AND THE GOD OF THIS WORLD IS...

... Jesus Christ!

Any questions?

One good purpose for blogging is to bookmark articles which make an impact on you and me.

Today's bookmark is Garrett Paul Parrish's article on "The God of This World" at BibleProphecyFulfilled.org

Although I am puzzled by his translation of kosmos as "age" in John 12:31, I do agree with his conclusion that:

• Satan was the god of that world (during the time of Old Covenant Israel), and 

• Christ is the God of this world (New Eternal Covenant Israel, i.e., believers).

The Apostle Paul referred to Satan as "the god of this world (kosmos)" during the transitional 40-year period -- from Jesus' crucifixion to the destruction of the Old Covenant in 70 A.D. He should not, however, be confused with the God of Israel! Context, context, context.

Now, we look back and see who the god of that world was: Satan.

But today we know that Christ is King, the God of this world!

Preterist Newbie Disclaimer: 
If I am wrong in explaining or understanding my position, which I am clumsily defining all the time, I apologize. Heresy is not my goal.

CHEM TRAILS IN THE SOUTHWEST SKY

Looking SW from my home. You can see multiple
chem trails below the diagonal one with its shadow.
 

Okay. It's time to blog for "fun."

Several weeks ago, I snapped a few pics of some chem trails across my afternoon sky (the "my" is figurative).

Having watched a YouTube video on chem trails, I was angry that these menacing lines of poisonous aluminum powder and other various toxins, which are intended to control weather patterns, but are harmful to all of life continue to paint our God-given skies. See the video for interviews with scientists who have been studying the long-term effects of plant life exposure in California and Hawaii.

I did what any good activist would do. I grabbed my (dad's) camera!

Here is another one.

See the dissipated ones at the top? I am pretty sure
natural cloud formations are not straight lines.

Had enough conspiracy theory for one day?

All I can say is, if the evidence is true and the video is truthful, we are sitting ducks in season.

Start quacking!

SINGING THE JOBLESS BLUES

Today's "issue" of faith and life is unemployment. I feel, after much deliberation with myself and others, that it's not my fault!!!

Whew! That was cathartic if not therapeutic.

I believe it even more, now that I have worked occasionally on a temporary basis, and come to realize that, as long as there was a long-term and large-scale demand for my services, such as they are, I had a job! Now, I am not so sure that demand for them will ever come back.

Perhaps blogging is therapeutic in that I may express, in just the "right" words, how devoid of real, practical hope I am of running a business successfully or getting a good job. All of the platitudes I tell myself as a response or reflex from all of the platitudes I was told by others that it's all up to me (really?), that it's my fault I am where I am (okay, I'll change today), and that this is the land of opportunity (is it shrinking, along with my abilities?). This is the same situation millions (dare I say billions) of people find themselves in. Not enough money at the end of the month.

Juice Plus, along with the other network marketing businesses out there that promise to deliver you (if you want it) from your financial mess, is my current diversion from the jobless blues. As with all other "businesses" I have started, this one will end on the ash heap of history. Not the company, mind you. Just me.

Well, I must commence groveling in self pity and will get back to you. Be well.

THE RAPTURE ACCOUNT

Well, intrepid readers of my blog, I have decided to use today's post as a workspace for research into the topic of why there seem to be no eyewitness accounts, outside of the New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, of the Rapture.

WHAT IS IT?

Perhaps I should define terms here. The Rapture is the Biblical doctrine that the saints of God living on the earth at the time of Jesus' coming again would be caught up, or "raptured," into the clouds "to meet the Lord in the air."(1 Thessalonians 4:17)

WHEN?

Were it not for the abundance of "time texts" in the New Testament spelling a "near" and "at hand" context for this event, i.e., the first century (or more explicitly, 70 A.D.), , we could rightly speculate a future coming in the clouds of our Lord Jesus with equal amounts of certitude and uncertainty.

I listened to RC Sproul just now about the Rapture of the Church. While it is not a soteriological mandate, i.e., salvation-at-risk issue, to believe one way or the other (at least, I do not think it is), heresy can be merely relative in nature.

