Van Morrison - A Sense of Wonder
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Monday, August 1, 2016
Jesus, the Book of Daniel and the Temple Institute
The book of Daniel not only contains many specific prophecies about the latter days, but also one that even Jesus Himself mentions to His disciples when talking about the end of the world:
When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand) then let them which be in Judah flee into the mountains: … For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.[1]
The fact that Jesus quotes from Daniel should motivate us to do a bit of study on the subject. Some eschatologists believe “the holy place” that Jesus was talking about could be a rebuilt Jewish temple on the Temple Mount. Presently in Jerusalem there exists an organization called the Temple Institute which is preparing for the eventual rebuilding of a Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where today stands the Muslim’s Mosque of Omar. Read the following introduction to their site:
SHALOM AND WELCOME to the official website of the TEMPLE INSTITUTE in Jerusalem, Israel. The Temple Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and the central role it fulfilled, and will once again fulfill, in the spiritual well being of both Israel and all the nations of the world. The Institute's work touches upon the history of the Holy Temple's past, an understanding of the present day, and the Divine promise of Israel's future. The Institute's activities include education, research, and development. The Temple Institute's ultimate goal is to see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, in accord with the Biblical commandments.[2]
Following the Six-Day War of 1967, Christianity Today published an article saying,
Israeli government representatives have ordered 60,000 tons of the finest Bedford stone from Bedford, Indiana to be used in the erection of the Jerusalem Temple….The cornerstones for the Third Temple are already in Israel. Materials for this Temple have been secretly in preparations for seven years.[3]
The Temple Institute argues that the above report is false. They say that the abundance of stones available in Israel makes the report highly unlikely. However, they do not deny the possibility of the stones having been already cut and prepared. If true, the stones necessary for the rebuilding of the Temple could be present in Israel at this very moment and could be assembled in a short period of time. All the various Temple ornaments have been carefully created in conformity with the instructions given by Moses for the original items.[4]
The news article Preparing for the Third Temple by Daniel Ben Simon reinforces the ideas of the Temple Institute.
The author of the article goes on a visit to the Jewish Quarter of Old Jerusalem to see what preparations are being made for the building of the new Temple. For many Israelis the building of the Third Temple has become an all-consuming passion and work. They believe that the time may be just right for its establishment and want to do all they can to hasten the day when it will stand where the First and Second Temples once stood.
One of the elite soldiers of the Temple who has dedicated his life to the Third Temple’s construction is Yehuda Glick. Since moving from New York to Israel, Glick has been preparing for the great day when the building will be constructed. The Temple will be the Jewish people’s most holy place on earth. Until then, he spends his time as a Temple Mount activist and serves as a
tourist guide to foreign visitors.
To Glick, there is no greater sensation in life than walking on the ground of the Temple Mount where Abraham offered sacrifice to God. Glick believes that the state of Israel is a Divine move, and the culminating manifestation of that Divine move will be the construction of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount.[5]
In similar fashion, the Jewish community of Shiloh, where the original Tabernacle stood before the building of the First Temple, is carefully sewing the veil of the Temple. The veil will be needed to enclose the “Holy of Holies.” The “Holy of Holies” is the area of the Temple where only the High Priest is able to enter, and only on one specific day of the year. Here’s a section of an article from May 2014 found in the magazine Israel Today called Jewish Women Recreating Temple Veil.
If the Jewish Temple is ever to be rebuilt in Jerusalem, the massive curtain—66 feet high by 33 feet wide and 2 inches thick—that once hung in the Second Temple and was consumed by fire in A.D. 70, will need to be recreated. That task is already underway in the Jewish community of Shiloh, located in biblical Samaria about 40 minutes north of Jerusalem, reports Israel Today. For more than two years women from the community have been working to assemble the materials and learn the techniques needed to weave the veil that will hang between, and separate, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.[6]
The Orthodox Jews who are preparing for the Temple’s reconstruction obviously take prophecy seriously. Many Christian Bible scholars agree that the reconstruction of the Third Temple is one of the main end-time events which ushers in the last three and half year period of world history known as the Great Tribulation. Are you aware of the prophecies concerning the rebuilding of the Temple and the beginning of animal sacrifices by the Jews on the Temple Mount? Are you aware of the Holy Covenant which seems to bring about the peace agreement in the Middle East? Do you know what the breaking of the covenant signifies, or in other words, who will break the covenant and what will happen afterwards? If you took Bible prophecy seriously, you would not be answerless and empty-headed when asked these questions.
