Archives for

Prophecy

February 2013

Biblical separation and “platform fellowship”

“Platform fellowship’ is a phrase coined to describe the artificial distinction some see in the relationship, or fellowship, experienced among participants in a conference situation. Sometimes this conference scenario primarily involves preaching, while in others it is primarily academic in nature. However, when a conference is theological or involves handling the truth of God in any form, it cannot simply be regarded as academic, whether it involves preachers or seminarians. Link to article of Standstillawhile.net

Southern Baptists praise the Pope!

“[Benedict XVI] has offered a brave and intelligent defense of truth against a relativist tide, and he has been a stalwart friend of life.”- R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Link to article on Standstillawhile.net

The blasphemous charade of the false “Christianity” of some so-called fundamentalists

alice_cooper

RC Sproul’s endorsement of the “Christianity” of rock ‘star’ Alice Cooper in an interview with Mark Driscoll has to be seen to be believed.

A step forward or a leap backward

House of commons’ vote on sodomite marriage

‘ . . . this is an important step forward for our country.’ – David Cameron, Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party.

We will look back on today as a landmark for equality in Britain.’ – Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats.

‘ . . this Bill is about one thing—fairness.’ – Maria Miller, the Minister for Women and Equalities who moved the motion for the government.

The debate last night in the House of Commons demonstrates clearly the character of the leadership this nation endures. What fools dominate the Westminster Parliament! The decision made last night does not take England and Wales forward but backward. Backward to the days of darkness out of which the Word of God, defied and discarded last night, delivered us in times past. This is a not a step toward justice and fairness. Rather it is a trampling of truth and righteousness underfoot. The just and fair views of those who perceive sodomy as it is characterised by God in His Word are today classified at best as archaic and at the worst as unlawful. Click here to read the article

Can We Take the Prophecies Literally?

This article by Mr Thomas Houghton appeared in the April/May 2006, edition of the Watching and Waiting magazine, published by the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony, though the article was penned well over 60 years ago. Time has not diminished the relevancy of it’s message. If there ever was a need for God’s people to take heed to the prophecies of God Word it is now.

For too long, an interpretation has been placed upon such Scriptures that makes what God says to be so general and unspecific, so vague and unfocused, as to be almost meaningless as far as their usefulness in our understanding of the times is concerned. Such prophecies were intended as signs (warnings, portents). If they are not understood literally of what use are they? What purpose can they serve in the future?

Mr Houghton shows how prophecy served God’s people in the past and therefore how we may expect them to serve us today and in the future. Here is a timely word for God’s people today. Click here to read the article.

Selected news stories

 

More news…

Willie Frazer arrested, as Bryson home ‘ransacked’

Belfast flag demos organiser held

McCartney murder police arrest man

Basil McCrea and John McCallister set up new unionist party

Almost 3,000 police officers volunteer for G8 security duty

Gardaí will not be asked to help PSNI police G8 summit

Rocket launcher and warhead discovery ‘saved lives’

Rocket launcher discovered during police raid on dissident Republicans

Rocket launcher believed to be Provisional IRA weapon

Garda Adrian Donohoe shot by ‘one person’

Catholic Church needs reform – Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor

Italy halts austerity plan leaving EU in turmoil

‘Homosexuality is a ticking timebomb for the Catholic Church’

Scotland’s Roman Catholic Church faces ‘grave crisis’, says historian

‘Historic crisis’ for Catholics

American gangster’s arms deal mission for Provos revealed

Thousands of police from Britain set to help guard G8 summit in Fermanagh

£11,243,000 Annual Cost to NI Taxpayers of Cross-Border Co-Operation

The picture Cardinal Keith O’Brien probably wishes he had never posed for: UK’s top Catholic was long-standing friend of Savile

Put IRA in Government and you get IRA policies – Jim Allister

FBI ‘soft’ on IRA in the ’80s

Little scrutiny of UK money for Northern Ireland

UK’s top cardinal accused of ‘inappropriate acts’ by priests

Cardinal Keith O’Brien resigns as Archbishop

Cardinal Keith O’Brien ‘accused of inappropriate acts’

