Thursday, November 06, 2008

Obama Presidency and the Muslim World


Thursday November 06, 2008 (1823 PST)



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There are three issues of significance in the Muslim world where the USA is directly involved:

Palestine
Iraq
Afghanistan

Contrary to widely held view, the issue of Palestine is close to being resolved. Fatah leader Abbas is too close to Americans to have any credibility; Hammas leadership is too intransigent; but the solution is close at hand. Time is Not on the side of Israel and both solutions on offer are viable: 1) two state solution in accordance with UNSC Resolution 242; 2) one state solution based on the ‘right to return’ of Palestinian refugees and majority rule. That the Israeli President has accepted the King Abdullah plan (of two state solution) indicates that Israel now recognises that it is more favourable to it. If Israel continues to colonise the West Bank, the ‘One State Solution’ would become the only viable option. Therefore, if Barack Obama as President did nothing except to ask Israel to negotiate terms for its coexistence with Palestinians and its Arab neighbours itself, the result will be taking up of one of the two options. It is Israel that needs to hurry if it wanted to continue to exist as Jewish states. Benign neglect – giving no money to either side – is a more apt form of even-handedness that would concentrate minds and yield results.

As for Iraq, Obama has won his historic election victory promising to end the war and withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq within 18 months. If he kept that promise, it would be a victory by his own definition. To resile from that promise would be his defeat. In Afghanistan, Senator Obama said he would win a quick victory and pull out. President Obama is likely to follow through. General Patreus of ‘surge in Iraq’ fame is now the Commander of CENTCOM and he would like to deliver on what his new C-in-C wants. There would be ‘surge’ in Afghanistan, an attempt to separate the ‘good Taliban’ from the ‘bad Taliban’, get the good Taliban on their side and with their help General Patreus would be able to secure, or at least declare, a victory. Thus another ‘good war’ would be brought to a ‘good conclusion’.

Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, is already working on a strategy for the war to be concluded quickly and on US terms. The ‘Gates Strategy’ now in place is unlikely to be changed. What is that strategy? It is founded on a realisation that the war in Afghanistan is being fought as a war of liberation not as a war between secularism and fundamentalism as America wanted. America cannot win against forces of liberation. Such a war is both un-winnable and also a ‘bad war’. The Old Guard, who provide the intellectual and strategy support to Barack Obama, is led by Professor Brzezinski. In his view, Pakistan is ripe for several ‘good wars’ i.e. wars for liberation (of the Baloch tribes and other ethnic group desirous of freedom) and war for the triumph of ‘secularism’ over ‘fundamentalism’, which America can and should support.

The new government in Pakistan is also a product of the same strategy. Every party in the ruling coalition – the PPP, the MQM and the ANP – is a ‘secular’ party. And it is eager for a fight with the ‘mullah-military alliance’. In his interview with WSJ, Pakistan’s President Asif Zardari made repeated appeals to America to help him generously (with 100 Billion Dollars) to compensate ‘him’ for the losses being suffered for the ‘good war’ he is fighting for them. The Pakistani Ambassador in the US, Hussain Haqqani, in his interview with the CNN, went further. He said that the military was now under civilian control but the ‘long established links between the mullahs and the military’ cannot disappear over-night. He put the military on notice – join the good war against secularism or be treated as the enemy and be annihilated. That he gave credence to Indo-US propaganda and provided a rationale for continuation of Predator attacks on Pakistan is less important. What is more important is that the Army has been warned that it would be used to defeat the ‘evil’ force of fundamentalism.

So, Zardari- Haqqani interviews provide a clue to the foreign policy of the new civil government. The policy is that Pakistan is ready for a prolonged ‘good war’ against the evils of ‘fundamentalism and extremism’ but that the US must raise the compensation it pays to Pakistan. The line being used by Zardari is the same as General Musharraf’s, who used it stay in power for eight years: “help me stay in power otherwise the mullahs will take over the nukes”. Hussain Haqqani even wrote a book with Mullah-Military Alliance. He earned a professorship in the USA for his service. But he was critical of Musharraf; he alleged that Musharraf was just ‘pretending’ to be a secular liberal whereas he was an active partner in the mullah-military alliance. Having since joined Asif Zardari, he certifies that the liberal and secular credentials of his new boss are impeccable. So, the battle lines have been drawn for a few good wars – wars of liberation and a war for the triumph of secularism over fundamentalism. In this war, the PPP led coalition is on the side of liberal and secular forces; the armed forces have yet to come on side; the majority of the people of Pakistan are the enemy.

The current US strategy is India-centric. The war in Afghanistan in Afghanistan is to go through three phases: attempt at negotiations with the Taliban; a ‘surge’ and declaration of victory; exit by the bulk of US ground troops leaving India in charge. In the war between secularism and fundamentalism inside Pakistan, India would be active on the side of secular forces and would intervene milirtarily at the ‘right time’. The war in Pakistan would also have several phases: 1) an ‘economic meltdown’; 2) intensification of Army operations in FATA and NWFP; 3) heightening of sectarian/ethnic tension in Sindh and Balochistan. All of this would easily lead to break down of law and order that the present incompetent and unpopular government would not be able to cope with. It would end up calling in the USA – the only forces that could bring all those ‘good wars’ to satisfactory conclusion.

An opinion has been openly and repeatedly expressed in the USA that President Obama would be faced with a situation of Pakistan - a ‘nuclear weapon state’ becoming a failed state. That would be the first challenge to ‘test the mettle’ of President Obama soon after his inauguration. It is difficult to say at this time whether its is a trap being set up for the new President, or he is willingly co-operating with the diabolical scheme. But one thing is clear. If Zardari-Haqqani foreign policy continues into Obama Presidency, Zardari’s desire for more money or for prolonging the war in Afghanistan may not be met but Pakistan will become a failed state. An unpopular military dictator at least has the armed forces to rely on; Asif Zardari has no such dependable support from any quarter inside Pakistan and yet he continues to defy public sentiment on the issue of the restoration of judges and is eager for a war (he deems would be lucrative) on the “mullah-military alliance”.

There is one big lacuna in the scheme. Wars of liberation of tribal or ethnic groups or for the triumph of Secularism have failed spectacularly in almost every Muslim country including Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan. Why would Pakistan be different? President Asif Zardari and the coalition of secular forces he leads can deliver a ‘failed state’ as well as ethnic strife. But he cannot deliver their victory. The end result would be a bigger mess than any the USA has managed to create with uncertain consequences. The real challenge for President Obama is not to pursue the Bush-Gates strategy more adroitly but to change that strategy before it is too late. The option of Pakistan centric exit strategy is still open. The US (and NATO) military can and should get out of Afghanistan but its benign civil presence would remain welcome not just by Afghans but almost all of the neighbours of Afghanistan including, no, especially, Pakistan.

Like most Muslims, I would like the first ever a black President who has empathy for Islam and Muslims to succeed. I pray that he avoids the pitfall of India-centric ‘exit from Afghanistan’ strategy. All that is needed is to listen to the voice of the majority in Pakistan as well as Afghanistan. Hamid Karzai and Asif Zardari are chips of the same block; both are eager to build their personal and political fortunes on the blood of Afghans and Pakistanis. Obama has been elected to stop senseless hate and slaughter. He must succeed not just for the sake of the American kids fighting and dying in distant lands among unfamiliar peoples who the Bushes and McCains of the world hold in so much disdain and contempt.



The victorious Obama Girls, women, etc.

Media Maven Katie Couric, Media promoter and mocker of Sarah Palin
Great job, fantastic desperate salvage of a job that was on the line; Her own.


Tina Fey "promoting" Sarah Palin

She really ran this role into the subconscious level.

The Billionair-ess Oprah

On her Bully Pulpit preaching prosperity.





Ellen Degeneres, "Androgenous" Obama person
Promoting BHO and her alternate "world view".



The Pop Obama Girl


15 minutes of fame




The "real" Obama Girls


Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Guy Fawkes Day


Revellers celebrate Guy Fawkes Day. In 1605 Fawkes unsuccessfully attempted to commit the infamous act of terror of blowing up King James I and the Houses of Parliament.
Dave Etheridge-Barnes / Getty


By Alex Altman Wednesday, Nov. 05, 2008


The English, among other talents, are adept at nurturing their grudges. How else does one explain the enduring enmity toward Guy Fawkes, a conspirator in a plot to blow up Parliament in 1605? Some four centuries after Fawkes was caught, tortured and executed for his role in a scheme that never came to fruition, Britons still celebrate his demise each Nov. 5 by burning his likeness in effigy and setting fireworks ablaze.


One of the ironies of Fawkes' legacy is that he was a late addition to the infamous "Gunpowder Plot." Born a Protestant in 1570, Fawkes enlisted in the Spanish army in the Netherlands around 1593, shortly after converting to Catholicism. Co-conspirators Robert Catesby, Thomas Winter, Thomas Percy and John Wright enlisted Fawkes as a ringer, reasoning that his military skills — he had participated in the 1595 capture of Calais, France — and his anonymity as a foreign soldier made him an ideal candidate to help execute their plan.

Fawkes' henchmen were zealous Catholics who believed that by beheading the government, they might usher in a new era of Catholicism in Protestant England. Led by Catesby, they hatched a plan to explode gunpowder under Parliament during a state opening, when King James I, his queen, and other family members and government leaders were inside. The plot was set for Nov. 5, 1605, and in the preceding days, the conspirators rented a cellar underneath the building, where Fawkes stashed at least 20 barrels of gunpowder.

