Vatican calls for world bank

I have linked below what I think is a very interesting news story.  In the article you will read how the Vatican has called for a world bank to be created to rule over the world's financial institutions.  This is interesting on a couple of levels.

First, any news story involving the consolidation of the world's banking systems and a move toward a one-world-currency is relevant to any discussion of end-time prophecy.  This story is no different.

The second reason to me, however, is the most interesting.  There is a theory  held by some end-time scholars that the false prophet of Revelation 13 will be an apostate pope.  Something that most people don't realize is that it is the false prophet who controls the financial side of the Antichrist's kingdom and implements the mark of the beast.  If this theory is true, then this could be the groundwork being laid for the financial order that will rule during the tribulation. 

http://newsworldwide.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/vatican-calls-for-central-world-bank-to-be-set-up/

The U.S. pull out of Iraq and the death of Qadaffi

Last week brought two major news stories involving the Middle East.  First, President Obama announced that the withdrawl of U.S. military forces from Iraq would be complete by the end of 2011.  Second, was the death of former Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi.  I believe that both of these could potentially be of enormous significance in terms of end-times prophecy. 

First let's look at the withdrawl of U.S. troops from Iraq.  One of the great fears brought about by the withdrawl of U.S. forces in Iraq is that the country will come under the control of Iran and the Apocalyptic Muslims who run the country.  To understand why this is a distinct possibility, you have to understand the eschatology of those running Iran.  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is of the belief that he has been commissioned by Allah to be the forerunner of the Mahdi, the Islamic Messiah figure whose description from Islamic texts mirrors that of the Antichrist.  Iraq plays into the Islamic beliefs on the Mahdi. 

It is believed that when the Mahdi appears that he will emerge from Iraq.  It is likely that Ahmadinejad wants to control Iraq because he believes this will hasten the appearing of the Mahdi.  It is also interesting to note that this is the same geogrpahic area that the Bible says the Antichrist will come from.  If the theory that some Bible scholars holds is true that when the Antichrist takes center stage that the Muslim world will hail him as their Mahdi, then what we are about to see take place in Iraq could very well be setting the stage for the appearance of the Antichrist. 

Now let's look at the death of Muammar Qadaffi in Libya.  There have been a couple of interesting reports coming out of Libya from Fox News.  One is that Iran is now looking to increase its influence in the nation as its new government forms.  The second is that the new government of Libya will be based on strict Islamic Sharia law.  Both of these developments points to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 where Libya is part of a coalition along with Iran that will suddenly attack Israel. 

As these two stories continue to develop over the coming weeks and months, it will be interesting to see how the stage continues to be set for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. 

Luke 21:12

In Luke 21 Jesus in response to his disciples gives a list of the signs of the end-times.  In Luke 21:12 He says this:

 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

With that in mind, consider the following article. 

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/21/california-couple-fined-300-for-holding-home-bible-studies/

I really feel this is an example of the kind of persecution that the church and believers can expect to see increase as we draw nearer to the time of the rapture.  I believe we will continue to see a growing hostility toward the church from the government.  I know a $300 fine is not the same as imprisonment, but it could be the first step down a slippery slope. 

As much as I want to be upset by this, I can't be when I read further in Luke to what Jesus said next.  Luke 21:13-15 reads like this:

But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

We as the church may be headed for days of hostility and persecution, but according to Jesus this will be a time of great testimony for us.  In times of trial the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say that will allow us to be effective witnesses for him, and that is an exciting thing. 

Peace talks could resume by months end

The following article indicates that the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians could happen by the end of the month.  It seems that the target date for now is October 23.