Allegations Cardinal ‘should be allowed Pope vote’

Pope probes priests’ claims of ‘unwanted behaviour’

Revealed: Nick Clegg was personally told of Lord Rennard claims in September 2008

Orange Order ‘playing dangerous game’ with parade threat

Orange Order urged to tread carefully over strategy

Cardinal Keith O’Brien: ‘Allow priests to marry’

Republican areas less favourable to neighbourhood watch

Omagh bomb: Colm Murphy and Seamus Daly ‘not to give evidence’

Row over teacher criminal records

Orange Order may not give police notice on parades

Orange Order: ‘Growing discontent’ among members over parade curbs

Abuse survivor calls on Cardinal Brady not to attend conclave

Savile inquiry: Paxman said DJ rumours ‘common gossip’

Jeremy Paxman condemns ‘contemptible’ BBC behaviour over Jimmy Savile investigation

Government Doesn’t Know or Care How Many Teachers Have Criminal Convictions

UDR parade won’t halt loyalist flag demo

‘Flag trouble can’t be compared to London riots’

Has Catholic education body learned nothing from our history?

Religious satellite TV show Miracle Hour ‘risking lives’

UUP members were driven by egos – Danny Kinahan MLA

Mike Nesbitt slams cost of MLAs’ St Patrick’s Day trip to US

George Galloway storms out of debate with Israeli student

Jobless mother-of-11 with council ‘mansion’ and horse now said to have bought flying lessons

Those in office must admit their part in our dirty war (should read . . . “and suffer the punishment of their crimes”)

How an IRA kidnapping that ended in murder set in motion a terrible chain of tragedy

Memorial plea to flag protesters

‘Forget flag protests’ – IRA bomb victim

2,000 horses go missing every year in Northern Ireland

Massachusetts forces schools to let ‘transgender’ boys use girls’ restrooms, lockers

La Mon: Widower calls for justice

La Mon group seeks meeting

‘Finucane-style review’ urged over La Mon

Three-man band’s tune may sound too much like Alliance

Alliance offers a ‘welcoming door’

Justice for Eileen Doherty after 40 years

IRA plans ‘big show’ to mark Easter Rising

Mike Nesbitt does not rule out more joint candidates

Detectives examining “information not in the public domain” in Mid Staffs hospitals where up to 1,200 people died needlessly between 2005 and 2009

Mid Staffs scandal: police ‘examining new evidence’

‘Claim jobseeker’s allowance and plan holy war’: Hate preacher pocketing £25,000 a year in benefits calls on fanatics to live off the stateIRA murder victim’s son to face alleged killer in election

New unionist party could be on the cards

“They burnt us alive, yet it’s forgotten about” La Mon survivor

DUP and UUP agree single candidate for Mid-Ulster by election

John McCallister quits UUP over unity candidate

Basil McCrea and John McCallister quit UUP over unionist by-election pact

Ex terrorists should not be teachers

Derry Bloody Sunday families offered £50,000 compensation

Outrage at £50,000 Bloody Sunday Payment

Equality call over £50k Bloody Sunday offer (La Mon bomb victim was offered £90 for loss of his wife!)

Sean Kelly released unconditionally

Tensions mount as IRA bomber released over shooting

Senior republican Sean Kelly questioned over shooting

Sean Kelly arrest could have ‘grave consequences’: Robinson

IRA bomber questioned over teen shooting

IRA bomber quizzed over shooting

‘Answers needed’ over school job for IRA spy

Parents unaware vice-principal of college had spied on police for IRA

TUV slams CCMS appointment of IRA convict

We do have forecasts of Eastern European immigration, insist Whitehall (but they still won’t be released)

Disgraced LA Cardinal Mahony off to Rome to vote in Pope Benedict replacement

Former FBI agent claims he witnessed CIA boss John Brennan convert to Islam – VIDEO

Austerity certainly doesn’t work for high-flying Gerry

Ratzinger was behind great Catholic cover-up

UK the only member to increase EU payments

UK slaughterhouse and meat firm raided

Horse meat scandal: One in 12 samples in the UK could contain banned substance

Shadow environment secretary, Mary Creagh, apologises for wrongly claiming 70,000 horses are unaccounted for in Northern Ireland

Adams and band of blood brothers

Why Willie Frazer continues to live on the edge

Horsemeat scandal: Up to 70,000 horses unaccounted for in Ireland

Lone parents ‘are less effective’

70,000 horses ‘unaccounted for’ (IRA at work!!??)

