Signs of the last days feel free to add info

[monkeygirlsmom]

"Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. [Matthew 24:4-14]


General 'signs' Jesus said would be visible prior to His return.

Dangerous Deceptions
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. [2 Corinthians 11:3-4]

The deception infiltrating the church was driven home for me recently after receiving an email from a visitor to this site. He generally agreed with what he read here, but took issue with an article about one of the pseudo-Christian movements. He pointed out the movement was about holy living through the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. At the same time, he agreed there was counterfeit teachings in the movement and defended them because in his view counterfeit teachings are found in all denominations. He was willing to embrace the movements abberant teachings in exchange for the "signs and wonders." This is precisely the nature of deception Paul referred to in 2 Cor. 11:3-4 and is why deceptive gospels are so destructive to the Church. As Paul said, "you put up with it easily enough."
Satan's primary tactic in opposing God is not to foster atheism but religion; not to prove there is no God but to be worshipped as God.
Satan is not an initiator but an imitator. God has an only begotten Son - the Lord Jesus, and so has Satan - "the son of Perdition" (2 Thess. 2:3). There is a Holy Trinity, and there is likewise a Trinity of Evil (Rev. 20:10). As we read of the "children of God," so also we read of "the children of the wicked one" (Matt. 13:38). As there is a "mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:6), so also is there a "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thess. 2:7). We are told that God by His angels "seals" His servants in their foreheads (Rev. 7:3), so also, we learn that Satan by his agents sets a mark in the foreheads of his devotees (Rev. 13:16). Are we told that "the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor. 2:10), then Satan also provides his "deep things (see Greek of Rev. 2:24). Did Christ perform miracles, so also can Satan (2 Thess. 2:9). Is Christ seated upon a throne, so is Satan (Rev. 2:13 - Gr.). Has Christ a Church, then Satan has his "synagogue" (Rev. 2:9). Is Christ the Light of the world, then so is Satan himself "transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). Did Christ appoint "apostles," then Satan has his apostles, too (2 Cor. 11:13).

[monkeygirlsmom]

Satan is the arch-counterfeiter.
The Devil is now busy at work in the same field in which the Lord sowed the good seed. He is seeking to prevent the growth of the wheat by another plant, the tares, which closely resembles the wheat in appearance. In a word, by a process of imitation he is aiming to neutralize the Work of Christ. Therefore, as Christ has a Gospel, Satan has a gospel too; the latter being a clever counterfeit of the former. So closely does the gospel of Satan resemble that which it parodies, multitudes of the unsaved are deceived by it.

Though few seem to realize it, Satan has been in the "another gospel" business for a long time. He still asks modern man the same question he offered Eve, "Did God really say?" (Gen. 3) His goal then as now, especially since the glorious good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ burst onto the world scene nearly 2000 years ago, has always been to produce a counterfeit gospel, which would replace the true, and keep men in darkness and spiritual slumber.

In order "to mislead, if it were possible, even God's own people" [Phillips trans.], the evil one has inspired false prophets to preach error. To be effective, it often is truly seductive: evil will appear harmless or even good. A sugar-coated gospel is much easier to swallow. It is very attractive to accept the blessings without the cross; to choose our own path over "the way, the truth, and the life", to say, "My will be done."


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"Woe unto them who call evil, good, and good, evil" [Isaiah 5:20]


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The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war, but aims at peace and unity. It seeks not to set the mother against her daughter nor the father against his son, but fosters the fraternal spirit whereby the human race is regarded as one great "brotherhood." It does not seek to drag down the natural man, but to improve and uplift him. It advocates education and cultivation and appeals to "the best that is within us." It aims to make this world such a comfortable and congenial habitat that Christ's absence from it will not be felt and God will not be needed. It endeavors to occupy man so much with this world that he has no time or inclination to think of the world to come. It propagates the principles of self-sacrifice, charity and benevolence, and teaches us to live for the good of others, and to be kind to all. It appeals strongly to the carnal mind and is popular with the masses, because it ignores the solemn facts that by nature man is a fallen creature, alienated from the life of God, and dead in trespasses and sins, and that his only hope lies in being born again.

