News for August 10, 2007

Other Stuff:+

Dow Crashes 387 As Contagion Spreads Telegraph.UK (August 10, 2007) - The European Central Bank has provided emergency liquidity to the credit markets for the first time since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, acting to prevent contagion from the US sub-prime mortgage slump spreading through the -German, French, and Dutch banking systems. Wall Street’s Dow Jones index tumbled 387 points yesterday despite an emergency intervention by the European Central Bank for the first time since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The ECB extended €95bn (£64bn) in bank credit in a dramatic attempt to provide liquidity to the credit markets and prevent contagion from the US sub-prime mortgage market slump spreading through the ­German, French, and Dutch banking systems. It was the biggest one-day infusion of liquidity since the launch of the euro, acknowledging “tension” in the money markets. As central banks around the world sought to head off a potential credit crunch, the US Federal Reserve injected $24bn (£12bn) into the banking system, while the Bank of Canada said it was ready to provide liquidity. US President George W Bush insisted that the Federal Reserve had done enough to keep credit flowing. “I am told there is enough liquidity to enable those markets to correct. The fundamentals of our economy are strong,” he said. The burst of action by authorities across the world came after BNP Paribas, France’s largest bank, halted withdrawals from three funds with €2bn invested in US sub-prime debt. BNP said it had acted to forestall forced liquidation of assets in a disorderly market where almost all bids had dried up. "The complete evaporation of liquidity in certain market segments of the US securitisation market has made it impossible to value certain assets fairly regardless of their quality or credit rating," it said. Just over a week ago, BNP chief executive Baudouin Prot, said the bank had only minimal exposure to the US sub-prime woes.
| America |

Preaching in public gets minister fined World Net Daily (August 10, 2007) - The conviction and $1,500 fine for a street preacher who feels his calling is to share the gospel on the streets of Oslo, Norway, has been upheld by an intermediate court, and an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights is likely, according to the International Human Rights Group. IHRG President Joel Thornton told WND in an e-mail from Norway that he'd been advised the court ruling, to be released soon, will affirm the discipline against Petar Keseljevic, who describes himself as the first street preacher in Norway. He was in the city's downtown area on June 29 and 30, and on the second day was arrested for delivering a gospel message, even though he'd been told by city officials he could exercise his free speech rights on the public sidewalks without a permit, Thornton told WND. He was released after a few hours, and fined 9,000 Kroners, about $1,500, then appealed, and the IHRG got involved. "He is a strong Christian brother who has a very definite calling to preach the gospel on the streets of Oslo – his hometown," Thornton said. "He preaches a very sound biblical message about the sin of man and the need to repent and turn to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. I found Petar's enthusiasm to be infectious." In a video on the IHRG website, Keseljevic describes his reason for preaching: "In these last days it is important that someone takes a stand and do what the message is meant for, share it," he said. Thornton reported he was able to walk the streets of Oslo where Keseljevic had been preaching in June. "One of his early stops was at a street corner where he began preaching to the passersby and a crowd that was gathered. While he was preaching someone threw a full bottle of beer that whizzed by his head, missing by inches, and burst open on the sidewalk beside Petar," Thornton said. The next day he was preaching during a local parade to people who had gathered to watch. "Soon the police arrived and told him that his amplification device was too loud. Petar immediately turned down the volume and continued to preach. The policemen moved across the street for a few minutes and called the precinct. Then they returned and told Petar that his message was not good for the parade and that he would have to move," Thornton said. The officers directed him to a remote corner along a busy street, away from any pedestrians, and he refused to go, stating he believed he had the right to preach on the public sidewalks. "That is a right that is guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, which Norway has agreed to uphold," Thornton said. He was then arrested.

Russia eyes return to the Middle East Detroit News (August 9, 2007) - Days after Russia sent the diplomatic world reeling with its audacious flag-planting beneath the ice of the North Pole, the Kremlin is moving to reassert itself in warmer climes as well, plotting the return of the Russian fleet to a Syrian port on the Mediterranean Sea. The head of the Russian navy announced that he wanted next to plant the white-blue-and-red Russian banner in the Middle East. The new Russian strategy envisions returning warships to a Soviet-era naval base at the port of Tartus. "The Mediterranean Sea is very important strategically for the Black Sea fleet," Admiral Vladimir Masorin said as he toured a Russian base in the Ukrainian port city of Sevastopol. "I propose that, with the involvement of the Northern and Baltic fleets, the Russian navy should restore its permanent presence there." It would mark the first time Russia has established a military presence outside the borders of the former Soviet Union since the USSR fell apart in 1991. "It's a symbol, the planting of a flag. Just like the one Russia put under the North Pole," said Alexei Malashenko, an expert on the Muslim world at the Carnegie Moscow Center. The intent, he said, is to declare that Russia has returned to the Middle East, where Moscow held wide influence during the Cold War, backing the socialist regimes of Syria, Iraq and Egypt against U.S.-supported Israel. It's a move many in Israel and the United States will have trouble separating from a broader pattern of renewed Russian support for countries and groups Washington and Tel Aviv see as enemies. "The Russians are coming" read a front-page headline in Monday's edition of Israel's mass-circulation Yediot Aharonot newspaper. "A Russian flag on Syrian soil has significant strategic implications. Firstly, it challenges the United States and the dominance of the Sixth Fleet stationed in the Mediterranean. Secondly, with its actual presence in Syria, Russia is announcing that it is actively participating in any process and conflict in the Middle East, that it has a stance of its own and that it must be reckoned with," the article read. Russian President Vladimir Putin and President George W. Bush have both gone to great lengths to insist the two countries are not on the verge of another Cold War. But the Kremlin and the White House, already butting heads in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, are increasingly at odds across this volatile region.
| Gog/Magog | Israel | Islam |

