Every Time I Speak His Name (song)

The Fate Of Empires

(The following is the closing summary of Sir John Glubb's fine work.)

The experiences of the human race have been recorded, in more or less detail, for some four thousand years. If we attempt to study such a period of time in as many countries as possible, we seem to discover the same patterns constantly repeated under widely differing conditions of climate, culture, and religion.

.The dates given (above) are largely arbitrary. Empires do not usually begin or end on a certain date. There is normally a gradual period of expansion and then a period of decline.

 An interesting deduction from the figures seems to be that the duration of empires does not depend on the speed of travel or the nature of weapons. There is a tendency nowadays to say that this is the jet-age, and consequently there is nothing for us to learn from past empires. Such an attitude seems to be erroneous. 

The life-expectation of a great nation- it appears, commences with a violent, and usually unforeseen, outburst of energy, and ends in a lowering of moral standards, cynicism, pessimism and frivolity.

The United States arose suddenly as a new nation, and its period of pioneering was spent in the conquest of a vast continent, not an ancient empire. Yet the subsequent life history of the United States has followed the standard pattern which we shall attempt to trace.

(1) We do not learn from history because our studies are brief and prejudiced.

(2) In a surprising manner, 250 years emerges as the average length of national greatness.

(3) This average has not varied for 3,000 years. 

(4) The stages of the rise an​d fall of great nations seem to be: 

• The Age of Pioneers
• The Age of Conquests
• The Age of Commerce
• The Age of Affluence
• The Age of Intellect
• The Age of Decadence

(5) Decadence is marked by: 

• Defensiveness
• Pessimism
• Materialism
• Frivolity
•  An influx of foreigners
• The Welfare State
• A weakening of religion

History, however, seems to suggest that the age of decline of a great nation is often a period which shows a tendency to philanthropy and to sympathy for other races. As long as it retains its status of leadership, the imperial people are glad to be generous, even if slightly condescending. The rights of citizenship are generously bestowed on every race, even those formerly subject, and the equality of mankind is proclaimed.

The impression that it will always be automatically rich causes the declining empire to spend lavishly on its own

benevolence, until such time as the economy collapses, the universities are closed and the hospitals fall into ruin.

Decadence is a moral and spiritual disease, resulting from too long a period of wealth and power, producing cynicism, decline of religion, pessimism and frivolity. The citizens of such a nation will no longer make an effort to save themselves, because they are not convinced that anything in life is worth saving. 

Another remarkable and unexpected symptom of national decline is the intensification of internal political hatreds.  Internal rivalries become more acute, as the nation becomes weaker.

It has been shown that, normally, the rise and fall of great nations are due to internal reasons alone. Ten generations of human beings suffice to transform the hardy and enterprising pioneer into the captious citizen of the welfare state. 

 The ultimate fate of its component parts, however, does not depend on its internal nature, but on the other organizations which appear at the time of its collapse and succeed in devouring its heritage. The new nation is confident, optimistic and perhaps contemptuous of the ‘decadent’ races which it has subjugated.

In spite of the endless variety and the infinite complications of human life, a general pattern does seem to emerge from these considerations. It reveals many successive empires covering some 3,000 years, as having followed similar stages of development and decline. 

 Perhaps if the pattern of the rise and fall of nations were regularly taught in schools, the general public would come to realize the truth, and would support policies to maintain the spirit of duty and self-sacrifice, and to forestall the 

accumulation of excessive wealth by one nation, leading to the demoralization of that nation.

History should be taught as the history of the human race in an endeavor to avoid the mistakes made by our predecessors.

The entire essay may be read at http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/glubb.pdf.

Healthy Minute- How To Lose Visceral Fat

 

From Barren to Blessed by Way of Brokenness (video sermon)

The Prophecies of Daniel 11

This is an exhausting study! These notes are my understanding of the historical and prophetical applications of many of the verses in Daniel 11. I could be wrong on some of my interpretation, but I hope that you will get some edification from it. The Blue text is historical- before and during the time of Christ- and the Red text is prophetical- already happened in recent history or will happen in the future.

