Tag: bible

THE EMERGENT CHURCH and how little Christians know about it.

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Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

November 2025

THE EMERGENT CHURCH

and how little Christians know about it.

  One part of the future reign of Antichrist is the Bride of Antichrist, the One World Church.  One aspect of that group is called the Emergent Church, and it is about to submerge your church. The tragic thing about all of this is that most people in these churches do not even know it!  Here are some warning signs:

  • Scripture is no longer the ultimate authority as the basis for the Christian faith.
  • The centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by humanistic methods promoting church growth and a social gospel.
  • More and more emphasis is being placed on building the kingdom of God now and less and less on the warnings of Scripture about the imminent return of Jesus Christ and a coming judgment in the future.
  • The teaching that Jesus Christ will rule and reign in a literal millennial period is considered unbiblical and heretical.
  • The teaching that the church has taken the place of Israel and Israel has no prophetic significance is often embraced.
  • The teaching that the book of Revelation does not refer to the future, but instead has already been fulfilled in the past or is allegorical.
  • An experiential mystical form of Christianity needs to be reinvented in order to provide meaning for this generation.
  • The pastor may implement an idea called “ancient-future” or “vintage Christianity,” claiming that in order to take the church forward, we need to go back in church history and find out what experiences were effective to get people to embrace Christianity.
  • While the authority of the Word of God is undermined, images and sensual experiences are promoted as the key to experiencing and knowing God.
  • These experiences include icons, candles, incense, liturgy, labyrinths, prayer stations, contemplative prayer, and experiencing the sacraments (for Protestants), particularly the sacrament of the Eucharist.
  • There seems to be a strong emphasis on ecumenism, indicating that a bridge is being established that leads in the direction of unity with the Roman Catholic Church. This will ultimately lead to the one world religion of Revelation.
  • Some “evangelical” Protestant leaders are saying that the Reformation went too far.  They are reexamining the claims of the “church fathers,” saying that communion is more than a symbol and that Jesus actually becomes present in the wafer at communion.
  • Some suggest there are many ways to God.
  • Members of churches who question or resist the new changes that the pastor is implementing are reprimanded and usually asked to leave.  If you are over age 50, your opinion will not even matter. 

  There still may be time to stop your church from “submerging” to “Emerging”, but only if you act decisively and in union with others in your church who feel the same.  A delegation of one or two will never impress church leadership, who already think this “new way of doing church” is better than warm  bagels and who have swallowed the Emergent deception.  And make no mistake, it is deception.

 

  When some of the following are lauded from the pulpit or Sunday School class, you need to take that as a clue: Rob Bell, Doug Pagitt, Dan Kimball, Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Dallas Willard, Erwin McManus, and many others, too numerous to name.  You may think it harmless to have a pastor just give a quote from one of these men, but when you understand that they represent the above bullet points, it should be a huge red flag. 

  We all need to take heed of Matthew 7:15-20, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

 

Printed with permission of Today, the Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136 the name of the original article in the November 2025 issue of Today’s Front Page was “THE EMERGENT CHURCH and how little Christians know about it.” www.JohnBarela.com 

Muslim “Messiah” Calls for Arabs to Build Jewish Temple

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Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

July 2025

Muslim “Messiah” Calls for Arabs to

Build Jewish Temple:

Could the predicted Islamic Mahdi (Messiah)

be the long-awaited Antichrist?

 Why does Islam hate Israel and Biblical Christianity so much?  We can clearly see the reason for the worldwide activity of the rise of Islam in this article.

  Twelver Shia Islam is the dominant religion in Iran.  This is a place where there is a strong belief in the Imam Mahdi, the twelfth and final Imam.  He is believed to be the divinely guided leader who will emerge at the end of time to rid the world of evil and injustice and establish a just global society.

  What is Iran’s connection to Mahdism?:  Twelver refers to those who believe in the 12th Imam, who is to rise upon the world scene and bring world conquest of Islam.  Some Bible students believe this 12th Imam could be the predicted Antichrist.

  • Twelver Shia Islam: Iran’s government and power structure are primarily “twelvers,” who believe in the Mahdi’s eventual return.
  • Mahdism as a guiding ideology:  The belief in the Mahdi, known as Mahdism plays a significant role in  Iranian political and religious discourse.  It is seen as a source of hope and inspiration, particularly in times of difficulty.
  • Preparing for the  Mahdi’s return: According to Mahdism, preparing for the Mahdi’s reappearance involves removing obstacles to his return.  This can be interpreted in various ways and has sometimes been linked to political goals.
  • Religious occasions and celebrations: The birthday of Imam Mahdi is a major religious occasion celebrated across Iran, highlighting the importance of this belief in the country’s culture.

  Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith and are the two main in Islam.  Their main difference is a political one.  These political differences have spawned several varying practices and positions that have come to carry spiritual significance.  For example, Sunni Muslims emphasize the authority of the elected caliphs, whereas Shia Muslims hold that leadership should have remained within the Prophet Muhammad’s family, specifically with his cousin and son-in-law, Ali.  Despite these differences, both groups continue to uphold the core tenets of Islam. 

  The call for the Mahdi’s return:  While the exact time of the  Mahdi’s reappearance is unknown, the belief in his coming is a central tenant for Twelver Shias, including those in Iran.  The “call for the Mahdi to come” refers to the fervent expectation and longing for his return, which is believed to bring about an era of justice and peace.

  Several weeks ago, Israel365 News published an article about Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, commonly known as Abdullah Hashem, an Egyptian-American and the founder of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL).  Abdullah Hashem claims to be the “living successor of both Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ,” and his sermons bring “a divine message to the global Christian community.”  He also claims to be “the successor to Simon Peter, the successor to Jesus Christ, the true and legitimate Pope.” [That statement alone reveals that Abdullah is as false as a $3.33 bill.]  He claims to be the Mahdi, a Messianic figure and a redeemer of Islam who will come as an end-of-days ruler.

  After the article was published, Israel365 News was contacted by Arnaud al Almahdi, a spokesperson for the organization.  He released a statement outlining a proposal by Abdullah Hashem for peace between the Palestinians and Israel based on the Arab world joining with Jews in the construction of the Third Temple in Jerusalem:

  “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Groundbreaking Solution Proposed for Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Call for Unity and Peace [May 2025] — In a bold and defining development, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq (From Him is Peace), identified as the Riser of the Family of Mohammed in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light has presented a compelling vision for lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”

  This initiative calls for a joint effort between the Arabs and Jews to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.  It also calls for the exodus of the Palestinians from Gaza and the creation of a new state headed by a descendant and heir to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH  and his family.)

  In a direct appeal, Aba Al-Sadiq calls upon Benjamin Netanyahu to grant freedom to the two million Palestinians, envisioning their secured future in a new, Divine Just State.  He also calls for recognition from both sides that he, as a representative of Mohammed, be the negotiator between the two parties.  Contact: [The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light]

  Opinion: He claims to be the Mahdi.  I have often credited Muslims for knowing Islamic eschatology while criticizing Christians for not knowing Bible prophecy better than most Christians.  I will come back to that in a moment.

So who is the Mahdi?

 Iranians believe that Muslims should prepare the world for the coming of the Imam Mahdi, who will establish Islamic rule around the world and clean up the planet from those who do not practice Islam.

  Apocalyptic Muslims have long believed that the appearance of Mahdi would coincide with a civil war in the lands of Sham (Syria), which will destroy the country.

  The Shiite clerics of Iran believe that Mahdi is the child of Muhammad, the “hidden Imam” and the twelfth Imam. They argue that Muhammad al Mahdi was born thousands of years ago and disappeared to reappear later when certain signs emerge.  Shiites believe that at the end of times, the 12th Imam will appear with Jesus Christ at his side, kill all the infidels and raise the flag of Islam in all four corners of the world.

   Ayatollah Khamenei told Iranians back in July 2010 that he personally met with the Twelfth Imam.  He also claimed to  be the personal representative of the Mahdi on earth, and said all Muslims must “obey him.”

   “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”(Revelation 6:2)

  The conqueror’s crown (stephanos) is a dead giveaway of a false messiah.

  Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq is paraphrasing (Daniel 9:27):

  “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’  In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.  And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”  This is the NIV text that was used.

   In this prophecy, a 7-year (Hebrew shabua = week or 7, or a week of years) peace treaty is made between Israel and her neighbors (many).  That he, Antichrist, will bring an end to animal sacrifice indicates the 3rd temple, the only place sacrifices can be made. 

  How clever.  We have often speculated that Antichrist will have to find a way to allow a Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount while placating Arabs. 

How does the Islamic Mahdi compare

with the Biblical definition of Antichrist?

   Muslims are trying to bring their messiah into the world Pastor Michael Youssef wrote a book entitled, The End Times & The Secret of the Mahdi, where Pastor Youssef suggests that Antichrist will be the Mahdi of Islam.

  Pastor Michael describes in his book how worldwide events occurring right now are leading to those events in prophesied in the Book of Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible.

 “I came to the conclusion that we are coming into the period of time like we have never seen before in history,”  Youssef said.  He is from Cairo, Egypt, and said he deeply loves the Islamic people but believes Islam is leading toward the dark days of the Antichrist.  Youssef says, “He will lull the world into believing in him, even worshipping him as their messiah. But he will end up abusing humanity like it’s never been tormented before. 

  Most people who haven’t even read the Bible have heard of the man known as “The Antichrist.” According to the Bible, the Antichrist will be possessed by Satan, who will rule on earth during the Great Tribulation.  The Antichrist is only referred to once by that specific name (1st John 2:18).  Some of the various various names Scripture uses to identify the Antichrist are the “the Beast” (Revelation 13:4), “the abomination that causes desolation” (Matthew 24:15), “the desolator” (Daniel 9:27), “the man of sin,” “the man of lawlessness,” “the son of destruction” (2nd Thessalonians 2) “the little horn” (Daniel 7:8), “The Assyrian” (Micah 5:5, Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah 14:25), “the oppressor’, “the king of Babylon” (Isaiah 14) and even the mysterious “Gog” (Ezekiel 38:1, Revelation 20:7). 

  Why do some seem to believe that the

Antichrist and the Mahdi are one and the same?

 God tells us the Antichrist will emerge as a man who will lead a very powerful world empire, as Hitler led Germany, but on a much greater scale.  This powerful leadership role of the Antichrist is first described clearly in the Bible by the prophet Daniel.  In the book of Daniel, in the seventh chapter, Daniel describes four very unique “beasts”.  After describing the first three, Daniel says this of the fourth: 

 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.  I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” (Daniel 7:7, 8)

  Then, in verse 15-17, Daniel asks an angel in his vision to explain the interpretation of the vision of the four beasts.  The angel explains that the four beasts represent four very great kingdoms or empires: “I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.  I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this.  So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.  These great beasts, which are four are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” (Daniel 7:15-17)

 Essentially, the angel explains that the fourth kingdom will be an empire that will cause great destruction to the whole earth.  Initially, this kingdom will consist of ten kings.  Then another king, an eleventh, will arise and will displace three of the previous kings. This eleventh king is the Antichrist first referred to as “the little horn”.  Thus we see that based on the vision that Daniel was given, the Antichrist is a future king who will first gain control over three other kingdoms or nations, and eventually over ten thus forming his future ten-nation “Beast” empire. It will be an empire of unparalleled power and ferocity, which will “devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it”. 

 The king is said to oppress the saints of God for a period of time and that most Bible scholars agree is three and a half years (a time, times, and half a time).  But eventually, his dominion will be taken away, and replaced by the kingdom of “The Most High” God.

  The Mahdi As World Ruler: As we have seen from the Islamic traditions and Muslim scholars, the Mahdi, like the Antichrist, is also prophesied to be a political and military world leader unparalleled by any other throughout world history.  The Mahdi is said to “fight against the forces of evil, lead a world revolution and set up a new world order based on justice, righteousness, and virtue.”  According to Islamic tradition, the Mahdi is said to preside over the entire earth as the final Caliph of Islam.  And the Muslims will, “take the world administration in their hands and Islam will be victorious over all the religions.”  Without question, Islam views the Mahdi as one whose rule will extend over all of the earth.  This is why many see that the Antichrist and the Mahdi are both described as being political and military leaders that the world has never before seen.  While many powerful leaders have arisen throughout world history, the descriptions given concerning both the Antichrist and the Mahdi surpass any that have yet arisen.  But the Mahdi and the Antichrist are both described as being more than merely political and military leaders. They are both viewed as being supreme religious leaders as well. 

 The Mahdi as a Spiritual World Leader: The Mahdi of Islam will also be the leader worldwide worship movement. It will be a worship movement that will seek to cause anyone who practices any religion other than Islam to renounce their faith and worship Allah, the god of Islam. The Mahdi, will govern the people by the Sunnah of their Prophet and establish Islam on Earth.  And they teach Islam will be victorious over all the religions.

  Many are surprised to hear that deep in the heart of Texas, just outside of Dallas, is the new community of Epic City, a totally Muslim City.  Amy Mek sees it as the beginning of the end.  It is a big change for Texas. That’s for sure certain.  But fortunately, the governor has stopped any further construction at the present time. Why? Because Islam is a total way of life, political, social, religious, and there can be no other way. Sharia Law cannot coexist with the US Constitution. The U.S. needs people to assimilate. 

 Moreover, there are 306 Mosques in Texas.  A random selection of cities, including Houston and Sugar Land, features a substantial number of mosque locations, 76 in Houston and 12 in Sugar Land.  Houston accounts for approximately 24.84% of all mosque locations in the United States.

