This link was sent to me by my friends Barb and Darrell. A Jesuit priest and astronomer at the Vatican Observatory has said he believes the existence of extra-terrestrial life is compatible with Roman Catholicism. Father Jose Gabriel Funes, who favours the 'big bang' model for the evolution of the universe, believes in the possibility that there could be life on other planets. He made the comments during an interview for the Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano. Although Funes admits that to date there is no evidence to prove the existence of such life, he points to the expanse of the heavens and the creativity of God as reasons for believing in the possible existence of alien civilizations.

Quote: ""Just as there is a multiplicity of creatures over the earth, so there could be other beings, even intelligent, created by God. This is not in contradiction with our faith, because we cannot establish limits to God's creative freedom," he told the newspaper. "To say it with St. Francis, if we can consider some earthly creatures as 'brothers' or 'sisters,' why could we not speak of a 'brother alien'? He would also belong to the creation," he said. "Fr. Funes says that taking the image of the lost sheep in the Gospel, 'we could think that in this universe there can be 100 sheep, equivalent to different kinds of creatures. We, belonging to human kind could be precisely the lost sheep, the sinners that need the shepherd. God became man in Jesus to save us. In that way, assuming that there would be other intelligent beings, we could not say that they need redemption . They could have remained in full friendship with the Creator,'" Catholic News Agency quoted him saying.

In other related news, Britain's Ministry of Defence has just released its first batch of reports detailing alleged UFO sightings in the UK. Last year the government made the decision to open up Britain's national archives, following increasing public interest in the UFO phenomenon. Several years ago, Britain passed the Freedom of Information act into law, allowing any British citizen access to information held by the government. The Ministry of Defence has been swamped with requests for information on alleged UFO sightings in this country, and this is part of the reason for the public disclosure of these files. Several other European countries have already made similar disclosures. When France published their national archives on UFO related phenomenon last year, they received around  around 220,000 visitors to their website on the first day, causing their servers to crash. Details of one incident released today by the British government records a bizarre encounter that occurred on the 9th of April, 1984 at an airfield in the east of England...

Quote: "The men, each with more than eight years on the job, described how they were helping guide a small plane to a landing on runway 22 when they were distracted by a brightly lit object approaching a different runway without clearance. "Everyone became aware that the object was unidentified," their report said. "SATCO (code name for a controller with 14 years experience) reports that the object came in 'at speed,' made a touch and go on runway 27, then departed at 'terrific speed' in a 'near vertical' climb." The incident is one of the more credible in the newly public files because it was reported by air traffic controllers, said David Clarke, a UFO expert who worked with the National Archives on the document release. "They were absolutely astonished," he said. "It was a bright, circular object, flashing different colors, and after it touched down it disappeared at fantastic speed. The report comes from very qualified people, and it's one of the few that remained unexplained."

Despite investigating many such incidents, government officials still haven't one shred of evidence to suggest that these craft actually originate from other planets. In fact some UFO experts who have studied such sightings for many years believe the theory that UFOs are flown by aliens from other planets is a practical impossibility. The distances involved are too vast for manned flight. And if you could travel at the speed of light, it would take four years just to reach the nearest star, and even then the energy required to make such a journey would be out of this world. And if your ship collided with a micrometeorite at such speeds, you could be instantly vapourised. But UFO experts believe these unidentified flying objects are real and may come from the locality of earth, from another dimension.

Quote: "Dr J. Allen Hynek who until his death, was the world's leading authority on UFOs eventually abandoned the idea that these craft were of a tangible quality as we would understand it, calling it "the nuts and bolts theory". In 1976 he said: "There are just too many things going against this theory. To me, it seems ridiculous that super intelligence would travel great distances to do relatively stupid things like stop cars, collect soil samples, and frighten people." (Jacques Vallee, Revelations, p. 290). After 30 years of serious UFO research, Hynek finally adopted the theory that UFOs are from another dimension, or a parallel reality (Bob Larson, UFOs and the Alien Agenda, p. 93).

The Bible makes no mention of life existing on other planets, and in fact suggests that the earth is unique, in that it is the only planet in the universe that is capable of supporting life. Funes believes that the 'big bang' theory best describes how the universe came about. In other words, he is a theistic evolutionist. He believes that God somehow used the process of evolution to bring the world into being. Look at his statement about considering some other 'earthly creatures' as our brothers and sisters. Supposedly he is referring to chimpanzees or apes. Had God known about the theory of evolution, perhaps He would have used it. But the idea of evolution wasn't invented until the Greek civilization was born... Only joking! God could never have used evolution to create the world, and there are many reasons for that. But I will concentrate on the Scriptures which reveal to us earth's special place in God's creation...