In contradistinction to the Gospel of Christ, the gospel of Satan teaches salvation by works. It inculcates justification before God on the ground of human merits. Its sacramental phrase is "Be good and do good"; but it fails to recognize that in the flesh there dwelleth no good thing. It announces salvation by character, which reverses the order of God's Word - character by, as the fruit of, salvation. Its various ramifications and organizations are manifold. Temperance, Reform Movements, "Christian Socialist Leagues," Ethical Culture Societies, "Peace Congresses" are all employed (perhaps unconsciously) in proclaiming this gospel of Satan - salvation by works. The pledge-card is substituted for Christ; social purity for individual regeneration, and politics and philosophy, for doctrine and godliness. The cultivation of the old man is considered more "practical" than the creation of a new man in Christ Jesus; whilst universal peace is looked for apart from the interposition and return of the Prince of Peace.

[monkeygirlsmom]

Prophecy Fulfilled

New doctrines, new revelations and new gospels are springing up almost daily. Some have been with us for some time. Many have been previously debunked, yet some people tenaciously hang on to them. And it's going to get much worse. The Bible clearly warns that in the last days strange doctrines will come forth - introducing another Jesus, another Spirit, another gospel (Matt. 24:4-5; 2 Tim. 3:1-5).

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [1 Thessalonians 2:9-10]

Even a cursory review of what has taken place in the Church during the last 25 years will reveal a fierce underming of the faith. Precisely as the Bible warns (Mt. 7:21-23; 24:4,11,24; 2 Thes 2:3; etc.), today's most effective enemies of Christ are those who claim to be Christians and call mankind not just to any old false religion but to a counterfeit Christianity.

In some respects, believers of Paul's day "had it easy" compared to this generation. In those days the opposition to truth was in the secular world around them - it had not yet infiltrated the Church under the guise of a more enlightened or advanced Christianity. While there were pressing pagan influences as well as some heretical teachings and practices here and there, they weren't subjected to anything like the flood of false beliefs, teachings, and practices surging in on the tidal wave of today's Christian media.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. [Matthew 7:15-20]

[monkeygirlsmom]

Jesus warned us that these false prophets will come to us in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. False prophets won't come saying that they are deceiving us. No, they will sound good and will claim they are telling the truth. So, rather than judging them by their words, we are instructed to judge the messenger by their fruit.

Within most mainline churches today, and even many evangelical churches, rather than demanding objective truth about the world around them, too many people are willing to believe whatever seems to agree with their preconceived attitudes. The pragmatic belief is that the ends justify the means. Hence, we see malitia groups abounding, claiming a Christian heritage yet spreading hate towards Jews. Other Christian churches are populated with people who justify violence toward abortion mills and homosexual groups. In many Christian churches you find those who view drinking alcohol or "a little wine" (1 Tim. 5:23) as a sin. And in nearly all Christian churches the congregation rushes to accept misleading facts concerning smoking.

The popular church of the 21st Century pretends to adhere to the truth, yet quietly undermines it. Experience and emotion are substituted for the Word of God as its basis of faith. Any time we make emotional "religious experiences" or various signs and wonders the criterion of our faith, we thereby open the floodgates to every sort of delusion. If experience or emotion becomes the standard of our faith, then we must accept the validity of any experience from which someone gains a "religious" sensation: the ancient ritual prostitution at pagan temples; the frenzied worship of Bacchus; the Moslem dervishes and followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini and his successors.

In fact, all religious experiences must be tested for agreement with Scripture before they can be accepted as genuinely from God. Scripture is the objective criterion which permits us to separate true experiences of God from delusions of the evil one. All of our religious experiences must be verified by Scripture; Scripture is not proved by them.


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They perish because they refused to love the truth. [2 Thessalonians 2:10]


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Without a love for truth and a mental storehouse filled with God's Word, people cannot discern error. Many are drawn to the self-focused empowerment of goddess-philosophy, christian cults, and psychological-spiritual imitations. Like rudderless boats in the night, they cascade down the rapids trapped in a raging social current headed for destruction. You can clearly see this operating today in "multiculturalism" and "political correctness" where we are told to embrace, accept and tolerate things the Bible clearly condemns.