By that, I mean Martin Luther was labeled a "heretic" for his anti-ecclesiastical, pro-Scripture stand. I wonder sometimes if we contemporary believers are doing the same thing by anathematizing (condemning) each other for differing opinions on what are popularly called future events.

I plead ignorance about the existence or lack of extra-Biblical sources describing the Rapture taking place in 70 A.D. I do know that an argument from silence is no argument at all. I would probably consult Josephus or others to help verify my tenuous position. I am a sinner, after all. 

AND FINALLY

Let us recall the theological category of eschatology, or "last things," as being the study of those things which the Bible describes as attending "the end of the age [not "world"]."

I am willing to be corrected as being "wrong," as long as I really am!

WHAT IS A BLOG?

A blog is a collection of Twitter tweets that ran too long, beyond 140 characters.

A blog is a place to vent, wax eloquent, or practice pontificating.

A blog is your own newspaper, magazine, and multimedia outlet for news and commentary.

A blog is a really edifying way to divert one's attention from the more pressing matters of the day, so that one may recharge one's "battery" and regain a renewed sense of re-everything!

Now go blog the day! Carpe bloggem.

I BLOG, THEREFORE I AM

Okay, so that is not a very inspired blog post title. I know. But then, I am not in a very inspired mood-- I guess.

Being unemployed is a double-edge sword, a mixed blessing.  You get the idea. Too much time to think about too many things. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise. I choose to think it is.

Perhaps this blog is a prayer that someone else in the universe (including God Himself) will read what I wrote. God knows what I will say before I say it, as well as what I do not say! 

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Having exhausted all means of distraction from the task of finding gainful employment, I turn to the only skill I enjoy, writing.

How may I turn a skill into a paycheck? Must I resort to relationship marketing of Juice Plus (which will probably not "sell" to my circle of friends)? 

Is this another self-absorbed screed about nothing? I think so.

Enough time killed. On to the next thing...?

EXPLOSIVE EVIDENCE

Time to get the word out about Architects and Engineers For 9/11 Truth.

Here is their full-length video: Explosive Evidence: Experts Speak Out

Watch it. I am!

THE 9/11 PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

The saddest part of 9/11 is not that "we were attacked," but that we were attacked from within.

And what started this philosophical tailspin into Conspiracy Theory Land? A reminder that evidence points to something our critical thinking should have alerted us to long ago, had our mass media not distracted us from its revelation:

"The 11th Anniversary of 9/11."

THE PROBLEM

Over a period of time, we schoolchildren were indoctrinated to think the same way, rather than educated to think for ourselves. Critical thinking skills is a buzzword I recall applying to the purpose of sitting in a classroom and taking notes by the ream.  I do not see those same skills being applied to what happened on September 11, 2011.

I am a patriot to the extent America does the right thing to its neighbors and to itself. I consider myself mature enough by the grace of God to look at the possibility that the USA is not a government always seeking the will of God.

I have been forced, figuratively, to watch "Loose Change," for example, a video chronicling the long-term, governmental, and financial conspiracy to orchestrate the destruction and subsequent overhaul of the powers-that-be. The purpose of that conspiracy continues to be to effect paradigm shift, sea change, and monetary gain.

Time will not permit me to exhaustively show my own journey of disbelief and persuasion that the "powers-that-be" made all of this happen. History bears witness that conspiracy is the name of the game. We common folk go about our business, while people more rich and powerful than we go about theirs. Yet somewhere, an evil bigger than ourselves is at work.

THE SOLUTION

God is bigger than evil. (1 John 4:4) There is "no contest."

To borrow a saying from John Politan:

"Prayer changes nothing. Prayer, plus humble obedience, changes everything."

I believe God allowed "9/11," just like He allowed "Pearl Harbor," and all other bad things happening to "good people." Can we rise to the challenge of overcoming evil with good?

God commands it.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) 

POST ELECTION

I purposely used the term "election" in a dual sense here: 1) the upcoming  primary election (which I already cast an early ballot for :) ; and 2) the election of God to save some but not all sinners (all of us).

