Saturday, April 11, 2009

Sound an Alarm!


Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. Joel 2:1.


The things that concern our eternal welfare are now to absorb our attention. We cannot afford to give heavenly things the second place. . . . The judgments of God are in the land. They speak in solemn warning, saying, "Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

There are many, many in our churches who know little of the real meaning of the truth for this time. I appeal to them not to disregard the fulfilling of the signs of the times, which say so plainly that the end is near. O how many who have not sought their soul's salvation will soon make the bitter lamentation, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved"!

We are living in the closing scenes of this earth's history. Prophecy is rapidly fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time--not a moment--to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works, "My lord delayeth his coming." Let the message of Christ's soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent, and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation; for we little know what is before us. Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields. . . .

The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. . . . We must be ready and waiting for His appearing. O how glorious it will be to see Him, and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our faith is not to become weak. If we can but see the King in His beauty, we shall be forever and forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud, "Homeward bound." We are nearing the time when Christ will come with power and great glory, to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home.


Maranatha, E. G. W., pp.106.

Highlights added.

Lord, in the Morning THOU SHALT HEAR



Lord, in the morning Thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high;
To Thee will I direct my prayer,
To Thee lift up mine eye.

Up to the hills, where Christ is gone
To plead for all His saints,
Presenting at His Father’s throne,
Our songs and our complaints.

Thou art a God before Whose sight
The wicked shall not stand;
Sinners shall ne’er be Thy delight,
Nor dwell at Thy right hand.

But to Thy house will I resort,
To taste Thy mercies there;
I will frequent Thine holy court,
And worship in Thy fear.

O may Thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness!
Make ev’ry path of duty straight
And plain before my face

My watchful enemies combine
To tempt my feet astray;
They flatter, with a base design
To make my soul their prey.

Lord, crush the serpent in the dust,
And all his plots destroy;
While those that in Thy mercy trust,
Forever shout for joy.

The men that love and fear Thy Name
Shall see their hopes fulfill’d;
The mighty God will compass them
With favor as a shield.


=


Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid, 1719.
Music: War­wick, Sam­u­el Stan­ley,

in Twen­ty-Four Tunes in Four Parts, cir­ca 1796
(MI­DI, score).

Al­ter­nate tune:
Mear, Eng­lish tune, ar­ranged by
Aaron Will­iams (1731-1776)
(
MI­DI, score)

Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits

http://www.sligochurch.org/images/gallery_photos/OSR/DSCN0428_edited.JPG


Isaiah 30

1Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

2That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

3Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.

4For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.

5They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.

6The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

7For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

11Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

12Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

13Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

14And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.

15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

16But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

17One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

22Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

23Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

24The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.

25And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.

26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.

27Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:

28And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.

29Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.

30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

31For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.

32And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it.

33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Obama Teams up with Rome




Obama Teams up with Rome · April 01, 2009




Dear Friends,

Welcome once again to Keep the Faith Ministry. The election of Barack Obama has brought with it some amazing developments in prophecy. You will be shocked at how closely Rome has snuggled up to the new president, even before he became president. But once he was elected however, Rome has deepened her connection and influence on the new president.

But before we begin this month’s message, let me remind you to go to our website frequently to look at the new Prophetic Intelligence Briefings that are posted every day or two. There is so much happening and these briefings will keep you up to date.

Also, for those who have sent gifts this past month, I want to thank you for your support. Your partnership means a lot to us and shows us that you care for the work of Keep the Faith Ministry in giving the warning to thousands upon thousands of people around the world. Your gifts go a long way to getting out the message. We pray that the Lord will bless you greatly for your generosity.

We hope you gain much from this month’s message. We intend to show you some surprising information. But coupled with it will be an urgent call to get ready for Jesus to take you into the secret place of the most high. But before we begin, let us pray.

Dear Father in Heaven, We are living in momentous times. Major changes are taking place in this world as we head into the vortex of the controversy between Christ and Satan. We need your presence in our lives. We need to overcome our tempers and our lack of love for others. We need to overcome our bad habits; our addictions to entertainment, food and material things. Please send your Holy Spirit to speak to us today so that our lives may reflect your image. As we look at recent developments in prophecy today, please open the curtain that we may see what is going on behind the scenes. We need encouragement to get right with Jesus and bring our lives in harmony with His law. So bless us, we pray, in Jesus name, Amen.

As we begin today, I would like to share with you a passage of scripture. Listen to Psalm 2:1-3. “Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Notice that the people imagine a vain thing. So many people think that the world can provide them a savior to save them from economic destruction, or from war, or from disaster. Americans have been looking for an iconic savior ever since John F. Kennedy. Many think they have now found him.

But no earthly leader can be a savior. It is impossible. Even though many of them may gather together to try and solve the world’s problems at the United Nations, they can’t seem to change anything, except to make it worse. Now we have an American president that promises a lot of change for the better both in the United States and around the world. Some of his starting principles sound very good. In fact, Barack Obama has done some very good things, particularly at the beginning of his presidency. For instance he ordered that Guantanamo Bay be closed as soon as possible, and that torture must be stopped. He also has done a number of things to bring more transparency to the federal government. Indeed there are a number of very good characteristics to admire about president Obama, such as his networking capabilities, his ability to listen and counsel widely and his calmness under pressure.

But let us remember that he is a mere human being. He has achieved something thought impossible a few short years ago. But do you think he can bring the change that this world needs? You see, people imagine a vain thing by looking to their earthly leaders to solve these gigantic problems. But many people have gone much farther in their minds. They think of him in larger-than-life terms. They think of him as if he is an icon with an aura around him. But after listening today, you will no doubt realize that he is just as controlled as all previous presidents by higher powers; powers that can manipulate circumstances and control the outcome.

Notice one more thing about these verses in the Psalms. The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and against his anointed! Who are the anointed? In these last days, the anointed are those who follow the Lord Jesus all the way. The anointed of the Lord are those who are purifying their lives so that they can be recipients of the latter rain and preach and teach the message with great power. They take counsel together to try to break their confidence and hold on Christ. They try to break their bands asunder. They try to cast away the cords of love and power that hold them in the palm of Jesus’ hand.

These earthly leaders, I’m sorry to say, are ambitious to destroy God’s people in the last days. So while the people hope in them and trust in them to solve their problems, they are actually working to bring God’s people, wittingly or unwittingly, into great difficulty and eventually persecute them in the name of God and in the name of unity and peace. Those who think President Obama can make this world fundamentally better are living a delusion.

The leaders of this world are working with Rome, we are told in Revelation 18:9. The Bush Administration was very close to the Bishops of Rome and two different popes. But now the Bush Administration has fallen into hard times and is gone. A new leader has arisen to take over. Will the new leadership distance themselves from Rome? Will they change the way America does business with Rome? I suggest that the changes are merely cosmetic and in areas that are not as important to Rome as we might think. Rome has vowed to fight Obama on social issues like abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research, etc. But there are at least two other fields where Rome is determined to hang on to her power in the American Administration. One of them is in international politics. Rome has positioned herself as the peacemaker in the world and she intends to work with the Obama Administration to reduce or even resolve some of the greatest issues between the Christian West and Islam. But there is another arena in which Rome will work closely with the Obama Administration. This involves the world of his cabinet, his advisors, administrators, communicators, and others that will work closely with him and influence him.