Israel holds 'very sensitive' meeting on war with Syria World Net Daily (August 8, 2007) - Israel's security cabinet, composed of the country's top ministers, today held what was deemed a "very sensitive" closed-door meeting to plan for the possibility of war with Syria. Ministers were asked to leave their cell phones outside to prevent the possibility of leaks. In attendance were Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman and nine top lawmakers. It was the sixth such security cabinet meeting in recent weeks. According to security officials, the ministers were briefed on recent Syrian military movements and Damascus' acquisition of missiles and rockets capable of hitting civilian population centers, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The ministers were told Syria recently stepped up the pace of its own rocket production and moved some rockets close to the Israeli border. The ministers were briefed on possible war scenarios, Israeli military options for countering any Syrian attack and the readiness of Israel's home front, including bomb shelters and anti-missile systems, security sources said. WND reported last week that with the exception of the north, the Jewish state's home front, Israelis – especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv – are unprepared for the event of war, with only enough existing bomb shelters for 70 to 80 percent of the area's residents. Security officials told the ministers during today's meeting Syria is preparing for war with the Jewish state but that its preparations were seen as defensive in nature. They said they were concerned Syria might miscalculate Israel's intentions and launch a war based on faulty intelligence. During a portion of the meeting that was made public, Olmert told ministers Israel has no intention to attack Syria. "But there is concern that someone might mistakenly think that there will be an offensive and a war which no one is interested in," Olmert said. "Therefore, we must prepare for any scenario, so that Israel can be ready." Israeli security officials say Syria boosted its military near the Syrian side of the Golan Heights with strengthened forces after carrying out increased training the past few months. The Syrian army has improved its fortifications, according to the Israeli security officials, and has received modern, Russian-made anti-tank missiles similar to the missiles that devastated Israeli tanks during the last Lebanon war, causing the highest number of Israeli troop casualties during the 34-days of military confrontations. Syria also received from Russia advanced anti-aircraft missiles. The security officials said any conflict with Syria could degenerate into a larger war involving Hezbollah along Israel's northern border and Palestinian terror groups launching attacks from Gaza in the south and the West Bank toward the center of Israel. The officials noted Syria stepped up the pace of weapons, including rockets, being shipped from the Syrian border to the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. The security officials said the greatest threats Syria poses to the Jewish state are the country's missiles and rockets. They noted Syria recently test-fired two Scud-D surface-to-surface missiles, which have a range of about 250 miles, covering most Israeli territory. The officials said the Syrian missile test was coordinated with Iran and is believed to have been successful. It is not known what type of warhead the missiles had. more...
| Israel | Islam | Isaiah 17 |

Indonesia's West Java hit by strong earthquake Reuters (August 8, 2007) - A powerful earthquake struck a coastal area in Indonesia's West Java on Thursday, sparking panic in many parts of the densely inhabited island, although there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The quake was too deep to prompt a tsunami warning, said Robert Cessaro at the United States National Weather Service's Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. An official at Indonesia's Meteorological agency said by telephone that it struck an area on the northern coast of West Java. "There has been no damage or casualties reported so far," the official said by telephone, adding that the quake could be felt as far away as Padang in Sumatra and the resort island of Bali. The quake with a magnitude of 7.4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, struck just after midnight and could be felt by residents in the capital Jakarta, as well as in the nearby city of Bandung and in the town Yogyakarta in central Java. The ancient royal city of Yogykarta was devastated by an earthquake that killed more than 5,700 people just over a year ago. The U.S. agency said on its Web site the quake struck at 1704 GMT and said its epicenter was 110 km (68.4 miles) from Jakarta at a depth of 282.1 km. Residents in an apartment block in central Jakarta described feeling the tower shake three to four times and then said people rushed out of the building. The Indonesian Meteorological agency put the quake at 7.0 on the Richter scale and said it struck 75 km northwest of the coastal city of Indramayu at a depth of 286 km. Indonesia suffers frequent earthquakes, lying on an active seismic belt on part of the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire."
| Earth Changes |

