Category Archives: Scriptures Evidence

Apostate State of World Being

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An overly simplified summary of what the WindowView web site is all about comes down to one initial concept: “Looking at multiple perspectives helps one to see the greater context to what life is.”  Within each perspective—such as those at WindowView, including Change, Science, Harmony, Timeline—one still needs to do some thinking. A keyword for all of us is “discern.” And to discern means to look at the larger field of information to assess what is true as opposed to false, misguided, bias, interpretation, assumption, or anything that is misleading. To discern in a way that is fair, this requires an open mind that is willing to be objective, but also a mind that is willing to go to multiple information sources and to look around. If you sit at your ‘window’ and really look at the lager view, then you will find opportunities to be objective and to seek what is a reliable viewpoint.

The fact that scientific and theistic information can be considered together may offer difficulty for some people. If that is you, then it’s less likely you will open your mind and explore. To look at a world of change, diametrically opposing views from science, theism, business, politics, and to include the oppositional behaviors and forces posed by various nations all over the world—this all leads to something that has been long ago projected as the eventual state of being. Yes, that is already documented in advance.  And it seems we have arrived at that state. This should be a concern to all alive today.

The title of this post starts with the word ‘apostate.’ This is being referenced in relation to one portion of Scripture that describes the status of believers at a specific point in world history—and that point in time appears to be now. Apostate is a term that can be defined as: “a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.” And sound principles might be objective or well founded on truth. To go one step further, apostasy is more the activity of abandoning such relevant belief or foundational principles. 

Today we see persons who abandon the notion that change is occurring in the natural world—as in climate change—or that science information is helpful in addressing important issues—like taking a vaccine to prevent the further spread of a pandemic disease—or more so to contradict Scripture as religious groups decide to use Scripture in ways to their liking … and not as the biblical text intends.

This post is not going to lay down examples to say you may be involved to apostate actions or behaviors, but instead is simply pointing to this being a time when apostasy is occurring today in so many areas of the human experience—across the entire globe today—to signify something that the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures foretell as coming next. We are complex and specific human beings built on highly specified genetic information, living in a universe with highly fine-tuned conditions … so much so, as to point to our being here by design. And if that Designer is the God of the Bible, then Scripture that says apostasy will come to bring an end of an era, then you might want to see the relevance to change, science, and what the harmony of biblical texts say … and seeing how that pertains to your life right now. 

In case you are wanting a reference … from the Greek [Revelation 3:14-21], you can, in part, see the reference to apostasy through people who are material and not attentive to God’s will. Reference to repenting, for example, exposes leaders who lead for their own purposes and not in the way Scripture would point to the Designer’s will.

Ears to hear, eyes to see, fully, allow a mind to truly discern. And that is why WindowView was developed. Maybe not perfect, but certainly here to get you to do some thinking!

Director, WindowView.org

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Isaiah 53 As A New Song

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In a previous post you were able to connect to a WindowView.org web page that provides access to understanding the importance of the verses in Isaiah 53. The prophet is essentially letting all Israel know who the Messiah is … His identity is unmistakable and the prophet’s words were written hundreds of years before Yeshua appeared to Israel. As then and as is now, these words are a key that unlocks so much of what else Scripture. has to tell us.

Today we received an email from Joshua Aaron that included a link to his friend’s new song … the song is based on Isaiah 53, sung by Aaron Shust and accompanied by Shai Sol.

Click on the image below to be taken to YouTube to hear the song!

Director, WindowView.org

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The Prophet Identifies Messiah

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Every year Israel celebrates Passover. Each year during the Pesach seder there is a moment when the matzah is broken and the Cup of Redemption is lifted to drink wine. This breaking of bread and drinking of the cup was a new adjustment to the Pesach tradition and seems to correspond with who the Jewish Messiah is. So, who is that?

Of whom does the prophet Isaiah speak?

To read about the prophet Isaiah’s exact words that align closely with the true identity of the Jewish Messiah, we recommend a visit to windowview.org/wanted/j.html. See the web page and read the WANTED poster and get the REWARD!

