Will Israel become wealthiest nation in the Middle East?
Joel Richardson WND
For years, it was assumed that the nation of Saudi Arabia, with its vast oil reserves, would long reign as the wealthiest oil-producing nation in the Middle East. According to present estimates, Saudi Arabia sits atop approximately 266 billion barrels of oil. The Muslim dominated OPEC countries together claim roughly 1,112 billion barrels.
Read MoreConcerning Tim Lahaye’s endorsement of Islamic Antichrist
This past fall, a reader e-mailed me inquiring about Dr. Timothy Lahaye’s endorsement of my book, Islamic Antichrist that was featured in the June 2012 issue of Charisma Magazine. I was a bit surprised to learn of this, as I had not been previously aware of his comments. I reposted his endorsement here, which caused a bit of a stir in the blogosphere, but thought little more of it. I spoke with Dr. Lahaye today and he affirmed his belief in an Antichrist from Romania, in accordance with the Left Behind series. While Dr. Lahaye’s original comments remain online as they appeared in Charisma Magazine, I thought it was important to remove his endorsement from my site, so as not to allow any confusion concerning his views. I also felt it was best to do so publicly, rather than to do so without comment. I continue to have a deep appreciation for Dr. Lahaye, who has always been a tremendous gentleman and good brother, despite our various disagreements on certain matters of eschatology.
Read MoreJohn Piper on the theological results of realized eschatology
The title of this video discussion by John Piper is “Why I Abominate the Prosperity Gospel”. But his discussion also includes a critique of an eschatology embraced by large segments of the Church today. While many will readily agree with Piper that the Gospel is not about guaranteeing that Christians become rich in this life, they may not feel so comfortable with the reality that God also does not guarantee our physical healing in this age. Whether it be the claim that we are promised health or wealth in this age, both views are rooted in the same unbiblical eschatology. It is near the later half of the message, where Piper nails the issue on the head, stating that the source of the problem is “realized eschatology”. Realized eschatology holds that the Kingdom of God is an invisible, spiritual reality, fully functioning now, as opposed to a very real, substantial, physical, earthly, future kingdom, wherein Jesus will rule the nations from Jerusalem. The problem lies in the fact that once one claims that the Kingdom is a spiritual reality now, they will then most often make efforts to appropriate many, or all of the promises of the age to come, claiming that these are guaranteed to us now. Beyond claiming that all believers are guaranteed health and wealth now, many will even make efforts to appropriate the “government of God” in our midst. So whether it be the false prosperity gospel, the false health gospel, the “seven-mountain mandate”, dominionism, or any other number of unbiblical theologies or concepts, they are all rooted in the false theology of a “kingdom-now” realized eschatology. Now for clarity, I am not claiming that healing does not take place today. Of course not. I hold to a Charismatic theology, affirming the ongoing presence of miraculous gifts among God’s people. We have the Holy Spirit in us, who is a deposit, a down-payment, a guarantee of what is to come. And through the Holy Spirit in us, we will see God, according to His sovereign will, bear witness to our message by releasing miraculous physical healing. But it happens when and how He chooses, not according to any guaranteed promise of healing in this age. In this age, our life is to be cruciform, patterned after the cross and the example of Jesus, not triumphant. The triumph comes after suffering, in the age to come.
Read MoreAffirming the righteous judgments of Messiah Jesus
The following post contains a handful of Biblical passages describing the nature of the Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus, emphasizing the wrath, judgment and violence that He will use as He executes justice against the wicked. I’ve also juxtaposed some comments by neo-liberal Brian Mclaren concerning his views on the return of Jesus. Mclaren’s comments are instructive. First, Mclaren’s derogatory comments about Jesus are deeply offensive to me as a follower, worshipper and lover of Jesus. Second, Mclaren’s arrogance, hubris and confrontational approach toward those who hold to a historical, conservative, literalist hermeneutic should be noted by all who care about preserving orthodoxy. And finally, it is the sharp contrast between Mclaren’s comments and the Scriptures that should be noted again, by all who desire to be men and woman of the Scriptures and not men and woman whose faith-system is dictated by the spirit of the age. As Paul so aptly warned (my paraphrase), “Do not allow yourself to be conformed to this world, rather be transformed [into the image of the living Word of God], by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
Read MoreDaniel 11:40-45 Two Kings or Three?
The following post is an updated and abbreviated version of a previous post, with added diagrams at the conclusion for those who are more visually orientated. Depending on how one understands the question of two kings or three in Daniel 11:40-45, it will dramatically affect how one understands the events that precede the coming of Jesus.
Read MorePadima’s Story: A Testimony of Miraculous Conversion from Iran Alive Ministries
I am so blessed by the ministry of Iran Alive. I wanted to share this wonderful story of salvation with you all. Be encouraged saints! The Lord is doing marvelous things in our day.
Meanwhile, Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, was sentenced to eight years in prison simply because he was trying to shepherd these precious lambs that Jesus has personally reached out to. The increasingly harsh treatment of Christians within Iran is evidence of the fear that the crumbling regime feels as a result of the revival taking place right under her noses. Please remember to daily pray for Pastor Saeed, his wife and two children.
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