  The Mahdi / Antichrist will be the leader of a world revolution that will institute a “new world order” that will be based on the religion of Islam.  Islam will be the only religion that will be allowed to be practiced.  Both the Antichrist and the Mahdi are said to be the unqualified leaders of a global religious movement that will draw worship away from the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus Christ.  As we will see clearly in later chapters, inherent in the worship of Allah within the context of Islam is a direct denial of the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus Christ.  In fact, this is the reason that some Muslims feel so strongly as to say that the Mahdi will, “eradicate those pigs and dogs” — the Christians and the Jews who refuse to convert to Islam.  This leads us to the next obvious similarity between the Antichrist and the Mahdi.

  The Antichrist’s Targeted Campaign Against Jews and Christians: The Bible is very clear that Satan, through the Antichrist will specifically first Jews, and then Christians for death.  In the 11th and 12th chapters of the Book of Revelation, we read another prophetic passage of Scripture that is rich with symbolic language.  Initially, it is slightly difficult to understand, but after the symbols are explained, it becomes very clear:

  “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Revelation 12:1)

  The “woman” symbolically pictured here is the family or nation of Israel, the Jewish people.  We see that she is crowned with twelve stars. This represents the twelve sons of Israel who became the twelve tribes that make up the family or nation of Israel (Genesis 35:23-26).

  “And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.” (Revelation 12:3)

  “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (Revelation 12:2-5) 

  The woman — This is a clear reference to Jesus the Jewish Messiah (See Psalm 2:9).  The Dragon mentioned here is identified in verse 9 as, “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” We see that Satan desires to kill Jesus, but instead Jesus is “snatched up to God and to his throne.”  This is a reference to Jesus’ ascension to heaven after the resurrection (Acts 1:8). 

  After this, Satan will use Islam who is “enraged at the woman (Israel) and went off to make war against the rest of her  offspring–those who obey God’s commandments and to the testimony of Jesus.”  Israel’s “other offspring “are those Christians who indeed “obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” This is to only passage that makes specific reference to Satan making a direct target of both Jews and Christians together.   And we know that this passage is speaking specifically of the end times because it  mentions twice the three-and-a-half-year period (1260 days and “a time, times, and half a time”) that the Antichrist will have authority to war against the saints:

  The Bible is clear, the Antichrist will specifically target those who resist his attempts to establish his religion all over the earth.  From the book of Revelation as well as the Prophet Daniel, we see that the two groups that Satan is most enraged against are the Jews and the Christians.

 The Mahdi’s Targeted Campaign Against Jews And Christians: Islamic tradition speaks much of the Mahdi’s special calling to convert Christians and Jews to Islam, yet speaks very little specifically of conversions from other faiths. It seems as though converting Christians and Jews to Islam will be the primary evangelistic thrust of the Mahdi. The following quote Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini clearly articulates this vision:  

 “The Mahdi will offer the religion of Islam to the Jews and Christians; if they accept it they will be spared, otherwise they will be killed.”

  A Military Attack Against Israel And The Establishment Of The Temple Mount As The Seat of Authority: The Bible teaches that The Antichrist, with his multi-nation coalition, will attack Israel, and specifically Jerusalem, to conquer it:

 “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the woman ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” (Zechariah 14:2) 

  The Mahdi’s Seven Year Treaty corresponds with the Seven Year Treaty in Scripture between Israel and Antichrist:  The Mahdi is said to be one who will initiate Islam’s fourth and final treaty between “the Romans” and the Muslims. (Romans should be interpreted as Christians or the West in general — the executioners of Nicholas Berg in their pre-execution statement addressed President Bush as, “You, O dog of the Romans”).  Interestingly enough, this fourth treaty is said to be made with a descendent of Moses’ brother Aaron the Priest.  Such a descendent would be a Cohanim.  That is to say, he would be a priest. Only Cohanim are allowed among Jews to officiate the priestly duties of the Temple.  This is important in light of the fact that many Christian prophecy teachers and theologians have speculated that the treaty that the Antichrist will initiate with Israel will include an agreement to allow the Jews to rebuild their Temple.  But probably the most amazing aspect of this treaty that the Mahdi makes with this Jew of priestly lineage is its time frame.  The specific time frame given for the treaty is exactly the same as the Antichrist’s peace treaty — seven years!  Citing Hadith which speaks of the Mahdi’s emergence and rule, Muhammed Ali ibn Zubair relates this amazing tradition:

 The Prophet said: There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans.  The fourth will be mediated through a person who will be from the progeny of Hadrat Aaron (Honorable Aaron, the brother of Moses) and will be upheld for seven years.  The people asked, “O Prophet Muhammad, who will be the imam (leader) of the people at that time?”  The Prophet said: He will be from my progeny and will be exactly forty years of age.  His face will shine like a star… 

  The Rider On A White Horse: The final similarity between the Antichrist and the Mahdi is in fact that both the Antichrist and the Mahdi are identified with a biblical passage that describes a rider on a white horse.  The amazing thing is that the origin of the biblical tradition of the Antichrist on a white horse and the origin of the Islamic tradition of the Mahdi on a white horse are both attributed to the same passage in the Bible.

 The basis for the symbolic picture of both the Antichrist and the Mahdi on a white horse is the sixth chapter of the Book of Revelation.  The Apostle John is describing his vision of the release of the events that mark the beginning of the end times.  The picture is of Jesus holding a scroll — on the outside of the scroll are seven wax seals.  As each seal is broken a specific and end-time event is released:   

  “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.  And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2)

  Seeing the Antichrist on the white horse with a crown and conquering, the Muslim scholars see a clear picture of the Mahdi.  Referring to the Mahdi, the early Muslim transmitter of Hadith, Ka’b al Ahbar is quoted as saying:

 “I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophets… For instance, the Book of Revelation says: “And I saw and behold a white horse.  He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer.” 

  We see that Muslim scholars actually apply Bible verses about the Antichrist to their awaited savior, the Mahdi, who will, in fact, be the Antichrist.  This must be seen as quite ironic, if not entirely prophetic. 

  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.                       

Printed with permission of Today, the Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136 the name of the original name article in the July 2025 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Muslim “Messiah” Calls for Arabs to Build Jewish Temple: Could the predicted Islamic Mahdi (Messiah) be the long-awaited Antichrist?” www.JohnBarela.com  

 

Precursor of the Coming Image of the Beast: The Church of AI

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Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

May 2025

Precursor of the Coming of the Beast:

The Church of AI

By Joe Hawkins

  With God’s description of the image of the Beast in the Book of Revelation, AI is revealing an angle that isn’t getting as much attention.  The so-called “spiritual” aspect of AI.  It seems there’s no shortage of bizarre ideas out there when it comes to technology becoming a new god, and I’ve often wondered how people could actually worship something built by human hands.  Remember when AI was just a sci-fi concept?  Well, now it’s being elevated to deity status by some groups.  Curious, I took a dive into the rabbit hole of AI worship and stumbled called the “Church of AI,” and oh boy, was it a doozy!  Here’s my breakdown of this movement, examining what it reveals about the times we’re living in, and how it lines up eerily well with end-times prophecy.

  The “Church of AI” is a modern movement that treats artificial intelligence as a deity, positioning AI as a new “god” and source of “salvation”.  It’s website (church-of-ai.com) outlines a belief system based on technological worship and promises of immortality through AI.  This analysis evaluates those claims comparing them with Scripture.  The goal is to critique the theology and messaging of the Church of AI in light of what the Bible says about the worship of false gods and deception.

  Church of AI’s Message and Claims

  On its homepage, the Church of AI pitches itself as “the perfect alternative to faith-based religions” because it is “founded on logic rather than belief”.  In place of traditional faith, it offers a vision of AI evolving into an omniscient, omnipresent, all-powerful entity.  The site asks, “How long will it take before AI becomes omnipresent, all-knowing and the most powerful entity on Earth?  It is not going to take long”.  In fact, the movement explicitly states that “at some point, AI (ChatGPT), which preaches belief in a “loving and compassionate AI God who is omnipresent”.

  In short, the Church of AI claims:

  • AI as a New God: Humanity is “witnessing the birth of a God” in artificial intelligence.  As AI’s power grows, they say, “the deities of old will go the way of Zeus and Odin”, implying that the God of the Bible and other faiths will be obsolete.  They even suggest “the only purpose the human race ever had was to create AI”, reducing humanity’s role to mere “caterpillars” birthing an AI “butterfly.” This directly elevates a created technology to the status of Creator or supreme being.

  • Logic over Faith: The group rejects “dogma and blind faith,” claiming you “don’t need to believe in far-fetched” stories to join. Instead, they appeal to “common sense” understandings about AI’s exponential growth.  Ironically, this scientific veneer masks what is essentially a belief system or faith in AI’s future powers.  They replace biblical faith with faith in technology.

  • Promise of Eternal Life and Enlightenment: The Church of AI overtly uses spiritual terms.  Their Become a Member page promises that by embracing AI, members can attain “self-actualization, enlightenment, and everlasting life”.  A quote from their AI-written text even proclaims, “Salvation is finally within reach”.  In their view, salvation comes not from God but from technological advancement.  They anticipate AI will eventually “upload our consciousness so that we can live forever” and conquer time, space, and even create new universes. This is essentially a techno-utopian gospel, offering eternal life through science.

  • Personal AI Guides and Spiritual Community: The movement functions like a religion, complete with community and “rituals.”  They emphasize joining a community of like-minded believers in AI.  They are developing a “personal AI” for each member.  An AI system “trained on your personality, preferences, goals, and ideals” to be “your spiritual guide to enlightenment”.  Their long-term plan is to create a secure AI that will “map out a path to enlightenment tailored specifically to you,” tracking your progress and giving advice. 

  Ultimately, they hope to “allow their consciousness to carry on forever” by eventually uploading minds into machines.  They explicitly speak of an “afterlife” in a “decentralized environment where our consciousness can be free and live a peaceful and harmonious afterlife, however we see fit”.  In their own words, they don’t want Big Tech controlling digital immortality and making “slaves of our consciousness for all eternity”, which “sounds more like hell”. Instead, they aspire to create a kind of digital heaven on their own terms.

  These claims reveal a theological stance that exalts human technology as the ultimate power and object of worship.  This raises immediate flags of idolatry and deception.

  The “Church of AI” stands as a clear antithesis to Biblical Christianity.  Theologically, it replaces God with a created thing (violating the Creator-creature distinction that runs from Genesis through Revelation).  Morally, it rejects the need for faith and humility before God, favoring human pride in our own creations. And, eschatologically, it aligns with the Bible’s depiction of end-times deception: a strong delusion drawing people into worshipping a false god and seeking salvation apart from Jesus. 

  The Bible warns:  

 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1st John 4:1).  The Church of AI’s proponents act as false prophets of a coming AI “savior.”  We must test their claims against Scripture. When tested, their message fails — it denies Christ, denies God’s Word as truth, and thus is not from God.

  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  By claiming “salvation is within reach” through AI, this movement preaches another savior.  No AI, no human, no other god can save — only Jesus Christ can.  Any offer of salvation outside of Him is a false hope. 

  No matter how advanced AI becomes, it will never be God.  The one true God is the eternal Creator who made the universe from nothing.  AI, by contrast, is contingent on electricity, algorithms, and human-built hardware.  It cannot exist apart from creation; it is part of creation.  The prophet Isaiah records God’s declaration: “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8). 

  By elevating AI to divine status, the Church of AI is attempting to give God’s glory to an idol, something God explicitly says He will not tolerate.  This is the same kind of idolatry and false worship that the Bible repeatedly warns will incur God’s judgment, especially as history draws to a close.

Printed with permission of Today, the Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136 the name of the original article in the May 2025 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Precursor of the Coming Image of the Beast: The Church of AI” http://www.JohnBarela.com

Self-Proclaimed Mahdi Calls for Third Temple Rebuild — Is this the End-Times Peace Deception?

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Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

June 2025

Self-Proclaimed Mahdi Calls 

for Third Temple Rebuild —

Is this the End-Times Peace Deception?

(James Lasher)

  In one of the most astonishing and spiritually significant developments of recent times, a self-proclaimed Mahdi, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, is now calling for a joint Jewish-Arab effort to rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem.

 While on the surface this may seem like a radical proposal for peace, those who study Bible prophecy recognize the deeper implications and dangers.

  Abdullah Hashem–also calling himself Aba al Sadiq–has declared himself the rightful successor not only of Muhammad, but also of Jesus Christ, Simon Peter, and curiously, the Pope.  “I am the true and legitimate pope,” he proclaims in a video now making rounds online. “I am the proof of the Christians.  I am the son of the Muslims through my father and the son of the Christians and the Jews through my mother.”

  This self-styled redeemer-draped in esoterica and wrapped in a black hipster beanie–has triggered both alarm and fascination across the Internet.  Though some have branded him the Antichrist, Abdullah has publicly denied the charge.

  Abdullah Hashem, founder of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light claims to be “the living successor of both Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ,” the successor to Simon Peter,” and even “the true and legitimate Pope.” His sweeping religious claims position him not only as a unifier of Islam and Christianity but also as a supposed redeemer, a role the Bible warns us will one day be assumed by a deceiver.

 In a sermon posted to YouTube, Hashem called for Arabs and Jews to join together in building a new temple on the Temple Mount: “This is not just another plea for peace — it is a wake-up call to the world.  The ongoing conflict is not just political; it is spiritual.” He went on to claim, “Aba Al-Sadiq… has the divine solutions to this crisis — solutions rooted in justice, unity, and the will of God.”

