Zechariah 2:8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Good Wednesday Morning Everyone.

Today I am going to post another article on the plan by the "Quartet", to force Israel to give away Covenant Lands in order for the Palestineans to have a homeland. This is an article from CBN and gives a little different slant on the issue. I have said it many times on these postings that the real area to watch in light of Bible Prophecy is Israel and Jerusalem.

We now have Mr Blair wanting to be President of the EU (formerly know as the Revived Roman Empire) and now our possibility of going into Syria after more terrorist. We have wars and rumors of wars and we have much pestilence. All these things must come to pass (Matt: 24). However when you begin to see the world assume control of Gods Land and interfere with a Blood Covenant that he gave to Israel then serious consequences will begin to occur. America should stay out of this mess. We have been blessed by the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Our Nation in the past was proud of her Christian Heritage and our leaders have been warned by Bible Believing Pastors and Leaders the consequences of getting involved with this issue. It truly is the birth pangs of bringing forth the Antichrist Government prophecied of in scripture. I pray our country will not involve itself in this ungodly course.

God Bless
Elaine

From the News Desk Of CBN

by By John Waage
Middle East Correspondent

April 22, 2003

When the world's power brokers get together to plan the future borders of the Middle East, there is little evidence to suggest that they are consulting the Bible.



CBN.com – JERUSALEM - Diplomats from the so-called "quartet" - the U.N., the European Union, Russia and the U.S. - are pushing hard for their "road map" to Middle East peace. But there are two very different road maps for Bible believers and the international community.

The quartet's road map calls for an end to the violence against Israel, and a Palestinian state within two years. But the violence hasn't ended, and the proposed state would be in the heart of biblical Israel: the lands of Judea and Samaria.

In the diplomatic minefield of the West Bank, nearly every town and neighborhood has its roots in Bible times. The Arab city of Nablus is the Jewish town of Shechem, home of Joseph's tomb. The Palestinian stronghold of Bethlehem is the Jewish city of David and the birthplace of Jesus. And Jerusalem is the Holy City, mentioned hundreds of times in scripture.

When the world's power brokers get together to plan the future borders of the Middle East, there is little evidence to suggest that they are consulting the Bible.

Elon Moreh is in the heart of biblical Samaria. It is the place where the Lord made a covenant with Abraham thousands of years ago, to give this land to him and his descendants forever.

In the Genesis account, the Lord promised to Abraham's descendants, Israel, the land from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates. Bible scholars differ about the lines of the exact boundaries. But it is clear that the biblical borders of Israel include all of what is now called the West Bank, the land earmarked by the quartet for a Palestinian state.

Reuven Berger is a messianic pastor who works and prays for reconciliation between Jews and Arabs. He says there is no provision in the Bible for a Palestinian state.

"Very simply, if we look into the scripture, we will find no such reality, no such promise. The scripture speaks of the promise of the land to the people of Israel, and a restoration that God will bring forth, physically and spiritually," Berger said.

Berger says it should not be a surprise that the international community is so focused on the Holy Land. He said, "Man and the whole Babylonian world system is going to absolutely try and find a human solution to bring peace to the Middle East, because they understand that this is the heart of the whole world issue. But actually they're going to have to deal with God. Because, first of all, God says it is His land."

The diplomatic push for a Palestinian state has gained strong momentum since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. For months, President Bush has promised such a state if the Palestinians, under new leadership, stop their violence against Israel and enact democratic reforms. He has also made it clear what Israel must do.

On March 14 of this year, Bush said, "The government of Israel, as the terror threat is removed and security improves, must take concrete steps to support the emergence of a viable and credible Palestinian state, and to work as quickly as possible toward a final status agreement. As progress is made toward peace, settlement activity in the occupied territories must end."

Most of the 200,000 Jewish residents in the West Bank - Judea and Samaria - would disagree with President Bush's contention that they live in occupied territory.

Miriam Fox, a resident of the Alon Shvut community, said, "Whenever people talk about the Bible, they kind of sound like religious fanatics. But at the risk of sounding like one, the Old Testament is very clear that this piece of real estate belongs to the Jewish people, that it's an everlasting inheritance."

Eve Harow, a resident of Efrat, said, "I think it's really unconscionable to think that Jews should once again be transferred out of Judea and Samaria."

Harow says for many Palestinians, the state of Israel is the real issue. "They have yet to accept not just the fact that Jews live in Judea and Samaria, they have yet to accept the fact that there are Jews in the Middle East, because that's really what this is all about. And all you have to do is look in their websites and their textbooks to see that their maps of the Middle East say Palestine in place of Israel, not next to Israel. It's not about Judea and Samaria. It's about the right of Jews to have a state of our own in this part of the world," she said.

But after decades of pressure on successive Israeli governments, even some leaders who helped build the Jewish communities in the West Bank now say they have resigned themselves to a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is one such leader.

In an April 13th interview, Sharon told the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz: "We are talking about the cradle of the Jewish people. Our whole history is bound up with these places - Bethlehem, Shiloh, Bethel. And I know that we will have to part with some of these places. As a Jew, this agonizes me. But I have decided to make every effort to reach a settlement. I feel that the rational necessity to reach a settlement is overcoming my feelings."

But that is not enough for many Palestinians, who learn from the time they are in pre-school that all of Israel is the land of Palestine. Leaders of Hamas and other terrorist groups vow to fight the road map and any other proposal that would keep Israel in charge of the land.