Things didn't go according to plan. The plotters sought wider support, and, as the story goes, one of the individuals to whom they reached out alerted his brother-in-law, a lord, not to attend Parliament on Nov. 5. The building was searched, and Fawkes was apprehended along with his stockpile of gunpowder. Tortured on the rack, he revealed the names of his co-conspirators. Some of them were killed while resisting arrest; others, including Fawkes, pled not guilty and went to trial, where they were convicted of high treason. In January, 1606, the remaining conspirators were hanged, drawn and quartered. Parliament immediately established Nov. 5 as a day of celebration.

Today, Guy Fawkes Day — also known as Bonfire Night — is marked across the United Kingdom by celebrations. To foot the bill for the traditional fireworks, children roam the streets in the days leading up to the event, brandishing their effigies — known as "Guys" — and ask passers-by for a "penny for the guy." (The phrase famously serves as the second epigraph to T.S. Eliot's 1927 meditation on despair, "The Hollow Men.") Families gather for food and festivities that might seem incongruous with the event's bloody origins — although perhaps not as incongruous as lighting fireworks and bonfires to celebrate an abortive attempt at arson.

In recent years, Fawkes' legacy has broadened. He provided the inspiration for the tile character in the Wachowski brothers' V for Vendetta, in which a masked crusader embarks on a terrorist campaign against a totalitarian British dystopia. Fawkes also proved an effective fundraising rally cry for onetime U.S. presidential candidate Ron Paul, who garnered more than $4 million on the holiday in 2007 from a website commemorating Fawkes. This year, revelers will gather across Britain — most notably in Lewes, a town once known as a hotbed of anti-Catholicism sentiment that throws one of the British Isles' biggest conflagrations — and in nations ranging from South Africa and Canada to New Zealand and Australia. Guards will also perform the annual search —more pageantry than precaution—of the Houses of Parliament to ensure no would-be Fawkes is lurking. Though the animosity and rituals may merely be symbolic at this point, the celebrations still burn brightly.



Source: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1856603,00.html

Today's Times Sells Out! Printing Extra 50,000 Copies for Afternoon Rush; NYTimes.com Breaks Another Record


by John Koblin November 5, 2008

Newspapers dead?



Today's day-after the election issue of The New York Times—the one with the OBAMA banner headline that the paper's masthead decided on after consulting some of its readers—is selling out fast. (Need proof: Check out this photo from Gawker.)


The paper's spokeswman, Catherine Mathis, has told us that the paper is printing an extra 50,000 copies for the afternoon rush at transit-hubs like Grand Central, Penn Station, and Port Authority. It's a veritable P.M. editition of The Times!


"We had increased our print run for single copy sales today by about 35%," she writes. "In 2004 we saw an increase in sales of around 50,000 copies the day after the election and based on what we've seen today, we expect to significantly surpass those sales."


NYTimes.com—which has been shattering traffic records for over a month now—once again set another record yesterday, said Ms. Mathis. "There were 55.1 million page views, shattering the previous record by 29%," she writes.


Likewise, down in D.C., copies off The Washington Post seem to be flying off the newsstands. "The Washington Post increased copies available today for sale at retail locations and in newsboxes by 30%, but sold out within hours," writes a spokeswoman. More anecodotal, yes, but still.



Whole Foods Market Announces $425 Million Equity Investment by Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.


Nov 5 05:29 PM US/Eastern


AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFMI) announced today an agreement to sell Series A Preferred Stock due 2020 to Green Equity Investors V, L.P., an affiliate of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. for $425 million. This amount equates to an ownership interest, assuming conversion of the preferred stock to common stock, of approximately 17% at this time.



"We are pleased that Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., one of the most experienced and successful investors in the retail industry, has decided to make such a significant investment in Whole Foods Market. We view it as a strong vote of confidence in our business model and our long-term growth prospects, despite the current economic environment," said John Mackey, chairman, chief executive officer, and co-founder of Whole Foods Market. "This investment, combined with our strong cash flow from operations, gives us the financial flexibility to manage through these difficult economic times while continuing to prudently invest in our long-term growth."


"Whole Foods Market is an exceptional company that has revolutionized how consumers shop for natural and organic products," said Jonathan Sokoloff, Managing Partner of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. "We are pleased to make this investment and look forward to a partnership with the board and management team to drive long-term growth, profitability and value for all shareholders."



The preferred stock has an 8% dividend, payable quarterly in cash or by increasing the liquidation preference, at the option of the Company, and will be convertible, under certain circumstances, to common stock at an initial conversion price of $14.50 per share. This represents a premium of approximately 32% to yesterday's closing sale price of Whole Foods Market's common stock of $10.99. After three years, the dividend will be reduced to: (i) 6% if the common stock closes at or above $17.75 per share for at least 20 consecutive trading days, or (ii) 4% if the common stock closes at or above $23.13 per share for at least 20 consecutive trading days.



Whole Foods Market may redeem the preferred stock after five years at a premium of 4%, declining ratably to par by the eighth year. In addition, at any time, Whole Foods Market may, upon 30 days notice, redeem the preferred stock if the common stock closes at or above $28.50 per share for at least 20 consecutive trading days. Whole Foods Market may also convert the preferred stock into subordinated convertible notes having economic terms similar to the preferred stock under certain circumstances.



The transaction is expected to close within thirty days, subject to the receipt of customary regulatory approvals.



In connection with the preferred stock investment, Jonathan D. Sokoloff and Jonathan A. Seiffer of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. intend to join the board of directors of Whole Foods Market.



Goldman, Sachs & Co. served as financial advisor and Dechert LLP served as legal advisor to Whole Foods Market in this transaction. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.



About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2008, the Company had sales of approximately $8 billion and currently has 278 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs more than 50,000 Team Members and has been ranked for eleven consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine.



About Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.

Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. is a private investment firm established in 1989 which manages approximately $9 billion of equity capital. The firm's investments are focused primarily on North American companies in a range of industries including retail, consumer products, distribution, media, business services and healthcare. Significant investments include The Brickman Group, The Container Store, David's Bridal, Jetro Cash and Carry, Neiman Marcus Group, Petco Animal Supplies, The Sports Authority, The Tire Rack and Tourneau.



Forward-looking statements

The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include but are not limited to general business conditions, the successful integration of acquired businesses into our operations, changes in overall economic conditions that impact consumer spending, including fuel prices and housing market trends, the impact of competition, changes in the Company's access to available capital, the successful resolution of ongoing FTC matters, and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of Whole Foods Market, including Whole Foods Market's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. Whole Foods Market undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.



The shares of Series A Preferred Stock have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.



The Company will host a conference call today to discuss this announcement in conjunction with its earnings announcement at 4:00 p.m. CT. The dial-in number is 1-800-862-9098, and the conference ID is "Whole Foods." A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.


Contact: Cindy McCann VP of Investor Relations 512.542.0204



SOURCE Whole Foods Market, Inc.
Copyright 2008 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.



Nearer, my God, to Thee


Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God to Thee.

Refrain

There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain

There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.

Refrain


Words: Verses 1-5,
Sar­ah F. Adams, in Hymns and Anthems, by William Johnson Fox, 1841;



Music: Beth­a­ny (Ma­son),
Low­ell Ma­son, 1856
(MI­DI, score)

Secret Forces of the Church



Rome and the Church-Growth Movement





By Pastor Hal Mayer

Dear friends,

This month we are going to explore another secret force that involves more than the Roman Catholic Church, a secret force that is intended to deceive many people and get them caught up in a false system of worship. It involves an amazing network of connections that are preparing to sweep hundreds of thousands into eternal destruction.

Have you ever heard of Willow Creek? Have you ever heard of Saddleback church in Arizona, and the book called The Purpose Driven Life? Amazingly, these popular places and books and teachers have swept through Protestantism like a storm. Millions of their books have been sold. Thousands upon thousands of pastors have attended their seminars. But what is behind this church growth movement? Where does it come from? And will it help us prepare for the coming of Jesus? The following message will clearly show what is happening behind the scenes and how Rome is using the church growth movement to her advantage. Some of the players may not even realize it, but they are involved in a secret plan to destroy God’s last church. The research we have pulled together with the help of a friend of mine in the Netherlands will open your mind like never before. But before we get into our message for today, let us pray to our Father in heaven and ask Him for His Holy Spirit so that we can be discerning.

Our loving Heavenly Father, today we come to You and ask for Your Holy Spirit to lead us as we look into the movement that threatens to destroy the effect of Your last message to Your people in these last days. We love You and want to live with you for eternity and don’t want to be deceived. Thank you for revealing to us the future, which is really the present, as prophecy is fulfilled right before our eyes. We ask that Your Holy Spirit will ever be by our side and keep us free from all taint of sin and evil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Turn with me in your bibles to 2 Peter 1:19, 21. You may not think that the verses we are going to read have to do with the message for today, but they do as you shall see. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts… For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Satan is very sneaky. He tries to come to God’s people and deceive them by those things that sound good, but are not of sound doctrine. Most people just breeze over what they hear from the pulpit without giving a second thought. They think that what they have heard is right, but it is not biblical. They become deceived. They feel good. They feel happy. But they are really in a spiral that will lead them to eternal destruction.

The mega-church movement has spread all through evangelical Protestantism as well as other churches, but as we near the close of probation, what effect does it have on the truth for this time? Will it deceive those that have been given a special message for this hour?

Often, those who are emotionally tied to a particular practice or idea will not listen to the facts. Their emotions are caught up in the excitement and when they are presented with the details of the ministry of Satan in the church, they become defensive and angry. Others simply won't listen to any warnings concerning the teachings that they are so determined to follow. But the Bible tells us that we must “be sober, vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith,…” 1 Peter 5:8, 9.

