-------Signs In The Sun--------

On October 29, 2003 one of the strongest solar flares (or sunspots) in recorded history occurred. You can see a video of this at http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/10/28/solar.flare/

Space weather forecasters say this spate of strong solar flares is unusual because it is not following normal patterns of solar behavior. The sun follows an 11-year cycle of activity and the last peak took place in 2000. In other words, the sun is acting up.

The Bible has something to say about signs in the sun, moon, and stars. In Luke 21 verse 25 through 28 we read 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

One thing to understand about signs as mentioned in the bible is that they all have to be occurring simultaneously signal the soon return of Christ. Verse 28 states "When these things begin to come to pass". All of the signs that are mentioned in Luke and elsewhere in the bible have occurred at some point in history but it is only our generation that is seeing all of the signs occurring at the same time.

Keep watching the news for more and more unusual events to occur in the future as we get closer and closer to the coming of Christ for His own and His judgment on those who have rejected Him.

-----AntiSemitism In The Church---------

It is no secret that the church has a history of persecuting the Jewish people. That is why the Jewish people are so mistrustful of Christians. A few centuries ago, Satan inspired "church members" to blame the crucifixion of Christ on the Jewish people and so began a long history of persecution. Christ went to the cross because man has a sin problem. Even if the Jewish people had of accepted Christ as their Messiah in His first visit to Earth, Jesus would have still had to have gone to the cross to atone for the sin of all of mankind.

There are those in the church today who say the church is destined to receive the promises that were given to Israel because Israel disobeyed God's commandments time and time again. These people do not understand that God has 2 "elect" groups of people in the bible, both of whom God refers to as "His Bride". In the Old Testament, his bride is Israel and in the New Testament his bride is the church. God has big plans for both Israel and the church.

Jerusalem (located at the geographical center of the earth) is destined to become the capital city of planet Earth. Jesus will rule with a rod of Iron from that location. All of the nations will be subservient to Israel in the future. Why do you think Israel is so persecuted today? Satan wants the people who inhabit that little strip of land to be wiped of the planet once and for all, but it will never happen.

The people who are true Christians are destined to reign as kings and priests with Christ. Our home is a city in space called the New Jerusalem. We are destined to share in the ruling of the universe according to God's purposes.

One of the surest and easiest ways to tell if a church doctrine is false or not, is how the doctrine applies to the Jewish people. If the doctrine is anti Semitic in nature, then it is false doctrine and does not come from God. For example, there are at least 3 denominations who proclaim that there will be no Millennial reign of Christ even though the book of Revelation and several prophets clearly state otherwise. This doctrine denies the return of Christ to earth to set up an earthly kingdom and it denies the role that the nation of Israel and Jerusalem will have in the future. This doctrine is ultimately anti Semitic in nature and that is a very clear sign that it is a false doctrine.

Think about it. Of the 66 books that compose the Bible, only 1 was written by a Gentile. The other 65 were written by Jews. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, chose to be a Jew when He left His estate in heaven as a part of the triune Godhead. That means Jesus is a Jew and is, by no means, finished with that "elect" group. When pastors claim the blessings that were intended for Israel and apply them to the church, they are guilty of error and introducing false doctrine into the church.

Another example of false doctrine in the church is the idea that the United States and Great Britain are actually descendants of Israel and is the new "Israel". This takes the blessing promised to Israel and applies them elsewhere. This is anti Semitic in nature and thus it is a false doctrine. When I see people who proclaim the USA and Great Britain as the new Israel, I can't help but think of the question: Then why is Israel a nation once again after being dispersed among the nations for almost 2000 years?

Since Jesus is a Jew, all doctrines that are anti Semitic are ultimately anti-Christ. What did God say about the seed of Abraham (the Jewish people)? In Gen 12:3 He says "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." That still holds true today.

Copyright 2003 by Gary Goodworth