Friday, August 19, 2011

Updates from the Epicenter

There isn't a dull moment right now in Israel. Just since this morning's news we've seen what appears to be an escalation in tension and violence in the region; things are definitely heating up.

Tension in South Continues, IDF Targets Terrorists

Over the course of Friday afternoon and early evening (Israel time), IAF aircraft targeted terrorists as they were preparing to launch rockets at Israel from three separate locations in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF Spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, terrorists continued to launch rockets and missiles at southern Israel throughout the day. Army Radio is reporting that at least 22 rockets and missiles were fired at Israel on Friday, with the latest Grad missiles having exploded near Moshav Be’er Tuvia. Two other rockets exploded in open areas near Ashdod.


More IAF Strikes on Gaza Terror Targets

The IDF reiterated it will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and soldiers, and will respond with determination to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel.

The IDF says it holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza.

It is unclear how IDF retaliatory strikes since Thursday's horrific attack mark a change in doctrine from the 'airstrikes for attacks' paradigm that has allowed terror groups to maintain - and improve - their infrastructure in recent years.


'Senior PRC commander killed in IDF strike in Gaza Strip'

An IAF strike in the northern Gaza Strip Friday evening killed Samed Abdul Mu'ty Abed, identified by Israeli media as a senior commander in the Popular Resistance Committees, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported.

Israel Air Force aircraft struck four targets in the Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon in response to a series of rockets that hit Israel, one of which left six people injured in Ashdod.

The army said it struck two weapons production facilities, and two other terror targets, one in the north and one in the south of the strip. No injuries were reported.


Netanyahu: Attack on Terror Commanders Was Just the beginning

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Friday that the IDF’s instant retaliation for the murderous attacks in southern Israel was just the beginning.

During a visit with soldiers who were wounded in the attacks and are currently hospitalized in the Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, Netanyahu said, “IDF soldiers and YAMAM warriors reacted immediately yesterday. We killed the leaders of the organization that sent the terrorists. But that is only the first response.”

Netanyahu added, “We have a policy to charge a very high price from those who hurt us and this policy is implemented.”

In a short statement he made after the IDF's retaliation, Netanyahu said: “We all witnessed an attempt to ratchet up the level of terror emanating from Sinai. If someone thinks that Israel will put up with this, he is wrong.

“I have established a principle: when Israeli citizens are hurt, we hit back immediately, and with force. This principle was implemented today. The people who gave the order to murder our civilians, who were hiding in Gaza, are no longer among the living,” Netanyahu said.


PM: Killing PRC leadership only first response to attacks

He continued: “I have set out a principle – when the citizens of Israel are attacked, we respond immediately and with strength. That principle was implemented today. Those who gave the order to murder our citizens, while hiding in Gaza, are no longer among the living.”

The PRC members killed in the retaliatory IAF air strike included the head of the terror group Kamal Nirab, who the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said had personally directed and planned the attack.

Another man killed in the strike was identified as Amas Hamed, commander of the PRC’s military wing and a resident of Rafah. The Shin Bet said that Hamed was involved in the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Schalit in June 2006 and oversaw numerous attacks against Israel including suicide bombings and rocket attacks.

Two other known PRC terrorists, including one who was also involved in Schalit’s abduction, were also killed in the air strike.


It appears that the events of the last few days are just the beginning. In this powder-keg who knows what may happen next, but we should all follow these developments closely.

Stay tuned, there will certainly be more to come.



35 comments:

Caver said...

The actions in Gaza raise the ante for this powder keg aplenty all by their lonesome. The apparent killing of Egyptian soldiers on the Egyptian side of the boundary by the IDF is a whole different kettle of fish.

Ya just gotta wonder, at this point, if Egypt is going to accept it for what it was or if they are getting ready to ballyhoo it to the population and retaliate.

If they choose the latter response.....well, it is close to September and it is "that" time.

Caver wanders outside to listen for trumpet sounds.....

Anonymous said...

I agree. It appears September will come in roaring like a lion. There is excitement in the air for the believer.

Mrs. C said...

Hmmm...what are they up too...trying to draw Israel into war...or creating a distraction...hmmm

"Hamas Calls Off Truce As Rocket Fire Continues From Gaza "
By REUTERS, YAAKOV LAPPIN AND 08/20/2011 01:00

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=234550

Anonymous said...