These verses tell us that we cannot just drink in anything we are told from the pulpit or from some respected church leader. We must search for ourselves to see if the things we are taught are indeed of God and sound in scripture. It is a life or death matter that we must believe only sound doctrine. It is vitally important that pastors, teachers and other ministers of God must speak “the things which become sound doctrine. Titus 2:1.

What amazes me is that sometimes there are those that will listen to a sermon that is teaching the truth in all it’s beauty, and they will rightly say what a blessing it was. The following Sabbath, they will hear a sermon propounding exactly the opposite teaching and full of error, and again they will say what a blessing it was. While the first sermon was indeed probably a blessing to them, there seems to be a lack of discernment on the part of many to comprehend what they are hearing from the pulpit. Satan is indeed a roaring lion, “seeking whom he may devour.”

In his book called Charismatic Chaos, John F. MacArthur, Jr. warns us that “Unsuspecting churches and denominations have opened their doors – and their pulpits – to Third Wave teachers, many of whom sport very impressive academic credentials. The Third Wave is now rolling like a destructive tsunami, leaving chaos and confusion in its wake. (Zondervan, 1992, p.158).

What is the Third Wave? C. Peter Wagner, professor of church growth at Fuller Thelogical Seminary School of World Mission identifies the first wave as the Pentecostal movement, the second, the Charismatic movement and the third as the signs and wonders movement.

Jesus said that “false christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22. Just because there are wonderful signs and wonders, it doesn’t mean that it is from God. But Jesus said, “take heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” Vs. 23. Jesus has told us what is coming and some of it includes signs and wonders. But you may be looking for the wrong signs and wonders if you aren't careful to follow sound doctrine. Jesus said in Mark 13 that the sun would be darkened, and the moon would not give her light. The stars of heaven would fall, and the powers of heaven would be shaken. That’s verses. 24-25. Healings, speaking in tongues and other personal manifestations are not in the same class of signs at all.

MacArthur goes on to say, “Third Wave devotees believe that fantastic signs and wonders demonstrate the genuineness of their movement. Miraculous phenomena are the very heart of the Third Wave credo. Third Wavers are persuaded that miracles, visions, tongues, prophecies, and healings are essential supplements to the gospel. They view Christianity without those things as impotent, adulterated by the Western, materialistic mindset.

“Signs and wonders are the key to Third Wave evangelism,” wrote MacArthur. “Some Third Wavers even say that unbelievers must experience the miraculous to be brought to full faith… Most people will not believe without seeing miracles...” (Ibid pp. 158, 159.)

People are distracted by exciting things, and when miracles are added to the mix, they become obsessed with the movement. Their attention is taken away from the truth of the word, and placed on the miracles. They no longer need the word to assure them of the rightness of their course, but rather the signs and wonders. This is one of the key problems with the church growth movement. The movement is not focused on scripture.

One such example was the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church, started by John & Carol Arnott. Worship experiences included miraculous phenomena of signs and wonders in addition to the usual Pentecostal emotionalism. One interesting addition to this type of worship was known as “holy laughing.” The most common described behaviors include hysterical laughter, physical spasms or jerks, falling to the floor under the Holy Spirit's power, which is called “slain in the Spirit” and speaking in tongues. Other less common behaviors resemble roaring like lions and barking like dogs. At one time the TACF website described it thus: “The Toronto Blessing is a transferable anointing. In its most visible form it overcomes worshippers with outbreaks of laughter, weeping, groaning, shaking, falling, 'drunkenness,' and even behaviours that have been described as a 'cross between a jungle and a farmyard.'" From Wikipaedia, article “Toronto Blessing.”

Behind the “Toronto Blessing,” as it was called, was something known as the Alpha Course, a 10 to 12 week program developed by Nicky Gumbel at the Anglican Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London in the 1980s. The Alpha Course emphasizes only that which all the churches have in common. The idea is to facilitate a relaxed atmosphere with a unified spirit in which participants feel at home. Perhaps it is most significant that the participants are advised to lay the Bible aside so no one will be deterred. It is also customary not to say a prayer in order not to embarrass the guests.

Nicky Gumbel developed the Alpha course after an encounter with John Wimber in 1982 who spoke at the Brompton church. Nicky describes his experience. “after [John Wimber] had been praying for about 30 seconds… I felt this incredible power – it was like 10,000 volts… going through my body…

Is this a sign or wonder that the Bible warns us about? To answer this question, all we have to do is understand who John Wimber was and we will have a clear picture of where the Alpha course comes from. Wimber was the founder in 1962 of a rock-and-roll band known as the “Righteous Brothers.” He was converted to Christianity through the Quakers in 1963. Eventually he joined the faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary and founded the Department of Church Growth. Wimber became very interested in how charismatic healing was affecting church growth in third world countries. In 1982 he joined the early Vineyard movement in S. California. He wrote his main book called Power Evangelism, Signs and Wonders Today in 1986 which teaches about “signs and wonders” as an essential element in genuine Christian experience. Wimber assigned great credibility to Roman Catholic miracles because of Rome’s supposed “careful documentation of them." Actually Rome has often fabricated miracles in order to progress someone to sainthood, or keep the gullible enthralled. Wimber’s wife was raised in the Roman Catholic Church. After a difficult separation, Wimber says they were remarried in the Catholic Church. Wimber wrote for a Catholic charismatic publication known as New Covenant.

Wimber was the main leader of the Vineyard movement for many years. The Vineyard movement was very ecumenical because of Wimber’s influence. He often praised the Roman Catholic Church including several statements in his book. He had nothing but praise for the Pope and the Catholic Church. In Power Evangelism, he praises Roman Catholic saints such as Pope Gregory the Great, St. Francis, St. Dominic, St. Benedict of Nursia, and Ignatius of Loyola. Apparently he seemed to overlook the false teachings of these alleged “saints” and gives no warning about them. Some of these saints were the founders of some of the most diabolical aspects of Roman Catholicism such as the Jesuits and the Inquisition.

Wimber even recommended the writings of Jesuit priests Dennis and Matthew Linn. He wrote: “Father Dennis and Matthew Linn are Jesuit priests who have written books which deal with physical, psychological and spiritual wholeness. They are highly trained in psychology and combine the best insights in this field with theological understanding, shaped by charismatic experience.” (Quoted by Albert James Dager, Latter-Day Prophets: The Kansas City Connection.) Could it be that the Jesuits have been involved in the charismatic movement in order to break down barriers to the teachings and influence of Rome? A de-emphasis on Biblical truth as our guide in favor of emotions and feelings always benefits Rome and leads eventually to a reaction; moving away from the chaos of the charismatics to the ritualism of Catholicism. It is amazing but true.

The connection between John Wimber and the Jesuits is very revealing. But there is more. When Pope John Paul II was planning to call a decade of world evangelism Wimber said “I am thrilled with the Pope and glad that he is calling the Church to this goal, to this work.’ A report in the New Age Bulletin said that Wimber had been told informally that the Vatican had shown ‘a real interest’ in using Vineyard Ministries International’s concepts for the decade of evangelization ‘and possibly even [Wimber himself] to help train priests who will be used as trainers in the program worldwide’” (“Off to Rome with Wimber,” New Age Bulletin, June 1988 quoted in The Hidden Agenda, by Jan Voerman). Imagine that, the Catholic Church using a Charismatic to train priests that can then be used to spread the Catholic praise, teachings and whatever else worldwide. Something doesn’t seem right about this. I wonder if there is more here than meets the eye with John Wimber. There is something we don’t know perhaps in his connections with the Jesuits or the Catholic Church. Would the Catholic Church use non-denominational, mostly protestant churches, to promote her own agenda? Why not, they might well become very effective tools in the hands of the Pope, thanks to the Jesuits and others.

In his church planting seminars, Wimber would extol the use of relics as a means of healing. “In the Catholic Church for over a 1,200 year period people were healed as a result of touching the relics of the saints,” he said. “We Protestants have difficulty with that… but we healers shouldn’t, because there’s nothing theologically out of line with that,’ he would say. During a pastor’s conference, he even “apologized” to the Catholic church on behalf of all Protestants by saying that “the Pope, who by the way is very responsive to the Charismatic movement, and is himself a born-again Evangelical, is preaching the gospel as clear as anyone in the world today.”

Here we see another background force working to strip Protestants of their Protestantism and eventually bring them back into the Catholic church through the charismatic movement. The Vineyard Churches were so ecumenical and emotional, that they certainly played a significant role in bringing much openness if not outright interest in the Catholic Church, particularly its charismatic side.

Extreme ecumenism is behind the creation of the Vineyard Church Association. And behind that was the teachings in Nicky Gumbel in the Alpha Course. Then came a new phenomena called the “Toronto Blessing.” The “Toronto Blessing” was an extreme charismatic manifestation in which people were often falling backwards, stumbling around as if drunk, trembling, convulsing, and laughing. In the May 1995 issue of Renewal (pg. 15), Gumbel says of the Toronto movement and the Alpha Course, “I think that the two of them can go well together.”

Besides these extreme manifestations in the Toronto movement, what do their leaders teach?

John Arnott, pastor of the Toronto church, made it clear: “Toronto is like a flowing stream. Don’t try to test it or discern it. Just jump in, you’ll understand it after you’ve jumped in.” (J. J. Prasch, Why Three Years of Toronto and Still No Revival? Moriel Ministries, p. 9.)

Rodney Howard-Browne, who has been closely associated with the Toronto movement, says: “Don’t pray. Just accept. Just receive.” (Ibid.) He also declared: “People come trying to be all serious and praying. No! This is not the time to pray. This is not a prayer meeting; get in the joy; you can pray on the way home.” (Hank Hanegraaff, Counterfeit Revival, Word Publ. Dallas Texas, 1997, p. 223.)

