Thursday, September 30, 2004

CNET - Feds fund secure ID project
There are many students of Bible prophecy who insist that the mark of the beast (Rev 13:16-18) will not be technological at all, but will simply be a tattoo. That's a very low-tech solution and not exactly something many of us get excited about. Give us chips, give us implants, give us tracking technology linked to satellites, but a tattoo? Ok, here is something you may not be aware of, a tattoo can be a form of technology and fully linkable to databases and the online world of e-commerce and m-commerce. There is a technology called digital watermarks and it's been around for some time but is only now being linked to personal identity verification. I think it is something worth keeping an eye on.

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Reuters - Israel Takes Issue With Iran Weapons
Tensions between Israel and Iran over the Iranian nuclear program continue to escalate with Israel considering "all options" to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. This Reuters Yahoo News report is submitted for your files on Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6) and Persia (Ezekiel 38:5).

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

AP - Strong Earthquake Shakes Central Calif.
A 6.0-magnitude quake struck California today, but there was little damage and no fatalities. For your files on Quakes (Matthew 24:7).

Monday, September 27, 2004

Reuters Yahoo News - Israel Threatens Syria Over Militants
One of the more specific prophecies in the Bible that has clearly not yet come to pass is the one in Isaiah 17:1 that relates the total destruction of Damascus. Damascus is one of the worlds oldest cities, it has been inhabited for thousands of years, but there will come a time in the future when it is totally destroyed. Is that time near?
Washington Post & Yahoo News - IBM, HP Chasing Tag Technology
Here is an update on RFID technology, in case you have been tracking this in relation to the Mark of the Beast

Sunday, September 26, 2004

AP - Israel May Limit Worshippers in Jerusalem
Any time there is news of activity on the Temple Mount it is prophetically important (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15 & 2 Thessalonians 2:4). Skeptics who doubt the validity of Bible prophecy will be amazed at how the Temple Mount becomes more important as we progress into the 21st Century. Why would a relic of a bygone era become as important in the future as it was in the past? For that, you will have to read the book (don't wait for the movie).
WorldNetDaily has this article today: Syria and Iran are working out a deal involving safe haven for some Iraqi nuclear scientists who are cooling their heels in Damascus. Evidently, Syria's President is afraid that the USA will invade and find those scientists there--and then he'll have some 'splaining to do. Iran, for its part, would love to have the services of those same scientists as it develops nuclear weapons.

While the secular world worries about a nuclear ignition of the whole Middle East, we should look to the Prophet Ezekiel, who predicted that Iran ("Persia") would participate in an all-out invasion of Israel that, fortunately, would come to nothing. But when that invasion takes place, you know that other prophetic events are surely in the offing!

Saturday, September 25, 2004

AP - Iran Says It Has Tested Strategic Missile
Iran is determined to change the balance of power in the Middle East. This AP Yahoo News report talks about their latest test of a strategic missile that places American and allied forces under threat. What role does Iran play in the unfolding of Bible prophecy? Based on Ezekiel 38:5 many prophecy students envision Iran as part of an axis of countries which attack Israel at some point in the future. If this is so, it has interesting implications for the chances of regime change in Tehran. At any rate, this story is still unfolding, stay tuned.

Friday, September 24, 2004

AFP - Egypt presses case for permanent seat on UN Security Council
Another country in favor of increasing the number of permanent members of the Security Council to ten. Egypt thinks this is a great idea...as long as they get a seat to represent Africa. Funny how that works. For your Ten Kings (Rev 17:12-14) files.

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Reuters - Major Powers Wring Hands Discreetly on Middle East
Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? World powers discussed this at a recent meeting of the Quartet. The search for peace goes on. For your Covenant with Many (Daniel 9:27) files.

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Reuters - Woman Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Policemen in Jerusalem
This Yahoo News Reuters report has the details of the latest Palestinian homicide bombing in Jerusalem. For your files on the battle for Jerusalem (Ezekiel 38:8; Zechariah 12; Luke 21:20).