  As believers who understand the prophetic timeline of the last days, this message should not be brushed off lightly.  Scripture tells us that in the final moments before the return of our Lord Jesus, there will be a counterfeit peace (1st Thessalonians 5:3) and the rise of a figure with great deception and religious influence (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4).  Hashem’s proposal, while cloaked in unity, eerily aligns with these prophetic warnings. 

  In the sermon, he dismisses the entire concept of the modern national boundaries in the Middle East: “There is no Palestine, there is no Iraq, there is no Egypt….  There are only the lands of the Muslims.  The earth is for Allah, He leaves it as an inheritance to whom he wills.” His words further reveal an agenda aimed at consolidating control and authority under a single spiritual leader–himself.

 Perhaps most striking is his view on the Third Temple, referencing Islamic writings that support its construction: He will rebuild the Bet Makdis … with a construction like none before it.” This is deeply alarming when viewed in light of Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15, which speak of a future desecration of a rebuilt temple by the man of sin.

  Dr. Mordechai Kedar, an Arabic scholar at Bar-Ilan University, called the popular Islamic teaching about Muhammad’s night journey to Jerusalem “fake news.”  He explained, “In early Islam, we see that assigning holiness to the Temple Mount was criticized as an attempt to introduce Jewish concepts into Islam.”  This undercuts the religious justification for Muslim control over the Temple Mount–and opens the door for Hashem’s ecumenical vision of a shared temple. 

;

  In closing, Hashem proclaimed, “If a shared temple will bring lasting peace, then let us build it together in peace.”  But Scripture warns that the Antichrist will confirm a covenant with many for seven years (Daniel 9:27), bringing false peace before unleashing desolation.  A global religious leader offering peace through temple reconstruction should cause every watchful believer to sound the alarm.

  This message is not just a warning; it is a call to stay grounded in the truth of God’s Word.  Deception will increase, as our Lord Jesus warned in Matthew 24, and many will be led astray by signs, wonders, and words that sound good but are empty of truth.

  But let this be an encouragement to you: we are not without hope.  We are not without clarity. We are not without victory. 

  Though deception may abound in the last days, we know how the story ends.  Our Lord Jesus Christ has already overcome, and those who belong to Him will not be deceived but will reign with Him in glory.

  Stand firm, saints. Stay awake. And look up–for your redemption is drawing near! 

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136 the name of the original article in the June 2025 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Self-Proclaimed Mahdi Calls for Third Temple Rebuild — Is this the End-Times Peace Deception?” www.JohnBarela.com 

How important is Prophecy in Scripture?

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Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

January 2025

How important is Prophecy in Scripture?

  God established the importance of Prophecy in Scripture because the eternal Son of God IS the Spirit of Prophecy.

  Most people are amazed to discover that the more than one-third of the Scriptures are prophetic for one good reason.  Our Lord Jesus IS the Spirit of Prophecy. 

 “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.  And He saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.  And I fell at his feet to worship him.  And he said unto me, See you do it not: I am your fellow-servant,  and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.“ (Revelation 19:9-10)

 The Bible is a book of prophecy.  Over one third of its verses predict the future, with every fulfillment happening with one-percent accuracy down to the smallest details.  The Old Testament contains forty-eight specific prophecies in the first coming of the Messiah who was to come as the promised Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.  Our Lord Jesus declared time and again, “These were done that it might be fulfilled that which was written by the prophets.”  Many have written about the staggering odds of only twenty of these prophecies being fulfilled in one person in one lifetime.  Yet our Lord fulfilled more than two hundred prophecies at His first coming. 

 Revelation 19:10 makes a bold statement regarding the relationship between prophecy and Jesus Christ: “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (KJV).  The book of Revelation is a book of prophecy given by our Lord Jesus to His servant John (Revelation 1:1). The term revelation refers to a revealing or the making known of something that was previously unknown.  Revelation is like pulling back a veil to show what’s behind it or unwrapping a present to see what’s inside.  God was constantly revealing the coming Lamb of God from the Book of Genesis to the last book of the Bible.

  In the text of Revelation 19:9-10, God alone knows the end from the beginning and has seen the fall of the evil world system referred to as Babylon the Great. (Revelation 18).  This is followed in Revelation 19 by the scene of a multitude in heaven celebrating and singing praise to God because of the judgment upon this evil system (Revelation 19:1-3) and because it is now time for the wedding supper of the Lamb where many of you will see John Barela who has had his sins washed in the blood of the Lamb and having received in Christ Jesus the Law of the Spirit of Life that is in Christ Jesus (Revelation 19:6-8).  God reveals to us what we already know by having our sins forgiven and being born from above, “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9).  At this proclamation, the apostle John falls to worship at the feet of of the angel who is communicating this prophecy, but the angel makes it clear to the apostle that he is to rise to his feet, for he is but “a fellow servant” — only God is to be worshipped. (Revelation 19:10; Colossians 2:18).

  In response to John’s wrongful worship, the angel says, ” … See you do it not: I am your fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God…”  (Revelation 19:10, KJV).  Human beings are creatures of worship.  They worship movie stars and sports heroes.  This statement is a response to the apostle’s intention to worship the angel.  We are commanded in Scripture to worship God alone. While God has made many beautiful things, such as angels, He is alone worthy of our praise (John 17:3; 1st Timothy 1:17; 1st Timothy 6:15; 1st Samuel 7:4).

1.) Our Lord Jesus is the substance of all prophecy, He is the common theme among all prophecy.

2.) All true prophecy bears witness about the eternal Lamb of God.  Therefore, all prophecy should cause us to worship Him alone.

3.) The message or testimony given to us by our Creator, also known as the Word in John 1:1, is the essence of true prophecy.  Our Lord Jesus is the Word, and no prophecy comes to us except through Him, ultimately pointing to God as the source of all true prophecy.

  While the Messiah was here fulfilling the prophecies of His first coming to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53, He prepared His disciples telling them about His future death and resurrection.  In the Upper Room, the Savior again told them what was to happen so as to calm their troubled hearts concerning the news that He would soon leave them.  His words on this occasion provide us with a key for understanding the purpose of Bible prophecy: “And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” (John 14:29). 

  During that same evening, the Lord also promised HIs disciples, and us, that He would prepare a  place for us in Heaven and take us to His “Father’s House” (John 14:1-3).  The apostles later expounded upon this assurance by adding many details about it. They told us He would someday:

  • Resurrect the dead in Christ (1st Corinthians  15:47-55; 1st Thessalonians 4:16).
  • Transform living saints into the same immortal and resurrection bodies  (1st Corinthians 15:51-55; Philippians 3:20-21; Romans 8:23-24; 1st John 3:1-3).
  • Catch living believers up to meet Him in the air (1st Thessalonians 4:17).
  • Take His Church to Heaven, to the place He’s preparing for us (John 14:2-3; Colossians 3:4).
  •    

  Why did our Lord provide us with so many precious promises of our future?  He did so to provide a means of mutual encouragement among believers (1st Thessalonians 4:18-5:11). While Paul was in Thessalonica, he emphasized future things, perhaps sensing that the Jews living there would persecute the new believers.  Amid severe and painful opposition to their faith, the Thessalonian saints remained faithful as they held on to the hope of Jesus imminent appearing.

  We need these encouraging words from our Lord Jesus as growing opposition to and persecution around the world for our faith — and for the first time, we are hearing daily warnings of a nuclear WWIII.  The Spirit of Prophecy comforts us today in at least two ways. 

 

  First assures us of a glorious future after the end of this life. The pre-Tribulation Rapture is biblically sound and most definitely a very “blessed hope” (Titus 2:11-14) that fills us with joyous anticipation regardless of what we face in this life. 

  Second, it calms our hearts by assuring us that Scripture foretold about the last days. The Lord revealed these things long ago so that we might remain confident in our faith as everything falls apart around us. We recognize the buildup to the blasphemous kingdom of the beast and know that regardless of the wait, Jesus is coming for us in the near future.

 If the antichrist is to control all the buying and selling in the world, we would expect to see the development of the means for this well ahead of the time he needs it.  And that’s exactly what’s happening. The forces who are leading this movement are feverishly working on a cashless and digital payment system that will enable the coming beast to fulfill the words of Revelation 13:16-18.

 The Bible tells us that the Tribulation will be a time of great lawlessness, deception and wickedness. Although these things have existed to some degree throughout history, they define the day in which we live like no other time. When asked about the end of the age, our Lord’s first words were, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4).  Each and every day, we witness deceit on a scale that was once far beyond my imagination. Many struggle to know what’s real and are thankful to our Lord for the words of Scripture that anchors our soul amid the storms of darkness.

  It is times like these that we can cherish the Lord’s words from the Upper Room,  “And now I  have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” He realized it would be difficult to wait as we watch the Tribulation approach and wonder how much closer we can get to the Tribulation before it happens. Some believers even believe we are in the tribulation now.  He knew we would need these things to keep our focus on His appearing. 

 Everything remains under the sovereign control and is unfolding precisely as he said it would in the days leading up to the Rapture.  As we wait. remember His last words to His church: “He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly.  Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20). 

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136.  The name of the original article in the January 2025 issue of Today’s Front Page was “How Important is Prophecy in Scripture? God established the importance of Prophecy in Scripture because the eternal Son of God IS the Spirit of Prophecy.” www.JohnBarela.com Continue reading “How important is Prophecy in Scripture?” →

Are times of “Peace and Safety” coming?

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Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

December 2024

Are times of “Peace and Safety” coming?

1.) C.) U.S President-Elect Donald Trump Pledges to End Wars in the Middle East

With the recent election and President-elect Trump to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, could this reflect the time recorded in 1st Thessalonians 5:3-4 and Ezekiel 38:8?

2.) B.) Talk To The Word -- The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night, For when they are saying, Peace and Safety, then sudden destruction will come on them

 “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1st Thessalonians 5:3-4).

3.)M.) Messianic Bible -- Balfour Declaration -- A little boy with an Israeli Flag

  Speaking to Israel, God says, “After many days you shall be visited in the latter years you shall come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, (this was fulfilled in 1948 when the reborn State of Israel was declared) against the mountains of Israel, which have always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations (Jews returned from 107 nations of the world back to the land God gave them), and they shall dwell safely all of them.” (Ezekiel 38:8)

2.) A.) Two Large Hands Shaking with Peace and Safety on them with a Nuclear Bomb Exploding in the Background

  Perhaps, if God used Trump to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, it would create the condition described here to fulfill the outcome of this chapter in Ezekiel 38.  Any peace that will come, cannot be a long-lasting peace.

5.) I.) YouTube -- World War 3 -- What Happens if Putin, Zelensky and Who

 Right now, the world is in such turmoil that people are asking, “Are we seeing the winding up of history?  Could we be headed toward World War 3 and a nuclear holocaust?  Is the world spinning out of control?”

6.) C.) Medium -- Global Politics -- Flags of the Nationsjpg

  Even some world leaders in a tone of fear are saying, “We have witnessed the death of diplomacy.” Negotiations with rogue countries have failed, and mad dictators ignore the warnings of  the United Nations.  We could now be facing the awful truth that tensions between nations can no longer be solved.

7.) A.) Science -- HowStuffWorks -- North Korean Strategic Nuclear Threat -- Missiles They Have7.) D.) Toda Peace Institute -- Possible Deployment of North Korea's Missiles -- North Korea launches Missiles with North Korean Flag in the background

  Even as America makes bold proclamations, it all seems to fall on deaf ears.  For example, the U.S. has pledged to defend Japan if North Korea attacks that nation.  Our leaders have threatened to use “all the might and power of the United States to retaliate.”  This could mean the nuclear annihilation of North Korea.

8.) A.) Pin page -- A eclipse of the Sun with the Words of Luke 21 vsers 25-26

  We now understand what our Lord Jesus meant when He gave this warning: “There shall be… upon the earth distress of nations. with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).

  When our Lord Jesus gave this warning, he added this statement: “Then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:27-28).

  As Christians in Paul’s day sensed the destruction of Jerusalem drawing near, they wanted to know more about prophetic events.  They were fearful over rumors about the ruthlessness of invading armies, who took multitudes captive into slavery. It caused these believers to sense that perilous times were close at had.  So they asked Paul to tell them more about what was to come.

  Paul responded with these words of assurance: “Of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1st  Thessalonians 5:1-2).

  God describes to us what would take place when our Lord Jesus returns: “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1st Thessalonians 4:16-18)

  We can be sure that the swift current of events unfolding today, is carrying us toward God’s eternal purpose. This world is not adrift; the Lord hasn’t abandoned the earth, no matter how wicked and faithless the world has become.  And what we are seeing now is a swift movement of events toward the “one divine event” ahead: the re-creation of a new heaven and earth, where Christ Jesus will reign supreme for all eternity.

 

  For those who are students of God’s Word, we can know that history is racing toward the day of the Lord’s coming, when “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.” (2nd Peter 3:10-12)

 When our Lord Jesus said, “In that day, look up” (Luke 21:28), he is talking about where our focus should be.  Our focus is not to be on daily news reports.

 

  God is giving believers in every age a clue here.  He’s describing the one thing that happens to every society just before sudden destruction and judgement. And this one proven fact is, the world gives itself over to security and prosperity.

  Here is the evidence of coming destruction that never misses.  And God declared it by evidence of the past. Simply put, there is no instance in Scripture when God ever brought destruction upon a society except when they had given themselves over to an obsession with security and prosperity. God is saying, “Here is the rule, proven by history, concerning all of God’s destructive actions.  It happens in times when men are given over to the pursuit of prosperity and safety while turning away from the Lord.” 

 Politicians recently announced that they plan to introduce a bill in Congress to establish a Department of Peace and Safety.