Even though the Bible says that “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17:9), Rodney says: “You can't understand what God is doing in these meetings with an analytical mind. The only way you're going to understand what God is doing is with your heart.” (Stephen Sizer, Rodney Howeard-Browne, A Critical Examination of his Theology and Practice, p. 4.) In other words, the Bible doesn’t matter. You must not think about it. You can only feel it. Imagine if our distinctive doctrines were verified by feelings and not by scripture. Where would we be?

Then another movement arose, known as Willow Creek. Bill Hybels, the founder of the Willow Creek Association got much of his mentoring under Robert Schuller who is the host of the well known television show in America: “Hour of Power.” Schuller uses humanistic ideas in his teaching. Schuller is also a follower of Norman Vincent Peale, who “plainly admitted that many of his principles came from two leading occultists: Earnest Holmes, founder of “Religious Science” and Charles Fillmore, co-founder of “Unity cult.” (Dave Hunt, Occult Invasion, Eugene, Oregon, 1998, pg. 460). Peale said on the Phil Donahue show back in 1984 that “It’s not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God; I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine… I’ve been to Shinto shrines, and God is everywhere.” Phil Donahue was shocked and responded, “But you're a Christian minister; you’re supposed to tell me that Christ is the way and the truth and the life, aren't you?” Peale replied, “Christ is one of the ways. God is everywhere.” That was taken from Christian News, May 12, 1997, p. 11. This is sheer New Age nonsense. Norman Vincent Peale was teaching New Age Philosophy. He mentored Robert Schuller who mentored none other than Bill Hybels. As false teaching is developed over time, one person seems to be in the spotlight for a while. During this time he trains others, and then they come into the spotlight and train others who in turn come into the spotlight. Hence error is spread generation after generation.

Robert Schuller says of Bill Hybels, “I am so proud of him… I think of him as a son. I think of him as one of the greatest things to happen in Christianity in our time… Bill Hybels is doing the best job of anybody I know. (G. A. Pritchard, Willow Creek Seeker Services, Evaluating a New Way of Doing Church, Baker Books, 1996, p. 56.) According to Dave Hunt, Robert Schuller is a 33rd degree Mason as was his mentor Norman Vincent Peale. (op. cit. Occult Invasion).

Bill Hybels, of Willow Creek fame is also a very strong ecumenist. He invited F. M. Laz, a Roman Catholic priest of the “Holy Family Church,” to help the members and associates of Willow Creek to understand the things that Protestants can learn from Catholics. When he introduced Laz, Hybels told that he was invited to a conference to speak in the Holy Family church for a group of Catholic leaders, and that he had gained much admiration and respect for Laz as a brother in Christ. (Audiotape M9010 WC Seeds Tape Ministry.)

Ellen White makes it very clear where the ecumenical movement is heading. “The opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome… The people need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty.” That is from the book Great Controversy, pp. 563 and 566. She also wrote, “the pacific tone of Rome… does not imply a change of heart. She is tolerant where she is helpless.” Great Controversy, p. 565

In his apostolic letter: Ad Tuendam Fidem, May 18, 1998, John Paul mentioned canon 1436.1 which says, “One who denies a truth which must be believed with divine and Catholic faith, or who calls it into doubt… is to be punished as a heretic or an apostate with major excommunication…”

Karl Keating, in his book Catholicism and Fundamentalism, published by the Ignatius Press in San Francisco (1988) stated, “The Catholic Church did not change any of its doctrines at Trent and it did not change any at Vatican II.” No wonder Ellen White wrote: “Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation…” That is also from Great Controversy, p. 571

Bill Hybels invites Christian ministers from all denominations to Willow Creek to learn how to do church growth and spread his New Age, pro-Roman Catholic ecumenical concepts in their own churches. The style of service is patently marketed as “seeker friendly,” which means that the sinner is approached in affirming ways, not in a confrontational way. They need to be listened to and everything that can be disturbing or hurting to them by word or act must be avoided because they should feel perfectly comfortable. Everything possible must be done to make everybody feel happy.

While we should be courteous and thoughtful to all sinners, we must avoid anything that would hinder the work of the Spirit whose first work is to convict of sin. For the scriptures say that “when the Spirit of truth is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment to come,” wrote the apostle John in his gospel. [16:8]

Instead, of presenting convicting truth, contemporary, popular music is played. Stories, skits and other entertaining trappings are used to keep the attention of the masses as they are told to relax and that God loves them just the way they are. While this is true, it is not the whole truth. God also insists that change is necessary for salvation – a change of heart which works a change in the life.

Today the church growth movement as promoted by Willow Creek presents an attractive gospel that caters to carnal desires. The Bible is presented in a friendly, non-confrontational manner while in reality presenting a concept which conflicts with its principles. The purpose is to make everybody feel comfortable.

But Paul writes plainly: “for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Galations 1:10. Ignoring this principle, church-growth leaders do everything possible to please men. A clear “thus saith the Lord” is not a part of the program. Kimon Howland says: “’seeker church pastors make orthodox theology less offensive and more civil for a pluralistic society.’ The gospel isn’t put aside but repacked ‘in a kinder, gentler format.’” Wrote Nathan Busenitz in The Gospel According to Hybels & Warren, Pulpit-Shepherds Fellowship, 2003, p. 3, 4. “Gone are the hard sayings of Jesus,” writes Os Guinness. “Gone is the teaching on sin, self-denial, sacrifice, suffering, judgment, hell. With all its need-meeting emphasis, there is little in the church-growth movement that stands crosswise to the world.” (Os Guinness, Dining with the Devil, Baker Book 1993, p. 78.)

In an article called, Baptist Churches Caught in Willow Creek Web, published in the International Social Pulse Newsletter, November 2003, the author says, “Bill Hybels is one of the most dangerous religious leaders in America. Through his ministry at Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois, and the Willow Creek Association, he is leading many Baptists into the web of compromise. Churches are being destroyed, while at the same time they are growing in membership… Every Sunday morning about 15,000 people gather in the Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC). This is not your regular church service. There is no organ, piano, hymnbooks. They do not join in singing the grand old hymns of the Christian faith. Neither is there a biblical sermon preached. This is the so-called Seeker Service, which is produced in order to get lost people to enjoy church without guilt or shame. There are no sermons against sin, nor is there a call for repentance. Instead of this, there is plenty of rock music from a rock band. Instead of a biblical sermon they feature dramas and multi-media. Of course, the lost man likes to be entertained, and he gets plenty of that at WCCC.”

I’m sure that it is not only Baptist churches that are experiencing this type of service now days. It is interesting and instructive to see which churches are involved in Willow Creek. In fact, the list of churches that are members of the Willow Creek Association is very long indeed. According to their main website, there are more than 12,000 member churches from over 90 denominations in 35 countries around the world, and they are growing at a rate of about two churches per day. They seem to span all or most all denominations including, Anglican/Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Roman Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist, etc.

The WCA website says that “All WCA Member Churches have affirmed the central doctrines of the Bible reflected in the WCA Statement of Faith and also presented in the historic creeds of the Christian faith.” Now, let us understand what this means. The historic creeds of the Christian faith would certainly include the Roman Catholic creed as well as the Anglican, the Methodist, etc. Some of these creeds contradict each other. But still members must presumably affirm these creeds even if their denomination has rejected them. My friends, there is one megachurch behind all megachurches. Rome’s creed supersedes them all. She is the mother of all mega-churches.That is what the ecumenical movement is all about; bringing the churches into harmony with Rome’s creed.

Members must also affirm the WCA Statement of Faith. The WCA statement of faith says “[Salvation] is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.” This is in direct conflict with scripture. Christ’s work of salvation wasn’t finished on the cross. His sacrifice was full and sufficient on the cross, but the work of salvation goes on. He continues this very day in the heavenly sanctuary his ministry of salvation in the lives of His followers. The WCA statement of faith, denies one of the most important principles of scripture that applies specifically to those living at the end of time – the Most Holy Place ministry of Christ.

The WCA statement of Faith also says that the Bible is “the inspired, infallible Word of God, and the supreme and final authority on all matters upon which it teaches…” If Willow Creek truly believed this, then there would be no way that 90 denominations could be united together in an association because so many of them believe things that are explicitly in contradiction to the Bible.

For example, the WCA Statement of Faith also says “Death seals the eternal destiny of each person.” What happens to the soul in death is not addressed. This may well be strategic because there are differences of opinions concerning what happens in death. The Bible is clear about what happens after we die, but Willow Creek is not – even though the WCA statement claims to believe that the Bible is the supreme and final authority… How could a Roman Catholic Church affirm that the Bible is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it teaches when the Catholic Church affirms that tradition is just as authoritative as the Bible and in practice places tradition above the Bible?

There can be considerable argument about what the Bible actually teaches between the many denominations involved in Willow Creek. So it is impossible for the WCA to define its beliefs clearly so that members actually know what they must believe. This nice sounding statement about the authority of the Bible is meaningless.

What is going on at Willow Creek? Though Willow Creek has a nice sounding statement of faith that many protestant churches will support or accept, though it has a reference to the historic creeds so that Catholics perhaps will feel comfortable joining, in practice, biblical truth is sacrificed. One statement which seems to override all others says, “Spiritual unity is to be expressed among Christians by acceptance and love of one another across ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, national, generational, gender, and denominational lines.” That is the key point. Spiritual unity is not based on truth, but on acceptance and love; anything but doctrine. This is an ecumenical effort to unite all churches in large bundles and reduce denominational distinctives to only those things upon which all can agree.

God’s messenger says: “The enemy has used the chain of dependence to draw men together. They have united to destroy God's image in man, to counterwork the gospel by perverting its principles. They are represented in God's word as being bound in bundles to be burned. Satan is uniting his forces for perdition.” That’s from the sixth volume of the Testimonies for the Church, pg 242.

