Saturday 16 September 2023

Russia, North Korea and World Peace

The whole World seems to be in a fix that would take an immense amount of work and co-operation to solve. There are few places where true peace can be found, many no longer trust Banks to keep their money safe and life in general is for many hard and stressful. This ought to make us think – ‘what will happen next, will the world as we know it pull through?’ Students of God’s Word, the Bible, however, need not to be concerned by such ‘portents of disaster’. The Lord Jesus told his disciples clearly that just before his return such troubles would arise and although one might say that his words could apply to any age, it seems clear that today’s sad world fits perfectly with the one the Lord Jesus describes.

Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Nation shall rise against Nation.

A good example of Nation rising against Nation is North Korea, who though relatively tiny and in the grips of a devastating famine, is belligerently challenging one of the world’s mightiest nations, the USA. Angry at UN sanctions following its nuclear test in February and the recent military drills in S Korea, N. Korea is now in a state of war with S. Korea and has threatened ‘merciless’ pre-emptive strikes against it and the USA. The final straw was the US sending nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers in a first ever firing drill over the Korean Peninsula. Just hours later the North cut its last- remaining military hotline with South Korea and put its rocket units on combat status with a threat of targeting US bases in the Pacific region. Their Parliament endorsed plans to give nuclear weapons greater prominence in the country's defences and a recent report states that more intermediate range missiles have been moved to its east coast and pointed towards the USA.

Let the weak say I am strong

North Korea’s preparations for war bring to mind the prophecy of Joel, who spoke of the time of the end when all nations would rise against Israel and be defeated at the battle of Armageddon.
Joel 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
Here, North Korea could be classed as a weak nation preparing for war, beefing up its Nuclear potential and saying, in effect ‘I am strong’.

Wars and commotions

The Civil War in Syria goes on unabated with March being the bloodiest month so far. One of the factors which keeps the conflict going is the involvement of Russia and Iran on the side of Syria. It was to be expected that Russia would return to its old belligerent ways for it seems clear from Bible prophecy that Russia, as Gog, or King of the North, will be the leader of the army of nations which assembles in the Valley of Jehoshaphat to attack Israel at the Time of the End.

In the prophecy of Daniel Ch 11:40 we read
‘And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.’

It is significant that Russia is now using its ships to bolster its presence in the Middle East. Recently a Russian Defence Ministry spokesman stated that naval manoeuvres in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean would continue and that shortly 4 large Assault ships would also be sent. He stated ominously that the size of the group and the types of ships would depend on the situation there. The Black Sea is a strategic waterway connecting to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean. Countries with shoreline along the Black Sea include Turkey, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania, in addition to Russia which has been heavily involved in protecting Syria's President Bashar al-Assad . Late last year, as a protective measure, Turkey deployed a number of batteries of Patriot missile defence systems supplied by NATO allies including the USA along its border with Syria.

Surprise!

Another sign of preparation for war was the Surprise Military Exercise in the Black Sea personally authorised by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He phoned his Defence Minister at 4 in the morning with orders to activate 7,000 troops, 36 ships, up to 20 fighter jets and helicopters and 50 pieces of artillery in order to test battle readiness in the Black Sea. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, stated “We are talking about major exercises, intended as a check”; but it could be seen that such preparations are for aggression rather than defence.

Signs in the Sun and moon

The Prophet Joel also prophesied that the LORD ‘would shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.’ (Joel 2:30-31) and we have just experienced two such wonders; two very close shaves in the form of visitors from Outer Space. In early February a130, 000 ton asteroid brushed past the Earth at a distance of 17,000 miles, closer to the earth than some of our satellites; and just hours before, Russia had a close encounter with a 55 foot diameter meteor. It left a vapour trail across the sky in the Ural Mountains and exploded 15 miles above earth with a force 30 times greater than the Hiroshima bomb. It lit up the sky, caused shockwaves that injured 1,200 people and damaged thousands of homes, blowing out windows and setting off car alarms over a wide area. NASA scientists said the timing of the two cosmic events, both of which are unprecedented in modern times, was merely coincidental; even so it ought to make us pause to wonder if the Creator of the Universe is not telling us something!

What is the Creator of the Universe telling us?