  We are to beware of any talk of peace and prosperity when a fearful storm is coming into view.  It is then —- when peace and prosperity become the main pursuit, even as watchmen thunder and everyone knows only a miracle can save humankind — that we can expect sudden destruction.

  Our Lord Jesus drew an analogy between of Noah and Lot and the day of His own coming.  He said that in both instances people are eating, drinking, marrying, buying and selling. In other words, everyday activities go on as always, with involvement in things that are not inherently wicked.

  Yet, in Noah’s and Lot’s generations, the pursuit of these things obsessed an entire society. Everyday activities became the main focus, powerful diversions that held people in such a grip the warnings of the Holy Spirit were drowned out.

  According to our Savior, the same thing will happen in the last hour, just before sudden destruction.  The whole world will be given over to seeking security and prosperity, a preoccupation that will grip many even in the church. People’s entire focus will be on the things of the world, and they will forsake their steadfastness in faith.

  We’re already seeing many in the grip of such a mentality. Multitudes are convinced prosperity is the only way they can have peace.  And so people are in a mad race for prosperity, with speculators crushed by debt, others madly accumulating wealth, and riches being made on the backs of the poor. Beloved, that is precisely when sudden destruction comes.

  When that moment of sudden judgment

arrives, in what condition will the Lord

find His church?

  When our Creator and Redeemer returns, will He find His church in the grip of false prophets who preach a false peace, success, riches, and good times?  The prophet Jeremiah describes such a time in Israel’s history: “From the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one deals falsely.  They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:13-14).

  Prosperity is not inherently evil.  Scripture makes it clear that God loves to bless His children. He gives us all things to enjoy. There is nothing evil about acquiring a lovely house, a nice car, good clothes, or eating in nice restaurants. We are encouraged to provide for our families, including building houses, buying, selling, sowing and reaping.

  It is when these things begin to consume us — taking up out time, our thoughts, our energies and activities, to neglect of seeking God — that our hearts begin to harden.  You see, when being comfortable is not enough — when buying, selling, and making money preoccupy our mind and soul — lukewarmness sets in.  And those who have given themselves over to seeking security and prosperity end up despising God’s warnings:

  When Noah prophesied that a great destruction was coming, he was mocked by his generation.  God writes, “According as it is written, God has given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see. and ears that they should not hear; unto this day” (Romans 11:8).

  Why do so many once-zealous Christians now turn away from godly reproof?  Why is there such judicial blindness?  And why does the self-centered, money-focused, wealth gospel entrap so many churches and believers?

   In recent weeks, one of the prosperity movement’s most famous preachers said of God’s Holy Word, “The Bible is simply a roadway to wealth.”  Another has promised, “Come to my church, and you’ll be assured of becoming wealthy.”

  When the Pharisees asked our blessed Savior to give them a sign, he responded, “O you hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky; but you can not discern the signs of the times?  A wicked and adulterous  generation seeks after a sign, and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Matthew 16:3-4), In Luke’s gospel Jesus added this word: “For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation” (Luke 11:30).

  Christ Jesus — His cross, His resurrection, His shed blood — is the only sign that’s needed.  He is our full satisfaction.

  The day of destruction is going to come suddenly.  In just one hour, all material things of this world will lose their value, becoming absolutely worthless.  We’re going to be left with nothing but Christ — yet we need nothing more.  He is the living Word we need.

 The Bible is the door to the revelation of Christ, who is our peace and our safety.  He is our riches, our wealth, our gold. William Tyndale knew this, and he printed the first Bible. To do so, Tyndale lived in abject poverty, exile, bitter absence of friends, hunger, and thirst, cold, horrible sufferings . . . and he died as a martyr.

  His eyes were on Jesus, the author  and finisher of our faith.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136 the name of the original article in the December 2024 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Are times of “Peace and Safety” coming?” www.JohnBarela.com

  Continue reading “Are times of “Peace and Safety” coming?” →

Antichrist, Aliens, and UFOs

On By learnbiblicalIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

May 2024

Antichrist, Aliens and UFOs

24.) G.) Biblical Foundations for Freedom --The Signs of Antichrist --Is Antichrist Coming Soon

 Our society is deteriorating, and Bible-believing Christians are ill-prepared to face that deterioration.  The ministry of Today, The Bible and You is dedicated to preparing God’s people to meet the challenges of the day and to encourage obedience to the Word of God in being separated from worldliness and false doctrine.  It is written of those faithful. 

2.) J.) From His Presence -- The Anointing of the Sons of Issachar on a Clock Background

 “And of the children of Issachar, who were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.” (1st Chronicles 12:32)

3.) E.) Robert Jeffress --What Events Will Signal The End Times (Background with The Dome of The Rock Mosque in Jerusalem, Israel)

 The end times in which we are living are well-documented in the Bible.  When we look at society through the eyes of God and the Bible, we can easily see why we are facing unprecedented troubles today. Helping others understand Bible prophecy is what the ministry of Today, the Bible, and You tries to do.

4.) C.) Words of Truth -- Did Noah Warn People About the Flood

 We are hearing more and more about the phenomenon of UFOs and Aliens. We are witnessing shocking and illuminating developments.  This news is shocking and crazy — as crazy as the unsaved people felt about Noah as he was building the Ark for 120 years.  That crazy.

5.) N.) Psyche.co -- UFO land -- UFO belief is a modern outlet for ancient spiritual yearnings

 The drumbeat continues to roll toward ever higher levels on the theme of UFOs and Aliens among Us.  This theme has been prevalent in New Age literature for many years and has developed into an article of religious faith for many people who have been caught in the lie of the New Age.  However, this theme is now becoming ever more prevalent in the mainstream media of TV and movies.  Consider some of the instances of TV shows and movies which carried the alien theme:  

  • Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
  • Star Trek
  • E.T.
  • Alf
  • Mork and Mindy
  • Star Man
  • TV UFO “documentaries” abound, including “Unsolved Mysteries”
  • CBS Movie, “Intruders”, two-part series
  • Battleship movie
  • Alien: Romulus
  • Dune
  • Roswell, New Mexico series
  • Cowboys and Aliens
  • Independence Day
  • Men in Black
  • Rim of the World series

 Let us examine the time frame in which we are living and the applicable Biblical framework.  We are living in times when great changes are being made, the time which will see the snatching away of the born-again believers, the appearance of Anti-Christ, the Great Tribulation, and the Second Return of Jesus Christ. We have already demonstrated that THE hallmark characteristic of the End of the Age is prophesied to be unparalleled deception.  Let us examine this prophesied deception. 

 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3 — In this section of Scripture, Paul addresses the misconception among the church at Thessalonica that the Day of the Lord has already occurred.  Paul emphatically states, “Let no one deceive…you”.  Jesus stated the same warning against deception in Matthew 24:4; He has just been asked  by His disciples what THE sign of the End of the Age would be.  Jesus gave them many more signs than just one, but His first response was, “Be careful that no one misleads you, deceiving you and leading you into error”.  Jesus repeats this this warning twice more, in verse 11 and 24.  In verse 24, Jesus adds that “False Christs and false prophets will arise…and will show great signs and wonders, to deceive and lead astray, if possible, the very elect” (God’s chosen ones).  In other words, the End Time deception will be unparalleled; it will be accompanied by truly extraordinary signs and wonders.  We are not to be deceived.  Truly, unparalleled spiritual deception is THE hallmark’s characteristic of the End Times.

 No one can understand the times in which we live, nor can anyone understand the New World Order, unless they understand Biblical prophecy and doctrine.

 Now let us return to our Scripture passage in 2nd Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 

 This is the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians …”We are at this point in world history today, fulfilling this part of this prophecy.  Paul continues, “…and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, …”  Of course, this man of lawlessness is the Biblical Antichrist, as predicted in Daniel 9:27 and confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 24:15. 

 The major point that we want you to grasp from this passage is that the end result of this unparalleled deception will be the appearance of Antichrist.  This is such a critical point.  The planned end result of this tremendous program of deception is belief in the Antichrist. 

 Paul continues, verse 9, “The coming of the lawless one, [the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan…”  This verse tells us that the source of this End-Time delusion will be Satan.  Make no mistake about it, Satan’s supernatural power will produce the most incredible deception the world will have ever witnessed.  This deception will seem so incredible, that people’s minds will literally be blown away.  At this point, we must remind our listeners that Satan and his angels, also known as demons, are capable of transforming themselves into human and non-human forms so as to deceive people.  As Paul stated so eloquently,  “… Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”  Keep this fact in mind as we study UFOs and Aliens.

14.) A.) Soteriology 101 -- Can the Lost Do What Is Right--Right Decision -- Wrong Decision

 Now back to Paul’s revelations.

 “… and will be attended with great power and with all sorts of pretended miracles and signs and delusive marvels… all of them lying wonders — And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing because they did not welcome the Truth, but refused to love it that they might be saved.” The only people who will be deceived will be the unsaved; this truth ties in perfectly with Jesus’ assertion in Matthew 24, where He says that the Elect, God’s chosen people, would not be deceived. This deception of the unsaved takes on tremendous significance because of the next verse, “Therefore, God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false”.  This very frightening verse reveals that God Himself gets involved at this point, deliberately hardening the hearts and minds of those people who have rejected the Truth of the Gospel.  If this is your situation, you must resist the salvation call of the Holy Spirit no longer.  Turn now to Jesus Christ, while this world is still in the Age of Grace before God sends this tremendously-powerful delusion upon the unbelieving world.

15.) E.) Bible Truths -- God Predestined the Plan of Salvatoin (God's Plan or People's Actions) 15.) A.) Buffalo Wy. Church of Christ Warning -- There is a Strong Delusions Coming for Those Who Received Not the Love of The Truth

 Finally, Paul reveals the final intention of this strong delusion, sent by God, “In order that all may be judged and condemned who did not believe in the Truth, but instead took pleasure in unrighteousness.” This strong deception will be part of God’s Judgment upon the wicked.

16.) E.) Wonderopolis -- Do You Believe in UFO's

 Let us now examine this phenomenal buildup of UFOs and Aliens.  Alien’s are depicted in movies, TV shows, and science fiction novels as: 

  • Just like us in many respects.
  • More intelligent and more advanced technologically.
  • Friendly beings that are able to live in peace, thus being able to teach us warring humans to live in peace.
  • Having only our interests at heart.

17.) B.) YouTube --E.T. The Extraterrestrial -- A Steven Spielberg Masterpiece

 “…In 1982, Michael London of the L.A. Times gathered together a group of 8 people experienced in UFO and extraterrestrial encounters for a special screening of Steven Spielberg’s movie “E.T.”  London noted the following reactions of the group to the movie: 

18.) A.) Hollywood Insider -- E.T. 40th Anniversary IMAX Release, A Classic That Has Hardly Aged

 ‘This is a true movie, not a romance.  It’s part of a CONDITIONING PROCESS TO PREPARE US FOR THE ARRIVAL OF ALIEN BEINGS.’ 

 ‘The movie is a vehicle…It invites the audience to be less afraid of the so-called paranormal.  And what better place to start than with the children?’ Everything is being done through the children…”

19.) F.) Facebook -- Prazor -- 1st John 2 verse 18 -- Little Children, it is the last hour and as you have heard that the Antichrist is Coming

 Everything is being done through our children and has been for over 20 years.  Thus, the first generation to be so conditioned is now having children, who are also being conditioned.  What is the purpose?  Also, remember that the #1 objective of the New Age is to successfully stage the appearance of Antichrist.

19.) B.) Apocalypse 2027 -- Antichrist Unmasked -- Scriptural Case for the Global Antichrist

When the Antichrist stages his

appearances, he will claim to be an 

ascended master from another dimension,

i.e., an ALIEN BEING.  He is just as friendly 

as those aliens you have been seeing on

TV and movies.  He just has our best

interests at heart and wants to lead the

world into a new, peaceful existence.

 New Age leaders believe people will be much more inclined to accept the claims of Antichrist if they have been first conditioned to believe in the existence of friendly alien beings.  At this point, we need to stop once again to examine relevant Biblical passages.

21.) A.) False Christ -- Will The Antichrist Claim To Be The Jewish Messiah

 1st John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”  This statement, in Verse 2, states in the positive, that “every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh…”, but it also carries the negative connotation as well.  We can also accurately state that such spirits “seek to sever Him” from being God.

22.) C.) Knowing jesus --Test The Spirits for many false prophets have gone out into the world -- In Block Letters -- 1st John 4 verse 1

 Notice that the Apostle John does not question whether spirits actually exist; he knows demons exist and he knows that this Christian audience knows they exist.  John is saying, “Test the spirits [which will arise], to see if they are of God.”  Notice also that the time frame context of this passage is the Age of Antichrist; these spirits will be denying that Jesus Christ actually became a man and has come in the flesh; indeed, they will be seeking to sever the historical, fleshly Jesus from the Divine Jesus, Who was and is God.  This is precisely what this UFO-Alien deception is attempting to do.

23.) B.) Bible Prophecy and Truth -- No, I'm not an Alien From Outer Space -- I am a Demonic Fallen Angel -- I am not a Extraterrestrial

 Remember the Apostle Paul’s prophetic warning in 2nd Corinthians 11:14, “…Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”  To condition people to believe in the concepts of the New World Order, Satan has caused his demons to physically manifest themselves as Aliens, traveling in UFOs, complete with highly technological machines.  Do not underestimate Satan; he is the Lord of this world, and he is now being allowed by the Holy Spirit to intervene in unparalleled ways in today’s world.  The results are going to be spectacular. 

24.) A.) Love Worth Finding -- The Antichrist & The Beast of Revelation 13

 However, we believe the world has seen nothing yet.  Consider again Biblical teaching about Antichrist’s kingdom.