Jim Allister Expresses Condolences to Reynolds and Hillis Families and Commends PSNI Action on Attack on William Frazer

Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

Terror attack on William Frazer’s home condemned

Orangemen to vote for gay marriage

Police woman killed in crash with suspected stolen car

Stafford scandal: Jeremy Hunt calls for police inquiry into NHS

Council knew about widow who starved

Why have so many nurses stopped caring?

Martin McGuinness accused of walking out of a prestigious City of London dinner in order to avoid toasting the Queen

Flag protests expose ‘leadership vacuum’

Ulster People’s Forum: Bryson and Frazer ‘united’ after row

National Crime Agency agency will work in Northern Ireland despite opposition

Gardai quiz RIRA suspects over rocket launcher haul

SF ‘fears crime agency could probe their party funding’

This will not be some shadowy new force, it will be an international crimebusting partner

Attwood and Robinson on a collision course over John Lewis

Frazer to meet Bryson over flag forum schism

Dublin premier criticises SF for drawing distinction between killing of gardaí and RUC officers

Jim Allister slams Sinn Fein over Orange boycott site

Gerry Adams must give evidence to Smithwick Tribunal probing claims of Garda collusion in the 1989 murder

Massive support for the Union

Leaders handled flag crisis badly – poll

‘The nuns have destroyed my life’

Gang leaders suspected of murdering Real IRA leader Alan Ryan are arrested

I’m a marriage man, says Cameron

Gay marriage ‘weakens’ David Cameron within party, MPs say

German warning over Romanian and Bulgarian migration

Triple killer granted anonymity ‘to protect human rights’

Hundreds of UK hospital patients died needlessly as a result of substandard care and staff failings

Gay marriage: MPs back legislation

Cameron accused of dividing Conservatives as MPs rebel on gay marriage vote

Gay marriage Bill support urged by senior Conservatives ministers

Half of unionists still back protests

NI terror threat ‘very dangerous’

Gardai swoop on RIRA gang in kidnap plot

National crime force blocked in Stormont

National Crime Agency must be allowed to play role here

Adams initial reaction betrays his hypocrisy

Politicians voice disgust over SF ‘sham apology’

SF ‘opposes National Crime Agency (NCA) because it’s British’

Ex-UDR soldier’s fight for justice goes on

Senior local Conservatives urge PM to delay decision on gay marriage until after next election

Grassroots Tories ‘betrayed’ by David Cameron over same-sex marriage

IRA chief ‘no longer wanted’ over killing of McCabe

DUP joins revolt over gay marriage

Adams’ apology for IRA murder raises many questions

Gay marriage could cost Conservatives power, poll suggests

UUP’s split decision… whatever its ruling on flag maverick Basil McCrea, rush for exit door is inevitable

Crucial moment for Mike Nesbitt

No sign of flag protests flagging

Apology shows SF leader’s convoluted sense of reality

January 2013

Men on the run

During the Sinn Fein/IRA terrorist campaign, which has been replaced by a more subtle scheme whereby, having obtained their goal of political power, they now use that power to pursue the objectives they formerly sought by terror and murder, the term OTR referred to IRA killers “on the run” from the law and the just desserts it would mete out to them. Since the commencement of the power-sharing deal between the DUP and Sinn Fein/IRA, the term has fallen out of use, since part of that deal included a virtual amnesty for all republican terrorists. However, there is another use for it that has arisen within the confines of the Church of Christ – ministers “on the run” from their duty before God in this evil day. Read more…

What a Difference Six Months Does Not Make!