Hamas co-founder Abdel Aziz Rantisi said, "I believe that we are going to escalate our resistance, because the resistance in Palestine (is) representing the hope of the nation."

The Palestinian terrorist groups have tried to make good on their threats. Israeli security forces fielded more than 60 threats of terrorist attacks during the Passover holiday, and at least 10 were arrested for planned suicide bombings.

Still, the Bush administration's road map partners - Russia, the European Union and the United Nations - want a faster timetable for a Palestinian state. But the quartet has been slow to explain what it would do to keep terrorists from killing Israelis.

In the meantime, Israelis who believe the Bible's promises for the land, say they are looking to the author of the scriptures.

Efrat resident Yacov Coblentz said, "The Jewish people couldn't possibly have settled the land of Israel; the Jewish people couldn't possibly have survived so many wars without Divine help. We were getting it the whole time. We'll get it (bezat hashem), we'll get it forever. If we pray properly, we'll get it."

Reuven Berger said, "God has a plan. He has a plan of blessing. He has a plan of peace. And you cannot bypass Israel. Israel is at the heart of that plan. And that's why the nations, in their hatred for Israel, they are depriving themselves of the very blessing that God has for them."

Note From Me: Have you read the new book out in the Left Behind Series entitled Armageddon? This book is awesome and will leave you hanging on until the next book. Way to go Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE RAPTURE?


John3:16

Matthew 28
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.



HE IS RISEN!

I wonder what it would have been like that day to be with the Mary's and walk to the tomb of our Lord and see a great Angel there telling the story of his Resurrection. Oh what a glorious morning when our Lord arose just like he said he would. How wonderful is the scripture for us that says:

"'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1st Corinthians 15 :55-57

World Net Daily today has reprinted an article written in 2001 about the cloth that was wrapped around our Lords face at his burial. However she goes so deeply into the history of the time that I thought it might thrill you as it has me. Today is the day we remember that our Lord fulfilled his
promise to man beginning in Genesis 3: 15 vs. 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Praise ye the Lord this day for great things he hath done! Praise him for his gift of forgiveness through his shed blood on Calvary's Cross. Praise him that just as he fulfilled this promise, he is coming again to set things right forever!

HE AROSE
Up from the grave he arose
with a mighty triumph o're his foes
He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with his saints to reign.
He Arose!
He Arose!
Hallelujah Christ Arose.

World Net Daily

THE MAN OF THE CLOTH
by Mary Jo Anderson

The first thing you notice is that the linen is so ordinary. An eggshell-colored rectangle of coarse linen, now dirty and discolored with blood, lymph and sweat, it is nonetheless a remarkable testament of the passion of Jesus Christ. The Sudarium Domini is that other burial cloth described in the Gospel of John, "He saw the linen cloths lying there and the cloth which had been around Jesus' head. It was not lying with the linen cloths, but was rolled up by itself" (John 20:6-7).

The Sudarium, say researchers, authenticates the more widely known Shroud of Turin, a 14-foot swath of fine linen believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. The Shroud of Turin is familiar to believers and non-believers alike, yet few know of the existence of this separate cloth that has lain for centuries in a tiny chapel in the principality of Asturias, in northern Spain. The linen has only recently captured the interest of the scientific world. Hidden from view for more than a thousand years, the Sudarium surfaces at the dawn of the third millennium, thrusting into the modern world fresh testimony of the suffering and death of a crucified man.

After journalistic investigations into the "Cloth of Oviedo," as the Sudarium is also known, I departed on Ash Wednesday for Oviedo, Spain, to personally view the cloth that few have ever seen. Last summer I had traveled to Spain to interview the dean of the cathedral of San Salvador, Don Rafael Somoano, who explained how history and medical science have been unraveling the testimony of the Sudarium. On that occasion it was not possible to view the ancient cloth that contains the Blood of Christ. So profound was my disappointment that it seemed a physical blow. Unexpectedly, in February I received an invitation to return to Oviedo to see the Sudarium.

During the Ash Wednesday flight, I re-read Mark Guscin's "The Oviedo Cloth," as well as material on the passion: "The Day Christ Died" and the essay from the Mayo Clinic, "On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ." In particular, I noted all the injuries to the head and face, since the Sudarium had been wrapped around his head while Jesus was still upright on the cross.

The mind recoils at the brutality inflicted on this victim -- whomever one believes him to be. Blood first fell from his brow in the garden at Gethsemane. In deeply human distress, Christ experienced the rare phenomenon of hematidrosis, when capillaries burst and blood and sweat mix. During interrogation by Caiaphas, the high priest, Jesus was spat upon and repeatedly struck on the head and face. (Mark 15:65)

The lacerations on the lower neck, back, buttocks and legs from the scourging left torn muscles gaping open and his flesh weeping blood. Medical evidence indicates two soldiers, standing on opposite sides of their victim, beat Christ. The patterns of the scourge marks are visible on the Shroud of Turin. The whips, a flagrum with lead balls or sheep bone tied to the tips of the leather thongs, slashed into the subcutaneous tissue.

Crowning with thorns was not a typical practice -- it seems to have been reserved for this singular victim -- as no record exists that reports its use before or after Christ. Descriptions of the crown of thorns -- more, a helmet of thorns -- cause one to cringe in sympathy with such agony. Spikes an inch or more in length were hammered into the scalp.

