Do We Really Love Christ?

By Ray Gano

Joshua 24:14 -15 (KJV) Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Why did Joshua make this statement?

He feared for Israel.

He started to see Israel become lazy and they were choosing the apostate ways of the Canaanites, the false ways, the ways of the world.

Israel was become complacent.

Fast forward to today and what do we see? The same thing, people making excuses so that they can indulge in their pet sins. They wallow in the ways of the Canaanites, the ways of the world, the ways God has told us to stay clear of.

Like Joshua, we too must choose this day, whom we are going to serve.

But that is just the beginning.

Once we have chosen, we must take action on it.

Christ said in John 14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

But have we?

I don't think so. I believe we are moving in the opposite direction instead of living how Scripture tells us.

We are driven by self interest

Scripture says… Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44 (KJV) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

We are consumed about Material Things

But scripture says… Matthew 6:31-33

Matthew 6:31 (KJV) Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:32 (KJV) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We worry about what tomorrow brings-

Scripture says… Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

We are a nation of self-indulgence and debauchery -

Scripture says… 1 Corinthians 10:7-8

1 Corinthians 10:7 (KJV) Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

1 Corinthians 10:8 (KJV) Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Wanting what the "Jones" have and keeping up with the Jones is all important -

Scripture says.. Exodus 20:17

Exodus 20:17 (KJV) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Legalistic?

Judgmental?

Jesus Christ The Word says… If ye love me, keep my commandments.

But are we doing that?

But more than that, do we really care what the bible says anymore anyways?

Do we really love Christ?

If we do, why don't we heed His word?

One of the most common questions I get is the following… Is America in Bible Prophecy?

Are we?

Look around and what do you see?

2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:3 (KJV) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2 Timothy 3:4 (KJV) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:6 (KJV) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2 Timothy 3:7 (KJV) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Sounds like today

Sounds like America

It may even sound like some of us sitting here right now.

Ouch!

Have you really committed your life to Jesus Christ or are you just paying lip service?

I keep hearing the same petty excuses from many Christian folks.

Oh we go to church on Sunday mornings…

Keep the Ten Commandments…

I am a good person; I even give to the poor…

But I ask, does He live within your heart?

1John 2:4 (KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV) to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Man is spiraling out of control through the lust of the flesh and his rebellion to God.

If you are reading this I ask, are you truly born again or are you paying a bunch of lip service?

Are self interest, material things and keeping up with the Jones more important?

Who do you really serve?

We opened this with Joshua asking Israel to make the choice.

He said "Choose you this day whom you will serve."

Is America in Bible Prophecy?

Figuratively yes she is, you will find her in Isaiah 5:8-23, Romans 1:18 - 32 and as I have shown, 2 Tim 3:1-7.

But we find her in yet another scripture.

Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

But here is another question; do you see yourself in this?

Have you chosen this day whom you will serve and if so are you doing it with all your heart, soul and mind?

Christ says… If you love me, keep my commandments.

Do you love Him?

Really or is it just lip service?

Who Do You Serve?

Jesus stated the following…

John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. If your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life you will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior. To be placed in the Lamb Book of Life, you need to turn your life completely over to Him. Having "head" knowledge or "just believing in Christ" is not the same as having "heart" knowledge with Christ living in your heart. We know that even the devils believe in Him, where are they spending eternity?

James 2:19 (KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the true and inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell.

If you claim the title of "Christian" then take account of yourself this day. Many claim the title, but we read in God's Word that the title does not get you into heaven.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity. If you are not serving Christ and a true child of God, then you are serving Satan and a child of the enemy.

If you are not 110% sure, then take account of yourself, your very life depends upon it.

1John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

________________________________________

About the Author:

Ray & Tracye Gano are the Executive Directors of Prophezine. Prophezine deals with Bible Prophecy and World Events from a Pre-trib, pre-millennial, dispensationalist stand point. They currently serve close to 70,000+ (and growing) people world wide with a weekly newsletters, daily news updates, community based website and Internet radio shows. Ray recently released his latest project “Escape The End Time Money Snare – The CD a multimedia CD co-authored with Wilfred Hahn focusing on how to escape the trappings of mammon and learning how to live simply in God’s abundance.

Please visit Prophezine by going to http://www.prophezine.com

visit their new daughter ministry Wisdom Farms at http://www.wisdomfarms.com

Forget The Doctrine of Imminence

By Ray Gano

One of the people that I look up to in history is President Ronald Reagan.

In 1962 He made the following statement…

“I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Democrat Party left me.” Ronald Reagan, 1962

I woke up this morning to the following headline…

A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFIRMARY - Obama Health Care Passed

Talk about a pit in ones stomach. As an American, I feel betrayed and sold down the road to slavery.

But can I really blame the Democrats and Republicans in the house, senate and government for this problem?

No, I really can't.

Prayer Banned in Schools

The U. S. Supreme Court issued two bans. One in 1962 and the second in 1963. Both bans were the result of lawsuits against the teaching of religion and religious practices in public schools. Basically stating that organized prayer in schools was a violation of the separation of church and state. It was decided that publicly funded schools were an extension of the state, and that organized prayer or bible readings were a form of proselytizing. The bans not only banned mandatory prayer in schools but also banned the daily reading of bible passages.