Attention readers! – The programme above has been removed from the SermonAudio site because of its criticism of Dr Joel Beeke’s compromise and of his disobedience of the Word of God regarding his fellowship and associations with men who teach error. SermonAudio states that the programme has been removed because it is contrary to its unwritten policy forbidding broadcasters to criticise other broadcasters. However, it is plain that this policy has not been consistently applied since there are quite a number of sermons on the site which contain critical comment of other broadcasters.

Such a policy is in conflict with the duties of a faithful man of God who is required to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” Jude 1:3, KJV. This duty must be fulfilled, irrespective of the cost. We would urge readers to courteously contact SermonAudio regarding this matter at info@sermonaudio.com

We believe that there is something more behind this removal of the HOM programme. It seems to have touched a particular nerve! Time will doubtless tell! You may listen to the broadcast which has been removed by using the audio player link below.

Ivan Foster (Editor)

Joel Beeke’s Involvement with Refo500, ETS, and WRF by Ralph Ovadal, pastor of Pilgrims Covenant Church, Monroe, Wisconsin

As I take pen in hand to write this article, I do it with the fervent hope that it will be the last time I address the issue which is the subject of this report. I write now only because circumstances dictate that to not write would be to leave a duty partially undone, given certain developments of the last six months. What follows is anything but a “hit piece.” Rather, it is a simple setting forth of very public information which is of very great importance to the spiritual welfare of the Lord’s own people. The facts shared in this report are as they were meticulously documented at the time this article was written.

On the May 20, 2011 edition of the Heart of the Matter program, my guest Rev. Ivan Foster and I voiced our concerns about the very influential Dr. Joel Beeke yoking in preaching fellowship with the charismatic, deeply compromised John Piper as a guest speaker at Piper’s 2011 “Conference for Pastors.” Then on the June 15, 2012 edition of HOM, I did a report on a Roman Catholic-Protestant ecumenical consortium called Refo500. And when I say “Protestant,” I am using the term in the broadest way imaginable! For instance, as I reported in the course of that HOM program, Refo500 partner organizations which are apostate Protestant include, among others, Fuller Theological Seminary (Richard Mouw, president), Beeson Divinity School (Timothy George, dean), and the Remonstrant Church which openly denies essential doctrines of the true faith and just as openly boasts of being “the first church in the world to open marriage for same-sex couples” and “one of the first churches in the Netherlands to ordain women as ministers.” During the course of that June 15, 2012 HOM report, I documented the deep involvement of two Reformed ministers, Dr. Albert Mohler and Dr. Joel Beeke, in Refo500. Read more…

Use the player below to listen to the Heart of the matter broadcast dealing with this matter featuring Pastor Ovadal and Rev. Ivan Foster.



The program is approximately 75 minutes long.

Click here for a transcript of Rev. Foster’s contribution to the broadcast.

 

The DUP’s Pathway of Departure and Decline

From the defying of the fourth commandment to the disregarding of the Sixth Commandment. Read more…

The rise and fall of amillennialism

For the first two and a half centuries Pre-Millennialism was the universal doctrine of the Church as it had been of the Apostles. No other doctrine was so much as known, far less received. A-Millennialism was not heard of in the Church during this period. In the third century, however, Origen promulgated his false teaching. He contended that practically all Scripture; historic as well as prophetic, was allegorical and should be understood in a figurative sense with an underlying esoteric meaning, seen only by the initiated. He not only regarded the Revelation as mythical but also the records of Creation in the first two chapters of Genesis. He taught that the fires of hell were purgatorial and that the whole human race would eventually be saved and brought to glory. Read more…

 

Selected news stories

More news…

No-one jailed for fuel smuggling ‘in decade’

RUC widow, Phyllis Carrothers, asks for an IRA apology

Garda Adrian Donohoe murder sparks political row over Troubles deaths

No fair deal for victims’ – Sammy Brush

Sinn Fein ‘still linked to organised crime’ (Is this the company DUP keeps at Stormont!!??)

Sinn Fein spin merchant, Declan Kearney, presents IRA-Sinn Fein’s latest ransom demand

Loyalist protesters in strategy change

Leading flag protester a surprise candidate in Mid-Ulster by-election?