Listen to God’s last day messenger who says, “The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed--however important they might be from a Bible standpoint--must necessarily be waived. Great Controversy, p. 444.

This is precisely what is happening with the Willow Creek Association. Ultimately, the only point on which it will seem possible to unite will be Sunday worship. Under the pressure of a national or international crisis, it will be very easy to suggest that no other points mean much of anything and that we all must rally around this one key issue. Listen again to God’s last day messenger, “When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” Great Controversy, p 445.

The watered-down WCA Statement of Faith is part of the process of preparing the churches to be deceived and receive the mark of the beast by worshipping according to man’s dictates rather than by the commandments of God. God’s church on earth is defined by the fact that they keep the commandments of God. The Willow Creek Association is leading thousands of churches and their people into an ecumenical web from which it will be very difficult to extract themselves.

Another major influence in modern ecumenical Christianity has been Rick Warren, pastor of the Saddleback mega-Church in Lake Forest, Ca. He is the author of The Purpose Driven Life. Church growth for Rick Warren means to homogenize Christianity in the ecumenical fashion. Similar to Bill Hybels in Illinois, Rick Warren misuses scripture to suit his purposes. He says, “…I have deliberately used paraphrases in order to help you see God’s truth in new and fresh ways.” (The Purpose Driven Life, p. 325)

While this sounds good, what really happens? Listen to John 4:23 from the King James Bible. “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” The Message paraphrase, which Rick Warren uses in his book says; “That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in worship.” It is quite different isn’t it? The Message “Bible” suits Warren’s purposes and doesn’t emphasize worshipping in truth. In Rick Warren’s mega-church, just as in virtually all seeker friendly churches of whatever size, everybody is supposed to feel at ease, whatever his opinion or way of thinking. Warren deliberately avoids distinguishing the truth from falsehood. Worshippers are to be “simply and honestly themselves.”

The Alpha course and these church growth teachers hinder sinners from experiencing the gospel by encouraging them to believe they are Christians, while they haven’t given themselves fully to God. Most of us don’t want to face the fact that we are sinners. We want to come to church and be told that we are ok as we are. So we hear affirming sermons, sermons about love and unity. But we rarely hear sermons dealing with our apostate lifestyle and the need to get our lives right with God. We are being set up to accept the church growth model. The underlying assumption is that those who have been baptized and regularly attend church are somehow on the path to heaven. While that may be true of some, it is certainly not true of all.

These mega-church leaders are all following the same path to a man-centered gospel in what sounds like a Christ-centered approach. They use the modern perversions of scripture to emphasize the love of Christ, but strip that love of its convicting and transforming power.

Rick Warren says “…anybody can be won to Christ if you discover the felt needs to his or her heart.” (C. Matthew McMahon, Pelagian Captivity, p. 19. Cf. The Purpose Driven Church. P. 219.) Hybel’s explains “We are a love starved people, with broken parts that need the kind of repair that only he can give long-term.” (Ibid, pg. 20.) The Bible teaches however that the unbeliever is by nature more than broken. He is dead in trespasses and sins, (Ephesians 2:1) and must be raised from death to a new life. It isn’t a matter of recognizing our love-starved selves, but it is a matter of understanding our sin. The only remedy for that sin is not pop-psychology, but the total surrender of our sin-burdened souls to Jesus Christ.

Rick Warren says, “It is… critical that we keep in mind a fundamental principle of Christian communication: the audience, not the message, is sovereign… our message has to be adapted to the needs of the audience. (George Barna, Marketing the Church, Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1988, p. 145.) What he is saying is that the truth of the Bible is not as important as felt needs of the people. This is one good way to become popular, but it is not the way that heaven approves.

The underlying problem in using all the various scripture revisions is that it is almost impossible to determine what biblical truth actually is. This leaves those who are thus confused questioning what really is the truth that we must believe. Rome has the perfect answer. Since there is no consistent, clear, biblical interpretation or authority available, then the Pope is the one to determine what is truth. He is the only authoritative voice in the ecumenical world today. Rome greatly appreciates all the modern translations. In fact virtually all of them harmonize with her corrupted western texts. The modern Bible translations are designed to create confusion over doctrine, so that eventually the churches will turn to Rome for final authority. Ecumenical churches such as the mega-churches are very effective agents of Rome. Not only do they extol the Pope, the Jesuits and the Catholic Church, they use translations that harmonize with Rome’s corrupted scripture in an effort to come as close to Rome as possible without alienating their Protestant supporters.

The church growth movement also de-emphasizes prophecy. Rick Warren writes in the Purpose Driven Life [p. 285], “When the disciples wanted to talk about prophecy, Jesus quickly switched the conversation to evangelism. He wanted them to concentrate on their mission in the world. He said in essence, ‘The details of my return are none of your business. What is your business is the mission I’ve given you. Focus on that!’ …If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling your mission, not figuring out prophecy. It is easy to get distracted and sidetracked from your mission because Satan would rather have you do anything besides sharing your faith.” As you can see Rick Warren actively discourages the study of prophecy because to him it is a snare of Satan to keep us from fulfilling our mission.

Listen to this very prophetic statement from the Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 92 “Satan is not asleep; he is wide-awake to make of no effect the sure word of prophecy. With skill and deceptive power he is working to counterwork the expressed will of God, made plain in His word.”

Warren dares to suggest that the details surrounding Jesus’ coming are none of our business. If it is none of our business, then why did Jesus give us a very clear description of it in several places in scripture? What Rick Warren doesn’t know apparently, is that Satan is planning to counterfeit Jesus’ coming, and that it is essential that we know as much about it as Jesus himself has given us, so that we won't be deceived (see Matt 24). A correct understanding of prophecy is indispensable and invaluable so that God’s people can prepare for His coming.

Do you remember our first scripture that said “we have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn…? When Rick Warren says that we should not focus on prophecy, we can say that instead of receiving God’s blessing he and all those who follow him in this way will at last find themselves in darkness, since they have no shinning light to show them the truth and the right way. They don’t have a prophetic light shining into the future.

It is not surprising that the church-growth movement is tightly connected with the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican is very enthusiastic about the Alpha Course which under girds church growth movement. The Calvary Contender, March 2004 said in an article called Alpha the Unofficial Guide, (p. 55.) that, “the Alpha Course is proving to be a most profitable vehicle for Rome’s ecumenical goals.” An Evangelical Times article wrote that Alpha fever “will inch its adherents inexorably closer to the Roman Catholic Church. Rome has welcomed the courses, and waits with consummate patience to embrace those who wander from the path of scripture… (Alpha Courses and Catholicism)

Ambrose Griffiths, Roman Catholic bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, England, says that Alpha, “doesn’t contain anything that is contrary to Catholic doctrine.” (Paul Fitton, The Alpha Course: Is it Bible-Based or Hell-Inspired? Part 2)

Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore has nothing but praise about Alpha. “Those who complete the Alpha course are ready and eager to take part in the small communities that are forming in parishes – ready and eager to learn more about our church and her sacraments and to serve and evangelize others. (Alpha News International, Aug-Nov. 1999)

With all this background, why then do churches and conferences who claim to have God’s truth send their pastors to Willow Creek to learn of these methods and teachings? Why are books like the Purpose Driven Life urged upon church members? Why do pastors quote from Catholic mystics like Thomas Aquinas, Augustine and other famous churchmen? The fact is that there is a great desire to be like the world-loving churches so that their churches will grow. Listen to this enlightening statement from The Signs of the Times, August 27, 1894. “Ministers of popular churches are… softening down and diluting the plain word of truth. They are obscuring the light, and changing the message, in order to accommodate it to the prejudices, and adjust it to the opinions and habits, of the people. Thus they cater to the taste of the world-loving members of the church.”

More than 12 years earlier Ellen White warned that “Some ministers are adopting the customs of other churches, copying their habits and manner of labor.” That is also from the Signs of the Times, May 25, 1882.

Here is the problem for God’s last day church. Those that follow the mega-church methods very quickly discover that one cannot attract a large crowd if one preaches the distinctive message of the Bible for the last days including the Sabbath, the non-immortality of the soul and the investigative judgment. They then have to avoid preaching them or give them up all together. The result is that God’s last day church loses her clarity concerning her message and becomes insecure in its proclamation. Once that insecurity sets in, there is no end to the compromises that will be made in order to make people comfortable with modern worldly lifestyles. When we bring in drums and rock music, clowns, mimes, skits and other forms of entertainment, when we water down the message and just preach an emaciated love and truthless unity so that everyone is happy and have no fear of sin and God’s displeasure with it, we give the enemy of souls an open door to enter into our midst to lead us from the truth, all in the name of worshipping Jesus. What a masterful deception! How important it is for us to be alert to the plans of Satan! He wants to bring us under the influence of the ecumenical movement so that he can eventually bring us under the power of Rome and Rome’s false worship.

Ellen White warns us again, that “there is to be no compromise with those who make void the law of God. It is not safe to rely upon them as counselors. Our testimony is not to be less decided now than formerly: our real position is not to be cloaked in order to please the world’s great men. They may desire us to unite with them and accept their plans, and may make propositions in regard to our course of action which may give the enemy an advantage over us.” That is from Selected Messages, book two, p. 371. How true are these words!

If your pastor has attended Willow Creek, love him, but tell him of his danger. If your church is a member of the Willow Creek Association, perhaps it is time to make a presentation to the board of the dangers of this type of worship and loss of the distinctive truth for this time. Maybe you have been unaware of the false teachings of the “Purpose Driven” movement, and have been attracted to its ideas. This is the time to open your eyes and awake to your danger. Give no more time to this deceptive plan of Satan to lead you astray. Rome’s secret forces are at work, deceiving if possible the very elect. She is using every method, including the church growth movement and the ecumenical movement to deceive your soul and lead you under her control.