[1] Matthew 24:15,16 & 21
[2] https://www.templeinstitute.org/ (accessed 03/2016)
[3] http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/temple.htm (accessed 03/2016)
[4] http://www.templemount.org/tempprep.html (accessed 03/2016)
[5] Daniel Ben Simon, "Preparing For The Third Temple," Al-Monitor Israel Pulse, June 7, 2013 (accessed 03/2016)
[6] Israel Today, "Jewish Woman Recreating Temple Veil," May 28, 2014.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Loving God in Word and in Deed
By Peter Amsterdam
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”—Colossians 3:17
In word
The age-old problem many of us often face is finding the time to read and study God’s Word. We all have a desire to read and study the Word, but there always seems to be so much to do! It helps to remind ourselves that if we take the time with Him in personal prayer, hearing from Him and reading His Word, then He can enhance our efforts and help us to do whatever work He knows needs to get done.
With the great responsibilities that we each carry—the strength and wisdom necessary for the work the Lord has called us to do can be found in spending time with Him in prayer and meditating on His Word. Taking a few minutes throughout the day to praise and thank the Lord can help us incorporate time with Him into our daily lives as we acknowledge Him and spend precious moments resting in His arms, telling Him how much we love Him and need Him.
The interesting thing about praise is that the more you get in the habit of praising the Lord, the more you want to, and the easier it becomes. Praise is so important, because praise is the voice of faith. And we know that this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.1 I think sometimes we underestimate the power of praise and how tremendously effective it is in bringing the Lord’s Spirit into our lives, enabling us to resist the attacks of the Enemy, and helping us to be more positive, more cheerful, and more uplifting to those around us.
The Lord loves praise! He dwells in the praises of His people. The Lord wants us to praise Him in all situations—especially when we don’t feel like it. Even when we’re tempted to be out of it, or critical, or to complain a little bit—either in our thoughts or with our words—if we’ll just make a conscious effort to think about our blessings, to dwell on all the good, to concentrate on all that the Lord has done for us and all the ways that He’s kept us, and blessed and prospered and protected us, then I think it’ll do a lot to help us get over any bad habits we may have where our first reactions are negative, fretful, or even just indifferent.
I’m reminded of a story about a preacher, Dr. Alexander Whyte, who was famous for being so praiseful in his prayers. He always found something to thank the Lord for, even in bad times. One stormy morning a member of his congregation thought to himself, “The preacher won’t have anything to thank God for on a terrible morning like this.” But he began his prayer, “We thank Thee, O God, that it’s not always like this.” What a good example of looking at things positively and being praiseful.
If we pray desperately and ask the Lord to help us, and set our minds to it, I believe He can help us to overcome our natural negative reactions to difficult circumstances and become a lot more praiseful. Not only would it make the Lord a lot happier, but it would make all of us a lot happier too.
Praise is powerful. The Lord wants our praise. So why not make a conscious effort to be more praiseful; to replace negative thoughts with positive, thankful, praiseful thoughts. Let’s also try as much as possible in our speech and in our interactions with others to glorify the Lord, as Preacher Whyte did, by praising Him and acknowledging how He’s blessed us, instead of complaining or getting down or reacting negatively.
In deed
The two greatest commandments are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.2 Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.”3
Love is the lifeblood of Christianity. Love is the foundation, the cornerstone. Love is what Christians should be known for. Our love for one another should be like a soft, warm, cozy blanket that wraps gently around each of us, in which we find comfort and security, peace and understanding.
It is that simple, unconditional, brotherly love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things,” the type that “never fails.4 I’m talking about the kind of love that understands, forgives, and reaches out a helping hand to love without partiality. The kind of love that loves the unlovely, looks past one another’s faults and shortcomings, sees the Lord in others, and sees each individual as someone who’s given their heart and life to Jesus and who deserves to be accepted, nurtured, cared for, and loved.