The lawsuits were supported by several organizations but the most outspoken supporter for banning prayer in schools came from Madalyn Murray O'Hair, the founder of American Atheists, Inc.

Abortion on Demand

On January 22, 1973 Roe v. Wade was decided upon in favor of killing innocent children in the womb. The historic Supreme Court decision overturning a Texas interpretation of abortion law and making abortion legal in the United States. The Roe v. Wade decision held that a woman, with her doctor, could choose abortion in earlier months of pregnancy without restriction, and with restrictions in later months, based on the right to privacy.

Can I really blame the U.S Supreme Courts?

We would like to, but no, we really can't.

The Poor and Hungry

The official number of poor in the US in 2008 is 39.1 million people. Today we live in the year 2010, there are even more people poor and hungry. In fact those on Food Stamps are at an all time high. Children represent a disproportionate share of the poor in the United States; they are 25 percent of the total population, but 35 percent of the poor population. In 2008, 14.1 million children, or 19.0 percent, were poor.

There are children in the US that go to bed hungry every night and only having one meal per day.

Can we blame these young for being poor and destitute?

I have to say that I am ashamed of Christians today. We have turned into a selfish lot and not occupying till He Returns.

Can we blame any of those above for the situations that we as Christians face today in the US?

No we can't.

Who we need to blame is ourselves.

Why, because we have forgotten the doctrine of Imminence.

Listen, I don’t want to hear any garbage about the doctrine of imminence being…

" The generally accepted definition that Jesus could come "at any moment" meaning there are NO signs to occur, NO prophecies to be fulfilled before Jesus returns for the rapture of the church."

That is a bunch of hog wash. We are students of Bible Prophecy. We know we are living in the last days, we can clearly see the signs of His coming. I don’t care when you believe the Lord will return. If one cannot see the clear writing on the wall they are either not paying attention, they are a fool or they are a heathen.

What did Reagan say?

“I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Democrat Party left me.”

Well you know how I feel? I feel like..

"I didn’t leave the pre-trib, the pre-trib left me." Ray Gano - March 22, 2010.

And you can quote me too.

One of the pillars of the doctrine of imminence is that having an urgency knowing that Christ can return at any moment because we are living in the Last Days.

But where is that urgency? But more than that, why are not Christians occupying till He returns?

You would not believe the complacent pitiful emails I get from people basically stating..

"oh why worry about this or that, Christ is coming to rapture us out any day now. There is not much that we can do anyways. In essence saying let's just all sing Kum-by-ya."

Occupy Till I Return…

Luke 19:12-27 (KJV) …A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

We are where we are because we have been complacent in our duties, we are like the wicked servant derelict in his duties to the Master.

We have allowed evil to overtake our land because we are too lazy to do the right thing and stand for the Lord.

There are millions who have no knowledge of God, our Savior Jesus Christ or His word. Millions will burn in Hell because we have not been obedient to the Great Commission nor the Great Commandment.

Scripture says…

1 Corinthians 15:34 (KJV) Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Now, am I speaking to everyone?

No I am not, there are many good and faithful servants out there who are doing the right thing and if they are not physically able, they are helping by prayer, support and giving. Even the widow who only has a mite to give is still part of the solution.

I am speaking to those who are doing absolutely nothing, and there are a boat load of you out there too.

Look how many churches no longer support missions. In fact we have more missionaries returning home due to a serious lack of support than those who are being sent out.

Our nation's one saving grace was that we have always sent out more missionaries than any other. But that is no more. We no longer support the missionary with funds, supplies and prayer. Again it boils down to a selfish attitude.

Do you want to know what is happening today? Other countries are actually sending missionaries here to the US.

Why?

Because they have a burden for this nation who once stood for God and who once made a difference in their own country.

Those other countries feel an obligation to us because we sent them God fearing missionaries and shared the gospel. We have fallen by the wayside and become backslidden in our gross sin.

How did we get to where we are today?

Out of our own selfish desires and our do nothing attitude; we lie to ourselves and to others and do not love the Lord our God as commanded.

For I Hungered

Mat 25:41-46 (KJV) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:…

Many Christians I know have become hypocrites. They speak of urgency and imminence and yet the fruits of their knowledge are lacking.

Their faith without works is dead.

I know for a fact that many of these do nothing people have friends and family who do not know the Lord.

See that is what troubles me, these people know that the Lord's return is near and their lack of action will cause many people to burn in hell.

Why?

Because we have forgotten the doctrine of imminence. We have forgotten the urgency that we need to have in our lives knowing that the next minute may be our last.

Because many have forgotten the doctrine of imminence, we are where we are today.

We are ruled by a Muslim sympathizer, and believe he is a Muslim himself.

Our leaders have turned their backs upon Israel and her people.

We kill over three million of our own innocent children every year and don’t even blink.

Those children we don't kill lack any discipline or love because they don’t even know what prayer or for that matter what the 10 commandments are.