The Creator of the Universe is the Maker of the Earth, Sun, Moon and Stars Gen1:

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
Ps 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

As all things are therefore in His power and the lights in the Heavens (stars etc.,) are for signs, isn’t it possible, that when we have TWO meteors approaching the earth at the same time we should see this as a sign. Its interesting to consider the doubling up of this sign, for when Pharaoh received two dreams as messages from God, this is what Joseph told him Gen 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. A sign then of trouble to come upon the world? And when one of them causes great fear and damage to Russia, Israel’s strongest enemy, maybe we are being given a warning that God is bringing about the time described in Joel and the return of Jesus.

Signs in the world

When God judged the world at the time of Noah and sent the Flood, it was because of mankind’s wickedness Gen 6:

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth

Returning to Joel, we see that God’s Judgement will again fall again upon a world which has moved so far from the ways of mercy, love and truth which the lord Jesus preached in his Gospel.
Joel Ch 3 tells us of the gathering of the Nations against Jerusalem and God’s judgement, because of their wickedness.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

A way of escape

If the signs in the heavens and among warring mankind tell us that ‘The day of the LORD is near’ (Joel 314), what can we do about it? This was the first thing the Lord Jesus preached about when he began his ministry.
Mr 1:15 Saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
It is by repenting (having a change of mind and outlook); believing the Gospel of the Kingdom to come and being baptised that we can escape the calamities which are soon to fall upon this earth. And not only escape but also hope to reign with him over an earth which resembles the Garden of Eden before the fall. For those with such a hope, today’s troubles hold no threat but a promise of a glorious future, as the Lord Jesus said…
Lu 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Thought For the Day You shall remember

“You shall remember …”

It is good to have a good memory; it is frustrating to be forgetful. Yet how often do we forget to be thankful for good things? Do you recall the comments of Jesus when only one of the ten lepers he healed returned to express thanksgiving for his healing (Luke 17:15-17).

In our Deuteronomy reading today – and this book should be seen as Moses’ final exhortation to the people before he dies, he says, “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers.

And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these 40 years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart …” (8:1,2).

What kind of remembering are we to do? Each one of us will have different memories. What memories these people of God had at this time! We need to be aware that nearly all the adults in the 12 tribes (but not the Levites) who had come out of Egypt had died in the wilderness because of their unfaithfulness. These had witnessed the miracles of the plagues in Egypt, then the most dramatic of miracles in crossing the Red Sea on dry land, then the physical nearness of God as they camped beside the mountain. Then came the provision of water, the manna and the quail – and still they complained. Are many teenagers reading this? Once you reach the age of 20, God holds you responsible.

Because those 20 and over had not developed any depth of faith, they wandered and died in the wilderness because they failed to remember – and in remembering – to take to heart all that the Lord their God, the only real God had done. A lesson for us! Is there anything we fail to remember? What a tremendous picture the history of the world since those days provides – and now we are surely reaching the climax.

In John’s Gospel we have read of the climax of the life and death of God’s son – and the absolute wonder and drama of his resurrection. John’s 20th chapter ends, “… these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing you may have life in his name”. Remember, our actions show what we believe. Make the time today to read and meditate on the last 2 chapters of John’s gospel, it is one of the richest sources of food to stimulate our minds in the whole Bible.

Bible Prophecy Christianity Corrupted

Christianity Corrupted

Nearly all of the writers of the New Testament predicted that changes would occur in key beliefs after their deaths. That people would “fall away” and that “apostasy” would enter the body of believers. Consider the following verses:

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock… For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:27-30
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come (the return of Christ), except there come a falling away first…” 2 Thessalonians 2:3
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy…” 1 Timothy 4:1-2
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude v3
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

A Warning

We can see from the verses above that the established church would be deceived by false ideas. The warning is to take heed to what the Bible teaches. We must get back to the word of God. We cannot afford to rely on what a Vicar, Priest, Bishop or Pastor dictates to us.

We have to search out the scriptures to ensure that we hold the truth as preached by the original believers in Jesus Christ. Such searching can be done by any individual who is seeking for truth. It takes an open and independent mind, one which comes to the Bible to find that truth. The verses above show the importance of finding the true original doctrines as taught in the scriptures and holding fast to them. It clearly does matter what we believe and to ensure we have not been deceived by an apostate system we have to get back to what the Bible teaches.

