The United Methodist Church has decided to withdraw its decision to divest from Caterpillar, which manufactures earth-moving equipment that has been used by Israel to demolish the homes of Palestinian suicide bombers. The denomination was planning to divest its $5 million worth of shares from the firm as a way of indirectly punishing Israel for its 'oppression' of the Palestinian people. But the United Methodists have decided not to divest from Caterpillar following an announcement from the company that they do not condone the illegal or immoral use of any of their equipment and expect their customers to use their products in ways that respect human rights and international humanitarian law. A statement released by the United Methodist Church reveals just how much contempt they have for the Jewish state...

Quote: ""Caterpillar equipment, fitted with armored plating, is used by Israeli Defense Forces to destroy Palestinian homes, orchards and olive groves in the Occupied Territories, and to clear Palestinian land for illegal Israeli settlements, segregated roads and the separation barrier," UMC noted in a statement. The denomination has about $5 million of its estimated $17 billion pension portfolio invested in Caterpillar stock, according to a press release on the UMC website.

Not one word of condemnation for Palestinian terrorism... The only homes Israel has destroyed are those belonging to Palestinian suicide bombers, and those being used for the transportation of weapons across the Gaza border. This present Israeli government has actually refused to demolish hundreds of illegal Palestinian settlements in Judea and Samaria. And as for segregated roads and the separation barrier, these have prevented an untold number of terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. In their statement, it seems that the United Methodist Church is trying to portray Israel as a racist, apartheid state, when in reality it is the Palestinian Authority and Hamas that are the ones who are racist and apartheid. The only Jew left in the Gaza Strip is being held hostage by an illegal terrorist organization, and you can be assured that no Jews will be permitted to enter a future Palestinian state. Yet Arabs living in Israel still have more freedoms than those living in any other Islamic state in the Middle East.

The Bible warns us that in the last days, men would possess a form of godliness but would deny the power of it, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2nd Timothy 2:3-5). In other words, in the last days there will be people who will have a certain morality about them, but their morality will not be Christ-centred. And today, many of these liberal denominations are replacing the Bible's absolute moral authority with the Christ-less morality of the world. You don't need to look very far to see how the world's standards of morality have crept into our churches. Just look at some of the recent statements made by the leaders of the Episcopalian Church USA. They, along with several other mainstream denominations, have publicly praised a man who has called for the Jewish state to be wiped off the map. They have denied the Lord that bought them, in stating that Jesus Christ is not the only way of salvation (John 14:6). They have said that the Lord created homosexuality, making God the author of sin. And they have denied the Father and the Son, in praying to God in the feminine form (1st John 2:22). This is the world's standard of morality. As you can see, compared to God's standard, it is utterly depraved. When the Church starts adhering the world's standard of morality, you know what the outcome must be...

2nd Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  

There is no doubt we are now living in the age of Laodicea, of which church the Lord had not one single word of commendation for (Revelation 3:14-22). But let us not be followers of men, but let us be followers of Jesus Christ, that we be not ashamed at His coming.

Philippians 3:17-20
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Source Christian Post

I'm not trying to be sensationalist, but that is in effect what he is saying. I have up until now kept out of discussing the US presidential elections on the website, although many people have sent me emails regarding it. Politics is a dirty business, especially in the United States, and it seems that candidates will do or say anything in order to get themselves elected. Some have sent me emails about Barak Obama before, who happens to be one of the main contenders for the presidency. He is being portrayed by some as the "saviour of America" and the "hope of the entire world". There were also reports of people being overcome by his persona at his rallies. Naturally some have wondered whether Obama may be a type of Antichrist, a great charismatic leader who will usher the United States into the tribulation period. Probably if I was American I might be more concerned about who was being elected the next president. Personally I feel that the US is not mentioned explicitly in prophecy, and that the European Union is still the best candidate for Daniel's fourth beast, from which the Antichrist must arise. But this particular article about Obama irritated me somewhat, not because of his liberal views on homosexuality, or even his lax views on abortion, but the fact that he quotes God's Word to justify these sins.