I fully realize that today's post has absolutely nothing to do with the first meaning. But it has everything to do with the second.

Election is the call of God to choose sinners to be His people, the ones whom Jesus came to save. Are you one of them? I pray you are. Many will reject Him and His salvation.

"Many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)

The process is completely a work of grace.(Ephesians 2). We did nothing to earn, deserve, or merit salvation. But He offers it freely, and we must accept. Period.

Rejection is not a (good) option.

WHENCE ELECTION?

So we are left with the dilemma: how did we come to believe in election? The word itself is the English translation of the Hebrew word for "choice:" bachir.

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights." (Isaiah 42:1)

This is a Messianic reference to the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. Interesting is the way God refers to His people using the same word, bachir ("chosen") in the very next occurence:

"For the sake of My servant Jacob, and Israel My chosen..." (Isaiah 45:4)

The first occurence of the word "choose" (bachar) used about God, to the best of my knowledge, is found in Numbers 16:5.

"The one whom He chooses, He will bring near to Him."

And,

"The man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one."(Numbers 16:7)

CHOSEN BY GOD

And just to beat a dead horse... dead, here is the more broad application of being chosen by God:

"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."(Deuteronomy 7:6)

 Sounds like God is in the business of "choosing" people, does it not? This is why we tremble at His Word, and thank Him for His grace. We need it. Anyone who will not see their need of God's grace is a "fool." (Psalm 14:1)

IT'S YOUR MOVE

The "freedom/bondage of the will" is a topic worth exploring separately. Suffice it to say, we all have a choice to make.

"Choose (bachir) this day whom you will serve."(Joshua 24:15)

ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED

I did a search on this blog using my handy search box in the right side and found that I have not blogged about Romans 11:26... yet!

"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:"

The futurist perspective is represented by the commentaries on Biblos.com, which I searched and found here.

The preterist perspective is represented on Eschatology.org, for example, by the article: "And So, All Israel Shall Be Saved! Romans 11:25-27."

Basically, there is a contrast between the two views because on the one hand, you have something to look forward to. On the other hand, you have something to look back on-- an historic event!

I regretfully admit the preterist view clears up all speculation as to the so-called "end of the world." It is also questionable in some circles whether there even is an end!

Worth thinking about and praying about.

THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL

It is incumbent upon Christian believers to discuss matters of faith and practice among ourselves, as iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). It behoves us to arrive at the same place in that conclusion as the Apostles and Prophets of old.

Witness Matthew 15:24.

"But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

It is good to know Jesus' mission on Earth as being a focused, but not exclusive, one. He came to seek and save that which was lost: that was the overall scope of His mission.  He came "for the lost sheep of the House of Israel:" that was His initial focus ("to the Jew first," Romans 1:16).

How fortunate (blessed) we are as Jews and Gentiles to have been included in that mission's scope! How sad that most of the Jews and Gentiles of His day were not saved because of their unbelief!

And so it is today.

Here is commentary from Biblos. By the way, RefTagger is functioning, i.e., hover your mouse pointer over the Scripture references.

"CHURCH FATHER FOR THE POST-MODERN ERA"

Having seen Eric Metaxas at my church speaking this past Saturday night, I wanted to watch something on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I found an "extended interview" on YouTube.


I also found the edited, though prettier, version of the same interview on The 700 Club. Here it is.

SOME RAPTURE - I PREFER THE BIBLICAL ONE!

It is eminently helpful to hear the gospel of God again and again, especially when we fallen creatures forget what we have already learned!

Witness "The Rapture."

Below is a video episode of "Morning Musings" by Don Preston. Here, he has beautifully explained the Biblical view of being "taken," and how it is not to be confused with being "caught up."

Of course, "being caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" is Biblical! (I Thessalonians 4:17)

But so is being "taken." The Biblical view frowns upon being taken when it refers to God's judgment. Therefore, it prefers being left behind and avoiding God's judgment (Matthew 24:36-44), as in the case of Noah avoiding the Great Flood by obeying God. As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the coming of the Son of Man.(Matthew 24)

In warfare, the conquering army would capture "the best and brightest" from the country being conquered. Hence, they were "taken" captive in judgment and enslaved for the good of the enemy.