Sodomites and hedonism runs rampant.

Sexual deviance and perversion has exploded.

We are a nation controlled by mind altering drugs both legal and illegal.

All this and more, and who do we blame?

We blame everyone else as if it is not our problem nor could we have done anything about it.

The reality is that it is our fault, it is our problem because we have not done what the Lord has commanded us.

That is to occupy till He returns.

We have made our bed due to our pitiful lack of action, laziness and complacency. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

God's Word warned us, but we did not care.

You know how we can fix it?

It is very simple…

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

But will many people do it?

I doubt it.

It will have to get a whole lot worse before it gets better for the people to really return to the Lord.

In fact this nation is ripe for judgment.

Now a somewhat positive note out of all of this.

Judgment purifies the church. In fact I have heard rumors that our brothers and sisters in China actually pray for persecution to come to this nation so that we may finally get on our knees and repent before the Lord our God.

Now I have probably made some of you out there angry. The truth is cold steel that cuts to the bone.

With all this said, I have to ask the following...

"Knowing that Christ is coming as well as judgment, what are you going to do? "

Sit around with rose colored glasses humming kum-by-ya?

Or

Occupy till He returns being a good steward over what the Lord has given you stewardship over for the betterment and growth of His kingdom.

Scripture says…

1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Are you always ready to give an answer?

Conduct a check up from the neck up and ask yourself, Who do you REALLY serve?

Any other answer that you give besides our Lord God, then you need to repent of your sins, ask God to forgive you, pick up your cross and follow Him.

1 John 1:8-10 (KJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Q&A - How Do We Know The Path We Are On?

By Ray Gano

Hello Ray!

I have a really important question for you about your article "Are You Really Living for the Lord". How do we know the path we are on? If so many people claim to be good Christians, how do we know that we are "Living for God?" I totally understand the Sunday morning Christian reference; however where do we draw the line of what is acceptable and what is not?

I completely understand that we are not to love money or material things. My second question is, if you are fortunate to make decent money is it wrong to have nice professional clothes for work? Is it wrong to try to be the best you can be as long as you are not "cocky" about it or look down on others?

I just sometimes wonder if taking vacations is a sin or buying my daughter a new sweater she likes. I believe it is worthy of discussion. The world has so many people (pastors, ministers, priests, etc.) telling us so many different things. ~~ PZ Reader Paula

You ask some very good questions, the fact that it is important to you tells me that you are on the right path.

In today's world salvation is taught, but sanctification is not. Because of that, people stop at the cross and then use grace as a license to sin.

What is forgotten is that it does not end with the cross, that is where everything begins.

What we need to realize is that a very high price was paid so that we may be seen "spotless" before our Father God. That sacrifice was Christ being scourged, mocked, tortured and then crucified. Read my latest article The Museum of Idolatry. I end it showing what the world is now mocking, our Lord and Savior.

Here is what scripture says...

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What did Christ do for us? He suffered at the hands of the world to pay for our sins.

What then is our reasonable service? To give our lives over to Him and the service of our Lord. Now, we are already Christians, we have the cross, but now we start walking the life of sanctification.

What distinguishes a true Christian from a C.I.N.O.? (Christian in name only) In most cases the answer is one word - guilt. Those who are truly Christians are convicted when they sin and feel guilt whenever they do sin ( and we all sin).

Those who aren't true Christians don't feel guilt, either because they have quenched the Holy Spirit or because they were never saved in the first place.

If fact, one of the sure ways to find out if you are really saved is how you react to sin.

If you just shrug it off and say "everyone sins". Then you have problems.

If you hate every sin you have committed and feel guilt every time, you are saved.

Scripture says...

1 Peter 1:16 (KJV) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Are you living a holy and acceptable life unto the Lord? Do you obey God's Word or do you do as you wish and slap the name Christian on things of the world so that it soothes your conscience.?

Christ said...

John14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Do you love Him? Not only do you love Him for all to see, but do you love Him inside as well? Do you obey Him even when no one is looking? If we love the Lord, we keep His commandments. Yes we still mess up from time to time because no matter what we are still born of that sin nature and we will never escape from that here on earth while we still inhabit these "dirty rags" of a body.

Scripture says..

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV) "to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

1 John 2:4-5 (KJV) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

We live in a world where we as man call the shots. No longer do we submit to Father. So many who claim the title Christian have one foot in the church and one foot out. What these people do not realize is that they are lying to themselves, because they do not obey God's Word. They are deceiving themselves and being deceived. They are on the Broadway vs the Narrow way.

Christ tells us himself Matthew 7...

Matthew 7:20-23 (KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Often what people do to sooth their conscience is to say that Christ is talking to those who are in cults, false religions, ect. Problem with that is that there is no religion or cult out there besides true Christianity that call Jesus Lord...Lord. They call Him "a lord," one of many lords, ect. But never THE LORD.

So Christ is talking to "Christians" here in Matthew 7. When you read the context fully, it is self evident. These verses are the most fearful verses any Christian can read, because He is talking to us.

Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

We see here that on the Broadway, many there be which go in there at.

