Ted’s Remarks About Stuff
January thru March, 2015


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Mar. 31, 2015

Nuclear talks between Iran and six major world powers (United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China) have been extended twice since 2013.  Today is the supposed to be the final deadline to reach an agreement.  Leaders, including President Obama, have said that they are not interested in a third extension.

Yet, it looks like there is going to be another extension.  They seem to indicate that there is meaningful progress, but I am skeptical of that.

Iran nuke talks to continue past deadline

I see this as a lose/lose situation for the West and Israel.  I fear that these negotiaions may end up with a bad deal, and there will be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.  It also makes me fear for the safety of Israel.


Mar. 30, 2015

No one ever will be able to convince me that a fetus is not a person and that abortion is not the killing of a human being.  This astonishing video of an ultrasound shows a fetus, 14 weeks old, clapping in its mother’s womb:

King David was Israel’s greatest king.  Speaking to God, he said, “[Y]ou brought me out of the womb....  [F]rom my mother’s womb you have been my God” (Psalm 22:9,10).  He also said, “From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.  I will ever praise you.”  It’s a good thing that the mother of this great man, an ancestor of Jesus, did not choose to have an abortion.


Mar. 29, 2015

This is “Palm Sunday,” the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey.  This was prophesied to take place centuries before it happened:

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

As Yeshua/Jesus, the Messiah/Christ, passed by, the people who had witnessed the countless miracles He had done shouted,

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

A few days later on Passover, Jesus our Passover Lamb was sacrificed.  He was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29).  See more details in parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb.


Mar. 28, 2015

The most common consensus as to the cause of the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 on Mar. 24 is that it was a deliberate act by the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz.  The plane, carrying 150 people, including Lubitz, went down in the French Alps.

Some have speculated that Lubitz had converted to Islam and had decided to commit an act of mass terror.  Indeed, some have been convinced of an Islamic connection by a Andreas Lubitz Fans page, which has been removed by Facebook.  However, it is much more likely that this page was put up by unknown Islamists attempting to identify themselves with Lubitz with no actual connection being present.

Apparently, Lubitz had some type of health problem, perhaps depression, which he hid from most everyone, including his employer, Lufthansa.  An ex-girlfriend has noted that Lubitz once told her, “One day I’m going to do something that will change the whole system, and everyone will know my name and remember.”

Crash Co-Pilot To Ex-Girlfriend:
"Everyone Will Know My Name"

She also said that, plagued by nightmares, Lubitz would wake up screaming, “We’re going down!”  That sounds to me like he may have been possessed by a demon that compelled him to perform one of the most vile and abhorrent acts of murder conceivable.  I wonder if he realized, as the plane was going down, that he would be one of the most despised men in the whole world.


Mar. 27, 2015

NE State Senator Ernie ChambersOne of my closest friends is a retired state police captain.  He served honorably, effectively, and compassionately for decades. and he is one of the nicest and most upstanding people I’ve ever known.  Those who know him feel the same way.  He says that he drove about 1½ million miles during his many years of patroling highways, keeping drivers safe.

Respecting my friend and law enforcement as I do, I was appalled to hear about anti-police comments made by Senator Ernie Chambers a week ago.  He represents North Omaha’s 11th District in the Nebraska State Legislature.  Comparing the police specifically to ISIS terrorists, Chambers stated to other legislators, “My ISIS is the police.”

He did not stop there, though.  Chambers also stated, “Nobody from ISIS ever terrorized us as a people as the police do daily.”  Furthermore, speaking of any police officer who might be about to arrest him, he asserted, “If I carried a gun, I’d want to shoot him first and then ask questions later, like they say the cop ought to do.”

         
18-second slideshow

Those in law enforcement serve us daily and sometimes give their lives in this service.  The careless rhetoric that has radiated from Ernie Chambers, as well as from other liberal progressives in government, endagers police officers everywhere.  There are many thugs out there who have been waiting for the excuse to attack the police, and this deplorable language by a state senator could do just that.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts described the senator’s comments as irresponsible and has demanded an apology from Chambers.  But Chambers has replied, “I will continue to deal with the issues that I think are important.  I have an obligation to address them.  I will continue to do so, and I will do it in my way.”  There was no apology attached to those statements.

State Senator David Schnoor has asked Chambers to resign.  Hopefully, other legislators will do the same.  Maybe Chambers should leave Nebraska, fly to Syria, and see how he is treated by ISIS.

In any case, it would be interesting to see what would happen if Ernie Chambers ever encounters an officer of the law on the street.  Maybe the officer should pull out a Board of Education, rather than a gun, and give Mr. Chambers some “instruction” in sensibiity and prudence.


Mar. 25, 2015

Tsunami Hazard ZoneI am listening to one of my favorite radio stations, 600 KOGO in San Diego, as I usually do in the mornings.  At about 10:25 a.m. PDT, there was a tsunami alert test that was broadcast by the Emergency Alert System.  That is because San Diego, as well as all of coastal California, is part of a Tsunami Hazard Zone.

This alert is being heard in coastal cities throughout So. CA.  I bet that a lot of people freak out, even though they don’t need to because it’s just a test.

Tsunami Drill for Southern California Wednesday

The last big earthquake felt in San Diego was the Baja California earthquake on Apr. 4, 2010.  The magnitude was 7.2.  Had the epicenter of that quake been just off of the Southern California or Baja California coast, it could have generated a dangerous tsunami.

So if you ever are at the beach and feel a quake, it always is a good idea to head away from the coast as soon as possible, preferrably to higher ground.  Find out the location of the quake, perhaps on the radio or on your iPhone, before thinking about returning to the beach.

