The escalation of violence throughout the world is truly frightening. But we must stand firm and obey the Lord. We must also remember who exactly are the perpetrators.

By no stretch of the imagination can we say that Israel is clean of all blame. Nor is it anywhere close to a position whereby we can say it is upheld by God. Yet, we must bear in mind that God will one day, possibly soon, bring back the Jews to prominence, not necessarily as a state, but as a nation again blessed by Him, as the mantle of evangelism is passed to them from the gentiles.

Though Israel, as I write (perhaps there will be another uneasy peace by the time this issue is sent out), is pressing on with its attacks on Palestinian terrorists, we must be hard-nosed about what is really happening.

Palestine is growing and nurturing its own terrorists whose only task is to kill and maim Jews. They are joined in this task by supporter-Muslims throughout the world. Islam is a religion of hate and its holy book contains explicit commands to kill Jews and gentiles alike who do not bow-down to Islam. 

The claims by moderates that Islam is not like this are not true Muslims. True Muslims are those who obey their holy books…and it is these adherents who are the violent ones. 

Whilst I sympathise with moderate Muslims who despise violence, I do not accept their explanations, for Islamic country after country throughout the world have fallen behind Saddam Hussein in solidarity, and refuse to allow their own terrorists to be brought to justice. This is because they cannot – to do so would be to breach the terms of their own religion, Islam!

(Ed. For those who deny that Rome and Islam have the same background and murderous intent, please see the Jesuit Oath, available from BTM)

Remember, too, that The Revelation tell us that God will honour the 12 tribes of Israel in the very walls of the new Jerusalem, so I ask all Believers to be cautious if they wish to reject Israel today. Don’t believe the hype created by pro-terrorist factions.

What of the 1000 Year Reign?

Still in The Revelation…some folk are critical of us because we do not believe in a literal 1000 year reign of all Believers with Christ, on this earth.

I would refer them to some very clear facts given to us in chapters 20 and 22.

In chapter 22, we are told that anyone who adds to the prophecy will be visited by the plagues mentioned in earlier chapters. With respect for the brethren who are prone to believe it, I would point out that they are adding to the prophecy when they say that we will live on this earth for 1000 years with Christ before the judgement. How?

Look again at chapter 20. It does NOT say that we will all live in earth with Christ for 1000 years! It says that only the souls of the beheaded will reign with Christ for a thousand years (meaning, a long but unspecified length of time). Everyone else will appear after the 1000 years is finished! (See BTM Article ‘How Many Resurrections?’). Furthermore, the text does not say that this reign will be on earth. It simply says that they will ‘reign’.

Scripture plainly tells us that Christ will not return to earth until He is ready to judge, on the last day. Christ Himself tells us that His kingdom is not of this world, but is spiritual. 

So, how can He return to live with us for 1000 years, in a ‘new Jerusalem’, that will not appear until after the great judgement (chapter 21)? It is about time that Christians believed in scripture and not in human theories…especially as they will otherwise be guilty of the sin referred to in chapter 22, bringing upon themselves the anger of God. 

And What of Peace?

Christians are being led astray by the growing call for peace. They think that our governments will obtain peace from war, etc. But scripture tells us that wars and rumours of wars will increase dramatically before the end. As for peace… a “king of fierce countenance” will arise who will bring much social and commercial good to the people, but beware, for “by peace (he shall) destroy many” (Daniel 8:25). 

Whether this refers to the end or to a future event is not relevant. The main point is that peace is elusive under men and a ruthless leader can destroy many in the name of ‘peace’.

And Christ says He did not come to bring peace to the world, but a sword and division. (Matthew 10:34). So, friends, avoid the error of thinking peace is just around the corner! Be realistic. When world peace rears its head we know the end is coming…”when they shall say, Peace…then sudden destruction.”! (1 Thess. 5:3).

Peace amongst believers is our aim, but peace in and with the world is not possible, nor should it be our main concern. The Gospel is our goal, together with living in faith and truth.

Queen’s Priority!

During her Golden Jubilee year the Queen is to destroy any credibility she might have had within the Christian community. She, and other members of the royal family, intend visiting mosques, Hindu and Sikh temples, Jewish synagogues, and even worship centres of the Baha’i, Zoroastrian and Jain cults.

She says that it is a ‘priority’, that reflects the ‘important role played by varied religious groups in modern, multi-faith, multi-cultural Britain’. 

Previously, we reported on the disgust shown for this approach by both Jewish and Muslim leaders, who rightly say they would not do such a thing, because it shows a detrimental view of one’s own supposed ‘faith’. They got it right!

Jewish Fears

I have read of many attacks being made on Jews throughout Europe. Now, the World Jewish Congress has demanded better protection from EU authorities, saying that Europe is returning to its ‘worst times’, reminiscent of pre-Nazi Germany.

There have been 360 attacks in France alone in the past 2 weeks, and Jews fear that they are only the beginning of worse to come.