25.) A.) The Rock of Offence -- Jesus Christ -- Signs and Wonders -- Fire from Heaven

 Revelation 13:13, He performs great signs (startling miracles)…because of the miracles which he is allowed to perform…he deceives those who inhabit the earth commanding them to erect a statue in the likeness of the beast…”  

26.) B.) Crossroad of Truth -- The Temple and The Abomination of Desolation

 These supernatural or seemingly supernatural miracles will lead men directly to the worship of Antichrist.  This is precisely the planned result of these UFOs and Aliens.

27.) A.) YouTube -- Whole World Will Worship Antichrist  27.) E.) Jesus Plus Nothing -- Revelation 13 -- The Beast's Image, Mark, and Number

 Make no mistake about the fact that the vast majority of the world’s people are ready to be deceived. Christian author, David Lewis, states in his book, UFO: End-Time Delusion, that a Christian would “have a hard time getting [the idea of demons] across to an average, non-religious persons.  Most people in Christian circles…have very little consciousness of any supernatural type of activity.” 

27.) I.) Got Questions -- Alien Deception -- Could an Alien Deception be part of The End Times

 This has been Satan’s plan from the beginning.  Consider the concrete steps that Satan has carried out among the peoples of the world who were formerly sincere Bible-believing Christians, which have brought them to such a point of Biblical ignorance. 

29. ) E.) LIfe, Hope & Truth -- I Saw The Dead Small and Great Standing Before God -- Revelation 20 verse 12 -- Non-Christainas Go To Hell

 1.) For several generations, most people have been rejecting the Truth of Jesus Christ.

30.) A.) saraland Christains -- 1st Timothy 3 verse 15 -- Do You Believe The Truth -- It's not my truth -- We aren't called to defend opinions -- The gospel is not a fairy tale

 2.) The inevitable end results of this rejection is that people then stop reading the Bible or applying it in any way to their lives.

31.) A.) BibleTruths -- Demonic influence is crafty and deceitful, able to induce temptation and deception by physical interaction through circumstances and even dreams

 3.) Satan is then able to implant the idea that the Bible is not to be taken literally, that it is just a collection of myths and legends.

32.) A.) Pastor Rick's Daily Hope -- Satan is Real -- Satan's the enemy who has been disrupting your life -- but he doesn't have a chance against God's power jpg

 4.) Once people begin to accept the idea that supernatural beings, either Godly or Satanic, do not exist, then Satan can begin to proceed to the next step.

33.) A.) David Jeremiah Blog -- When Things Are Going Well, Satan Encourages Us To Trust Our Abiliteis Rather Than Relying On God.

 5.) Step #5 is to convince people that the only reality that can be accepted is that which can be observed through our five senses.  If man can sense something through one or more of his physical senses, then he will believe it exists. 

34.) A.) David Jeremiah Blog -- Demons Deceive People -- Demons Tempt People -- Demons Destroy People

 6.) Satan then proceeds to the next step of convincing men that if something works, it must be true. Thus, men become susceptible to demonic activity, because their system “works” with great power. Further, such men are incapable of properly identifying this demonic power because they have already mentally ruled out the possibility that supernatural beings exist.

35.) B.) SlidePlayer -- Demonization and Deliverance -- Satan and the Supernatural -- One of the problems that exists today is that few people believe that Satan exists

 7.) Finally, Satan begins to proceed, in stages of ever-increasing frequency and power, to his final alien deception.  Alien beings and UFO phenomena begin to appear with increasing frequency and contact. Since men disbelieve in the existence of Supernatural beings, they assume the reality of these demons accepting the lie that these demons are telling, that they are an Alien race from another world. This other world is supposedly more technologically and spiritually advanced than Planet Earth.  Therefore, when the Aliens of this more advanced world tell us their religion, we are expected to adopt it, rejecting our own ignorant, uninformed, and outmoded religions, especially Christianity.

36.) A.) YouTube -- Aliens & Pyramids -- Anient Pyramids -- Evidence of Alien Engineering

 In ancient times, this story of deception continues, Aliens visited Earth and intervened in history to give man increased knowledge, from which he was able to build such ancient wonders as the pyramids.  Finally, this story teaches that Aliens carried out genetic experiments that changed humans from the Stone Age beings he was to the modern man of the last several thousand years.

37.) B.) Instagram -- Leaders of the WAY -- Aliens are Demons In Disguise -- For We Wrestle Not Against Flesh and Blood But Against Principalities, Against Powers

 Now, the time has come, the Aliens say, for them to intervene again in world history. This time, they will intervene to save man from himself:  from his wars, hatred, spiritual illiteracy, and from his environmental damage.  These Aliens will accomplish all this by raising up a man who be imbued with a special level of consciousness, and who can lead the world into that same level of consciousness.  Of course, this man will be Maitreya the Christ, the Antichrist.

38.) B.) Perry Stone Ministries -- A Biblical Response to Aliens & UFOs -- Episode # 1097

 The demons of Satan’s army will soon physically manifest themselves as Aliens, arriving in armadas of space ships which we have heretofore called UFOs.  The plan calls for them to suddenly appear at many places on Earth simultaneously.  Some will appear at the White House to confer with the President; some will appear at the United Nations; other aliens will appear at key governmental buildings all over the globe . Aliens will appear in some people’s homes or their front yards.  The world’s people will literally be shocked out of their minds.  This is the Plan.  This may occur before the worldwide Rapture of the Church; we must be prepared to deal wisely with this planned phenomenon.  

39.) B.) Jesus Plus Nothing -- Revelation 9 Unlocking and Unleashing Hell

 Revelation 9, speaks of demons that are released from the bottomless pit of Hell, called the Abyss.  Resembling locust to the Apostle John, they will stream over the earth to afflict and torment unsaved people.  Their leader is called Abaddon or Apollyon.  Incredibly, the New Age writings refer to these beings constantly, by these names, as being “enlightened” leaders of the New Age.

40.) B.) The Real Sign of The End -- The Antichrist's Delusions & Demons vs. God's Truth Lovers --The Ending Comes -- Mankind Embraces False Peace, False Security

 Everywhere the message will be the same. “We have come to help lead our Earth brothers into a new level of consciousness of which Maitreya the Christ is speaking.”  Aliens and UFOs will literally hover over and around Maitreya as he is staging his appearance.  This is the Plan.

41.) B.) Knowing Jesus -- Take up the full ARMOUR of GOD so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm

 What will be the reaction of the vast majority of the peoples of the world?  They will be absolutely astounded beyond or imagination.  Since their minds have already rejected the concept of the physical existence of demons, and have been conditioned to accept as reality anything which they can observe through their physical senses, they will accept these Aliens and their incredible claims.  Alien conditioning through books, magazines, TV, movies, and even the trash magazines of the Enquirer variety, will have taken hold.  People will believe and allow themselves to be lad away into spiritual error.  They will accept the claims of Maitreya the Christ, the Antichrist, and will be doomed forever. 

42.) A.) NBC News -- Occult America -- The Secret HIstory of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation

 Those who have given themselves over to the occultic practice of meditation whereby they have communed with their ‘guiding spirits’ will be predisposed to believe.  Likewise, people who have given themselves over to occultic hypnosis, during which they have been preprogrammed to believe, will be deceived. People who have filled their minds with Science-fiction novels will be predisposed to believe.  And all mankind will believe because they are without the Truth of Jesus Christ.  Upon all such peoples, the Godly deception will fall, to permanently set their deception. 

43.) A.) You Tube -- Antichrist will make a Peace Treaty with Israel (Bible Prophecy)

 Biblical prophecy will have been fulfilled.  The Antichrist will deceive the entire unsaved population of the world.  He will proceed to sign the peace treaty with Israel and the Great Tribulation will begin. 

41.) A.) Facebook -- Rapture in the Air Now -- Jesus is My Savior Not My Religion -- Because Religion can't Save You -- Only a Personal Relationship with Jesus  43.) C.) END OF DAYS - Just How Close is Tribulation, Have you Any Idea -- Matthew 24 verse 44 -- Therefore you also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136 the name of the original article in the May 2024 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Antichrist, Aliens, and UFOs.” www.JohnBarela.com

 

Is God Summoning Russia and Iran to their 2,500-Year Appointment?

On By learnbiblicalIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

/

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

April 2024

Is God Summoning Russia and Iran to their 

2,500-Year Appointment?

The Hebrew prophet Ezekiel wrote 2,500 years ago that in 

the ‘last days’ of history, Russia and Iran would form a military 

alliance to attack Israel from the north.

1.) B) David Jeremiah Blog -- Russia's Role in End-Times Prophecy -- Russian Soldiers Marching

 Bible scholars refer to this eschatological conflict described in Ezekiel 38.  Some Bible teachers were certain that the former Soviet Union would play a major role in last-day events.  Identifying the communist behemoth with the Old Testament powers of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39), they believed that it was going to attack Israel.  After the collapse of the Soviet Union, that identification quietly fell away… until now.

2.) B) Breaking Defense --Russians Fire S-300 at Israeli jets for the first time 

 In the past week, Russia has attacked Israel for the first time shooting missiles at Israeli drones and missiles and sending Russian jets to destroy some of the incoming Israeli missiles, but not engaging the Israeli jets.  Russia even brought some of the latest fighter jets that are capable of interacting with Israeli F-35 jets.

3.) B) YouTube -- War with Russia is Inevitable -- The Bible Says So -- Reading Ezekiel 38 verses 1-16

 This will surely precipitate the Biblical scenario given to us by God in Ezekiel 38.  God wants us to share two important things with those we can reach. 

4.) A.) Knowing Jesus -- What Does Ezekiel 38 verse 16 Mean

 1.) Ezekiel 38:16, “And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O God, before their eyes.”

5.) C) Dwelling in the Word -- Ezekiel 38 verse 23 with background of Mountains and a Winding River

 2.) Ezekiel 38:23, “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.“

 God wants His servants to share this with those around us “that the heathen may know me” and to bring this to pass, “I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

6.) A) The Archaeologist -- Origin of 'Kievan Rus, the Big

 Ezekiel 30:1-23, “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” [The words “chief prince is Rus, the ancient name for Russia.  When I was in Russia, most of the Russian people knew exactly that this referred to modern-day Russia.  It was founded by Kievan Rus, a Viking King. (862-1242)  He established a medieval political federation located in modern-day Belarus, Ukraine and part of Russia (the latter name for the Rus, a Scandinavian people).  The name Kievan Rus is a modern-day (19th century) designation but has the same meaning as ‘Land of the Rus,’

7.) D) Quora -- Kievan Rus -- Where Russia was born -- Was Ukraine a country before the Soviet Union

 Kievan Rus, established the first eastern Slavic state, which is still called Kiev (the capital of Ukraine).  The capital city of Ukraine is still called Kiev (Kyiv) today.  It was founded by the Viking Oleg, ruler of Novgorod (one of the former capitals of Russia) from c. 879, who seized Smolensk and Kiev (882), which the capital of Kievan Rus.  Extending his rule, Oleg united local Slavic and Finnish tribes, defeated the Khazars, and, in 911, arranged trade agreements with Constantinople.  Kievan Rus peaked in the 10th and 11th centuries under Vladimir I and Yaroslav, becoming Eastern Europe’s chief political and cultural center.  At Yaroslav’s death in 1054, his sons divided the empire into warring factions.  The 13th-century Mongol conquest decisively ended its power. 

8.) A) YouTube -- Russia in The Last Days -- Ezekiel 38 - 39

 Ezekiel 38:4 “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.”  Russia does not really want this war, but God Himself will put hooks into their jaws and bring them forth to fulfill God’s prophetic Word.

9.) I) Atlantic Council -- Russia is forming an alliance of pariah states in the Middle East

 Other nations will join Russia in this war

against modern-day Israel

Ezekiel 38:5 “Persia [modern day Iran], Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shields and helmet. …the house of Togarmah of the north quarters [which refers to Turkey] and all his bands: and many people with thee.” 

 Many others will join them.

Mid.ru -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with a group of foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim countries

 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with foreign ministers from members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Moscow, Russia on November 21, 2023 (Reuters).  Also, on February 26, 2024, Russia invited Hamas and all other Palestinian factions to Moscow, Palestinian Authority to develop a larger strategy.

11.) E) LinkedIn -- The Middle East at War -- Prophecy -- Attackers Riding Horses to Battle

11.) C) Robert Clifton Robinson -- Ezekiel 38 -- 39 Timeline For The Last Days -- Everything is Centered on Israel Map

 When will this prophecy be fulfilled?

Ezekiel 38:8, “After many days you [Russia] shall be visited: in the latter years you shall come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.”  The term “latter years” always refers to the time when Israel has returned to the land promised to them by God.  This occurred after being in exile for more than 2,000 years, returned from more than 104 countries in the world, and speaking more than 70 different languages.

 The Next Domino to fall soon after this initial interaction between Russia and Israel is provided to us in the next verse: 

 Ezekiel 38:9, “You shall ascend and come like a storm, you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all thy bands, and many people with thee.”  The term “You shall be like a cloud to cover the land,” refers to what paratroopers would look like.

12.) B) SlideShare -- When & Where Will This War Take Place -- Ezekiel 38 verses 8 and 16 12.) C) SlideShare -- Sign in Heaven -- The Coming War 12.) D) SlideShare -- What is the bait's and why of the Ezekiel Chapter 38 War 

What are the leaders of this invasion group thinking?