This tsunami alert reminds me of the very destructive tsunami caused by the 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Japan in 2011.  Mar. 11 was the fifth anniversary of this catastrophic event.

In that entry is a video speculating how and why the huge earthquake may have been caused by HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program).  This 1-hour video provides a pretty good overview of HAARP:

You can watch other HAARP videos at YouTube.com and decide for yourself.


Mar. 23, 2015

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is the first person to declare his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.  He did this today in a 31-minute speech at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.  His entire speech can be heard here:

I like the socially and fiscally conservative views of Senator Cruz very much.  I especially like his open opposition to the so-called “Affordable” Care Act, most commonly known as Obamacare.

Today is the five-year anniversary of Barack Obama’s signing this catastrophic legislation into law on Mar. 23, 2010Only Democrats in the Senate (on Dec. 24, 2009) and in the House of Representatives (on Mar. 21, 2010) voted for this disaster.


Mar. 20, 2015

Total solar eclipse over Africa, Europe, and RussiaTotal solar eclipse on the Spring equinoxThe vernal equinox occurs today, and Spring begins at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  There also is a total solar eclipse today that is observable in much of the world.  It cannot be seen in the Americas, except for in Greenland.

Total solar eclipse, supermoon,
equinox: Friday’s celestial triple play

Furthermore, this is the date, Aviv 1 (or Nisan 1 = Rosh Chodesh Nisan), that God told Moses would be the beginning of the Hebraic religious year.  Then, Aviv 10 (or Nisan 10) would be the day that the lambs to be used for Passover were gathered.

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.  Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.” (Exodus 12:1-3)

During Holy Week, Aviv 10 was Palm Sunday.  This was the day that Yeshua/Jesus, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11)—see parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb.

Passover is in a couple of weeks, on Apr. 4.  On that day will be one of the “Blood Moons” on Hebraic Feast and Holy Days.  Today’s total solar eclipse, and the total lunar eclipse on Passover, are only two of several eclipses on Hebraic holy days during 2014 and 2015—see lunar and solar eclipses.


Mar. 19, 2015

The final count after the elections in Israel, on Mar. 17, shows that the Likud party will have 30 seats in the next Knesset.  Benjamin Netanyahu will continue as Prime Minister of Israel.

Israel Elections

Mar. 17, 2015

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I want to feature a very bright, successful Irishman here today: Aodhan Cullen, the genius CEO of StatCounter.  He founded his company in 1999, in Dublin, when he was 16.  In 2008, he became the youngest recipient of the Internet Hero Award.  You can watch a short video of this here.

Since I use StatCounter, I would like to tell you a little about it.  I have utilized this service at my website for several years.  I have counters on the main pages of most of the sections at my site, although they are not visible.  I refer to them just for my own personal information.

The StatCounter service records the number of hits that each page gets, the geographical location of visitors, the pages that people view, and the keywords they use to find a site.  There also are graphs showing the number of visitors to various pages, per day, for the previous week, such as this graph for my Anatomy, Pathology & Physiology of the Human Eye site (which has had 3,095,116 visitors so far).

All of these are interesting statistics so that I can keep track of the numbers and types of visitors to my site.  Furthermore, the StatCounter service is very reliable; it never has been inoperative even once in all the years I have used it.

For me, the best and most amazing thing about StatCounter is that it is free!  (I can appreciate that, since everything at my website is free as well.)  However, there are various upgrades that can be purchased for customers who wish to do so.

I am very impressed with Aodhan Cullen and StatCounter, and I highly recommend this service.  I also would like to express my gratitude to Aodhan for his company’s contribution to my website, and I wish him the greatest success in the future, as well as a happy St. Patrick’s Day.  I’ve never been to Ireland, but I hope to have that experience sometime, since my ancestory is from there. 


Mar. 16, 2015

The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has announced that it has finished building an altar.  Orthodox Jews believe that this altar will go in the Third Temple, once it is built.

Holy Altar Constructed for 3rd Jewish Temple

That article points out that the words “holy place” in Matthew 24:15 and “temple” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Revelation 11:1,2 predict the rebuilding of the temple in the future.  Personally, I am not convinced that a manmade third temple will stand in Jerusalem before Jesus returns, as explained in this response that I wrote to someone’s email:


Mar. 15, 2015

The beginning of Revelation 12 reads like this:

A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.  She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.  Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads.  His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.  The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. (Revelation 12:1-4)

I have been questioned before about when the “red dragon” (Satan) swept a third of the stars (angels) out of the sky (heaven) and flung them to the earth.  Was this a past event, or is it yet to take place in the future?  My response is here:

In my email response, I consider the timing of what I feel will be a future battle in heaven:

And there was war in heaven.  Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.  But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.  The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.  He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelation 12:7-9)

This will happen at the beginning of the Great Tribulation period yet to come, perhaps sooner rather than later.  It has been noted in my anticipated prophetic events section as one of six events to take place at that time.


Mar. 12, 2015

We all go through difficult circumstances.  Some of them push us to the edge of what we can stand.  These trials happen to everyone, even to those who have a strong, enduring faith in God.  In essence, we are like pieces of pottery that God has created, formed, passed through the fire, and put into use.