Papal Pretence

American cardinals are meeting with the pope to discuss the growing problems they face because of paedophiles in their midst. But, who can be trusted, when every single diocese in the USA has got court cases going on against their priests? 

The cases number in their thousands, involving millions of dollars in compensation, but the charges are arising almost daily, not just amongst ordinary clergy but also amongst bishops and higher level personnel.

The same kind of talks are being held in Ireland, for the same reasons. It is reasonable to suppose that this problem is rife and worldwide…and it is also reasonable to suggest that the higher the office the better able they are to cover up their evil actions. Ordinary priests can then be thrown to the dogs as sops for the media.

Meanwhile, one of those ordinary priests, from Illinois, USA, says he would like to attack victim-accusers with a baseball bat, adding that he has no sympathy for the victims! His own brother, also a priest, was charged with paedophilia recently. Ah well, that’s a guilty reaction for you!

Official Satanic Fodder

No-one wants to be the odd man out! The laying of a foundation stone for a £3 million Hindu temple in Bradford, UK, will be attended by local MP’s and civic dignitaries, as well as by religious leaders from temples sited on the Ganges. How far down in to the pit of sheer ignorance must our leaders fall? If The Revelation is anything to go by – all the way to the bottom!

Something Less Nasty, But With Bite!

Scientists have discovered an ant ‘supercolony’ in Europe. Guess how long it is? A breathtaking 5,000 kilometres!! It stretches from North-West Spain across the southern France coastline, over to the Italian Riviera! I think it would take more than a sprinkle of ant-dust to clear that lot up, don’t you? The edifice is made up of billions of Argentine ants in thousands of colonies linked to each other by tunnels.

The EA Flunks it Again!

Once again the Evangelical Alliance has got it wrong. In a recent press statement the EA says that Christianity must go back to its roots for effective church mission in this century. It is rather disconcerting to note that I have read the same cry from the pope, in a variety of Roman Catholic publications over the past several months. But, the end times will involve so-called ‘leaders’ of Christian churches and para-groups in combined efforts to deceive the world. So, it isn’t a surprise.

Joel Edwards, always a real goer, thinks that the answer is to change ‘Christianity’, when the real problem is the lives and beliefs of each individual Christian, and their claimed faith and salvation. And, those who do not have a real faith cannot have a real calling from God. Hence, the ‘problem’ of poor witness. 

Joel, though, is unaware of all this, because the EA is charismatic to its core, and therefore Arminian in concept, belief and action. Even worse, the EA is putting out statements that are in line with Roman Catholic statements. This is how the EA will soon link with Rome.

Joel sees the problem as one of ‘Christianity’s credibility’, rather than one of non-existent personal faith, and of preachers who resort to ‘experiences’ and ‘feelings’, rather than scriptural commands to repent and be saved.

(I smile over this point of credibility…I think of the number of times that Joel and Clive Calver personally denied to me that the EA was pro-charismatic, when all along they were promoting and upholding charismatic values and teachings!! What’s that about ‘credibility’??)

Joel says the ‘influence’ of the churches will only ‘survive’ if we go back to the ‘pioneers of the early church’. Attendances are in ‘freefall’ he says, because people want to find a ‘faith that works’, with words backed by deeds – meaning lots of society-centred events and schemes, such as are hosted by so-called ‘community churches’. 

‘Our identity depends on it’ says Joel with confidence. Oh dear! Has he not heard or read somewhere (like in the Bible, perhaps), that it is God Who gives the increase, when and if He so pleases? 

Has he not heard that it is God who predestinates people to salvation? Has he not heard that he and the EA are part of the growing great apostasy of the end times?

Joel’s recipe for success mixes ‘miracles, divine intervention and social care’ as they ‘go hand in hand with the…Gospel’. It gets worse!

In scripture we read that God calls preachers to fearlessly preach of sin and the need to be saved. To my knowledge, they were not asked to invent, or even to take part in, social care programmes.

He sees the healing of a crippled man by Peter as ‘an act of kindness’ rather than as God commanding Peter to heal a man to show His power and divine authority! Obviously, Joel thinks that ‘Christians’ (charismatics, that is, and all who pretend to be Believers) should go around healing folk to draw them in to their local churches. This, he thinks, is the answer to falling numbers in churches.

Sadly, Joel speaks truth mixed with lies, what is scriptural with what is Arminian and heretical…but I expect nothing less or more from him and the useless, humanistic, EA. If you think this is harsh, please read scripture on the subject.

Eh? Is He Real?

Remember the last Beacon when we reported on the siege of a church in Bethlehem? You will gather from the news that this church’s priests decided to offer refuge to the hundreds of Palestinian terrorists holed up there.

Now, the pope has sent prayers and thanks to the same priests for their ‘dedication’ whilst he complains to the Jews for laying siege to the church! What can the priests expect when they step in to a war-zone and offer protection to those who are brought up to murder Jews?