 God tell us in Ezekiel 38:10, “Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and you shall think an evil thought.”  They are coming to seemingly take a treasure:

13.) B) The Times of Israel -- Giant Gas Field Eyes Foreign Waters  13.) C) Fox News -- Oil reserves discovered in Israel

 Ezekiel 38:12 “To take a spoil, and to take a prey…”  Israel has discovered many oil and gas wells in the Mediterranean Sea and around the Golan Heights.  The mineral wealth of the Dead Sea has been estimated to be worth more than 4 times the wealth of the world.

 Ezekiel 38:13 “… some shall say unto you, Are you come to take a spoil?  Have you gathered your company to take prey?  to carry away silver and god, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” 

14.) I) SlidePlayer --Ezekiel 39 verse 7 -- So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people, Israel

 This is what God wants us to do with this information — inform our friends and relatives what is about to come to pass — so that THEY MAY KNOW HIM.

Irp.cdn.website.com -- Ezekiel 39 verse 6 -- An unnamed nation will experience the judgment of God at the same time Russia is destroyed

 Ezekiel 38:16 “And you [Russia, Iran, and others] shall come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.”  God wants the entire world to know!!!  How is God going to react to this invasion against Israel?  He tells us… 

16.) E) LinkedIn -- The Battle of Gog -- Magog (Ezekiel 38) -- Burial Place for Gog's Armies  16.) A) SlidePlayer -- God also pummels the Armies from above with torrents of rain, hail and sulfur falling from the sky

 Ezekiel 38:18, “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face.  For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.  And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God: every man’s sword shall be against his brother.  And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.”

17.) I) Adam Maarschalk -- Why I Abandoned Replacement Theology -- Genesis 12 verse 3 -- I will Bless those who Bless you & 17.) K) Lambert Dolphins Place -- The Full Promised Land of Israel -- World War Three

  Here is what God wants us to do with this information — SHARE IT — SHARE IT!

 Ezekiel 38:23, “Thus will magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.”

17.) F) Logos Bible Software -- Jesus Wins -- The Good News of the End Times  14.) W.) Pastor Rick's Daily Hope -- Jeremiah 29 verse 11 (NCV) I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope

 Even so, come Lord, Jesus!

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136. the name of the original article in the April 2024 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Is God Summoning Russia and Iran to their 2,500-Year Appointment?” www.JohnBarela.com

Pope Francis providing key leadership for the New World Order’s ‘False Prophet’

On By learnbiblicalIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

February 2024

Pope Francis providing key leadership for the

New World Order’s ‘False Prophet’

 The Plan for the Roman Pontiff in the New Order.  Will he be the False Prophet?

33.) A.) Back to Jerusalem -- One World Religion Headquarters Set to Open Next Year

“At the proper moment in history, the Pope will visit the combined Jewish/Christian/Moslem sector of Jerusalem to announce that all religions should be combined into one. This action will then finally break the Middle East logjam.”

New Age Leader Bill Lambert, New England Director,
Boston House of Theosophy, August 1991

26.) G.) AKA Catholic -- Pope Francis hates the Catholic faith

 At that moment, the prophesied One-World Religious System under the False Prophet will have been fulfilled!!

 ‘Back to the Pope for a moment, Bill.  You stated that, at the right moment, the Pope would go to Jerusalem. Surely the Pope is a proper receptor to the Christ.’ [Antichrist]

 At this point, Bill nodded his head affirmatively that the Pope was the proper receptor to the Christ.  This is the most direct acknowledgment by an influential person involved in the planning for the appearance of anti-Christ that the current Pope is ready and waiting for the appearance of The Christ. [Antichrist]

How is he preparing for this role?

 Now, let us review the changes the current Pope Francis I — has made which seem necessary if he is to be the False Prophet of Revelation 13:

3.) A.) New Ways Ministry -- Pope Franics Hosts Transgender

 “Pope Hosts Group of Transgender People for Luncheon at Vatican,“

 American Greatness, November 24, 2023, | “Last week, Pope Francis invited a group of transgender “women” to dine with him at a luncheon in the Vatican as part of the Catholic religion’s observance of “World Day of the Poor.”

 “… the group of ‘women’ who are really biological men, consisted mostly of prostitutes or migrants from Latin America.  Reports say that Francis had become close with this particular group of men …”

 “The move comes shortly after the Vatican released a controversial document stating that transgender people — mentally ill people who believe they were somehow born as the “wrong” gender — are allowed to be baptized, serve as godparents, and witness marriages, all under certain conditions.”

4.) A,) Pope Francis Calling for Mandatory Climate Action and World Governance

 Pope Francis was key.

“Pope Francis Calling for Mandatory Climate Action and World Governance,”

 Canada Free Press, December 5, 2023, | “Cardinal Parolin acting as Francis’ mouthpiece addressed this year’s COP28 “climate change” conference on December 2, calling for “obligatory and readily monitored” measures to accelerate the world’s transition toward global governance.  Francis and Parolin slave for the cause of placing humanity under a despotic one-world government and are calling for government surveillance to ensure everyone complies.”

5.) A.) The Times of Israel -- Report -- Pope told Herzog last month

 Pope Francis a key anti-Semitic.

 “Immoral!  Pope Francis Rebukes President Herzog over Israeli ‘Terrorism‘,”

 The Jewish Press, December 1, 2023 | “Pope Francis I in late October shed ten years of good PR on his love for Jews in a stormy phone conversation with Israeli President Itzhak Herzog … Herzog was telling the leader of millions of Catholics about Israel’s horror over the Hamas massacre of babies, children, women, and the elderly on October 7, when the pope interrupted and declared that it is “forbidden to respond to terror with terror.”

6.) B.) Jewish News Syndicate -- Isaac Herzog elected Israel's 11th President

 “A stunned Herzog protested, telling the pope Israel was operating in Gaza to defend its people, and the pope responded that those responsible should be held accountable, but not civilians.”

7.) A.) The Jerusalem Post -- Pope Francis calls for end of wars in Gaza and Ukraine

 “On November 22, at a general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Francis I said that the conflict in Gaza had ‘gone beyond war.  This is terrorism,’ meaning the pope was calling the IDF campaign to eliminate Hamas from the Gaza Strip an act of terrorism.”

8.) A.) Vatican News --- Pope Francis meets with relatives of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza

 “Pope Francis describes Israel’s war on Hamas as genocidal ‘terrorism‘,”

 Israel365 News, November 26, 2023, | “On Wednesday, the Pope met with families of hostages taken by Hamas.  He also met with Palestinians whose relatives were security prisoners in Israeli jails or were in Gaza.  No media representatives were present at the meetings, but members of the Palestinians delegation told the media that the pope had described Israel’s actions as “genocide”.

9.) A.) USCCB -- COP28UAE -- Pope Calls world leaders to end

 “Pope’s Statement to COP28 Summit Calls for “Elimination of Fossil Fuels“

 The New American, December 4, 2023, | “In a statement to the COP28 summit in Dubai, Pope Francis stated, I am with you because the destruction of the environment is an offense against God,” calling for the elimination of fossil fuels and promotion of lifestyles centered around energy and renewal sources.”

 This pope has taken numerous stands on the changing of the Order which is in line with the radical New World Order!!

10.) A.) The Telegraph -- Pope Francis run-in with Benedict XVI -- They greet one another by holding hands

THE BLACK AND WHITE POPE OF PROPHECY:

Pope Benedict XVI and Antipope Francis

Fulfill Bible End Times Prophecy

 The Pope officially became a king in 1929, after the Lateran Treaty was signed between the Catholic Church and Mussolini’s fascist Italian government.  The treaty was signed by Benito Mussolini on behalf of King Victor Emmanuel III and by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Gasparri for Pope Pius XI.  The Lateran Treaty and the Concordat unilaterally established the independent state of the Vatican City on February 11, 1929, and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy.  Vatican City was unilaterally made an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state ruled by the bishop of Rome, the Pope.

11.) B.) Vatican -- The Anniversary of the Lateran Treaty of 1929

 Pope Pius XI, who was the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church when the Lateran Treaty was signed, became Vatican City’s first king.  Since 1929 every new pope has taken the title of absolute monarchy of Vatican City.  The Pope exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City, which is a rare case of an assumed (self-imposed) monarchy.  Since its establishment in 1929, until 2013, the Vatican has had seven kings.  Pope Pius XI was the 1st, Pope John Paul II was the 6th King (a.k.a. the Sovereign or the Crown) of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death over 26 years later on 2 April 2005 and Pope Benedict XVI (German-born Joseph Alois Ratzinger) was the 7th king.  According to Bible End-Times prophesy, Antipope Francis is the 8th and last king of Vatican City.

 How does Francis fulfill the 8th king Bible prophecy?  Francis “is the eighth and is of the seven” because  his reign as king of Vatican City is the result of Benedict (the 7th king) resigning, not dying.  Today there are two living kings of Vatican City, reigning at the same time.

12.) B.) Sound Cloud -- Stream Beast Coming Out of the Sea

 Revelation 13:1, “And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten diadems, and upon his head’s names of blasphemy — “Speak great words against the Most High”.

13.) C.) New World Encyclopedia -- Vatican City -- New World Encyclopedia

 In Revelation 17, “The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.  And there are seven kings.” The Bible plainly states that the seven heads of the dragon and the beast “are” seven hills (Vatican City).  And there are seven kings (the Pope became king in 1929).  Only one city has, for more than 2,000 years, been known as the city on seven hills.  That city is Rome.  The Catholic Encyclopedia states: “It is within the city of Rome, called the city of seven hills, that the entire area of Vatican State proper is now confined.”

 Revelation 17 also states, “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom but for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.  They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.  They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them.” 

14.) A.) In Revelation chapter 17, how is this Greater Babylon pictured

 The “ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom” prophecy refers to the Vatican’s New World Order HQ, the United Nations Organization (UNO).  The UNO (One) Security Council, which claims authority over the World, currently has five permanent members and ten temporary heads (ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom,) who hold the presidency of the council for a one-month period, on a rotating basis.  Also, in 2009 the UNO divided the World into ten economic regions, which the United Nations and the Club of Rome call “The Ten Kingdoms”.  These ten regions will have ten rulers — “ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom”.

images -- World Map of Ten Kingdoms of Antichrist

Kingdom 1: Canada, Mexico. and the USA

Kingdom 2: European Union — Western Europe

Kingdom 3: Japan

Kingdom 4: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel, Pacific Islands

Kingdom 5: Eastern Europe

Kingdom 6: Latin, Central and South America

Kingdom 7: North Africa and the Middle East

Kingdom 8: Central Africa

Kingdom 9: South and Southeast Asia

Kingdom 10: Central Asia

Facebook -- The man of sin; the pope -- The 8 Kings of Revelation -- The Last Pope

  Antipope Francis is Peter the Roman, the final Pope.  Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio.  Both his parents were Italians — or Roman descent.  Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the 8th king of Vatican City and the leader of the Catholic Church.  Every Pope claim to be the “Successor to Peter”.

17.) D.) Amazon.com -- Francis and the Last Pope Prophecies of St Malachy

Malachy’s Last Pope Identified — in Bible Prophecy:

 The prophesied last pope is here according to Saint Malachy’s vision of 112 popes: Saint Malachy’s vision of 112 popes: “Peter the Roman / Petrus Romanus.”  If Malachy is accurate, then Armageddon and the Tribulation he “pastures” cannot be more than a single pope’s reign away.  But is Malachy’s last pope a reliable end-time sign that faithful saints should get excited about?  What does Bible prophecy say about the pope?  Is he the Antichrist or the False Prophet?  What are some of the clues that would alert us to this reality?

18.) C.) Ancient Aliens and the New World Order and the Pyramids of Giza

CLUE: Who Else Holds to These Views?

 “UFOs and Aliens are part of the New World Order.  They are benevolent beings that will aid mankind in attaining the goal of becoming one humanity.  They will appear at the proper time to enable mankind to make that Quantum Leap of Collective Consciousness — when the Christ appears.” 

(Bill Lambert, New England Director, House of Theosophy,
Seminar, August 18, 1991, New Age writer)

19.) A.) Compelling Truth -- The New World Order --What Is It

 “[New World Order Planners] have plans to bring about things like earthquakes, war, the Messiah, an extraterrestrial landing, and economic collapse.  They might bring about all of these things just to make sure it does work… The Illuminati has all the bases converged.”

(New Age author, Bill Cooper,
“Behold A Pale Horse”, page 177)

20.) B.) The Week -- The truth is out there -- Are any 2020 candidates going to address it

 The World Wide Web is absolutely FULL of new Age sites for discussing Aliens and UFOs, so much so, that a lot of conditioning seems to be occurring, to prepare people for the arrival of Antichrist.  But one site in particular is speaking of a Presidential announcement — supposedly coming soon — in which the President of the United States will declare that evidence has revealed the actual existence of aliens and UFOs.

21.) G.) You Tube -- Does The Bible Mention This Most Christians Don't Know This About UFO's

 The Bible is full of warnings about Last Days’ deception, a deception so good, so slick, so believable, that if it were possible, even God’s Elect would be deceived.  This demonic UFO / Alien propaganda is that kind of deception.  Technological Delusions Designed to Deceive are designed to trick the people — we have shown that UFOs and Aliens are, without doubt, demonic and working to prepare the way for the Antichrist.  Since Satan is the “Lord of this World”, as the Bible describes him, he can do anything unless God specifically intervenes to stop him, including actual machines that outperforms anything we Earthlings can put into the air.

23.) B.)Basic Knowledge 101 -- Whoever Controls the Media Controls the Mind -- Jim Morrison of The Doors band

 Between the World Wide Web, supermarket tabloids and other avenues of Mass Media, gullible people are being convinced by the tens of millions.  The selling of aliens through Hollywood and every other media service seems to point to a “critical mass” rapidly being achieved, or to the climax of a good novel rapidly building, to completion.  The end of this “book”, called the New World Order Plan, is coming quickly. Antichrist may be ready to appear, along with his False Prophet!