Prime-time TV not gay enough: study Reuters (August 7, 2007) - Are U.S. television networks gay enough? Not yet, but ABC is getting close, according to a gay-rights group. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has given the Walt Disney Co.-owned network the highest marks of any of the five major broadcast networks in the group's first-ever report rating depictions of gay, lesbian and transgender characters and issues on prime-time TV. The study assigned grades of "excellent," "good," "fair" or "failing" based on the number of "impressions," or occurrences, of gay characters, discussions or themes counted during 4,693 hours of programming examined from June 2006 through May 2007. No network was rated as excellent. But ABC received a grade of "good" with 171 hours of gay-inclusive TV last season, accounting for 15 percent of its prime-time programming. ABC shows also featured more regular characters who are gay, lesbian or transgender than any of its rival broadcasters, led by the first-season series, "Ugly Betty" and "Brothers & Sisters," according to the study, released on Monday. The character of Betty's office cohort, Marc, played by Michael Urie, was depicted as coming out to his intolerant mother, while Alexis, played by Rebecca Romijn, was revealed to have once been Alex -- making her the first series regular transgender on a network comedy, GLAAD said. "Overall, the approach that ABC takes ... can serve as a best-practice model," the study found. GLAAD said networks and their advertisers stood to gain from more gay-friendly programming, as the gay community is generally more affluent, highly educated and brand-conscious than the population at large. more...
| Signs of the Times |

The Timeline to Tyranny Prison Planet (August 7, 2007) - The top ten advances towards tyranny in the United States during the tenure of the Bush administration, from the Patriot Act to the latest expansion of the illegal eavesdropping surveillance program.

1) The USA Patriot Act

The party line often heard from Neo-Cons in their attempts to defend the Patriot Act either circulate around the contention that the use of the Patriot Act has never been abused or that it isn't being used against American citizens. Here is an archive of articles that disproves both of these fallacies. The Patriot Act was the boiler plate from which all subsequent attacks on the Constitution were formed.

2) Total Information Awareness

"Every purchase you make with a credit card, every magazine subscription you buy and medical prescription you fill, every Web site you visit and e-mail you send or receive, every academic grade you receive, every bank deposit you make, every trip you book and every event you attend — all these transactions and communications will go into what the Defense Department describes as "a virtual, centralized grand database," infamously wrote New York Times writer William Safire, announcing the birth of Total Information Awareness, a kind of Echelon on steroids introduced a year after 9/11. TIA was not canned, it was simply removed from the newspaper, renamed and continues to operate under a guise of different programs.

3) USA Patriot Act II

The second Patriot Act was a mirror image of powers that Julius Caesar and Adolf Hitler gave themselves. Whereas the First Patriot Act only gutted the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and seriously damaged the Seventh and the Tenth, the Second Patriot Act reorganized the entire Federal government as well as many areas of state government under the dictatorial control of the Justice Department, the Office of Homeland Security and the FEMA NORTHCOM military command. The Domestic Security Enhancement Act 2003, also known as the Second Patriot Act is by its very structure the definition of dictatorship. more...
| NewWorldOrder | America |

Whether they know it or not, and I believe they (behind the NWO) do, those making policy are sending us down the path that leads to the man of sin ruling the world. Those not in the know are being bought or swallowing the pill with the cheese. It is through terrorism and the desire for peace, that freedom is being taken away for peace and safety. Those ignorant to what is happening will fall in line because they love their life and do not understand that their eternal soul is at stake. Those pushing us over the New World Order cliff are planning order out of chaos. Satan is the master of creating chaos, and where he is involved there inevitably follows a hatred for Israel, keep that in mind as you watch. Some just mask it better than Islam. I would specify radical Islam, but their holy book is declaring that the world will submit to Allah or die, so the moderate Muslims are like most Christians today, they really don't know or understand what their holy book says. The Bible describes the end result of all that is happening now. Most people are fulfilling the prophecy and they are living planning for a future on earth, when sudden destruction will come. We are not of this world, yet living in a secular society has caused a mixture and many Christians don't look much different than the world. And as Bible prophecy states, some will be caught off guard when the sudden destruction comes and they will not have the oil in their lamps. Matthew 25:1-13 That is why this watchman is sharing the warning. All this politicking is playing right into the ultimate downfall of America and the rise of the New World Order as planned. And the subtle serpent is behind it all, pulling the strings and placing the veil over the eyes of a distracted world.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

When we don't know what the devil's up to, it's easy for him to do it. The Bible says it must happen, now we know how it manages to get by people. The serpent is subtle. Time is short and the dragon has been at his conspiracy for centuries and millennia, Bible prophecy is being fulfilled right now. The first thing Christ warned about when asked of the end is to see that we aren't deceived. Let us not slumber, but watch because our Lord is coming soon and so many have yet to understand. Those watching and understanding God's plan will be beacons of light when the earth begins to shake. For the sake of those who need to be shaken to hear, let us understand what is coming and what is now happening!

Pro-Syria politician wins Lebanese seat Associated Press (August 6, 2007) - The pro-U.S. government suffered a blow Monday when its candidate in a closely watched parliamentary race conceded defeat to a little-known figure from the Syrian-backed opposition. The vote in the Christian stronghold of Metn north of Beirut was widely seen as a proxy struggle for the loyalties of Lebanon's Christians, who have been nearly evenly split between the government and opposition. Lebanon has been locked for months in a political standoff between the anti-Syrian ruling coalition, which is mainly Sunni, and the opposition led by the Shiite Muslim, pro-Syrian Hezbollah. Official results of Sunday's parliamentary race showed opposition candidate Kamil Khoury narrowly beating Amin Gemayel, Lebanon's president from 1982-88 and the head of one of the country's most powerful Maronite Christian families. Gemayel ran in his home district for the seat his son, Pierre, an outspoken anti-Syria figure, held when he was shot to death by gunmen as he left a church in a Beirut suburb in November. Many supporters blamed Syria for the killing. Khoury, backed by Michel Aoun, the most prominent Christian in the opposition, won by a margin of 418 votes, with 39,534 votes against Gemayel's 39,116, Interior Minister Hassan Sabei announced. Turnout was 46 percent Gemayel said that he would abide by the Interior Ministry's results. A second seat contested Sunday, in Beirut, was won by a pro-government candidate who ran virtually unopposed. Sunday's votes were not expected to have any immediate or direct effect on Lebanese political deadlock. The government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora retains a 5-seat edge over the opposition majority in parliament, which has not met for months because of the standoff. more...
| Israel | Islam |