Rome is crafty and powerful in America. Remember that the United States is the crown jewel. Protestantism is pictured in Revelation 13:11 as a Lamb with two horns. Horns represent a political power. Protestantism’s political power has been the United States. Therefore Rome is determined to control the United States and is bending every effort to do that. Rome knows that if she gains control of the United States, she will have enormous influence in the rest of the world. Moreover, she will hang on to her power so that she can influence the overall outcome regardless of the twists and turns in American politics.

The only way that Rome can eventually lead America to enact a Sunday law is to position herself so that she can greatly influence the nation when a crisis of gargantuan proportions offers her the opportunity to suggest and then urge the nation to enact the Sunday laws that will lead us to the end of time. Listen to Rome’s ultimate objective. It is found in the Review and Herald, December 24, 1889.

God’s messenger wrote: “I have been much burdened in regard to movements that are now in progress for the enforcement of Sunday observance. It has been shown to me that Satan has been working earnestly to carry out his designs to restrict religious liberty. Plans of serious import to the people of God are advancing in an underhand manner among the clergymen of various denominations, and the object of this secret maneuvering is to win popular favor for the enforcement of Sunday sacredness. If the people can be led to favor a Sunday law, then the clergy intend to exert their united influence to obtain a religious amendment to the Constitution, and compel the nation to keep Sunday.”

So you see, prophetically speaking, Rome’s clear agenda is to get a Sunday law enacted in the United States. Rome does not openly speak about Sunday laws in America, though she does mention Sunday as an important day of rest when speaking to other nations. However, since the agenda is known to us, it would be no surprise to learn that the planning and preparations go on in secret. In order to accomplish a Sunday law in the United States, Rome must neuter Protestantism and develop significant political influence. This project she has almost completed. Notice the uniting of the clergy. This cannot happen without ecumenical alliances. The clergy are getting ready. They are practicing by uniting on many issues in society. And when the tie comes, they will be ready to unite and enact a low that will force consciences against the law of God.

My friends, we are almost there. The enormous influence Rome wields cannot be ignored, even by politicians that don’t agree with Rome on social issues as you will see.

Rome has been earnestly working to make sure that the new president is under their influence. Long before he ever began his presidential campaign, they had their eye on him. As he was a rising star, they probably knew he could go to important places. As you will see later on, they began to network with him in Chicago when he was just out of college, and train him. As the presidential campaign gained momentum, they worked more closely with him. He was invited into friendly discussions and dinners that brought them closer together. You can go on the web and see pictures of Obama, McCain and Cardinal Eagan of New York laughing and carrying on together as if they were old friends. As soon as they saw that he was a serious contender, the Catholic Church had already begun to wrap her arms around him.

Before we go on, it is important to be reminded that the issues we are discussing are about prophecy, not politics. We are not really talking so much about Obama as we are talking about the Holy See. It is important not to let go of our prophetic perspective. The Obama Administration will do some very good things from a political standpoint. But the Bible says in Revelation 13:4 that “the deadly wound was healed, and all the world wondered after the beast.” From a prophetic standpoint, it would not matter who is president, Rome would still try to wrap her arms around him and use his leadership to promulgate her agenda.

Obama is not unmindful of the power and influence of Rome in the United States and other parts of the world. He has to deal with the powerful Holy See. So he took steps to address their concerns as best he could, knowing that he was not in harmony with Rome on key social issues. During the recent presidential campaign a web blog was published on the website of the Jesuit magazine America. It listed the names of Obama’s unofficial Roman Catholic advisory team which is called a “Kitchen Cabinet.” The purpose of this particular advisory team would have been to help Obama navigate the special problems that arise because the Catholic Church is so very influential in American politics. Obviously many Roman Catholics are clearly more liberal than their church when it comes to abortion, gay marriage and other social issues. Obama needed advice, but more importantly he needed a solid group of respected Catholics to draw Catholic votes. It should be noted that he did not form a Baptist advisory committee or even and Evangelical advisory committee. They also wield a lot of power in U.S. politics, but not like Catholics. This fact tells us that Rome’s influence and power is obviously far more than the Baptists and Evangelicals, perhaps combined.

The Catholic “Kitchen Cabinet” is a veritable who’s who list of respected American Catholics and Jesuits, or rather Jesuit trained people. They include Roman Catholic congressmen and women, educators at Jesuit universities, governors, senators, representatives and others who were chosen partly because of their close connections to Rome. They include Senator Bob Casey, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia, Representative Patrick Murphy, Senator Ted and and his wife Victoria Kennedy, Senator Richard Durbin, Senator John Kerry, Senator Patrick Leahy, Representative Xavier Becerra, Representative Mike Capuano, Representative Lacy Clay, and a list of authors, educators and others. The vast majority of them were trained at Catholic schools, and many of them at Jesuit institutions.

Some of them are rather close to the centers of power in the Catholic Church. For example, “Sharon Daily,” reported InsideCatholic.com, “has been described as one of the highest-ranking lay women leaders in the Church, and was for many years vice-president for social policy at Catholic Charities USA. Ron Cruz, listed now as a consultant, was, only last year, director of the [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s] Secretariat of Hispanic Affairs.”

The list of institutions where they were trained or where they teach includes Catholic and Jesuit schools like Georgetown University, Boston College, Loyola University, College of the Holy Cross, King’s College, Marquette Law, University of Notre Dame, Trinity Washington University, Loyola Marymount University, Xavier University and Catholic University of America. The list is long. A number of these people have a history of working with the Jesuits very closely.

One comment that was posted in response to this article said “All the Jesuits are, fittingly, in pectore, which is Latin for “in the breast” or “in the heart.” In other words, they are not revealed. They are hidden if they are there. The Jesuits pride themselves in stealth. They may well be in this advisory committee, but no one would know it except perhaps fellow Jesuits. They can be disguised as lawyers who have become senators and representatives, or others. According to prophecy, they are actively seeking to advise national leaders to benefit the power of Rome.

If you would like to see a complete list of Obama’s Catholic “Kitchen Cabinet” and these connections, you can find it on our website in the appendix at the end of the text of this sermon.

List of Advisers

Support for Quote above

In Pectore

In addition to this “Kitchen cabinet,” some of Obama’s key officials in his campaign and now his presidency included his top speechwriter, Jon Favreau, who trained at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, the oldest Jesuit College in New England. Who knows, he might even be a Jesuit disguised as a speechwriter. Dan Pfeiffer, who was Obama’s Deputy Communications Director during the campaign, and continues in the same position at the White House, graduated from Georgetown University too. Rome may well have significant influence over Obama’s communications. Obama would find it very useful to have such influences if he wants to minimize any potential conflict with Rome. So it is in his political best interest to have them.