In a world of increasing chaos and confusion, peace is to be found in Messiah–for Jew and Gentile alike, this one identity rises in importance above all else.

Director, WindowView.org

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Messiah in Tanach

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WindowView includes several perspectives that when added together compose a ‘big picture’ relating to true information from science to Scripture. Yes, one needs to acknowledge that there are many opinions and interpretations that can distract from truth, but please consider the following scriptural insight because a key reason for looking through the ‘window’ is that your eternal destiny is really the main focus.

FACT: the Hebrew Scriptures do include information that identifies the Jewish Messiah. Yes, that is information each Jewish person needs to know–but many do not read their own Scriptures–and thus something of vital importance is being missed.

FACT: many gentile readers of the Bible have not recognized the numerous places where the Jewish Messiah is identified even before reading the Greek text (i.e., New Covenant). And if more Jewish readers saw what was in the Tanach (i.e., Hebrew Bible), then what is written in the Greek would make huge impacts on the Jewish peoples and all Israel!

There is a website that currently lists each letter in the Hebrew alphabet with a link to Scripture that identifies the Jewish Messiah. The image below is what is currently appearing at the site (as this writing is being composed. Visit the site at: Messiah Comes (messiah.com.es)

If you are Jewish or gentile, everyone needs t see how incredibly the truth of Messiah is interwoven throughout the Hebrew and Greek texts. This complex relationship in the biblical text is actually a testimony in itself. After all, 100s of years span the times when these writings were recorded, but a unity of that authorship is focused on the Messiah and the events that are yet to come in this day and age (in an era slated to end with Messiah’s return).

Take a moment and look at the web site and the Scripture references and please share this information with a Jewish or gentile person who needs to understand the incredible complexity and specificity of the Scriptures.

Director, WindowView.org

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NO PEACE in MAY …

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The following excerpts from news posted at Watch.org are very telling … with respect that no peace pact will come to Israel in March, or April, or May … and frankly, those who have read the Scriptures know what to look for … we are told there the peace pact will be a seven year covenant in a time when Israel lives without walls … NO PEACE, NO WAY, until then.  Also of interest is Putin’s apparent desire to grater power and with access to strategic territories that will only make it easier to move forces to the south … Gog and Magog … is that it?

Stay tuned, because if you really think about it, humanity is not about living in peace, stewardship, or extending the prospects for life on earth … why?  Because everyone has some sort of material or national agenda … and that is why we say information from both science and scripture have relevance … so visit WindowView for more on that, but for now … WHAT do the following headlines tell you!

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Susan Rice to Netanyahu: Only two-state solution can bring peace with Palestinians

Not reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran is preferable to signing a bad accord, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday, soon after meeting with visiting US National Security Advisor Susan Rice.  Rice arrived in the country earlier in the day as part of a high-level US delegation. Members of the delegation came to consult with their Israeli counterparts about Iran and other strategic issues prior to another round of talks between the P5+1 and Iran in Vienna next week, and as work went on to formulate a final nuclear deal. Following the Rice meeting – a meeting the Prime Minister’s Office was not willing to discuss – Netanyahu met with a delegation from the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). The brief statement issued about that meeting made the gist of Netanyahu’s message to Rice clear.

Meeting Abbas, Rice outlines ‘constructive’ path forward for peace with Israel

Any power-sharing Palestinian government must recognize the state of Israel, renounce violence and adhere to previous agreements, whether it includes Hamas or not, US National Security Advisor Susan Rice told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in Ramallah on Thursday.  According to the White House, Rice made “clear… the principles that must guide a Palestinian government in order for it to play a constructive role in achieving peace and building an independent Palestinian state.”

“She reiterated US policy that any Palestinian government must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognition of the State of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties,” the White House said in a statement after the meeting.