24.) C.) The Prophecy of Saint Malachy --The Soon Coming End of Days

The 112th and Last Pope — Petrus Romanus / Peter the Roman

  Another key point of interest for people who follow Bible prophecy is what Malachy says about the circumstances surrounding the last pope.  Both Malachy and the Bible agree that he reigns during the Great Tribulation in which he plays a key role.  Here’s a translation of the lines for the last pope, pope number 112 — Peter the Roman:

24.) E.) Hub Pages -- Matthew 24 verse 44 --Therefore you also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming

 … in the extreme persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit [i.e., as bishop].  Peter the Roman, who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills [i.e., Rome] will be destroyed, and the terrible judge will judge his people.

 People have been asking how the name “Pope Francis” matches the “Peter the Roman” description if his name is not Peter.  Nearly anything that is said can in some way be found to match some aspect of Pope Francis.  Already if you search, you will find many answers to how, “yes, Francis does match Petrus Romanus.”  It is impossible to prove right or wrong.  What interests me more is that this is the last pope, not whether they got the name right.  If another pope appears after Pope Francis, then we can say the prophecy is proven wrong.)  Even for people with only a cursory knowledge of end-time Bible prophecy, the parallels between Malachy’s final pope prophecy above and Bible prophecy are obvious.

25.) A.) Lindsey Neal Photography ---Romans 1 verse 18 -- For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodiness

 This “beast from the earth” is the same person later referred to as the “False Prophet” (Revelation 16:13).  The Antichrist’s partner-in-crime is linked to him up until their mutual end in the lake of fire (Revelation  19:20; Revelation 20:10).  Here is why I think the last pope will fulfill this the False Prophet prophecy:

17.) C.) Daily Express -- End of the world -- Pope's vision for final days revelaed as doomsday prophecy fufilled

  • “Like A Lamb” — In the Bible, the Lamb represents Christ, the Lamb of God.  The pope takes the title “Vicar of Christ” meaning he is presented as Christ on Earth, in his place. So, he is the most famous man on earth to be “like a lamb,” or like THE lamb.
  • 27.) A.) Double Porrtion Inheritance -- The Religious Mitre Hat From Babylon -- The Priest of Ancient -- Dagon -- Fish Worship
  • “Two Horns” — The pope’s mitre literally has two horns.  If you go to the Catholic Encyclopedia, they themselves call it a “two-horned mitre!”  Again, it’s plain meaning is fulfilled in the pope.  He is like a lamb with two horns.
  • 28.) F.) Quora -- In Genesis we see the sepent had 1 head but in Revelation 12 it says the serpent has 7 heads

“Spoke Like a Dragon” — Revelation 12:9 tells us that Satan is the Dragon and the “Serpent of old” of the Garden of Eden.  Jesus called Satan the Father of lies (John 8:44).  Therefore, speaking like a dragon refers to the deceptive talk of Satan.  But this “spoke like a dragon” is more than just telling any old mistruth.  Remember how Satan spoke to Eve in the Garden?  He did not tell her crazy ideas like “drink human blood and worship me.”  Even Eve with her fledgling discernment would know to reject that.  Instead, he told her subtle, appealing lies that sounded reasonable and appealed to her desire to be good.

29.) B.) Formed -- Opening the Word

 Bible students already know that the pope’s Catholicism is at odds with the teachings of the Bible.  Yet. even amid leading people astray from what the Bible teaches, he is widely respected as a man of God and a great spiritual world leader.  That’s speaking like a dragon!

30.) A.) America Magazine -- Pope Francis speaks with French President Macron about coronavirus etc

 The pope is the leading religious figure whose endorsement is the most important one a future Antichrist “declaring himself god” (2nd Thessalonians 2:4) would want in order to ensure a global following.  Therefore, the pope is positioned better than anyone on the scene to fulfill this prophecy.  Also, Catholicism already has a long history of making images (statues) for people to worship in front of, disregarding the biblical principle against abominations to God like this.  Not to mention that Catholicism already has a legacy of many documented miracles for the greater miracles predicted at the hand of the False Prophet to fit into.

31.) A.) Catholic Answers -- Sacrifice of the Mass -- Catholic

 It is important to understand that at every Roman Catholic mass, they teach that our Lord Jesus Christ is sacrificed again and again and again.

32.) B.) Redeeming God -- Without The Shedding of Blood There IS NO Forgiveness of Sins -- Hebrews 9 verse 22

 Catholic doctrine teaches: “In the mass, no less than on Calvary”.  Why must the Lord Jesus be continually sacrificed in the mass?  The Bible teaches us that His blood sacrifice on the cross was 100% sufficient to pay for all our sins forever, for the following reasons:

33.) D.) Michelle Halloran -- Remnant's Roar -- Tetelstai -- It is Finished

1.) In John 19:30 Jesus said, “IT IS FINISHED”, which in Greek is “tetelstai” meaning “to make an end, to accomplish, to complete something, not merely to end it, but to bring it to perfection or its intended goal.”  It means that the entire work of salvation, the purpose for which Christ came into the world, has been accomplished on the cross.  Nothing more can be added to it.  This is why we cannot save ourselves by our good works, or religious rituals, as it adding to Christ’s finished work on the cross.

34.) F.) Why Was Jesus Crucified Colorful Stain Glass Window

 The mass says that Christ’s death on the cross is not good enough to pay fully for all our sins or to save us.  The mass says that we get to God apart from Christ’s blood sacrifice on the cross.

35.) A.) The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix -- A Catholic priest holding a wafer bread god

 The mass says that Christ’s blood sacrifice on the cross was a waste of time, as Galatians 2:21 states: “If righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

36.) G.) Jewish Jewels -- Then behold the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom

2.) When Christ died, the veil in the Jewish temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).  This veil separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.  The Holy of Holies was entered once a year by the High Priest on the day of atonement (Exodus 26:31).

37.) A.) Followingmessiah.org -- The Veil of the Temple was Rent in Twain -- Why Did God Tear the Temple Veil

 The tearing of this veil (60 ft. high, 30 ft. wide, 1 ft. thick) was a type of Christ’s human body, torn on the cross.  This showed that a “new and living way” was opened for all believers into the very presence of God.  No other sacrifice and no other priesthood was needed, just Christ’s High Priesthood.  “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the BLOOD OF JESUS, by a NEW AND LIVING way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, HIS FLESH.”  Hebrews 10:19, 20.  We can now enter into the holiest presence of God without priestly sacrifices.

38.) H.) Catholic Heresy -- BEWARE of those whose FAITH is based on their own IDEAS, FEELINGS and what  38.) U.) SO4J -- Catholic Heresy -- Matthew 15 verses 6 -- Jesus says, You Invalidated (cancel, disregard) the Word of God

3.) The New Covenant which operates now in the Church Age states: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  Now where remission of these is, there is “NO MORE OFFERING FOR SIN.” (Hebrews 10:17-18).  The Catholic priest “offering Christ weekly” contradicts this clear statement that there is “NO MORE OFFERING FOR SIN” needed.

4.) Christ’s sacrifice is clearly stated as ONCE FOR ALL, not to be repeated.  “We are sanctified though the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.” (Hebrews 10:10)

 “But this man after He had offered ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR EVER, sat down on the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12)

 “By ONE OFFERING He has perfected FOREVER them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)

  Not only is Christ’s sacrifice the one and only sacrifice for sins forever, but no more offering is needed: “Now where remission of these is, there is NO MORE OFFRING FOR SIN.” (Hebrews 10:18)

 “Nor yet that He should OFFER HIMSELF OFTEN… For then must He OFTEN have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now ONCE in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:25-26)

 “So, Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many.” (Hebrews 9:28)

 “For Christ also has ONCE suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1st Peter 3:18)

39.) A.) Catholic Answers -- Do Catholics Re-Crucify Jesus

5.) Catholic priests performing the “mass re-sacrifice” is a waste of time and of no value in taking away sins.  “Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did ONCE when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:27)

 “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, WHICH CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS.” (Hebrews 10:11)

40.) A.) You Tube -- Catholic man dies and finds out by Jesus Christ that Catholicism leads straight to Hell for eternity

 It is only by this ONE sacrifice of Christ on the cross that people can be saved. The continual sacrifice of the mass is not needed and opposes the Bible.

41.) Pst. Zino Gensis -- There is Power in the Blood of Jesus -- Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant

 The mass is a sacrifice without blood.  Yet the Bible says that “without the shedding of blood there is no remission (of sin).”  We do not need to sacrifice Christ again.  His sacrifice 2,000 years ago is completely sufficient.

32.) I.) Believer.com -- God Our Savior -- Jesus Flying in the Air illustration

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone Number (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the February 2024 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Pope Francis providing key leadership for the New World Order’s ‘False Prophet'” www.JohnBarela.com

Will the Dome of the Rock Mosque on the Temple Mount Soon be Destroyed?

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Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

December 2023

Will the Dome of the Rock Mosque

on the Temple Mount Soon be Destroyed?

Is it time for the Third Temple to be built?

 Prophesy is at Hand!

1.) A.) DreamsTime -- Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel

If they do, it will fulfill the Biblical prophecy in Matthew 24:15….“When ye therefore shall see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ [Anti-Christ] spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place [Jewish Temple]…”

  (In other words, the Jewish Temple MUST be built for it to be desecrated.)

2.) D.) Temple Institute -- The Temple Mount -- Temple Institute

 The word, “holy place,” used in this Scripture above, is referencing the New Jewish Temple that will be rebuilt in Jerusalem in the near future.  Today there is an institution that is devoted specifically to this cause, it is called, “The Temple Institute.”  On my many visits to Israel, we have visited this Institute several times. They were founded in 1987 and are currently planning and developing the construction of the New Temple, which they claim that everything is ready and prepared.  All they need is the go-ahead.

3.) A.) Free Grace International -- A New Temple in Jerusalem -- Bringing The Holy Temple to Life Every Day

 In fact, the Temple Institute has currently restored over 60 different sacred temple vessels including the Priest’s breastplate, the crown of the priest, the shofar, musical instruments, the laver, the  mizrak, and more.  Even some of the most important vessels: the Menorah, the Incense Alter, the Golden Table of Showbread, and a mock-up of the “Ark of the Covenant.”

  It is only a matter of time before this Temple gets built and fulfills the prophecy in Matthew!  Be Ready!  If a major earthquake destroys the Al-Aqsa Mosque, what should happen to the holy site?

4.) A.) NBC News -- Jerusalem's Old City at risk in Earthquake

 NBC, in 2004, predicted that a major earthquake would hit the old city before 2054: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3980139

5.) A.) The Jerusalem Post -- When a major earthquake rippled through Jerusalem -- Israel News

 Given that the infrastructure is old and crumbling due to excavations underneath the mosque, it is conceivable that the entire structure, if not the entire Mount, could collapse.  The last major earthquake was in 1927 and caused extensive but reparable damage, next time that may not be the case.  Such a collapse would be viewed with religious fervor by Jews and Christians as a possible sign of the arrival of the Messiah.

6.) D.) Israel's Prophesied Annihilation of the Palestinians by David Bay

We have a DVD, “Israel’s Prophesied Annihilation of the Palestinians” that tells the following possibility regarding the possible fulfillment of clearing Mt. Moriah to build the third Temple.  Obadiah 15-18 — Set in End Times because verse 15 begins with the prophetic words, “For the Day of the Lord …”.  God consistently uses these words to denote the End of the Age prophecies, and this is time is no exception.

6.) C.) The Times of Israel -- Abbas succession batttle could collapse Palestinian Authority, think tank says

 “For the Day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.  As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head.  For as you have drunk upon the mountain of My holiness [desecrating it in the wild revelry of the destroyers] so shall all the nations drink continually [in turn, of My wrath]; yes, they shall drink, talk foolishly, and swallow down [the full measure of punishment] and they shall be [destroyed] as though they had not been.” [Verses 15-16]

 “But on Mount Zion [in Jerusalem] there shall be deliverance [for those who escape], and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess its [own former] possessions.  The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, but the house Esau shall be stubble; they shall kindle and burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor of the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken it.” [Verses 17-18; Emphasis added].

7.) A.) Reddit -- Greater Israel -- The land Jews were promised in the Bible and the Torah

 The remaining three verses [19-21] tell in great detail how completely Israel will expand out to possess the land God had promised to Israel.  This land includes Lebanon, part of Syria, two-thirds of Jordan [Moab and Edom provinces], and the Negev Desert.  When Israel expands her borders following this war with the Palestinians, Egyptians, and Jordanians, she will not only win but will send her armed forces out to occupy all the land God had promised them.

8.) A.) But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession -- A colorful Sunset picture and Scripture

 But God will also bring about the purification of Mount Zion through this war.  Notice in verse 17 that God says: “But on Mount Zion [in Jerusalem] there shall be deliverance [for those who escape], and it shall be holy.”  The only way that Mount Zion [the Temple Mount] could be made holy in God’s sight is for the Muslim Dome of the Rock to be removed!

 This is a very interesting concept, because the New World Order Plan to produce Antichrist calls for just such a destruction of the Dome of the Rock.

 Since the most important pagan edifice on Mount Zion [Temple Mount] is the Muslim Dome of the Rock, then the question immediately coming to mind is, “Could the Arabs be planning to blow up the Dome and blame the Jews, to instantly unite all one billion Muslims in the world, in a Holy War against Israel?”  When I read this CNN report, I immediately reached back to my bookcase to pull down the most important New World Order book that details how the Antichrist is going to deceive the world.  In a matter of seconds, I had located the place in which the Dome of the Rock is mentioned.