Also it should be mentioned that His senior Military and Foreign Policy Advisor was Major General Jonathan Scott Gration, a fighter pilot whose masters’ degree is from Georgetown University, the oldest Jesuit institution in America. He has been asked by Obama to head up NASA, or the National Aeronautic and Space Administration.

John Favreau Biography)

College of the Holy Cross

NY Times Article on Pfeiffer

USA Today Article on Pfeiffer

Scott Gration Biography

NASA Article

Though there is debate within Catholic circles concerning the religious commitment of these Catholics for supporting Obama, the church managed to get a large number of influential Roman Catholics or those who had been trained in Jesuit institutions all around him. Not everyone close to the president, of course, is in this category, but virtually all of them would see no problem with Rome’s power and influence over the government and the president. Many of them would already be on friendly terms with the bishops and cardinals. How did it happen that so many people around Obama are influenced or trained by Rome? What forces and influences shaped Obama’s thinking?

One of those forces is the ecumenical movement. Rome has been so successful with the ecumenical movement that most people are no longer concerned that Rome is any danger to them. They shrug their shoulders as if it means nothing that Rome has gained such powerful influence in the government. They think all is well when Jesuits or Jesuit trained people are placed in high ranking positions. Why are people so complacent about a church influencing their government?

We have the certainty from God’s last day messenger, who says in “Great Controversy”, page 566, that “protestants have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand. Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy…”

And it is supremacy that Rome wants. This statement is more true today than when it was written. Most evangelical Christians have been co-opted by Rome to cooperate in social projects, and this has caused them to see Rome in a new and friendly light. Most of them had to drop their objections to her doctrines in order to work with Rome on those social issues, and now they see her as a friend of all good. They have no clue that Rome has poisoned their minds with the “wine of Babylon” or her false teachings, so that they now view matters in nearly the same way she does. They have no clue that by continuing to uphold Rome’s day of rest, they are actually giving their allegiance to her. To them, working in harmony with Rome is as natural as eating their breakfast.

And those who still have objections to her doctrines, such as the Rev. John Hagee, an evangelical pastor from San Antonio, Texas; get a very strong lesson in Rome’s discipline if they speak up in favor of a political candidate. Hagee was publically humiliated by Rome when he endorsed John McCain for the presidency because he had spoken plainly against Rome’s false doctrines as an ongoing part of his ministry. Apparently he got so much criticism that after being “tutored” by some of Rome’s agents, he apologized and said that “after engaging in constructive dialogue with Catholic friends and leaders, I now have an improved understanding of the Catholic Church, its relation to the Jewish faith and the history of anti-Catholicism.” One wonders what he meant by an “improved” understanding. Hagee pledged himself to be more careful in the future concerning his statements about the Roman Catholic Church.

John Hagee Biography

John Hagee Letter to Donahue

Wall Street Journal Article

In this friendly American environment, Rome has seized on the opportunity to wend her way into great influence in the American Administration. This has taken some time, but no doubt Rome is proud of her progress. She is not about to let go of it either.

Rome’s progress has been greatly enhanced by the secret society known as the Jesuits. There are at least 28 Jesuit universities and colleges in the United States. They have very successfully dedicated themselves to education of young people and have done a very good job in the formation of the nation’s current and future leaders.

Listen to this statement from the book Great Controversy, page 234-235. “Throughout Christendom, Protestantism was menaced by formidable foes. The first triumphs of the Reformation past, Rome summoned new forces, hoping to accomplish its destruction. At this time, the order of the Jesuits was created, the most cruel, unscrupulous, and powerful of all the champions of popery… There was no crime too great for them to commit, no deception too base for them to practice, no disguise too difficult for them to assume. Vowed to perpetual poverty and humility, it was their studied aim to secure wealth and power, to be devoted to the overthrow of Protestantism, and the re-establishment of the papal supremacy.

“It was a fundamental principle of the order that the end justifies the means… Under various disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of State, climbing up to be the counselors of kings, and shaping the policy of nations.”

Jesuit Universities, Colleges and other institutions in the United States are considered to be the very best. Catholics, Protestants and even Seventh-day Adventists attend them and get their advanced degrees at some of them. Many of their Graduates rise to powerful positions in Government as we have noted.

But there is something else that is very important to understand. Rome’s foot soldiers know how to work with both sides of a political argument. Some promote one thesis or ideology while others support an anti-thesis or the opposite political philosophy. In American terms, they work with both Democrats and Republicans to guide them both in the same general direction while at the same time building their power. They will often argue on both sides of an issue so that they build connections and influence on both parties. They even like a political fight because it helps them become the champions of both sides. They know that when people become tired of one political party, they will vote in the other. So they work both sides of the political aisle and keep themselves influential no matter who is in power.

A classic example of this is the most recent Bush administration compared to the new Obama Administration. It became patently obvious that the Bush Administration was ideologically committed to Rome’s policies regardless of the constitutional restrictions he would have to overcome. He surrounded himself with Roman Catholic politicians, advisers, speechwriters, priests and military men. He absorbed so much Roman Catholic social teaching that he spoke like the pope himself, using the very phrases that John Paul and Benedict themselves had invented. When the people tired of the Bush Administration for various reasons, they first voted in a Democratic Congress, followed two years later by a Democratic president.

But Rome is just as dedicated to influencing President Obama as she was to influence President Bush. Even Obama’s formation as a political leader was clearly influenced by Rome, particularly the Jesuits. One of his key mentors was a Jesuit priest named Gregory Galluzo (now supposedly a “former” Jesuit), who is the co-founder and executive director of the Gamaliel Foundation. I don’t understand what a “former” Jesuit is. How someone can be a former Jesuit when they have taken the Jesuit oath is unclear to me. But that is how the reports characterize this man Galluzo. It may mean that he is no longer practicing as an open Jesuit priest. But has he retracted his oath? Has he turned his back on Rome? Not likely at all.

According to an article published by the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative Roman Catholic organization, Gamaliel is dedicated to a radical stealth agenda of promoting wealth redistribution using community organizing tactics, particularly in urban communities, and mobilizing them to rise up against the elite establishment. Wealth redistribution is something that both John Paul, and now Benedict have advocated on a global scale by promoting debt cancellation, free trade agreements, unbridled immigration and migration of Roman Catholic workers and other measures. This fits well with democratic ideas of social welfare. The Jesuit Gamaliel Foundation and other organizations are promoting this behind the scenes and at the grass roots level with churches and other community organizations. Barack Obama learned about community organizing while working for the Gamaliel Foundation.

Wealth Redistribution through Debt Cancellation

The Vatican and the Economic Crisis

The Ethics and Public Policy Center wrote that the Gamaliel Foundation works “quietly” to promote grass roots change. The Gamaliel plan is to promote a popular separation away from American thinking and beliefs. I will quote from the article: “Before outlining Gamaliel’s techniques of political stealth, we need to identify the views that they are camouflaging… America is a sinful and fallen nation… The United States… employs nationalism, propaganda, racism, bogus ‘civil religion,’ and class enmity to bolster its entrenched and oppressive corporate system. Authentic Christians forced to live in such a nation can ‘come out of Babylon…’ only by entering into ‘a perpetual state of internal exile.’”