Now is the time to make your soul right with God and make sure that you understand the message for this hour. Your time and talents are God’s and we should not be using them to entertain or lull others into comatose carnal security. This is the time to be true watchmen on the walls of Zion proclaiming God’s last warning message to the world. It is not the time to be softening it down.

Let us pray that God will awaken those that are caught up in this church growth deception and that we will never be deceived by unscrupulous preachers of a false and watered-down gospel.

Our Father in heaven, thank you for revealing to us the truth and exposing to us the deceptions of the devil. Help us Lord not to be deceived and become blinded by the false teachings of men that sound so good, but are unbiblical. Please Lord, there are those who have been deceived. Please undeceive them and help them to open their hearts to the truth for these last days. And Lord, if there are some pastors that have become caught up in these methods and teachings of the church growth movement, please help them to see the error of their ways, and turn and proclaim the true message with power. May we truly represent Christ and His faithfulness in every way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.








Source: http://ktfministry.com/resources/sermons/KTF_En_200712.htm

The gods must be crazy [Part 08]





It's an ObamaNation!


If the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet...


1Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:

3If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

4Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

5He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

6But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

7So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

8When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

9Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

10Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

11Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

12Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.

13When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

14Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;

15If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

16None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

17Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.

18When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

19But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

20Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.

21And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.

22Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

23Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

24Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.

25Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?

26Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land?

27Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

28For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.

29Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.

30Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.

31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

32And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

33And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.


Ezekiel 33

Monday, November 03, 2008

Homeland Security Program Riddled With Problems



Reporting
Dave Savini






Oct 30, 2008 9:11 pm US/Central

CHICAGO (CBS) ― It's called Project Shield and will cost you more than $40 million when it's done, leaving U.S. taxpayers footing the bill for a countywide high-tech surveillance program. So why is the homeland security project busted?

Police sources told CBS 2's Dave Savini that taxpayers got ripped off and that all the cameras and software in the world are meaningless if they don't work.

CBS 2 Investigators sifted through government contracts and confidential emails revealing how Project Shield's pot of money was dished out. The trail led to bankrupt companies, phony addresses and falsified documents -- not the words you want to hear when talking about terrorism and your tax dollars.

Project Shield continues to be touted as a state-of-the-art video surveillance system. Federal tax dollars paid for it to be installed in squad cars and on towers throughout Cook County.

"It's a waste of taxpayer money," said East Hazel Crest Police Chief Ray Robertson. "I can't get it to work on a daily basis."

Despite numerous critics and complaints, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has been defending its $40 million dollar price tag.

Here's how Project Shield is supposed to work. Cameras are mounted on buildings or inside squad cars and then can record emergency scenes or traffic stops. The video is streamed into cyberspace on a secure network so other law enforcement agencies can view it or possibly assist. But the system fails repeatedly.

Robertson said cameras are in two of his squad cars and at two outdoor locations, but they are plagued with software problems.

The 2 Investigators found Project Shield has failed repeatedly in Streamwood, Schiller Park, Glenview, Niles, Evergreen Park, Robbins, Thornton and Phoenix. It got so bad that several police departments ripped the gear out of their squad cars, including in Wilmette, River Forest and Country Club Hills.

"It doesn't make any sense to me at all," said Michael McGee.

His company, Responder Systems, was a subcontractor. Police chiefs said his gear worked, yet he was cut from Project Shield. Now, insiders say that equipment is not being maintained, creating even more waste.

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica said there is a federal investigation into how these tax dollars have been spent.

"It's very much a program that's fraught with individuals who have taken advantage of the unregulated pot of cash," he said.

The 2 Investigators uncovered confidential records raising questions about how tax dollars were used. A confidential e-mail between contractors in 2005 indicated they needed to find $870,000 worth of work for certain minority- and women-owned businesses even though the contractors had "great difficulty finding work for them to do." It added: "We will make it happen."

Mentioned in the email was SOS Quality Systems run by Sheketta Cox. She confirmed her ties to Stroger -- providing a computer and doing consulting for him when he was her 8th Ward alderman.

Cox said her now-closed company was rushed into the project because of her minority status. She said a Project Shield subcontractor paid her and she turned around and put that same company's employees on her payroll.

One of those employees was given a 1099 tax record listing a church as his employer for the homeland security project. Church officials said they never heard of Project Shield and wonder how an 8th ward businesswoman obtained their federal employer identification number.

Dan Coughlin is the county employee in charge of this money. He said the county has nothing to do with the subcontractors and blames all the failures on IBM, the main contractor.

"I'm disturbed that Phase 1 and Phase 2 did not live up to what we expected -- period," Coughlin said.

The Stroger administration claimed it was strictly IBM's choice to pick the subcontracts and monitor them. Officials for IBM declined comment.

Sources close to Project Shield confirm federal authorities have begun asking questions. County officials argue the technical problems started under the previous administration, under Stroger's father, the previous board president.

With $22 million already spent and another $17 million earmarked for future equipment, the county claims one day everything will be better.





Source: http://cbs2chicago.com/local/Project.Shield.homeland.2.852986.html

Fourth Reich of the Rich


Des Griffin takes over where other writers of the International Conspiracy leave off, bringing his readers behind the scenes in international politics and into the diabolical world of the Illuminati, the most secret of the secret societies.

In this fast moving, easy-to-read book, he author traces the history of the conspiracy down through the centuries and presents irrefutable documentation that will both shock and amaze you.

From the pages of Fourth Reich pour facts that open up new vistas of understanding and make world affairs leap into life and become truly meaningful. No wonder this book is winning acclaim world wide:

"Fourth Reich is superb and should be used as a textbook in schools around the world," writes Count Sixtus von Plettenberg, economist, Germany. "Des Griffin's book is a triumph of knowledge of his subject, clarity of thought and expression and condensation of style," Dr. Ian Anderson, Rhodesia News and World Report.

"In American scholarship, one figure towers above all others: Des Griffin. I quickly became fascinated not only by Mr. Griffin's results but by the method of research by which he reached these results...

"I subjected Mr. Griffin's method of research and published results to the most meticulous academic scrutiny, testing their validity from every conceivable angle: his assumptions, deductions, and conclusions. Here, I concluded, is a man with a precise, well-honed narrative and a broad perspective, a man with deep insight into military and governmental strategy, who can gather and assess evidence, discriminating unerringly between what is valid and what has been manufactured to manipulate the patriot or electorate; a man full of compassion for his subject--humanity--caught ... between the ever-recurring patterns of history and what has been carefully plotted for the future. It is for these reasons that I recommend Mr. Griffin's work" --- Professor Robert O'Driscoll, University of Toronto, 13 September 1992.


Source:

'Jesus was not God': Priest sparks Catholic controversy


29/10/2008 3:03:00 PM. LIVENEWS.com.au




Jesus Christ was not God, and Mary was not a virgin, according to a controversial new book written by an Australian Catholic priest.

In the booklet, ‘God is Big. Real Big’, which has gone on sale for $20 in several churches, Bathurst priest Peter Dresser argues Jesus could not have been God.

“This whole matter regarding Jesus being God ... not only does violence to my own intelligence, but must be a sticking point,” he says.

“For millions of people trying to make some kind of sense of the Christian religion ... No human being can ever be God, and Jesus was a human being. It is as simple as that.”

Father Dresser claims Joseph was Jesus’s father, Mary was not a virgin – and actually had six children – and that the story of the resurrection should not be taken literally.

The booklet has angered conservative Catholics, such as Sydney priest Anthony Robbie.

“What a breathtaking know-all, to claim he knows the mind of Christ contrary to scripture and tradition. His words rob Christianity entirely of its meaning and purpose,” Father Robbie told News Ltd.

“The Council of Nicaea settled the question that Christ was God in 325, so he is 1700 years out of date.

“The rest is a regurgitation of every discredited 19th-century liberal Protestant German cliche in the book.”



Under the Dark Shadows of Antichrist!


Volume XXVII Issue XI November 2008

Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916Fax: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/



Under the Dark Shadows of Antichrist!

"Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled."

Isaiah 18:1-2

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon……And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

Revelation 13:11, 16-18

"The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!"

Revelation 18:15-18

In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will use the light of the Scripture, the Holy Word of Almighty God, to reveal the truth of the recent amazing events that are now happening in our nation and around the world. Without a doubt, this is the most difficult newsletter I have written in twenty-seven years of publication. It is a nearly impossible challenge to get all of this information on five pages.

The Lord awakened me at four o'clock this morning and gave me the above title and scriptures for this issue of the newsletter. He then flooded my mind with a revelation about the antichrist and his dark forces. We know that God told Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18 that He would raise up a prophet like unto Moses. In Acts 3:22-26, the Apostle Peter makes it clear that the Lord Jesus Christ was that prophet. Just as Moses led the children of Israel out of a land of sin, idolatry, bondage, and slavery; so Jesus did the same thing in a spiritual sense, and He is preparing for us a promised land. This makes Moses an Old Testament type of Christ, pointing to the true Saviour, Jesus Christ, who was to come. We also know from Bible prophecy that in the last days an Antichrist would rise up to enslave the entire world. He would use economic power and great deceptions to cause the people to worship him and his master, who is Satan himself. When we realize that Moses typified Christ, we must also know that the Antichrist would likewise be an opposite of Moses and therefore do the reverse of what Moses did. The Antichrist, as an anti-Moses type, would lead people into slavery, idolatry, and bondage!