Ireland won’t be united so let loyalists fly flag – Seamus Heaney

Alliance: Sinn Fein councils should fly flag

Robinson’s car attacked

The Folly and Farce of devolving Policing and Justice

Blocking new crime agency ‘is mistake’ says David Ford

DUP call to bar Sinn Féin’s £100,000 Westminster grant

Ex-IRA man to go free after serving under two years for murder bid

Adams’s reaction to this senseless killing reeks of hypocrisy

Ex-IRA woman Dolours Price’s funeral under way

Ulster Unionists back unity move

About 1,000 people take part in Derry Bloody Sunday march

Protestant civil rights parade takes place in Londonderry

Omagh bomb incident: Assembly member believes police officer was targeted

Off-duty policeman forced to fire his weapon during failed attack on his home by suspected terrorists

Toxic Sinn Fein veto aids criminality

Scores of violent offenders able to walk out of jail

Dolours Price is a lesson in the ugly futility of Irish republican terrorism

Irish detective shot dead ‘without warning’ in Louth robbery

Irish detective shot half mile from home

Off-duty police officer fires shots during Omagh incident

David Cameron’s wife Samantha is the ‘driving force’ behind gay marriage

How the Vatican built a secret property empire using Mussolini’s millions

Toxicology tests after IRA’s Dolours found dead

No Garda enquiry into Dolours Price death

Dolours Price – Disappeared murder role disclosed during meeting

Death of IRA veteran could unseal documents allegedly implicating Sinn Fein head Gerry Adams in abductions, executions

Troubled soul who never found peace when the fighting ended

Robert McCartney’s sister: IRA must hand findings of internal probe to police

Border poll considered by DUP, says Arlene Foster

TUV Responds to Border Poll Developments

President Obama puts gay equality at centre stage

United Ireland border poll call: diversions and u-turns

You cannot deny an Opposition in Stormont and be surprised when it emerges on the streets

David Cameron speech: UK and the EU

Major showdown looming within the Ulster Unionist PartyDUP joined at the hip to Sinn Fein flag snatchers

Sinn Fein’s support group that flew Adams to US for operation has $750,000 in the bank

Mike Nesbitt scuppers united front by not signing statement

Unionists talking tough on protestors’ concerns

Agreement has been recognised for what it is

Strabane bomb intended for police inspector

Nesbitt warns of Maze centre losses

TUV Challenges Republic’s Involvement in Talks

East Belfast pleads for an end to the violence

Riots don’t deter Belfast tourists

Gerry Adams – He hasn’t gone away, you know

Eamon Martin set to become head of Ireland’s Catholics – as Sean Brady gets the shove

One-sided inquiries angering people – Mervyn Gibson

Bringing loyalists in from the cold

Double standards seem to be a Sinn Fein policy

Adams to lead Sinn Fein for three more years

Surrender to IRA set example for rioters

Demand from MPs for return of law-making to Westminster and cut Britain’s EU bill by £billions each year

Heated exchanges at Stormont over flag trouble

Massereene barracks murder conviction quashe

Mother of soldier killed in Northern Ireland says court decision to overturn verdict is scandalous

Real IRA murders: Brian Shivers faces Massereene retrial

I’m no hypocrite, says Adams over private health treatment

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi called Zionists “bloodsuckers” and descendants of pigs

Sinn Fein complains as CNN links Gerry Adams to IRA role

Stormont severely lacking in moral authority in condemning violence

Church teaching on homosexuality ‘is like justifying slavery’, says neo-evangelical Steve Chalke

Police decision to block bridge ‘led to trouble’

Maskey condemned for stone-throwing comments

One by one, Nesbitt’s generals are leaving

Debate exposes Stormont’s brittle forced relationships

Campbell defiant on flags protests

Almost half of Dubliners brand flag decision wrong

Let’s be honest, how would we feel if our Tricolour was taken down?

IRA attitude to Irish serving in British military belongs in 1913

Peter Robinson pressed by new young Turks

Heated debate cocooned from sounds of dissent

TUV Leader Blasts Stormont Failure to Fly Flag for Royal Birthday

Minister accuses loyalists of holding Northern Ireland to ransom (Why not bring them into government – as was done with the IRA ???)