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. (Jeremiah 18:3,4)

Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?  Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”  Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:20-21)

Two of the best videos I have seen were produced by Day of Discovery Ministries.  They show a potter’s forming and shaping pieces of pottery and equate this process with God’s fashioning and modeling us for His use.  These videos, each 25½ minutes in length, can be viewed here:

The Potter: Reflections of a Master Artisan — Part I | Part II

Mar. 11, 2015

Today is the fourth anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on Mar. 11, 2011.  The super 9.0 quake was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded to have hit Japan.  The quake and resultant tsunami caused the cataclysmic Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

There has been speculation that HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program), in the wrong hands, was utilized to set off the huge earthquake that day.  This 7½-minute video describes how that may have been the case:


Mar. 10, 2015

Christians believe that the blood shed by Jesus, along with His death on the cross, atoned for our sins.  His resurrection from the dead, three days later, brought salvation and eternal life to those who acknowledge Him as Lord and who believe that He was raised from the dead:

“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:  That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:8-10)

Our salvation depends on faith and not works (Ephesians 2:8,9).  Therefore, most Christians believe that the regulations and instructions in the Torah were “done away with” when Jesus took our sins to the cross.

As such, they feel that, other than the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22), it no longer is necessary to obey the laws and commands of the Torah, which were given by God to Moses.  I feel differently about this issue, as described on my Law/Torah page, as well as in my email response here:


Mar. 8, 2015

In case your locality goes on Daylight Saving Time, but you haven’t yet set your clocks ahead one hour (“Spring forward”), don’t forget to do it! 


Mar. 7, 2015

Christopher Lee Cornell, age 20, is a convert to Islam.  He is from Ohio and claims to have given his allegiance to the Islamic State.

Cornell was arrested by the FBI a couple of months ago for planning to bomb the U.S. Capitol Building and shoot anyone who runs from the area.  He had purchased two M-15 rifles with 600 rounds of ammunition before being arrested.

From his jail cell in Boone County, KY, he called the WXIX-TV station in Cincinatti, OH.  He confessed to crimes that he had planned to commit in Washington, DC, had he not been arrested.

He also admitted to planning to shoot President Barack Obama in the head and attacking the Israeli embassy.  In a portion of the first 6 minutes of the following video, part of his confession can be heard:

FBI Director James Comey has stated the agency has current investigations into homegrown radicals in every state.  I suspect it is only a matter of time before they become a widespread problem in the USA.  Radical Islam is an evil malignancy that has infected much of the world, and there has not been enough opposition to it to stop it.


In other news, tonight is the time to advance clocks ahead one hour in most states in the USA (barring Arizona and Hawaii), most of Europe, and some other nations.  I set all of my clocks and watch ahead this afternoon, so I already am on Daylight Saving Time.

I like to do it about twelve hours before the time changes, which is at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday.  It helps me adapt to the new time.  I am eating dinner an hour early and will go to bed an hour early.  I even begin yawning an hour earlier than usual.  It works for me. 

I use this to obtain the correct time, to the nearest second: the official U.S. time.


Mar. 6, 2015

Most non-Christians do not grasp the concept of the Trinity.  Even some Christians struggle with this idea.

It seems to me that one of the main problems people have is viewing God as “three Persons.”  When others hear this perspective, Christianity seem like a polytheistic religion to them, which it is not.  The nature of God is a “multi-faceted singularity,” which in Hebrew is described by the word echad.

Moses spoke, and also wrote, these words about God to the Israelites:

Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

Yet in Genesis, also authored by Moses, he wrote,

Then God said, “Let us make man in our, in our likeness....” (Genesis 1:26a)

The first is an example of God’s singularity and exclusive nature, while the second is a portrayal of His multiplicity and manifold nature.  Both, simultaneously, are attributes of His constitution and composition.  Here is an email response I have written about this topic:


Mar. 5, 2015

Full Moon on PurimPurim began last night at sunset.  Today is the first of two days of Purim.  It also is a full moon. (See the Calendar of Hebraic Holy Days 2012–2020 for dates of other Hebraic feasts, festivals, and holy days.) 

Had it not been for the great Queen Esther, the Jews might have been destroyed millennia ago.  She was bold and wise enough to inform her husband, King Ahasuerus of the Medo-Person Empire, of the plot against the Jews by the evil Haman.

Read the Book of Esther to see the wonderful story of a very brave and heroic lady.  Also, you can read my brief summary here:

Queen Esther and the
Feast of Firstfruits

At a typical Purim festival the Megillah is read.  It is a biblical narrative of the Book of Esther, traditionally read in synagogues to celebrate the festival of Purim.  The Megillah can be read here:  Megillah (DOC file)  |  Megillah (PDF file)


Mar. 4, 2015

The feast of Purim begins at sunset tonight.  It commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from destruction in the ancient Persian Empire.  The brief story about it can be read in Esther 8 & 9.

Although an important festival, Purim is not one of the seven Hebraic feasts, festivals and holy days that God commanded Israel to observe in the Spring and Fall of each year.  The first of these, Passover, is one month from today: Apr. 4, on which there will be a “blood moon” eclipse.

MenorahThese seven feasts, festivals and holy days remind me of the seven candles in the standard menorah or lampstand, which God commanded Moses to have made, of pure gold, for the tabernacle:

Make a lampstand [menorah] of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it.  Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. (Exodus 25:31,32)

Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.  In the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning.  This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come. (Exodus 27:20,21)

The three branches on each side are separated by the main shaft in the middle.  Olive oil in the base of the menorah rises up into the center shaft and then into each of the six branches to keep all the flames burning.

Considering the seven Hebraic feasts, festivals and holy days, the one in the middle is Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks.  It was on this day—the fiftieth day following the resurrection of Yeshua/Jesus on the Feast of Firstfruits—that the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.  God’s Spirit filled many of Jesus’ disciples who were in Jerusalem, causing them to speak in other languages or tongues and amazing all of those who observed this phenomenon taking place (Acts 2:1-12).

It is God’s Spirit who is at the center of everything and who “fuels” and sustains all things.  It was the Spirit of God who descended on Jesus like a dove, at His baptism, and anointed Him with spiritual “oil” for His earthly service to His Father in heaven (Matthew 3:16,17).