We can be the manifestation of His love to others. The concern, sympathy, patience, faith, understanding and love that we show for another may be the very thing that will give that person the faith, courage, and strength to keep going, to fight on, and to win the victory. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me.”5 This is a good question to ask ourselves—have I treated others as I would treat Jesus? Have I been the example of the Lord’s love that He wants me to be?
Let’s give of our time, be a listening ear, and open our hearts and lives to others. Let’s be swift to forgive and forget. Let’s do our best to be hospitable and share our earthly goods with others in need when we’re able. Let’s be a strong shoulder to lean on or cry on, and an example of the Lord’s unconditional love. Let’s not jump to conclusions or judge unfairly, but instead give the benefit of the doubt to those who are struggling. Let’s bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.6
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”—2 Thessalonians 2:16–177
Originally published January 1998. Adapted and republished June 2014.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 1 John 5:4.
2 See Mark 12:30–31.
3 John 13:35.
4 1 Corinthians 13.
5 Matthew 25:40.
6 Galatians 6:2.
7 NIV.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”—Colossians 3:17
In word
The age-old problem many of us often face is finding the time to read and study God’s Word. We all have a desire to read and study the Word, but there always seems to be so much to do! It helps to remind ourselves that if we take the time with Him in personal prayer, hearing from Him and reading His Word, then He can enhance our efforts and help us to do whatever work He knows needs to get done.
With the great responsibilities that we each carry—the strength and wisdom necessary for the work the Lord has called us to do can be found in spending time with Him in prayer and meditating on His Word. Taking a few minutes throughout the day to praise and thank the Lord can help us incorporate time with Him into our daily lives as we acknowledge Him and spend precious moments resting in His arms, telling Him how much we love Him and need Him.
The interesting thing about praise is that the more you get in the habit of praising the Lord, the more you want to, and the easier it becomes. Praise is so important, because praise is the voice of faith. And we know that this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.1 I think sometimes we underestimate the power of praise and how tremendously effective it is in bringing the Lord’s Spirit into our lives, enabling us to resist the attacks of the Enemy, and helping us to be more positive, more cheerful, and more uplifting to those around us.
The Lord loves praise! He dwells in the praises of His people. The Lord wants us to praise Him in all situations—especially when we don’t feel like it. Even when we’re tempted to be out of it, or critical, or to complain a little bit—either in our thoughts or with our words—if we’ll just make a conscious effort to think about our blessings, to dwell on all the good, to concentrate on all that the Lord has done for us and all the ways that He’s kept us, and blessed and prospered and protected us, then I think it’ll do a lot to help us get over any bad habits we may have where our first reactions are negative, fretful, or even just indifferent.
I’m reminded of a story about a preacher, Dr. Alexander Whyte, who was famous for being so praiseful in his prayers. He always found something to thank the Lord for, even in bad times. One stormy morning a member of his congregation thought to himself, “The preacher won’t have anything to thank God for on a terrible morning like this.” But he began his prayer, “We thank Thee, O God, that it’s not always like this.” What a good example of looking at things positively and being praiseful.
If we pray desperately and ask the Lord to help us, and set our minds to it, I believe He can help us to overcome our natural negative reactions to difficult circumstances and become a lot more praiseful. Not only would it make the Lord a lot happier, but it would make all of us a lot happier too.
Praise is powerful. The Lord wants our praise. So why not make a conscious effort to be more praiseful; to replace negative thoughts with positive, thankful, praiseful thoughts. Let’s also try as much as possible in our speech and in our interactions with others to glorify the Lord, as Preacher Whyte did, by praising Him and acknowledging how He’s blessed us, instead of complaining or getting down or reacting negatively.
In deed
The two greatest commandments are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.2 Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.”3
Love is the lifeblood of Christianity. Love is the foundation, the cornerstone. Love is what Christians should be known for. Our love for one another should be like a soft, warm, cozy blanket that wraps gently around each of us, in which we find comfort and security, peace and understanding.