Some rapture!

FIRST CENTURY LEFT BEHIND

In continuing my tradition of blogging about paradigm-shifting topics, I want to post this link to a friend's blog about the very feasible doctrine of full preterism. I do not wish to shift anyone's paradigm single-handedly!

All things predicted (prophesied about) in the Old Testament were fulfilled in the New Testament. All things prophesied about in the New Testament were fulfilled by 70 A.D.

Any questions?

I thought so. Here is one place to start, besides the myriad other sites and resources I have cited here at Worldview Window. It is called First Century Rapture. It is published by a good friend of mine and his co-author and friend. Please visit their site and learn.

REMEDY FOR A ONE WORLD COMPANY

You have certainly heard of The New World Order, a One World Government, and so on. I like one man's turn of the phrase as "one world company." I think it should be called One World, Inc. You get the idea.

The remedy for this financial tyranny is our own Constitution of the United States of America. Couple this with prayer to our Creator and eternal vigilance!

For a great primer online course, check out Hillsdale College.

BILDERBERG UNPLUGGED

Because I do not have the heart to embed this video on Facebook, I will do it here:



Live video from your Android device on UstreamIf this event is not on the evening news, it should be. How exciting! The movers and shakers (world "mafia") are meeting and mingling informally to collaborate on world events. Now we know why things happen (depressions, wars, assassinations, etc.)!

Go, Alex! Godspeed. Prayers for God's protection in Jesus' Name, amen.

OUR FUTURE IS IN GOD'S HANDS

Speculating about my future, by extension, is speculating about our future.

I am listening to (and watching) Alex Jones' live video feed (rerun) of his coverage/"reportage" of the Bilderberg Group meeting in Chantilly, Virginia this week. I was inspired to think maybe a global conspiracy such as the Bilderberg Group would explain the unexplainable.

Why do depressions, recessions, recoveries, prosperity, and poverty happen? Is it not because of our depravity as a fallen human race in the world created by God but allowed to fall because of our sin? Is it not because we war and lust against one another? (James 4)

Would not "spiritual wickedness in high places"(Ephesians 6:12) explain this mysterious cycle of rising and falling empires?

I know God is in control. But I feel and believe He allows his creatures (us) to make decisions for good or ill based on our natures, sinful or sanctified. Perhaps it is worth my while to speculate on the possibility that my economic welfare is, yes, ultimately in God's hands. But it is also affected by the "powers that be"(Romans 13:1) which He has ordained.

If I keep that in mind, then Bilderberg, do your worst!

POST HASTE

Okay, the pun was intended.

I wanted to embed this video live feed of Alex Jones at the Bilderberg Group meeting to see if it works.

Stay tuned...

 
Live video by Ustream

VIDEO IS WORTH...

...more than a picture! A thousand words or so about our present situation in Washington, D.C.:

WEBLOG, TAKE ME AWAY!

Sometimes your blog is nothing more than a place to refresh your sense of who you are and what you think, a place where it is okay to think! I was just reviewing some of my material here on my blog (i.e., posts, ads, design, etc.) and felt relief from the stress of workplace pressure.

But here is the rub: I do not have a job, per se. My job is to find work and do it to the best of my ability the way my boss wants. And do not be afraid to go above and beyond the call of duty!

That's it, in a nutshell. To the glory of God. The only pressure I feel right now is self-imposed-- and possibly Spirit-led (I hope).

WORK THEOLOGY

Wayne Grudem talks about work to a faculty conference at Talbot Theological Seminary.

SOCIAL IMAGINEERING

It's a small world, after all.

President Barack Hussein Obama was born in Kenya... until he wasn't.

Witness a comprehensive story in World Net Daily about the growing body of evidence from the past (i.e., pre-election days) showing a definite thread of being:

•  born in Kenya
•  from Indonesia
•  a "foreign student" 
• etc.

