MEANWHILE in America

Ocasio-Cortez says Republicans would reject Jesus Christ if He came to the floor of Congress
The odd claim came during the hearings for Amy Coney Barrett's nomination
Mario Tama/Getty Images
 CARLOS GARCIA
Firebrand socialist Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York made a bizarre accusation against Republicans during the first day of the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
https://www.theblaze.com/news/aoc-jesus-christ-republicans-barrett?utm_source=theblaze-dailyAM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Newsletter__AM%202020-10-13&utm_term=TheBlaze%20Daily%20AM%20-%20last%20270%20days


POLL: What do you like least about Kamala Harris?
Ocasio-Cortez accused Republicans of religious hypocrisy when she made the claim from her social media account on Monday.
"Sick and tired of Republicans who co-opt faith as an excuse to advance bigotry and barbarism," tweeted Ocasio-Cortez.
"Fact is, if today Christ himself came to the floor of Congress and repeated his teachings, many would malign him as a radical and eject him from the chamber," she claimed without evidence.
She added a video from a liberal news outlet of her comments excoriating Republicans during a House Oversight Hearing in February on religious freedom.
"Sometimes, especially this body, I feel as though if Christ himself walked through these doors and said what he said thousands of years ago, that we should love our neighbor and our enemy, that we should welcome the stranger, fight for the least of us," she said in the video, "he would be maligned as a radical and rejected from these doors."


'Sharia law would be trending right now'
Ocasio-Cortez went on to retweet another rhetorical attack on religious conservatives from her colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a Muslim member of Congress.


"Let's be clear about this: if a Muslim woman was nominated to SCOTUS you would see Republicans lose their mind about her religious background," Omar tweeted.


"'Sharia law' would be trending right now," she added without evidence. "Miss me with the pearl-clutching and all this righteous talk about religious freedom."
Republicans have defended the Supreme Court nominee from what they say are bigoted attacks from Democrats criticizing Barrett for her deep Catholic faith. Democrats have countered by accusing them of trying to advocate for far-right policies under the cloak of religious freedom.


In her opening statement to the Senate Judicial Committee on Monday, Barrett said that she would continue to consider arguments based on their merits and on what the law says, not on her own personal preference of what the laws should be.


Here's the video of Barrett's opening statement:


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7 Reasons America Is Pinpointed in Bible Prophecy
Oct 3, 2020 | 0  |     
(OPINION) Charisma – As the entire world breathlessly awaits the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election, the question I wish to propose isn’t, “Who will win, Trump or Biden?” But rather, does America itself have a place in end-time biblical prophecy? In spite of America’s massive problems, political divisions, and rising social unrest, what happens in Washington D.C. affects the globe.

Even in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, the United States of America yet remains as the world’s sole superpower. But is the most powerful nation on earth mentioned in the Bible at all? Many prophecy teachers state emphatically, “The U.S. isn’t there.”

They may pinpoint Russia, China, Israel, Iraq, or Iran as major end-time players, but not the United States. After 40 years of studying eschatology, I want to suggest the possibility that America is the exact power specified in this mysterious verse in Revelation 13:11: “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” First, it is helpful to identify that the term “beast” translates to a “great nation.”

The proof is in the book of Daniel, chapter 7, which clearly parallels Revelation 13. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 refer to beasts, ten horns, a boastful mouth speaking great things, and battles against God’s saints. Daniel 7 describes four great beasts: a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like creature.

An angelic interpreter confirmed: “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth” (Daniel 7:23). So we can nail this down: According to Daniel 7:23, a “beast” in Bible prophecy isn’t a computer or super-evil bad guy, but a mighty kingdom or nation. That’s what the angel said.

Historically, 98% of reputable Christian Bible commentaries have interpreted Daniel 7’s four beasts to represent the ancient nations of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. But let’s go back to Revelation 13:11: “I saw another beast coming out of the earth.” READ MORE https://www.charismamag.com/spirit/prophecy/46714-7-reasons-america-is-pinpointed-in-bible-prophecy?fbclid=IwAR2o47OVacltKo170xTFe_ZxdeZVLchiE22VxG7WgROdXP6gHFksznrREUE


As the entire world breathlessly awaits the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election, the question I wish to propose isn't, "Who will win, Trump or Biden?" But rather, does America itself have a place in end-time biblical prophecy?

In spite of America's massive problems, political divisions and rising social unrest, what happens in Washington D.C. affects the globe. Even in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, the United States of America yet remains as the world's sole superpower. But is the most powerful nation on earth mentioned in the Bible at all?

Many prophecy teachers state emphatically, "The U.S. isn't there." They may pinpoint Russia, China, Israel, Iraq or Iran as major end-time players, but not the United States. After 40 years of studying eschatology, I want to suggest the possibility that America is the exact power specified in this mysterious verse in Revelation 13:11:

"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon."

First, it is helpful to identify that the term "beast" translates to a "great nation." The proof is in the book of Daniel, chapter 7, which clearly parallels Revelation 13. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 refer to beasts, ten horns, a boastful mouth speaking great things and battles against God's saints. Daniel 7 describes four great beasts: a lion, a bear, a leopard and a dragon-like creature. An angelic interpreter confirmed:

"The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth" (Daniel 7:23).

