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Scott's Blog - 12/26/07 The Year in Prophecy 2007 "Does anybody really know what time it is?" asked the jazz rock group Chicago back in the 70's. As we come to the end of 2007 there are few questions that are more relevant, especially when it comes to the subject of God's plans for this world as revealed in Biblical prophecy. How can we know where we stand on God's time table concerning the return of Jesus? The short answer is, we can't. At least not when it comes to setting dates and starting count downs. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44) There are, however signs that a set of Biblical predictions associated with the Last Days are beginning to take shape. More than any other "sign of the times", the lead players in an event known as the Invasion of Gog and Magog have dominated the headlines. Consider the following events we have chronicled here on Scott's Blog and their stunning symmetry with Ezekiel chapters 38-89. Here Comes the New Czar, Same As the Old Czar? Students of Biblical prophecy are paying more and more attention to Ezekiel 38-39, the now famous section of scripture detailing a last days invasion of Israel. Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.” (Ezekiel 38:1-9) It is not only significant to note that the land of Magog has been historically identified with the territory of modern Russia, but also that this prophecy is directed toward a single ruler over this country called "Gog". The close association of the name of the ruler with the name of the country has lead to speculation that this individual would exercise almost unquestioned and unchecked power over his nation. In the case of Russia, it would require far more personal power than was exercised by any Soviet style premiere. Even powerful leaders like Khrushchev or Gorbachev had to play politics with various factions of the Communist politburo to accomplish their ends. What is likely in view here is the rise of a leader with a grasp of unchecked autonomous power not seen since a czar like Peter the Great. We may be seeing just such an individual power grab taking place in our day. Putin to be PM in future Russia governmentBy Oleg Shchedrov Mon Dec 17, 11:09 AM ET 
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he was ready to become prime minister if his close ally Dmitry Medvedev succeeds him, giving Putin a way to keep a grip on power after he leaves the Kremlin. "If Russian citizens express their confidence in Dmitry Medvedev and elect him as the country's president, I will be ready to head the government," Putin told a congress of his United Russia party held near Moscow's Red Square. "(We) shouldn't be ashamed or afraid of transferring the key powers of the country, the destiny of Russia to the hands of such a man," Putin added in his speech. Medvedev, 42, was later adopted by the congress as United Russia's presidential candidate. Delegates voted 478-1 in a sober, Soviet-style ceremony held without debate. In his brief acceptance speech, Medvedev listed priorities such as strengthening Russia's position in the world, preserving the Russian nation, looking after the young and the old. "All this is in Vladimir Putin's strategy. I will be guided by this strategy, if I am elected president," Medvedev said. "But carrying out an idea can only be successful with the participation of its author. I have no doubt that in the future Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) will use all his resources, all his influence in Russia and abroad for the benefit of Russia." Putin signaled Medvedev, a first deputy prime minister and chairman of state gas giant Gazprom, last week as his preferred successor. The constitution bars Putin from a third term. Analysts said the choice of a loyal longtime colleague signaled Putin's desire to keep a grip on power after leaving the Kremlin. The two men have worked together for 17 years. Putin walked into the congress hall side by side with Medvedev to applause from the serried ranks of dark-suited delegates. Both men wore dark suits with white shirts and ties and stood to attention as participants sang the national anthem. The long and the short of this is that if Medvedev wins the presidency, Putin gets a promotion. Medvedev will have the title of president, but Putin will have free reign to run the country. In domestic policy, foreign affairs, even military decision making, the will of Putin and Russia will become synonymous. Will Vlad Putin prove to be the predicted Russian leader of Ezekiel 38-39? Time will tell. But it is significant that the very governmental structure of Russia is being altered so that such a scenario could be easily realized in the near future. How will Putin use his power? It has become clear that his foreign policy will be two fold - cultivate a cozy relationship with Iran, and create increasing pressure on Israel.Next Year..In Moscow? At the end of each celebration of the Passover Seder, Jews down through time have concluded with the classic closing words of hope, "Next year in Jerusalem!" If Vladimir Putin has his way, there will be a slight variation on that theme - "Next year in Moscow!" Nations United Against Israel Russia: We've got Israel nextSource:
The Jerusalem Post Just as it did after the Madrid conference, which it co-hosted with the United States in 1991, Russia moved quickly last week to ensure that it will be in line to host the first post-Annapolis conference. This is according to an official at the Russian embassy in Washington DC. While a date for the follow up event was not yet set, the official said he believes that Moscow will ensure an ongoing leading role in developments by hosting talks that will "cover all the tracks" relating to a conclusive Israel-Arab peace agreement. Russia is currently in the throes of an election that is believed rigged to ensure Vladimir Putin's party is returned to power with an overwhelming majority. Putin himself is thought to be eyeing some form of power position that will enable him to keep his hands firmly on the reins of the Russian bear. Since this story crossed the wires, an ominous series of developments has transpired in Russia. 