Before the 1900's, it was a universal belief that God was through with Israel. However, during the twentieth century that all changed. The Jews began returning to Zion. 
After World War II, they were granted five thousand square miles in the land of Palestine. Then in 1948, they became a nation once again. Not since the Babylonian invasion of 606 BC had Israel enjoyed full independence as a nation.

It was a New Testament Prophecy being fulfilled.

Matthew 24:32-33- Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

"How is that prophecy about Israel?" you may ask. Because Israel is God's fig tree.

Hosea 9:10a- I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time:

The nation that appeared to be desolate was again planted, and in 1948, it put forth leaves as it became, once again, a nation. Since this time it has been opposed viciously by the Arab and surrounding nations.

This was all prophesied long ago in the Old Testament. But anyone who studies the Bible will know that history is also prophecy. 

Daniel 11:1-4- Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Historically this was Alexander the Great. Following Alexander's death in Babylon in 323 BC, the succession of his kingdom was divided among his four generals: Ptolemy, Cassander, Seleucus, and Antigonus.

In the year A.D. 600, the world was divided between two superpower groups, the eastern Roman Empire and the Persian Empire. The Arabs were then the despised and backward inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula. They consisted chiefly of wandering tribes, and had no government, no constitution, and no army.

The "Prophet" Mohammed preached in Arabia from A.D. 613 to 632, when he died. In AD 633, the Arabs burst out of their desert peninsula, and simultaneously attacked the two super-powers. Within twenty years, the Persian Empire had ceased to exist. Seventy years after the death of the "Prophet", the Arabs had established an empire extending from the Atlantic to the plains of Northern India and the frontiers of China. 

The Fate of Empires - Sir John Glubb 

The Ottoman Empire controlled most of the area of the middle east from the14th century to the early 20th Century. It ended with the Arab revolt in 1916 which resulted in the formation of Saudi Arabia in 1932,and the Sykes-Picot Agreement, a secret 1916 agreement between Great Britain and France, with Russia, allocating the region between the three counties; to Britain control of areas between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan, Jordan, and southern Iraq;  France got control of southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon; and Russia received Istanbul, the Turkish Straits, and Armenia.

Daniel 11:5-6- And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.

Historically this is Seleucus of Syria and Ptolemy of Egypt, both lasting well over 300 years.

Ptolemy I Soter declared himself as Pharaoh.  Ptolemy II Philadelphus' (second ruler of the South) tried to seal peace by sending his daughter, Berenice Phernophorus, to marry Antiochus.

Seleucus I Nicator took over Asia Minor, Syria, Mesopotamia, parts of Iran, and Babylon. Antiochus II Theos (second ruler of the North) marries Bernice, Ptolemy's daughter, in an attempt to form a peace agreement. After his death, she and her son were killed by Antiochus' first wife, which prompted Ptolemy III Euergetes invasion of Syria.

In 1948, the Palestinian Arabs were considered a people without a country, leadership, organization, or military. The Palestinian Liberation Organization was formed in Cairo, Egypt, in 1964 from the Arab League which is said to have represented the Palestinian people. It is possible that the PLO is the King of the South and that Israel is the King of the North. 

In the wake of the 1948 War, Arabs in Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon all sent forces amounting to 70 to 80 thousand troops to defeat the Israeli army. Despite their numbers, Israel successfully fought them off. The Rabat Summit of 1974 declared the PLO the sole representative of the Arabian Palestinians. The PLO’s first chairman was a former diplomat named Aḥmad Shuqayrī with close ties to Egypt. He held this position from 1964 to 1967. Next in line was Yahya Hamouda, from 1967 to 1969. Over the decades the PLO’s membership has varied as its constituent bodies have disagreed internally.