So we can nail this down: According to Daniel 7:23, a "beast" in Bible prophecy isn't a computer or super-evil bad guy, but a mighty kingdom or nation. That's what the angel said. Historically, 98% of reputable Christian Bible commentaries have interpreted Daniel 7's four beasts to represent the ancient nations of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. But let's go back to Revelation 13:11:

"I saw another beast coming out of the earth."


John is describing a great nation rising into power. From where? "Out of the earth." In Daniel 7, all four beasts "came up from the sea" (Dan. 7:3). What does "water" represent? Again, prophecy provides a clear answer. In a parallel prophecy, another angel confirmed: "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues" (Rev. 17:15).

True to the facts of history, ancient Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome all arose from the midst of a sea of peoples in Europe and the Middle East. Not so with the beast in Revelation 13:11.

It comes "out of the earth."

The underlying Greek words for "out of the earth" also imply gradual growth like a plant. Next, John wrote that this new nation would have "two horns," indicating a division of power. Significantly, those two horns have no crowns upon them like a previous beast referred to in Revelation 13:1, which has "ten horns," and "on his horns ten crowns."

"Crowns" signify kingly power. Thus, in Revelation 13:11 we see a new nation, springing up gradually like a plant in a wilderness territory, which develops a government not ruled by kings. It would be democratic—"of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Its "two horns" would be "like a lamb." Each word here is significant. The true Lamb of God is Jesus Christ. "Like a lamb," indicates that this nation would have Christian features. A lamb is a young animal, a baby sheep. So, this nation would at one time be youthful and new. The two horns themselves are considered to be lamblike.

When Jesus was challenged by tricky Pharisees whether it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes or not, He insightfully responded: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21).

"Caesar" represents government, while "the things that are God's" represent the things of religion and the church. In this teaching, Jesus Christ, the Lamb, clearly showed a proper separation between the two. Amazingly, this exact principle—which is historically rooted in the teaching of Jesus—has become the cornerstone of the first amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights, which says:


"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Let's put all the pieces together:

1. Revelation 13:11 pinpoints the rising of a great beast.

2. In prophecy, a beast represents a great nation.

3. This nation comes out of the earth, or wilderness area.

4. This nation starts out young, like a baby lamb.

5. This nation has a division of power within its government.

6. Its horns have no crowns. It has no kings.


7. This nation is lamblike, with distinct Christian characteristics.

Be honest: How many nations on planet earth fit all seven of these heaven-inspired details?

Only one.

The United States of America.
Yet Revelation 13:11 plainly predicts that major changes will envelope our beloved county. Sadly, the prediction is that this mighty nation which has stood tall for representative government, democracy and freedom, will finally sacrifice its mild, lamblike, Christian principles, and eventually "speak as a dragon."

Consider candidly what has happened during the coronavirus pandemic. Based on "emergency" advice from health experts, orders have been given from state governors to close private businesses, even churches. Yet look again at the First Amendment. It denies the right of government leaders to "prohibit the free exercise" of religion, and the right of the people "peaceably to assemble."

Is the dragon starting to speak?

Steve Wohlberg is the director of White Horse Media. He is the author of 40-plus books, including, The United States in Bible Prophecy, and his newest, Approaching Armageddon: Discover Hope Beyond Earth's Final Battle. His website is whitehorsemedia.com.

7 Reasons America Is Pinpointed in Bible Prophecy
(OPINION) Charisma – As the entire world breathlessly awaits the outcome of the upcoming U.S. election, the question I wish to propose isn’t, “Who will win, Trump or Biden?” But rather, does America itself have a place in end-time biblical prophecy? In spite of America’s massive problems, political divisions, and rising social unrest, what happens in Washington D.C. affects the globe.

Even in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, the United States of America yet remains as the world’s sole superpower.

Continue reading 7 Reasons America Is Pinpointed in Bible Prophecy at End Time Headlines.

Read on » https://endtimeheadlines.org/2020/10/7-reasons-america-is-pinpointed-in-bible-prophecy/

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A MESSAGE OF WARNING TO THE NATIONS: DO NOT DIVIDE THE LAND OF ISRAEL — Understanding the Book of Joel, Part 5
June 24, 2011
By joelcrosenberg
in Epicenter
The Bible is crystal clear: the Lord Almighty will judge all nations who divide the Land of Israel.
In Joel 3:2, the Lord says: “I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land.” (3:2)
https://flashtrafficblog.epicentermedia.net/2011/06/24/a-message-of-warning-to-the-nations-do-not-divide-the-land-of-israel-understanding-the-book-of-joel-part-5/
Nevertheless, international pressure on Israel to carve up the Holy Land like a Thanksgiving turkey continues to build following President Obama’s May 2011 speech calling for Israel to withdraw to the 1967 borders. Nearly every world leader — and certainly every American president since the Six Day War — has demanded Israel give up significant amounts of territory within Judea, Samaria, and the Golan Heights in order to create a sovereign Palestinian state and make peace with Syria, but never this much territory. The Obama plan would force Israel to give it all up, to divide Jerusalem, and return to indefensible borders. This would be a grave error. It would severely jeopardize Israeli national security. It would do so in direct defiance of the Holy Scriptures. And it would draw the judgment of the Lord Almighty against the United States and all other countries involved in the process.