How can one argue against these abuses? And there is plenty of them. Yet the message is clear. America is fallen and needs to be fixed. Do you think this could set the stage for community organizing through local churches to promote a Sunday law in a severe national crisis?

Gamaliel identifies the United States as Babylon and that American Christians must separate themselves from it in their minds. “Gamaliel’s goal is to build [in the name of social justice] church-based coalitions capable of wielding power on behalf of the poor. These congregation-based organizations are supposed to counterbalance and undercut America’s oppressive power structures.” My friends, this is Rome telling us of her own agenda. One Catholic organization tattles on another. Don’t miss this.

Gamaliel’s Stealth

When I heard Obama speak of community organizing, I didn’t understand at all what he meant until I began to research the issue and discovered that there is a larger agenda behind the nice sounding words. By calling America Babylon instead of the biblical definition, the stage is being set for Americans to accept a different kind of nation than from what they are familiar.

Obama was nurtured in Gamaliel’s environment for over 20 years. The so-called “former” Jesuit Galluzo was Obama’s trainer in community organizing when Obama went to work for one of Gamaliel’s organizations at just 24 years of age. Obama learned the philosophy and methods of Gamaliel so well that he was asked to become trainer of new recruits. He eventually became a consultant for the organization. Even up until October 2007 Obama was still connected to Gamaliel attending a public meeting of the foundation as a U.S. Senator. Obama’s Jesuit connections run pretty deep and go a long way back. President Obama, while working at Gamaliel, became very good at using community organizations. He has used those principles all through his campaign and will probably use the principles he learned all through his presidency.

Gamaliel Foundation

Obama and Gamaliel

Listen to this wonderful statement from the Desire of Ages, page 509. “The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,—extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.”

But Rome, in the name of Christ, advocates that the people rise up and overthrow their unjust leaders and oppressive institutions and corporations. But this will never bring the promised relief. It will only make matters worse. People who think that a new regime will bring in a bright new future are mistaken. This is what happened in the French Revolution, and it only led to chaos and further oppression.

Listen to this interesting statement in the book Great Controversy, page 279 concerning the French Revolution. “With the flight of the Huguenots a general decline settled upon France. Flourishing manufacturing cities fell into decay; fertile districts returned to their native wildness; intellectual dullness and moral declension succeeded a period of unwonted progress. Paris became one vast almshouse, and it is estimated that, at the breaking out of the Revolution, two hundred thousand paupers claimed charity from the hands of the king. The Jesuits alone flourished in the decaying nation, and ruled with dreadful tyranny over churches and schools, the prisons and the galleys.”

While the circumstances are not all the same today as they were then, there are a number of similarities. Rome still tries to work in the way she always has by fostering discontent with the national leaders and then use that discontent to control or manipulate them. Obama campaigned successfully on the discontent of the people. Not only that, he promises that the poor will be much better cared for, making them more hopeful of government support. The Gamaliel Foundation uses genuine social injustice to foster demands for change leading to a new government and a new model of society.

Rome is essentially a socialist government. Malachi Martin, in his book “The Keys of This Blood” wrote on page 304 how Rome promotes soft-gloved Gramsci socialism throughout the world. He said, “Already known for its long cooperation with the policies of Antonio Gramsci, the [Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace] in each of its local branches throughout the four thousand dioceses of… [the] Roman Catholic Church, consistently endorses the main themes of Soviet Marxist policy – the evils of capitalism in Western democracies, the call for unilateral disarmament by the Western powers, and absolute need to establish a one-world economic system based on the distribution of the riches, goods and services of the capitalist world.”

So the Gamaliel foundation is actually part of Rome’s plan to work for redistribution of wealth and power away from the West. This is a class act. In the name of religion, and in the name of helping the poor, the Gamaliel Foundation is actually advocating a social restructure of America, and by extension, Western society through the churches themselves.

On January 9, 2009, World Net Daily reported that Henry Kissinger, who is now a special consultant to the Vatican, said that Obama is poised to create a “new world order.” “The president-elect,” he said, “is coming into office at a moment when there is upheaval in many parts of the world simultaneously.” Obama “can give new impetus to American foreign policy,” Kissinger said, “partly because the reception of him is so extraordinary around the world. His task will be to develop an overall strategy for America in this period when, really, a new world order can be created. It’s a great opportunity, it isn’t just a crisis.”

What new world order would that be? Would it be in harmony with Rome’s agenda? Remember my friends, that world political harmonization leads to world religious unity. And Rome is patiently working for both objectives.

Kissinger’s comments

National Catholic Register Article on Kissinger and the Vatican

Kissinger and the Vatican

But Galluzo has not been the only influence on Barack Obama. Another one of Barack and Michelle Obama’s close friends is 39 year-old Mike Strautmanis, now senior legal counsel for them at the White House. Mike Strautmanis met Michelle Robinson, a young lawyer, and Barack’s future wife, when he was a paralegal working for the firm Sidney Austin, a prestigious law firm in Chicago. Barack Obama also worked for Sidney Austin, and became friends with Strautmanis through Michelle. Strautmanis worked for Obama in the United States Senate guiding his legal affairs. Not surprisingly, Strautmanis had his formation training under the Jesuits at St. Ignatius College Prep, one of Chicago’s most influential Catholic schools.

And let us not forget that Obama’s choice of Roman Catholic vice-president Joe Biden informs us that he sees no hindrance to his leadership by close association with Roman Catholics. Joe Biden has also surrounded himself with Jesuit trained staff. His chief of staff, Ron Klain, though a Jew, was trained under the Jesuits at Georgetown University. He also worked for President Bill Clinton and Janet Reno.

Perhaps it should also be mentioned that of the list of 27 vice-presidential candidates that Obama was considering, according to CBS News, 15, or more than 55% were Roman Catholic. Of the 12 non-Catholics on his list, four were trained at Jesuit Universities and another actually grew up Catholic, though today he is an Episcopalian (which is perhaps one step away). While there is a lot of debate over how Catholic Obama’s closest Catholic friends, advisers and other associates are (because of their general lack of support for Catholic moral issues), many of them are in fact, very, very close to Catholic leadership. This should not go unnoticed by students of prophecy.

Catholic Adviser’s List

VP Candidates

But that’s not all. Obama’s top speechwriter, Jon Favreau, worked for Obama when he was Senator; then during his campaign for president; and now as director of speechwriting for Obama at the White House. Favreau, graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, a Jesuit Institution.