Jesus fulfilled the first three feasts and holy days at His first coming (in the month of Nisan), and He will fulfill the last three feasts and holy days at His second coming (in the month of Tishri).  The Holy Spirit fulfilled the middle feast (in the month of Sivan), which happens during a gap of time between the first three and the last three.


Mar. 3, 2015

Today was third time that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before the U.S. Congress.  The other two times were in 1996 and in 2011.

The only other person to speak that many times before the U.S. Congress was Winston Churchill.  Speaker John Boehner presented Mr. Netanyahu with a bust of Churchill before he gave his speech.

There was a great deal of applause and numerous standing ovations throughout the speech, which lasted about 43 minutes.  All of it can be heard in this video:

President Obama did not attend the speech, nor did any member of the Obama administration.  Furthermore, there were 58 members of Congress who skipped Netanyahu’s speech.  All of them were Democrats.

Mr. Netanyahu urged the U.S. to do everything in its power to prevent Iran from being able to produce a nuclear weapon.  If Iran reaches this goal, not only would Israel and the USA be threatened but, most likely, it would commence a nuclear arms race by other nations in the Middle East.

Near the end of his speech, Netanyahu seemed to indicate that if the talks between the U.S. and Iran do not curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel will “go it alone.”  He not only is a great leader, orator and statesman; he also is a man of action, so Israel might go ahead and attack Iran on its own.  If so, that easily could escalate into World War III.


Mar. 2, 2015

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel spoke before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) today.  It mainly was a precursor address to the speech that he will give to the U.S. Congress tomorrow.

Netanyahu indicated that he was not going to talk about the content of tomorrow’s speech.  Today, he wished to talk about the purpose of the speech, which was to “speak up about a potential deal with Iran that could threaten the survival of Israel.”

To hear this portion of his 25-minute speech, you can listen to the final 13 minutes of it, which begins at the 12:00 minute point:

Barack Obama came out saying that Netanyahu’s speech tomorrow is a mistake:


Feb. 27, 2015

Leonard NimoyHebrew letter Shin passed away today at the age of 83.  He played Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek series and in some of the Star Trek movies.  Nimoy died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

One of the most common symbols associated with the Mr. Spock character was the Vulcan salute.  Whenever he made that symbol with his hand, he spoke the words, “Live long and prosper.”

That salute is representative of the Hebrew letter Shin.  This letter is used as a sign of blessing, and it symbolizes Hebrew words such as Shekhina and Shalom.

Here is a 3-minute video of Leonard Nimoy describing how he first observed this hand symbol in an orthodox Jewish service and how it came to be used by Mr. Spock in the Star Trek series:


Feb. 26, 2015

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had a hearing today on the topic of “net neutrality.”  With a vote along party lines, Liberal members at the FCC voted to approve new rules for the Internet.  Conservative members see this as a power grab by the federal government, and I agree.

Essentially, the FCC rewrote telecommunications law, which is unconstitutional.  It was a non-legislative dictate by an agency that does not have the power to do that.

Tougher Internet rules hit
US cable, telecom companies

We can't protect free, open Internet
by dusting off old regulations

I agree that this was a “power grab” by the FCC, just as Obamacare was a power grab of the health care system by the federal government.  I expect that we eventually will begin to see problems with our Internet service that we never imagined could happen.

I also feel that the government will begin to look for websites that it does not like and make them conform to its unreasonable standards, or else it will force them off of the World Wide Web completely.  The “New World Order” is on its way.


Feb. 24, 2015

President Obama followed through with his vow to veto bipartisan-backed legislation authorizing the Keystone Pipeline.  The pipeline, first proposed in 2008, would connect Canada’s tar sands to Gulf Coast refineries.

Obama Vetoes Keystone Pipeline

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell responded by saying, “It’s extremely disappointing that President Obama vetoed a bipartisan bill that would support thousands of good jobs and pump billions of dollars into the economy.”  House Speaker John Boehner called the veto a “national embarrassment.”


Feb. 23, 2015

The term “sons of God” in the Bible can have different meanings, such as Genesis 6:1,2 vs. Matthew 5:9.  Here is my response to a question about this topic:


Feb. 20, 2015

Petra, ancient city of stoneRecently, I saw a Nova special about Petra.  It is an ancient uninhabited city carved out of stone, located in a mountain/desert area of southern Jordan.  I found it to be an extremely interesting documentary.

I looked around the internet to find the full video (about 53 minutes in length).  It took awhile, but I finally found it here, although I do not know if it will remain there permanently:

Petra: Lost City of Stone

The main reason it interested me is because many feel Petra is the place where Jesus told those in the region of Judea to flee after they see the abomination that causes desolation being set up.  That will begin the Great Tribulation period: the most stressful time in human history up to that point.

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house.  Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!  Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.  For then there will be great tribulation, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. (Matthew 24:15-27)

Those who flee will be a remnant of the woman, or Israel, who will be protected for 1,260 days after reaching their destination:

The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. ... The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. (Revelation 12:6,14)

Wherever it is that these people will flee, which may or may not be to Petra, they will be protected by God for “a time, times, and half a time” = “1 year + 2 years + ½ year” or about 3½ years.  One reason many feel that the people will flee to Petra is because of this:

He will also invade the Beautiful Land.  Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. (Daniel 11:41)

“He” is the Antichrist, and the “Beautiful Land” most likely is Israel.  Petra is located in the portion of Jordan that was known as Edom in ancient times, and this will be one region that God will keep off-limits to the Antichrist.  Furthermore, when Jesus returns, it will be at Bozrah, which also is in Edom, when He begins treading the winepress of God’s wrath:

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson?  Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength?  “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”  Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?  “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me.  I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.” (Isaiah 63:1-3)

A 3-minute portion of a video on God’s Learning Channel talks about Petra.  It is from minute 5:00 to minute 8:00.  This interesting video may be up for only another week or two:

Rocks, Shovels & Manuscripts: Program #8

At the return of Jesus to earth, He will liberate those who fled at the beginning of the Great Tribulation and will bring them back to Jerusalem.  On that same day, His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 12:4), and He will begin reigning as King over the whole earth (14:9).