3 killed execution style behind school Associated Press (August 6, 2007) - Three friends were forced to kneel against a wall behind an elementary school and were shot to death at close range, and a fourth was found about 30 feet away with gunshot and knife wounds to her head, police said. All were from Newark and planned to attend Delaware State University this fall. Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow said authorities didn't have any suspects or a motive in the killings late Saturday. None of the victims had any criminal record, she said. "They were good kids," Dow said. The four had been listening to music in a parking lot behind Mount Vernon School when they were gradually joined by a group of men, authorities said. Newark Police Director Garry McCarthy said the four exchanged text messages saying they should leave, but were attacked before they could do so. Police said the attackers shot one young woman, then forced her three companions down an alley, lined them up against a wall, made them kneel and shot each in the head. Natasha Aerial, 19, was listed in fair condition at Newark's University Hospital, authorities said. Police identified her companions as her brother, Terrance Aerial, 18, Iofemi Hightower, 20, and Dashon Harvey, 20. The Aerials' mother, Renee Tucker, said the last time she saw them was around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, when they told her they were going around the corner to get something to eat. "They said they were going to come right back to the house," Tucker said. more...
| Signs of the Times | America |

F-14 Parts Sold Despite Sales Ban Guardian Unlimited (August 1, 2007) - The Pentagon sold more than a thousand aircraft parts that could be used on F-14 fighter jets - a plane flown only by Iran - after announcing it had halted sales of such surplus, government investigators say. In a report Wednesday, the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said the Defense Department had improved security in its surplus program to prevent improper sales of sensitive items. But investigators found that roughly 1,400 parts that could be used on F-14 ``Tomcat'' fighter jets were sold to the public in February. That came after the Pentagon announced it had suspended sales of all parts that could be used on the Tomcat while it reviewed security concerns. Iran, trying to maintain its F-14s, is aggressively seeking components from the retired U.S. Tomcat fleet. The Pentagon's surplus sales division - the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service - told investigators the parts were sold because it failed to update an automated control list and remove the aircraft parts before they were listed on its Internet sales site. The GAO's investigation focused on F-14 parts. Iran is known to be seeking those, and if the parts were publicly available, it could endanger national security, Greg Kutz, the GAO's managing director of special investigations, wrote. Iran has managed to obtain U.S. spares in the past, he said. Kutz said he does not know if any of the Tomcat parts sold in February made it to Iran. The GAO forwarded details about some of the sales to federal law enforcement for possible investigation, he said. more...
| Iran | America |

Scientists reveal secret of levitation Breitbart.com (August 6, 2007) - Scientists have discovered a ground-breaking way of levitating ultra small objects, which may revolutionise the design of micro-machines, a new report says. Physicists said they can create "incredible levitation effects" by manipulating so-called Casimir force, which normally causes objects to stick together by quantum force. The phenomenon could be used to improve the performances of everyday devices ranging from car airbags to computer chips, say Professor Ulf Leonhardt and Dr Thomas Philbin from Saint Andrews University. Casimir force -- discovered in 1948 and first measured in 1997 -- can be seen in a gecko's ability to stick to a surface with just one toe. Now the British scientists say they can reverse the Casimir force to cause an object to repel rather than attract another in a vacuum. "The Casimir force is the ultimate cause of friction in the nano world, in particular in some micro-electromechanical systems," said Leonhardt, writing in the August issue of New Journal of Physics. "Micro or nano machines could run smoother and with less or no friction at all if one can manipulate the force," he added. And he added: "In order to reduce friction in the nanoworld, turning nature's stickiness into repulsion could be the ultimate remedy. Instead of sticking together, parts of micromachinery would levitate." Leonhardt stressed that the practise is possible only for micro-objects. But he underlined that, although in principle it may one day be possible to levitate humans, that day is a long way off. "At the moment, in practice it is only going to be possible for micro-objects with the current technology, since this quantum force is small and acts only at short ranges," he said. "For now, human levitation remains the subject of cartoons, fairytales and tales of the paranormal." Their research was to be published in the New Journal of Physics.
| Technology |