John Favreau Biography)

College of the Holy Cross

Not to be confused with Holy Cross College (Indiana) or other similarly named Holy Cross Colleges. Incidentally: Merrill McPeak is another interesting advisor to Barack Obama: “Merrill Anthony “Tony” McPeak, also a former fighter pilot, holds a masters degree in international relations from George Washington University…” located in downtown Washington DC. George Washington University is a school chartered by Congress and substantially supported by the Freemasons. In 1975-76 McPeak was a military fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, in New York City, commonly known as the CFR. The CFR is working for global government. McPeak is a globalist who campaigned for Barack Obama.
Merrill A. McPeak

President Obama’s cabinet is also loaded with a good number of Roman Catholics or Jesuit trained leaders.

They are Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, Ray Lahood (a Marionite Catholic), Secretary of Transportation. Robert Gates will remain as Secretary of Defense. He earned a Ph.D at Georgetown in 1974, and not surprisingly is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Though Janet Napoliano, Secretary of Homeland Security, is a Methodist, she graduated from Santa Clara University, a Jesuit school in California. National Security Advisor, James L. Jones, Jr, a four star general, was Jesuit trained at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service.

The United States Cabinet

One particularly interesting appointment is George Mitchell, a Roman Catholic from Maine who is a former Senator. He is also decorated with the British Knight Grand Cross, which is the most senior decoration in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, even though he is a Roman Catholic. He has been named, not surprisingly as the special envoy to the Middle East, by Barack Obama. Considering Rome’s agenda concerning Islam, it would be very important to Rome to have this position filled by one of her own. Mitchell also earned his law degree at Georgetown University School of Law.

George J. Mitchell Biography

Another interesting appointment is Leon Panetta, a Roman Catholic from California. He is Obama’s pick to be the Director of the CIA. He graduated from Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution, and the Santa Clara University School of Law. Now he is in charge of some of the most sensitive geopolitical information possible. Since the CIA and the Vatican have regular communication, it would have been important to have a Roman Catholic in that position. Notice that the sensitive positions that manage international and geopolitical affairs for the United States, including the Secretary of Defense, the Director of the CIA and the Special Envoy to the Middle East, are filled with either Roman Catholics or have close educational connections with the Jesuits.

Leon Panetta Biography

Once Obama won the election Rome moved very quickly. Pope Benedict called him the very next day, but one of his staffers thought it was a hoax and would not let him speak with Obama. So the pope sent him a telegram to congratulate him on his election. Almost a week later, Obama returned the call. On inauguration day, the pope sent another telegram to Obama urging Obama to respect even those “that have no voice,” a reference to the unborn. Many newspapers proclaimed that the pope had blessed Obama and his presidency.

Papal Phone call

Papal Telegrams

Papal “Blessing”

In our January sermon on President Obama, Keep the Faith Ministry explained how that the Catholic Church disagrees with Barack Obama on social teaching, especially in regard to stem cell research, abortion, and other socially conservative issues. However, we also noted that Rome is not willing to alienate herself from the Obama Administration over them, but may have to put their goals aside for a while, or at least their hopes for progress, while they accomplish other things in the meantime.

Nevertheless, a Presidential visit to the Vatican is expected in 2009. Catholic News Service wrote on January 26, 2009 that “many at the Vatican are already looking ahead to an expected meeting between Obama and Pope Benedict later this year. Although the Vatican understands that the young president has a lot on his plate as he comes into office,” wrote CNS, “they are eager to see him in Rome. Asked when he hoped it would happen, one Vatican official said, ‘As soon as possible.’”

CNS Article

The New York Times, on December 18, in an article on the Papal message to Obama said that “the Vatican doesn’t want to be at loggerheads with Barack Obama, because it sees a range of matters where it’s more in sync with him than it has been with President Bush… A papal spokesman said the Vatican hopes to work with him on Iraq, the Holy Land, Christian minorities in the Middle East and Asia, and the fight against poverty and social inequality.” Catholic News Service wrote on January 26, 2009 that “…Vatican officials said the new president begins his term with a certain amount of trust and sympathy among Arabs. That could be important, they said, because Arabs need to feel they have a world leader who takes their situation to heart.” Rome hopes to assist Obama in brokering peace in the Middle East. If Obama can bring a new level of understanding in the Middle East, Rome stands to gain leverage in its dialog and ecumenical efforts with Muslims in general.

But on social issues Rome can gain much by opposing Obama. There is a very important reason for this. Rome uses her moral voice to position herself above earthly potentates as superior to them. This way she can reprove the nations. The people will look up to her as the moral influence in the world. And one day, when faced with terrible crises, they will think that they need Rome’s moral voice more than ever and will follow her suggestions to pressure their leaders to enforce her day of rest to get the nation back to God.

Rome will continue to press her social agenda harder than ever in the United States. The stakes are higher now, and she must gain the advantage by remaining strong on these social issues. “To be clear,” wrote the New York Times, “the Vatican yields to no one in its pro-life commitments. …There will be no ‘truce,’ no strategic silence, about the defense of human life from the moment of conception. The question now is whether the Vatican will find an equally effective way to mobilize those Catholics who hope to build bridges [with the Obama Administration on these social issues],” wrote the Times.

NY Times Article

Those who are watching prophecy unfold should recognize that Rome gains much political clout by its independence on social moral issues. A strong conflict helps her gain influence in with other churches against a declining society that has a form of godliness, but denies its power.

Rome is gearing up for a balancing act; one in which she must maintain a delicate balance between her political collaboration with the American Administration on geopolitical issues while strongly opposing its liberal domestic and international social policies. During the Bush Administration, Rome gained a lot of ground on its social agenda, particularly in the U.S., but also elsewhere. Rome may lose some ground on that front during the Obama Administration. Instead, Rome is planning on gaining a lot of ground in world political issues that it could not achieve during the Bush Administration.

There is something else to keep in mind. Democratic President Obama has a democratically controlled Congress to work with, exactly the opposite of what President Bush had when he entered office. Of them 31% are Roman Catholic. And “a whopping 52 members,” wrote Catholic News Service, almost 10%, have been trained at Jesuit institutions. Those 52 represent almost a third of all Roman Catholics in Congress. One wonders how many of them are Jesuits in disguise. There are “11 Jesuit alumni in the Senate and 41 in the House of Representatives,” including some of the key leaders, wrote CNS. CNS said that the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Washington DC certainly has “something to crow about.” And they are… They published the report from which these numbers are taken. It seems like they are almost triumphant. “Catholics are the single largest religious group in the 111th Congress,” wrote Boston.com. They are slightly over-represented in Congress compared to the general population of the United States which is about 25% Roman Catholic.

Jesuits in Congress

Catholics in Congress Note: this article misstates the number of Jesuits in Congress (51).

My friends, this is the time to make sure that you are hidden in the secret place of the Most High. During this time of relative peace, Christ is calling you to open the door of your heart and let Jesus in. You cannot afford to miss out on heaven. And you urgently need to secure your eternal destiny. The secret place of the Most High my friends is the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary. You can only go there in your experience with Christ. He must give you victory over temptation and by His power in you, live by all ten of His law of liberty.