Daniel 11:7-8- But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

Ptolemy III Euergetes (third ruler of the South) marched triumphantly into the heart of the Seleucid realm, as far as Babylonia (Iraq), while his fleets in the Aegean Sea made fresh conquests as far north as Thrace (Greece). In exchange for Peace, Ptolemy was offered territory on the Northern coast of Syria. His rule became the greatest in the region, and also was the height of the Ptolemaic Empire.

Seleucus II Callinicus (fourth ruler of the North) only reigned for 21 years. His reign had many battles and saw the fragmentation of the Seleucid region. His son, Seleucus III Ceraunus (fifth ruler of the North) didn't do much better. He only reigned two years and was assassinated.

In 1959, Yasser Arafat and Khalil Al-Wazir co-founded Fatah, a paramilitary organisation seeking the removal of Israel and its replacement with a Palestinian state. Throughout 1968, Fatah and other Palestinian armed groups fought with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) by means of guerrilla raids. Fatah took control of the PLO around 1968. 

Fatah and the Jordanian army joined forces to fight off the IDF causing them to retreat. By 1970, the Jordanian army and Fatah had decimated Jordan with infighting, which resulted in a high death toll of Palestinians. Fatah retreated to Southern Lebanon. The Jordanian army was finally defeated in 1971, forcing Yasser Arafat and other members of the Fatah to flee to Tunisia. 

Khalil was assassinated in Tunisia in 1988, widowing his wife (who has been a part of the PLO old guard). 

Yasser Arafat, a supposed Palestinian descendent born in either Cairo, Egypt or Jerusalem, and son of a member of the Muslim Brotherhood,  was the third president of the PLO from 1969 until his death in 2004. 

Daniel 11:9-10- So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress.

Ptolemy IV Philopater (fourth ruler of the South) had his mother, Bernice, killed. He was not as powerful or savvy as his father. So, Antiochus III the Great (sixth ruler of the North) sought to regain what had been lost to the  Ptolemaic Empire. While Antiochus III gained territory up in Asia Minor, Ptolemy IV Philopater's minister recruited and trained an army of Greek and Egyptian men with which Ptolemy IV engaged and defeated Antiochus III in one of the largest battles of the whole Hellenistic Age.

In 1965, the radical Palestinian Liberation Front began its own operations. This organization combined with the Youth of Vengeance and the Heroes of the Return in 1967 and renamed themselves the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. There was a lot of infighting and these groups eventually split again resulting in three separate distinct groups, but all of whom fight against Israel with the intent to destroy her completely and set up a Palestinian State.
Another group in the 1970's was the ACO, Arab Communist Organization, which specialized in bank robberies and terrorist bombing.

The Palestinian National Front is another branch that acts solely on a political level- it is largely seen in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

Daniel 11:11-12- And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it.

Ptolemy V Epiphanes (fifth ruler of the South)  was a child when his father died. As he grew, different regents ruled in his stead, which destabilized the area. Antiochus III thought to take advantage of this and staged the second Macedonian War to gain territory in Asia Minor.

Ptolemy V Epiphanes married Cleopatra I, daughter of Antiochus III, a move which kept the peace for a few years. 

In December 1993 PFLP withdrew from the PLO and became one of the ten founding members of the Damascus-based Alliance of Palestinian Forces, eight of which had been members of the PLO, which was opposed to the Oslo Accords process. At that time (1993–96) the popularity of Hamas was rapidly increasing in the wake of their successful strategy of suicide bombings. The PLO's agreement with Israel in September 1993, and negotiations which followed, further isolated it from the PFLP and led it to conclude a formal alliance with Iranian backed groups. The PFLP is very political in the Ramallah area, the eastern districts and suburbs of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and is of little or no threat to the established Hamas and Fatah movements in Gaza. 

Daniel 11:13- For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches.

Ptolemy VI Philometor (sixth ruler of the South) along with his sister, Cleopatra II, and his brother, Ptolemy VIII Physcon, ruled together as teenagers. Their regents declared war on Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ninth ruler of the North).