Putin, right, is greeted by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad following his arrival in Tehran.
Putin brushes off criticism over electionsBy Neil Buckley and Catherine Belton in Moscow Vladimir Putin has brushed off unprecedented international criticism of Russia’s parliamentary elections. The Russian president said the elections on Sunday were legitimate in spite of widespread complaints of abuses and claims that the polls were unfair and deeply flawed. Germany said that “measured by our standards, it was neither a free, fair nor democratic election”, while the British foreign ministry called on Russia’s central election commission to “urgently investigate all allegations of electoral abuses”. European election observers said there had been “frequent abuse of administrative re-sources, media coverage strongly in favour of the ruling party and an election code whose cumulative effect hindered political pluralism”. But Mr. Putin said the 64.1 per cent victory for the pro-Kremlin United Russia party – whose ticket he headed – was a signal of trust. “It’s now clear to me that Russians will never allow their country to develop along the destructive path seen in some other countries of the former Soviet Union,” he said. The result is expected to provide a platform for Mr. Putin to remain Russia’s most influential politician while complying with a constitutional bar on more than two consecutive presidential terms by stepping down next year.
At our Scott Richards Live - Alive! event last Friday, special guest Joel Rosenberg went into detail about the prophesied last days invasion of Israel called the War of Gog and Magog. In Ezekiel 38-39, we see predicted the rise of a modern day czar in Russia who will head up a coalition of nations bent on destroying Israel. At his side in this venture will be an unprecedented ally, Persia, or modern Iran. Historically, Russia and Iran have never had any kind of alliance. But now all that has changed. Russia supplies Iran with not only the materials and expertise necessary for her nuclear programs, but also sophisticated missile technology to defend it. Any attempt at meaningful economic sanctions against Iran is vetoed by Russia at the UN. Why have these nations become such strange bed fellows in our day? Consider these ominously on target words God speaks to the head of this future coalition. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. (Ezekiel 38:4-6) The image here is graphic. Russia is dragged into leading this conflict painfully, against her will - with hooks in her jaws. What kind of pain has pushed Russia under Putin into an increasingly cozy alliance with the radical Islamic leadership of Iran? Consider this possibility. It was not too long ago that Russia was saddled with it's own burden in the global war on terror. Islamic fundamentalists in the breakaway former Soviet Republic of Chechnya were not only fighting the Russians, but striking increasingly savage blows. Beslan school hostage crisis
The Beslan school hostage crisis (also referred to as the Beslan school siege or Beslan massacre) began when a group of armed Chechen separatists and supporters took more than 1,200 schoolchildren and adults hostage on September 1, 2004, at School Number One (SNO) in the town of Beslan, North Ossetia-Alania, (an autonomous republic in the North Caucasus region of the Russian Federation). On the third day of the standoff, a chaotic gun battle broke out between the hostage-takers and Russian security forces. Three hundred and thirty-four (334) civilians were killed,[1] including 186 children,[2] and hundreds more were wounded. Chechen terrorist Shamil Basayev took responsibility for the hostage taking. The Beslan tragedy was merely a battle in a terror campaign that included everything from assassinations, sub way bombings, and the simultaneous explosion of two Russian airliners in mid flight. Yet since 2006, the number of incidents with Islamist Chechen rebels has mysteriously dropped to almost zero. And, interestingly, the unqualified support for the mad mullahs in Tehran has risen to new heights. Putin has placed support of Iran's drive toward becoming a nuclear power even ahead of good relations with the United States and the European Union. Why? Putin is no fool. He knows that the southern border of his loosely connected Russian Federation, from Georgia to Siberia, is dominated by Shiite Moslems. How can he most effectively keep Kazakhs and Azerbaijanis and Uzbeks from following in the footsteps of their Chechen brethren? By identifying with them against a common foe - an enemy that Shiite Moslems feel a religious obligation to wipe off the face of the earth - Israel. And the strategy appears to be working. As Joel Rosenberg suggested at our gathering on Friday night, what would happen if the Russians and Iranians decided to follow the lead of the United States approach to the weapons of mass destruction problem in Iraq? What if they used the United Nations as a platform to declare the entire Middle East a "nuclear free zone" and then demanded that Israel disarm? What if they put together their own "coalition of the willing" to enforce the resolution? Russia has had a long and shameful past in her persecution of the Jews. She needs no help in hating Israel or wishing her to cease to exist. But could it be the desire to get out of harms way concerning Islamic terrorism that will succeed in putting the predicted painful "hooks" in Russia's jaws? From the view of a ruthless leader like former KGB head Vlad Putin, there may be no alternative than to do directly what Russia has attempted to accomplish by proxy armies in 1967 and 1973 - wipe Israel off the map. To allow the chaos and carnage that dominated during the Chechen conflict to return will cause his own people to rise against him. He may very well conclude that either Israel goes, or he does. At that moment, the hooks will be set. Keep watching events involving Russia and Iran with an eye to Ezekiel 38-39. I would also highly recommend Joel Rosenberg's DVD and book Epicenter as essential viewing in these "interesting times." http://www.joelrosenberg.com/books.asp The moves of Vlad Putin against Israel have to this point been subtle and diplomatic. But the same can't be said for Russia's new ally and leading customer for nuclear technology Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. How Much Is Enough? Have you ever got into a discussion with a conspiracy theory buff? Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the experience is that whether the person believes that man never landed on the moon, or that moon men are really running congress (Insert your own "That would explain a lot!" joke here), their point of view seems to be absolutely impervious to any logical argument. You may have found yourself responding to the discussion by shaking your head and saying, "How much proof do you need? What would it take to change your mind?" More often than not, when we encounter a "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!" situation we walk away thinking, "Wow! How much proof is enough?" I couldn't help but think of a conversation with a conspiracy kook or two when I read the latest dispatch from Tehran. Iran challenges Europe to hand over Holocaust 'proof' An Iranian government-sponsored body set up to probe the veracity of the Holocaust has challenged Europe to hand over documents about the mass slaughter of Jews in World War II. Mohammad Ali Ramin, the head of the "World Holocaust Foundation" created after Iran's controversial Holocaust conference last year, said Austria, Germany and Poland in particular should supply documents.
"They should hand over the proof for the dossier on the organized massacre of Jews in Europe during World War II to the independent international fact-finding committee affiliated to this foundation," the IRNA state news agency quoted him as saying on Tuesday. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the creation of the foundation after inviting a number of controversial revisionist Holocaust researchers to a conference in Tehran in December that caused an international outcry. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly questioned the scale of the Holocaust, described the mass killing of six million Jews in World War II as a "myth" and also called for Israel to be "wiped from the map". The foreign researchers invited to the conference -- some of whom have criminal records at home -- gave papers claiming the Holocaust never happened on the scale assumed by the vast majority of historians. Mainstream historians specializing in the Third Reich counter there is ample documentary proof that around six million Jews were killed by the Nazis in World War II although some estimates put the figure slightly higher or lower. The UN General Assembly last month unanimously approved a US-proposed resolution condemning denial of the Holocaust, in a move diplomats said was directly aimed at Iran's stance. What the supposed search for the truth in Tehran illustrates is that philosophy usually trumps proof. What would satisfy this supposed search for the truth? The testimony of Holocaust survivors? The word of the men who liberated the death camps? Documents like the infamous Wannsee Protocols that detailed the horrors of Hitler's "Final Solution"? How much proof would be enough? This phenomenon is never more clearly on display than when skeptics declare, "There is no proof that God exists!" Author, scientist and peace advocate Bertrand Russell was once asked what he would say if after death he met the God he spent his life denying. He replied, "I would say, "Sir, why did you not make Your existence more evident?" The question Bertrand Russell may very well have heard in response is simple, yet searching, "How much would have been enough?" When we look around we see awesome design and consistency in the creation that demands a designer. When we look within we see an insatiable need for purpose and meaning in this life, and a persistent curiosity about the next. This would be strange indeed if all we are is a cosmic accident. When we look back in history we see that God has settled the issue by walking among us in the Person of Jesus Christ. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:12) More than enough evidence for any fair enquirer. But as they say, "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." Combine these accounts with the recent news that Russia will be supplying Iran with an additional 119 nuclear reactors, and we see that 2007 was a year where the players in the prophesied invasion of Israel in the Last Days are taking their places on the world stage. What to expect in 2008? We will continue to see an increasingly hostile stance taken toward Israel in the court of world opinion. Unfortunately we may also see an eroding of US support for Israel, as the price for standing behind God's chosen people becomes increasingly high. Following the collapse of the American sponsored Annapolis peace conference, we may see an increase of influence by the European Union as potential trouble shooters for the region. But suffice it to say that by this time next year the words of Zechariah 12 may be even more relevant than today. The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:1-3)
Scott's Blog 12/24-25/07 The True Meaning of Christmas (A User's Guide) I have to admit the first Bible study I was ever exposed to was taught by a cartoon character.  Over the years, I have heard that very same verse (Luke 2:8-14) quoted and printed on Christmas cards. But when we take a closer look at those familiar words we discover that the same miracle the shepherds experienced is available to each of us today. The Recipients of the First Christmas Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8) To whom did God chose to reveal the most stunning news in all of human history? It wasn't to the scribes who sat pouring over the writings of the rabbis. It wasn't to the religious leaders blowing trumpets to call attention to their good deeds. It wasn't to the rich and powerful Temple officials who debated philosophy when they weren't devising another scheme to separate the faithful from their money. It was to a group of nondescript shepherds. Contrary to popular belief, shepherds weren't the most admired people in Jewish culture of the day. Shepherding was considered dirty and often ceremonially defiling work. It didn't tend to draw the best or the brightest to its ranks. In fact, many considered shepherds untrustworthy, definitely not "A-list" material on the social scale. So who did God chose to receive the Good News? People who were simple enough to believe the message when it came. And it's been the same way ever since. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” (I Corinthians 1:26-31) Christmas reminds us that we are not in the kingdom because we are a credit to it. Rather, God saves people like us to show the world that if there is hope for us there is hope for anyone. The Revelation of the First Christmas And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:9-14) What was the message of the first Christmas? It was all about Jesus. We see in the announcement by the angel - The Purpose of Jesus - "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior" He came with a mission in mind, a task to be accomplished. It was God's plan from eternity past to send His Son to save us from our sins. Consider this prophecy written seven hundred years before Jesus was born. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6) The Power of Jesus - "Who is Christ" The word "Christ" literally means "the Anointed One". There were three occasions when a leader would be "anointed"( that is to have ceremonial oil poured out upon his head). Service as a prophet, a priest or a king would begin with this ritual. This Child would uniquely fulfill all three of these spiritual offices. Jesus would also demonstrate a life empowered by God's Holy Spirit on a level and to a degree unseen before or since. As John the Baptist put it: "He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. (John 3:32-35) The Personality of Jesus - "The Lord" Jesus would be far more than just a gifted Teacher, or a religious reformer, or even a miracle worker. He was (and is) God. Again, the prophet Isaiah gives us an amazing spiritual heads up concerning Jesus. For unto us a Child is born, Christmas is a time that should also remind us of God's great plan for us, revealed in His Word. God desires to give each of us a Christmas gift, a deeper and fuller understanding of the Bible. The single best way to make Bible study come alive for us is to realize that ultimately the meaning of the Bible is to be found in the Person of Jesus. The rituals of the Old Testament are object lessons of His life and work. The history is literally "His Story", how God would work to bring His Son into the world. The commands are a reflection of His character. As Jesus Himself put it; You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. (John 5:39) The Response of ChristmasSo what did the shepherds do with this invaluable information? So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:16-20) The shepherds had heard, from an angel no less, what they were to believe. But the remarkable thing is, they decided to make this new found information personal in their lives. They went to see for themselves what the angel announced. Christmas is a call for us to do the very same thing. Most of us know what we believe about Christmas, but do we know the why behind it? if someone were to ask you why you believe that Jesus, this baby born in a manger in Bethlehem is the Son of God, how would you respond? If, like the shepherds we seek to know the truth of God for ourselves personally, we will not only have a strong and durable faith, but one that makes sense when we share it with others. Notice as well, the shepherds didn't keep this news to themselves - "they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child". Christmas is a time that reminds us why the Lord desires for us to share His message with others. it has been said a joy shared is twice a joy. Could you imagine getting engaged, or hitting a hole in one and never telling anyone about the experience? Sharing is half the fun when something wonderful happens to us. The same thing is true in our relationship with God. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (II Corinthians 5:14-15) Quite a bit of spiritual treasure in a very familiar passage, isn't there? May the Lord give you a wonderful Christmas gift this year - a passion to know Him as He is revealed in His Word. And you will find this promise fulfilled in your life. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Scott's Blog - 12/20/07 We Three Kings? Mark Twain was once famously quoted as saying, "The problem with most folks isn't what they don't know. It's what they do know that just ain't so that's the problem." Christmas time has a funny way of bringing this principle to the forefront. One of the most eye opening discoveries I have made in my journey through God's Word is just how often and how radically God's Word and the taken for granted traditions of culture are at odds. A classic example of this phenomenon in action is the story of the three wise men. The account of the arrival of the Magi is related to us in the eye witness biography of Jesus we call the book of Matthew. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. (Matthew 2:1-12) One of the best ways to separate fact from fiction is to approach this account by asking a few basic questions. Who Were These Wise Men? The term "wise men" is a significant one in the original language. It is the Greek word "magoi". We get our term "magician" from this root. But the word was far more significant during the time of Christ. The "magoi" are identified by the Greek historian Herodotus with a group of priests/ political power brokers who held great power in one of Rome's great rivals, the Parthian Empire. The Parthians held a good portion of the territory to the east of the Promised Land, including the areas formerly known as Babylon and Medo Persia. The "Magi" traced their roots back to the court spiritual advisers of Babylon. Over time they assumed more and more power, eventually being the ones who would decide who would be the next king over Parthia. What Were They Doing in Jerusalem? Matthew tells