Blinding Teachings Fulfilled Prophecy (August 6, 2007) - Many amazing end-times prophecies appear to have been fulfilled in the past 15 years -- though a large segment of the church is oblivious. Lined up, they indicate that we may have entered Daniel's 70th week -- the final seven years of world history. I'm glad that -- among those who've been watching -- the news has gotten out. But my heart is burdened for other Christians who haven't been watching -- and may not be ready for the tribulation or their Lord's return. Many of them have attended evangelical churches or seminaries that have taught them one of two things -- (1) that the end-times events will happen one day, but it's not credible to focus on them, or (2) that there are no prophesied events to look for because they all took place in the first century. Neither teaching can be supported biblically, but they've successfully inoculated many Christians against recognizing the end times. We, at FP, need to help show these Christians that focusing on the end times is biblical and wise. This is my first post in a series that will address "Blinding Teachings." Of course, many students of prophecy already know the flaws in these teachings. But there are also many who aren't sure what these teachings are and how to respond to them. Blinding Teaching No. 1: Kingdom Now Theology If you've ever heard a Christian teacher talk about "taking back our cities for Christ" or "claiming the nations for God," then you've probably encountered a teaching known as "Kingdom Now" or "dominionism." I'm not talking about the spread of the gospel, resulting in the saving of souls. I'm talking about Christians who believe they're supposed to subdue and rule the nations before Christ's return. Read an in-depth overview of Kingdom Now theology here. Kingdom Now/dominionism is a core teaching of the "apostolic-prophetic movement" (a.k.a "New Apostolic Reformation") -- a fast-growing movement in charismatic churches. It teaches that all Christians must submit to "apostles" and "prophets" who have great authority and divine revelation to establish God's kingdom on earth. Of course, not all people in this movement view it the same way. But this is how it's viewed by many of the movement's leaders, like C. Peter Wagner. On my blog and in articles I've written for the Christian Research Journal, I've focused on the dangers of the movement's new doctrinal revelation and unquestioned authority. But the movement's Kingdom Now teachings are also harmful -- promoting an unbiblical view of the end times. Yet, many Christians have been influenced by Kingdom Now theology without knowing it. I believe many charismatics would be shocked to learn that its teachings on the end times differ radically from what charismatics have, historically, believed. They've, historically, believed a view called "premillennialism" -- that the Bible prophesies a global rebellion against God that Christ will stop when He returns to earth to set up a 1,000-year (millennial) reign from Israel. During this time, He also will fulfill all God's other covenant promises to Israel. This explains why charismatics have, generally, been among the strongest supporters of the nation of Israel. "Kingdom Now" theology, on the other hand, is "postmillennial" -- meaning that the church will Christianize the world and bring in the Kingdom Age (millennium) before Christ returns. To defend this view, prophecies like the world's acceptance of the Antichrist must be spiritualized or said to have taken place in the first century. God's promises to Israel are often seen as having been transferred to the church. This view, called "replacement theology," is abhorrent to many charismatics. Yet, new apostolic leaders say Kingdom Now teachings are crucial to the movement's success. C. Peter Wagner, for example, is one of movement's most influential leaders. He coined the term "New Apostolic Reformation" and founded the International Coalition of Apostles, a group of about 450 "apostles" of which he is the "presiding apostle." In his book Changing Church (Regal Books, 2004), Wagner says that the premillennial view of the end times -- which sees the world as growing more wicked before Christ returns -- is being rejected by leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation. He says: "What seems to be much more compatible with the goal of expanding the kingdom of God through the transformation of society is a point of view called dominion theology, or Kingdom Now theology ... This theology helps point the way toward what the Spirit is currently saying to the churches" (pages 94, 96) And in his book Churchquake (Regal Books, 1999), Wagner calls the movement's view of the end times a "nonnegotiable value" (chapter three). Not all new apostolic leaders are as direct as Wagner. They know if they reveal what they really believe about the end times, they would turn off many of their followers. But mention of the Revelation prophecies are noticeably absent from their books, sermons and other teaching materials. This absence is especially curious given that they claim to be about the "prophetic." When they do talk about end-times prophecies, they select ones they think support their belief that "apostles" and "prophets" will turn the world to righteousness -- like those they think point to a great end-times revival. But they generally ignore the many prophecies about the Antichrist, False Prophet, persecution of Christians, apostasy of the church -- and any other ones that show the world will become more wicked. I will save a biblical examination of Kingdom Now/dominionist teachings for future posts. But, for now, I just want to point out its incompatibility with the things being reported on FP. If premillennialism is correct, then most of the world will reject God's Son and make war against His people and nation, Israel -- and current news in Europe and the Middle East (about a Revived Roman Empire and a "covenant with many" that includes Israel) becomes significant. But if Kingdom Now teachings are correct, then most of world will receive Christ and embrace His people -- and news in Europe and the Middle East has little, if any, prophetic significance.