The Historical Fulfilment

From the verses we have looked at, you can clearly see that the established body of Christians would be infiltrated and deceived by false ideas. History shows that the early church changed its stance on core doctrines quite early on. This changed and corrupted church soon became political under the name of the Catholic church. Many split offs from this “Mother” church have occurred but most of these “daughters” adopted the already changed and corrupted doctrines of their Mother.

The historian Edward Gibbon, in the 15th chapter of his ‘Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire’, tells of how the original beliefs of the early Christians were changed over the course of time. He writes the following:

“The ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ … a joyful Sabbath of a thousand years; when Christ, with the triumphant band of the saints and the elect who had escaped death, or who had revived, would reign upon earth…”

So the early believer’s hope, as outlined in the Bible (more here) was that Jesus was to return to the earth to set up a Kingdom. Believers were to reign with him on earth for 1000 years. This belief changed. A core doctrine which most churches adopted was that men have an immortal soul (a belief brought in by ancient Greek philosophy) and that, upon death it floated to heaven or hell. Many churches, including the Catholic church, its break off daughters and even churches who claim to have nothing to do with the Catholic church such as Evangelical churches, hold this same corrupted doctrine today.

Justin Martyr, an early Christian, also wrote in 150AD:

“For if you have conversed with some that are indeed called Christians, and do not maintain these opinions, but even dare to blaspheme the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and say that there is no resurrection of the dead, but that the souls, as soon as they leave the body, are received up into heaven, take care that you do not look upon these. But I, and all those Christians that are really orthodox in every respect, do know that there will be a resurrection of the body and a thousand years in Jerusalem, when it is built again, and adorned, and enlarged, as Ezekiel, and Isaiah, and the rest of the prophets declare.” – Dialogue With Trypho, The Jew, section LXXX.

Again we see how that the original church doctrine was changed – and we could cite from many more writers who lived in the early period of the church.

With further study you would find that other core doctrines of modern Christianity are not original beliefs as taught in the scriptures – the four most profound corruptions are on the doctrine of the resurrection, the Kingdom of God on earth, the unity of God and the devil (select a link to find out the true Bible teaching on these topics).

Recent Changes

Many recent changes are occurring in most churches as the pressures of modern, humanistic society challenge already weak church practices and doctrines. In a desperate attempt to keep up their popularity, churches adopt these ideas. There are a few doctrines which have recently been changed in many churches – such as the authority of the Bible, the Holy Spirit, divorce, adultery, cohabitation, homosexuality, and women priests amongst many more.

The Catholic church especially has exposed its changing character with the public ‘apologies’ of its leader (Pope Benedict XVI). One Catholic doctrine is that the Pope is God’s infallible representative on earth. How is it then that one Pope can apologise for another’s declaration – especially for beliefs or decrees which followers died for! Consider the recent declaration that the idea of Limbo for child “souls” is not true. What of other Popes who believed it or indeed the Mothers and Fathers who paid money to the clergy to supposedly get their children from Limbo to heaven? Did God change his mind? What about Pope Benedict XVI’s apology for offending Islam in one of his speeches in 2006 – were the Popes of previous ages sorry when they ordered the destruction of thousands of Muslims?

These recent changes clearly show that change is something which does and will occur – but is it something which should occur?

God’s ways do not change

The Bible clearly teaches that God’s ways and purpose do not change. Consider these verses:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
“For I am the LORD, I change not…” Malachi 3:6
“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Numbers 23:19
“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it wasimpossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” Hebrews 6:17-18
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2

It is important therefore to read the Bible, for what we find there will not change. Although man changes and society’s rules may change – the Bible will stay constant, both in its doctrines and its teaching on how we should live. What we believe and how we live our lives, should be consistent with the Bible if we claim to be followers of it.

The Latter Days

“The Latter Days” is a time period mentioned in scripture. It is important, because in the latter days Jesus Christ will return to the earth and it is the time period we are living in now.

The return of Israel

We read this amazing prophecy in Hosea:

“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4, 5

This shows that the Jews would once again return to their land. This happened in 1948 with the declaration of a Jewish state. We are therefore living in this Biblical time period termed “the latter days”.

