as a hyper Pentecostal spokesman as they have in the past. Others will believe his conclusion as sound.


Whatever choice, the Bible states clearly that when a people turn away from God, divine curses come upon them. Read Deuteronomy 28 at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+28-29%2CMark+14%3A54-72&version=NIV


When people live in total surrender to the Bible’s God, divine blessings are bestowed upon them.


Those who despise the Bible as mythology then go spastic over others who claim the Bible as eternal truth. The anti-Bible crew turns into screeching hyenas blasting the Scriptures.


However, those who align their faith with the Bible as God’s Word believe with their entire beings such biblical teachings as Deuteronomy’s curses and blessings.


Mortals have free will. They can choose because God has formed them that way. Therefore, God permits mortals to despise Him or delight in Him. Their last breath then yields the consequences with eternal
bliss in heaven or eternal damnation in hell.


Again, those who despise the Bible as so much rubbish go absolutely berserk when such statements are made. They don’t believe in God. They don’t hold to a heaven or hell. They believe all is morally relativistic. This existence is all there is and so forth.


However, those who confess the Bible as their guide for belief and lifestyle hold fast to the curses and blessings segments. They live their lives staving off the curses by obeying God. They witness that in obeying God they experience His blessings.


America is in dire shape. This country has committed sins that are abhorrent to the Bible’s God. Two of them are killing womb babies in huge numbers and baptizing homosexual practice as morally legitimate.


There are other outrageous evils permitted openly by American citizens, some protected by law, others held to simply because sin is enjoyable for a season.


If our nation continues to turn its face against God, it will pay severely with divine curses.


There is an obvious, pressing need for a spiritual revival to engulf America; only then will divine blessings return to this country.


It is the curse. Or it is the blessing. Free wills determine which America will experience.


Read http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+28-29%2CMark+14%3A54-72&version=NIV

FIRE MICHAEL STEELE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele may be a smart fellow in some sort of fashion, but his mouth has a gear out of whack.


For example, Steele says Republicans can’t win in 2010. That comes from the man chosen to be the Party’s cheerleader.


The last ingredient the Republican Party needs is a speaker who knocks his own. The Party must have a spokesman who knows his facts, speaks realistically with finesse and molds concepts that build a future.


Steele has none of these qualities. Instead, he makes statements that defy facts. He lacks mouth control so as to be, for one, abrasive. Instead of envisioning Republican wins, he preaches weakness and defeat.


Reports have it that Steele is getting Republican spankings behind doors. Sometimes they come in news interviews with those shocked at the Steele drag on the Party. For certain, there are not many in Steele’s amen corner these days. He’s become an embarrassment to Republicans.


No doubt it’s his personality. And that is not going to change dramatically for what fundamentally Steele is, he is. Now the Republican Party realizes that it made a poor choice when coming upon his persona.


Should he be fired?


Steele has baited the Party with that question by saying if the Party wants to fire him, then fire him. Is that the kind of image the Party needs for its Chairman? Hardly. He’s asking for trouble from his own family and he is getting it.


Here is vintage Steele mouth per Newsmax’s Ronald Kessler:


“’Get a life,’ Steele snapped. ‘If you don’t want me in the job, fire me. But until then, shut up. Get with the program.’


“Responding to a comment by TV One’s Roland Martin that ‘white Republicans have been scared of black folks,’ Steele replied, ‘You’re absolutely right.’


“The first African-American RNC chairman, Steele continued, ‘I’ve been in the room, and they’ve been scared of me. I’m like, I’m on your side.’


“In the face of criticism, Steele routinely tries to retract his controversial statements. He now says Republicans will win in 2010, but the damage has been done. He has defended his leadership by saying, ‘I have $8 million [cash on hand in the RNC's coffers] and no debt.’


“Given that the RNC had $23 million when Steele took over in January 2009, $8 million now on the books is not exactly impressive. Meanwhile, some key Republican donors say they are avoiding the RNC.


“On Fox, when Hannity expressed surprise at Steele's comment that Republicans wouldn't be able to take back the House, Steele allowed that ‘I don’t know yet’ whether Republicans could win a majority because candidates still are being lined up.


“’But then,’ Steele said, ‘the question we need to ask ourselves is, if we do that, are we ready?’


Hannity asked Steele what his answer is.