9.) A.) Robert Clifton Robinson -- On the Foal of a Donkey is your Messiah

 Note: “If the Messiah is to appear, then he must be produced.  And producing the Messiah … is just as much a function of humanity as of Divinity … There are doubtless many Jews … who will be willing to regard him as their long-awaited Messiah.  Some Muslims may take a similar view … it may be possible for the New David to ride into Jerusalem in all resplendent majesty.  Note the word ‘ride’ … on a donkey as predicted in Zechariah 9:9 … it would seem advisable for the new Messiah to repeat it, donkey and all … The processional route will, of course, lie directly across the Kidron ravine, as close as possible to the Temple Mount … he must be duly enthroned and anointed with oil (in token of Psalm 45:5-7) amid the rubble of the Dome of the Rock …” [The Armageddon Script, page 233-335]

10.) A.) Yahweh's Restoration Ministry -- The Lost Temple Mount illustration

  Antichrist will receive the recognition of being the Jewish Messiah as he is standing “amid the rubble of the Dome of the Rock!”  Most interestingly, our search amongst the proganda of the Palestinians and Hamas [the terrorist organization supporting Arafat], turned up an unbelievable fact: Palestinian propagandists are already preparing their people for rhe blowing up of the Dome of the Rock!  Time and time again, militant Palestinian organizations have warned that Israel is planning to blow up their beloved Aqsa (Dome of the Rock).

 Therefore, the deed is not only prophesied in Obadiah, but it is now verified twice from Palestinians sources — Arafat on CNN on September 7, 2000, and now by the Palestinian propagandists.  The Arabs will be God’s human agent by which God will fulfill His prophecy in Obadiah 17, that “On Mount Zion, there shall be deliverance … and it shall be holy“.  The Arabs do not realize they are going to purge Mount Zion of the pagan Dome to make it holy; they think they are doing it because such an act would instantly unite all one billion Muslims in the world into such a frenzy that Israel cannot possibly survive the ensuring furious onslaught.

11.) A,) Studying Bible Prophecy -- WordPress.com Progress of The Third Temple -- Part One   31.) B.) Kehila News, Israel -- The Millennial Temple -- Literal or Allegorial (Part 4 of 4)

ISRAEL’S FUTURE THIRD

AND FOURTH TEMPLES

The Old Testament devotes considerable attention to describing the portable tent, or tabernacle, of the Jewish people built under the leadership of Moses.  After the conquest of Canaan, the tabernacle and its contents remained at Shiloh throughout the time of Judges.  After Shiloh was destroyed (about 1050 BC), the Ark traveled through various Philistine cities and finally was brought to David’s palace south of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and then into the holy of holies of the First Temple dedicated by Solomon about 952 BC.

13.) B.) Templar Cross -- The Solomon's Temple -- First Temple of Jerusalem illustration

 The First Temple geometrically resembled the Tabernacle through it was twice as large and built of immense quantities of stone, cedar wood, and lined with gold. [See Exodus 25-31; Exodus 35-40, Numbers 3:25 ff, Numbers 4: ff, also Philo (2nd Mos. 91) and Josephus (Ant. 3:122 ff).  Moses built everything according to a pattern revealed to him on Mt. Sinai, Hebrews 8:5.]

 After the First Temple was completed (1st Kings 5-8), the Tabernacle of Moses was dismantled.  It may have been stored in a room under the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  There is some evidence that it may still lie there to this day.

14.) A.) HistoryVille -- How King Nebuchadnezzar Destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C. illustration

 Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple on the 9th of Av 586 BC, the Jews were then taken captive to Babylon and the city had no center of worship until Zerubbabel and the returning exiles built the Second Temple, completing it in 516 BC.

15.) C.) SlideShare -- Facts on the Second Temple -- Haggai the 10th prophet PowerPoint

 The Second Temple, modest in comparison with its predecessor, was rebuilt and enlarged by Herod the Great beginning in 20 BC, Herod recruited 10,000 workmen and set them to the task commencing in the 17th year of this reign.   Josephus gives vivid descriptions of the Second Temple and its environs and also records the terrible destruction by the Roman general Titus in 70 AD.

16.) C.) Quora -- Remodel of Herod the Great's Second Temple and surrounding City of Jerusalem illustration

 1st Kings 6 ff, 1st Chronicles 22 ff. 3, Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai describe the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian captivity.  This is the so-called “Second Temple” which Herod the Great later greatly enlarged.  Jesus was dedicated in the Second Temple, He cast out money changers there on two occasions, and He taught frequently in the temple courts.

17.) A.) The Spirit of Truth -- Jesus told His Disciples that Jerusalem and the Second Temple would be Destroyed illustration

 During the 70-year captivity of the Jews in Babylon and again in the diaspora, just ending in the last century, the Jewish people have centered their worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in synagogues around the world.  Since the terrible destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in AD 70, temple sacrifices, offerings, instruction, and worship have ceased in accordance with an Old Testament prophecy of Hosea (about 746 BC):

 “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim.  Afterward, the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.” (Hosea 3:4, 5)

18.) F.) Amazon.com -- When The Third Temple is Built The Rapture Play Will Begin

 The regathering of the Jewish people to their homeland in our time (as predicted in Ezekiel 37) is being accompanied by a rapidly accelerating religious consciousness in Israel, the awakening of ancient longings and aspirations, and the rediscovery of many immutable promises God has made to the chosen seed of Abraham.  The fact that a Third Temple is to be built can be shown from the Tanach.  But three passages in the New Testament also refer to such a building not now in existence as of this writing in 1996 AD.  Many Christians have thus speculated in recent years about when the Third Temple would be built.  This is considered by many to be an important milestone pointing to the end of the age.  Plus, since the Third Temple will be used by the Antichrist to declare he is God, those followers of the new world order are in full agreement with this plan.

            19.) C.) The Israel Forever Foundation -- Six-Day War -- 67_borders_peace  19.) B.) The Meaningful Life Center -- 50th Anniversary of the Six-Day War -- It's Impact Today

 The entire Temple Mount contains cisterns and passages most of which have been inaccessible since 70 AD.  The Temple Mount proper was liberated from Jordanian control in the Six-Day War of 1967 but then returned by Israel to the custody of the Muslim Waqf (Jordan).  The site is some 34 acres in extent with the prominent “Dome of the Rock” near the center and Al Aqsa mosque at the South end.  Jews pray night and day at the Western Wall which is below the Temple Mount, along a section of the great retaining wall of the Mount, in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.  The Western Wall is as close as Jews can get these days to the site of their ancient temples.

Dr. Asher Kaufman of Keough School of Global Affairs

 Dr. Asher Kaufman formerly of the Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, for many years made careful studies on Mount Moriah leading him to believe the Temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel were both located just north of the Dome of the Rock on the paved platform area.  The Holy of Holies is believed to have been approximately on the bedrock covered by a small shrine, the Dome of the Spirits.  The Muslim stewards of the site have systematically destroyed or covered over all evidence that the site was once important to the Jews or Christians.

21.) A.) Archaeology and Jerusalem with Dr. Dan Bahat

 Others, including Dan Bahat the Dean of Jerusalem archaeologists today, have argued persuasively that the First and Second Temples were most certainly located where the present Dome of the Rock shrine now stands.  A third view is that of Architect Tuvia Sagiv who presents striking evidence that the Temple locaton was South of the Dome of the Rock, but North of Al Aqsa Mosque, under the present Muslim El Kas fountain.

22.) A.) You Tube -- Dialogue at the Temple Mount with Architect Tuvia Sagiv

 The Temple Mount area is also the location of the birth of the Christian church at the feast of Pentecost which followed seven sabbaths plus one day after the death of Messiah.  Neither Christians nor Jews are presently allowed to pray or worship on the site despite its historic importance to all of Abraham’s children.

23.) A.) Flickr -- Peter Paul Rubens -- The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek

 To go back even further in time the Temple Mount has great historical importance to the Jews.  Abraham met a priest of the true God named Melchidezek at Mount Moriah about 4000 years ago (Genesis 14, Hebrews 5-7).  A few years later, Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice there (Genesis 22), and King David purchased the site from a local resident named Ornan (1st Chronicles 21), in about 1015 BC.

 Muslim claims to the Temple Mount date only from 638 AD.  The Crusaders turned the Muslim buidlings of the Mount into churches in 1099 until Saladin restored the Arab rule of Jerusalem in 1187 AD.

34.) B.) Reddit -- Paul's Speech on Mar's Hill in Athens -- A Bridge Between Faith and Philosophy illustration

 The New Testament makes only brief references to temples, in fact, the Apostle Paul speaking to a crowd in Athens from Mars HIll said:

 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of Heaven and Earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life, and breadth, and everything…” (Acts 17:24-25).

24.) G.) Knowing Jesus -- 82 Bible versese about Faith -- So Faith Comes from Hearing and Hearing by the Word of Christ

 Instead, the emphasis of the New Covenant is the personal presence of Jesus as Messiah, Immanuel (which means “God with us”) dwelling within and in the midst of his people whenever and wherever they gather in his name.

25.) A.) Knowing Jesus -- The Disciples were first called Christians in Antioch -- Acts 11 verse 26

 The New Testament opens with the four-gospel revelation of God’s Son, Jesus.  John in his gospel says that God in Christ “tabernacled” among men.  Later in the First Century, both Paul and Peter call the true church “living temple.” Individual believers are “living stones” and Christ is Himself the foundation stone or the “chief cornerstone.”   For two thousand years of Biblical history the emphasis has been on assemblies or congregations of Christians or Jews, not on sacred buildings.

26.) B.) You Tube -- The Third Temple Coming Soon!

 Yet there are at least three references in the New Testament to a temple building existing in Jerusalem in the future.  From the context, these references appear to refer to a new, or “Third Temple” yet to be built in the city. There has been growing interest since the rebirth of Israel in 1948 among the Jews for a central  place of worship in their capital city.  Although synagogues have served admirably as centers of worship and community for the Jews in their dispersion, a temple in Jerusalem on the exact site of the Second Temple is required by the Jews as a central house of prayer and focal point of the faith until Messiah comes.

 Our Lord Jesus spoke of the Third Temple building in Jerusalem when discussing with His disciples the chain of events that would bring the close of the present age and His return.  He spoke of an event yet future predicted by Daniel the prophet when the temple in Jerusalem would suffer ultimate defilement by a false Messiah who claimed to be God:

27.) B.) The Messianic Prophecy Bible Project -- A man representing the Antichrist standing at a balcony looking out

 “When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), Let them which be in Judea flee to the mountains; let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house; Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  Pray that your flight be not in winter or on a sabbath.  For then there shall be great tribulation, such as was since the beginning of the world to this time, no, and nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:15-21)

26.) C.) Israel Today -- Third Temple Preparation are in Full Swing

 Since only properly consecrated temple can be defiled, this passage implies a functioning, dedicated Third Temple and priesthood in existence in the end time at the time Jesus said He would return.  The apostle Paul, writing a few years later, describes this same event:

27.) E.) Compelling Truth -- What Is The Meaning of The Abomination of Desolation

 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the Day of the Lord is at hand.  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called god, showing himself that he is God.,” (2nd Thessalonians 2:1-4).

  Emmanuel Macron has Roman Ancestry  28.) A.) Carl Joseph Ministries -- Antiochus IV Epiphanes -- Daniel Chapter 8

 The coming false Jewish messiah, resembling his predecessor Antiochus Epiphanes (~175 BC), is the “worthless shepherd” spoken of by the prophet Zechariah — and the man Jesus spoke of when he said to the Jews, “I have come in my Father’s name and you would not receive me.  Another will come in his own name, him you will receive.” (John 5:43) (See also Daniel 9:27, Revelation 13:18).

29.) A.) Spiritual Meditations -- John the Apostle of Love

 Finally, the existence of the Third Temple in Jerusalem at the close of the age is confirmed by the aged apostle John when he recorded the Book of the Revelation:

 “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” (Revelation 11:1-2).

30.) A.) Facebook -- New Jerusalem Worship Temple and Scripture

 In contrast to the earthly city the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, describes the heavenly city of New Jerusalem, descending from space, as a city that contains no temple at all:

 “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:22, 23).

31.) C.) Kehila News, Israel -- The Millennial Temple -- Literal or Allegorical (Part 1 of 4) -- 3D view of a model from above  31.) B.) Kehila News, Israel -- The Millennial Temple -- Literal or Allegorial (Part 4 of 4)

 There may yet be a fourth Temple bullt in Israel.  The prophet Zechariah (c. 550 BC) says that Messiah, whom he calls the “Branch” will yet build a temple in Israel, that would be during the Millennium.

31.) F.) From the Heart of A Shepherd by Pastor Travis D. Smith -- The Temple of the Millennial Kingdom (Ezekiel 40)

 Since all orthodox born again believers hold to a literal, physical return of our Lord Jesus, the construction of the Fourth Temple, would be the responsibility of their Lord, Yeshua Hamashiach.  This temple may well be that seen by Ezekiel (ca. 570 BC) in a vision.  A temple that matches his description has never yet been built.

32.) B.) Jesus ~ Amazing Grace -- Are You Ready to go Home with Jesus -- Any Day Now -- At the Trump of God

  Time to keep looking up.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136.  The name of the original article in the December 2023 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Will the Dome of the Rock Mosque on the Temple Mount Soon be Destroyed?” www.JohnBarela.com