Historically, we know that the nations have repeated divided the Land of Israel. Prophetically, we know they will continue to do so until the Day of the Lord comes. We cannot necessarily stop our countries from making foolish errors of Biblical proportions. But we can loving, gently, but firmly and clearly warn them. And we must. That’s why at The Joshua Fund’s 2011 Epicenter Conference, I taught the last chapter of the Book of Joel, focusing specifically on the implications of this passage warning the nations. You can watch that message and the others at www.epicenterconference.com. Today, I am also posting the notes from my message at the conference. I hope you find them helpful.

For Part 1 of my notes on this series on the Book of Joel, please click here.
#https://flashtrafficblog.epicentermedia.net/2011/06/07/what-is-the-day-of-the-lord-and-why-does-it-matter-understanding-the-book-of-joel-part-one/
For Part 2 of this series on the Book of Joel, please click here.
https://flashtrafficblog.epicentermedia.net/2011/06/10/a-wake-up-call-for-israel-and-the-church-understanding-the-book-of-joel-part-two/
For Part 3 of this series on the Book of Joel, please click here
https://flashtrafficblog.epicentermedia.net/2011/06/10/a-wake-up-call-for-israel-and-the-church-understanding-the-book-of-joel-part-two/.
For Part 4 of this series on the Book of Joel, please click here.
https://flashtrafficblog.epicentermedia.net/2011/06/21/a-call-to-action-understanding-the-book-of-joel-part-four/
For Part 5 of this series on the Book of Joel, please click here.
https://flashtrafficblog.epicentermedia.net/2011/06/24/a-message-of-warning-to-the-nations-do-not-divide-the-land-of-israel-understanding-the-book-of-joel-part-5/
 

A MESSAGE OF WARNING TO THE NATIONS: Book of Joel, Chapter Three

The Book of Joel is a wake up call and a trumpet call to Israel and the Church. It is also a message of warning to the nations – and a very sobering message at that.

Joel 3:1 – “in those days and at that time” – what time?

The last of the last days
The time of the physical, literal, actual Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
The end of human history as we have known it and the dawn of the Millennial Kingdom, the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the throne of David in Jerusalem
The time when God is going to fully and completely and graciously “restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem”
The time of the end of the nations crushing Israel and the Jewish people
Joel 3:2 – the Lord is going to gather all the nations – not some of the nations….not a few of the nations….the text says “all” of the nations….true, the Lord singles out a few specific nations with whom He is angry…..among them:

Tyre and Sidon (Lebanon)  Joel 3:4
Philistia (Gaza) 3:4
Greece 3:6
Egypt  3:19
Edom  3:19
But let there be no doubt – He is going to judge “all” the nations…He will gather them to the Valley of Jehoshaphat….the valley of judgment…what we know today as the Kidron Valley right here in Jerusalem….“Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance Israel whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land.” (3:2) 

 The Lord is going to judge the nations for at least six reasons:

 For scattering Israel and the Jewish people among the nations (Joel 3:2)
For dividing up the land of Israel, which the Lord describes as “My land” (3:2)
For selling the Jewish people into slavery (3:3,5)
For engaging in sex trafficking (3:3)
For stealing treasures from the Lord (perhaps from the Temple), and from Israel (3:5)
For murdering Jews and shedding Jewish blood (3:19, 21)
Some of these are atrocities that various nations and empires have committed against Israel and the Jewish people over the centuries. Yet some of these are atrocities that will be committed against Israel and the Jewish people during the “time of Jacob’s troubles” (Jeremiah 30:7), also known as the Tribulation.

The Bible teaches us, for example, from the Book of Daniel that the Antichrist will invade the Beautiful Land and set up his reign of power here in Israel. (Daniel 11:41-45)
The Hebrew Prophet Zechariah tells us that under the reign of the Antichrist and his global, one-world, tyrannical government that two-thirds of the Jewish people will be murdered. (Zechariah 13:8-9)
As horrifying as this is, Jews will not be the only ones to suffer terribly during under the Antichrist’s global reign of terror. Anyone who resists the Antichrist will suffer. Many will perish. Indeed, the Bible reveals that this includes people who have become followers of Jesus Christ during the Tribulation and refuse to bow to the Antichrist. They will be beheaded. They will be martyred. En masse. [Read Revelation 6:9-11 – how long, O Lord, until you avenge….]
The good news is that Joel tells us a day of reckoning is coming….the Day of the Lord is coming….surely it is near.

“I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged, for the Lord dwells in Zion.” (Joel 3:21)
Psalm 9:11-12 – “Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion; declare among the peoples His deeds. For He who requires (or avenges) blood remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.”
 Amen.

And then comes more good news – the Millennial Kingdom….during this time:

The Lord will make Jerusalem holy and pure…..there will be no “strangers” there, Joel tells us in 3:17….only those who have been born again and made righteous by the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for the remission of sins….only those who have been adopted into His family by receiving Jesus as the Messiah
The mountains of Israel will drip with sweet wine (3:18)
The mountains of Israel will nourish cattle who flow with milk (3:18)
The land of Judah will always flow with springs of water (3:18)
A spring will actually burst forth underneath the Temple and flow into a river down to the Dead Sea, which will be resurrected (3:18 – see also Ezekiel 47)
Israel/Judah/Jerusalem will be inhabited forever (3:20)
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself will dwell in Zion (3:21)
The Hebrew Prophet Joel gives us a great hope…that God is sovereign and He will reign from this city and make all things new and beautiful by His grace and power.