Israel, Palestinians may both be onside for peace talks this fall CanWest News Service (August 3, 2007) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday his government was prepared to negotiate "a declaration of principles" proposed by Israel to help guide the first serious Middle East peace talks in more than seven years and give both sides a much better idea "what the end game will be," with specific details to be agreed to later. For its part, Israel would discuss "fundamental" issues at the U.S.-sponsored talks, which may take place in New York this autumn, according to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rice returned home Thursday after a round of talks in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the West Bank, where she met with Abbas. "Fundamental issues" were, in this case, diplomatic code for talks about three of the most divisive and potentially explosive subjects in the Middle East -- the borders of a future Palestine, the fate of Palestinian refugees living in neighbouring countries, and what to do about Jerusalem, which both sides proclaim as their capital. Rice, at a news conference she attended with Abbas in Ramallah, described her diplomacy as an attempt to foster "a deepening of the dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israelis on all of the issues." Answering suspicions from both the Palestinian and Israeli sides, she vowed that by calling the peace summit, President George W. Bush was not just trying to arrange "a photo-op." While open to these talks, Israel's position has been that because of the current security situation and the danger of creating false expectations, it was best to proceed cautiously and negotiate a final settlement later on the most sensitive issues. A day after a senior Saudi Arabian official said his country might join the Americans, Palestinians and Israelis at such a peace summit, Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, urged other Arab countries without relations with the Jewish state to support the peace process by taking part, too. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday that he had encouraged the U.S. to invite moderate Gulf states as well as Morocco and Tunisia to be part of the talks. Before returning to Washington on Thursday, Rice met with Abbas and his emergency cabinet, as well as with his new prime minister, Salaam Fayyad. It was the secretary's first visit to the West Bank since Abbas' secular Fatah faction lost political and military control of the Gaza Strip to the Islamist Hamas movement six weeks ago. To underscore the White House's support for the Abbas government and as part of its continuing effort to keep Hamas isolated because it refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist or renounce terrorism, Rice told her hosts in Ramallah the U.S. would provide $80 million to begin reforming the Palestinian Authority's much-maligned security forces.
| Israel | Islam | 1st Seal | America |

New EU treaty 'cut and pasted' from old Telegraph.UK (August 2, 2007) - The official English text of the new EU treaty shows that it is a "cut and paste job" from the former European constitution, it was claimed last night. The official English translation - published while MPs are away on a 10-week summer break - is 277 pages long. The reference to a constitution is out. Also cut is "symbolic" legal status for the EU's 12-star flag, an official motto and the EU's anthem. Other changes to substance are minor. The title of the EU's "foreign minister" is changed to High Representative. Provisions drawn word for word from the old constitution will give him speaking rights from British and French seats at the UN Security Council. Unlike Europe's current foreign policy representative, Javier Solana, the new minister will also be vice-president of the European Commission, weakening direct control over the post by national governments. Also lifted almost word for word from the 2004 constitutional treaty is a new "ratchet clause" making it far easier for the EU to scrap national vetoes and sidestep referendums. William Hague, the Conservative foreign affairs spokesman, said: "We can see clearly what a cut-and-paste job this is from the old EU constitution. Virtually everything that was in the old EU constitution is in this treaty."
| EU/UN / 4th Kingdom | Solana | NewWorldOrder |

Powerful 7.3 Earthquake Rattles Vauatu Reuters India (August 2, 2007) - A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake rattled the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Thursday, cracking roads and disrupting power supplies, but did not cause major damage, local authorities said. The quake occurred at 0409 locally on Thursday about 45 km southeast of the central island of Santo at a depth of around 150 km below the Pacific Ocean surface. "It's a pretty good size, but it's deep and there is no tsunami threat. It's aways out to sea," Geophysicist Robert Cessaro at the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center told Reuters. Jesse Benjamin, a spokesman for the Vanuatu government meteorological office, said the quake was felt strongly on Santo. "There are cracks in the roads, cracks in the offices, the power went down and computers, but we do not expect major damage," he said from the capital Port Vila.
| Earth Changes |

Solana hopeful Iran, IAEA will resolve issues soon Monsters And Critics (August 1, 2007) - The European Union's foreign policy chief expressed hope on Wednesday that Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would soon resolve all issues relating to Tehran's nuclear programme. Javier Solana said Iran was now 'trying to work with the agency of IAEA in Vienna to clarify the outstanding issues that have not been previously resolved.' 'Once this is done - and I hope this will be done soon - we will have to resume meetings to see if we can pave the way to start negotiations,' he told reporters on the sideline of his meetings with foreign ministers of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Philippine capital. Solana said he and Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani agreed to see how the discussions with the IAEA go before they talk again 'to see if the meeting is appropriate.' Solana arrived late Monday in Manila to attend the 27-member ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the only security meeting in Asia, on Thursday. On Monday, an IAEA delegation inspected the heavy-water reactor at Arak in central Iran, according to Iran state news agency IRNA. Iran's readiness to allow IAEA inspectors to visit the heavy-water reactor currently under construction is widely considered a major breakthrough between the relevant sides in the nuclear dispute. According to a draft statement, the foreign ministers attending the ARF are expected to express their 'deep concern' over the May 2007 report of the IAEA director general that Iran had not suspended its enrichment-related activities. 'The ministers stressed the urgent need for a diplomatic solution and a comprehensive arrangement with Iran, while respecting Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy under safeguards and in accordance with its obligations under the Non Proliferation Treaty,' the draft added. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Aside from the 10-member ASEAN, other members of the ARF are Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, North and South Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka and the United States.
| Iran | EU/UN / 4th Kingdom | Solana |

Primor: EU Troops Could Bring Peace to Middle East Deutsche Welle (August 1, 2007) - DW-WORLD.DE: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said last week that he thought a peace agreement could be reached by the end of 2008. One of the reasons he gave was because US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice assured him of it. Is it wishful thinking?
Avi Primor: I think Abbas is an optimist because he really wants this solution. He stands for compromise, he is for freedom, he is against terrorism. But he has, unfortunately, little power, not only because Hamas is his opponent and because he has already lost the Gaza Strip, but also because he has to fight hard in the West Bank not to lose power to Hamas there as well. But that's not really the point. The question is what can Condoleezza Rice get started? US President Bush gave a speech on July 16 in which he laid out a new peace plan and called for an international conference, to be attended by Condoleezza Rice, in the autumn. So now the one who has to actually implement the peace plan is Condoleezza Rice.