Appendix

Obama’s high powered “Kitchen Cabinet” and their educational and professional background.

The Good Word an online blog run by America Magazine, a Jesuit journal posted the following on April 18, 2008.

Here’s Obama’s Catholic Kitchen Cabinet:

National Co-Chairs:

Senator Bob Casey; College of the Holy Cross, (a Jesuit liberal arts college) Casey served as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Representative Patrick Murphy; Archbishop Ryan High School, King’s College, Pennsylvania (a highly-ranked Roman Catholic, private, liberal arts school), Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, PA where he became a member of the Trial Advocacy Honor Society and president of the St. Thomas More Society, a Roman Catholic society for lawyers. Marquette University Law School, (a Jesuit Law School), Source. Note: Thomas More was dedicated to opposing Protestantism in England and Europe. He persecuted Protestants where he could and worked to promote Roman Catholic principles of Law.

Former Congressman Tim Roemer, President of the Center for National Policy; earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame, a Roman Catholic University.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas; Sebelius was born Kathleen Gilligan and raised in a Roman Catholic family in Cincinnati, OH. She attended the Summit Country Day School a private, Catholic, independent high school in Cincinnati, Trinity Washington University in Washington DC, Trinity Washington University, a Catholic University founded in 1897 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Source

Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia; Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, MO, a private, Jesuit, preparatory school for boys. Kaine graduated from the University of Missouri and attended Harvard. Before entering into Virginia politics, Kaine was a lawyer in Richmond, VA and worked with the Society of Jesus as a Roman Catholic missionary in Honduras.

Tom Chabolla, Assistant to the President, Service Employees International Union; Loyola Marymount University, Source, and is the Associate Director of Programs for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in Washington, D.C. Chabolla, was the head of the Los Angeles archdiocese’s Secretariat for Pastoral and Community Services. He is also a member of PICO, a national network of faith-based community organizations working to create innovative solutions… It was founded by a Jesuit. “Together we are lifting up a new vision for America that unites people across region, race, class, and religion.” Chabolla wrote a book called Faith in Action: Religion, Race, and Democratic Organizing in America. Chabolla is on the board of the Center for Community Change, also known as: CCC, and is an assistant to the president of the Service Employees International Union.

Victoria Reggie Kennedy, President, Common Sense About Kids and Guns; Senator Ted Kennedy’s wife. Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans. Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university.

Sr. Jamie Phelps, O.P., Professor of Theology, Xavier University (a Jesuit Institution). Siena_Heights_University (Roman Catholic), St. John’s University , and Catholic University of America. She is on the board of the National Black Catholic Congress.

Sr. Catherine Pinkerton, Congregation of St. Joseph. Could not find Educational Background. She is an 86 year old nun who was selected to offer the closing prayer one night at the Democratic National Convention. Source, See also. Pinkerton, 86, is a lobbyist for Network, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby. Source. On May 18th, 2008, Catherine Pinkerton, CSJ received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA, recognizing her distinguished service as a citizen of the world. Note the emphasis as a citizen of the world.
National Steering Committee;

Mary Jo Bane, Professor, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Note from Wikipedia: “Since 1919 the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University has devoted itself to educating the next generation of global leaders”). She wrote: “Voice and Loyalty in the Church: The People of God, Politics and Management.” Common Calling: The Laity and Governance of the Catholic Church. Ed. Stephen J. Pope. Georgetown University Press, 2004.

Nicholas P. Cafardi, Catholic Author and Scholar, Pittsburgh, PA; Gregorian University, Duquesne University (a Catholic University), J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, and his J.C.L. and J.C.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Former Dean of Duquesne. Extreemly influential Roman Catholic.

Lisa Cahill, Professor of Theology, Boston College; (Jesuit Institution), Source. Source. Graduated from University of Santa Clara (a Jesuit University), Source University of Chicago, School of Divinity, Source, and is a visiting professor at Georgetown Source and Yale.

M. Shawn Copeland, Associate Professor of Theology, Boston College; (Jesuit Institution) A graduate of Boston College (Ph.D.), Source

Ron Cruz, Leadership Development Consultant, Burke, VA; Background not clear.
Sharon Daly, Social Justice Advocate, Knoxville, MD; Boston College Sharon Daly, Former Vice President of Social Policy, …

Richard Gaillardetz, Murray/Bacik Professor of Catholic Studies, University of Toledo; Dr. Gaillardetz, has a B.A. in Humanities form the University of Texas (1981), an M.A. in Biblical Theology from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio (1984)(The Jesuits were invited to assume control of the struggling St. Mary’s University and to establish Sacred Heart Parish in Galveston. The university had had problems since its founding in 1852, and Jesuit direction could not save it from eventual closure in 1922.) and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame in Systematic Theology (1991).

Grant Gallicho, Associate Editor, Commonweal Magazine; nothing yet…
Sr. Margaret Gannon, IHM, Scranton, PA; nothing yet…

Don Guter, Judge Advocate General of the Navy (2000-2002); Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne (IPA: /djuːˈkeɪn/, locally [duːˈkeɪn]) first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of 40 students and a faculty of six. In 1911, the college became a university, the first Catholic institution of higher learning in Pennsylvania to achieve such a distinction. It is the only Spiritan institution of higher education in the world Rear Admiral, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Pittsburgh, PA

Cathleen Kaveny, Professor of Law and Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame; Princeton University in 1984 and Yale University
Jim Kesteloot, President and Executive Director, Chicago Lighthouse; Loyola University and DePaul University, founded by the Vincentians in 1898
Vincent Miller, Associate Professor of Theology, Georgetown University; (Jesuit Institution) St. Francis College ( The Franciscan Tradition of the College ensures…) and University of Notre Dame
David O’Brien, Loyola Professor of Catholic Studies at the College of the Holy Cross; (Jesuit Institution) received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1960 and a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1964. He has also completed post-doctoral studies in theology at the Harvard Divinity School and the Weston School of Theology. The recipient of the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree (D.H.) from Xavier University in 1988,

Peter Quaranto, Senior Researcher and Conflict Analyst, Resolve Uganda (Notre Dame Class of 2006);
University of Oxford, University of Bradford, University of Notre Dame

Dave Robinson, International Peace Advocate, Erie, Pennsylvania; nothing yet…….

Vincent Rougeau, Associate Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame; (Catholic Institution) He received his A.B. magna cum laude from Brown University in 1985, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1988

Mary Wright, Inter-Faith Liaison, Louisville, KY;National Leadership Committee: common name. Tough to track down

Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin; attended Stanford University for three years, then returned home to Madison to finish his senior year at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Later attended Harvard

Former Senator Majority Leader Tom Daschle; gone…….

Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois; graduated from Assumption High School in East St. Louis in 1962. (Catholic) He earned a B.S. from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1966.

Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts; He attended the Fessenden School, and later Milton Academy and entered Harvard CollegeIn 1958, he attended the Hague Academy of International Law.