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

AP - Nations Lobby to Expand Security Council
This MyWay AP report explains that there are several countries proposing major changes to the composition of the UN Security Council. At present, only the five permanent members have veto power over Security Council actions, but there is growing support to adding new members to both that group as well as the rotating group of ten non-veto powered members. Brazil wants to step up, as does Japan, and of course, India also wants a seat. The report states that Japan supports adding five new permanent members and four new non-permanent members. :: For your files on the rise of Ten Kings (Rev 17:12-14).
AP - U.S. Said to Sell Smart Bombs to Israel
According to this Yahoo News AP report, the U.S. will support Israel with new weaponry, smart bombs. If the Iranians don't back down, their going to need it. :: For your Battle for Jerusalem (Ezekiel 38:8; Zechariah 12; Luke 21:20) files.

Monday, September 20, 2004

AP - U.N. Official: 40 Nations Can Make Nukes
This Yahoo News AP report reveals a world with many nuclear powers, and more on the way. I don't know about you, but I'm just a bit apprehensive (Luke 21:26) about that.

Saturday, September 18, 2004

Reuters - EU could face flu crisis - health commissioner
Reuters is reporting that, "The European Union could face a 21st century flu crisis killing millions of people if human and animal viruses were to converge, the bloc's health commissioner warned on Friday." :: Submitted for your files on Pestilence (Luke 21:11).


Wednesday, September 15, 2004

BBC - US blasts Saudi 'religious curbs'
According to this BBC report, "The US has accused Saudi Arabia of severely violating religious freedom. In an unusual public rebuke, the US State Department put its key Arab ally on a list of states causing particular concern over freedom to worship...Christianity and all its symbols - including crosses and Christmas trees - are strictly banned, as are all places of worship except mosques." :: Submitted for your files on religious persecution(Matthew 24:8).

Monday, September 13, 2004

AP - Four Thai Children Show Bird Flu Symptoms
AP reports, "Four Thai children were hospitalized Sunday with symptoms of avian flu, a health official said, days after the disease claimed its latest human victim since resurfacing in Asia two months ago." :: Submitted for your Pestilence (Luke 21:11) files.

Sunday, September 12, 2004

Reuters - New Spasm of Violence Sweeps Iraq, Killing 110
Sunday was a very bad day in Iraq as events made it clear that the U.S. and Iraqi forces are facing a rapdly growing insurgency. The situation is getting worse, not better. For your files on Wars and Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6).
AP - U.S.: Korea Cloud Not From Nuclear Blast
Here is one for your files on rumors of war(Matthew 24.6), the rumor is that North Korea did an above-ground test of a nuclear bomb, but this has not been confirmed and this report casts doubt on the rumors, stay tuned.

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Boston Herald - Experts: Iran Able to Make Nuclear Bomb
As the EU and the U.S. try to determine the best way to deter Iran's nuclear program, this report gives a good overview of the crisis. Why is this a crisis? As the report states: It's a nightmare scenario for the West - a hostile Muslim state develops nuclear weapons, throwing the Middle East and the world into turmoil. :: Submitted for your files on Wars and Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6) and Persia (Ezekiel 38:5). Iran, as you may know, is the modern descendent of ancient Persia and the Ezekiel prophecy is one of those that have yet to be fulfilled.

Friday, September 10, 2004

Religion Today - Pakistani Christian Tortured To Death By Police
This report from Religion Today reminds us that Christians are actively persecuted in many parts of the world. According to the report, "A young Christian man, died in prison on August 19 -- four days after being beaten and tortured by officers in two different police stations. When local Christians sought to have the police brutality investigated, 40 of the protesting Christians were arrested." :: Submitted for your files on Persecution (Matthew 24:8).

Thursday, September 09, 2004

AFP - Thai man dies of bird flu: health ministry
According to this AFP report, "A Thai man who raised fighting cocks has died of bird flu, becoming the 28th fatality in an outbreak of a lethal strain of the virus that has swept Asia this year, according to a health ministry official." Health experts have warned that if this flu mutates it could become a pandemic. Submitted for your files on Pestilence (Luke 21:11).