There is so much richness to each and every verse of chapter three. I’ve taken most of the last year to study it and I’m still finding treasures I didn’t see before. But given the moment that we are in I want to focus on verse two.

“I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land.” (3:2)

Consider these words carefully and completely….and let the United Nations be warned….let the United States be warned….let the European Union be warned….let the Arab League be warned….let the Palestinian Authority be warned….let Hamas be warned….let the Government of Israel, too, be warned.

It may look like a brilliant idea to divide the City of Jerusalem….to divide Judea and Samaria – a.k.a., the West Bank – away from the State of Israel….to give away the Golan Heights….as it seemed brilliant to some to give away the Gaza Strip in 2005….but let there be no mistake: the Word of God warns us in no uncertain terms that judgment is coming for all who divide Israel….and divide Jerusalem….and scatter, oppress and mistreat the Jewish people.

As I say this, the United Nations is preparing to hold a vote in the next few months to divide Jerusalem and the rest of Jerusalem and unilaterally declare a sovereign Palestinian state. For many, this seems wise and fair and just…..but willfully disobeying the Word of God is never wise….never fair….never just….and it comes with consequences.

I recognize that these Scriptures can be difficult for many Palestinian Arabs and many Israeli Arabs to read and accept, especially if they are Muslims and nominal Christians without a personal relationship with Christ….but even if they are born again brothers and sisters in the Lord. Most Palestinians long for a sovereign state of their own…many have been deeply hurt during the rebirth of the State of Israel and throughout the past 63 years….I am sympathetic with this pain and this longing.

The Bible indicates that Jews would be a sinful people when they return to the Land in the last days. Only after they return, the Bible teaches, will the Holy Spirit be poured out upon the Jewish people in an increasingly significant way (Ezekiel 39:29 and Joel 2:28-32 — or Joel chapter 3 in Hebrew Bibles). Only then will a growing number of Jewish people will repent and return to a personal relationship with the Lord. Jesus said in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 that there would be “wars and rumors of wars” and “revolutions” and “lawlessness” in the last days. Certainly, the rebirth of Israel — while prophetic and God-ordained — has come with wars, rumors of war, revolutions, sins, and even crimes committed by some Arabs as well as some Jews.

The Bible doesn’t teach this period of the last days will be easy, and the Bible is right…..that said, while these are painful facts, they are facts nonetheless…..and each one of us must be true to the revealed Word of God….we do not please the Lord — or do our Arab brothers any favors, or do the nations any favors — if we ignore, deny or try to explain away the plain meaning of these verses, that Israel would be prophetically reborn and the Jews would come back to the Land that the Lord promised Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendents. 

Genesis 12:1-3 tells us that the Lord will bless those who bless the children of Abraham, and He will curse those who curse the children of Abraham. Those who have cursed Israel have, sadly, found themselves facing great pain and suffering. Those who have tried to divide the Land again and again have found themselves both causing but also experiencing great pain and suffering.

For many, these are not easy truths to hear or to hold…..but God in His love and fairness puts us on notice that there are consequences to rejecting these truths. 

At the same time, we who accept by faith what the Bible teaches about God’s divine love, plan, purpose and Land for Israel and the Jewish people must remind ourselves and each other of two other truths:

First, how we communicate Biblical truth – how we say what we say in light of the Word of God – matters to God.
Second, how we live out Biblical truth – how we do what we do in light of the Word of God – also matters to God.
What do I mean? Allow me to explain. 

First, our communication — consider John 12:49 (NIV), where Jesus said, “the Father commands Me what to say and how to say it.” What we say matters to God….but so does how we say it. It’s not enough just to communicate what is Biblically true….we must also examine how we communicate it….are we speaking the truth in love?….are we being gentle?….are we being humble?

Proverbs 12:18 – “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:28 – “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer”
Proverbs 21:23 – “He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles.”
Proverbs 25:11 – “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”
Yes, the Day of the Lord is coming….Yes, God is going to bless and save the nation of Israel….Yes, the nations are going to be judged for dividing the Land and shedding Jewish blood and for committing atrocities against the Jewish people….These are truths….they are from the Lord….they are just and true….But we must be careful in how we communicate these truths because they are so difficult for so many to hear…..especially our Arab brothers and sisters….Let us be wise and humble and respectful in how we teach what we teach lest we inadvertently sin with our callousness or insensitivity….lest we cause additional pain or even create a new stumbling block to our listeners being able to hear and truly receive the truth.

Second, our actions — Are we living out the fullness of the implications of Biblical truth, especially when it comes to the Book of Joel? Today, those of us who believe in the Abrahamic Covenant that God gave the Land of Israel to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants as an “everlasting possession” and who agree with the Apostle Paul that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29) are at risk.

At risk of what?

At risk of being outflanked on the justice issue….at risk of being – and/or being perceived around the world as being – insensitive to the charges that we are blind to or callous towards injustice suffered by the Palestinian people….“Justice” can be a politically loaded word…..and it can be wielded for unscriptural ends. But it is a Biblical word….it is an important word….and we must embrace it and passionately pursue its true Biblical meaning.