Antiochus IV heard about their preparations for battle, and engaged the incoming army in the Sinai Peninsula. The Ptolemaic army quickly fell,  and Antiochus IV laid camped near Alexandria, threatening siege. 

Antiochus IV tried to take Ptolemy VI, his nephew, into his care. The new regents responded by claiming Ptolemy VIII Physcon was now ruler of Egypt.

The Roman Empire stepped in and ordered Antiochus IV to leave Egypt. Seeing as how he had recently lost a battle with the Roman Empire, he obeyed and withdrew his armies.

Israel's national intelligence agency, the Mossad, was initially formed in 1949. Since then it has had consistent conflict with the PLO and all it's organizations. Mossad is responsible for intelligence collection, covert operations, and counter-terrorism. The largest department of Mossad is Collections, tasked with many aspects of conducting espionage overseas. Different factions of Mossad cover espionage, assassination, and sabotage, to name a few.  In fact, since World War II, it has claimed to have carried out at least 2,700 assassination missions. Recently, Mossad has opened a venture capital fund, in order to invest in hi-tech startups to develop new cyber technologies as well as started operations to destroy terrorist money networks.

Daniel 11:14- And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall.

There was much infighting between the Ptolemy brothers. Ptolemy VI Philopator (sixth ruler of the South) killed much of the royal family. He dealt with rebellions by native Egyptians that took away over half the country for over 20 years. By supporting a series of rival claimants for the Seleucid throne, Ptolemy VI helped instigate a civil war in the Seleucid realm, which would continue for generations and eventually consume the Seleucid dynasty.

In the 1960s and the 1970s, Fatah (part of the PLO) provided training to a wide range of European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and African militant and insurgent groups, and carried out numerous attacks against Israeli targets in Western Europe and the Middle East during the 1970s. 

Fatah began a training program in 1968 called Ashbals (Lions Club) where they began taking boys at the age of 8 and training them with political indoctrination. These boys are given military training in both weapon handling, guerrilla warfare, and sabotage techniques. These children are taught to die and kill without question for this cause.

Daniel 11:15- So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand.

Antiochus V Eupator (tenth ruler of North) was appointed king by the Roman Empire at nine years old. The Roman Empire was holding Demetrius, the rightful heir to the throne, as a hostage. 

In the 1980's the PLO instituted Obligatory military service for all Palestinian men.This brought their forces up to an estimated 40,000. In 1982, the PLO held a large military parade in Beirut. Ariel Sharon launched an invasion called Operation Peace for Galilee because of a said 270 attacks by the PLO. The three-day massacre was supposed to eradicate the PLO, however many innocent civilians were killed.

Because of this attack, the PLO negotiated passage from Lebanon and relocated with the help of Syria to Tunis, Tunisia after it was driven out of Lebanon by Israel during the 1982 Lebanon War. On 1 October 1985, in Operation Wooden Leg, Israeli Air Force F-15s bombed the PLO's Tunis headquarters, killing more than 60 people. 

Daniel 11:16- But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.

During this time, there was an attempt to stop the Maccabean revolt in Judea which ended in a shaky peace agreement with the walls of Jerusalem being torn down.

Because of Antiochus V subservience to the Romans, when Demetrius escaped and returned to Syria, Antiochus V was put to death and Demetrius I Soter (eleventh king of the North) reigned.

From 1983 to 1993, Arafat began to shift his approach from open conflict with the Israelis to negotiation. In 1992, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was the first to propose the creation of a physical barrier between the Israeli and Palestinian populations. Together with Prime Minister Peres and Rabin, they created the Oslo Accords, which created a Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza. Once the Palestinians took control of these sections they destroyed everything Jewish and began using these as bases for attacks on Israel.

Daniel 11:17- He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him.

The Roman Empire put their support behind Alexander I Balas (twelfth king of the North) and helped him defeat Demetrius and take over Syria. He killed Demetrius, his wife, and  eldest his son. He then entered into an agreement with Ptolemy VI Philometor (sixth ruler of the South) and gave him his daughter, Cleopatra Thea, to wife.