The literary agent who made a "fact-checking error" in publishing a brochure for Obama's forthcoming book (which never came) figured after 16 years, he ought to correct that "error" -- especially since Senator Obama was running for president of the U.S.

So now we have spin control spinning out of control. Fun to watch, but tragic in consequence. When truth becomes "error," God says, "Woe!" (Isaiah 5:20)

VETTING THE UNVETTED

Let's have a look at Breitbart.com's story about the duly-elected President BHO and his antics to cover up his origins which would disqualify him from holding the office he tenuously holds now.

Can you say "double-crossed?"

I visited Infowars.com on a whim and, presto, there it was in all its digital glory:

Obama "was born in Kenya!"

Now it has been "immortalized" for all to see forever.

If that is not enough, here is yet even more in-depth coverage of the unfolding refuge of lies (Isaiah 28:17) hiding the "most powerful man in the world."

HELL, NO?

Ready to have your paradigm shifted... again? How about just shaken a bit? Here you go.

The Doctrine of Hell/Eternal Punishment

I recently discussed a refutation of eternal punishment with a friend. I am holding on to the "eternal" part until I know it is safe to let go of it! Fear of God, you know.

I also happened to find a podcast on Hairy Ticks about hell and our misunderstanding of it.

Oh, oh.

Later, I found the Hairy Ticks Variety Show discussing it with John Noe. HTVS is a conversational-format talk show from a preterist perspective. Here I heard a credible explanation of the Biblical doctrine of hell/gehenna/hades/lake of fire/tartaros which contradicts the traditional view-- which I am tenuously holding on to!


How I found this podcast escapes me, but here is where it all began for me: AD70.net. And here.


In the second linked article above, I found the last two paragraphs to be comforting and reassuring that the author was conscientiously avoiding heresy. Whew!

Listen/read at your own risk :)

NOW BOARDING THE YOUNG EARTH CREATIONIST BAND WAGON

Thank you for humoring me in my indulgence of all things Biblical. I have been on an Answers In Genesis "kick" for the past few days, as evidenced by my recent blog posts. This has been my intentional excursion into Creation Science for many reasons.

"Have you not read...?" (Matthew 19:4) This was Jesus' oft-asked question to those who presumed to know God better than He did! 

I prefer to believe God because He was there.

Blog-posting background audio provided by: Answers In Genesis

DR. JOEL WALLACH'S DIAGNOSIS AND PRESCRIPTION FOR OUR S.A.D.

Sorry to shift gears on you like this. But Alex Jones scored a huge win with this interview of Dr. Joel Wallach. You can watch it below and here.

By the way, S.A.D. stands for Standard American Diet!

The Relevance of Genesis: Homeschool Talks - Answers in Genesis

The Relevance of Genesis: Homeschool Talks - Answers in Genesis

Global Warming: A Scientific and Biblical Expose of Climate Change - Answers in Genesis

Global Warming: A Scientific and Biblical Expose of Climate Change

B.F.B.S. (BLOGGING FOR BLOGGING'S SAKE)

It is time once again to return to my appreciation for blogging. Indeed, it is a universal need of us clay vessels to express ourselves. It doesn't pay the bills. But then, neither does sleeping!

That's what blogs are for, venting emotions on subjects we care about because we are verbal creatures - even if it accomplishes NOTHING.


That's all for now. I must get busy trying to figure out how to pay my bills. "Working" is only a concept if I don't do it!


Thanks for visiting.

CONSPIRACY THEORY #1963

Okay. I changed the title to "1963" intentionally. A good conspiracy theoricist has to have some fun!

However, this blog will never become a Conspiracy Theory clearing house. I will address certain stories that I feel very strongly about. This is one of them.

Occasionally, I find information from people who have the time and resources to pursue these things and publish their findings.

You must admit, however, conspiracy theories make life more interesting. Imagine how painfully boring life would be without a good CT to explain the really big, inexplicable events in life and history.

JFK

Well, let us take heart as Vincent Bugliosi takes multiple swipes at us "conspiracy theorists" in his interview with Dennis Prager on The Dennis Prager Show.  It was condensed and replayed on Townhall.com's podcast "Weekend Journal" today. I guess serendipitously finding and listening to this podcast has unintentionally stirred my pot.