In the hushed Camara Santa, a small chapel dating from the ninth century, the priest set the Sudarium on top of its silver reliquary. The pattern of reddish bloody stains and the pale sepia stains of mixed blood and lymph cover areas where scabbed blood is clearly visible. The eye is drawn to small dots off to one side. I recalled what Guscin had written: "Shortly after death, the Sudarium was wrapped round the head in the following way: It was positioned beginning at the back of the head, where wounds were caused by sharp objects. …" Piercing thorns wounded his head; this cloth holds the very blood that oozed from that mocking crown. Centuries fall away and breathing ceases: I am gazing upon the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Herodotus, historian of the ancient world, writes that crucifixion was a grisly practice employed by the Persian king, Darius. Alexander the Great crucified 2,000 victims at the siege of Tyre. From the 20th century discovery of the Qumran scrolls, we have the Pesher of Nahum (Qumran Cave 4) that reveals that the Essenes, a Jewish sect, also practiced crucifixion. Jewish law called for the penalty of "hanging on a tree" as punishment for blasphemy or idolatry. Cicero named crucifixion as the supreme punishment, and the public spectacle of such a cruel death was meant to subdue the people. Our English word "excruciating" is derived from the agony suffered during crucifixion.

The second century A.D. Roman historian, Tacitus, recorded that "Nero fabricated scapegoats and punished ... Christians. Their originator, Christ, had been executed in Tiberius' reign by the governor of Judaea, Pontius Pilatus." The gospel relates that Pilate tried to release Jesus, asking, "What evil hath he done? I find him not guilty," but that the crowd shouted for the release of Barabbas. "Bar-abbas" means "son of a father." At the fulcrum of history, the Son of God is condemned and rejected while everyman's son, a convicted rebel and murderer, is preferred by the mob. The guilty man is unchained and the Son of God takes his place.

The news of CNN founder Ted Turner's Ash Wednesday gaffe greeted my return. "What are you, a bunch of Jesus freaks?" Turner accused his employees. The crowd is still urged to choose Barabbas instead of Christ.

Today, as in the time of Jesus' passion, conflicting messages vie for the attention of the masses. Tuesday of Holy Week, the Dutch senate passed a bill legalizing euthanasia. But in France, a simple annual ceremony at Sainte Chappele, built by King Louis IX to protect a fragment of the crown of thorns, draws pilgrims from throughout Europe. The king brought the fragment to France from his journeys to the Holy Land during the crusades. The young are especially silent and reflective as they file pass this artifact of the crucifixion.

In England, where human embryos are approved for scientific experiments, an Anglican minister sees the shadow of the fifth plague of Egypt in the bovine bonfires dotting his nation, now terrified by mad cow disease. Yet, an April 10 Church of England Newspaper article reports that a fragment of the titulus cruces (Latin for title board) that Pilate had affixed to the cross of Jesus, has been kept in the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome. It was discovered in 1492 during the restoration of a 5th century mosaic that depicts "the legendary discovery of the True Cross in Jerusalem by the Empress Helena," mother of Emperor Constantine the Great (326 A.D.).

Recently, that walnut board was studied by Carsten Thiede, a German New Testament scholar who believes the evidence supports dating the titulus at the time of Jesus' crucifixion. Thiede, who teaches at the Ben-Gurion University in Israel and British journalist, Matthew D'Ancona, wrote a book, "The Quest for the True Cross." The book details their study of the titulus. They wrote, "What is certain is that this relic is one of the most potentially important in the Christian world." The titulus has three lines written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin containing part of the phrase "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

Their book was the stimulus for an Icon Films documentary on the fragment aired in Britain on Palm Sunday. Icon was granted unprecedented access to the fragment; the Santa Croce monks removed the glass plates so that the TV crew could film the lettering at close range. Interestingly, the Greek and Latin lines are written backwards, perhaps by a Hebrew scribe who would think that to be correct, as it is in Hebrew language. Thiede claims that is not a mistake a fraudulent relic monger would make, since no patron would settle for such an obvious error.

There is something providential about the re-examination of many of the artifacts of the crucifixion that have survived into the third millennium. The Scripture says, "They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced." Forensic scientists, historians, NASA experts, artists, medical specialists and others have laid before the contemporary world sufficient evidence of that "pierced one. " Our age is not deprived of the evidence recorded in the gospels of the man who asked, "Who do you say that I am?"

Josephus, the Jewish historian (A.D. 37-100), wrote of Jesus: "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man: for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive truth with pleasure. … He was the Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, condemned him to the cross … he appeared alive again on the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold."


I pray everyone has a blessed Easter!

Hello From The Beautiful Smokey Mountains.

I am sitting here looking at the most beautiful mountain scenery ever. How someone could believe that all this just happened I do not know. They have to be blinded by the enemy of our souls. The hills are both brown and green depending on the elevation of the area and all throughout this mounatin region are the most beautiful blooming dogwoods I have ever seen. I think the Lord must have added a special little touch of creation to these mountains and I always sense his special presence here.

Happy Easter Everyone.

Because He lives we can face whatever is coming.
Because He lives we have hope eternal.
Because He lives we know that we will see our loved ones again.
Because He lives our sins are forgiven, forgotten and buried in the depths of the sea.

Praise the Lord!

On a hill far away
Stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old cross
Where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Thank you WePraiseHim.Com for this reminder of what our Lord endured.

What Is Crucifixion?

A medical doctor provides a physical description: The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement.