Okay I know this was a long one but I skimmed through and it looked interesting if you have more signs you like to add please do.

[monkeygirlsmom]

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. [Colossians 2:8]


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The average American Christian defines God as Love, a word which is understood from a "feelings" humanistic and temporal viewpoint. This definition does not cause any problems to a sinful lifestyle, for the concept of tolerant love does not include the reality of a HOLY God, a JUST God, and a TRUE God.

The Love of God is also Just, which is not concerned with our comfort and feelings, but with what is Right. The Love of God is HOLY, which is destructive to sinful living and the carnal nature and is not tolerant toward rebellion and willful ignorance.

The question is, do you KNOW God in Christ Jesus ... as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures? Have you read His Book? Have you studied it? How can you be sure you know the real God in Christ Jesus if you have not studied what He has said about Himself?


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In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. - Hebrews 5:12-6:3

[monkeygirlsmom]

SOLANA UNVEILS MID EAST PLAN

November 3, 2004

The EU Observer reports: “EU high representative Javier Solana on Tuesday (1 November) unveiled a series of concrete measures to push forward the establishment of a Palestinian state.

During a meeting of Foreign Ministers in Brussels, Mr. Solana presented a seven-page plan, obtained by the EUobserver, outlining the steps the EU can make to ensure a Palestinian state can be established.

The paper outlines how the EU could help build an effective Palestinian security force, hold elections and continue reforms in the Palestinian Authority.

‘The window for the two-state solution is closing fast’, says the paper, recommending that the EU present a series of measures to the US administration soon after the elections.

The paper represents a bid to inject some momentum into the Middle East Peace Process, which has been moribund since the launch of the EU-backed Roadmap.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Mr. Solana said he hoped the paper would help the Roadmap – drafted by the EU, US Russia and the UN – be implemented in ‘a less incremental manner’.

The document comes as the Israeli government moves to withdraw from Gaza.

Some in Brussels fear the withdrawal - although welcomed - is being used to dictate the pace of the wider process.

The paper focuses, along with the Egyptian government on assisting the Palestinian police force, however a more robust role should not been ruled out according to one aide…”

[monkeygirlsmom]

NORTH KOREA OUTLINES CRITERIA FOR NEW TALKS

November 3, 2004

Voice of America News reports: “North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations says there will be no new talks about nuclear disarmament until Washington repeals a recently passed human rights law condemning North Korea.

In a Wall Street Journal report Wednesday, Ambassador Han Song Ryol also insisted that President Bush stop including North Korea in his axis of evil nations.

Iraq and Iran also were on the original list. Last week, a senior U.S. diplomat said North Korea along with Syria and Iran were the world's foremost proliferators of weapons of mass destruction.

The U.S. human rights law challenges North Korea to grant its people free speech. Until Pyongyang agrees, the law blocks U.S. aid to the impoverished Stalinist state except for humanitarian assistance.

Stephen Linton provides medical aid to North Korea for the Eugene Bell Foundation. He says the ambassador's position reveals Pyongyang's mounting frustration with Washington's demands.

‘From the North Korean perspective it looks like the U.S. is asking them to jump through a series of hoops in order to fundamentally change their society and the human rights bill was a list of hoops,’ said Mr. Linton.

Ambassador Han called the new law a direct attack on Pyongyang's socialist regime…”

[angelarwyn]

This is from the Jack Van Impe Ministries webstie (http://jvim.com/) This is the question of the week, I thought you might find it interesting.

QOTW

I feel in my spirit that the return of Christ is very near. I also feel that the antichrist is alive. My question is: if he is alive, does he know who he is? I never thought of that. But i have a feeling that he knows he's going to become the god of the world.