As we remember the story of Joseph being sold into Egypt and how he gained favor with Pharaoh and saved Egypt from a great seven-year famine, we must also remember that the real purpose of God was to preserve his people Israel and to sustain them for a while in Egypt. Because all of the storehouses were government-owned and controlled, the people had to yield and give Pharaoh complete control of everything they had. The complete story is in Genesis, chapter 47. Pharaoh took all of their property, possessions, and money.

When Israel came into Egypt, God blessed them greatly during the lifetime of Joseph. Then quite suddenly, everything changed. Everything Israel had was seized upon and confiscated. Everything became the property of the state. The people of Israel became slaves under hard taskmasters. Finally, God raised up Moses, and through a series of many miracles and judgments upon Egypt, Moses led the people to freedom and to a walk with Almighty God, and they left the land of socialism and slavery. They left the land of baby killing, for the government had declared that babies be killed. It was the law!

We are now seeing the forces of antichrist at work to raise up a man who is the antitype of Moses to lead people into a situation of socialism, slavery, bondage, and idolatry such as never has been seen before. This man is also in favor of baby killing, and secretly holds to a religion that worships the so-called sun god and the moon goddess. Is the erstwhile great nation of the United States of America so far gone that it would elect such a man to its highest office? Is the United States to become a spiritual type of Egypt, a land under the dark overshadowing of the spiritual wings of Satan?

No matter what happens or how evil the times become, we know that the day of our Lord's return is drawing nigh. Are you ready to stand before the throne of the Almighty Saviour? The Lord Jesus is merciful and gracious to all who call upon Him in truth. Do it now while you are able, and He will be your close friend through all of this.

Global Economic Treachery!

On September 21st, 2008, the headline of the New York Post consisted of only two shocking words: "Almost Armageddon." The market as listed in the Dow-Jones report was only 500 trades away from reaching a 22 percent decline and an ultimate total collapse. The Federal Government, which is actually bankrupt itself, quickly infused $105 billion of liquidity into the market. Repercussions were immediately felt throughout the banking industry, and banks began to hoard cash in anticipation of a run of massive withdrawals. (1) Something big was happening and it was far from over. Three of the nation's largest investment banks had already folded. By October 9th, seven trillion dollars in shareholder value had been wiped out! (2) The nation's largest banks continued to fail in rapid succession. The FDIC seized the giant Washington Mutual Bank, which was subsequently bought by J.P. Morgan Chase at a bargain basement price. (3) The massive Wachovia Bank also failed and began a frantic search for a buyer. (4) What was happening?

Those who have been reading the Last Trumpet Newsletter will no doubt remember that in the May 2008 issue, I published information about the closed session secret meeting held by the U.S. Congress. I wrote that there would be an economic collapse in America in September 2008. Four months later it came to pass, right on schedule. However, it is far from over. President George W. Bush reacted by calling for a "bailout" of 700 billion dollars. (5) Here let it be noted that President Bush is the perfect example of a bureaucrat as defined by Webster's Dictionary as follows: "an official who works by fixed routine, without exercising intelligent judgment." (6) We should realize by now that our leaders perform like trained seals for their Illuminati masters!

The bailout plan would essentially buy the bad and uncollectible debts of the banks with taxpayer dollars. For years, the banks had written loans to customers who had no ability to repay the money. The bankers and their associates made vast fortunes in commissions, and the housing market became inflated. The banks showed massive receivables as assets, which soon became uncollectible bad debts. The "banksters" saw this problem coming and took it as far as they could and for everything it was worth. Executives paid themselves millions of dollars in bonuses while they destroyed the economy of the United States. These unconscionable thieves had a partner in crime, however, that they could always depend upon: President George W. Bush.

On September 28th, 2008, in the depth of the darkness of night, the U.S. House of "Repre-spend-atives" were in an emergency session to try to push through a treasonous buyout or bailout plan. It was only three pages in length. This event was timed perfect with the occult realm of witchcraft. The vote was taken at midnight during the first new moon after the witches' sabat of Mabon, which was kept on September 22nd, 2008. This new moon is known to witches as the Dark Mother. We know that we have witches and occultists in Congress, and many Congressional advisors are witches. They always reveal that fact in their patterns. The Dark Mother moon is a perfect example. There is an old saying in Wicca regarding this moon as follows: "As the moon waxes and wanes, and walks three nights in darkness, so as the Goddess once spent three nights in the kingdom of death….we seek her to release those things that we have hidden in the dark recesses of our mind and are afraid to face. The dark moon represents mystery: time for divination arts."

Some may remember the popular song by John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival entitled, "Bad Moon Rising." This indicates a new moon close to one of the eight sabats. There is another new moon drawing near on the 28th of October as Halloween, also known as Samhain, approaches.

Another thing that should be noted about that emergency session of Congress held on the night of the Dark Mother moon, is that on that very night, tropical storm Kyle reached hurricane strength and began to race up the Eastern seaboard of our country. It raced past Washington, D.C., and headed toward the witchcraft capital of Salem, Massachusetts, as if to point out the connection between those two cities. The storm then continued northward toward Maine. (7) Amazingly, the hurricane was named Kyle, which is a Gaelic word that means: "narrow woods, a place where witches gather."

The three-page bailout measure was so heinously treasonous that it did not pass! (8) The following Monday, September 29th, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 777 points in one day. This was an obvious sign from Almighty God as seven is His sacred number, and three sevens would be His very signature of judgment. Now the conspirators would have to find a way to get the measure passed as it was necessary to force socialism upon the American people. News media everywhere carried the story of how Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsen got down on his knees in front of the witch, Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, and begged her to do something. President Bush had his pen all clicked and ready to sign the treasonous document as soon as the House passed it. How would they accomplish their scheme? The proponents of the bill went to all of the opponents and asked them what they would like to add on to the original three page document. Soon every kind of pork barrel spending request was added on, and the original bill became what is known in politics as a "Christmas tree bill", because everyone can hang their own personal spending ornament on it. The three-page document swelled to 451 pages. (9) Those members of Congress who remained opposed to the bill were threatened with Martial Law, as was confirmed by C-Span television. Representative Michael Burgess, R-Texas, made the following statement: "I have been thrown out of more meetings in this Capital in the last 24 hours than I ever thought possible, as a duly elected representative of 825,000 citizens of north Texas…..Why don't you post the bailout bill on the internet for 24 hours instead of passing the largest piece of legislation in U.S. financial history in the dark of night?" He then said to Nancy Pelosi, "I understand we are under Martial Law as declared by the Speaker last night." (10) The bailout bill passed, and as predicted President Bush immediately signed it into law. (11)

The passage of the bailout bill accomplished nothing good at all and actually rewarded the corporate criminals that caused the problem in the first place. The insurance giant AIG was gasping for breath and facing certain collapse on September 15th, 2008. (12) Immediately after the bailout bill passed, the executives of AIG gathered at St. Regis Resort on Monarch Beach for an extravagant celebration. I have in front of me a copy of the actual invoice for this wild event, which will ultimately be paid by the taxpayers of America. AIG spent nearly a half million dollars, including $139,375.50 for rooms, $147,301.71 for banquets, $23,380.00 for spa service (massages, manicures, and other amenities), and various other charges. (13)

I also have a list in front of me that was published by Reuters News Service, and it reveals the breakdown on which financial institutions will receive the $700 billion and exactly how much of this amount each one will receive. The problem is that the total of the amounts allotted comes to 1.8 trillion dollars. (14) On October 10th, 2008, the London Daily Telegraph reported that the markets in the United States remained in turmoil despite the massive bailout. (15) The question that arises is what was accomplished by this bailout and what was its real intended purpose? The Washington Post newspaper answered that question on the day the bill was passed with the following headline story: "Power Shifts From New York to Washington D.C." (16) It was the Illuminati global conspirators in charge of our government opening the door to government ownership and control of private industry and enterprise, which is socialism! The Scotsman newspaper put it very well with their October 9th, 2008 headline as follows: "New World Order: Global cooperation, nationalization and state intervention - all in one day!" (17) The United States of America is now officially by definition a socialist state.

As things worsen, is the government expecting resistance by the people? I have in front of me a copy of the Army Times newspaper, published by the United States Army. The September 30th, 2008, edition reports, "Beginning October 1st, 2008, for twelve months, the 1st BCT (Brigade Combat Team) will be under day-to-day control of U.S. Army North, the Army service component of the Northern Command, as an on-call Federal response force for natural and man-made emergencies……the brigade may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control…..The brigade will be known for the next year as a Consequence Management Response Force, or CCMRF (pronounced 'sea smurf')." (18) Here let it be noted that there is an occult side to this sea smurf unit. A number of years ago there was a cartoon produced by the occult called the Smurfs. They were little blue dwarf-like characters with red hats. In witchcraft, blue is the color of divination, and red indicates both blood and lust. The Smurf patriarch was Papa Smurf, who would often consult with a higher power called "azawzel", which is a word taken from the Hebrew language to indicate the "goat." This present force of Sea Smurf would be an occult metaphor for the "forces of the goat that control the sea of humanity." In Revelation 17:15 we read as follows: "And he said unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."

We know that the market crash was not exclusive to the United States, but is world-wide. On October 9th, 2008, the world financial chiefs were all heading for Washington, D.C., for crunch talks. (19) In England, the London Daily Telegraph featured a picture of Prime Minister Gordon Brown wearing a military uniform with a lot of red color in it, and the headline above the picture was the Prime Minister's declaration, "We're all socialists now, comrade." (20) Then, secret meetings were held by world financial leaders in the Arab-Moslem city of Dubai to discuss a worldwide bailout and a one-world money system. (21) A Moslem cleric made the following declaration: "Replace capitalism with an Islamic financial system." (22) Then the United Nations' chief, Ban Ki-moon, spoke up and declared the need for "global leadership", emphasizing the essentiality of one-world government! (23) That is what this is really all about, a new computer-controlled world money system administered by a one-world dictatorship. It is coming fast!