We also see regarding the narrow gate that "few there be that find it."

Can we lose our salvation? No we cannot. But what we need to ask ourselves, have we been deceived for so long thinking that we are Christians, where in reality, we are not? That is a terrifying question.

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Do you love the Lord, but more importantly, who do you serve? Do you serve yourself, your whims, wants, desires or have you given it all up and fully submitted to the Lord.

Here is what scripture say...

Mark 10:17-23 (KJV) And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

I want to take a little time here and explain what is going on. We in the west do not fully understand at times Jewish tradition and culture.

Here we see a man who came running to Christ, upon standing before Christ HE KNEELED. Next this man called him GOOD MASTER.

Here are two very important clues that often because we are ignorant of Jewish culture we read right over it thinking nothing of it. The man kneeled and called Christ GOOD MASTER.

In fact Christ comes back and asks the man " Why callest thou me good?"

What we do not realize is that even today in Jewish culture you never call anyone "good." Why? Because there is only one who is good and that is God.

So what do we know that is taking place here?

We know that this man realized who he was addressing.. He KNEW He was addressing God in the Flesh, The Messiah. The man knelt before him as God and called Him good, knowing He was God.

Knowing who Jesus was, the man asks Jesus how to get to heaven. He names everything he has done, but Christ tells him that he needs to sell everything, give it to the poor, take up his cross and follow Him.

Now we have got to remember that this man knows he is talking to The Messiah, and what did he do?

He went away angry because he was not willing to give up all to serve the Lord. Here in this story the man's "all" was his possessions. But for other people it could be some other thing, lifestyle, whatever.

The key is that we submit fully to Him forsaking everything then we pick up our cross and follow him.

Remember the following...

1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

If you are not serving God, you are serving the flesh. There is no grey area, no middle of the road. God is binary, either you are serving Him, or you are not serving Him. We know this by reading Revelation.

Revelation 3:16 (KJV) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Of Buy Sweaters and Pastors Saying Different Things

>>> I just sometimes wonder if taking vacations is a sin or buying my daughter a new sweater she likes. The world has so many people (pastors, ministers, priests, etc.) telling us so many different things.

Buying things for your children is a blessing to them. God blesses us and we are His children, why can't we bless ours? The problem going overboard to the point where we are spoiling our kids which is more of a disservice than a benefit. Does God give us everything we want? No, He promises us to provide for our needs, everything else is a blessing.

You speak of vacations, that is a blessing from the Lord, at least that is how I look at it. I know that I cannot afford going on vacation, so if we are able to go anywhere at all, the blessing has to come from the Lord to make it possible.

As for the world's pastors, teachers and such. What we need to always remember is to go back to the final authority, that is God's Word.

Speaking of the Bereans, Paul states the following...

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

This is a principle that we in the church have forgotten. We have become lazy and depend on others to tell us what we need to know vs searching out the scriptures for ourselves.

How Do We Know The Path We Are On?

>>>> How do we know the path we are on? If so many people claim to be good Christians, how do we know that we are "Living for God?" I totally understand the Sunday morning Christian reference; however where do we draw the line of what is acceptable and what is not?

Again, it is how we handle our sins which shows us what path we are on.

Those who are truly Christians are convicted when they sin and feel guilt, where the Sunday morning Christians (C.I.N.O) don't feel their guilt. This is because they have either quenched the Holy Spirit or they have no guilt because they were never saved in the first place.

As for knowing what is acceptable and what is not, we learn this by reading God's Word daily.

Scripture says...

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (KJV) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Clearly God is telling us to meditate always on His Word. Not only that, but to teach His Word to our children always as well. Think about this for a moment, when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down, when you get up. That pretty much encompasses all day. When you do this, His Word becomes part of you and with that comes discernment.

Here is a good example. Do you know how treasury department agent knows how to spot a counterfeit dollar? They study the original. They know how a dollar feels, looks like, smells like and even tastes like. They know the dollar bill so well that when a fake is given to them, they "just know" it is a fake. How do they know? They know it is a fake because they know the true dollar so well.

That is what we as Christians need to get to. We need to know God's Word so well that when error, bad things, wrong things no matter to what degree or size it is, if it is wrong we will "just know" because we know the truth. We know the truth because we know God's Word; that is because we spend so much time with His Word.

With all that stated, I have to ask …

Who Do You Serve?

Jesus stated the following…

John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. If your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life you will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior.

To be placed in the Lamb Book of Life, you need to turn your life completely over to Him. Having “head” knowledge or “just believing in Christ” is not the same as having “heart” knowledge with Christ living in your heart. We know that even the devils believe in Him, where are they spending eternity?

James 2:19 (KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the true and inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell.

If you claim the title of “Christian” then take account of yourself this day. Many claim the title, but we read in God’s Word that the title does not get you into heaven.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity. If you are not serving Christ and a true child of God, then you are serving Satan and a child of the enemy.

If you are not 110% sure, then take account of yourself, your very life depends upon it.

1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, we are here to serve.