Arafat’s decision to support Iraq during the 1990–91 Persian Gulf War alienated the PLO’s key financial donors among the gulf oil states and contributed to a further softening of its position regarding peace with Israel. In 1990, Arafat married Suha Tawil, a Palestinian Christian. Suha supposedly converted to Sunni Islam at the time of her marriage, however many Palestinians believe her conversion to be false. She tried to leave him many times, and said that she regretted this decision.

Daniel 11:18- After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.

A younger son of Demetrius I gathered an army and came against Alexander I. Ptolemy VI came to his aid, but required the cities along the Mediterranean coast as payment. Ptolemy then switched sides and joined up with Demetrius II Nicator (thirteenth ruler of the North) to overthrow Alexander I Balas.

Ptolemaic Egypt was having a power struggle between Queen Cleopatra II and her husband/ brother king Ptolemy VIII Physcon (eighth king of the south). Somehow, Dmetrius II Nicator (thirteenth ruler of the North) caught wind and went to Egypt hoping to crush the Ptolemies. There were many problems that were happening in the Seleucid Empire, and this move was not acceptable to his troops and they mutinied in the Egyptian desert. 

The West Bank is split into 167 Palestinian "islands" under partial Palestinian National Authority civil rule. The headquarters of the PLO were moved to Ramallah on the West Bank in 1993. Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat in the 2000 Camp David Summit which offered Arafat a Palestinian state in 73 percent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip, and Palestinians would also have "custodianship" over the Temple Mount, sovereignty on all Islamic and Christian holy sites, and three of Jerusalem's four Old City quarters. Fortunately, Arafat rejected the offer. 

Hamas, a militant Islamic group, contested the 2006 election for the PA’s legislative body and won the majority of its seats, challenging the PLO’s dominance within Palestinian society.

Daniel 11:19- Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.

Demetrius was defeated at Damascus. He fled to Ptolemais, but his wife locked him out of the city. He was captured and killed on a ship.

In late 2004, after effectively being confined within his Ramallah compound for over two years by the Israeli army, Arafat fell into a coma and died. The death toll, both military and civilian, over the entire period in question (2000–2007) is estimated to be over 4,300 Palestinians and over 1,000 Israelis. Tensions between the PLO and Hamas came to a head in 2007, and an armed confrontation in the Gaza Strip left Hamas in control of the region. Since 2006, Israel has been negotiating with Mahmoud Abbas (Arafat's successor) and the PLO. In 2012, both organizations began operating under similar names: the status of the PLO at the United Nations was upgraded to non-member observer state under the official name “State of Palestine”.

 At the PFLP's Sixth National Conference in 2000, Abu Ali Mustafa was elected to the position of General Secretary, but was assassinated on 27 August 2001 when an Israeli helicopter fired rockets at his office in the West Bank town of Ramallah. After Mustafa's death, the Central Committee of the PFLP in 2001 elected Ahmad Sa'adat General Secretary. He has held that position, although since 2002 he has been incarcerated in Palestinian and Israeli prisons. And, Mahmoud Abbas (also known as Abu Mazen), who was also one of the architects of the OSLO accords, has been the chairman of the PLO executive committee since 2004.

It is interesting to note that Hamas is not represented in the PLO. Formally, there should be 18 members in the organization, however, in the last few years many vacant seats have remained empty; there is no voiced reason for this. 

After Hamas took over Gaza in 2007, Abbas issued a decree suspending the Palestinian Legislative Council and some sections of the Palestinian Basic Law, and appointed Salam Fayyad as the first prime minister of Palestine.

Mohammad Abdullah Mohammad Mustafa is the current prime minister of Palestine, which in September 2025, the United Nations voted to recognized Palestine as a sovereign state; United States was the only permanent member of the UN not to recognize Palestine. 

The West Bank bordering Jordan, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, collectively are now known as the territories of the Palestinian State.