US envoy Indyk insists peace process not dead

Washington’s top negotiator criticizes both sides for failed talks, saying Netanyahu was ‘flexible’ despite approving settlements.  While delivering scathing condemnations of the behavior of both sides, Washington’s chief negotiator in the recent Israeli-Palestinian talks denied Thursday that the peace process was over.  In his most revealing comments since the breakdown of talks, Ambassador Martin Indyk recounted Thursday evening how, after six months of productive direct negotiations, Palestinian leaders “shut down” and singled out settlement activity as a major – but not the sole – factor.

“We have passed the nine-month marker for these negotiations, and for the time being the talks have been suspended,” Indyk said, addressing the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Weinberg Founders Conference in Washington DC. “Some have said this process is over. But that is not correct. As my little story testifies. As you all know well— in the Middle East, it’s never over.”

Roads blocked, schools closed as freak rains flood country, flash floods from Eilat to the Dead Sea

Unseasonable storm wreaks havoc in south; flash floods reported from Eilat to Dead Sea.  Schools near the Dead Sea were shut and several roads in the area were blocked by authorities Thursday morning as a rare tropical storm dumped rain across the country causing flash floods and wreaking havoc in the south of the country.  Wednesday night and Thursday morning saw heavy rains and thunderstorms across the country, a rare occurrence so late into the spring. The rain brought dry riverbeds to life, flooding low-lying areas, especially in the Judean Desert and Negev in the south of the country. By Thursday morning the city of Arad reported 44 millimeters of rain had fallen from the storm, 40 times the average for this time of year, according to the Israel Meteorological Service. Jerusalem saw 32 millimeters, Beersheba 24 millimeters and Ra’anana 45 millimeters. Tel Aviv, however, only saw 15 millimeters.

Top Netanyahu aide: Here’s proof Abbas deliberately destroyed peace talks

Analysis: Countering US narrative, some Israeli sources
insist Netanyahu negotiated sincerely

Putin oversees Russian Nuclear forces exercise

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday oversaw a military exercise involving Russia’s nuclear forces amid escalating tensions over Ukraine.  While Putin said the exercise had been planned back in November, it comes as relations between Russia and the West have plunged to their lowest point since the Cold War over Ukraine.  Putin, speaking from the Defense Ministry’s headquarters where he oversaw the exercise along with leaders of several ex-Soviet nations which are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said that the maneuvers involved the military across the entire Russian territory, including the nation’s nuclear forces.  Russian news wires said that the exercises simulated dealing a massive retaliatory nuclear strike in response to an enemy attack. The description of the exercise is unusually blunt, reflecting tensions with the West running high over Ukraine.

Putin says Russian troops pull back from Ukraine border

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Wednesday that his military had pulled back from the Ukrainian border — but a top Pentagon official told Fox News that the U.S. military had not seen any changes in the deployment of Russian forces.  Putin also urged pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine to postpone Sunday’s referendum on secession. Putin said Russian troops had pulled back to training grounds and locations for “regular exercises,” but didn’t specify whether those locations were in areas near Ukraine.

Putin Warns of Growing Militant Nationalism, Nazi Ideology in Europe

NATO’s top military commander in Europe said on Monday he no longer thought regular Russian troops would enter eastern Ukraine, predicting Moscow could achieve its goals through the unconventional forces stirring up trouble there.  U.S. air force Gen. Philip Breedlove said it was a completely false Russian narrative that it was only Ukrainians rebelling in the east of their country, saying it was clear that special forces troops from Russia were operating there as they did in Crimea before its annexation.  “Remember that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin denied their presence and now he has admitted to their presence in Crimea. The same thing will come out of Ukraine as time rolls out,” he told a military and diplomatic audience in Ottawa.

Pew Global Survey: Public Backs Putin, Crimea’s Secession, Putin is overwhelmingly popular

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s handling of the crisis in Ukraine has met with considerable opposition in Western nations and much of the international community, as well as in Ukraine itself, but Russians have largely rallied around their leader. Putin is overwhelmingly popular, and Russian national pride appears to be on the rise. In fact, a plurality thinks Putin’s handling of the crisis has improved Russia’s international stature.  A large majority of Russians believe the recent referendum in Crimea was free and fair, and that Kyiv (Kiev) should accept the results and allow Crimea to join Russia. Crimea is only one of Russia’s territorial grievances, and as they have in previous surveys, a majority of Russians say they believe there are parts of neighboring countries that really belong to Russia.  Meanwhile, tensions with the West have led to a dramatic spike in negative views about the U.S. and the European Union. Similarly, both U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are held in low regard.