us these ancient king-makers were looking for a special King, not just the next ruler of the Jews, but one whom they would "worship"- a spiritual ruler unlike any the world had ever seen. How could they have possibly anticipated such a thing? Interestingly, one of the most famous "Magi" of all time was a man whose spiritual giftedness had catapulted him to be the right hand of both Babylonian and Medo Persian kings - his name was Daniel. When we stop to realize that Daniel was held in incredibly high esteem by this priestly caste the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. They would have the words of Daniel at their disposal, including some of the most significant Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. (See Daniel 9:26) This would allow them not only to know that God was sending "Messiah the Prince", but also give them a good estimation of the time frame of His arrival. How Did They Get There? Matthew quotes them as saying "We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him." The term "star" (Greek "aster") can mean a star, or more broadly "a light source" or "a shining forth". Some have tried to write this off as a comet, a super nova or a conjunction of planets, but the text tells us that this "shining forth" not only guided these Magi directionally from their capitol of Susa (some 500 miles away) but also showed them the specific position on the ground where they would find the King they sought. Astronomical objects cannot do this. But there is a phenomenon described in Scripture that guided the people of Israel across the trackless wilderness under Moses - And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. (Exodus 13:21-22) Why Was Herod So Upset? It is hard to imagine a jaded, Roman backed ruler like Herod getting agitated by three characters on camels. But history tells us that he had a run in with the Parthians some 40 years before. they had invaded Palestine and Herod had to flee for his life until the Romans beat back the assault. Imagine how he reacted when the ultimate power brokers of Parthia came on the scene, no doubt with a sufficient military escort to ensure their safety. The question, "Where is He Who is born King of the Jews (and we know it's not you, Herod)" packed quite a wallop. Why Do We Assume There Were Three Kings? The tradition arose from the presentation of three gifts, and grew so wildly that the Kings were associated with the three sons of Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth, and even named - Caspar, Balthasaar and Melchior. Various cathedrals in Europe even claim to have the skulls or bones of these three in their keeping. There is no evidence to suggest that there were only three of them, and their identification as "Magi" eliminates the mini-United Nations delegation theory. What Was the Significance of the Gifts? The truth behind the presentation of the gifts is profound. Gold was considered a fitting gift for a King. Frankincense was associated with Temple offerings and so would be appropriate for a Priest. But the third gift was the most stunning - myrrh was commonly used to prepare bodies for burial after death. Could you imagine the look on Mary and Joseph's faces when they saw that one? It would be like going to a baby shower and giving the mother a jar of embalming fluid. But the Magi were on to something. They not only had Daniel's writings, but also the writings that Daniel held dear to tell them about this promised King. Including Isaiah 53:7-11. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Do you catch a note of irony here? When Jesus was born He was welcomed into our world by only a handful of shepherds. Where were the experts in the Law and the Prophets? The religious leaders of the day couldn't be bothered to walk 8 miles down the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to see what these crazy shepherds were going on about. But if those who should have been ready and waiting would fall asleep at the switch, God would arrange a proper greeting for His Son. He would work across 500 years of history, and summon a group from 500 miles away to worship the King when he came. Joy to the world. The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Something that profound just can't be captured or contained in a plastic nativity scene! Scott's Blog - 12/19/07 A Book By Its Cover? There are certain passages in the Word of God that are probably truer than we would like them to be. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about degrees of inspiration. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16) But there are some that are devastatingly true concerning their application, how they work out in our lives. Consider this gem from the book of James: My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1) The bottom line here is hard to miss. God takes His Word very seriously. And the moment we stand up and present ourselves as an authority on some aspect of His truth, we'd better know what we are talking about. Because if we don't, there will be a moment when that will become painfully obvious to all. Consider this eyebrow raising story that hit the web today. Lynne Spears' Book Delayed Indefinitely  NEW YORK (AP) - Lynne Spears' book about parenting has been delayed indefinitely, her publisher said Wednesday. Lindsey Nobles, a spokeswoman for Christian book publisher Thomas Nelson Inc., said Wednesday that the memoir by the mother of Britney Spears was put on hold last week. She declined to comment on whether the delay was connected to the revelation that Spears' 16-year-old daughter, Jamie Lynn, is pregnant. "I can tell you that we are standing behind Lynne and supporting her decision to be with her family at this time," Nobles told The Associated Press. "Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World" was initially scheduled for release May 11, Mother's Day. Spears, the mother of three children with ex-husband Jamie Spears, had been working with a Michigan-based freelancer since March on the memoir chronicling Spears' experiences raising a family in the public eye. Jamie Lynn Spears, star of Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101" and sister of Britney, told OK! magazine in its new issue that she's expecting her first child and the father is boyfriend Casey Aldridge. Nobles and representatives for Britney Spears said they did not know how Lynne Spears could be reached for comment about the status of her book. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8TKMPHG1&show_article=1Britney Spears' mother is going to share tips on Christian parenting? I can't pretend to know the challenges the Spears family has faced over the years. I have no clue what it must be like to try to maintain a sense of normalcy, stability and spirituality when every move a family makes is fair game for the paparazzi and the tabloids. I have no idea what caused the break up of Lynn Spears' marriage, or what attempts she may have made to help her daughters avoid making their lives into a public spectacle. But I do know this. Once Lynn spears signed on the line to write a nationally promoted book on the subject of Christian parenting, she assumed the mantle of being subject to "a stricter judgment". And judged she will be. The great undecideds of our culture will write her off as a member of the "Don't do as I do, do as I say" club. The snarky cynics will use this as an opportunity to mock Biblical standards of parenting. Even the most charitable will shake their heads and say, "Lynn, why don't you apply this in your own life before you try to sell it to others?" A lesson lies here for all of us. No one is perfect. We all fall short of living up to the things we stand for. But before we put ourselves forward as an expert in fixing the lives of others, we need to first experience some fixing of our own. Jesus put it this way: And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)
Scott's Blog - 12/18/07 How Much Would You Pay For Peace? A cynical comedian once observed that you can't buy love, but you can rent it. The same sad equation seems to be in full force in the Middle East. The so-called "Road Map to Peace" seems to operate on one consistent principle. The Israelis are required to make physical and strategic concessions to the Palestinians. Once a large chunk of territory or a policy designed to enhance Israeli security is abandoned, or conceded or dismantled, peace will be in the air for, oh, about a month until the next demand is made. And the rent for a month's worth of "peace" is going up exponentially. The going price now? The single most sacred site in all of Judaism - the Temple Mount. FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU Revealed: Israel agreed to forfeit Temple Mount Documents detail ex-Israeli leader's deal handing Judaism's holiest site to Yasser Arafat Posted: December 13, 2007 11:09 a.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein
The information comes as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert earlier this month denied talks started at November's Annapolis summit would lead to Israel giving up its sovereignty over the Temple Mount, while chief Palestinian negotiators tell WND the Jewish state already agreed to forfeit Judaism's holiest site to a coalition of Arab countries. According to declassified Israeli government documents published today by Israel's Haaretz newspaper, during U.S.-led negotiations in 2000 at Camp David, Ehud Barak, then prime minister, agreed sovereignty over the Temple Mount would be either "ambiguous" or control would be determined based on the bond of each party to the site. The Palestinians would therefore control the upper sections of the Mount, which houses the Al Aqsa Mosque and also is the site of the First and Second Jewish Temples. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59188 What does Biblical prophecy tell us about these shocking developments? I believe the Scriptures tell us that any attempt to cede absolute control over the Temple Mount are bound to fail. The current situation is a recipe for disaster, a very heavy lid over a boiling pot. Although annexed by Israel following the '67 War, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan attempted to offer an olive branch to the Jordanians by allowing a group of Moslem clergy called the Waqf to oversee the site. The Waqf has subsequently banned the presence of Bibles and any non Moslem prayer on the grounds. It routinely looks the other way when its followers rain down rocks on Jews praying at the Wailing Wall. It has also allowed supposed "public works projects" designed to eliminate any archeological artifacts that would support the Jews' claim that the Temple even existed. Turning up the heat on the site is the rise to prominence of the Temple Mount Society, who are about the business of making preparations for the building of a new Temple on it's historic grounds. Various implements of worship have been completed and future priests and Levites are being trained at a seminary. Where does all this end up? Not in explosion, but in accommodation. A fascinating view of the future of the Temple Mount is found in Revelation chapter eleven. Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”(Revelation 11:1-3) The description here is of a divided Temple Mount, where the Jews will have to share the site with Gentiles. This was an unthinkable notion at the time that the majority of the New Testament was written. Nowadays, not so much. How will this uneasy coexistence come about? Daniel chapter nine provides a clue. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27) The "he" in this passage is the Anti-Christ. He will wow the world by providing a solution to an unsolvable problem. The world will welcome him as a man of "peace and safety", until he reveals his true colors three and a half years after this apparent diplomatic triumph. From that point onward the express elevator to Armaggedon will be open for business. The stage is certainly being set. Even the centerpiece of Jewish spiritual identity is up for barter. With strong pressure from the U.S. and the West, Israel's current weak leadership seems willing to sell their soul for even a promise of peace. One day, perhaps soon, they will get the chance to
complete the transaction.