Quote: ""I don't think it [a same-sex union] should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state," said Obama. "If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans." (See video here) St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans condemns homosexual acts as unnatural and sinful. Obama's mention of the Sermon on the Mount in justifying legal recognition of same-sex unions may have been a reference to the Golden Rule: "Do to others what you would have them do to you." Or it may have been a reference to another famous line: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

Ironically, the article mentions that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ also condemns murder, divorce and adultery. The Lord's teaching on hating your brother without a cause more or less settles the issue of abortion. Any person that is capable of killing an unwanted child has to hate them without a cause. Surely that must be the penultimate expression of hatred against an individual, where one can take a life without giving it a second thought. Only around 4% of abortions in the United States and Great Britain are carried out for medical reasons. If Obama believes we ought to form our views based on Christ's Sermon on the Mount, then will Obama outlaw adultery? Or will he make it illegal to divorce your spouse for any reason other than unfaithfulness? In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord was teaching that whereas the moral aspect of the law prohibited these sins, it was the condition of the heart that God was ultimately concerned with. And if you hate your brother without a cause or you look upon a man or women with lust, then you have already committed the deed of murder or adultery in your heart, which according to God's standards is the same as actually carrying it out. The Bible states that God desires truth "in the inward parts", Psalm 51:6. The Lord's teaching on not judging our brother means that we shouldn't condemn those that are caught up in these sins. They need God's salvation. But we must condemn the sin, for according to Scripture it is abomination in the sight of God, and there isn't going to be anyone in heaven who practices such sins (1st Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:27). There is something seriously wrong when a senator who claims to be a Christian can support laws which are diametrically opposed to God's Word. The article also points out that the message Obama is presenting to the evangelical community is not the same as the one being given to the homosexual community. Barak Obama recently published an open letter to the homosexual community on his website, pledging his support for homosexual adoption and civil marriages.

Quote: ""As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws," Obama said in the letter. "I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples--whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage." 

So in Obama's eyes it seems that anything goes, so long as everybody gets treated equally. And perhaps in this Obama does have the support of the Scriptures. For the Bible states that the Lord will reward every man according to his works, whether they be good or evil. There will be no one standing at the Great White Throne judgement who will be able to claim that they didn't get what they deserved. 

Revelation 20:12-15
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Notice in the above verses that sinners are judged according to their works, but the only requirement for sinners to be saved is that their name be found written in the Lamb's book of life. In fact this is the only thing that God will accept for a soul's salvation. The Bible states that all our good works are like filthy rags in God's sight (Isaiah 64:6). It's only the blood of Jesus Christ that can take away our sin (Hebrew 10:11-12). Whenever a sinner repents of his sin and places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, his name is written in the Lamb's book of life (Luke 10:20). Is your name written in heaven?

I was humbly kneeling at the cross
Fearing nought but God's angry frown
When the heavens opened, and I saw
That my name was written down

There's a new name written down in Glory, And it's mine, oh yes it's mine!
And the white-robed angels sing the story, "A sinner has come home!"
There's a new name written down in Glory, And it's mine, oh yes it's mine!
With my sins forgiven, I am bound for heaven, Never more to roam.

In the book 'tis written, "Saved by Grace"
Oh the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know
By the blood I am made whole

Source South Florida Times, News Max, Fox News

The Church of Rome is planning to put the body of Padre Pio on public display for his devout followers, who will soon be celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the man's death. Padre Pio was a monk who lived in the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. His followers believe that while he lived, he bore the marks of Christ's crucifixion in his hands and feet, and that he possessed the ability to heal the sick. He was also rumoured to be able to foretell future events, appear in two places at once, and knew in advance the sins of those who were coming to him for confession. The monk was initially opposed by the Roman Catholic Church, but later on, Pope John Paul II made him a 'saint'. Padre Pio's body was exhumed during a three hour service. The Church of Rome said in a statement that the body was in fair condition, and that they planned to exhibit his corpse in a glass coffin, so those wanting to pray to him would be able to see him. 

Quote: "The body had been conserved well, said Archbishop Domenico D'Ambrosio. ''As soon as we got inside the tomb we could clearly make out the beard. The top part of the skull is partly skeletal but the chin is perfect and the rest of the body is well preserved," he said. "If Padre Pio allows me, I might say he looks as though he just had a manicure."

The Church of Rome was once known for its exhumation of corpses, but this honour was usually reserved for those whom the church wanted to destroy. The Church of Rome exhumed the bones of John Wycliffe, the man who translated the Scriptures into the English language, burned them, and had the ashes scattered on the river Swift. One Pope, Steven VI, even had his predecessor's body exhumed from his grave and put on trial. Of course this reminds us of the Scripture, that we shouldn't fear those who have power to kill the body, but afterwards can do no more. We should fear Him who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). It also should remind us of the certainty of the resurrection. For although Wycliffe's ashes may be scattered across the world's oceans, John Wycliffe's body will be resurrected with the rest of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Job 19:25-27
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Do you believe that God will somehow have mercy upon you, when he sees you paying homage to a dead man's body? Or like Job, do you know that your Redeemer liveth? Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross for you. He died, and was buried, and the third day He rose again from the dead (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Truly our Redeemer lives, and is mighty to save (Isaiah 63:1). Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Source BBC, Wikipedia