“’I don’t know,’ Steele said.”


Obviously that is not what the Republican Party wants to hear.


Read Ronald Kessler’s “Michael Steele Has Lost the Support of His Party” at http://newsmax.com/Headline/steele-gop-support-republican/2010/01/12/id/346168?s=al&promo_code=9536-1

HAITI: ‘WE ALL NEED TO PRAY’

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


“Hell in Haiti” is the headline this morning.


“The hospitals cannot handle all these victims,” Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles, a doctor and former Lavalas senator, said as he helped survivors. “Haiti needs to pray. We all need to pray together.”


How many times have Americans begged for that when tragedy strikes?


Yet when quiet, peaceful times slip through, that call to prayer is forgotten—except for the anti-God evangelists. They up their antagonism against God by threatening to secularize the nation.


They despise “In God We Trust” as our motto.


They want to erase “under God” from the pledge of allegiance.


They got prayer out of public schools.


And so forth.


However, as history moves on, another tragedy hits and people reach up to God. They say something like “our prayers are with you.” Sometimes they even interview clergy to ask their spiritual opinions on the situation.


One cannot get rid of God. God created all things. God still oversees the spiritually fallen planet, Earth. God will have the last word concerning this planet’s existence.


This God appeared in Jesus. Jesus offered redemption for the genuinely repentant. Jesus even gave His own life as a sinless substitute for our sins.


However, He came unto His own, but His own received Him not. And so the world continues to hate Jesus, except for the righteous remnant who have discovered in Him their salvation.


Read WHY IS JESUS HATED? at http://jgrantswankjr.blogspot.com/2010/01/why-is-jesus-hated.html


No matter what the anti-God voices scream, they cannot rid the world of its Creator God.


Now Haiti is shocked by a devastating earthquake. And with that the cry goes out to pray.


Read “Injured Haitians plead for help after quake” at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_haiti_earthquake

WHY IS JESUS HATED?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Why are Christians hated? I’m not talking about church people in general. I’m talking about real Christians. I don’t care their denominational tag any more than God cares about their denominational tag. I’m caring about the living-out-Jesus-believer who knows His Bible and seeks to breathe it out.


Now why is it that the world by and large hates this Christian? His Christianity? His Jesus?


It’s because Jesus doesn’t fit in here. He never did fit in here. Therefore, till the end of world spin there will never be a love affair between the world in general and Jesus in particular.


But what’s the reason?


The reason is because Jesus is no fancy fellow who dances around ambiguities. I just got finished reading my recent issue of HARVARD DIVINITY BULLETIN. I get that publication because I once attended Cambridge’s Harvard Divinity School.


I note that once again in that publication there is not much of a liking for Jesus — the real Jesus of the Gospel accounts. Now that is quite alarming to have to type that considering that I’m talking about a seminary. Nevertheless, ‘tis true and has been true for decades upon decades. There is not much of a love for Jesus as the Bible presents Jesus at HDS.


Now of course there is the liking of the demythologized Jesus at HDS. That’s the Jesus whom anyone can carve out to fit his or her theological liberalism. But I’m not talking about the liberal take on Jesus. I’m talking about the Jesus in the Gospel records — just as they read, not as they are sliced up for theological convenience sake.


Back to Jesus not being a fancy fellow who dances around ambiguities. HDS is built upon ambiguities. The more confusing a theologian can get at HDS the more he is considered intelligent and socially acceptable.


The more ambiguous a HDS religion instructor can present himself / herself, the more he / she will likely remain there on the faculty — and be invited to speak at conventions in Hawaii and have several books published with his / her name as author / authoress. Check out Harvey Cox for a real life example.


Because real Christians don’t believe in the HDS Jesus, they are not liked all that much. They don’t accommodate their Jesus to the sweet society of religious relativism. They take Jesus for who He claims to be — the One hated and despised, the Moral Measure for the disciple’s life, the Final Judge of every soul, the God Incarnate who decrees what is right and wrong.


Now that’s a tough Jesus to deal with, let alone live for and confront at the last breath. Nevertheless, that in reality is the Jesus of the Gospel records. He calls for an ethical life of holiness. He does not tolerate moral compromising. He will not stand for an individual writing his own religion and calling it baptized by Jehovah.