Daniel 11:20- Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

The Seleucid rulers lasted a few more years with many changes to the 'throne', eventually the Roman empire took control of the region. Herod was appointed 'King of the Jews' by the Roman Senate and ruled Judaea until his death in 4 BCE, which was said to be an excruciating ordeal from some illness called "Herod's evil".

Herod began taxing the Jews in accordance with Roman law. The high priest was required to pay the taxes yearly to Rome, which had three basic forms of taxes- 

1) Land tax- a taxation on what was produced

2) Head tax- a taxation on the number of persons

3) Customs tax- a taxation on transported goods

History has not caught up with this verse. This raiser of taxes will be known as the man of sin. He is the smooth talking politician that will negotiate the peace treaty in the beginning of the Tribulation. In the mid-point of the 7-year tribulation, he will be assassinated and the world will mourn but for a brief period of time- about 3 days.

Daniel 11:21- And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

Herod's two sons took over to rule the area. Augustus ruled over Samaria, Judea, and Idumea, while his brother, Antipas, ruled over Galilee and Peraea. These two were ruling during the time of Jesus Christ's ministry and crucifixion.

After 3 days, the politician will miraculously rise from the dead, though he will no longer be a sole human who serves the devil. He will now be Satan incarnate who will go into the rebuilt temple and sit on the ark of the covenant and proclaim himself to be, not only the Jews messiah, but god. He will demand worship by punishment of death, and will use the global banking system to push an implantable device (the mark of the beast) which people must accept to be able to buy and sell.

The Jewish people faced many hardships under Roman rule. There were rebellions, which eventually led to the destruction of Jerusalem and their temple. The book of Acts focuses on the church and its spread throughout the middle east.

But, I do want to address one more verse in particular, which will have prophetic notes a for future time that should be pointed out.

Daniel 11:31- And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

37 AD, Roman Emperor Caligula ordered the erection of a statue of himself in the Second Temple. And by 70 AD, the entirety of Jerusalem was no more. 

Josephus describes as follows:

"when they (Roman soldiers) went in numbers into the lanes of the city, with their swords drawn, they slew those whom they overtook, without mercy, and set fire to the houses wither the Jews were fled, and burnt every soul in them, and laid waste a great many of the rest. They ran every one through whom they met with, and obstructed the very lanes with their dead bodies, and made the whole city run down with blood, to such a degree indeed that the fire of many of the houses was quenched with these men's blood."

Christ tells people that when they see this abomination to flee to the wilderness. Many believe this is referencing Selah Petra.

Matthew 24:15,16,21- When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Hard times are coming for the world. Those who are wise will get right with God while they still have the chance. 

There are many prophecies in the Scriptures; many have come to pass, and there are some which are not far off. All of God's prophecies and promises will come to pass! The question is, "Where will you be and what will you choose when they do?"

Ice Storm Warning

 We are getting some warnings of severe freeze and ice here in the South and we don't really know how to deal with these things.

I found this list online, and I thought it was very good information so I wanted to share.

BEFORE THE STORM (24–48 HOURS AHEAD)

 1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.

 2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.

 3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.

 4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.

 5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.

 6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.

 7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.

 8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.

WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION

 9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.

 10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.

 11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.

 12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.

 13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.

 14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.

FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP

 15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups.

 16. Have manual can opener available.

 17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.

 18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”

 19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing.

 20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.

HEAT AND HOME SAFETY

 21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.

 22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.

 23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.

 24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.

 25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.

 26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.

VEHICLE AND TRAVEL

 27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins.

 28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.

 29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves.

 30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid.

 31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible.

 32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days.

POWER OUTAGE PLAN

 33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.

 34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates.

 35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers.

 36. Know where warming centers may be in your parish.

 37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside.

 38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air.

PETS AND LIVESTOCK

 39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water.

 40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources.

 41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters.

 42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation.

MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS

 43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages.