Dear Scott >>>>

BUT WE ALREADY HAVE THE 10 KINGS RIGHT ?? HAL LINDSEY HAS MADE THAT
VERY CLEAR AS OF 01 JUL 2011...
SO THERE REALLY IS ONLY ONE STEP.

THE REVEALING OF THE AC....

BTW

STOCKS ARE DOWN AGAIN WITH GOLD UP.
LATEST ELLIOTT REPORT SHOWS A
HUGE BLOW OFF IN GOLD ON THE UPSIDE. PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN HIDE
IN GOLD FOR SAFETY, AINT GONNA
HAPPEN.

GOLD IS ABOUT TO CRASH WITH SILVER.

PLEASE, PLEASE, IF ANY ONE HAS
GOLD OR SILVER, PLEASE SELL NOW.

DO NOT BE GREEDY

TRUST ME, IT AINT WORTH IT !!!!

WHEN THIS GOLD COLLAPSES, IT WILL
BE VERY FAST, PLEASE GET OUT NOW.

STEPHEN >>>>>>>>>>

James said...

Stephen:

I think your last post above makes it clear that you will not respect the wishes of everyone here including Scott, in not writing in caps and keeping the subject matter relevant. As always and by design, you trample the truth that all of us have come to know in Christ and are sadly attempting to draw attention away from what we are all brought here to do. Your focus on money shows in great detail your lack of faith in the One who provides for us all. Do you think that after all Christ has given us in our lives that here of all places we need to talk about our finances. We all have given that over to God except you. This place, this home that we come to to fellowship with one another and help each other to get the message out is about saving souls not saving money. I can't think of one post you have written that truly lifts God above yourself and the almight dollar. Your obsession with money and the stock market is of and in the world. Maybe if you put as much time in to witnessing about Christ as you do witnessing about the dollar you would understand. Hope you sleep well Stephen.

James

Dylan said...

Hey guys, about putin, on CNN it said that Russia does not agree with calling Assad to step down. I'm kinda busy right now, so I can't post a link at the moment, just something I found interesting.

Dylan said...

Here's the link

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/08/19/syria.world.reaction/

WVBORN56 said...

Stephen, seriously? The reat of us are excited as caver said, waiting and listening for the shofar to sound and see our Lord face to face.

Failing to honor Scott's request is very troubling. Personally the all caps thing does not bother me in the least. Scream until your hearts content.

In fact I find your posts entertaining and interesting. Your understanding of II Thess 2 does upset me some but I can agree to disagree on that point.

What does grieve me is your seeming lack of respect for the wishes of others. I am still presuming you to be our brothers and sisters in Christ?

We all need to sacrifice at times to maintain unity. Is it not worth it to you to maintain that here with folks who care for you?

I hope it is.

Scott said...

Dylan, that link wouldn't work for me. I'll try and find it tho

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Scott said...

Stephen
Why are you doing this brother? You know we can discuss these things in a different way and we can discuss them in a better way - lets do that. I'm deleting comments in order to avoid possible 'back and forth' that could go south and distract our watching the signs that are coming in now in an unprecedented way and we all really need to focus on that right now.

I honestly believe we are very very close to the gathering up, and this is becoming a more and more solemn, reflective, prayerful time. I think we will be standing before Jesus in the very near future. It just isn't the signs, but its a strong stirring in the Holy SPirit that tells me this.

As a result, lets not focus so much on money, or our differences, but lets do as directed in the Bible and earnestly look up and focus on Jesus exclusively.

This isn't the time for any bickering nor a focus on money in my opinion.

Right now, I want us reflecting on what is awaiting us imminently - with a focus on worship and prayer. We will be standing before Jesus very very soon.

Lets get prepared for that and the celebrations and reunions that await us all in New Jerusalem.

God Bless

Please understand - I want your presence here very much but lets shift our focus towards the indescribable joy that awaits us, and lets focus on the kinship that Paul described in our bringing encouragement to each other with the good news of Christ's coming!

Anonymous said...

I will not be posting here anymore.

SCOTT >>>>

you are very unfair to me

u will SEE that I am right about the AC.......you will SEE that we all
HAVE TO WAIT for that......

those are also PAUL's words..
2 THESS 2

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Anonymous said...

Scott,

WOuld you pls exegete the Thess passage thaqt Stephen believes is part of the sequence. I did so with Strongs and it still was not clear to me why we won't see the ac revealed . I get the part that the rapture does not start the Trib, the confirmation of a pact does.