Jesus says “those who love Me will keep my commandments.” So that’s a Jesus who makes a soul accountable — not to his own moral code opportunistically molded to his own situation ethics — but to the morality of the divine revelation.


Jesus says that “they hate Me, they will hate you.” So that’s a Jesus who warns His own that the culture will be hostile, the society will not kiss up, the liberal church will be so pharisaical that it will seek to burn alive the genuinely devout.


No wonder the world hates Christians, Christianity and their Christ.

PROPHECY FULFILLED: PUT YOUR NEWSCAST ALONGSIDE THE BIBLE

J. Grant Swank, Jr.


Jesus predicted that prior to His Second Coming there would be an increase in wars and rumors of wars. Read Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 for detail.


The reason?


Because Satan knows that his time is short before the return of the Prince of Peace, Christ. Therefore, demonic forces use the brief time frame to bring exceptional angst to the world public, knowing that when Christ returns as King of Kings there will be a millennial reign of goodwill.


Further, the increased warfare in the Middle East is particularly significant in that it is at the "navel of the planet" where the human race began. Adam and Eve were created by God in Eden. The Bible states the rivers flowing in that geography. That detail points to the larger circle we refer to as the "Middle East."


Coming near the close of the Church Age, we realize that humanity has now come full circle - starting with the first couple we now come close to the rule of the Son of God.


The warring has always been. In Eden Satan as a serpent began the conflict by testing the consciences of Adam and Eve. Their free wills defied Creator God in favor of the evil one. That resulted in what theologians call "The Fall." Nature fell. Supernature fell. In that fall eventuated disease and death.


Creator God had hoped for a human race that would inhabit the planet forever - no disease, no death. However, consequences of the First Parents' disobedience brought to the fore both.. We have to deal with them until this very moment and on into the future.


Even during the millennial reign of Christ, there will be disease and death for His earthly rule will not bring in the full bliss of heaven. The New Heaven and New Earth still awaits the close of the millennium. At that close, the final White Throne Judgment will consign the damned to the Bottomless Pit and Lake of Fire and Brimstone forever. It will also welcome the redeemed of all time into the Father's everlasting domain where no sin can enter.


Now we are experiencing via the daily news biblical prophesy unfolding. It is unnerving. But it is also calming to the believer in that the latter knows that all prophecy must in fact be seen through to the very letter. God is God.


God's Word will unfold according to His time and method. In that, the Christian finds his peace and hope.


Again, it is most significant that the wars and rumors of wars not only envelop the entire planet but in particular the Middle East. Biblical terms such as Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Galilee that once were relegated to the Sunday school lessons are now on the lips of the most secular. In other words, whether they want it or not, all thinking persons are forced to take in the specifics related to God's turf - the Holy Land. And more particularly God's Holy City - Jerusalem.


One of the most fascinating details impinging on all this trouble in the Middle East has to do with the next temple to be constructed. It has to be built upon the original site of King Solomon's temple. Nowhere else will do. And it will have to usher in the minutia of that temple's priestly regalia, furnishings, and ritual. There are religious Jews now planning on that minutia to the last detail.


The problem is that if Jews think they are going to establish that temple on Jerusalem's Temple Mount, they will have to deal with the people who hate them the most - the Muslims. Further, the second holiest site to Islam, the Dome of the Rock, is placed squarely in the yard of Solomon's original temple.


Can the two edifices stand alongside one another? How will Jews ever put foot on the Temple Mount to construct their Holy Place and Holy of Holies now that Muslim guards threaten their lives?


Christians into biblical prophecy answer these difficult questions by stating with God nothing is impossible. Of course, that is true.


Therefore, the faithful leave the future unfolding of deity's predictions to God alone. He has made ways where there have been no ways. Biblical information reminds the believer that God's thoughts are above our thoughts.


Therefore, His eternal mind has already laid in place the manner by which the next temple will find its fruition.


There are so many specifics related to the present Middle East tension, that is, specifics already pronounced in Holy Scripture. Biblical prophecy is one of the most alluring studies anyone can explore. All the more so when placing the Bible alongside today's daily newscasts.


MORE:


Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24, Jesus' Predictions


Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple


1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."


The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age


3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all[a]these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,[b] and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.


The Great Tribulation


15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,'[c] spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. 23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.


The Coming of the Son of Man


29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.