After listening to the interview, I was left feeling like the "loser" whose life was coming apart that like Mr. Bugliosi said I was! Amazing.

Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy all by himself. Any questions?

Just one. Or two.

Agnosticism

I found out my buddy Vincent is an "agnostic" in his belief about God. This hits credibility where it counts the most!  See Amazon.com for his book, "Divinity of Doubt: The God Question."

Here is the book description:

"Vincent Bugliosi, whom many view as the nation’s foremost prosecutor, has successfully taken on, in court or on the pages of his books, the most notorious murderers of the last half century—Charles Manson, O.J. Simpson, and Lee Harvey Oswald.

Now, in the most controversial book of his celebrated career, he turns his incomparable prosecutorial eye on the greatest target of all: God. In making his case for agnosticism, Bugliosi has very arguably written the most powerful indictment ever of God, organized religion, theism, and atheism. Theists will be left reeling by the commanding nature of Bugliosi’s extraordinary arguments against them. And, with his trademark incisive logic and devastating wit, he exposes the intellectual poverty of atheism and skewers its leading popularizers—Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins.

Joining a 2,000-year-old conversation which no one has contributed anything significant to for years, Bugliosi, in addition to destroying the all-important Christian argument of intelligent design, remarkably—yes, scarily—shakes the very foundations of Christianity by establishing that Jesus was not born of a virgin, and hence was not the son of God, that scripture in reality supports the notion of no free will, and that the immortality of the soul was a pure invention of Plato that Judaism and Christianity were forced to embrace because without it there is no life after death.

Destined to be an all-time classic, Bugliosi’s Divinity of Doubt sets a new course amid the explosion of bestselling books on atheism and theism—the middle path of agnosticism. In recognizing the limits of what we know, Bugliosi demonstrates that agnosticism is
the most intelligent and responsible position to take on the eternal question of God’s existence." [Emphasis mine]

Barf!

Conspiracy Theory!!!

I also found out that Vincent (we are on a first-name basis now, for variety's sake) has another book out, which would by no means appear to be conspiratorial in any way. Perish the thought. Here it is:

"The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder"

Now we see that Mr. Bugliosi (see previous paragraph) has a notion that "conspiracy theorists" are losers whose lives are coming apart and need something to believe in to explain their loss of control.

Gee, it seems like he just wants to sell his book, "Reclaiming History," which was the subject of his interview mentioned above, and reclaim history from CT-types who distort the truth, etc.

Blah, blah, blah. All together now: "Cha-ching!"

Final thought: 1 Corinthians 13:12

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

Witness - Obama Was a Foreign Student

Well, intrepid readers of my blog, I watched the video posted yesterday about Sheriff Joe Arpaio's news conference revealing the findings by his Cold Case Posse investigating a possible case of fraud and forgery raised by the Surprise (AZ) Tea Party's petition to Sheriff Joe.

"Riveting" comes to mind.

I saw in that video where Chief Investigator Mike Zullo tells the media present he is gravely concerned over the evidence of fraud and forgery by a private (?) individual who created "an electronic file" to mimic a paper document which would pass for a long-form birth certificate proving President Barack Hussein Obama's eligibility to run for the office of president of the United States of America.

Zullo finally mentions a video wherein a postal worker reveals his conversation with the parents of Bill Ayers (of domestic terrorist fame in the 1970's, I believe). Thomas Ayers introduced the postman to a young "foreign student" named, you guessed it, BHO!

It seems to me that a foreign student is not born in the country in which he or she is being educated. That would point to a citizenship originating somewhere else. So much for being qualified to run for president.

More fun on the way. Stay tuned.

Cold Case Posse - Obama's Birth Certificate Investigation - Sheriff Joe ...

This is the best quality video I could find. However, the audio quality is lacking volume. Turn it up, and be entertained, informed, and enlightened.