DW-WORLD.DE: Will Condoleezza Rice be accepted by all sides as an acceptable negotiating partner during these talks?

Avi Primor: She will be accepted by everyone, without a doubt. I have my doubts about whether she will have the power of the president behind her to actually force a particular direction -- because this new peace process needs to be forced. I do not think that the president is serious about this peace plan, but that he is paying lip service to it to ease pressure from Condoleezza Rice. So he can say, "Okay, go play a little with the Israelis and the Palestinians and maybe you can invite a few other Arab countries to your conference, Saudi Arabia would be ideal, but I don't expect much of it." I remember that Condoleezza Rice wanted to support then President of the World Bank James Wolfensohn, Blair's processor as Middle East envoy, but that she did not have the support of her president and she failed, just as Mr. Wolfensohn did. Nothing has changed since then, and I do not think that Bush, at the end of his term, is really aiming to get something started; even though he has all the means to do so if he wanted.

DW-WORLD.DE: What step has to come next in order to move toward a realistic peace treaty?

Avi Primor: The European Union needs to draft a peace plan. That's not a problem since all the peace plans are similar anyhow. But this time it should be an initiative from the European Union to send robust troops to the Middle East. That does not have to be exclusively European troops, it could also include Arab troops, such as from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan or Islamic troops like the Turks, and maybe even NATO. They should take over power in the occupied territories so that Israel can leave the region. But all of this can only happen if the American do are not against it. more...
| Israel | Islam | EU/UN / 4th Kingdom | Solana | 1st Seal | Dividing the Land |

As the head of the WEU, the 10 member-state military wing of the European Union, Javier Solana has emergency powers over the EU's military. If a peace is going to happen and a great diplomat get the credit for it, things seem to be falling in order. This peace will also play into the dividing of the land of Israel, required in order for Islam to even consider peace. This will probably also result in the dividing of the Temple Mount such that the outer court area of the rebuilt temple will be "left out," Revelation 11:1,2, to allow the co-habitation of the Dome of the Rock and the Jewish temple.

Scientists Create 12-Headed Jellyfish Live Science (August 1, 2007) - Jellyfish with up to a dozen heads have been created in the laboratory by carefully monkeying with a few genes. The genetic experiments could shed light on how natural colonies of other multi-headed organisms first originated, including some that build coral reefs. Researchers targeted so-called Cnox genes, which help control how the bodies of jellyfish are laid out as their embryos develop. These genes are closely related to Hox genes, which play a similar role in humans. They experimented on the European hydromedusa (Eleutheria dichotoma), collected from the south of France. (In Greek mythology, the Hydra was a monster with innumerable heads, while Medusa had writhing snakes for hair.) The researchers designed RNA molecules that specifically only "silenced" Cnox genes in these saltwater critters. Normally, the saltiness of these animals would prevent the molecules from entering their cells, but the scientists diluted seawater with freshwater enough "where the jellyfish still survived and the RNA got in," said evolutionary biologist and invertebrate zoologist Bernd Schierwater at the Hanover University of Veterinary Medicine in Germany. By inhibiting one Cnox gene called Cnox-3, two heads often formed, where both were completely functional—regarding food intake, for instance. By deactivating another, Cnox-2, more than two heads usually sprouted—"up to a dozen," Schierwater told LiveScience. He and colleague Wolfgang Jakob, also at Hanover, detailed their findings in the Aug. 1 issue of the online journal PLoS ONE. more...

Syria to attend ME peace conference Jerusalem Post (August 1, 2007) - Syria is ready to take part in a US-sponsored international Mideast peace conference to be held later this year, despite the country's stance that Washington is behind instability in the Middle East, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on Tuesday. Muallem's statements came just hours after Syria's deputy foreign minister expressed frustration with Israel's willingness to play a part in regional peace. "All of Syria's peace efforts have thus far been snubbed by Israel," Israel Radio quoted Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Migdad as having said in an interview with the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network. "The peace process should be resumed without the preconditions laid down by the US and Israel," Migdad said. "[But] if Israel chooses the path of war then Syria should be prepared for every eventuality." Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem condemned the arms deals that the US has recently signed with various regional powers, calling them "dangerous." A country that "wants to make peace [between two sides] does not arm the sides with weapons," Muallem said. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert did his part to create a more positive atmosphere on Tuesday, telling graduates of the National Security College in a ceremony at the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus that war was unlikely in the immediate future. "I believe, with all my heart, that this summer and the fall will not be too hot," Olmert said, trying to put to rest persistent rumors of an impending war in the North. "There is no reason to exaggerate in creating an atmosphere of the eve of war. Our neighbors know well that we prefer sitting and discussing peace with them, rather than proving to them that we are stronger." Olmert said millions of people who live to Israel's East and North want "tranquility, quality of life and quiet, just like us."
| Islam | 1st Seal | America |