The cross is then lifted into place. The left foot is pressed backwards against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain- the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenching cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber.

Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost over-the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level-the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues-the tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues...Finally, he can allow his body to die... All this the Bible records with the simple words, "and they crucified Him" (Mark 15:24). What wondrous love is this?

Many people don't know that pain and suffering our Lord, Jesus Christ went through for us...because of the brutality, crucifixion was given a sentence to only its worst offenders of the law. Thieves, murderers, and rapists would be the types of creeps who got crucified. Yet, here Jesus is being crucified between two hardened criminals...What did Jesus do? Did he murder anyone? Did he steal anything? The answer as we all know is NO!! Jesus did nothing to deserve this type of death, yet he went willing to die, in between 2 thieves, so that we might be saved. And there, in between the sinners, was our savior slain for our sins.

Passing this on to 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 people won't get you good luck, no free pair of Gap Jeans, no cruise, no money, but it might open someone's eyes.

God Bless




Have you settled the question of where you will spend eternity?



John3:16:For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Zechariah 12
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.





Good Morning Everyone!

Well today I was going to post an article on taxes but I will save that for tomorrow. I will include in that article information on how a judge is banning books in America. Today, I must post one more article on the war, Israel and Bible Prophecy. This article today in the World Net Daily blew me away. Remember how we spoke of the danger in giving away Gods Covenant Lands and how the US has joined with the EU, Britain and Russia ( the Quartet) in deciding what will happen to Israel and the Palestinians? Well the Iraq war has brought out some comments from Ariel Sharon that shocked me. The pressure is on to give away lands that God gave to Israel. This is significant in light of scripture. I have always believed we need to keep our eyes on Israel and Jerusalem. This is where we will see the final end to this corrupt World System we live in.

How can civilized people insist that Israel make agreements with a group of people whose primary goal is her destruction. If history is any teacher, just consider how the world tried to appease Hitler and how the UN tried to appease Iraq for the last 12 years! Truly the historical and prophetical significance of these moves to give away Covenant Land is pointing toward the culmination of this age and return of our Lord. Just remmeber once again that the church must be out of here for that 7 year period called the Tribulation before he stands on the Mount of Olives. At this Easter Season as we celebrate his Death, Burial and Resurrection it is breathtaking to realize that we are closer to that Blessed Appearing than ever before. Won't it be a wonderful day when we meet Him face to face and see our Lord put evil down once and for all!




Have a blessed week.
Elaine

Sharon: Israel May Concede Settlements

World Net Daily

YEHUD, Israel, April 13 (UPI)

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he is ready to "part with some places" if the Palestinians scaled down on their demands, including the right of return for refugees.

In an interview to the Haaretz newspaper published Sunday, Sharon said the U.S.-led coalition's victory in Iraq had "generated a shock through the Middle East" that could precipitate Israeli-Arab peace agreements. The coalition's achievement "brings with it a prospect of great changes," he said.

"There is an opportunity here to forge a different relationship between us and the Arab states, and between us and the Palestinians....

"Opportunities have currently been created that did not exist before. The Arab world in general, and the Palestinians in particular, have been shaken. There is therefore a chance to reach an agreement faster than people think," he said.

So far, Sharon has been very careful not to discuss concessions he would make for peace with the Palestinians. He had persistently refused to go beyond expressions of readiness to make "painful concessions" for peace.

"Isn't that phrase 'painful concessions' a hollow expression?" the Haaretz interviewer asked.

"Definitely not. It comes from the depth of my soul," Sharon responded. "We are talking about the cradle of the Jewish people. Our whole history is bound up with these places. Bethlehem, Shiloh, Beit El. And I know that we will have to part with some of these places.

"There will be a parting from places that are connected to the whole course of our history. As a Jew, this agonizes me. But I have decided to make every effort to reach a settlement. I feel that the rational necessity to reach a settlement is overcoming my feelings."

Israel has retained control over Rachel's Tomb in northern Bethlehem, virtually annexing it to Jerusalem. It built settlements in Beit El (Beth-El) and Shilo that figure prominently in ancient Jewish history.

Sharon said some reservations concern security matters. "How terror will be handled. There is no difference of opinion in this matter but there is a difference in the wording," he told Haaretz.

The second key issue, according to Sharon, concerns implementation of the roadmap.

"Our understanding with the United States is that there will be no transition from one stage to the next without the completion of the previous stage. The determining factor is not the timetable but the execution," he said.

The third reservation concerns the Palestinians' demand that their millions of refugees have a right of return to Israel proper. Israel opposes it. It says that if the refugees return to the Jewish state, it will no longer be Jewish.

"If there is ever to be an end to the conflict the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish people's right to a homeland and the existence of an independent Jewish state in the homeland of the Jewish people. ... This is not a simple thing. Even in the agreements we signed with Egypt and Jordan this was impossible. That is why they did bring about an end to the conflict. They are important agreements, very important, but they did not bring about an end to the conflict. The end of the conflict will come only with the arrival of the recognition of the Jewish people's right to its homeland," Sharon stressed.

He sought to postpone discussion of the settlement issue to "the final stage of negotiations ....We don't have to deal with it just now," he told Haaretz.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom who held a joint news conference with visiting Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan in Yehud, near Tel Aviv, said he anticipated "a new atmosphere that we think will help us try to resume negotiations with the Palestinians."