• The earth was created at the beginning of time (Genesis 1:1), three days before the stars were made (Genesis 1:16). Thus the earth is at the very centre of God's creation. Two whole chapters of Genesis are devoted to describing the creation of the earth, while only four words in the English translation is all that is said in regards to the creation of the heavens.
• Mankind was given authority over the earth (Genesis 1:26). He was not given dominion over the moon, nor outer space. The moon was created to give light upon the earth, and to mark the passage of time and events on God's calendar (Genesis 1:14). It was not given to be used as a base for mankind, and this might be the reason why nobody has been back to the moon for the past 30 years.
• Nobody has ever died in space. Astronauts have been killed going into space or coming down from space, but nobody has been lost in space. When the day of judgement comes, the Bible records that death and hell will give up their dead, and the sea will give up its dead. No mention is made of other planets or outer space giving up their dead.
• God created the earth to be inhabited (Isaiah 45:18). This is not recorded of any of the other planet. Earth is unique in that it is at just the right distance from the sun where water, which is essential for life, can exist in a liquid form.
• Psalms 115:16 declares that the heavens belong to God, but He has given the earth to the children of men.
• Psalm 19:1 states that the heavens were created to declare the glory of God.

I'm sure there are many other verses in the Bible which indicate that the earth is unique in the universe. But that doesn't mean to say that we are alone. The Bible indicates that the heavens are the present abode of the angelic host. Ephesians 2:2 describes Satan as the "prince of the power of the air". Ephesians 6:12 states that Christians are in a spiritual war against demonic powers in heavenly places. And Revelation 12:7 says that during the tribulation period, there will be a war in heaven between the angels that follow God and those that followed Satan. The Bible confirms that there is life in outer space, and that there is plenty of it. 

When I interpret the world around me according to the Scriptures, things start to make sense. When I hear of mysterious objects appearing out of other dimensions, it makes sense. For the Bible declares that there is an extra-terrestrial civilization that is at war with God's creation. And this extra-terrestrial civilization exists primarily in another dimension, a spiritual dimension that human eyes cannot see. In Elijah's day, the angels of God were seen by men to be using horses and chariots of fire (2nd Kings 2:11, 6:17). That was the main method of transportation men used in those days. If an angel of God were to appear to a man today, would he still appear in a chariot so as not to frighten us? Or would he appear in something more modern? Probably he would appear in something akin to an airplane or spacecraft, for we have an understanding of these things now.

And when I hear of the message that these extra-terrestrials are bringing mankind, it makes sense. Those who have had the unfortunate experience of coming into contact with these beings report that they are all conveying exactly the same message. Apparently they are all concerned with mankind's future on this planet. The question is, why would extra-terrestrials go to the bother of travelling billions of light years just to convey a message that various Eastern religions have taught for hundreds of years? When I understand who these beings are, then it makes perfect sense. According to the New Age movement, these beings are conveying the message that the earth must soon go through a time of great trouble... 

Quote: "When the ancient prophecies of major floods and earthquakes are suddenly fulfilled, many of Earth's people are rescued by spacecraft and taken to huge mother ships, where they are received as honoured guests while Planet Earth undergoes a complete restructuring. As they enjoy the enriching experiences of daily life on these giant spaceships, they debate and plan their New Society. Rejecting outright any form of aggression and planetary pollution, they develop new ideals of law and liberty based on one simple, all-embracing principle reflected in a full program of land and resources-use, economy, business, and personal liberties. Just as many intrepid souls once crossed the Atlantic from the Old World to a new continent and a new life, so the time finally comes when Earth's people return to their 'new' planet, now cleansed, refreshed and replanted.

Do you recognize the above scenario? You should. For this is exactly what the Bible states will come to pass in the not too distant future. Albeit there is an added demonic twist. It is often said that deceit is a lie wrapped up in the truth. When Satan tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit, he said, "your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil", Genesis 3:5. That was the truth. After they disobeyed God, their eyes were opened, and they became like gods knowing good and evil. But the lie was, "ye shall not surely die", Genesis 3:4. In the above scenario, Satan presents the truth of the rapture and the tribulation period. These things will occur just like the above paragraph states. Christ will come for His Bride, and following this great time of trouble, we will return with Christ to establish God's kingdom on earth (Daniel 2:44). But the lie here is the omission of judgement. There is no mention of the need for repentance, of the need to have our sins forgiven, or that we can escape this period of judgement that will come upon all the earth (Luke 21:34-36). And here, the extra-terrestrials are presented as mankind's saviour, not God nor Jesus Christ. We know according to the Bible that Satan is the head of these extra-terrestrials (Revelation 12:9), he was the one who sought to overthrow God's throne (Isaiah 14), and he will demand that the whole world worship him as God (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). Clearly the above scenario has been inspired by Satan to deceive those who will be caught up in the tribulation period. It's horrific just thinking about all of this, the depths of Satan, and the suffering that awaits those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. I hope and pray that there will be people reading this who will heed the warning before it is too late. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Source WorldNetDaily, Mercury News, Spotlight Ministries