NORTH KOREA ON MY MIND

With blogging apologies to Glen Campbell for revising his song title, "Gentle On My Mind," North Korea has a new Dear Leader (same as the old Dear Leader) who has finally gotten the spotlight shone on his cherubic countenance and a new agenda of lies and human brutality laying before him.

If it were not so tragically barbaric, the upstart regime of Kim Jong Un would be comical.

The audacious parade of deception for all the world and even its own people to see unwillingly has begun-- or should I say, continues. It will go down (and it will go down, God willing) in history as the last Stalinist regime to fall, and the world's largest prison camp that would make even the Man of Steel, Josef Stalin, smile in his fireside resting place (wishful thinking).

Why blog about North Korea now? Because I am happy-- albeit temporarily-- with the latest development in the government's failed rocket launch. We Westerners breathe a collective sigh of relief every time a world dictator falls on his (never her) face, militarily. See the story on Fox News.

Whew! Please keep screwing up your space program, Commander Kim!

Stop causing so much incomprehensible human misery that only God can stop. And trust me, He will stop it. That is the hope and prayer of every human being with a pulse.

Let us work for a Domino Principle that will cause a wave of good rather than evil to spread.

ORDER OUT OF CHAOS

One nice thing about having a blog like this is I can post about anything and it will fall under the category of Faith or Life. Be it my faith (which is a gift of God, Ephesians 2:8-9), my computer, or my opinion of political events and developments (especially in the United States), and so on.

See? Life can be "cut and dried," and fit inside of nice, neat little cubby holes.

Until it can't.

Praise God for the order out of chaos (Genesis 1:1-2)

BACK ON TRACK

Sorry, dear readers of my worldview-oriented blog (hence the name). I got side-tracked in my last post toward occupational/vocational pursuits in search of relevant and interesting content for your exclusive perusal.

I digressed!

Witness the link to one LightShine Media and its attendant audio file which I am listening to momentarily for your re-alignment with the blog before you now.

Ah, technology.

For more on my digression into web-related topics, see my other blog at Web Developments.

WEB DESIGN GROWING PAINS

The San Diego Freeway 

Well, the time has come for me to return to my blogging roots here at Blogger.com.  Right now, I am savoring the moment I am in, which feels like a homecoming. Let me explain, if I can.

I recently authored a website called HTML5 OR BUST! I have been nurturing it to maturity since its inception and launch last October. I have enjoyed the time spent racking my brain trying to solve baffling problems with coding.

I am a novice at HTML and CSS. But I intend to learn all I can about web design and development.

I am thinking of a title for this post.

It's funny, but I actually feel that people are reading my blog!

Praise the Lord!

FRANKLIN GRAHAM MISSES IT

I am in no way discounting my respect and admiration for the Reverend Billy Graham's capable and well-qualified evangelist son, Franklin. But I am taking issue with his comments in his video called "Second Coming - Are You Ready?"

In it, he states that Jesus did not come as King the first time, but He will the second time.

Really?  

Matthew 2:2 says the wise men asked Herod, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Franklin quotes Isaiah 9:6-7:

 6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon^d his shoulder,
and his name shall be called^e
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.

 Graham says that Jesus did not have a government then. Really? Can there be a king without a kingdom? Jesus Himself said, "My kingdom is not of this world."(John 18:36) He was speaking in the present tense. In fact, the wise men were speaking in the past-perfect tense!

Also, of course, Graham toes the line that Jesus is coming "soon."  There you have the complete package of futurism in a nutshell. I was surprised, but not shocked. I only count myself blessed (?) with this perspective of fulfilled, covenant eschatology.

NOTE: I am not discounting or disparaging the God-given work that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association does for the world. I only want to point out how subtly error can creep in. (The proverbial "three fingers" are pointing back at me!)

THE COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA OF RON PAUL

For a primer on the Ron Paul "movement," see Lew Rockwell.

THIS MAKES ME A POST-MILLENNIALIST

I read an article by Michael Loomis at AD70.net about The Millennium. If Mike's presentation is indeed true, then all believers would be post-millennialists!

How exciting!

Here is a good starting place for understanding Covenant Millennialism.