He noted that CIA chief George Tenet and retired Gen. Anthony Zinni presented security plans "that are acceptable to us and the Palestinians. I very much hope that the (sides) will act to implement them."

He said Israel would not give the Palestinians much of what they hope to get "without them explicitly foregoing the right of return."

But he avoided backing Sharon's comments in the interview, noting the matter would come before the entire Cabinet where a decision "binding all the components in the Cabinet" will be taken.

Sharon's talk of readiness to cede at least some of these sites sent shock waves through hawkish political groups.

Minister without portfolio, Uzi Landau, also of the Likud, criticized the roadmap as "not a map for peace but for a confrontation."

Tourism Minister Benny Elon of the hardline National Union said Israel's stay in the West Bank towns of Jenin aned Nasblus is "not temporary. God willing we shall return to all of the Land of Israel. ... I am in the Cabinet to fight for my views and positions."

The settlers' top forum, the Yesha Council slammed Sharon for being ready "to expel Jews from their homes."

Dovish leaders were cautious.

"Nobody knows for sure what Sharon's real intentions are," the head of the dovish Meretz Party, Yossi Sarid said.

No settlement outpost would have been established without Sharon's encouragement, he added.

However, "Mr. Sharon is not ready to lend his hand to any effort to evacuate these settlements that were illegally established...These are the real, determining factors, by which one should judge statements, not by an interview," he argued.

Ophir Pines, the secretary-general of the opposition Labor Party, Israel's second-biggest party, said he did not believe Israel would return to the negotiating table as long as Sharon's hawkish coalition partners are at the Cabinet table.

If Sharon will be "really ready to resume the historic negotiations for peace on the basis of the American political plan and his right wing partners ...will quit the government, and he will come to us (and ask that we join him), only irresponsible people will slam the door in his face," Pines said.

Meanwhile, senior government officials led by the head of Sharon's Bureau, Dov Weissglass, arrived in Washington with a list of 14 or 15 "reservations" over the projected roadmap for peace that the United States has devised with the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. The United States plans to present the roadmap when Mahmoud Abbas (better known as Abu Mazen) is confirmed as the new Palestinian prime minister. Abu Mazen is now trying to form a Cabinet.

The roadmap outlines a series of steps each side should take so that Israel would have the peace and security it seeks and the Palestinians a state.

Weissglas is scheduled to present the "reservations" to U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, Monday.





ARE YOU READY FOR THE RAPTURE?


John3:16

Zechariah 12
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.





Good Morning Everyone!

Well today I was going to post an article on taxes but I will save that for tomorrow. I will include in that article information on how a judge is banning books in America. Today, I must post one more article on the war, Israel and Bible Prophecy. This article today in the World Net Daily blew me away. Remember how we spoke of the danger in giving away Gods Covenant Lands and how the US has joined with the EU, Britain and Russia ( the Quartet) in deciding what will happen to Israel and the Palestinians? Well the Iraq war has brought out some comments from Ariel Sharon that shocked me. The pressure is on to give away lands that God gave to Israel. This is significant in light of scripture. I have always believed we need to keep our eyes on Israel and Jerusalem. This is where we will see the final end to this corrupt World System we live in.

How can civilized people insist that Israel make agreements with a group of people whose primary goal is her destruction. If history is any teacher, just consider how the world tried to appease Hitler and how the UN tried to appease Iraq for the last 12 years! Truly the historical and prophetical significance of these moves to give away Covenant Land is pointing toward the culmination of this age and return of our Lord. Just remember once again that the church must be out of here for that 7 year period called the Tribulation before he stands on the Mount of Olives. At this Easter Season as we celebrate his Death, Burial and Resurrection it is breathtaking to realize that we are closer to that Blessed Appearing than ever before. Won't it be a wonderful day when we meet Him face to face and see our Lord put evil down once and for all!




Have a blessed week.
Elaine

Sharon: Israel May Concede Settlements

World Net Daily

YEHUD, Israel, April 13 (UPI)

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he is ready to "part with some places" if the Palestinians scaled down on their demands, including the right of return for refugees.

In an interview to the Haaretz newspaper published Sunday, Sharon said the U.S.-led coalition's victory in Iraq had "generated a shock through the Middle East" that could precipitate Israeli-Arab peace agreements. The coalition's achievement "brings with it a prospect of great changes," he said.

"There is an opportunity here to forge a different relationship between us and the Arab states, and between us and the Palestinians....

"Opportunities have currently been created that did not exist before. The Arab world in general, and the Palestinians in particular, have been shaken. There is therefore a chance to reach an agreement faster than people think," he said.

So far, Sharon has been very careful not to discuss concessions he would make for peace with the Palestinians. He had persistently refused to go beyond expressions of readiness to make "painful concessions" for peace.

"Isn't that phrase 'painful concessions' a hollow expression?" the Haaretz interviewer asked.

"Definitely not. It comes from the depth of my soul," Sharon responded. "We are talking about the cradle of the Jewish people. Our whole history is bound up with these places. Bethlehem, Shiloh, Beit El. And I know that we will have to part with some of these places.

"There will be a parting from places that are connected to the whole course of our history. As a Jew, this agonizes me. But I have decided to make every effort to reach a settlement. I feel that the rational necessity to reach a settlement is overcoming my feelings."

Israel has retained control over Rachel's Tomb in northern Bethlehem, virtually annexing it to Jerusalem. It built settlements in Beit El (Beth-El) and Shilo that figure prominently in ancient Jewish history.