Scott's Blog - 12/17/07 Here Comes the New Czar, Same As the Old Czar? Students of Biblical prophecy are paying more and more attention to Ezekiel 38-39, the now famous section of scripture detailing a last days invasion of Israel. Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.” (Ezekiel 38:1-9) It is not only significant to note that the land of Magog has been historically identified with the territory of modern Russia, but also that this prophecy is directed toward a single ruler over this country called "Gog". The close association of the name of the ruler with the name of the country has lead to speculation that this individual would exercise almost unquestioned and unchecked power over his nation. In the case of Russia, it would require far more personal power than was exercised by any Soviet style premiere. Even powerful leaders like Kruschev or Gorbachev had to play politics with various factions of the Communist polituburo to accomplish their ends. What is likely in view here is the rise of a leader with a grasp of unchecked autonomous power not seen since a czar like Peter the Great. We may be seeing just such an individual power grab taking place in our day. Putin to be PM in future Russia governmentBy Oleg Shchedrov Mon Dec 17, 11:09 AM ET
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he was ready to become prime minister if his close ally Dmitry Medvedev succeeds him, giving Putin a way to keep a grip on power after he leaves the Kremlin. "If Russian citizens express their confidence in Dmitry Medvedev and elect him as the country's president, I will be ready to head the government," Putin told a congress of his United Russia party held near Moscow's Red Square. "(We) shouldn't be ashamed or afraid of transferring the key powers of the country, the destiny of Russia to the hands of such a man," Putin added in his speech. Medvedev, 42, was later adopted by the congress as United Russia's presidential candidate. Delegates voted 478-1 in a sober, Soviet-style ceremony held without debate. In his brief acceptance speech, Medvedev listed priorities such as strengthening Russia's position in the world, preserving the Russian nation, looking after the young and the old. "All this is in Vladimir Putin's strategy. I will be guided by this strategy, if I am elected president," Medvedev said. "But carrying out an idea can only be successful with the participation of its author. I have no doubt that in the future Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin) will use all his resources, all his influence in Russia and abroad for the benefit of Russia." Putin signaled Medvedev, a first deputy prime minister and chairman of state gas giant Gazprom, last week as his preferred successor. The constitution bars Putin from a third term. Analysts said the choice of a loyal longtime colleague signaled Putin's desire to keep a grip on power after leaving the Kremlin. The two men have worked together for 17 years. Putin walked into the congress hall side by side with Medvedev to applause from the serried ranks of dark-suited delegates. Both men wore dark suits with white shirts and ties and stood to attention as participants sang the national anthem. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071217/ts_nm/russia_vote_putin_pm_dc_3 The long and the short of this is that if Medvedev wins the presidency, Putin gets a promotion. Medvedev will have the title of president, but Putin will have free reign to run the country. In domestic policy, foreign affairs, even military decision making, the will of Putin and Russia will become synonymous. Will Vlad Putin prove to be the predicted Russian leader of Ezekiel 38-39? Time will tell. But it is significant that the very governmental structure of Russia is being altered so that such a scenario could be easily realized in the near future. Scott's Blog - 12/14/07 Forsaking All I Trust Him? Does God want us to have faith in our faith? Is the act of claiming certain verses a way to write your own ticket with God? What is real faith all about? Check out our video blog - "Does Perfect Faith Produce Miracles" ! Scott's Blog - 12/13/07 Suffer the Children In the smoking aftermath of the L.A. riots, Rodney King plaintively asked the nation a simple yet soul searching question - "Can't we all just get along?" In no part of the world is this question more significant, and yet maddeningly elusive than the Middle East. To hear the press tell it, if the mean old Israelis would just stop picking on the poor dispossessed Palestinians we could put out the fuse on World War III. This trend has become so prevalent that you can even criticize Israel with your own personalized nativity scene this Christmas. Nativity scene recast with security barrier for 'Kitschmas'