The verse however is not completely fulfilled, as Israel are not engaged in the activity of “seeking the LORD their God” or “David their king”. The Lord their God is the God of the Jewish Fathers – the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. David is a reference to Jesus Christ – David means “beloved” – see reference to Christ as the “beloved” in Luke 9:35, 2 Peter 1:17. The Jews therefore will once again seek God and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah in the not too distant future, when he returns to the earth to rebuild the temple and establish God’s Kingdom on the earth. (See more about the Kingdom in this article “The Kingdom of God »“.)

The tribulation of Israel

The Bible describes the circumstances of the turning point when Israel will accept Jesus as the Messiah. The Bible speaks of a time, after the Jews have returned to their land, when all the nations will gather against them.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” Zechariah 12:2-3

We read in Zechariah of how Israel is almost defeated by the armies of the invading nations. It is at this point of desperation that God will intervene and “save the tents of Judah” (v7). It is clear He will do this by sending His representative, the Lord Jesus Christ, for we read that “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn” (v10). Before moving away from Zechariah, it is worthy of note that when Christ does come, he comes with his “saints” (or “called out ones”) – see Zechariah 14:1-5. This gives us an idea of the sequence of the events which are to unfold at Christ’s return – in order for the chosen saints to be with Christ in glory, it means that they have first been resurrected and judged. The return of Christ to the earth, the resurrection and the judgement therefore take place before the attack on Israel by the nations.

This is all very exciting as it links us into a prophecy directly about “the latter days” given by the prophet Moses to Israel:

”I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” Deuteronomy 4:26-31

So if we piece together the prophecy of Zechariah 12 with the prophecy of Deuteronomy 4, we get a picture of what is soon to happen on the earth. We have seen the fulfilment of the prophecies of the regathering of the Jews to Israel. We are living in a time just before the return of Jesus who will soon return and perform the resurrection of the dead and judgement. The nations will come against Israel. Israel will be in dire tribulation and on their last legs. At that point Messiah (and his saints) will appear to them and they will accept him and then they will begin to serve God once more. This is all going to happen in the time period called “The Latter Days”.

The Kingdom to be set up

The details in the famous prophecy called “Nebuchadnezzar’s image” recorded in Daniel 2, were given to prove that “there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known… what shall be in the latter days” (Daniel 2:28).

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is all about the history of the kingdoms of men and God’s future Kingdom which is to be set up on the earth on the territory of the kingdoms of men. This future Kingdom is to be set up after Jesus Christ returns to the earth.

The book of Revelation

The book of Revelation is an amazing message from Jesus to his followers. It is a book of sign and symbol showing events which would occur from the 1st Century right up until our day and beyond. To unlock the symbols in the book, other parts of God’s word need to be studied. The Bible interprets itself. A symbol in Revelation normally has an explanation elsewhere in scripture.

Most interestingly, the book focuses on the relationship between the true followers of Jesus and the apostasy (called “Babylon the Great”). It explains in great detail, the different phases of the apostasy – how it climbed into the political arena and how it is active even today. The great apostasy which grew from the early Christians became the Catholic church. Many details can be confirmed by history.

Specific time periods are outlined, making this book an amazing prophecy – but one which takes a great amount of time and effort to understand.

This article is only a basic introduction to the outline of Revelation but it is hoped that enough information is given to encourage the reader to study this book in depth after they have accepted the simple teaching of the gospel and been baptised.

3 Rules for understanding the book of Revelation

In the very opening verse of the Book of Revelation we are given three clear pieces of information:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Revelation 1:1

This tells us that:

This book is written to Christ’s servants – So the things contained within this book will not be things for beginners. We will not have the gospel or first principles set out because these are basic things which enable someone to become a believer. Revelation is for those who already have a full understanding of the gospel. What we have outlined in Revelation is a useful message for those who already follow Christ. It’s not been written for Jews and it’s not been written to convert Gentiles – it’s been written for those who have been baptised.
Revelation outlines events which will “shortly come to pass” – The book of Revelation reveals God’s purpose with his servants down through the ages, starting at John’s time. This tells us another important thing. The events in the book of Revelation were to take place after John’s time (AD90 approx). This helps us to correctly eradicate erroneous expositions – for example where, in chapter 12 some expositors suggest that this occured before the garden of Eden and is an account of Satan being expelled to the earth where he later tempted Eve. This idea breaks the principle outlined in this first verse. The events in Revelation happen after John’s time.
This is a book of symbol - Strong’s concordance tells us that the word “signified” means = “to give a sign, to signify, indicate”. In other words this book has been encoded in symbols so that only those true, dedicated servants will understand its meaning. This means that when we read of ‘heaven’ in Revelation – it’s not literal. When we read of ‘candlesticks’, ‘stars’, ‘angels’, ‘trumpets’, ‘vials’ or ‘plagues’ these will not be literal but symbols. To unlock the meaning behind the symbols one must look elsewhere in scripture. For example the symbol of the “sea” is unlocked by looking at Isaiah 57:20 where we read that the “wicked” or Godless nations are like the “sea”.