Belfast flag violence: New clashes as police use baton rounds on loyalist rioters

Willie Frazer urged to keep flag protest out of Dublin

Belfast’s rioting loyalists feel abandoned by their politicians

McGuinness relative denies dissident link

Protestors call on Peter Robinson to resign

Gerry Adams called ‘hypocrite’ over US operation

If only the Government hadn’t rewarded violence

Surge in Belfast violence blamed on resurgent UVF

Belfast union flag dispute is lightning rod for loyalist disaffection

DUP MP to raise IRA role in Bloody Sunday

Belfast flags trouble: Police use water cannon in east Belfast

Mother beat her seven-year-old son to death when he failed to memorise passages from the Koran

Dissident IRA warn Irish in British military

Ruling on gay bishop welcomed by Church of Ireland cleric

Gay cleric, Jeffrey John, should be made bishop in Wales, says friend

DUP slams direct rule call

Suspect in prison officer’s murder marched at Ryan funeral, court told

Nine officers injured, 18 arrests in latest flag violence

Anglican church lifts ban on gay men in civil partnerships becoming bishops

Church of England rules gay men in civil partnerships can become bishops

Don’t let hardened criminals out early, says Justice Secretary Chris Grayling

Girl Guides Could Drop God And Queen From Oath

In pictures: Officers injured after flag protest violence

New flag protest group want ‘direct rule’

Group considers protests outside politicians’ homes

Man in court over David Black murder

Exploding the myth of EU dependency

Church of England drops gay bishop opposition

Dissidents step up racketeering to fund fresh murder campaign

‘Intelligence war’ against dissident threat

Why Ann Travers won’t be silenced over sister’s murder

Widow of UDA leader: I’m spellbound by pagan way of life

Jim Allister in the NI Assembly

How can we have let two key war criminals of 20th Century in Dail? (They have done even better in Northern Ireland, they’re in government – thanks to the DUP)

Sinn Fein needs to come clean on past

Dissident republicans ‘remain determined to kill’

Two held after bomb found under PC’s car

Kincora file conspicously absent from government records

Monumental deceit: How our politicians have lied and lied about the true purpose of the European behemoth

April 2012

The Slaughter of the Innocent taking place today in Ulster

Rev. Foster writes in response to the news that Mr. Jim Allister MLA has exposed the dreadful and terrible truth that since 2006, over 4000 embryos have been destroyed by the Department of Health.

“I am John Harper’s last convert”

A story from the Titanic’s sinking not commonly reported.

The Antichrist – His Image and Prophet

by Stephen A. Toms

Mr B W Newton used to say that when we study the Scriptures we should pay attention to detail. This is true for every aspect of Biblical teaching, but it is particularly true of prophecy. We find that people very often deal with prophetic statements in a very careless way. It is exceedingly important that, when we read God’s Holy Word, we look carefully to see what is actually said. Let us see what the Scripture teaches about Antichrist’s image and prophet. Read more…

Ignoring sin…no basis for blessing

It has been felt by some, I fear, that the divisive events of recent years are best dealt with by ignoring them and simply acting as if the tragic series of events that began in 2006 and which saw men turn their former views and commitments on their heads, never took place. Such are the foolish notions of those who wish for peace and unity and feel that it may be obtained at the expense of truth. Furthermore, such folly, it is believed, will lead on to revival and blessing. Whatever God in His sovereign mercy may bestow upon His beloved people in Ulster, it will not be because of such actions. Rather it will be despite such stupidity. God does not ignore sin even though we may do so. The events in 2 Samuel 21:1-14 are recorded to teach us this lesson. Read more…

The Christian Sabbath

The following is the text of a letter sent to the “Belfast Telegraph” in reply to a letter which appeared in its columns written by one, Colin Nevin, of Bangor, Co. Down. My reply was sent on March 29th and has not yet appeared in the BT. It may well never appear! Mr Nevin is a denier of the Lord’s Day being the Christian Sabbath and we would like his arguments answered so we are publishing our brief reply here. Read more…

A clear indication to where the Church of Ireland is blindly walking!!