Microsoft Patent: Biometric Recognition Used To Personalize Ads Haaretz (August 1, 2007) - In the film version of Minority Report, a personalized ad that knows about past purchases greets a character as he enters the Gap. Meanwhile, American Express ads tell Tom Cruise's own character that he looks like he needs an escape as he's chased by authorities. Now Microsoft has filed for a patent that could eventually help make these advertising scenarios come true. Microsoft has been investing heavily in advertising, including a $6 billion acquisition of aQuantive that should close this quarter, a new top ad exec at the company, and a new applied search and advertising research group. "Techniques for the targeting of advertisements are meager," the patent application said. "Some industry experts question how long the old world approach can last before the entire system becomes impossible to justify." The new Microsoft system, described in the patent application published last week, would be able to determine the identity of someone watching a display and deliver personalized ads to that person. Identification could come from biometric sensors, cameras, or more traditional login methods. A computer would then evaluate information that has been tracked about the person and the content and present a personally relevant advertisement. The information being tracked could be very extensive, including but not limited to personal interests and hobbies, sex, age, location, profession, subscriptions, group membership, ethnicity, marital status, height, status in the family (i.e., parent or child), the viewer's address book, calendar, e-mail inbox, notes, purchasing history, and advertising preferences. So, for example, the system could know that a man watching TV has a wife whose birthday is tomorrow, that the man has bought flowers for her birthday before, and what her name is. The targeted advertisement might create a virtual, photorealistic bouquet based on preferences and ask the viewer if he'd like to buy this bouquet for Julie's birthday tomorrow. more...
| Technology |

Thanks for the article Vera! While this may be quite handy, the Bible speaks to its end and that is not good. I believe that this kind of software running on the hardware of ink RFID could make it so that one could not buy or sell anymore because nobody would take worthless papers, especially if the banks stopped honoring them with the new RFID system in place. And even further than that, what if there was some kind of technology as part of this system that would kill those who don't worship the image of the beast.

Revelation 13:15-17
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Notice the "image of the beast should both 1) speak 2) Cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." The false prophet causes the image to kill those who refuse to worship it. On top of that, anyone without the mark will be unable to buy or sell anything. How much are you investing for your future? Would you give it up if the banks suddenly required you to get their new RFID tattoo? The governmental backbone for just the system to do that is being implemented right now in America as the RealID Act. Governments and banks are not lost on the power and control this gives them. Neither has it got past Lucifer, who began all this centuries ago with subtle doctrine slowly introduced to the population. See the History of the Mystery of Iniquity.

Hamas official: Russia invited us to Moscow in coming days Haaretz (August 1, 2007) - Russia has invited a Hamas delegation to visit Moscow in the next few days, a Hamas official said Wednesday, just a day after Russia publicly embraced Hamas' nemesis, moderate Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and vowed to downgrade its ties with Hamas. The announcement from Hamas lawmaker Halil al-Haya came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin told Abbas in Moscow that he is the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people. Al-Haya told a Hamas-affiliated Palestinian magazine that the Russian government had officially invited a Hamas delegation, headed by Damascus-based Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal, to Moscow. Al-Haya would not specify the date, but said the visit would be in the coming days. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it had no information on a visit by a Hamas delegation. Abbas has been governing the West Bank with a moderate government led by his Fatah movement since mid-June, when Hamas seized full control of the Gaza Strip in five days of fighting. The international community has thrown its support behind Abbas, while Hamas remains largely isolated in Gaza. In an interview with the Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta published Tuesday, Abbas said Russia had to make its own decision about whether to maintain contacts with Hamas. "This is an affair for Russia as a sovereign state and does not create any problems for our bilateral relations," he was quoted as saying.
| Gog/Magog | Islam |

Seeing Magog, the ancient Scythians of the Black Sea area, being a participant in the future attack attempt on Israel and their current alliances with Iran and other Muslim groups calling for the destruction of Israel just puts everything in line with Bible prophecy showing how true God's Word is. When the attack comes and they are destroyed in the mountains of Israel, we as Christians will have a great testimony and introduction of Bible prophecy applied to current times as a witness to the fact that only God knows the end from the beginning and He has warned us plenty ahead of time regarding the coming sudden destruction like the days of Noah.

Israel and PA negotiating final status agreement Unsealed Prophecy (August 1, 2007) - “Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas are engaged in secret talks on final status issues, Israel Radio quoted the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Hayyat as reporting Tuesday. According to the report, the two leaders agreed to open a secret channel to discuss the issues, which include such sticking points as refugees, Jerusalem, and final borders, during their meeting roughly two weeks ago.” “Olmert confirmed last week that he intends to engage in negotiations with Abbas on the formation of a Palestinian state.” The Scriptures seem to indicate that the European Union will be involved in any final settlement, which will see the city of Jerusalem divided and Judea and Samaria ceded to the Gentiles. Daniel’s prophecy says of the Antichrist that he will strengthen an already existing agreement, and will “divide the land for gain”, Daniel 11:39 The fact that these discussions are happening now , something that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago, shows us how close we are to the return of Christ for His Church, and the beginning of the great tribulation. And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now our salvation nearer than when we believed. Romans 13:11
| Israel | Islam | 1st Seal |