The current distress in the United States is a pressing issue. In the Chicago, Illinois, area, Cook County to be exact, the Sheriff announced that he will refuse to do any further evictions to put people out of their homes. (24) Retirement accounts, in many cases, are wiped out, and the Associated Press recently reported that retirement accounts have lost two trillion dollars! (25) Our current national debt has surpassed ten trillion dollars and is well on its way to eleven trillion, and that is before we add in the bailout bill. The number ten trillion is hard to picture. We know that only one billion 100 dollar bills would produce a stack 630 miles into space, which is nearly three times higher than the orbit of our space shuttle. One trillion of those 100 dollar bills would reach 630,000 miles into space. Our moon is only 238,000 miles from the earth. If our national debt of over ten trillion dollars were stacked up as $100 bills, it would produce 26 stacks from the earth to the moon! There is no way out of this one! Incidentally, the bailout bill has added over $17,000 of debt to every household in America. Furthermore, on October 8th, 2008, the massive national debt clock in New York City ran out of digits and will have to be redesigned. (26)

A New Pharaoh and his Slaves!

As previously mentioned, the ancient land of Egypt was a socialist society. Is the United States of America rapidly becoming a latter day socialist spiritual Egypt? Is the entire world going through a metamorphosis toward Marxist socialism and even Communism? Even though Communism is very much alive, why do we never hear that word anymore? The Scripture tells us of a strange merger in the last days. It is a spiritual merger of Sodom and Egypt. In Revelation, chapter 11, we read about the two witnesses of the Word and Spirit in God's people. The witnesses of God are cast down, and they lie dead in the streets for a short time, just before the return of the Lord. The entire world becomes one imperial city, and we read in Revelation 11:8 as follows: "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." The reason why we know this city is not a specific existing city is that the verse tells us Jesus was crucified there, and Jesus was not crucified in any city, but rather outside of Jerusalem in the world. To cement that fact, consider the words of Hebrews 13:12-14, as follows: "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." Thus, all the world becomes one under the antichrist rule over a spiritual city that is a merger of Sodom and Egypt, and the spirits of those two evil places set the stage for the new world society. It is a city and world that no true Christian could ever claim citizenship to.

We are now seeing a world uniting under economic distress. At the same time we are hearing of wars and rumours of war. There is much distress of nations with perplexity, and Scripture is being fulfilled with remarkable precision. As Barack Obama is standing as a self-proclaimed anointed one, wanting to be the President of the United States, we see shades of antichrist in this modern-day Pharaoh. We also know that Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, clearly stated, "When Obama talks, the Messiah is absolutely speaking." (27) We also know like Pharaoh of Egypt, Obama is a radical baby killer to the extent that he believes that even if a baby survives an abortion attempt, the baby must be killed! (28) Obama also believes in and intends to enforce a law that all young women must register for the military draft, and that women must be available for combat positions. (29) Who is this man who arose from obscurity? What does he really believe? So little is known about him, and what is known is sick and awful. Millions of dollars of campaign money came to him from undisclosed sources overseas. (30) His plans and policies clearly indicate that many taxes will have to be raised. Of course, his running mate, Joe Biden, stated, "Paying higher taxes is a patriotic act." (31)
The Two Horns of Islam Rising!

In Revelation 13:11 we read as follows: "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spake as a dragon." What is this two-horned governing beast? Among the 6,666 verses of the Koran (Qur'an), the sacred book of Islam, are found the words Dhul-Qarnayn, which literally means He of the two horns, in verses 18:83 to 18:98. It tells the story of the two-horned one who will take the religion of Islam from the East to the people of the utmost West. It will then be determined by the two-horned one whether to show kindness to the people or to punish them, depending on whether or not they will accept Islam. (32) We also know that the great symbol of Islam is the crescent moon with two sharp horns. Has the two-horned beast risen up from the earth in the Western nations, including the United States? It is a religion that demands the death of all who will not convert to it. It is a religion of fierce cruelty that also has another symbol, the scimitar or curved sword. It is a religion of beheading, terrorism, and bloody torture. It is a religion that declares that "God has no son!" As we see this religion rise in power everywhere, we must also remember that there is a man in the United States, who was brought up from his youth in this religion, and he is now running like mad to be the next President of the United States. Inside of the deceptive breast of Barack Hussein Obama beats the heart of a Moslem. Is America that far gone that they would even consider him? Put his name next to that of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, Monroe, and so on, and something seems horribly wrong. It just doesn't fit!

Why has the Dubai government announced that it will build a new city at a cost of 95 billion dollars? (33) Why has a new Islamic legal center been built in Abu Dhabi, which is manned by forty-eight muftis who deliver fatwas, which are formal rulings on Islamic law? (34) It is like a world court of Islamic decisions. Why has a new facility been built in the desert city of Qatar, which is being called the Dream Beam? It is a massive facility surrounded by satellite dishes and state-of-the-art equipment, designed to manage all the news of the world. It is a communication center of propaganda located close to the center of Doha, the capital of the Emirates. (35)

Islam is rising to unthinkable power, and its signs are everywhere. It was recently discovered that the Fisher-Price Company's Cuddle'n Coo doll has an amazing message to bring to the little children of America. When the children pull the string on the cute little talking doll, it says, "Islam is the Light!" (36)

We also know that a black militant group has risen up in America, known as the Junior Fraternity Regiment, or the Obama Youth! They dress in military clothing, march in formation, and they have a power salute that they use while shouting "All for Obama", and other similar things. (37) Remember the Hitler Youth?

Judgment on Spiritual Sodom and Egypt!

The strange mixture of spiritual Sodom and Egypt is certainly becoming ever more obvious in the United States. The high court in the state of Connecticut recently ruled that homosexual and lesbian couples have a right to marry. (38) Watch for God's answer on this, as He clearly answered in other states on such abomination!

In our government (public) schools across the country, homosexuality and lesbianism is being touted as a good and wonderful thing. In Chicago, a new school is being planned specifically for "gay" students. The liaison officer on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender affairs, Bill Greaves, stated the following: "The school will make sure these people are not invisible in history. It is important that gay and lesbian historical figures are highlighted to give young gay people positive, successful role models." The school is to be called the "Pride Campus" and will accommodate approximately 600 students. (39)

In San Francisco, California, a lesbian teacher took her entire first grade class to her wedding, bussing them during school time to watch their teacher marry another woman. Each child was given a bag of rose petals, and each participated by scattering them in front of the two women. The little children were between the ages of six and seven. (40)

In the area of northern Israel, there have been a series of six earthquakes, and two of them were within one week in early October. It is interesting to note that ultra-Orthodox Schlomo Benizri stated that the earthquakes are because of the laws passed by the Knesset allowing homosexuality. He said the gays are at fault and are bringing on the earthquakes and that repentance would stop the quakes! (41)

It is true that the many abominations of our nation and the world are bringing the wrath of God in an ever-increasing crescendo as the end draws near. Recently, the infamous Discovery Channel featured a program of blasphemy against the Lord Jesus and his people. The program centered around an ancient bowl that was found by archaeologists, which dated back to the time of Christ. The inscription on the bowl reads as follows: "Dia Christou O Goistais", which is interpreted as "Christ the Magician." The story they have built around this is that Jesus Christ was nothing more than a skilled magician. They also stated that this bowl provides evidence that Christianity and paganism were intertwined in the ancient world. (42)

When people are this blasphemous, is it any wonder that the world is in the condition it is in? War is looming largely on the horizon as Red China is arming itself to the teeth. Massive Russian nuclear warships, after refueling in Libya, are heading for Venezuela for military exercises in the Caribbean. Wildfires continue to plague California, and numerous other examples of warnings from the Almighty continue constantly.

Scientists in California have admitted they are extremely puzzled about three neighboring volcanoes that all erupted at the same time. The scientific experts said it is nearly impossible for that to happen! (43) Strong earthquakes continue to shake the earth repeatedly. There have been nearly three hundred of them in the last thirty days. These include the 6.1 magnitude quake that shook Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on October 11th, (44) and the 7.0 magnitude quake that was listed as strong and rattled New Zealand on September 29th. The Philippines were also rattled by a quake of 6.1 magnitude on September 27th. (45)

We also know that the giant particle collider built in Switzerland broke down after one usage. Scientists had to stop their program, designed to prove the earth was not created by God! (46)

In conclusion, I pray that the Almighty Saviour will help us all to reach out and call upon him. The time is at hand. We continue to invite you to send your prayer requests, and we will pray. Thanks to all of you who support this end time prophetic ministry. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

David J. Meyer

Acknowledgements

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36. London Daily Telegraph, Oct. 14, 2008, by Matthew Moore, London, England, U.K.
37. Youtube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUEQz5dltml.
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40. WorldNetDaily, Oct. 11, 2008, San Francisco, CA.
41. London Daily Telegraph, Oct. 11, 2008, by Tom Chivers and agency, London, England, U.K.
42. MSNBC News, Oct. 2, 2008, by Jennifer Viegas.
43. Anchorage Daily News, Oct. 10, 2008, by George Bryson, Anchorage, AK.
44. Associated Press, Oct. 11, 2008, Puerto Rico.
45. Earth Changes Media, Sep. 29, 2008, by Mitch Battros, http://earthchangesmedia.com/.
46. Associated Press, Sep. 18, 2008, by Alexander G. Higgins, AP, Switzerland.
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P.S. Highlights and Bolds added for emphasis. Blogman.