The Church of Ireland congregation of Rossorry Parish Church, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, is again joining with the Roman Catholic congregation which meets in the Graan Monastery, just outside Enniskillen, for an ecumenical event. Read more…

“ . . . . . the earth was filled with violence.”

Our blessed Saviour, in response to questions by the Pharisees about “when the kingdom of God should come”, replied, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.” Luke 17:20-27. More

The Lord Jesus very specifically says: “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” I believe that the Lord Jesus is here clearly telling us that there will be a parallel between the days just before the flood in Noah’s day and the days immediately preceding His return.

One of the features of Noah’s day was “VIOLENCE”! “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth,” Genesis 6:11-13.

The word carries the meaning of “cruelty”, “injustice”, “oppression”.

I think it true to say that Christians, worldwide, have been noticing with alarm and concern the news reports of violence and cruelty committed by individuals from all levels of society in the most unusual and astounding of circumstances. The acts of violence are often perpetrated in an environment that one does not normally associate with lawlessness, cruelty and violence. It is becoming obvious that there is no element of society isolated from this violence.

The cause of the violence is, of course, made plain in God’s Word. In Revelation there is given us a explanation for such behaviour. “Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts,” Revelation 9:21. The verse gives us a picture of society just prior to the return of Christ. The word “sorceries” is a translation of the Greek word “pharmakeia”. The word refers to the use or the administering of drugs and is often linked with witchcraft or idolatry. It clearly will be common in the last days.

Today, alcohol and other drugs such as cocaine and a plethora of other “recreational” drugs have swamped society so that even pre-teen school children have been reported as regularly partaking of drugs. Violence is the spawn of such drug taking.

Is that the “violence” the Saviour says will mark the days just before His return? I believe that it is.

I intend mounting some examples of the “violence” that is pervading the world that Christians might consider for themselves the warning of the Saviour and take heed to the evidence of the approach of His return.

The mum who will never see her children again after raging boyfriend gouged her eyes out

 

Selected news stories

Teen victim shot ‘by appointment’

Mother brings son to appointed place to be shot in legs!!

Unionists too slow on power-sharing – Robinson

Shroud of silence over priest sex images scandal

Martin McGuinness hints he may meet the Queen on diamond jubilee tour

Sinn Féin still finding it hard to shake hand of British monarch

Sinn Fein want to bin British email addresses

Further delay in Denis Donaldson (IRA man assassinated by IRA) inquest

Martin McGuinness should talk to Smithwick Tribunal: Peter Robinson

Dissident IRA opponents say Derry shooting deliberately timed before rally

McGuinness ‘authorised human bombs’

Martin McGuinness ‘ordered human bombs’

Irish Army/Garda were British intelligence sources, says agent

“Celebratory” priest censured by Vatican

Priests must report child abuse confessions or face jail

Unionists call on SF chief to admit his past

McGuinness denies RUC murders link

Joint First Minister Enjoys Protected Status as Speaker Rules out Debate

McGuinness denies RUC murders link

Smithwick Tribunal hears claim Martin McGuinness involved in murder plan

Quit Executive, Alliance’s grassroots signal to David Ford

Ministers unavailable to answer Assembly question

Allister comments on Attorney General row

Priest denies indecently assaulting woman

NI destroys 4,000 human embryos

Alliance leader says DUP and SF are ‘to be feared’

Unprincipled, self-interested… Mike Nesbitt lays into Alliance Party

Investigation into ‘indecent images’ priest ‘not finished’

Funeral row MLA leaves his justice post at Stormont

Belfast’s Sinn Fein mayor Niall O Donnghaile to quit post early to avoid meeting Queen on Jubilee visit

Gay marriage ‘nothing to fear’, say senior Anglicans

Enda Kenny blasted over Finucane comments

Freddie Scappaticci was our most valuable spy in IRA during the Troubles: British Army chief

Labour plummets six points in poll as Sinn Fein surges to second place in Irish Republic