Sharon said some reservations concern security matters. "How terror will be handled. There is no difference of opinion in this matter but there is a difference in the wording," he told Haaretz.

The second key issue, according to Sharon, concerns implementation of the roadmap.

"Our understanding with the United States is that there will be no transition from one stage to the next without the completion of the previous stage. The determining factor is not the timetable but the execution," he said.

The third reservation concerns the Palestinians' demand that their millions of refugees have a right of return to Israel proper. Israel opposes it. It says that if the refugees return to the Jewish state, it will no longer be Jewish.

"If there is ever to be an end to the conflict the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish people's right to a homeland and the existence of an independent Jewish state in the homeland of the Jewish people. ... This is not a simple thing. Even in the agreements we signed with Egypt and Jordan this was impossible. That is why they did bring about an end to the conflict. They are important agreements, very important, but they did not bring about an end to the conflict. The end of the conflict will come only with the arrival of the recognition of the Jewish people's right to its homeland," Sharon stressed.

He sought to postpone discussion of the settlement issue to "the final stage of negotiations ....We don't have to deal with it just now," he told Haaretz.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom who held a joint news conference with visiting Slovak Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan in Yehud, near Tel Aviv, said he anticipated "a new atmosphere that we think will help us try to resume negotiations with the Palestinians."

He noted that CIA chief George Tenet and retired Gen. Anthony Zinni presented security plans "that are acceptable to us and the Palestinians. I very much hope that the (sides) will act to implement them."

He said Israel would not give the Palestinians much of what they hope to get "without them explicitly foregoing the right of return."

But he avoided backing Sharon's comments in the interview, noting the matter would come before the entire Cabinet where a decision "binding all the components in the Cabinet" will be taken.

Sharon's talk of readiness to cede at least some of these sites sent shock waves through hawkish political groups.

Minister without portfolio, Uzi Landau, also of the Likud, criticized the roadmap as "not a map for peace but for a confrontation."

Tourism Minister Benny Elon of the hardline National Union said Israel's stay in the West Bank towns of Jenin aned Nasblus is "not temporary. God willing we shall return to all of the Land of Israel. ... I am in the Cabinet to fight for my views and positions."

The settlers' top forum, the Yesha Council slammed Sharon for being ready "to expel Jews from their homes."

Dovish leaders were cautious.

"Nobody knows for sure what Sharon's real intentions are," the head of the dovish Meretz Party, Yossi Sarid said.

No settlement outpost would have been established without Sharon's encouragement, he added.

However, "Mr. Sharon is not ready to lend his hand to any effort to evacuate these settlements that were illegally established...These are the real, determining factors, by which one should judge statements, not by an interview," he argued.

Ophir Pines, the secretary-general of the opposition Labor Party, Israel's second-biggest party, said he did not believe Israel would return to the negotiating table as long as Sharon's hawkish coalition partners are at the Cabinet table.

If Sharon will be "really ready to resume the historic negotiations for peace on the basis of the American political plan and his right wing partners ...will quit the government, and he will come to us (and ask that we join him), only irresponsible people will slam the door in his face," Pines said.

Meanwhile, senior government officials led by the head of Sharon's Bureau, Dov Weissglass, arrived in Washington with a list of 14 or 15 "reservations" over the projected roadmap for peace that the United States has devised with the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. The United States plans to present the roadmap when Mahmoud Abbas (better known as Abu Mazen) is confirmed as the new Palestinian prime minister. Abu Mazen is now trying to form a Cabinet.

The roadmap outlines a series of steps each side should take so that Israel would have the peace and security it seeks and the Palestinians a state.

Weissglas is scheduled to present the "reservations" to U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, Monday.





ARE YOU READY FOR THE RAPTURE?


John3:16

Luke 21
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.


REMEMBER TO PRAY DAILY FOR OUR LEADERS AND TROOPS!


Good Morning Everyone.
What a world we are living in! What a time to be a Christian and to be priviliged to see Gods Prophetic Word unfolding daily. Our country is in Ancient Babylon! We are in the region where God tells us it is all going to come to an end. All I can say is that we need to watch the nations alignment now in light of what the scriptures tell us. Remember, that Russia (Rosh) in Daniel is to form a northern federation with the Arabs, Gomer(Germany) and Torgamah (Turkey). This federation is to move against Gods People of the Covenant Land and attack Israel. It is at this time, they will face total destruction at the hand of the God of the Bible! All of these events occur during the 7 year tribulation and for that time to begin, true believers in Jesus Christ have to be gone!

Joseph Farah, in a new article explains why we must go after Syria next. This is an interesting fact because what I see developing here is a long time presence of American Troops in the Middle East. God has put us there for a reason and it will be interesting to watch future events unfold. This is where we need to keep watch as new issues develop daily over there. Take a look and Think About It. We are closer now than we have ever been to meeting our Lord in the air! Perhaps Today!

God Bless
Elaine

THE JOB IS NOT FINISHED!
By Joseph Farah
WorldNetDaily.Com

Why are we in Iraq today?

Because we didn't finish the job we started in 1991.

The objectives of the first Persian Gulf War were limited by the first President Bush's desire to bring together a large coalition of forces committed solely to chasing Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

Once that goal was accomplished, the U.S. didn't have the stomach, the will nor the support of its Arab allies to remove from power the man who ordered the invasion of Kuwait – Saddam Hussein.

