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Mysteries of the Star of Bethlehem bible-prophecy-today.blogspot.com

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He [...]]]> Get All The Breaking End Time News, (70 Headlines) for Dec. 14, 2009
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Mysteries of the Star of Bethlehem
bible-prophecy-today.blogspot.com

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)

The star of Bethlehem has always intrigued people. What was it? Could it have been a comet or a meteor or a super-nova? What about a special alignment of planets?

Various Theories

The longevity of the star rules out a comet or a meteor. The star had to appear each night for several months in order to lead the magi all the way from Persia in the Far East. The possibility of a super-nova or a planetary alignment is ruled out by the fact that the star constantly moved, leading the magi first to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem where the star hovered over the house where Mary and Joseph had moved to with the Christ Child (Matthew 2:9-11).

A Supernatural Alternative

The renowned Messianic Jewish scholar, Alfred Edersheim, has proposed another solution to the mystery. He points out that the Greek word translated “star” really means “radiance.” The “star” could therefore have been what the Jews called the “Shekinah” — that is, a physical manifestation of the glory of God in the form of a supernatural radiance.

The Jews experienced such a phenomenon in the wilderness of Sinai when for 40 years they were led about by a pillar of cloud in the day that became a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). When the radiant cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud hovered, they pitched their tents and …more…

‘Witch Hunt’ Expected Under New US ‘Hate Crimes’ Law
www.wnd.com

Obama ripped for plan to bring back ‘inquisitions’

The lawyer who handled the years-long battle by Pastor Stephen Boissoin over “hate speech” charges for a letter he wrote to the editor of a local newspaper that cited the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality is forecasting a nationwide “witch hunt” in the U.S. prompted by an expanded “hate crimes” law signed by President Obama.

Gerald Chipeur,  who supervises law offices across Canada, worked from his Calgary headquarters on the defense of Boissoin, who was accused by a university professor of instigating hate against homosexuals with his letter to the editor.

As WND reported, an appellate court in Canada recently reversed the decision by an administrative judge that Boissoin was to pay $5,000 and give a written apology to the professor.

Alberta had adopted a “hate speech” law with promises it would be reserved for actions that accompany “hate speech.” Boissoin’s letter to the Red Deer Advocate criticized those who “in any way support the homosexual machine that has been mercilessly gaining ground in our society since the 1960s.” …more…

Rapture Readying
bible-prophecy-today.blogspot.com

This Wednesday (December 16), The History Channel is supposed to air a program as part of its series, “The Nostradamus Effect.” The topic of the program will be “The Rapture.” It is the program for which I was asked to interview, and did so last June.

The program was first scheduled, according to the documentary’s project co-producer, for Wednesday, December 2. It was then moved to Wednesday, December 9, and finally, I was alerted that it will be aired this Wednesday (December 16).

While the move of the program’s air date is frustrating in that we must keep changing our announcement to you, it is nonetheless interesting to observe that the program’s delay allows for further developments on the world and national scenes that make us know the time of the Rapture itself is drawing ever nearer – thus the title of this commentary, “Rapture Readying..”

That’s exactly how I view things that have been developing for these past months. The world is readying for the Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ. The fact is increasingly obvious to those who put their spiritual hearts and minds into observing the issues and events of these recent times, looking with spiritual eyes through the prism of biblical prophetic truth.

Readying for the Rapture was a part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse prophecies. He gave all the signals that would have taken place and/or that would be present at the time of His return. In answer to His disciples’ question about the “sign of [His] coming and of the end of the age,” He addressed those many signals, then said, “When you see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).…more…

Implantable Device For Identification…
canadafreepress.com

FDA, a class II implantable device is a “implantable radiofrequency transponder system for patient identification and health information.”

Just Like Obama’s Dogs

This link will take you to the Open Congress website. The site is pretty good as a research tool and I have used it often in digging up information that my Washington reps would rather not tell me about.

The item under question here has shown up in a few rumor blogs and in other less reputable sites as yet another diabolical scheme by Obama to enslave the US. Really? Let’s look at the language…

The Obama Health care bill under Class II (Paragraph 1, Section B) specifically includes in its lists of things that must be in registered in the NATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE REGISTRY: ‘‘(ii) a class II device that is implantable.”
Then on page 1004 it describes what the term “data” means in paragraph 1, section B:
14 ‘‘(B) In this paragraph, the term ‘data’ refers to in
15formation respecting a device described in paragraph (1),
16 including claims data, patient survey data, standardized
17 analytic files that allow for the pooling and analysis of
18 data from disparate data environments, electronic health
19 records, and any other data deemed appropriate by the
20 Secretary”

What is meant by the term, “class II device that is implantable”?

According to the FDA, a class II implantable device is a “implantable radiofrequency transponder system for patient identification and health information.” The purpose of a class II device is to collect data in medical patients such as “claims data, patient survey data, standardized analytic files that allow for the pooling and analysis of data from disparate data environments, electronic health records, and any other data deemed appropriate by the Secretary.” In other words an RFID chip such as are used in a number of dogs and cats. Just like Obama’s dogs.