Whatever happens in resumed peace talks will surely be significant from an end-times perspective.  Either some sort of peace agreement will be reached that will be a precursor or foreshadowing of the Daniel 9:27 deal, or more pieces will be put into place for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

It remains important for us as Christians to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to pray for the leaders of our own country to have the wisdom to stand beside Israel. 

http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=CNG.19cbae00c31007ab44469985e8a939e2.871&show_article=1

Chrislam

One of the greatest apostasies gaining followers today is a merger of the Christian faith and the religion of Islam know as "Chrislam."  How anyone could reconcile the Bible's teachings on loving your enemy with the Koran's call to kill infidels is beyond me, but some "Christians" have found a way to do so. 

I do believe this is part of the falling away from the faith prophesied to happen in the last days, but there could be more to it as well.  There are some scholars who believe that the one-world religion that will appear during the tribulation will be Islam.  As part of this belief, the feel that the stage will be set for this by more and more liberal denominations finding common ground with Islam.  They could be on to something. 

http://www.thejerusalemconnection.us/blog/2011/10/06/chrislam-straight-from-the-pits-of-hell.html

Quartet to meet over the weekend

The Mideast Quartet is set to meet this weekend to discuss how to get peace talks going again between Israel and the Palestinians.  I look forward to seeing what comes out of this meeting.

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/10/07/3089762/quartet-to-meet-sunday

Panetta and U.S. government treading on dangerous ground.

As a representative of the U.S. government, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is treading on some very dangerous ground.  Along with his statements about Israel isolating themselves, he has now begun to apply pressure to Israel not to act against Iran to take out their nuclear capabilities according to a report by Time Magazine.  This is a very easy position to take, Mr. Secretary, when the madman in charge who feels it is his duty to destroy you doesn't have his sights set on you. 

I guarantee you if the shoe were on the other foot, no one in our nation would stand still for a foreign official pressuring us not to act in our own self-interests or benefit. 

On the heels of this report is the following one from World Net Daily, which shows how agents of the U.S government (including Panetta) may be acting to bring about regime change in Israel.  If a government like the U.S. wanted to have a much more controllable Israel in any upcoming peace negotiations, they would certainly want Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu out of power. 

Prime Minister Netanyahu will not allow Israel to be pressured into making a bad deal by the Mideast Quartet or anyone else.  Having him gone would certainly make Israel easier to deal with in the eyes of much of the world, but that is not what is in the best interests of Israel.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=351933

U.S. Secretary of Defense warns of Israeli isolation

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta warned Israel that they are becoming increasingly isolated in the region, and said they must find a way to get back to the negotiating table with the Palestinians. 

In my opinion this has to go down as one of the stupidest things a U.S. official has ever said.  Is it Israel's fault they are surrounded by nations that want to wipe them off the map?   Is it wrong that they want to have defensible borders?  Is it wrong that they don't want to surrender land that will be used as a staging are for rockets to be fired into the heart of Jewish communities?

Israel has been isolated since May 1948 when she fulfilled prophecy and once again became a nation.  Blaming Israel for her isolation is like blaming an island for being surrounded by water and not attached to other land.  It's ignorant statements like this, and the placing of blame on Israel that worry me that when push comes to shove our leaders will not take a stand for Israel. 

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/10/02/panetta-warns-israel-getting-more-isolated/

Peace talks could resume within a month

Israel has agreed to move ahead with the Mideast Quartet's peace plan of negotiating without preconditions, and are willing to do so within a month.  The ball is now in the Palestinians' court to see if they agree to meet like this as well.

It's important for Christians in America to pray that our leaders will stand beside Israel, and not pressure her to make concessions on land that will bring about indefensible borders.  We want to continue to be seen as a nation that blesses Israel and not one that curses Israel. 

The prospect of a peace agreement raises all kinds of interesting questions.  Is this the peace that Israel will be living in that is mentioned in Ezekiel 38 prior to the invasion of Gog and Magog?  Is this the framework for peace that the Antichrist will reaffirm mentioned in Daniel 9:27?  Whether it is one of these or something else, events are starting to shape up for Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled. 

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-accepts-quartet-peace-plan-urges-palestinians-to-follow-suit-1.387643