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts; enrolled at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, and graduated from there in 1962.
Yale University

Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont; Leahy graduated from Saint Michael’s College ( liberal arts Catholic college) in 1961 and received his J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1964.

Representative Xavier Becerra of California; B.A. in economics from Stanford University

Representative Mike Capuano of Massachusetts; Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, and in 1977, a law degree from Boston College Law School.

Representative Lacy Clay of Missouri; attended the University of Maryland studied at Harvard University

Representative Jerry Costello of Illinois; Costello was born in East St. Louis, Illinois and attended Catholic schools, graduating from Assumption High School. He was later educated at Maryville College of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree.

Representative Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts; was educated at Thayer Academy, Middlebury College and Boston College Law School

Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut; high school diploma from The Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, earned a bachelor’s degree from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, as well as separate master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and Columbia University.
Marymount College of Fordham University was a small private women’s college in the United States, and part of Fordham University.

Representative Anna Eshoo of California; is a Chaldean Catholic Associate of Arts degree, English, Cañada College, 1975 Honorary doctorate, Humane Letters, Menlo College
The Chaldean Catholic Church or the Chaldean Church of Babylon (Arabic: الكنيسة الكلدانية‎, al-kanīsä ‘l-kaldāniyyä) is an Eastern particular church of the Catholic Church, maintaining full communion with the Bishop of Rome and the rest of the Catholic Church.

Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona; University of Arizona
Representative Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island; earned a B.S. from Providence College in 1991 – PC is a Catholic College

Representative John Larson of Connecticut; educated at Central Connecticut State University.
Representative George Miller of California; educated at San Francisco State University and the University of California, Davis law school

Representative James Oberstar of Minnesota; received his B.A. at the College of St. Thomas (now the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul – archdiocesan Roman Catholic institution). He also received a Master’s degree in European Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, with further study at Université Laval in Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada and Georgetown University.
Representative Linda Sanchez of California; University of California

Representative Carol Shea Porter of New Hampshire; University of New Hampshire.

Representative Peter Welch of Vermont. He attended local Catholic schools there (Holy Name Grammar School and Cathedral High School). Welch attended College of the Holy Cross, graduating magna cum laude in 1969. In 1973 he earned a law degree from Boalt Hall, the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. [1]






.

God's Special Message for Today



The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Rom. 13:12.


In a time like this, we should have but one object in view-- the employing of every means that God has provided by which the truth may be planted in the hearts of men. . . . It is the duty of every Christian to strive to the utmost of his ability to spread abroad the knowledge of the truth.

God has waited long, and He is waiting still, to have the beings that are His by both creation and redemption, listen to His voice, and obey Him as loving, submissive children, whose desire is to be near His side, and to have the light of His countenance shining upon them. We are to bear the third angel's message to the world, warning men against the worship of the beast and his image, and directing them to take their places in the ranks of those who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." God has not revealed to us the time when this message will close, or when probation will have an end. . . . It is our duty to watch and work and wait, to labor every moment for the souls of men that are ready to perish. . . .

Now, just now, is the time for us to be watching, working, and waiting. . . . The end of all things is at hand. . . . The Spirit of the Lord is working to take the truth of the inspired word and stamp it upon the soul so that the professed followers of Christ will have a holy, sacred joy that they will be able to impart to others. . . .

There is need of a deeper, stronger, more constraining testimony on the power of the truth as seen in the practical godliness of those who profess to believe it.

We are to have the truth planted in the heart, and teach it to others as it is in Jesus. The world is in a very solemn period; for souls are deciding what will be their eternal destiny. Satan and his angels are continually plotting to make void the law of God, and thus to enslave the souls of men in the toils of sin. The darkness which is covering the earth is deepening, but those who walk humbly with God have nothing to fear.




Maranatha, E. G. W. , pp.107. .

Justification by Faith (In Him)


Romans 5


1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Osteens Discuss Obama, Gay Marriage

Jessica Kourkounis, AP7 photos

With the largest regularly attended church in the country, TV sermons broadcast to millions and books on the best-seller lists, Joel Osteen and his wife, Victoria, have become two of the most well-known inspirational figures in America. Here they lead a service at their Lakewood Church in Houston in 2005.
CNN
posted: 14 HOURS 38 MINUTES AGO

(April 7) -- Joel Osteen is the senior pastor for the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. It's America's largest congregation. His wife, Victoria Osteen, is the co-pastor there.

The Osteens, known for their optimistic outlook on life, visited 'Larry King Live' Tuesday night for a wide-ranging interview that covered President Obama, same-sex marriage, the recent outbreak of mass shootings, the state of religion in America and more.

The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity:
Larry King: Since you were last on, we have sworn in our first African-American president. What are your impressions [of Barack Obama]?
Joel Osteen: Well, I think he's doing a great job. I'm impressed with his skill, his calmness, his just strength under pressure. These are tough times for him.
King: And you, Victoria?
Victoria Osteen: I've been really impressed. In fact, I've been impressed [with] the first lady. She stepped up, and she's done a remarkable job.
King: Recent polls show 12 percent of Americans still believe Obama is a Muslim, and 35 percent say they don't know his religion, but to most of them it don't matter. Should it matter?
Joel Osteen: Well, it matters to me. It matters to me that I know he loves the Lord, and I think it's important that he has convictions from his faith. So to me, it matters when I'm making my personal decisions.
King: Does it matter to you, Victoria?

Victoria Osteen: It does. It matters to me. ... I believe he is a Christian.
King: The 'Hope for Today Bible.' This is a new Bible [from you]. How is this different from other Bibles?
Joel Osteen: It's a living translation of the Bible, which is an easy version to read. And then it's got our notes besides certain passages. And it's just to help people maybe to understand the Bible a little bit easier.
King: Do you think that eventually many more states are going to allow same-sex marriage?
Joel Osteen: You know, I don't know where it's all going ... I'd love to see it stay between a male and a female, not knocking anybody else.