Thank you so much

Scott said...

DrNo - can you link some of the responses to the above?

Anon - there has been previous well thought out well done responses to your question and probably better than I could do - Sue or DrNo can link...

If they can't get to it relatively soon, I'll come back to this after my morning news scan for the day

God Bless

Scott said...

Stephen,
You don't have to stop posting (I hate to hear that) - we're just asking that you change the nature of the posts and the repetitive comments on finances in the caps etc. People are also looking for a more interactive exchange so that the prophecy related things can be discussed in an open exchange.
God Bless

GG said...

Dear Stephen~

I am so sorry you are having a tough time. Please know that everyone does care deeply about you. Though we may not agree on your above statements it would sadden me to see you go. You are just as an important part of this family as anyone else.

Having a family in Christ we are to hold each other accountable to scripture and Christ like behavior. You have such a strong stance on your two topics. I would love to learn more about you other than these two areas that are just one big stumbling block. God is in charge so we must move past this strong hold that seems to have a determined grip on your heart and soul.

I am praying that all of us will gather in Jesus name and pray for our brother Stephen. I am not sure if the evil one is trying to test us but I refuse to lose Stephen and I refuse to entice the evil one over these topics. For whatever reason all this is happening I believe the devil or Troll is throwing a distraction and we shall let our Father in Heaven handle this accordingly.

Matthew 18:20-22
New International Version (NIV)

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.[a]

Let us bind up the devil all this heartache and bitterness up in the sweet name of Jesus.

God Bless!!

GG

GG said...

Bible Verses about Holding Each Other Accountable

Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.


1 Corinthians 6:1-8 ESV
When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ...


Hebrews 10:25 ESV
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

DrNofog said...

Scott said... "...DrNo - can you link some of the responses..."

Huh? Wut?!? Are you tawking to me??

Talk about conscription!!!
...forced labor ... slavery!

Anywayz, I found a couple...

EI said... " "...Apostasia=departure..."

Scott said... "...comforting the Thessalonian Church..."

EI said... "...there is a 'definite article' THE..."

EI said... "...The 'departure' comes first..."

Scott said... "...the Rapture II outlines the basis for a pre-trib rapture..."

EI said... "...the false teaching that was circulating that they were IN the Tribulation..."

...which is harder at my end, since yer in the "command chair" and a search on the server HDD is much faster than doing it over the net.

...but you're prolly more busier than I am, Plus I wuz always taught to obey my elders...
;-D

DrNofog said...

Anon,
Also, it helps if you pick a "name or alias" so we know which Anon we should be responding to ... and that way it sorta makes it seem a little more 'human' if we put a pretend mug-shot on you...

And you'll still remain anonymous, after all, the "person" that created this blog has been doing it for yrs -["Scott" is an alias too, and the man of mystery still remains at large...]!

Go "here" for a helpful hint on "how to".

This will save you a little time too for any of your future posts.
;-D

Scott said...

DrNo - thanks for earning your prophecyupdate pay check...What do you think we're paying you for anyway?


Seriously, many thanks for the links - I recall you and Sue having some very well thought-out responses to that question, and since I'm basically lazy.....well...:)

Elder? Me?

No way.......I'm at least young at heart :)

Waterer said...

Okay. I am the anon that asked the Q about the Ac confirming and starting things off.
I know the immanence argument. How could seeing this act of confirmation be part of a rapture build up. But when I look at the Scripture and read it in context and as I would normally read anything , it is cloudy on this sign. I know that we are to look for Christ and no other but it is a hard passage. Particularly because apostacy from the greek work normally means falling away
not the paraousia of being agthered verb but this other one which seems to parallel Jesus's emphasis on unbelief and treachery
also love growing cold.
The second coming is precious to me and HOLY. I would consider it's relevance to God's purpose with His kingdom and our part in it to be a MAJOR issue. But the timing is not a s clear as we mioght like and certainly shouldn't keep us from appreciating Stephen's understanding of this.
I just thought he was a broker who wants to warn people for free.
Anyway. Great posts Scott!And thanks for the tutorial on getting a name.

Alice said...

Welcome, Waterer!

I posted this a week or two ago for an "Anon", don't know if it was you or someone else, so please forgive me if it's redundant.