Another Oxymoron – “Christian Death Metal”

By Ray Gano

To all the “Christian” Death Metal band members, supporters and listeners, who have risen to the cause in support of your questionable lifestyle. I greet you.

My name is Ray Gano and I am the executive director of Prophezine.

I do not understand your reason to defend the un-defendable as you have done so with such verbosity as on our website.

What you defend, you defend out of pure ignorance of God’s Word.

You quote the rule of grace, but do not understand that rule.

You quote some watered down philosophy of what you deem as “Christianity” and do not even understand what Christianity is.

You throw out all these “don’t judge me, I live under grace, and even one of you proposed a “Buddhist approach” to our questioning this death style.

I find it also very ignorant that not one of you even quotes scripture in your defense. Oh wait, in Justin’s tirade (which we have not posted), he mottles through Psalms 100:1 and still does not get it right. Again a serious sign of sheer ignorance of what Christ did for you and Christianity as a whole.

Here is your logic boiled down… in one of your own supporter’s words.

CharlieD - God wants you to be your own person, thats why he gave us all free will. He gave us free will to express ourselves through our own individuality and imagination, so personally i dont think God really cares how people dress, or how they sing…

So based upon CharlieD’s logic and his form of Christianity, then basically I can go out and do anything I want to do. Cool…I can drink Christian Booze, smoke Christian pot, take Christian drugs, have sex with Christian women, Christian men, Christian animals, rape and murder all in God’s name because God gave me free will to express myself through my own individuality and imagination. And if God really does not care how I dress and sing then God really does not care about all the other things that I have mentioned either. It is all free will, do as I like because you know what…. IM A CHRISTIAN AND GOD LOVES ME FOR WHO I AM.

Romans 1:28 - 32 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; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 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.

First you mock the sacrifice Jesus Christ paid. For your information, God also states how you should dress and how you should sing. You claim the title but are ignorant of God’s Word from where you try to state you’re so called rules. Your statement is that of a fool.

Many of you point to the lyrics of many of these great God loving, God appeasing bands…

Nick [jams booking augusta, ga.] I'm sure if you would've taken some time to read they're lyrics in the songs, you would've seen that this blog thing you've written

Here is one of my favorite song titles from the research I conducted – “I kiss my girlfriend with my fist.” I wish I could have found the lyrics, but on many of your sites, there are no lyrics to be found. This song title is such a loving and Godly example of Christianity at its best... yea right.

Scottland posted words by Atreyu –

“And we were given this life to live,
not exist under standards, set by some nonsense rule book.
What prayers of yours, were ever answered, by degrading others
Spare me your biblical back peddling nonsense.”

I love these lyrics that basically degrade and dishonor God’s Holy Word and just boiling the Bible down to a simple “rule book.” These words are so heavenly and Christ like.

All you bible-thumping hypocrites need to shut up and leave us alone. – Scottland

FYI being a “Bible Thumper” is a badge of honor because it means that I know what the Word of God says. People who throw the term about are weak regarding what God’s Word states and of His statutes. Because they are weak, they are ignorant, because they are ignorant they choose to put what ever stamp of “Jesus” and or “Christian” on anything they desire because it just looks and feels good.

CharlieD - what part of it glorifies satan?
lyrics are fine, some are from bible
music, metal and hardcore, not all neccessarily christian, but it helps people understand the point and feeling behind the song
the people- christians, who wear different clothes- God doesnt care how u look.
so which part glorifies satan?

This statement pretty much encompasses your worldly logic and is the most ignorant statement I have seen someone claiming to be a Christian make.

As CharlieD points out, even some lyrics are from the bible too!

Well bless my heart and drop kick my fanny through the goal posts of heaven!!

Basically all of you have stated what CharlieD has stated in one way or another. This shows exactly who you serve, be it intentionally or out of ignorance and this is the crux of the entire blog post.

Here it is…

You look like the world, dress like the world, speak and use profanity like the world. Your music sound like the world, and in fact the lyrics that many of you are so proud of expound the enemy more than Christ even though you may mention a bible verse, or say the name Jesus or God.

To expand upon my point … If I were to walk up to some unbeliever on the street, present your music, your looks, your attitude, ETC., they could not tell the difference either. If I would point blank ask them if you represent Christ or the world, odds are they too would say the world. Even to the world you appear as the world.

You see when it is all boiled down, it does not matter what I think, you think. What matters is what does the final authority state. That final authority is God’s Word. If you do not like what God’s Word says, then you are in rebellion.

Here is what God’s Word states; which is the ultimate truth, like it or not…

Matthew 6:24 -- "NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve god and mammon."

Romans 12:2 -- "And BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

2 Corinthians 6:3 -- "Giving NO offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed."

Ephesians 5:11 -- "And have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

1 Thessalonians 5:22 -- "ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIl."

Titus 2:11-14 -- "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL INIQUITY, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

James 1:27 -- "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and TO KEEP HIMSELF UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD."