As the Hebrew Prophet Micah taught us, “He has told you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you, but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8) 

You and I are passionate advocates of justice for Israel because of what the Bible teaches. We must also be passionate advocates of justice from Israel because of what the Bible teaches. This does not mean Israel should divide the Land. This does not mean Israel should ignore her real and serious security needs. But too often, Christians who love Israel are not aware of — or sufficiently concerned about and responsive to — the plight of the Palestinian people, and particularly the struggles of the Palestinian believers.

Are some of the political, moral and historical charges of the Palestinians against Israel overblown? Yes. 
Is some of the rhetoric of the Palestinians against Israel, Jews and Christians who love Israel hyperbolic and unfair? Yes.
But are the Palestinian people struggling in real and very painful ways? Yes – the truth is they are. And we should care because Jesus cared.
Much of this struggle has been caused by the unwise and ungodly choices of their leaders….and their Arab and Islamic allies in the region….and by the terror groups in their midst.
But is some of this pain sometime caused by – or exacerbated by — Israeli mistakes….excesses….and even sins?  Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Again, this does not mean the Land should be divided…That does not mean a sovereign Palestinian state should be created….It does mean that followers of Jesus Christ should care about justice and mercy – for the Jews and for the Palestinians, and for all of Israel’s neighbors who are suffering in this fallen world….After all, while the Bible clearly explains that the Lord will bring the Jewish people back to the Land of Israel and allow them to reclaim their God-given ownership of the Land, nowhere in the Bible are Jews (or any group of people) given a license to commit injustice.

To the contrary, the Bible teaches Israel to love her neighbors (Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 19:19).
The Bible also teaches Israel to love her neighbors and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44).
The Jewish people do have rights to the ownership of the Land, but they also have responsibilities to govern justly and compassionately, in accordance with the Scriptures.

 In Leviticus 19:13, for example, the Lord says: “You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:15 — “You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”
Leviticus 19:33-34 — “When a stranger [non-Jew] resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to  you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.”
Exodus 22:21-24 – “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry and My anger will be kindled….”
Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ need to not just preach but also to practice sound Bible doctrine regarding Israel and the Palestinians….We need to love both….bless both….pray for both….We need to stand with and encourage our brothers and sisters in the Messiah whether they are Jewish or Arab….The Bible gives us no freedom to ignore, deny, or oppose our brothers and sisters on either side….Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

We need to be pro-actively building relationships with Israelis and Palestinians….we need to be faithful ambassadors of Christ….we need to be true agents of reconciliation whenever and wherever possible….We do not have to agree with everything that our brothers and sisters believe — especially if those beliefs are unscriptural — but we are commanded to love them unconditionally and sacrificially….We are commanded to see struggle and suffering and respond in love and compassion, whether it’s a Jewish person in pain or an Arab.

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) 

Jesus loves the Jews….Jesus loves the Arabs….Jesus loves the Iranians….Jesus loves the Druze, the Bedouins, and all who live in the epicenter….Jesus died for all….Jesus rose again for all….Jesus is coming back again to this city for all…The Day of the Lord is coming….surely it is near….Joel teaches us that the Day of the Lord is a day of great sadness and judgment for those who reject the Lord and disobey His Word….But Joel also teaches us that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”

Which leads me to my final point.

In addition to praying for Jews and for the Palestinians….

In addition to seeking real and practical ways to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus….

In addition to providing food, clothing, medical supplies and other humanitarian relief to the poor and needy on both sides of the security fence….of caring for widows and orphans….of caring for Holocaust Survivors and victims of war and terrorism….We need to make sure everyone from Tel Aviv to Tehran hears the good news of God’s amazing love and grace as revealed through Jesus Christ.

Let those of us who love Israel also love Israel’s neighbors and enemies enough to make sure they hear the gospel….to strengthen the Church in the Arab and Iranian world….to help them train pastors and plant churches and fulfill the Great Commission.

Precisely because the Day of the Lord is coming….surely it is near.

As the Apostle Peter taught us, “the Day of the Lord will come like a thief” and “the Lord is not slow about keeping His promise , as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:10,9)

Amen.

https://thepatriotictimes.com/president-trump-secures-first-debate-win-with-just-one-phrase/
President Trump Secures First Debate Win With Just One Phrase
about 7 hours ago
By Randy DeSoto September 30th, 2020 | Image Source: Western Journal
President Donald Trump delivered one of the most memorable lines of the night during Tuesday’s presidential debate after Democratic nominee Joe Biden accused him of being the worst president in U.S. history.
The two were debating the best way forward for the economy and Biden promised his plan to revitalize the economy would be worker-focused and would include eliminating the Trump tax cuts.
“But why didn’t you do it in the last 25 years?” Trump asked.
“Because you weren’t president screwing things up,” Biden said.

“You are the worst president that America’s ever had,” the Democrat added.

“Hey, Joe, let me just tell you, Joe, in 47 months I’ve done more than you’ve done in 47 years,” Trump replied.
Trump cited rebuilding the military and reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The U.S. economy was experiencing its lowest unemployment rate in 50 years prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley tweeted in response, “Trump: ‘I’ve done more in 47 months than you’ve done in 47 years.’ Case closed.”