This story reminds me very much of the time some 20 – 30 years ago when the pope sent a Papal Medal and prayers to a dying IRA terrorist. Romanism creates violence and trouble, then it complains when the going gets rough!

A Man’s Got to Do…

There is a line in a classic John Wayne movie that goes “A man’s got t’do what a man’s got t’do”. Very few Christians understand, or want to know about, the kind of decisions made by pastors. They don’t really want to know about the tough things we have to do, because we must.

I am thinking of the rare occasions when I have had to speak publicly against a fellow Christian because of his open sins. (I would remind readers that this is a duty of all believers – to speak out publicly when those who claim salvation commit sins that are known publicly). So many folk think that this comes easily to one whose pen does not hide from speaking-out when it is necessary.

Nothing could be farther from the truth! On occasions I spend days, weeks or even months, agonising over the problem. Really, the problem is not the matter to hand, but my own reluctance to speak out against another, whose sins must be publicly opposed. Like everyone else, I can be affected by the emotional trauma of it all, so I hesitate at times, when I should simply speak out.

In the Old Testament, Samuel spoke out! Boy, did he speak out! He did what a man had to do! He even went so far as to hack a king to pieces in front of Saul, because Saul failed in his duty given by God. On very rare occasions I have had to spell out the sins of a fellow preacher, because this is my duty before God. But, reader, please don’t think I enjoy it, or that it gives me any sense of satisfaction!

I know, too, that some who have been brought low by their own sins have bounced back after a while, with the full backing of fellow Believers. This though their sins remain unresolved and without their repentance. I cannot do that, so I must stand alone, if necessary.

In the Church we cannot say ‘let bygones be bygones’, because we do not have that authority. God says that sin is punishable by death and that we must repent.  I urge you all to stand against open sin, from whatever quarter. If we do not do this, we are less than we ought to be, and sin will gain even more ground. Do not let personal friendship stand in the way…it can often be a stumbling block, as we try not to offend our friends. Rather, obey God and do not offend Him!

(At the same time, I urge Christians not to allow mistakes to stand in the way of true fellowship. We all make errors of judgement at times, and these may hurt others. But do not let this stop fellowship! Seek to redress the problem and seek to bring each other back together. The days are far too dark to let personal hurt stand in the way of being Christians together).

Stand firm against sin, even if it is found in your closest friend or relative. Yet, also, you must be the first to hold out your hand if there is hope that the sinner will turn back to truth. Do not oppose until such hope is lost, or until the sin has been made public.

Even then, if the one who offends shows the slightest move toward you in genuine friendship, do not turn away, but just try again, gently and with love. Do not give up until you really must. Don’t let pride stand in the way. And remember the biggest fact of all – sin is an offence against God, not us!

Islam, Religion of Destruction

Malaysian Muslims are ‘flocking to experience death’, by visiting graves, laying in coffins and listening to last rites. Malaya’s Religious Affairs minister says this will only make them ‘backward’. Maybe he ought to tell that to the Palestinians, who teach their people from birth to hate and kill and not to fear death if they are suicide bombers!

Prince of Folly

Prince Charles is seeking greater tolerance of ‘other cultures’ (e.g. other faiths). Note that this is how Christianity will be made subservient to Islam and all other religions…through community peace initiatives and ‘cultural diversity’. 

Yet, in Indonesia, 12 Christians were recently killed by marauding Muslims. This is a small figure when we consider the worldwide murders against Christians by Muslims. In Nigeria Muslim prosecutors want the death penalty for two Muslim men who became Christians. The men were given three days to re-convert to Islam. What did Charles say about ‘tolerance’??

I have no hatred for peoples of other races, but I cannot subscribe to the ‘cultural diversity’ idea, which incorporates the supposed superiority, or even equality, of false beliefs over/with scripture.

The United Nations of Satan

Christians in the USA now know that the UN is targeting their country’s churches. The UN plans to get rid of Christian influence by bringing in rigid regulations against them. (Source: UN Conference on Human Settlements, Agenda Item 10). 

To this end, many churches there are now holding seminars to bring the matter to light, as a warning. (Source: TCAN Alert, net no. 8). The UN proposes to replace Christianity with a one-world religion based on the Gaia theory of ‘mother earth’ pagan-style beliefs, run by the Temple of Understanding.

They also want to nationalise all private land and all profit made from selling one’s property. The Un also wishes to dictate where we can work and live, and want to control what businesses go where and who they are run by. They have already declared ownership of 70% of the world’s land mass!

It gets even darker…the UN and the USA government plan to make it a crime for parents to stop their children from accessing immoral or unclean materials, or from mixing with the wrong company, or from taking drugs, etc. This, friends, is reality and it is going on under our very noses.

We have prepared a brief document giving the full references and list of coming regulations to be brought in by the UN. Read it and weep!