James 4:4 -- "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

James 4:8 -- "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. CLEANSE YOUR HANDS, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

1 Peter 1:15 -- "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION."

1 John 2:15-17 -- "LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

1 John 5:19 -- "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness."

Your choice of music, your actions, even your very lifestyle that you present, represents a life of rebellion. This is a fact like it or not. If I were wrong you would conform yourselves to a life of Christ. His sacrifice for you would be what is really important to you. But it is not. I know this because you did not come to the defense of Christ; you come to the defense of Christian Death Metal.

The Bible, from cover to cover, and over and over, condemns rebellion. The Lord God considered rebellion so serious that He compares rebellion to witchcraft. Do you know what God’s Word states about witchcraft? Witchcraft was punishable by death, one He loathes, and a sin that condemns one to a life of burning in Hell!

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, . . . "
1 Samuel 15:23

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Exodus 22:18

All of your posts show that you are willing to battle for the god you serve. You serve the enemy and you do not even know it. You see, Satan was created a beautiful musical creature: "...every precious stone was thy covering,...the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created" (Ezek 28:13). Since music was built into his very nature, are you foolish enough to assume that he will not use it to deceive and enslave?

In all of your posts I see people enslaved by a DEATH STYLE not a life style that Christ offers. Here is a simple question, why is it called Christian “DEATH” Metal? This name in and of itself is an oxymoron.

Oh there will be some of you who will say… “ Hey man, I did not call it Christian Death Metal, I call it Christian Speed Metal man. What’s wrong with you? Just because it sounds and looks like Death Metal does not mean it is Death Metal. We are CHRISTIANS so it is all ok man. Get over it and stop judging us,”

So did I get that about right? Here is what God’s Word says.

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16).

The Lord Jesus warns in Matt 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity".

It can be seen by this verse that there is more to being a Christian than just speaking the name of Jesus. The Lord Jesus said to those who worked iniquity to depart because He didn't know them.

You profess to be of the Lord, but your works deny God, Christ and the Bible itself.

Now here is a bigger issue for many of you who are actually in the bands. In the position you are taking you are by default making yourselves “masters” or “teachers.”

Here is what God’s Words states…

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

If you are on the stage, you are setting yourself up to represent Christ. It does not matter if you are the lead singer or bass player or what ever. You have set yourselves up as “master” in the eyes of others. The impact you have is great and the lifestyle of rebellion is the life you share and evangelize to all who listen to you.

Let me repeat what God’s Word says…

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, . . . "
1 Samuel 15:23

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Exodus 22:18

Now you can call me judgmental, fundamentalist, crotchety old snot, what ever you want. I have presented what God’s Word states. You can go to any Bible commentary, go to any serious KJV bible teaching pastor, etc. They will all agree with me and stand on God’s Word also.

Bob Dylan had a pretty famous song about this very topic, even made it to the top ten in the music charts.

You might be a rock 'n' roll addict prancing on the stage,
You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage,
You may be a business man or some high degree thief,
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

So who do you serve? Do you serve the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul and might or do you serve the enemy and the prince of this world? But the bigger question is who does the World say you serve? Are you hated for Christ’s sake or loved for the World’s sake.

If you do not have Christ in your heart 100%, you will burn in hell. Plain fact! Are you willing to gamble that on a life of rebellion and noise you call music?

Some Dead Guy Came Back To Life!

By Ray Gano

I was having a conversation with a brother in the Lord and we were talking about the last days.

We started talking about the Antichrist and he mentions something about him getting shot in the head, then Satan would resurrect him and the world would follow him thinking he was the messiah.

Now I have heard this before, even seen it in some of the popular "tribulation" films and even heard bible prophecy experts teach this as fact.

"Well Ray, in Revelation it tells us that the antichrist will suffer a deadly wound to the head and the whole world will see him raise from the dead."

Really?

There is only one giver of life and that is God. And in fact Christ also holds the keys to death and hell as well.

Am I to understand that during the tribulation Satan will be given the power to breathe life into a dead body?

Folks, when did we allow critical thinking to go out the window?

Does scripture really say that Satan has the power of life over death and will raise the antichrist from the dead?

Beasts, Beasts and more Beasts

Many people point to the 7 headed beast in Revelation 13 and call him the AC. If it is the AC, the entire beast should have died, not just one head "dying." I mean if we are calling out for some guy to die via a mortal head wound, then the whole beast should die right?

What has happened through the years is that a wild idea of some guy suffering a mortal head wound rose and now today it is being taught as doctrine.

People are not reading what is in scripture. In fact what many are doing is regurgitating what they have been taught in popular books and movies instead of really being good Bereans and see if that is what is taking place in scripture.

In fact, I have run across people that when they look at the scripture in Rev 13, they filter God's Word via these errors they have acquired, thus making some dead guy coming to life as some form of "truth."

Where do people get this?

The error comes in misunderstanding the differences between all the "beasts" mentioned in scripture. People have really bent the rules of interpretation basically overlaying what they have been told / their ideas, over what scripture says.

But where do they get this idea of some guy coming back to life by the power of Satan?

Nine times out of ten, people point to Revelation 13:1-3.

Lets really see what scripture says...

Revelation 13:1-3 (KJV) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

What we need to understand first and foremost is that John was writing in an allegory form. He was "painting a picture" with his words. He was also pulling from God's Word, that being Daniel.