It's important we don't call it quits in the region 12 years later until the job is finished.

What is the job?

The job should be destroying the terrorist infrastructure in the Middle East.

That means toppling regimes in Syria and Iraq – by any means necessary.

The logical next phase of this war should be to shift attention to Syria. Damascus not only supports terrorism, it is still at this very moment supporting Saddam Hussein's falling regime. It has been the No. 1 conduit of illegal weapons to Iraq.

Further, Syria is the only country in the Middle East actively occupying a neighboring country – just like Saddam Hussein did in 1991. That little neighbor is Lebanon – one of the few countries in the region that actually has a history of constitutional, republican-style government.

Why Syria and not Iran? Because Iran has domestic problems that could lead to the fall of the mullah regime at any moment. An invasion may not be necessary. But Syria is a second-generation, totalitarian police state. Uprisings are brutally crushed, and there is no chance of a popular rebellion. Thus, it will take outside force – the kind we are now employing in Iraq – to take down Damascus.

My G2 Bulletin was the first publication in the world to report Bush administration officials were actively considering such a plan. Now it's an open secret. The London Telegraph reported Syria was among the topics discussed by President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair during their summit in Belfast this week.

"There's got to be a change in Syria," Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

His remark followed the March 29 threat by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld during a Pentagon briefing.

"And to Iraq's neighbor, Syria: We have information that shipments of military supplies have been crossing the border from Syria into Iraq, including night-vision goggles. These deliveries pose a direct threat to the lives of coalition forces. We consider such trafficking as hostile acts and will hold the Syrian government accountable for such shipments," Rumsfeld said.

Although left out of Bush's "axis-of-evil" illustration of countries harboring or sponsoring terrorists, Syria has gained increased scrutiny amid suspicions it allowed Hussein to transfer weapons of mass destruction across its border, allegations it supplied Iraq with illegal arms which are currently being used against coalition forces, and charges it and Iran have dispatched thousands of terrorists and suicide bombers into Iraq for attacks against coalition forces.

Syria was recently fingered as the middle man that provided GPS-jamming equipment made by a Russian firm in cooperation with the Russian military. In addition, Syria allowed the transfer of night-vision glasses to be used by Iraqi soldiers targeting American troops.

Another report suggests Syria recently also facilitated Baghdad's acquisition of 500 laser-guided anti-tank missiles from Russia.

There are also reports of Syria harboring Hussein's wife, Sajida – mother of Uday and Qusay.

Is it crazy to talk about extending the war in the Middle East? Recent history has shown us it may be crazy not to do so. Our troops are there now. We have made a huge commitment to one regime change. It won't be easy to do this again a year from now or 10 years from now.

There is no chance Syria will change its stripes without force. There is no chance Lebanon will be free without a regime change in Damascus. There is no chance we will wipe out the world's biggest terrorist base – in Lebanon – without targeting Syria.

Let's not leave the job unfinished again.

My Note: Get the feeling there are some teriffic battles going on in the heavenlies these days? Hmm.....



ARE YOU READY FOR THE RAPTURE?


John3:16

Acts 1:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.




How About Our Men And Women In Uniform.
I have never been so proud in all my life as I am this day to watch the men and women in our military carry on this battle against the vile evil that has been allowed to go on in Iraq. Just look at what our world leaders so lost in darkness have tolerated and allowed while posing as people with concern for the "poor" and the "downtrodden". I pray this very minute that our Lord will be close to each one in our military and give them saving grace and courage and fearless trust in HIm. I pray that he will go forth and set up a Standard against the evil they are fighting and grant us a Miraculous Victory against our enemy. Amen!


What whimps these world leaders are who allowed the torture and evil to be done that we are hearing about in Iraq. This is a picture of what the so called New World Order is really capable of. Look at France and Russia and Germany who have profited from this Evil Cabal in Iraq. Never before has truth shown out as it has in this day when a few countries defied the world and took a stand.. Now once again we are hated because we have forced a world hidden in darkness to face evil and admit it does exist.

I think of how my country has profited from slavery in China and has in the past supported Sadaam Hussein. Why we gave him monetary aid and war materials when he fought Iran. This I believe helped bring forth the bitter fruits we are now bearing for these dealings with the devil. God is not mocked and when you play with evil you will get burned. My dad used to put it like this, " You cannot lay down with the forces of evil and expect to win a victory for God".

The scripture in Acts today is one of my favorites and describes the reason we will see the world grow darker and darker until the Messiah comes. For the most part, Man today does not want the truth. He wants to be comfortable and left alone to do what is right in his own eyes. He wants the government to take care of everything. He does not want to include his Creator in his life or bother to give Our Heavenly Father the recognition or time He deserves. Man does not want true preachers of the Gospel to tell the truth and convict them of sin. Thus, this portion of scripture accurately describes the world we live in.

Now what does that have to do with the war?

Hal Lindsey today has posted an excellent article concerning Europe and her attitude toward America. Think about it and think about our world. The only hope is Jesus and it is up to people like me and you to be bold enough to tell people who don't want to hear the truth. May
God grant us the courage like our military to carry this message.

Have a blessed day and may our God Bless America and bring her once again to true revival.

Elaine Moreland



Europe's Anti-Christian AttitudeBy Hal Lindsey

Now I know the anti-Christian attitude of the ungrateful Europeans would not dare connect the answer to these questions to the influence of the prevailing Christian faith of the majority of Americans. But whether they like it or not, that is the basis of why we were willing to spill our blood and consume our resources in the pursuit of righting the aggressions that nearly destroyed and enslaved all of Europe.