Gary Stearman and Bob Ulrich recently discussed this passage—2 Thess. 2, specifically verses 2 and 3. They draw information from a book written by Dr. E Schuyler English, a noted 20th century Greek scholar. Very fascinating, if you've never heard/read it before! Heck, I think it's fascinating even if you HAVE heard it before!

To watch, go to this link and scroll down to "TV Program: Rapture Conspiracy?"

http://www.prophecyinthenews.com/category/tv-program/

Scott said...

But one of the points I have made - is we can't base an entire doctrine on one scripture or one single passage while ignoring the larger body of scriptures.

In fact, I don't pay THAT much attention to that scripture for that reason.

But as I have said before, if Paul was trying to reassure the Thessalonians by telling they weren't living in the Tribulation, because they;d have to see the onset of apostasy first, that wouldn't have been reassuring at ALL - as they were in the midst of seeing massive apostasy at that time!

So for Paul to have given 'reassurance' based on that bit of information would have been very UN-reassuring.

However, a physical departure would have made a lot of sense.

Also - we know that we will not be here for ANY part of the Tribulation. Given that, and given the fact that Daniel 9:27 tells us that the last 'week' begins when the AC confirms the covenant, then, by definition, we won't know who the AC is.

We can speculate all day and we may THINK that we know who the AC is, but still, only the people on earth who are here to see the covenant confirmed will know for sure.

By definition, that rules the Church out from having this knowledge.

Expected Imminently said...

Hello Scott
I regret I am unable to master ‘links’! I am really tired right now, but yesterday I answered a similar comment on L&L; hope the following helps for now?

Anonymous
Thess2:2 concerns the day of The Lord and why the Rapture has no part in it.

Imminency is a fact of tense and Grammar. Pre-trib IS imminency and imminency IS Pre-trib meaning no prophetic event HAS to occur before the Rapture, such as the revealing of a/c. The Apostles ALL expected Jesus to return at any moment. They used personal pronouns and continuous present tense to include themselves and their hearers including us. They were looking for Christ to return in the Harpazo and definitely not the a/c.

It is a fallacy that 2Thess is about the Rapture. The day of the Lord/Christ is not the Rapture. Vs.3 makes it plain that THAT day – the Day of Christ when He executes His judgments on the nations and their ruler a/c in order to bring Israel to repentance in Revelation. THAT day will not come UNTIL the Restrainer is removed in order that a/c can be revealed in Vs7,8.
Upon the unsaved vs.10;that THEY should believe a lie vs.11; that THEY might be damned vs12. Paul has changed from personal pronouns and is excluding himself and all believers concerning THAT day.

2Thess2 concerns the Tribulation THE day of the Lord/Christ, it is not about the rapture at all. The Church is gone so THAT day can begin by the revealing of a/c.

To which, Rodney replied:
“The proper context E.I. is future tense. The Thessalonian believers had believed that they missed the "Blessed Hope" and were now in the Tribulation, yet it was clarified that the day of our gathering unto Christ would not occur without the falling away or apostasy and the initial revealing of the AntiChrist. It was also certain that it was not for the Apostles to know the time and the season for it was for a time yet future. The generation that would see the signs progress would know that they were in the time of fulfillment.
My answer to Rodney:
The context for the Rapture to occur was/is always in present continuous tense, the ‘blessed hope’ is the same and is what ‘imminent’ means. The unexpected return of Christ in the air for His Bride was a present tense hope, with no previous signs 2000 years ago and it continues until today.

Yes the Thessalonians had received a counterfeit letter claiming that THE DAY of Christ had arrived – the Tribulation. They were shocked, thinking they had missed the gathering (why were they still present and why had the dead not been raised)
Paul says concerning the gathering together, don’t be shaken, and don’t worry about it, thinking the Roman persecution was THE DAY of Christ already arrived.
Paul was clarifying that THAT DAY could not begin until certain events happend first.

Paul was referring to ‘THAT DAY’, the 70th Week. The context concerns THE DAY OF CHRIST which cannot begin before the man of sin is revealed. The subject does not concern the gathering; Paul’s subject matter was THAT DAY – the time of Jacob’s trouble. The Day of the Lord is not the Rapture. 2Thess2 has no bearing whatsoever on the timing of the Rapture.

Expected Imminently said...

This might be helpful?

The context for the Rapture to occur was/is always in present continuous tense, the ‘blessed hope’ is the same and is what ‘imminent’ means. The unexpected return of Christ in the air for His Bride was a present tense hope, with no previous signs 2000 years ago and it continues until today.