Nearly every liberal blog out there is currently in high dudgeon, outraged over the “vicious, mean-spirited rumor mongering of the far right”. They claim that this subtext of the bill merely exists as an example of the thoroughness of the healthcare legislation, and that if doctors are going to use RFID chips to monitor their patients’ health than those devices should be regulated.

On its surface this seems perfectly reasonable, but then I think about the people who would have the power to decide what “other data” is deemed appropriate.

Real ID Act of 2005
A lot of people have forgotten about the Real ID Act of 2005. A good number of the members of Congress and the Senate who were pushing that bit of legislative disaster would also be involved in the implementation of this steaming heap. If they had gotten their way then every one of us would have to be using a card with an RFID chip in it.…more…

A Tale of Two Walls
bible-prophecy-today.blogspot.com

Egypt is building a huge metal wall along its border with the Gaza Strip to cut down on smuggling and penetration by terrorists.

When it is finished in 18 months, the super-strength steel wall that cannot be cut or melted will be about seven miles long and extend 60 feet below the ground to inhibit tunnel-digging. It is said to be impenetrable – however, no one doubts that smugglers and terrorists won’t try to burrow beneath it. But it is a deterrent – a big deterrent.

Interestingly, I have heard not one word of protest from the international community about this wall. Contrast this mute non-reaction to the tales of woe sung when the Israelis built similar security fences to protect its civilians from terrorist attacks from Palestinian Authority territories.

That fence, now proven overwhelmingly effective in cutting down terrorist violence, was roundly and bitterly condemned and protested – with comparisons to the Berlin Wall and even Nazi concentration camps.

That wall was protested by the major powers in Europe and the U.S. government.

It was also protested personally by Barack Obama.

What about this new wall Egypt is building for ostensibly the same reasons?

Not a word of protest in the U.S. …more…

Was Jesus born on December 25th? Why do we think that is the case? Does the Bible tell us when our Savior was born?  One interesting opinion, held by some, is that the Bible seems to indicate that [...]]]> Wanted: Your Two Cents about Today’s News…

The Date of Jesus’ Birth

Was Jesus born on December 25th? Why do we think that is the case? Does the Bible tell us when our Savior was born?  One interesting opinion, held by some, is that the Bible seems to indicate that Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles (feast of Sukkot). Of the seven feasts of Israel, the Feast of Tabernacles is the last of the three fall feasts. The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated beginning on Tishrei 15, on the Jewish calendar, and is equivalent to a day in September or October in our Gregorian calendar. What facts, if any, can be found in scripture regarding Jesus’ birth?

Christmas Message Jesus Came Into Our World

The real meaning of Christmas is the message that God gave hope to all of mankind through the birth of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Larry Szyman of Faith Community Church said Jesus came to our world to allow the forgiveness of sins and give peace and hope to all. “Christmas is the message of Christ,” Szyman said. “God, through Christ, became flesh — human. The real message is that the ‘great creator’ — God — broke into time and history through the life of Jesus. God is not distant and aloof; he’s up-close and personal.”

Who Were the Magi

Who Were the Magi?Each year, as we approach the holiday season, our preparations for Christmas include revisiting the events surrounding the birth of Our Lord. Bethlehem, (1) the shepherds, and the angels are familiar to us all. But not much is generally known about the mysterious “Magi” who came to worship the infant Jesus. The following background may be helpful to stimulate conversations around the fireplace as our thoughts turn to this incredible event from which we measure our very calendar.

Who Were the Magi?

Traditions

Most of what we associate with the “Magi” is from early church traditions. Most have assumed there were three of them, since they brought three specific gifts (but the Biblical text doesn’t number them). They are called “Magi” from the Latinized form of the Greek word magoi, transliterated from the Persian, for a select sect of priests. (Our word “magic” comes from the same root.)

Star of Wonder

A comet, an eclipse, a supernova, an alignment of planets – was the Star of Bethlehem, said to have led the wise men to the Baby Jesus, a real astronomical event? Some 2,000 years ago, wise men saw an incredible star shining over the Holy Land. It was their signal to embark on an epic journey to visit the new Messiah. But what exactly was the Star of Bethlehem?

Thousands of Pilgrims Flock to Bethlehem For Christmas

Thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world arrived in Bethlehem on Wednesday, to spend Christmas Eve in the birthplace of Jesus. For many Christians, visiting Bethlehem remains a moving experience. “This is the home of Christmas,” said Dennis Thomson, an American working in Jerusalem, who visited earlier in December.

“This is so important to our world,” said Violetta Krupova, a retired Russian doctor from St. Petersburg, who was visibly moved as she left the church where local priests wafted incense and chanted Latin. “I have wanted to come here for so long.