It was the willingness to sacrifice in order to do the right thing – the determination to set people free and stamp out the forces of tyranny. Those actions did not come out of the natural selfishness of human nature, but from the influences of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible.

And now the majority of the Europeans we set free are upset by President Bush’s frequent references to God and faith – the very factors that motivated us to save them.

Just look at what was reported by Reuters, “The religious overtones in President Bush’s speeches increasingly grate on many ears in Europe, where leaders invoking God in times of war are widely suspect of misusing faith for political purposes. No less than the German president, French prime minister and Belgian foreign minister have joined religious leaders in expressing concern about Bush's beliefs and the place of religion in U.S. politics.”
It is my opinion that one of the reasons God allowed such terrible judgments to fall upon Europe is because of their perversion and rejection of true Christianity. The Theologians of Europe in the 18th century are the ones who began a sophisticated rejection of the Bible’s authenticity and authority.

They are the source of the so-called Liberal and Neo-Orthodox Theological movement. This God-cursed movement is based upon the rejection of the Bible as the literal and infallible Word of God. It is interesting that German Theologians began this insidious movement. I believe that this is the reason most Germans fell for the Godless teachings of Adolf Hitler and National Socialism. These teachings were based upon many occultic concepts, which a Bible believing Christian would have immediately recognized and rejected.

It is these apostate Protestant Religious leaders who are the source of the thinking expressed in this quote from Reuters, “Media commentators, especially in northern European countries with Protestant heritages, have branded Bush's evangelical views as Christian fundamentalism, with some even comparing them to the Islamic fundamentalism of Osama bin Laden.”

Christian Fundamentalism believes that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and should be believed literally, unless the context clearly indicates it is a parable or an allegory. Now if a Christian does that, he believes that we are to proclaim the good news of God’s salvation and forgiveness, purchased by Christ’s death for our sins. He believes that this is a gift and tries to get people to receive it – but not through violence. He believes that in inter-personal relationships, we should treat others, as we would have them treat us; that we should not represent the Gospel with violence.

But Christian Fundamentalist also believe Romans 13:1-10. This passage recognizes that there will always be those who are violent and seek to take the life, liberty and property of others. This applies to both person-to-person and nation-to-nation crimes. God tells us that He has established duly formed government to keep peace, security and order. To those who violate the law, the Bible warns, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, FOR HE DOES NOT BEAR THE SWORD FOR NOTHING. HE IS GOD'S SERVANT, AN AGENT OF WRATH TO BRING PUNISHMENT ON THE WRONGDOER. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.” (Romans 13:3-5 NIV)

Many of the first believers in Jesus Christ in the New Testament were Roman military officers and soldiers. They were never told to quit the military, but simply urged to do their duty honestly and justly. In the passage quoted above, it says that government agents such as policemen and soldiers do not bear the sword for nothing. Now you don’t spank people with swords. It is a symbol of deadly force.

This is why Christians have often been the best soldiers and policemen. They carry out their duty with faith and justice. King David was one of the greatest warriors to strap on a sword. David writes in the Psalms that it was God who taught his hands how to fight. God called him a man after His own heart. This is because David sought to fight in the will and purpose of God.

On the other hand, a Muslim Fundamentalist literally follows the Koran and the example of Mohammad. This teaches him to spread Islam with the sword. They are commanded to kill the infidel because he does not believe the Prophet Mohammad and the Koran. It teaches Muslims to have no tolerance for any other religion. It teaches ‘Holy War’ or Jihad to spread Islam over other nations. Here are a few quotes from the Koran to illustrate this:

“Those who disbelieve in our communications [i.e. from the Koran], we shall make them enter fire; so oft as their skins are thoroughly burned, we will change them for other skins, that they may taste the chastisement; surely Allah is Mighty and Wise.” (Surah 4:56)

“So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every kind of ambush …” (Surah 9:5)

“O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide these unjust people.” (Surah 5:51)

The very least we can say is that the more Fundamental a Christian becomes, the more just and loving he will become; but the more Fundamental a Muslim becomes, the more violent and intolerant he will become.

This is the reason why Islamic Fundamentalism is almost synonymous with terrorism. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but almost all terrorist today are Muslim.

From the foundation of the United States of America, our leaders have invoked the guidance and blessing of God, especially in the wars we have fought. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, to name a few, all sought God’s protection, guidance and blessings as they sent our soldiers into war. They did this because this country was founded on faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ by the majority. They also did this because we only went to war when the majority of Americans believed it was a just war.

It was our faith in God that motivated us to come to the aid of Europe – particularly France and Belgium – in World Wars 1 and 2. So President George W. Bush is not acting in aberrant way from our history when he seeks God’s guidance and blessings. No, he is following the very essence of what made this country what it is. We have fought with fury against aggressors, but been merciful to the vanquished. We have not kept any of the lands we liberated. We helped even our enemies to rebuild. This behavior is rooted in our faith in the Bible. If we drift from this faith, we too will be destroyed.

So you ungrateful Europeans who criticize public appeals to God for His help – just shut up! You may need our help again.

Visit Hal's Website At: Hal Lindsey's Oracle


My Note: Amen and Thanks Hal Lindsey for your boldness in this article.



ARE YOU READY FOR THE RAPTURE?


John3:16