Another point that we must always remember is that scripture always interprets scripture.

So we see this "beast" coming out of the sea. The popular interpretation has always been that this represents the man Antichrist.

But that is not the case. Again scripture interprets scripture.

First we see that this beast has these different body parts. A lion, a bear and a leopard. Those of you who are seasoned students of bible prophecy should recognize these beasts that John is naming. These are the same previous beasts mentioned in Daniel 7. We see he has the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion.

What do we know about these beasts?

Well we know from Daniel and from history the following…

The Lion = Babylonian
The Bear = Medo-Persia
The Leopard = Greece / Macedonia

What John is showing us is that this beast coming out of the sea is not a man, but it does represents the empire of the antichrist.

We know this because scripture interprets scripture. The beast is made up of past empires spoken of by Daniel, those being Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece / Macedonia. We also know that John is speaking of an empire because the beast has seven heads and ten horns. These are also symbols of empires / kingdoms as well.

We know that the ten horns represent ten rulers that will rise up and join the beast empire. Daniel also tells us this.

Daniel also tells us about the number of horns and about each empire because the angel made it very clear in Daniel 7, and just as Daniel was a roadmap for the ancients to recognize Antiochus Epiphanes, the first AC spoken of in Dan 11. Revelation is a roadmap for us to recognize the future Antichrist, which is also referenced in the second AC spoken of Dan 11.

Now what about the seven heads?

The seven heads represent authority or government. We know that the seven heads spoken here by John are the seven beast empires that persecuted the nation of Israel,. How do we know this? again Daniel tells us of this.

So the next question is if the wounded head is not the AC, then who or what are the seven heads?

The Egyptian Empire

The Assyrian Empire

The Babylonian Empire

The Medo-Persian Empire

The Macedonian Greek Empire

The Roman Empire

And finally... The Ottoman Empire

WHAT? The Ottoman Empire? Yes, it is the wounded head, which we see rising again today. This is also the empire everyone seems to forget about which died only recently due to WW I and WWII.

NO, NO It Has To Be Rome

How do we know it is not Rome? John has told us it isn't Rome.

Please read the following scriptures that John wrote.

Revelation 17:8 (KJV) The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 17:11 (KJV) And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Right here in black and white John is clearly saying that the Revived Empire of the last days is NOT Rome.

Not only does John say it once, but he stresses the point three times.

Let's look at these scriptures more closely....

1. The beast that thou sawest was, (It existed prior to the time of John's writing Revelation) and is not; (DID NOT EXIST during the time of John writing Revelation) and shall ascend (shall return in the future) out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition:

2. when they behold the beast that was, (It existed prior to the time of John's writing Revelation) and is not, (DID NOT EXIST during the time of John writing Revelation) and yet is. (shall return in the future)

3. And the beast that was, (It existed prior to the time of John's writing Revelation) and is not, (DID NOT EXIST during the time of John writing Revelation) even he is the eighth (shall return in the future

So in Johns own words we see that he is clearly stating that the revived empire is NOT Rome. Yet the traditions of men say it is Rome.

I have to ask, who is correct, the teachings of man or God's Word?

Let's look at history.

The Egyptian Empire begat the Assyrian Empire, which begat the Babylonian Empire, which begat the Medo-Persian Empire, which begat the Macedonian Greek Empire, which begat the Roman Empire.

But these are just six, what about the seventh?

Where was the final seat of Rome? It wasn’t Rome Italy. The final seat of Rome was Constantinople. Today we know it as Istanbul Turkey, which also happens to be the primary seat of the Ottoman Empire.

So out of Rome it begat the Ottoman Empire.

So we can see that the beast in Rev 13:1-3 is not the AC as is taught. In fact it is the beast empire that the "Dragon" Satan gives power too. In this we see prior empires who were Israel's enemies join together as one confederate empire to do one thing, that is to destroy Israel.

What we need to give credence to is that we are in fact witnessing the once Ottoman empire which was once wounded by a "fatal wound" coming back to life today.

NOW… please note that John is not pointing to the EU, the US, in fact he is not pointing to anywhere in the west at all.

Again scripture names who's who and history confirms what scripture states. Daniel also confirms what Revelation shows.

The wounded empire is in fact the Ottoman Empire.

In fact it is Islam which is the weak glue that binds it. This is why Daniel mentions the iron and clay. They are bound together, but it is a weak confederation ready to break at any moment. Just as the clay and iron mixed do not hold soundly, neither will this confederacy of Islamic nations.

The rising empire is held together by one thing, their mutual hatred for Israel, Jews and Christians and their "Struggle" (Jihad) to bring about a global Muslim empire.

So it isn't Rome, but it is Rome that begat the Ottoman, just like Greece begat Rome, Persia begat Greece and Babylon begat Persia.

Daniel's Statue and The Seven Headed Beast

Does scripture interpret scripture? In fact this is what Daniel's statue also shows us.

Daniel's statue is another form of the Beast empire.

We have been taught to just look at heads, chests, arms and legs. But what we fail to recognize is the statue as a whole.