 44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds.

 45. Have backup batteries for medical devices.

 46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed.

PROPERTY PROTECTION

 47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines.

 48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items.

 49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand.

 50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen.

DURING THE STORM

 51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.

 52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous.

 53. Use only safe indoor heating methods.

 54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible.

 55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency.

AFTER THE STORM

 56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight.

 57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise.

 58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours.

 59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines.

 60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days.

KEY REALITY FOR SOUTHERN ICE EVENTS

 A quarter inch of ice can bring scattered outages.

 Half an inch can cripple travel and power for days.

 Ice is more dangerous than snow for the Deep South

(I'm not sure the original author of this or I would tag/ give credit!)

Intention VS Impulse

The gap that exists between where you are at and where you want to be for the Lord is found in the distance that is measured between living by INTENTION versus living by IMPULSE...

Intention is when the mind, with great earnestness and of choice, fixes its view on any idea, considers it on every side, and will not be called off by the ordinary solicitation of other ideas.

Impulse is a sudden and unreflective urge to act.

You will never get to any place of victory or value without INTENTION...

Success in the spiritual realm is no different than that in other areas of life in that if you want it, you can have it, but only by making INTENTIONAL decisions about how you respond to life, trials, blessings, relationships, attitude, etc...

It is NOT the "one time revival meeting" nor the one "great message" that your pastor preaches that is likely going to change your life, as much as you being INTENTIONAL to do something with what you received from that revival meeting, service, sermon, etc....

Believers, "IMPULSE" is what got Adam & Eve in trouble in the GARDEN OF EDEN! 

Romans 5:12- Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

"INTENTION" is found in a different garden, the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, by our Savior, before the expression of that intention is poured out on the cross to lead to our salvation!

John 18:11- Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

IMPULSE = DAMNATION

IMPULSE says "I need to have that", when in reality, "having that" will cause great damage...

INTENTION says, "I want something better"...

IMPULSE says, "I am too tired/depressed/frustrated, etc., to do the right thing"...

INTENTION says, "If it aligns with where I am headed for the Lord, I can and by HIS STRENGTH, I will"...

IMPULSE is driven by the current state of emotion and feeling... 

INTENTION is driven by the end goal in mind...

IMPULSE gives EXCUSES...

INTENTION provides a path to EXECUTION...

INTENTION = REDEMPTION

Luke 22:41-42-  And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Choose carefully today...

Be like Jesus... be INTENTIONAL!

- Pastor Adrian Dominguez 

Nothing Greater Than Grace (song)

Afraid? Of What? (poem)

 Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour’s face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash – a crash – a pierced heart;
Brief darkness – Light – O Heaven’s art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven’s rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not –
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that?

-E.H. Hamilton

Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Mug Cake recipe

 If you ever want to make a simple, one person, chocolate lava cake.

Ingredients:

• 2 TBS butter
• 2 TBS chocolate chips
• 2 TBS sugar
• 4 TBS flour
• 1 TBS dark cocoa powder
• 3 TBS milk
• pinch of salt
• 2 TBS peanut butter chips

Directions:

Use a large wide coffee mug, about 10 oz is a good size, and make certain that it is microwave safe.

Add butter and chocolate chips to your coffee mug and microwave for 15 seconds. Stir together with a fork until it is all liquid.

Mix in the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and milk until it resembles a cake batter. You will want to scrape the sides to ensure there is nothing stuck there that didn't get mixed in.

Drop the peanut butter chips on top and press them down under the top of the dough. You don't have to push them all the way to the bottom of the cup.

Microwave for 60 to 70 seconds.

Remove from microwave and let cool for at least 5 minutes before eating. Since there's no eggs, you can use the same fork to eat it with as you did to mix it all together!

You can dust the top with powdered sugar if you like, but I prefer mine as is.

Distractions Of The Devil (video sermon)

Are You A Leader Or A Follower?