The two candidates also clashed over whether the economy should be shut down again.

“People want their schools open. They don’t want to be shut down. They don’t want their states shut down,” Trump said.

“I look at New York. It’s so sad what’s happening in New York,” he continued.

“People want their places open.”

Biden countered, “People want to be safe.”

Author: Randy DeSoto

Source: Western Journal: Trump Wins Debate in 1 Phrase: Joe, I’ve Done More in 47 Months Than You Did in 47 Years

https://thepatriotictimes.com/author/the-patriotic-times/?fbclid=IwAR2cPTCjcPBAH4UV6yg_wJvnXse9WJ3ibHqOYOzlK8f1j-EMJBYbA8YjxpQ

Biden Backed Out Of This Major Agreement Just Before The Debate
by The Patriotic Times about 2 hours ago 

After President Trump’s campaign requested that a neutral third party inspect the ears of both candidates and Joe Biden agreed days before the debate, the Democratic candidate backed out last minute – raising suspicion that Biden may have in fact had someone feeding him answers throughout the debate.

“Joe Biden’s campaign agreed to an inspection for electronic ear pieces at tonight’s debate several days ago but are now declining, a source familiar tells me,” the New York Post’s Ebony Bowden reported yesterday ahead of the debate.  Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign’s director of communications, confirmed the report on Twitter before expounding on the story.

“Joe Biden’s handlers several days ago agreed to a pre-debate inspection for electronic earpieces but today abruptly reversed themselves and declined. Biden’s handlers have asked for multiple breaks during the debate, which President Trump doesn’t need, so we have rejected that request,” Murtaugh said.

Trump also requested over the weekend that both candidates undergo a drug test – another seemingly harmless request denied by the Democrats campaign that raises serious suspicion about Joe Biden.  “On top of the refusal to take a drug test, it seems pretty obvious that the Biden team is looking for any safety net they can find in the hours leading up to the debate. With his 47 years as a failed Washington politician, how much help does Biden want?”

Biden campaign spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield attempted to label the requests as “completely absurd.”  “Of course he’s not wearing an earpiece and we never asked for breaks,” she told reporters on a phone call.

When asked whether Biden’s campaign had ever agreed to have an inspection done before the debate, strategist Symone Sanders declined to answer directly.  “This is so ridiculous. This is absolutely ridiculous,” she said.

“So… Biden’s campaign is refusing to answer the question?” Trump campaign official Matt Wolking remarked in a tweet.

Biden’s campaign attempted to shift the narrative away from Biden’s earpiece scandal by accusing the Trump campaign of asking debate moderator Chris Wallace not to mention the alleged death toll associated with COVID-19.  The Trump campaign responded promptly, calling this for what it was – “a lie.” Murtaugh said that “this is the heigh of playing politics with a public health crisis,” something the Democrats are very comfortable doing.

During the debate, Joe Biden appeared to reach in his suit and adjust something which some viewers are suggesting may have been a wire for an earpiece.  It’s not as “ridiculous” as the Biden campaign would have you believe that the Democratic candidate may have been wearing an earpiece and being fed information.

The basement dwelling candidate is known to rely heavily on teleprompters anytime he makes a rare public appearance. Even then, his speeches are riddled with blunder after blunder.  The 90 minute debate (while far from perfect) contained far less verbal gaffes than one would expect from old Joe who has become so prone to them.

'I must be true to my God': Dem mayor announces his switch to Republican Party
Michael Austin, The Western Journal By Michael Austin, The Western Journal
Published August 19, 2020 at 10:23pm
The left has gone too far.
At least, that's the case for one former Democratic mayor.
Last week, Mayor Brian Snedecor of Hobart, Indiana, announced his decision to switch parties, leaving the Democrats for the Republicans.
Snedecor cited his Christian faith as a major factor in his decision, saying: "I must be true to my God," according to The Times of Northwest Indiana.

Surrounded by his family, supporters and other elected officials, Snedecor made his emotional announcement at Hobart's Festival Park on Aug. 12.
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https://www.wnd.com/2020/08/must-true-god-indiana-mayor-announces-switch-republican-party/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=wnd&utm_campaign=wjstudio&utm_content=2020-08-19&fbclid=IwAR3_yA1jO061RtDRN2eCvKTdxQ1C42IbB5AFp9R-pI0KQWBoAOWKPibHV10
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“I must be true to my God, my family, myself and those that have supported and believed in me,” Snedecor said. "So today I am formally announcing that I am leaving the Democratic Party and that I am joining the Republican Party.”

The Hobart mayor, who is serving his fourth term in a row, assured his constituency that he would not change his leadership style following the switch.
“Although my party has changed, my concern, care and love for the citizens of Hobart has not,” Snedecor said. "I want Hobart to be a place for business to come and the American Dream to be achieved.”

Snedecor explained that the Democratic platform's insistence to move "more and more to the left" has left him increasingly concerned.

“The efforts of the progressive left have driven many people -- moderates and conservatives -- away from the Democratic Party,” Snedecor told the Times of Northwest Indiana.

Perhaps the most prominent example of the Democratic Party careening further to the left is exemplified by the Black Lives Matter movement.