Remember it is the rock which is Christ spoken of in Daniel that destroys the WHOLE statue. Note not just the arms, legs or chest. When we look at the whole statue, we realize it is the beast empire and we see the prior empires that make up the statue just like they make up the beast in Rev 13.

So to bring it full circle, the beast coming out of the sea is not the AC who will come to life again after some head wound and who comes from Europe like many have been taught, it is the beast empire made of Israel's enemies as told to us in Daniel and Revelation, which are the very same nations spoken of in Psalms and Isaiah.

What many of us Christians often forget is that the Bible is a book about the Middle East with Jerusalem at its center. It is not about the EU, USA, or even some Illuminati freemason plot. It is about the oldest blood feud in history. That of Abraham and Lot, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau. These are the end time players.

J.Vernon McGee, one of my favorite pastors and bible prophecy teachers of all times said…

"To understand the end, we need to go to the beginning, it all started with Genesis."

God is a God of logic. He is not one of square pegs going into round holes.

Believe it or not, this idea of a man being shot and brought back to life by Satan is only 150 years or so in the 1800. It was spawned out of a popular commentary that also helped spawn another grievous error which is known as the "Gap Theory."

Just in case you do not know what the "gap theory" is, here is a quick definition…

Many people have tried to place a gap of indeterminate time between the first two verses of Genesis chapter 1, verses 1 and 2. There are many different versions as to what supposedly happened in this “gap” of time. Most versions of the “gap” theory place millions of years of geologic time (including billions of fossil animals) in between these two first verses of Genesis. This is the “ruin-reconstruction” version of the gap theory.

However, this undermines the gospel as it allows for death, bloodshed, disease, and suffering before Adam's sin. Because most “ruin-reconstruction” theorists have accepted the millions of years dating for the fossil record, they have thus allowed the fallible theories of scientists to determine the meaning of Scripture.

Some put the fall of Satan in this supposed period. But any rebellion of Satan during this gap of time contradicts God's description of His completed creation on day six as all being “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Source - ChristianAnswers.net - http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c003.html

In other words, "Christian Evolution." This in and of itself is an oxymoron and is still believed by some Christians today.

Now, this idea of some dead guy coming to life really took hold in the 1950's /1960s when the announcement of the European common market was announced and it was with "prophetic announcement" that gave this and other ideas "legs."

I hate to say this, but this is what is commonly known as "newspaper exegesis" or leaning upon one's own understanding. We are using our own private interpretation to say what God's Word says, instead of going to God's Word itself.

Couple the dead guy with the common teaching from Martin Luther who claimed the Roman Catholic church as the beast. It merged together, stuck, and has held even today. Many today still give Luther the credit for being the father of this interpretation.

Now, because Rome is part of Europe, people automatically jump to the EU (Rome) and then jump to the west and stop there instead of following through with what scripture really says.

Remember John telling us it was not Rome? Whatever became of that? It got washed out by the parrots who are parroting each other giving their own interpretation and we being lazy, eating it up as so called doctrine instead of us checking it out for ourselves in scripture.

Luther is the originator of much that is being taught today about Rome, the Catholic church, the pope, that is a fact. While many are aware that Luther (father of the Protestant Reformation) came to view the Rome's Catholic Papacy as the spiritual seat of the Antichrist, few are aware that Luther believed that actually the Turks / Muslims were the Kingdom of Antichrist:

“The Pope is the spirit of Antichrist, and the Turk (Muslim) is the flesh of Antichrist.” source - Martin Luther, Tischreden, Weimer Ed., 1, No. 330

In Luther's 1520 Open Letter to the Christian Nobility, Luther declares: "There is no doubt that the true Roman Empire, which the writings of the prophets foretold in Numbers 24[:24] and in Daniel [11:30f], has long since been overthrown...That was brought to pass...especially when the ‘Turkish’ [Mohammadan] Empire arose almost a thousand years ago." source - Works, Holman, Philadelphia, 1915, II, PP.149 & 154

So again we are pointed to Turkey and the Middle East, not the EU, US nor the west.

Today we see Turkey playing a major role in the whole Middle East peace process and we see Turkey also calling for a return of the Ottoman empire. This is an idea that much of the Middle East is taking under consideration and acceptance is starting to drift towards reviving the wounded head, the Ottoman Empire.

I hope that you take some time to ponder on these things and check them out for yourself. We have become lazy in these last days and have allowed others to tell us what scripture means instead of being a good Berean and seeing if it is true for ourselves.

What we need to do is basically "unlearn" what man has taught us and start looking at things through the eyes of God's Word.

Once we realize that God's Word is about the Middle East with Jerusalem as its center, end time prophecy begins to come into focus more clearly. No more round pegs into square holes and scripture fits completely within full context of scripture confirming itself.

It is my desire to critically look at other ideas that we hold to. Some of these ideas based in error have now become doctrine. People are teaching it and yet have no idea really why these ideas have come to fruition. The reality is that they are just ideas of man and not backed up by solid scripture.

Phillipians 4:8 (KJV) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.