Linda
Houston, Texas

None of us will know who the antichrist is. I John 2:18 says antichrist will come. But in II Thessalonians 2:6 it says the mystery of iniquity, the antichrist power, does already work. Only he who now hinders the antichrist appearing will continue to hinder him until he be taken out of the way. Then shall that wicked one be revealed. So we as believers are not going to know who he is. We’re going to be called up in a twinkling of an eye, I Corinthians 15:52. As we hear the words come up hither, Revelation 4:1.

Whether he knows who he is or not, i don't know. I really don't think so. Do i believe he's alive? Yes, cardinal Biffi, who could become the next pope, said i believe antichrist is alive and waiting in the wings. I believe that because the illuminati informed us that 220 years from the day they started there would be a new world order and that involves an antichrist. He comes out of the Revived Roman Empire. He says i am god and controls all of the little gods of the new age movement. He is alive and waiting, believe me.

[monkeygirlsmom]

very interesting any one else have thoughts

[angelarwyn]

In the Left Behind series it talks about the AntiChrist just being a human in the begining of the Tribulation, but in the middle of the 7 years he becomes indwelt by Satan, so he actually becomes Satan in human form.

[monkeygirlsmom]

Israel keeping an eye on locust plagues
Agricultural experts are keeping a close eye on swarms of locusts eating their way across northern Africa although predict that even in the unlikely event of the insects reaching Israel they are ready to do battle.

Chief Entomologist and head of the Department for Protection of Plants Service at the Agriculture Ministry Zvi Klein said on Wednesday that swarms of locusts ravaging Morocco are unlikely to reach Israel.

"If there are no drastic changes we are not in danger," Klein said and added that reports of locust swarms in Lebanon are apparently unfounded. "We have of coursed prepared for the eventuality anyway and are ready with teams of experts".

Should clouds of locusts descend on Israel the ministry is ready to respond by spraying insecticides from aircraft to kill the creatures.

The locusts began swarming across north-east Africa in September devouring plant-life from Senegal to Morocco and Algiers.

Israeli authorities are in contact with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that is monitoring the locusts and Klein said the FAO calmed earlier fears that the locusts had reached Lebanon.

The locust swarms, which can range in size from one square kilometer to 100 square kilometers, are spread by the wind and in west Cyprus authorities used insecticides in an area where small movements of locusts were reported.

With up to 3000 locusts per square meter swarms have tens of millions of insects that consume vast amounts of food. Each locust can eat two grams of food a day, and experts reckon that every million locusts gobble as much food as 5000 people in one day.

"Locusts eat just about anything that grows; anything green," Klein said.
Although there are always locust populations in central Africa certain climatic conditions can allow a sudden increase, Klein explained.

Plentiful rain in North Africa during 2003 created ideal conditions for the female locusts that prefer to lay their eggs in soft damp soil.

However, Israel may not yet be in the clear. According to Klein the unusual rise in population this year could result in another outbreak in spring next year.

The last locust plague to hit Israel was in 1959, followed by a smaller incident in 1961.

[monkeygirlsmom]

SCIENCE'S LATEST FRONTIER – HEADLESS HUMANS

November 4, 2004

WorldNetDaily.com reports: “With Californians voting overwhelmingly to borrow $3 billion to begin cloning for stem-cell research, it's just a short leap to the suggestions of an Indian scientist who proposes breeding headless humans to be used for harvesting organs and other forms of commercial exploitation.

That's the notion put forth by P.B. Desai, former director of the Tata Medical Center, who addressed the issue in a speech Friday titled ‘Conquest Over Mortality,’ according to the Indo-Asian News Service.

‘Science is moving at such a fast pace that scientists have proven that they can create headless mice through removal of genes in embryo that control development of the head,’ said Desai. ‘But the body would have the capacity to keep the organs functional for use as transplants.’

Desai floated the idea at a meeting of the Chicago-based International College of Surgeons in New Delhi.

Desai anticipates restrictions on the creation of a headless human being who has the capacity to keep organs functioning but no thinking mind.

‘The ultimate aim of science and medicine is toward immortality,’ he said. ‘But I personally think a human being has to first learn to be a man, and once you learn the value of finite, you will not play god.’

The quest for immortality could lead to the creation of headless humans for commercial exploitation and plunder of organs, Desai said…”