Why Irish priests are being silenced by the vatican

Paedophile former priest pleads guilty to past offences

Sinn Fein representatives in attendance as IRA Gunman fires shots over INLA man’s coffin

PSNI challenged on ‘Provo’ activity in Londonderry

EU grant to reconcile (read that as ‘buy”) Protestants

Five UUP MLAs may quit like me: McNarry

Iraq-style bomb ‘found for first time in NI

 Jim Allister puts it up to Sinn Fein

Anger in my party may make me quit Justice Minister post, warns David Ford

Derry bomb ‘targeted’ family of police officer

Experts: IRA dissidents could crash Olympics party

400 pupils from Republic go to Northern Ireland schoolsSF’s reconciliation call is dismissed as ‘stunt’ – (Pity the DUP don’t see it as such)

ALEX KANE: I won’t be saying sorry to SF

Leaders discuss China’s Christians

Gay blood donor ban ‘brings shame on Northern Ireland’

A scandal… MLA’s verdict on £14m bill for hospitality footed by taxpayer

DUP-Sinn Fein Government squanders £14M on wining and dining

The Labour Party has voted against a motion at its annual conference to reopen the Vatican embassy – (until it cooperates fully with inquiries into the sexual abuse of children)

€16m worth of IRA cigarettes seized by Customs last week

Christian group to sue Mayor of London Boris Johnson over ‘gay cure’ bus ads

Human Rights Abuse in China and Joint First Ministers’ meeting – (Embarrassed silence ??!!)

Reward for information about murder of Joanne Mathers (It happened when Martin McGuinness was top dog in IRA)

Time for McGuinness to answer the Mathers plea

Survey finds Irish Catholics ‘want married priests’

Irish Catholics ‘want married priests’

Former Irish Revenue official blames IRA for alleged scam

Bishops put on alert as Catholics reject key church laws

Australia’s most senior Catholic Archbishop sparks outrage after saying Jews are ‘intellectually and morally inferior’. Click here for video of the Archbishop.

Elderly nun accused of baby snatching as part of Spanish hospitals trafficking ring

DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson: I accept the IRA has stood down

TUV slams tricolour proposal

Unionists vow to defeat tricolour proposal

Anger at Sinn Fein plan to glorify IRA murder gang

Walk tribute to IRA gang sparks row

Committee to debate flying Irish tricolour at Stormont

Stormont Tricolour flag to be debated

Northern Ireland police accused of weakness over Real IRA rally

Police release men arrested at Real IRA demonstration in Derry

Orange Order’s go-ahead to commemorate Ulster Covenant at Stormont

Will IRA saying sorry really lead to reconciliation here? (Was IRA wrong? – “Absolutely not” says IRA)

Defused dissident bomb a significant size, police reveal

ASDA denies it removed Union flag products

Strong reaction to Vatican’s silencing of clerics

Roman Catholics and Protestants carry the Cross together in sign of unity

Moyle twins with Gaza

PSNI pfficers suspended over racist texts

Dublin Archbishops unite on first ecumenical walk

Ban on the cane ‘left schools unable to impose discipline and led to deterioration in children’s behaviour’

Allister Welcomes ASDA Store Apology on Union Flag

Explosive Troubles interviews set to surface?

Nesbitt agrees to stay with phone-in caller

Ulster Unionists’ Mr Burns should take a look at Rab C Nesbitt

Will Nesbitt really get insight into estate they’re in?

Rosslea bomb ‘attempt to intimidate Protestants’

Rosslea bomb left by ‘Kerr’s killers’

Bust-up over plan to mark 1912 Home Rule protest

Bomb found in Councillor Harold Andrews’ lane in Rosslea

Smooth-talker (UUP leader, Mike Nesbitt) models himself on Blair

 More Anglicans leave Church of England for Rome

Shock at scale of landslide for Nesbitt

Historic DUP address at Fine Gael conference – cross-border ‘love-in’ grows!!

Motion calling for Vatican embassy restoration pass conference

‘Republic’s interest in Commonwealth grows’

Priest in ‘indecent images’ row at primary school in Pomeroy