The above three things which are outlined right at the beginning of this book show us that this is a deep area of the scriptures. It has really only been written for true believers. Therefore it’s not really a great place to start if you are new to the Bible. You will not find the gospel simply taught within the pages of the Revelation, although it will be backed up by the Revelation.

The layout of the book

The basic structure of the book of Revelation is found in Revelation 1:19:

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Revelation 1:19

John was to record the things that he had seen (Chapter 1), the things “which are” – these are found in Chapters 2-3 and the letters to 7 churches. Then in Chapter 4 and verse 1 we learn that the rest of Revelation outlines the “things which shall be hereafter”.

Newly released historic film collection includes scenes of the Holy Land

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Leen Ritmeyer

Israel’s History – a Picture a day announced that:

The giant newsreel archive British Pathé, released its entire collection of 85,000 films to the public this week.
The films, dating from 1896 to 1976, include hundreds of newsreels from Palestine prior to the establishment of Israel in 1948. We found of particular interest the films of combat between British and Turkish forces during World War I and the brave attempts to push desperate Jewish refugees from Europe past British barriers in the 1930s and 40s.
“This unprecedented release of vintage news reports and cinemagazines is part of a drive to make the archive more accessible to viewers all over the world,”British Pathé announced.
“Our hope is that everyone, everywhere who has a computer will see these films and enjoy them,” said Alastair White, General Manager of British Pathé. “This archive is a treasure trove unrivalled in historical and cultural significance that should never be forgotten. Uploading the films to YouTube seemed like the best way to make sure of that.”
We present here several of the exciting films now on the British Pathé YouTube collection. Many of the newsreels are silent films.

The ones shown on the website are:

Dedication of the Hebrew University and speech by Earl Arthur Balfour (1925)

1929 disturbances against Jews, a crude Jewish barricade, and the arrival of aBritish naval ship in an attempt to restore order.

Thousands of American Jews take part in [1929 "monster"] demonstration before offices of the British Consul, demanding protection for their kinsmen in Palestine. New York, U.S.

“In Palestine Today (1938)” shows how the British restored peace in Jerusalem with the loss of “only” 9 people:

Jesus … will come in the same way as you saw him go

These words should be familiar to all Bible readers: they are the words of the “two men … in white robes” (a common way of describing angels) – it is what they said to the disciples as their astonished eyes watched their Lord ascend upwards “and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9-11). We suspect it was no ordinary cloud, but like the cloud that Moses climbed up into on the mountain (Exodus 24:16).

Countless generations of Bible believers have looked for their Lord to descend from heaven in their lifetime. The disciples had asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (verse 6) and were told by their Lord they were to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem” – but ultimately that the witnessing was to be “to the end of the earth” (verse 8). He had said this earlier, also on the mount of Olives, “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The other sign which Jesus gave, which Luke also recorded, was that “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (21:24). Today, Jerusalem is constantly a centre of world attention – and the returned Jews have made it the capital of their resurrected country. The evidence is plain that the climax of the ages is near. But we know, and must emphasize that it was not for his disciples, then or now, to know exactly when. Notice again the answer of Jesus when the disciples asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (verse 6). They were commissioned to be “my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria” (verse 8). It is for true believers today tocomplete that commission “… and to the end of the earth”.

Are you his disciple? Are you helping this commission to be carried out? If you are, you will be really looking for his return “in the same way (as the disciples) saw him go into heaven”.

As his disciple you will be following the examples given in the book of Acts, which we have now started reading. Notice the way in which the Old Testament is often quoted as an essential part of that message. It tells us many details of the Kingdom Jesus will set up, also giving us examples of faithful service (and failures) as we are reading in the book of Deuteronomy.