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

AP - REVIEW: Microsoft Print Reader Delivers
Not really the Mark (Rev 13:16-18) at all, just another advance in ID tech.

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

ZDNN - RFID tags--demonic tools?
CNET.COM studied public opinion about the newest implanted chip technology and found that, "When it comes to radio frequency identification tags for humans, the people have spoken. They hate it." This report noted that it was not only Christians who dislike the idea of getting chipped, but also civil libertarians and people who simply distrust the good intentions of government. Submitted for your Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-18) files.

Sunday, September 05, 2004

Strong Earthquakes Rattle Western Japan
AP reports, "Two strong earthquakes, one magnitude 6.9 and the second magnitude 7.3, rattled western Japan within hours of each other Sunday night, injuring 14 people, shaking buildings in Tokyo and triggering tsunami waves." :: Submitted for your files on Quakes (Matthew 24:7).

Saturday, September 04, 2004

Reuters - Global warming thaws Arctic, divides governments
Reuters reports, "Rising temperatures will disrupt life for people, bringing more storms and destabilizing everything from homes to oil pipelines. Melting glaciers could raise global sea levels and spoil habitats for creatures like polar bears..." Luke 21:26 is and interesting prophecy, it says that there will come a time when people will be apprehensive about the future, about what is happening to the world. Unfortunately for us, the prophecy does not say what people will be afraid of. I wonder if perhaps global warming and climate change might be one possible fulfillment of that? Scientists are split about the global warming phenomenon, about whether it reflects a natural cycle or is caused by humans, but I wonder if that really matters? The prophecy says that people will be fearful and apprehensive, it does not necessarily follow that what they are afraid of is real or valid. Fear is often irrational. Any thoughts or comments?

Friday, September 03, 2004

AP - India, Pakistan to Review Peace Talks
AP reports, "Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan say they want to bury five decades of hostility, yet their arms race is accelerating, with ballistic missile tests continuing and defense spending rising." :: Although the world remains focused on the search for the missing and/or alleged WMD in Iraq and the rising concern over Iran's nuclear program, a nuclear arms race is taking place between India and Pakistan. The two nuclear rivals have gone to war several times in the past, though with far less powerful weapons at their disposal. :: Submitted for your files on Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6).
WorldNetDaily: Muslim cleric: Some wives need to be beaten
You read that right, dear readers. In fact, the Koran does advise husbands, and highly specifically, too, on when and how to beat their wives.

In the months that followed the Manhattan/Pentagon Incident (September 11, 2001, or Jumada t'Tania 22, 1424 AH), I once asked Steve Arterburn and Paul Meier and their colleagues, on their radio program, to comment on the verses in the Koran that explicitly say, "Fight and slay the infidels wheresoever ye find them," etc. They responded, "But the Koran also tells a man to beat his wife. Do Muslims beat their wives today?"

Steve, Paul, and Boys, if you're reading this, I think you owe me an apology. Behold the Muslims today, as they get back to fundamentals--and those fundamentals are very ugly indeed. You ought not have been so quick to dismiss my concerns as you were. (Then again, I'm used to that. In 1996 I told some of my medical colleagues, at a hospital that shall remain nameless, that our hospital needed a contingency plan for a biological warfare attack upon the United States. Their reply: "You've been reading too many Tom Clancy novels." I think I'll ask them about that again. But I digress.)

God warned the world about Ishmael, the likely (and indeed claimed) progenitor of Muhammad. He said that he would be a wild man in the desert...with his hand against every man and every man's hand against him [Genesis 25]. And now the wild man is raising his hand, as the world gallops toward the Tribulation [Daniel 9:27] to come.

Thursday, September 02, 2004

Space signal studied for alien contact
CNN reports, "An unexplained radio signal from deep space could - just might be - contact from an alien civilization, New Scientist magazine reported on Thursday." :: Submitted for your files on signs in the sun, moon and stars (Luke 21:25).