Led by self-described Marxists, the movement has called for the defunding of police, a socialist redistribution of wealth, and the disruption of the nuclear family.
The movement has organized and inspired many protests since the May 25 death of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died while in police custody.

Those protests have devolved into riots, destroying the downtown areas of numerous U.S. cities.

Rioting and looting is still taking place in Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

The movement's leaders have yet to denounce the violence. Instead, the president of the Black Lives Matter movement in the Greater New York City area, Hank Newsome, suggested that rioting is necessary and justified, according to the Daily Mail.
"I think that it is a tool of white supremacy to say if you want freedom, then you get it by protesting peacefully," Newsome said.

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.

Dear Reader,


Every day, more and more of young Americans are heeding the siren song of socialism.

Because of the breakdown of education and the extraction of our founding principles from American classrooms, young people – tomorrow’s leaders – believe the bold lie that government is the solution to any economic problem.

If we want to preserve the America we know and love, we need to stop the lie—immediately. And the best way to counter this lie is to share the truth.

That’s why the team at The Heritage Foundation put together an exclusive e-booklet called The 9 Ways Socialism Will Morally Bankrupt America. It has all the arguments you’ll need to explain the dangers of socialism—and to expose the heartlessness and cruelty of a socialist regime.


Get your free copy today by clicking here.
https://www.askheritage.org/9-ways-socialism-will-morally-bankrupt-america-ebook/?utm_campaign=socialismebooklet&utm_source=prospecting&utm_medium=email&utm_content=the-blaze

Thank you for standing up for conservative values when they’re needed most.

Sincerely,

Maggy Smith
Membership Programs
The Heritage Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2019 The Heritage Foundation. All Rights Reserved

https://www.theblaze.com/news/video-retired-nypd-sergeant-beaten?utm_source=theblaze-dailyAM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Newsletter__AM%202020-08-21&utm_term=TheBlaze%20Daily%20AM%20-%20last%20270%20days
Retired NYPD sergeant beaten with over a dozen punches to head in video caught in broad daylight
Attacker added kick to victim's head before it was all over
Image source: New York Post video screenshot
 DAVE URBANSKI
A retired New York City police sergeant was knocked to the ground and suffered over a dozen punches to the head in a brutal attack caught on surveillance video Tuesday morning in Manhattan, the New York Post reported, citing police sources.

POLL: Will Joe Biden still be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate when we get to November?
What are the details?
The former sergeant was seen speaking with the attacker for at least a minute outside a Garment District deli on West 39th Street, the paper said of the obtained clip.

The suspect — whom police sources identified as 20-year-old Masterjadin Roman — then allegedly throws what appears to be a bottle at the retired officer, the Post said.

With that, the retired officer charges at Roman:
Image source: New York Post video screenshot

But to no avail, as the attacker easily lifts him up and slams him to the sidewalk:
Image source: New York Post video screenshot

And then the beating begins, as the suspect then quickly lands over a dozen punches to the retired sergeant's head.
Image source: New York Post video screenshot
After the punching ceases, Roman and his companion appear to steal a cellphone and headphones from the former cop and begin to walk away, the paper said.

But apparently that wasn't enough.
The retired sergeant is seen trying to get up from the sidewalk as another man emerges from behind to help him, and the attacker turns his head, walks back to the victim, and kicks him in the head.
Image source: New York Post video screenshot

The Post said it's not immediately clear what sparked the violence, but police sources told the paper Roman has been accused of aggressive panhandling and given a desk appearance ticket.

As is common with such incidents, a number of people were nearby when the attack took place and made no effort to intervene.
Anything else?
Violence against the NYPD has been on the rise since George Floyd's death in the custody of Minneapolis police in late May, which led to nationwide protests and riots:

A frequent participant in Occupy City Hall protests in New York City was caught on surveillance video in July allegedly trying to cut the brake lines of a police van in Brooklyn.
NYPD officers were physically attacked on the Brooklyn Bridge by Occupy City Hall protesters in July, leaving one officer with multiple fractures of his orbital bones and cuts needing 12 stitches. And when NYPD Chief of Department Terrance Monahan intervened, the department's highest-ranking uniformed officer was punched in the face, too, court documents said.
And cellphone video caught the moment an NYPD cop fought a gang member who apparently was interfering in an arrest. The gang member allegedly put the officer in a headlock — and then the taunting began: "You just got smoked, p***y!"
Official NYPD crime stats indicate 49 shootings took place in the city between July 7 and July 12, nearly a 277% increase compared to the 13 incidents that occurred over the same period in 2019. According to the NYPD, this past June was the deadliest and most violent June in 24 years, totaling 205 shooting incidents.

In fact, the owner of a New York City tactical shop said body armor sales are up 80% over 2019 due to the spike in violence this year.

Around the Web

Meanwhile in America....
Numerous large companies have announced donations to organizations that seek to defund the police.
No police, then no guns. Hello socialism!
Companies including Microsoft, Intel and Airbnb have donated to Black Lives Matter Global Network and Color of Change, which want to defund the police.