What a time of gladness and rejoicing that will be.  For the first time ever, absolute peace and harmony will come to the earth, and it will endure throughout the Millennium.


Feb. 19, 2015

Today is the last day of the White House Countering Violent Extremism Summit.  Barack Obama finally admitted that the 21 Egyptians killed by radical Islamists on Feb. 15 were Christians.  Evidently, he felt compelled to acknowledge it, since it was obvious to everyone else that this is what had occurred.

Of course, Mr. Obama knew all along that this is what had happened.  He simply did not want to admit it because it casts a dark shadow on Islam, the religion he loves and adores.

The fact is, Islam is a patently false religion based on the faulty foundation that Muhammad was the prophet predicted by Moses to come.  This is explained in my Jan. 13 entry.

Furthermore, a fundamental tenet built on that foundation of sand is the notion, stated in the Qur’an, that Jesus ('Iesa) was not the son of Allah (Maryam: 35) and that Allah has begotten no son (al-Furqân: 2).  Ironically, that notion is true; Jesus was not Allah’s son, because Allah is not God.

The Qur’an blatantly slams Christian “disbelievers” because they believe in a triune God (al-Mâ´idah: 73)—that is, in a God who is both singular and multiple.  In fact, Islam denies the true Father and Son because this religion has been influenced by a deception put forth by the antichrist spirit.  This was clarified by John, the apostle who knew Jesus better than anyone else:

Who is the liar?  It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.  No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.  See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.  If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. (1 John 2:22-24)

Muhammad was persuaded and misled by this antichrist spirit.  Moreover, the Antichrist to come also will deny that Jesus was the Son of God.

Because of this, I am compelled to believe that the Antichrist will be Islamic (and, possibly, will embrace distorted and errant forms of other religions as well); or else, he will exploit Islamic extremists and terrorists to help him gain global domination.  The woman and the beast section provides more details.

Barack Obama claims to be a Christian but also loves, extols, and steadfastly defends Islam.  There is a clear dichotomy in his philosophy of religion.  He insists that Islam is a “religion of peace” and that the extremists who carry out terrorist attacks are not really Islamic, even though they always yell “Allahu Akbar” when they do it.

Mr. Obama insists that the West is not at war with Islam.  But, indeed, Islam is at war with the West.  The president needs to wake up and smell the Islamic jihad that is coming upon the whole world.


Feb. 18, 2015

A friend is visiting Rome today.  Either he or a friend of his (I’m not sure which one) was able to capture some photos of Pope Francis in an Ash Wednesday procession at the Vatican.

     
10-second slideshow

He said that they were in the section right near the front door of the Vatican, at the same level as the Pope.  The Pope’s route also went right by them as they were leaving.  He agreed that it was a unique lifetime experience.


Feb. 17, 2015

ISIS thugs are on a murderous rampage again, continuing to give Islam a bad name.  In the Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi, they reportedly have burned 45 people to death.

ISIS militants reportedly burn to death
45 people in western Iraqi town

There should be no doubt to anyone who is paying attention that Islamic extremism is spreading throughout the world.  A recent example was the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya on Feb. 15.

Yet, at the three-day White House Countering Violent Extremism Summit, which began today, the focus will not be on Islamic extremism or radical Islam.  Barack Obama decided to convene this summit in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris on Jan. 7.

"Islamic extremism" off limits at
White House terrorism summit

Today, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder gave his opinion about linking violent extremism with radical Islam.  I think he is dead wrong.

There definitely is something wrong with this whole picture.  Islamic extremism is the “elephant in the middle of the room.”  Logically, how can a discussion about it not be a major part of this summit?  Ask Barack Obama.


Feb. 15, 2015

21 Egyptian Christians about to be beheaded by ISIS in LibyaA video has emerged evidently showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya.  They were killed in Libya by IS (Islamic State) militants.  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has banned all travel to Libya by Egyptian citizens.

Islamic State: Egyptian
Christians held in Libya killed

Also today, the Islamic gunman who attacked two locations in Copenhagen yesterday was killed by police.  Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein, 22, killed a guard at a Copenhagen synagogue and also a man at a cafe hosting a free speech event.  At the latter, El-Hussein fired 40 shots into the cafe window.

Danish police kill 22-year-old
suspected of Copenhagen shootings

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said, “This is not a war between Islam and the West'”  It sounds to me that she may have her head buried in the sand.

Great numbers of Christians, Jews, and moderate Muslims are dying, at the hands of radical Islamists, throughout the Middle East and northern Africa.  It may not be long before this is taking place all over the world.


Feb. 14, 2015

Happy Valentine’s Day!    I think this is an appropriate day to show pictures of the Heart Nebula, which is about 7,500 light years away from us.

This nebula is located in the constellation Cassiopeia within our own Milky Way Galaxy.  I think it is pretty cool.  As gigantic as it is, it is only one tiny example of the awesome and magnificent creative ability of the almighty God.

         
15-second slideshow

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1,2)

Feb. 13, 2015

Today is Friday the 13th.  There will be another one next month.  Although many people are apprehensive and superstitious about this day, it is an irrelevant day to me.