"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;" - Proverbs 23 V17

"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5 V26

We live in an age where there is tough competition for literally everything. We try to get ahead of our competitors by any means. But the Word of God teaches us to be zealous for the fear of the Lord because He is in control of everything. Being part of the body of Christ, we should set such examples among men that our Lord is glorified and people come to know the very nature of our God. Let us pray for the fruits of the Spirit and ask God to lead our way.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that he believes Iran should be given a broad-ranging package of incentives by the international community in an effort to end the current impasse over its nuclear programme. The package could include security guarantees for the Iranian regime, along with a more prominent position in negotiations on Middle East issues. While Lavrov's proposals are not new, these offers were part of the original package of incentives offered by Javier Solana on 06/06/06, it is surprising that Russia would offer them now considering Iran's track record in defying United Nations resolutions. 

Quote: ""I think the 'Six' could make the following step: directly put concrete offers on the negotiating table, give Iran security guarantees and ensure a more distinguished place in negotiations on the situation in the Middle East," Lavrov said. Lavrov did not specify what security guarantees might be offered but said a combination of negotiations and incentives could help solve the row over Iran's nuclear programme and wider Middle East problems. 

Lavrov's suggestion comes as Lebanon teeters on the brink of a civil war, after the Iranian-backed Hizbullah terrorist organization mounted a coup in the capital Beirut last week. It also follows increasing anti-Semitic statements emanating from Iran, calling for the destruction of the state of Israel. Last week the European Union condemned remarks made by the Iranian President, in which he likened the Jewish state to a "stinking corpse" that was doomed to disappear. And as US President Bush arrives in the Middle East for Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, Ahmadinejad has threatened that the regional Arab nations stand ready to destroy the Jewish state at their first opportunity...

Quote: ""The Zionist regime is dying," Ahmadinejad said in a speech in the northern city of Gorgan, referring to Israel. "The criminals imagine that by holding celebrations... they can save the Zionist regime from death." "They should know that regional nations hate this fake and criminal regime and if the smallest and briefest chance is given to regional nations they will destroy [it]," said Ahmadinejad, who often rails against Israel and the United States.

As we can see, just as the Bible prophesied, Iran is fast becoming a major player on the world stage, and especially in regard to its staunch opposition of Israel. The book of Ezekiel predicts that in the latter days, following the regathering of the Jewish people to the land, an Islamic alliance would launch a massive invasion of Israel. This Islamic alliance will be made up of many peoples, but several of these nations are specifically mentioned by name. They are Iran, Sudan, Libya and Turkey. And the Bible states that the leader of this Islamic alliance, who it is believed may come from a country in the Caspian and Black Sea areas, will act as a guard to these Arab nations that make war on Israel. Russia's proximity to this region, along with its active support for the present Iranian regime, leads many to believe this could be the country that will act as a protectorate to the nations that invade Israel in the latter days. And so Lavrov's desire to offer Iran security guarantees and a greater say in Middle East politics is quite significant.

Ezekiel 38:3-7
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee. Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

Despite the Iranian government's opposition to Israel and despite the constant threat of war over Iran's nuclear programme, God is working miracles in this nation. Iranian Muslims are seeing visions of Jesus Christ appearing to them, and many are getting saved as a result. One Iranian exile who is now living in my own country had such an experience. This man and his father had a very good business in Iran. He had a vision of the Lord calling him, saying to follow Jesus Christ. He questioned why he would do that, seeing he had such a good business and needed nothing. The Lord said, "But I know you are miserable inside, and I can give you joy that you have never experienced before". He became a Christian and a Fatwa was issued against him. So he left his business in Iran and fled for England, where he began preaching the gospel to fellow Muslims. Around 600 Muslims got saved, and he had to flee to Northern Ireland. He now he lives in my country where he continues to witness to others about Jesus Christ. We may be having him at our house to give his testimony some day, and if he permits, I may be able to upload his testimony to the website. So as you can see, while Western nations may be for launching a war on Iran as soon as possible, we need to remember the many Christians who are in Iran and other Islamic nations, who need our prayers and support. Praise God that the gospel knows no borders, and that God is not limited by the will of man. You too can have this joy, by trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 15:10-11
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full.

Source Reuters, AFP, Haaretz

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10 V31

"and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2 V11

God created each one of us for His glory and so we should live every bit of our life for His glory alone. Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory...(Isaiah 43 V7)

God has a purpose of our existence and we should understand His great love for us through His Son Jesus Christ. Let us not waste away but use every possible way to live for His glory. Life is precious but even more precious is our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us dedicate our lives for His glory.