When Russia Moves

Russia is flexing her Imperial muscles. The Russians (known as the Rus) came from the Ukraine, thus the Ukraine is historical Russia, established in the ninth century. The Duke of Kiev in AD988 adopted the Orthodox form of Christianity from the influence of the Byzantine Empire based in Constantinople. When the Tartar-Mongols invaded in the mid 13th century, many Rus (Russians) fled to the north.

Russia needs the Ukraine and Crimea – warm water ports, her navy is based in Crimea, the bulk of her oil/gas lines go through, and so on. Without the Ukraine, Russia cannot be an empire, and this is precisely what she has in mind. How do we know? Bible prophecy speaks of a time when “the prince of Rosh (Russia), Meshech and Tubal”, along with her allies, will invade the land of Israel – “into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel which had long been desolate” (Ezekiel 38). This is the time when God will take action (v18-23).

Russia, by virtue of links with the emperors of Constantinople (the last princess married the rising tribal leader of Muscovy, thus her blood-line is in the Tsars) and the Orthodox Church, will fulfil the role of the inheritor of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium). When she occupies ancient Constantinople, the prophecy of Daniel 2 will ensure its final fulfilment. The two legs, Western Rome (the modern EU) and Eastern Rome (Russia occupying Constantinople) will then unite to invade Israel. “The King of the North … shall enter the countries, overwhelm them and pass through. He shall also enter the glorious land and many countries shall be overthrown… and he shall plant the tents of his power between the seas and the glorious holy mountain (Jerusalem)” (Daniel 11:40-45).

The invasion of Israel will have a religious as well as a political intent. “All nations will be gathered against Jerusalem to battle” (Zechariah 14:2; Joel 3:2) as they attempt to wrest Jerusalem from Jewish control.

This will result in a dreadful time for Israel, and result in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to take control of his city, his land, and ultimately “the Lord shall be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:8).

Are you ready when the Lord comes to judge the living and the dead?

Pope Francis and Atheists

A few weeks ago, Pope Francis said that atheists can do good and go to heaven too! Catholic Online 25-May-13

He explained that atheists can be led to God by doing good. He said, “We are judged by a just God who will welcome us based on what we have done with what we knew. Those who do not know God will be judged on the good they have done and the values lived by.”

But the Bible teaches: “He that comes to God must believe that He is” (Hebrews 11:6).

The issue is faith and works. Ordained a Catholic priest in 1507, Martin Luther found from his Bible studies that good works do NOT make a man good, but a good man does good works. The essential difference is FAITH. We learn and slowly develop faith, an absolutely acceptance of what God has promised. Faith only comes by ONE process – “hearing the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

We have to make the mental change FIRST. “Let this MIND be in your which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5), and then good works will be the natural outcome of the conscience.

Start reading your Bible. “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5). Christ is the mediator, the High priest, we need no priest of the Church to bring us to God.

Heaven? God never promised heaven! He promised “dominion over the earth” (Genesis 1:26) for “the heavens are the Lords, but the earth has he given to the children of men.” (Psalm 115:16) We wait for the day with the “Lord shall be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9).

Istanbul in Bible Prophecy

Istanbul occupies one of the beautiful positions in the world. Straddling the Bosphorus, the narrow strait leads into the Black Sea and gives Russia access to warm water ports.

Byzantium was selected by Constantinople as Nova Roma, the New Rome. In Bible terms it was the eastern leg of Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Daniel 2:40-45). Perhaps its most illustrious ruler was Emperor Justinian, mid 6^th century. He codified Roman Law which is the basis of European law. He rebuild Constantinople after fires destroyed much of the old city. His greatest achievement was the Hagia Sophia (the Church of Holy Wisdom) with a high central dome. It was the largest church in the world for years.

Istanbul has been under the Turks since a dramatic siege in 1453. The Emperor, Constantine XI, died fighting on the walls with his men. His only heir and niece, Sophia, was offered two marriages, and she chose the rising leader, Ivan, in Muscovy. Among her luggage, Sophia took the royal regalia, crowns and beautiful carved ivory throne depicting the double-headed eagle on the back. This throne was ordered by Justinian who patterned some of his royal customs on King Solomon of the defunct Kingdom of Israel.