However, it is interesting to me that a verse full of “thirteens,” in the book of Revelation, portends a great deal of “bad luck” in the future:

And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. (Revelation 13:13)

The “he” in that verse is the second beast described by the apostle John.  This entity—or, perhaps, two entities because, figuratively, it was seen by John to have “two horns”—will cause the inhabitants of the earth to worship the first beast.

The great and miraculous signs performed by the second beast (Revelation 13:13) will be a great deception, causing people to accept and even embrace the beast system (13:14).  This will include taking the “mark of the beast,” without which people will not be able to buy or sell (13:16,17).  This deception by counterfeit, satanic miracles was described by the apostle Paul:

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.  They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

So this powerful delusion, that will deceive many people lacking a belief in the one, true God (who is not Allah), is inevitable.  Many, including myself, feel that this deception will begun soon and then escalate to a peak within a relatively short period of time.


Feb. 12, 2015

Understanding the proper chronology of the book of Revelation can be challenging.  For instance, although Chapter 12 comes immediately after Chapter 11, it does not follow chronologically.  I have written this email response to provide more details about this topic:


Feb. 8, 2015

Many have wondered whom “the woman” in Revelation 12:1-6 represents.  Some Catholics believe that she is the Mother Mary.  I disagree, as I feel that this “woman” is representative of Israel.  Here are two email responses that I have written about this topic:


Feb. 5, 2015

Today was the funeral service of my friend, Greg, who passed away on Jan. 14.  It was a military service at Riverside National Cemetery, since he served in Vietnam.

It was a very impressive ceremony.  Everything went perfectly, with no snags or hassles.  It was an outstanding tribute to one of the nicest and smartest people I’ve ever known.

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

Rest in peace, Greg.  I look forward to seeing you again one day.


Feb. 3, 2015

I got up at about 3:00 a.m. to look at the full moon.  To my surprise, it was very foggy.  At least, it was here in Anaheim.

I liked the effect of the fog on the street lights, so I snapped a few photos.  I also got some shots of moving car lights, which provided an interesting effect.

         
15-second slideshow

I couldn’t find the moon, though.  I guess it was hiding behind the fog.


In other news, today I was looking at the third “Ted’s Remarks” entry I made.  That was exactly nine years ago, on Feb. 3, 2006.

In that entry, I included a link to photos of a “Religion of Peace” Demonstration, which took place in London that day.  Most Americans should have seen those photos by now.

Since then, radical Islam has become increasingly dangerous.  I believe it is the greatest threat to world peace and stability today.


Feb. 2, 2015

Punxsutawney PhilToday was Groundhog DayPunxsutawney Phil came out and saw his shadow, which is supposed to indicate that there will be six more weeks of winter.

Pennsylvania groundhog "forecasts"
6 more weeks of winter

Feb. 1, 2015

Tom Brady, Patriots Quarterback / Russell Wilson, Seahawks QuarterbackSuper Bowl XLIX took place today in Tucson, Arizona.  Tom Brady and the New England Patriots beat Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks.  The final score was 28 to 24.  The Seahawks won last year’s Super Bowl on Feb. 2, 2014.

In the last couple of minutes, a potential touchdown pass thrown by Wilson was intercepted by Patriots safety Malcolm Butler on the goal line.  The pass was intended for Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette.

Super Bowl XLVIX ScoreboardBrady now has won his third Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award.  He also broke Joe Montana’s Super Bowl touchdown record.  In all of their Super Bowl appearances, Brady has thrown 12 touchdown passes, while Montana has thrown 11 touchdown passes.

       
13-second slideshow

Jan. 27, 2015

There is some confusion, among Christians, between the terms “great tribulation” and “tribulation” in the Bible.  One of my email responses about this topic is here:


Jan. 23, 2015

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah ibn Abdilaziz Al Saud of has died at the age of 90.  He ascended to the throne on August 1, 2005, upon the death of his half-brother, King Fahd.  He is succeeded by his half-brother, Salman ibn Abdilaziz Al Saud.

During his reign, King Abdullah maintained close relations with United States and Britain.  He purchased billions of dollars worth of defense equipment from both nations.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia dead
at 90, half-brother succeeds him

Some are saying that this could cause gasoline prices to shoot back up.  I filled up my tank today, just in case.


Jan. 20, 2015

President Obama gave his sixth State of the Union Address tonight.  It lasted a fraction over an hour.

Although I listened to every word, offhand I do not recall anything that impressed me in a positive way.  What did not impress me were his comments that students in the U.S. should be provided free community college, that climate change is the greatest threat to the U.S. and to the world, and that the taxes of the rich need to be targeted to help out the middle class.

I heard nothing about our national debt, which now is over $18 trillion.  This is about double what it was only six years ago, when Obama first became president.  Eventually, this gargantuan debt is going to be a major factor in the economic earthquake that wil cause the stock market to crash like never before, perhaps later this year.

Also, at no point did Mr. Obama speak the phrase “Islamic terrorism,” which he refers to as “violent extremism.”  Even today, Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was taken captive in his presidential palace by radical Shi’ite Muslim Houthi rebels.  Yemen has been one of our allies, but perhaps this no longer will be the case.

Mr. Obama did say that we need to condemn the persecution of religious minorities, which would include radical Islam.  The latter is the greatest threat to peace and stability in the world today, but Mr. Obama cannot acknowledge this.

He did mention that the security of families cannot be put at risk by taking away their health insurance.  Yet, I lost mine last year, due to some of the destructive policies in Obamacare.  He emphasized his readiness to veto any congressional changes in Obamacare, immigration, or any of his other failed policies during the past six years that do need to be changed.