Yes the Thessalonians had received a counterfeit letter claiming that THE DAY of Christ had arrived – the Tribulation. They were shocked, thinking they had missed the gathering (why were they still present and why had the dead not been raised)
Paul says concerning the gathering together, don’t be shaken, and don’t worry about it, thinking the Roman persecution was THE DAY of Christ already arrived.
Paul was clarifying that THAT DAY could not begin until certain events happend first.

Paul was referring to ‘THAT DAY’, the 70th Week. The context concerns THE DAY OF CHRIST which cannot begin before the man of sin is revealed. The subject does not concern the gathering; Paul’s subject matter was THAT DAY – the time of Jacob’s trouble. The Day of the Lord is not the Rapture. 2Thess2 has no bearing whatsoever on the timing of the Rapture.

Scott
Apart from Rodney’s comment, the rest is mine so if you want to make it clearer and more direct to ‘anonymous’ please be my guest, take what you need and scrub the rest.

Szzzu
Issa cumin bed...

Waterer said...

Thank you Alice and Scott. I also checked an article by Thom. Ice in addition to the Stearman video that quoted many Greek scholars and explained this word for departure.Very helpful.
It does challenge the notion thoug that the Rapture could have happened at anytime. It makes a strong case for the revelation of the ac and the Trib as being only possibly once we are removed.All of these quoted scholars also thought(orthink) the restrainer was/ is the HS.Surely He could not have been removed except at the last of the church age.

I am renewed in expectation.
Thank you

DrNofog said...

Waterer,
Here's a little more:

EI said... "...APOSTASIA is used twice as a noun and fifteen times as a verb. Each and every example refers to a spatial leaving of either a place or a person..."
EI said... "...APOSTASIA -2con't..."
EI said... "...APOSTASIA -3con't..."
;)

DrNofog said...

Ooops, I finally make boo-boo!
This link should have been the 1st one instead of 2nd one twice...

EI said... "...APOSTASIA is used twice as a noun and fifteen times as a verb. Each and every example refers to a spatial leaving of either a place or a person..."
;)

Waterer said...

And Thank you Expected Imminently
and others speaking into my question.
I am gradually understanding that Imminence means nothing has to happen BEFORE it.
Sometimes when I hear "It could have happened anytime in History, it throws me off again. Those are two very different ideas to me.
I think that from these explanations that we are very close and have every reason to be
hoping with Blessed expectation the rapture of His church.
I don't hang it Scott just on these verses for the Signs are very intense like birthpangs. All Jesus's warnings and prophecies are in play too.
Thank you all for your time and patience.
It is very sad that the translations do not say departure instead of falling away. I can easily understand why Stephen is misled.

Expected Imminently said...

Hello Waterer

At the Bema seat, when all the Angels and the Church are cheering as you receive the crown of righteousness REWARD for having the 'blessed hope of His imminent appearing'; listen for a two finger shrill whistle above the roar of the multitude. That'll be me... speechless with joy with only a whistle available.

This reward has to be earned by faith in God's Word; it isn’t ‘free’ like justification. ALL have the opportunity, but not all will win it so are unable to bring this glory to Jesus.

NOW! IF dear Stephen scrapes in under the radar and gets his crown at the last second - oh joy. TWO more, once 'iffy' crowns, to cast at the feet of Jesus bringing even more glory, honour and praise for what HE has done for His Bride.

THAT’s what it is all about!

2Thess 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

1John 3:2. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is REVEALED, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3. And EVERYONE who has THIS HOPE in Him PURIFIES himself, just as He is pure.

Maranatha!

Scott said...

FWIW - my understanding is that "departure" was used in all versions before King James, and for some inexplicable reason, King James determined to use Apostasia.

As mentioned above - the ONLY explanation that makes ANY sense as far as the "Restrainer" is the Holy Spirit.

Scott said...

Sue
I agree wholeheartedly with your explanation.

I believe the best and most detailed description of the "Day of the Lord" is by Showers in "Maranatha, Our Lord COmes", if anybody is interested.

Expected Imminently said...

BAD EI !

2 TIMOTHY 4:8 (NOT Thess)
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Just testing :D

Scott, as you know thumbs up for Showers!!!
Sue
x

GG said...

Hi Waterer, MS and Diane - I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet. I wanted to say welcome from this part of the states.

God Bless!!

GG