POLITICS
https://dailycaller.com/2020/08/17/list-corporate-donations-defund-police-movement-black-lives-matter/?fbclid=IwAR1PN5BGl_d-PYGNcZLzh6nvVDllj0SuyiIltqXncHTyjTtbl4QEXsBI9M0
Here’s A List Of Corporations Funding The ‘Defund The Police’ Movement
Kraft To Take Steps To Promote Health
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Daily Caller News Foundation logo
COMMENTS
JAKE DIMA AND PETER HASSON
CONTRIBUTOR
August 17, 2020
6:59 PM ET
FONT SIZE:
Prominent corporations from around the world are bankrolling the “defund the police” movement, a Daily Caller News Foundation review found. 
Companies including Cisco, Clif Bar, Degree, DoorDash, DropBox, H&M and Pokemon announced donations to organizations that seek to defund the police. 
Black Lives Matter Global Network and Color of Change are open about their desire to defund the police. 
Both organizations have received an outpouring of corporate donations in recent months. 
Dozens of corporations from around the world have collectively donated millions of dollars to left-wing organizations that advocate for defunding America’s police departments, a Daily Caller News Foundation review found.

Companies including Microsoft, Intel and Airbnb have donated to Black Lives Matter Global Network and Color of Change, both of which want to defund police departments across the country. (RELATED: These Celebrities Are Funding The ‘Defund The Police’ Movement)

Color of Change is leading a national petition campaign demanding elected officials “defund the police, and invest in communities now!”

“Policing is a violent institution that must end,” Color of Change President Rashad Robinson said after the Minneapolis City Council voted to “dismantle” its police department.


“We imagine a country where there is enough money to educate our children, care for our sick and feed those who are financially unstable,” Robinson continued. “Defunding the police allows for this vision.”

Black Lives Matter Global Network, the national arm of Black Lives Matter, released a statement on May 30 calling for “a national defunding of police.” The organization published a video on June 6 arguing that “defunding the police is the only way to stop pouring resources into a system that doesn’t keep us safe.”

Both Black Lives Matter and Color of Change have seen a flood of corporate donations since George Floyd, a black man, died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, according to video.


Clothing company H&M donated $500,000 across three social justice organizations including Color of Change, H&M announced in a June 1 Instagram post.

Clif Bar announced a $100,000 donation split between two groups, including Color of Change, in a June 1 Facebook post.

Cisco announced on June 1 that it was splitting a $5 million donation across four social justice groups, including both Color of Change and Black Lives Matter.


RITZ Crackers announced on June 4 that the company and its sister brands — OREO, Trident and Chips Ahoy! — had donated $500,000 to the NAACP and Black Lives Matter.

Degree pledged $100,000 to Black Lives Matter, the deodorant company announced in a June 1 tweet.


Food delivery service DoorDash donated $500,000 to Black Lives Matter, along with donations to other racial justice groups, the company announced in a June blog post.

Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield and his wife announced they would make a $700,000 donation to Color of Change, Black Lives Matter and a host of other organizations in June, Protocol reported. The couple also said they would match $300,000 in employee gifts to organizations.

Clothing brand Vans Inc. announced a $50,000 donation to Color of Change in June, according to the Orange County Business Journal.

Women’s working space collective, The Wing, donated $200,000 to Color of Change in June, according to Protocol.

The Pokémon Company International company announced on Twitter in June it would be making a $100,000 donation to Black Lives Matter.

Fashion and music merchandising company Bravado pledged to match employee donations to Black Lives Matter, among various other organizations, Protocol reported.

Workspace computer software company Dropbox pledged to donate $500,000 to Black Lives Matter in a June 3 blog post.

Women’s undergarment company Spanx said it would donate $100,000 across multiple organizations, including Black Lives Matter, the NAACP and the Minnesota Freedom Fund, according to a June 3 Instagram post.

The Minnesota Freedom Fund has faced scrutiny for using donations to post bail for alleged violent criminals, including a woman charged with murder and a convicted rapist.

Beauty company Biossance announced it would donate $100,000 to Color of Change, Black Lives Matter, the ACLU and the Minnesota Freedom Fund in a June Instagram post.

Sportswear company Lululemon announced they donated a $250,000 sum to a variety of organizations, including Black Lives Matter, according to an Instagram post.

Japanese video game publishing company Square Enix made a $250,000 donation to Black Lives Matter and pledged to match employee contributions to Black Lives Matter, as well, the company announced in a June 2 tweet.

None of the companies other than DoorDash returned requests for comment.

“In the wake of the death of George Floyd, DoorDash has taken a series of steps to show our support for equality and to stand against discrimination, including by making donations to a number of national and local organizations and leveraging our platform to support Black-owned businesses,” DoorDash global head of public affairs Taylor Bennett told the DCNF in an email.

“In partnership with our Black@DoorDash Employee Resource Group (ERG) and in consultation with civil rights leaders, we made donations to Black Lives Matter, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Black Girls Code, and a number of local organizations across the country that work to empower local economies to promote equality,” Bennett’s email continued.

“Our goal with these donations and the other actions we announced is to stand with our employees and community members to fight injustice, inequality and discrimination and to support organizations that are working to root out structural and systemic racism and providing local community development, mentorship, education and entrepreneurship programs to support Black communities across the country,” Bennett said.
His email did not address questions from the DCNF asking if DoorDash was aware that Black Lives Matter supports defunding the police at the time the donation was announced and whether DoorDash has a position on defunding the police.