It is that simple, unconditional, brotherly love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things,” the type that “never fails.4 I’m talking about the kind of love that understands, forgives, and reaches out a helping hand to love without partiality. The kind of love that loves the unlovely, looks past one another’s faults and shortcomings, sees the Lord in others, and sees each individual as someone who’s given their heart and life to Jesus and who deserves to be accepted, nurtured, cared for, and loved.
We can be the manifestation of His love to others. The concern, sympathy, patience, faith, understanding and love that we show for another may be the very thing that will give that person the faith, courage, and strength to keep going, to fight on, and to win the victory. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me.”5 This is a good question to ask ourselves—have I treated others as I would treat Jesus? Have I been the example of the Lord’s love that He wants me to be?
Let’s give of our time, be a listening ear, and open our hearts and lives to others. Let’s be swift to forgive and forget. Let’s do our best to be hospitable and share our earthly goods with others in need when we’re able. Let’s be a strong shoulder to lean on or cry on, and an example of the Lord’s unconditional love. Let’s not jump to conclusions or judge unfairly, but instead give the benefit of the doubt to those who are struggling. Let’s bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.6
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”—2 Thessalonians 2:16–177
Originally published January 1998. Adapted and republished June 2014.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
1 1 John 5:4.
2 See Mark 12:30–31.
3 John 13:35.
4 1 Corinthians 13.
5 Matthew 25:40.
6 Galatians 6:2.
7 NIV.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Things That Are an Abomination to God
The following is a list of things which are an abomination to God as found in the Bible. I will not make much commentation, but let the Scriptures speak for themselves.
Leviticus 18:22, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." (Compare Leviticus 20:13) This is homosexuality.
1. Deuteronomy 18:10-12, "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,(This is what Reiki and other occult practices are actually doing.) or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD."
A. Passing through the fire is the literal sacrifice of children in a sacrificial fire.
B. Divination is one who claims secret knowledge, especially of the future. Sometimes it is translated witchcraft, and is used of false prophets. (Reiki claims to give you some secret knowledge that will give you healing powers and make your life better.)
C. An observer of times is one who pretends to foretell the future. Sometimes translated a soothsayer, or fortune-teller.
D. An enchanter is like someone who observes serpents (all have seen the flute player as he charms the snake).
E. A witch is one who uses witchcraft, a sorcerer.
F.A charmer is one who supposedly casts a spell.
G. A consulter with familiar spirits is one who consults an oracle for information.(Reiki calls it calling on your angel spirit helpers)
H. A wizard is a wise man, perhaps one who claims to be wiser than he is, and that he can do more than he really can.
I. A necromancer is one who claims to consult, or inquire with the dead.
2. Deuteronomy 25:16, "For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God." (In this context the Lord is speaking of weighing and measuring fairly and properly with weights and measures.)
3. Deuteronomy 27:15, "Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD." (Speaking of things to be worshiped, in other words, in today context it would mean the worship of material things instead of God).
4. Proverbs 6:16-19, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look (pride), a lying tongue (a liar), and hands that shed innocent blood (abortionist/murderer), An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
5. Proverbs 3:32, "For the froward (perverse, devious) is abomination to the LORD:"
6. Proverbs 15:9, "The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but He loveth him that followeth after righteousness."
7. Proverbs 16:5, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD:"
8. Proverbs 17:15, "He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD."
9. Proverbs 24:9, "The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men." (This is speaking of mocking and scoffing at others.)
10. Proverbs 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
11. Ezekiel 18:12,13, "Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? He shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him." (Could this be the International Bankers?)
12. Ezekiel 22:11, "And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour’s wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee had humbled his sister, his father’s daughter."
13. Malachi 2:11, "Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god."
14. Luke 16:15, "And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteem among men is abomination in the sight of God."
15. Revelation 21:27, "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life."
16. Leviticus 18:19-26, immorality, adultery, sacrificing children to Moloch, homosexuality, bestiality, etc.
17. Deuteronomy 20:18, the worship and service to false gods.
18. II Kings 23:24, "Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations"