Essentially, Obama and other Democrats would like for the federal government to be running everything.  I adamantly and wholeheartedly disagree with this liberal/progressive concept.  In case you would like to read the president’s speech, it is here:

State of the Union Address
January 20, 2015

Jan. 17, 2015

It has been accepted, traditionally, that the first two temples in Jerusalem stood on the Temple Mount.  However, there have been modern-day excavations in and around Jerusalem leading some to believe that the these temples stood elsewhere.  My email response about this topic is here:


Jan. 15, 2015

Former President Bill Clinton was on the Seth Myers program tonight.  Clinton was asked to comment on the Islamic terror attacks that took place in Paris on Jan. 7.  This video clip is under 4 minutes:

I disagree with many of Mr. Clinton’s liberal/progressive views.  However, I absolutely agree with his statements that follow:

  • “Muslim leaders have to do more to combat the extremists.”
  • “These people are politicians, guerillas, stone-cold killers.”
  • “They get to play with guns and think they’re going to heaven as soon as they get zapped for killing people who aren’t armed and can’t defend themselves.”
  • “You read the profile of these two guys that were most prominently involved in the killing and how they got sucked into this, by somebody essentially using religion and religious politics to advocate the world’s greatest double standard: ‘If you come to our country, we won’t let you worship the way you want, we won’t let you say what you want to say, we won’t let you do what you want to do.  However, we have come to your country; therefore; we have a right to do whatever we want to do, including kill you if you make us mad.’”

Jan. 14, 2015

One of my good friends for several decades, Greg in Anaheim, CA, drew his last breath tonight.  He was in hospice at the VA in Long Beach and had been suffering for about 5½ years with lymphoma.

Greg was one of the nicest and smartest people I’ve ever known.  His wife, JoAnne, and her sister, Kathy, are grieving; so please send some prayers up to heaven on their behalf.

Kathy sent me an email describing some of the events tonight.  I think it is very descriptive.  You can click here to read it.  As she noted, it is amazing how God’s timing always is perfect.  This is true even if we don’t see it that way at the time.


Jan. 13, 2015

Stand with the Prophet in Honor & Respect ConferenceA “Stand with the Prophet in Honor & Respect” conference is scheduled to take place this weekend in Garland, Texas.  Organizers state, “This is not an event.  It is the beginning of a movement to defend Prophet Muhammad, his person, and his message.”

Muslim Leaders to Hold "Stand
with the Prophet" Rally in Texas

I think that most people, including Muslims, do not realize that the main foundational tenet of Islam, pertaining to the prophet Muhammad, is patently false.  This basic precept of Islam originates from something that God told Moses to state to the Israelites:

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me [Moses] from among your own brothers.  You must listen to him. ... I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. (Deuteronomy 18:15,18)

The principal belief of Islam is that this prophet, whom God said would be coming, was Muhammad.  Yet, God had made it clear that the prophet to come would be a brother of the Israelites; that is, he would be an Israelite himself.  Muhammad was not an Israelite; he was an Arab.

The prophet to come, about which Moses wrote, was Yeshua/Jesus, who was a Jew.  Jesus stated, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.” (John 5:46).

Furthermore, people who were witnesses of Jesus’ miracles asserted, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” (John 6:14)  Also, one of Jesus’ disciples, Philip, stated, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45)

Muhammad, the self-proclaimed prophet of God, was not the prophet predicted by Moses to come into the world.  Furthermore, the one, true God (who is not Allah) did not put words into Muhammad’s mouth and command him to speak to the people, via the Qur’an.  This reality is not a slam against Muhammad; it simply is information for anyone who has embraced the deceptions of Islam.

The “sword” of radical Islam is a metallic blade, gun, crossbow, or other weapon that will destroy millions of innocent people.

The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.  But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. (Psalm 37:14,15)

On the contrary, the “Sword of the Spirit”—Yeshua/Jesus—is the Word of God who will strike down the nations that have come against Him, His brothers and sisters, and His followers.  This will be when He returns to rule and reign as King over the whole earth (Zechariah 14:9).

Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.  “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”  He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. (Revelation 19:15)

Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.  In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds.  Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet.  Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. (Psalm 45:3-6)

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson?  Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength?  “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”  Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?  “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me.  I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.  For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. (Isaiah 63:1-3)

Islam adamantly rejects the fact that Allah had a son.  Truly, Allah did not have a son because, as previously noted, Allah is not God.  On the contrary, the one, true God did have an only begotten Son, Jesus, whom He sent to redeem the sins of those who will believe in Him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Jan. 11, 2015

Well over a million people marched through Paris today.  Some place the count at nearly four million.  It was a historic display of global defiance against jihadi terrorist attacks in France last week—including on Jan. 7 and in a Jewish grocery store on Jan. 9—that left 17 people dead.  This was an unprecedented expression of unity, even larger than the celebration over the liberation of France from Naziism at the end of World War II.

The march was against recent reprehensible and vile attacks on innocent people by radical Islam.  Dozens of world leaders, many of them arm-in-arm, led the march.  On either side of French President Francois Hollande were Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Council President Donald Tusk and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

There was no high-profile representative from the United States at the march today, only the U.S. Ambassador to France, Jane D. Hartley.  Although Attorney General Eric Holder was in Paris, he did not attend this momentous rally.  Perhaps Barack Obama did not attend because it is too difficult for him to use the two words “Islamic” and “terrorism” in the same sentence.

After attacks, arm-in-arm world
leaders join mass Paris march

       

       
25-second slideshow

One banner in particular that caught my eye was the “JE SUIS CHARLIE” banner.  It means “I am Charlie,” an identification with the journalists at Charlie Hebdo who were murdered by Islamic terrorists on Jan. 7.  At first glance, “Je suis” looked like “Jesus” to me.  Interestingly, Jesus made claims to be the “I AM”—that is, to be God.