Of all the beast empires (outlined in Daniel 7), the fourth beast (Roman) was the most dominant and rapacious. It not only conquered, but tore in pieces and trampled every last vestige of those it conquered (Daniel 7:7). This is clearly demonstrated in its subjugation of Judea in AD66-70. Marching through the land from north to south, they took each town, while those who could escape, fled to the fortress of Jerusalem, the worst siege in history. The city was levelled according to the words of Jesus (Matthew 24:2-28).

The Romans regard the one who possesses the royal regalia as having the authority to rule. So from Ivan of Moscow and his wife Sophie, came the first Tzar of Russia. All the Tzars were crowned on the beautiful ivory throne of Justinian. Thus, say the historians, Russia became the legal heir of the Eastern Roman Empire. When the Muslims took over Constantinople, they closed the churches. The Greek priests left, taking their precious manuscripts with them. Within 5 years, Greek was being taught in the University of Paris, and the manuscripts were available for students. The Greek New Testament helped Martin Luther to see that the Church had changed Bible teaching. Latin had distorted the doctrine of God.

Islam however, absorbed the wisdom and sciences of the world of the East (the old empires such as the Babylonian and Persia) when the wisdom and culture flowed from the East to the West. It was not until after the Renaissance that the flow changed, from West to East. Recently a documentary has been produced which portrays two different worlds, different points of view, different perspectives. …between works inspired by revelation and the works that are the product of the human mind – the Prophet Abraham, the former, and Alexander the Great, the latter.”

Standing in the Hagia Sophia today (the Church of Holy Wisdom), the Muslims have plastered over many mosaics and erected huge circular plaques to honour Allah and his prophet Mohammed. When Russia occupies the city, she will do so as the Roman Eastern “leg” of Daniel 2:35, the eastern section of the revived Roman Empire (the modern EU). The Orthodox Church will be restored to its ancient pre-eminent religious position and then the Muslim plaques will be removed. But Russia’s occupation of Constantinople will be short lived. It is possible that Istanbul will share the fate of Rome (Revelation 18) when the Lord arrives to elevate Zion as the pre-eminent city of the world.

Who is the “antichrist

Who is the “antichrist”

The word “antichrist” is found only 5 times in the Bible, all in the Letters of John. In the Greek, “antichrist” means either against Christ or instead of Christ. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary), “one who, assuming the guise of Christ, opposes Christ” (Westcott).

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18).

“Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22).

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:1-3).

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 1:7).

According to the inspired words of John, everyone who does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came “in the flesh” is a member of antichrist! John wrote these words because there were people in his day claiming that Jesus was a spirit who only used a body for 33 years and then discarded the body when he died. Tragically, there are still people today who believe and teach that Jesus was a pre-existing spirit who took on a body for his life on earth and then left the body when it was killed. The apostle says that this is antichrist teaching because it separates Jesus from his body and teaches that Jesus did not really come “in the flesh” since, according to these people, he could exist without the body.

The truth of the matter is that Jesus was born of a human mother, with God as his father (Luke 1: 34.35; 2 John 1:3). Because his mother was human, Jesus inherited a nature like ours which can be tempted to sin (Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15), and like everyone since the days of Adam he inherited mortality (Romans 5:12-14). The body of Jesus was exactly like ours and he could no more leave his body than we can leave our own. When the body of Jesus died, Jesus himself died and remained dead for three days (Acts 2:23-32; Matthew 16:21). After that, Jesus (including his body) was resurrected and his body changed to flesh and spirit instead of flesh and blood (Luke 24: 36-43; Acts 2:24,32). Jesus himself said after his resurrection:

“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39).

In this way, the Bible explains to us that Jesus Christ did actually come “in the flesh”. God warns us in His Word that to separate Jesus from his flesh is deadly wrong, for this is the teaching of antichrist.

Notice how the Bible uses “antichrist” to describe anyone who does not teach that Jesus really came “in the flesh”. There actually is no such thing in the Bible as one “future Antichrist”, because antichrists were already in existence during John’s day and many more arose during the following centuries. Antichrists are also in existence NOW since there are many false prophets today who do not teach that Jesus Christ came “in the flesh”. Therefore, it is completely unbiblical to speak of one “future Antichrist” and this alone should teach us to beware of the “future