I thought this article was very interesting. Although not specifically related to prophecy, it sheds some light on the modern 'signs and wonders movement' now making inroads into many churches. The article gives an account of one girl who claims to have experienced something similar to what many Christians are now claiming to have experienced, supposedly under the power of the Holy Spirit. Lina says she was 17 years old when she was first possessed by an evil spirit. She lives in Indonesia, where reports of mass trances and speaking in tongues seem to be relatively common. She recounts an experience she had while working in a cigarette factory. "My older sister went down first. She was screaming and her body went rigid and she couldn't move. Then the spirit came into my body too", Lina said. She believes she has been possessed many times over the past six years, always by the same spirit. "Its face is exactly the same face as my older sister but the body is hard to make out. It calls my name but if I follow it, it disappears", she said. Lina says that mass trances were common in the factory were she worked. There have been many other reports of mass trances in Indonesia. Last June around 50 female workers in a garment factory near Jakarta went into a mass trance, weeping and jerking their bodies around. Similar occurrences have also been reported in several high schools.

Quote: ""Every society has some kind of culturally appropriate place for trance experiences, usually in religious settings," said Tanya Luhrmann, a Stamford University anthropologist who studies witchcraft and evangelical Christianity, where such group faintings are common. "There appears to be a contagion element to trance, but it really requires some kind of willingness on the part of the individual," she said in an emailed reply to questions, adding that this was the case even if it seemed unconscious or unwilled.

If you happen to watch some of the Christian satellite television channels, you may be familiar with such phenomenon. You would be forgiven for thinking that this movement is a work of God, for that is how it is portrayed. It has become known as being 'drunk' or 'slain' in the spirit, and the practice is being promoted by several prominent teachers and preachers on Christian television networks, including but not limited to Benny Hinn, Rodney Howard-Browne, Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland. I downloaded a video from the internet of one particular episode of Kenneth Hagin's, in which he had his whole audience in hysteria, rolling about on the floor in fits of laughter. Hagin himself was deeply affected by the phenomenon, and was hissing like a snake and laughing uncontrollably. Copeland was also present at the meeting. It is very disturbing viewing. As we can see, this phenomenon is not limited to so-called evangelical Christianity. Those that follow the movement will claim that for every work of God, Satan has his counterfeit. But where is the true manifestation of this phenomenon then?

There is no mention of it in the Scriptures. Some will then claim that God is doing a 'new thing'. But the Lord will never go against His written Word, and this movement finds no support in Scripture. People claim to fall down under the power of God. In Benny Hinn's shows you will always see them falling backwards, and being laid out on the floor. But in the Bible, whenever people fall down under the power of God, they always fall on their faces (Genesis 17:3) and never on their backs. The only occasion when people fell backwards under the power of God is when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus Christ (John 18:6). If you watch Benny Hinn's show very closely, you will also notice that those who seem to be praying or concentrating do not fall down as easily when prompted to do so by Benny Hinn. And that may tie in with the above quotation, that there needs to be a willingness on the part of the individual to be induced into a trance. I think I remember one occasion on which Rodney Howard-Browne actually told people not to pray so that they could fall out under this power. Clearly God is not the source of this power.

The Bible states that God is not the author of confusion (1st Corinthians 14:33). Speaking in 'tongues' is also not limited to Christianity. It is closely associated with the occult and Shamanism. I personally believe that the tongues mentioned in the Bible were real languages (Acts 2:7-11), and not the mumbo-jumbo that is often passed off as a heavenly language today. For instance, one video of Kenneth Copeland and Rodney Howard-Browne on the internet shows both men telling each other a joke in 'tongues'. But the Bible states that the miracle of tongues was a sign to the unbelieving Jewish nation (Isaiah 28:11, 1st Corinthians 14:21-22), and that once the complete revelation of the Scriptures had come to us, this gift would pass away (1st Corinthians 13:8-10). Interesting to note that Paul also states the gift of prophecy would pass away, so where does that leave many of these so-called 'prophets' today?

As we can see, the time is ripe for the appearance of the False Prophet. The world, and especially Christendom through the medium of television, is being conditioned into accepting that some Christian leaders have the 'gift' of miracles. While I believe miracles still do happen today, and I have witnessed one, there is a big difference between a real miracle and what these men are passing off as miracles. For a start, a real miracle is glorifying to God, while the miracles these men perform only serve to bring glory to themselves. And when the False Prophet appears on the scene, his miracles will serve only to glorify the Antichrist and Satan himself.

Revelation 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Just like Israel in the Old Testament, Christendom is now being led by a few self-proclaimed prophets who are not speaking on the behalf of God. If they were they would be preaching the truth of Scripture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not blindly accept what men tell you, search the Scriptures to see whether those things are so (Acts 17:11).

John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Source Reuters