WHEN FOREVER DOESN'T MEAN "FOREVER"

Hey, political State of Israel! Genuine, born-from-above Christians are the "better" Israel. (Hebrews 10)

AN OLIVE BRANCH - NO THORNS, HONEST!

I have been following the recent discussions about the "rapture" of the church. I put it in quotes because it can be a controversial doctrine in Christian circles. A friend pursued this subject with me, and I obligingly (and willingly) joined him.

We believers must wrestle with the Scriptures and allow God to win. It usually happens when a brother or sister, who has a better handle on that Scripture than we do, comes and shows us where we are wrong in our thinking. This is God's grace, and nothing less.

To recap, I Thessalonians 4:13-18 says:

"The Coming of the Lord

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, gthat you may not grieve as others do hwho have no hope. 14 For isince we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him jthose who have fallen asleep.

15 For this we declare to you kby a word from the Lord,4 that lwe who are alive, who are left until mthe coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For nthe Lord himself will descend ofrom heaven pwith a cry of command, with the voice of qan archangel, and rwith the sound of the trumpet of God. And sthe dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be tcaught up together with them uin the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so vwe will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words."(Biblia.com)

This passage describes an  event future to its readers: the Rapture of the Church in the first century A.D.  Paul is explaining to the church at Thessalonica that their grief over lost loved ones who believed in Christ is not hopeless. They would indeed see them again - at the Rapture!


So Who Are "We?"

The argument is over whether the "we" in verses 15 and 17 (orange with yellow) includes the readers in Thessalonica, or is it only the writers of the epistle--or is it something else.  The "exclusive-we" is a Greek form of the word that defines a group as being separate from its audience, i.e. we - but not you.

This is indeed a valid argument. But "context is king," as Ed Stevens* says. To say that it excludes the readers of Paul's epistle to the Thessalonian church is hard to swallow. I would say that it distinguishes between the living saints and those who are dead:

  "...we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord will not precede [go before] those who have fallen asleep."(v.15)

 Therefore, the exclusive-we, in context, distinguishes the living body of believers from those who are dead!

Whew!

* Ed Stevens was interviewed by Michael Loomis on AD70.net for the program, "Then and Now." This podcast helped me to solidify the explanation and understanding of the fulfilled view of the Rapture.

His notes are here:

A LONG-OVERDUE APOLOGY

To my readers (both of you :), I owe an apology for my selfish and misleading commentary in this blog.

Yes, I am a sinner. I know that not everyone is a believer in and follower of The Son of Man/God, the only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, I want to apologize if anything in this blog has given Him a bad rap in the eyes of those who do not follow Him -- yet.

Especially in the eyes of those who do follow Him, I must repent of anything that causes a stumbling block to their walk with the Savior.

Whew!

WHO WANTS THEIR WORLDVIEW ROCKED?

I do! I do!

I have to ask myself: why have I allowed my long-cherished, ubiquitous, and infallible(?) doctrine of the future Second Coming of Christ to be challenged by a bunch of "heretics" known as Preterists? 

 Don't get me wrong:  I believe Christ came, just as He said He would.  I believe He is with us, and that His Kingdom is here-and-now, and forever! I also believe we may be misunderstanding the timing and method of it if we say He has not come yet.

So sit back, relax-- and be challenged.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO "HMMM"

"President" Barack Hussein Obama II's "Long-Form Birth Certificate"
(click above)

I invite you to open this document and examine it closely by zooming in with Ctrl++ (or "View/Zoom/Zoom In" on the menu bar at the top).

• Why do typewriter and print/stamp inconsistencies look manufactured?   The words all look uniform in darkness and clarity except for the occasional, strategically-placed faint/corrected character or smudged stroke. They look like they were created manually with graphic art software. 

• Call me a conspiracy theorist (please).  But why does the certificate consist of a paper stock background with an image of a printed, bound leaf superimposed over it, instead of just one unified form?

• Also, why is the certificate's background pattern, wicker basket cross-hatching, not bending with the image on the paper?  Hmmm?

Kind of makes me think there may be a case of fraud here.