King: Supposing there were more states that had it. What would be the harm?
Victoria Osteen: We really want to see marriage between a man and a woman. There [are] going to be people who get together and have relationships and have what they call their families. But I just think marriage should be sanctified by the church. It should be between a man and a woman.
King: Should a gay couple be allowed to adopt?
Joel Osteen: I think that, again, it's best for a male and a female. I'm not saying that gay people aren't good people. ...
King: Or good parents.
Joel Osteen: Yeah, exactly. But again, I like to shoot for God's best, and that is a father and a mother in the home. It doesn't always happen. I know a lot of people raised by single parents. And you know what? We bless them and pray for them as well. But I think God's best is a male and female.
King: In the new issue of Newsweek, the lead story by Jon Meacham is 'The Decline and Fall of Christian America.' Just off the premise of that headline, do you accept that? That Christian America is in trouble?
Joel Osteen: I'm trying to think where he's coming from. ... I see faith in America at an all-time high.
King: The Newsweek article quotes our Albert Mohler Jr. And he's president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. And he said, "The so-called Judeo-Christian consensus of the last millennium has given way to a post-modern, post-Christian, post-Western cultural crisis which threatens the heart of our very culture."
Joel Osteen: Well, he's a smart man and I respect him. You know, maybe what he's saying is true. ... America is more diverse than it was 50 years ago. And I don't know that that means we as Christians are any less. I would like to think our influence is still there. ... And I'm sure I'm an optimistic by nature.
King: What do you make of these mass shootings?
Joel Osteen: You know, it's really sad. People get deranged. People get confused. ... I believe there are dark forces in our world. There are evil forces that, unfortunately, we can give into. And some of it is just from depression, just that mental illness.
King: Do you pray for them, Victoria? The shooters?
Victoria Osteen: Oh, absolutely. You've got to pray for them. They're obviously tormented. They're deceived and not cherishing life. ... So yeah, we do pray for them.
King: We've had a mass depression in this country, recession. Do you think that might be at the core of some of these things?
Victoria Osteen: I think it is. When you've lost your job and you've just been beaten down and you don't see any future, it's easy to start letting those negative thoughts play. ... You don't have anything to live for. It's never going to get any better. And I think that if you don't watch it, you'll just spiral down and down and down.
And that is why we feel so strongly about just giving people hope. Even at your lowest moment, you never know what God can do. He can turn any situation around. You can be just one night from getting the break you need, getting the job you want.
King: How do you deal with death, having to console people [who are] dying?
Joel Osteen: Well, it's difficult. But Larry, we have the hope of heaven. We believe we'll see our loved ones again. And as hard as it is, we'll just try to encourage people that death is just a separation. ... I lost my dad 10 years ago, and he was my best friend. But it's amazing the peace that God gave me. So I believe that God can give you a strength and a new beginning.
King: Where do you believe he is?
Joel Osteen: I believe he's in heaven.
King: Which is a place. ...
Joel Osteen: I believe it's a real place. ... You've had people on a lot about near death experience, and I've talked to them too, how they've had an accident and all of a sudden, they're up watching themselves. And I believe that our spirit's on the inside.
My belief as a Christian is when we receive Christ as salvation that that gives us a guarantee for heaven.

.

God's Mighty Deeds (His Mercy)


Psalm 78


1Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

3Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

4We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

5For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

6That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

7That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

8And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

9The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

10They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

11And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.

12Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

13He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

14In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.

15He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

16He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

17And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

18And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.

19Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

20Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

21Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

22Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

23Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

24And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

25Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

26He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

27He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

28And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.

29So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

30They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

31The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

32For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

33Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

34When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

35And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

36Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

37For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

38But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

39For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

40How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

41Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

42They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

43How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan.

44And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

45He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

46He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.

47He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.

48He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

49He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

50He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;

51And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

52But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

55He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

56Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:

57But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

58For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

59When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:

60So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;

61And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.

62He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.

63The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

64Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.

65Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

66And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

67Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

68But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

69And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.

70He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

71From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

72So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/56479/BYU-Professor-Honored-W-Cole-Durham-Jr-Receives-International-First-Freedom-Award.html

International Religious Freedom Act of 1998


The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom shall have as its primary responsibility the annual and ongoing review of the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom and the making of policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress with respect to matters involving international religious freedom. 1

James D. Standish, Executive Director

James D. Standish joined the Commission as Executive Director in August 2008. Mr. Standish has extensive experience working on human rights issues, and particularly religious freedom. He has lived ten years in Asia, four years in Europe, and eight years in Australia, and has traveled widely throughout the world. Mr. Standish is widely published, has discussed religious freedom issues on nationally broadcast television and radio, and has testified on religious freedom matters before the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Standish received his undergraduate degree from Newbold College in England, a M.B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University. He is a member of the Bar of Virginia State and the District of Columbia, and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit. 2





North Dade Seventh-Day Adventists celebrate parishioner's 105th birthday

Olive Este celebrates her 105 year birthday with friends and family. The party was held at Northwest Dade Seventh Day Adventist Church on Saturday, March 28.
DANIEL BOCK / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD


Posted on Friday, 04.03.09


A North Dade resident recalled some of America's many changes as she celebrated her 105th birthday among friends and family at church.


BY MARGARITA SWEETING
Special to The Miami Herald

Adventist Church member

In the past 100 years the United States has been in seven major wars, has endured the growing pains of the civil rights movement, has had a president assassinated, and has undergone social changes that are being felt today, especially with the advent of the first black president in the White House.

Olive Este, who celebrated her 105th birthday on March 29, has seen it all and more.

At a gathering after church last Saturday, as more than 100 members cheered her milestone, Este reflected on the many changes she has witnessed over the years.

''There has been so much, so many changes, but probably what is the most different are the people. It used to be that people knew one another. There was concern for one another,'' said Este, who lives in Miami Gardens.

``Now, people could be living in the same building and not know each other's name. We used to be a close-knit people.''

Este was born in 1904 to Edwin Robbins and Victoria Joseph in Antigua, West Indies. She was raised in a strict household and attended Cedar Hall Methodist School. She was always a good student, but very shy.

''I remember we had to recite things in school and I didn't like that. One time, I even went under my seat to hide,'' she said.

``In the early 1900s, school consisted of individual chalkboards and all of the students, grades one through seven, were taught in a large auditorium.

Even though the teachers were strict and could mete out discipline to the students with a cane, Este still found time to play practical jokes on her peers.

''I remember this one girl who always copied from me. So, one time, I wrote all the wrong answers. When they were checked of course, she got in trouble but all my answers were correct,'' Este said with a chuckle.

Her father sent her two older sisters, Ethel and Virginia, to the United States in order to earn money and send it back to Antigua. However, the depression had set in and no money was available.

Eventually, the sisters sent for Este too, and at age 19 she moved to Harlem, New York. With tear-filled eyes Este remembers the racial divisions of that time.

''Oh, there was so much going on. There was the Garvey movement, the back-to-Africa movement, and housing was not open to colored people. White people lived in other areas and they didn't want coloreds. With all the segregation, there were no suitable jobs and there were so many prejudices,'' said Este.

As a result, she went to Toronto with her husband, Eugene Este, who died of heart disease in 1967. She became a nurse and worked in that field until she retired.

Este also raised six children: Eugene Jr., Marianne, Ruby, June, Edwin and Charles; from her children came seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Este moved to South Florida with her sister, Ethel, in the early 1970s and has been a member of the Northwest Dade Seventh-Day Adventist Church ever since, where she celebrated her birthday.

''She is a happy fundraiser, organizing everything. And she was, and still is, a main contributor to this building,'' said friend and church member Esther Nelson. ``She also has a sense of humor that is out of this world.''

By all accounts, she is a funny, giving person who still has time to bake and cook and serve as an inspiration to those around her.

''She bakes two cakes along with a covered dish and brings them to church every week. She even baked my wedding cake,'' said Michele Carrington, Este's great niece.

``She's an incredibly strong woman whose belief and faith has gotten her through many adversities. She's an example to have faith and be true and kind to the bitter end. That's how she lives.''

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/north-central/story/981948.html
.