It is good that there was such a remarkable and substantial show of global solidarity against radical Islam today.  What needs to follow is ground troops that weed out concentrated pockets of Islamic jihadists in Europe, the Middle East, and other nations.  Perhaps this will happen on a small scale, but I am not optimistic that it will be on a level that will make a significant dent in the rise of Islamic terrorism worldwide.


Jan. 10, 2015

I received some Bible verses in the mail.  I have scanned them and placed them here:

         
30-second slideshow

Jan. 7, 2015

A bloody Islamic terrorist attack took place in Paris today.  The attack was on Charlie Hebdo, a magazine company that has been in confrontation with Islamists for several years.

The attackers, using guns, were dressed in black.  They were brothers Said Kouachi and Cherif Kouachi, early 30s.

The shooters left 12 dead and 11 wounded.  The dead included eight journalists, including some of France’s best-known cartoonists, a security guard, a visitor and a police officer.  Condemnation and protests against the attacks have taken place worldwide.

French police identify gunmen in
attack on Paris magazine that killed 12

If despicable murders such as these were being done by Christians in the name of a triune God, would anybody define Christianity as a “peaceful religion”?  Absolutely not.  Islam, at its core, is not a peaceful religion, unlike what many idealistic fantasizers and moderate Muslims will claim.

I feel certain that terrorist attacks by radical Islamists will be increasing throughout the world.  They will be done in defense of Islam and by those who are supporters and defenders of Islam.

Fundamentally, Islam is a religion of war, violence, and death.  The goal of Islam is to force the entire world to submit to it and to Allah (who is not God).  I feel that, over time, it will be mostly successful in doing this.  Those who disregard this possibility may be doing so at their own peril.


Jan. 4, 2015

Tonight is the first full moon of 2015.  Many people believe that the moon is full for 2-3 days at a time.  On the contrary, the moon is completely full for only an instant during its 29½-day cycle.  This article provides a good description of this, along with other interesting details:

Full moon on January 4-5, 2015

I snapped a couple of shots of the moon tonight (and one early the next morning).  My camera isn’t high-quality, so the photos aren’t great, plus it is a little cloudy.

   
8-second slideshow

Exactly three months from today is Passover (Apr. 4).  The moon also will be full that night; however, there will be a “red moon” or total lunar eclipse that night.  Two weeks prior to that, on Mar. 20, there will be a total solar eclipse.  (See “Blood Moons” on Hebraic Feast and Holy Days.)

Some feel that all of the eclipses during 2014 and 2015 portend certain ominous events, in Israel and in the world as a whole.  We’ll see.


Jan. 2, 2015

Middle East, minus Israel, on HarperCollins mapHarperCollins Publishers is one of the world’s leading English-language publishers.  For months, they have been selling an atlas that they said was “developed specifically for schools in the Middle East.”

The company described the atlas as providing students an “in-depth coverage of the region and its issues.”  They added that their stated goals include helping kids understand the “relationship between the social and physical environment, the region’s challenges [and] its socio-economic development.”

HarperCollins Left Israel Out of
Atlas to Appease Gulf Customers

On the map, Islamic nations and territories immediately surrounding Israel were included: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Gaza, and West Bank.  However, Israel was not included; it had been omitted from the map.

On New Year’s Eve, HarperCollins backtracked by saying, “HarperCollins regrets the omission of the name Israel from their Collins Middle East Atlas.”  Their atlas now has been removed from sale in all territories, and all remaining copies in stock will be destroyed.  Moreover, HarperCollins has apologized for the ommission of Israel and any offense that it caused.

That is good, but the omission never should have happened in the first place.  Israel has been recognized as a nation in the world since 1948.  It is irrelevant that many Middle Eastern Islamic nations and territories do not recognize Israel.  Officially, it remains a nation and should be included on every map.  Such anti-Israel sentiment is going to continue and escalate.

Ultimately and sadly, this will result in the destruction of Jerusalem.  However, when Yeshua/Jesus returns to earth to rule and reign, He utterly will destroy all the enemies and attackers of Israel by treading the winepress of God’s wrath; on that day, He will stand on the Mount of Olives and will be King over the whole earth.  These things are described briefly in Zechariah 14:1-4,9.


Jan. 1, 2015

Happy New Year.  Below are links to my annual calendar and list of 2015 holidays and observances that many like to download and tape to a wall nearby.  That is what I do, with the calendar on one side and the holidays/observances on the other side of one piece of paper.  Both are in .doc and .pdf format.

Click on each image below and print out the two pages (.doc files) on either side of one piece of paper.  Just change my name, at the top of the calendar page, to your name before you print it.

 

Or else you could print out these two pages (.pdf files), with no name on the calendar page:

 

If you’ve never read the Bible straight through, from cover to cover, you might want to do it in 2015.  Go to the following page, print out the pages in either .doc, .pdf, or .html format, and check off the passages as you read them:

Chronological List of Bible Passages

The Bible is God’s Law and Instruction Manual for life.  Don’t worry if you are unable to understand everything you read; eventually, God will give us answers to everything we wonder about.  One of the main things you will come to understand is God’s everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—see God’s Covenant: with Israel or the Church?

So in case you’ve never read the Bible all the way through, do it!  If you’ve done it before, do it again; you never can get too much of God’s written Word!  I am in the process of doing it now.

You can read one of a number of Bible versions at BibleGateway.com.  If you read it for an average of 15 minutes a night before bed, you will sleep better for a whole year. 

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