 Reading through the Bible, you might find yourself wondering how the Israelites were constantly falling into sin with idolatry. Even from the very beginning of their exodus to the Promised Land, they had trouble with going astray.

The Children of Israel watched Moses go into the mountain to talk with God. They saw the clouds descend and heard the trumpet of a voice. And yet, once Moses had been gone for a small amount of time, they wanted something they could see to worship.

Exodus 32:1- And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

How is it that the people who saw the 10 plagues decimate Egypt, watched as the Red Sea parted and then engulfed their enemies, and observed the great I AM overshadow a mountain could so quickly turn and make a new god?

Hebrews 12:18-21- For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

The Lord's glory was still overshadowing the mountain that Moses went up and they were impatient and ready for Aaron to make them an idol. Why?

Perhaps it is because they were following Moses, not God. When the plagues were poured out on Egypt, they saw Moses contending with Pharaoh. They put the blood on the doorpost because Moses told them to, not because they believed what God had said would happen. When the Red Sea opened, they viewed it as something Moses with his staff made possible. The thundering on Mount Sinai didn't hold their awe because they weren't looking to God, but to a man.

I think this is why there are so many Christians out of the will of God. Perhaps they were genuine when they asked the Lord to save them. Maybe they were faithful to church attendance when they were under their parents. They possibly had standards, read their Bibles, and even took time to pray when another believer encouraged them to do so.

But in the end, they fell away because the person they were obeying was no longer in their lives. They hadn't built a relationship with God. They were following a human. 

Is it wrong to follow a godly person? No, not at first.

I Corinthians 11:1- Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

But eventually you have to be able to stand on your own two feet. 

Ephesians 5:1- Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

It's the difference between these two states of being (following a man or following Christ) that determines whether a person will remain faithful years down the road or will fall by the wayside when the going gets tough.

It's hard, as a parent, to know how to encourage a relationship between your child and the Lord. You can give them good books, take them to church, be an example, but ultimately it will be their decision as to whether or not they seek Him.

These Israelites had witnessed the greatest display of God’s power and yet they didn’t become believers in God. Instead, their eyes were on Moses and when he wasn’t around they wandered away from the right path. Witnessing miracles doesn’t guarantee faith.

Deuteronomy 4:9-14- Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

It’s natural for most people to want a leader to follow. Our public school system has been training children for years to be good obedient followers. True leaders are very few and far between. And godly leaders are even more scarce.

Moses understood how these people were. He asked God to give them another leader before he died.

Numbers 27:15-17- And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

God acknowledged Moses' prayer and put Joshua forth as the new leader to guide them into the Promised Land. But after their brilliant conquest, Joshua failed to pass the torch to another. It wasn't all his fault, the people had failed to become their own spiritual leaders.

Isn’t it interesting that people will willingly follow a flawed man and yet they have trouble obeying a perfect God? I am very thankful for the good leaders, pastors, and teachers that have been in my life, but eventually I had to step out on my own and decide for myself to be a disciple of Christ. I had to learn to study for myself.

II Timothy 2:15- Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Those who choose to follow a man will soon stumble when that person falls into sin or apostasy.

The Israelites tell Aaron to make them an idol because the man that led them out of Egypt was nowhere to be seen. They wanted another thing to follow, another person to lead, while the whole time they rejected the God who worked on their behalf. They disregarded God who had done so much for them while they gathered the manna He still provided and enjoyed the freedom His miracles afforded them.

Are we not the same? God has given us life, health, a family, food, jobs, freedoms, safety, and a Savior, still we often find ourselves searching for something else to satisfy our lusts.

Jesus ascended into heaven and told the Christians that He’d be back. Like Moses going up the mountain, He never gave a timeframe. Many have turned to the world because He’s taking longer than they anticipated. 

I Thessalonians 6:6-10- And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Oh that God would grant us and our children a heart like those in Thessalonica! That they would become leaders who spread the Word of God to all those around as they wait for His return, and not just wishy washy followers who endure for a moment and then fall by the wayside.