It's a familiar Christmas image: a few animals and some wise men gather in a barn to pay their respects to a newborn baby. But unlike the traditional nativity scene, there's a wooden wall separating the worshippers from the baby Jesus. The walled nativity set, launched this week as part of a range of alternative Christmas gifts, is intended to be a reminder of the 230-mile, six-metre-high wall topped with barbed wire and lined with guard towers, that encircles the Palestinian land and Bethlehem. The message, according to its manufacturers, the Amos Trust, is that in 2007 the wise men would not have made it to the stable. http://www.guardian.co.uk/christmas2007/story/0,,2225153,00.html No doubt this snarky update on a traditional holiday theme is meant to be a conversation starter, so let's start the conversation. Why did the Israelis erect the 230 mile security wall? To achieve a documented 90% reduction in suicide bomb attacks on innocent men, women and children. But aren't the Palestinians interested in pursuing peace with Israel? It depends on which Palestinians you talk to. After being given the bum's rush out of Gaza, Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party is willing to put on a show for Western consumption in Annapolis. When the majority of your own people want to kill you, it's a good idea to find any port in a storm. And if you can give the American president a nice photo op, and collect a few million dollars more of foreign aide money in the process, why not shake hands with your sworn enemy? But back in Gaza, things are not so subtle. There, the democratically elected government in Gaza, the terrorist group Hamas, hasn't changed their tune - or even their children's programming.
Israel continues to offer concession after concession, but it's hard to negotiate with a partner who has defined "peace" as what will happen the day after your extermination. A "partner" who has no qualms about leading their children to spout rhetoric that Hitler's Brown Shirts might find over the top. I wonder how those who believe that all of the problems in the Middle East fall in Israel's lap would feel if a terrorist government set up shop across the border from our country and started lobbing Katyusha rockets into our major cities. I'm sure we would be aghast if the UN demanded we remove our border patrol and give up San Diego to this group as a good faith gesture. So I will not be celebrating Christmas with a painfully unfunny knock off of a nativity scene. Or by buying my children a DVD of "The Best of Hamas' Hate-fest for Kiddies" But I will take time to pray. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: Peace be within your walls, Scott's Blog - 12/12/07 Confronting the "Cultural Christian" It has been said that the loneliest moment in the life of an atheist is when he feels genuinely thankful and has no one to thank. If this is true, then the runner up must be the Christmas season. Just look at what this time of year does to even the most hard bitten anti-theists among us. Atheist Dawkins Calls Himself a 'Cultural Christian' Richard Dawkins lecturing on his book, The God Delusion. Staunch atheist Richard Dawkins recently denied wanting to stop Christian traditions as he labeled himself a “cultural Christian.” "This is historically a Christian country. I'm a cultural Christian in the same way many of my friends call themselves cultural Jews or cultural Muslims,” Oxford biologist Dawkins said on BBC’s recent “Have Your Say” program. Dawkins, who has expressed hopes of converting religious believers to atheism through his international bestseller The God Delusion, made the comments while fielding open questions on religion and debating with conservative MP Mark Pritchard. “I like singing carols along with everybody else. I'm not one of those who wants to purge our society of our Christian history,” he said. "If there's any threat these sorts of things, I think you will find it comes from rival religions and not from atheists," said Dawkins. Dawkins has credited his exposure to Darwinism as the turning point from his Anglican upbringing to atheism. He is part of a new breed of outspoken atheists who are publicly rejecting the existence of God. Dawkins is also urging other atheists to come out of the closet and declare themselves publicly through his Out Campaign. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071211/30445_Atheist_Dawkins_Calls_Himself_a_%27Cultural_Christian%27.htm I have to confess I feel a certain amount of sympathy for Richard Dawkins. Before I became a Christian I considered myself an atheist. Yet there was something irresistibly warm and inviting about joining in for a chorus of "Silent Night", "The First Noel" or even "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". But I must confess I paid very little attention to the words I was singing. It is tough for a person who denies that God exists to feel good while declaring:
Hark the
herald angels sing
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