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Spend some time at your window and think about what is really happening in the world today … it looks like it could get a lot worse before it gets better.

Director, WindowView.org

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Risks for Global Change

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WE ARE ALL AT RISK
A recent MarketWatch article starts this way:

“A poll of participants ahead of this year’s World Economic Forum at Davos found 10 areas of highest risk to the world. Such risks are “defined as an occurrence that causes significant negative impact for several countries and industries over a time frame of up to 10 years,” according to a report issued before the conference slated for this month in Switzerland.

1. Fiscal crises in key economies: The biggest concern, according to the report, remains whether wealthy countries can keep it together. “The report lists fiscal crises as the top risk advanced economies remain in danger of fiscal crises. …

Aside: This article relates how global economic instability could (ironically) stem from (complex political scenarios and ) falling oil prices as described elsewhere.

The MarketWatch article outlines these additional factors for global risks:

2. Structurally high unemployment/underemployment: The flip side of income disparity is the persistent unemployment and underemployment of millions of people.

3. Water crises: Huge population growth is placing big demands on freshwater supplies, notably in China and sub-saharan Africa. …

4. Severe income disparity: With employment in developed countries still suppressed in the wake of the financial crisis, and huge unemployed populations in developing economies, income disparity is a huge issue for Davos participants.

“Income disparity is also among the most worrying of issues. It raises concerns about the Great Recession and the squeezing effect it had on the middle classes in developed economies, while globalization has brought about a polarization of incomes in emerging and developing economies. This is true despite the obvious progress in countries such as Brazil and lower levels of poverty in several developing countries in Asia and Africa.“

5. Failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation: Similar to the fear of global governance failure is the fear that concerns over climate change won’t be addressed. “Climate change, ranked fifth on the list, is the key driver of such uncertain and changing weather patterns, causing an increased frequency of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts,” according to the report.

6. Greater incidence of extreme weather events: … Of note, is the finding that huge populations in coming years will be born in developing countries with potential exposure to hurricanes and typhoons, posing greater risks of damage such as was caused in the Philippines last year by a huge storm.

7. Global governance failure: This one amounts to the fear that … in the end international institutions aren’t actually able to get their act together.

“Given that global risks can be addressed effectively only through international collaboration, it is hardly a surprise that global governance failure is also included in the list as the risk of seventh highest concern,” the report finds.

8. Food crises: Nothing gets people riled up like not being able to eat. …

9. Failure of a major financial mechanism/institution: Perhaps not surprisingly … concern over failures financial institutions remains very high.

“Five years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, with its system-wide impacts, the failure of a major financial mechanism or institution also features among the risks that the respondents are most concerned about, as uncertainty about the quality of many banks’ assets remains.”

10. Profound political and social instability: No. 10 on this year’s list is profound political and social instability potentially caused by military actions or aggressive foreign or trade policies on the part of global or regional powers.

———————– From the Window —————————-

The above ten cited concerns are not necessarily directly linked to biblical themes, but some are. For the serious Bible student, the idea of global governance is something that might link all ten issues. One day, soon, according to the Bible the world will turn to a single over arching global governance … a one world government. While climate change, as a whole, is not described in the Bible, numerous other events and the making of the one world government easily connect to the risks we see today. How will humans in a material context respond to changes in a way that leads to a single governance? We suggest material and spiritual forces bring us to such a point. And to understand that viewpoint takes time looking through the Window!

Director, WindowView.org

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unChristian Faith Refresher

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The title above is one of this things that reads the opposite of the underlying intention. A book entitled “unChristian” is the inspiration of this post. But read the book and you will be sobered by multiple realities, for those who hold to biblical faith and those who have put faith in Bible as a mere side note to life.

Further below we provide an image of the book cover and a link to the book at Amazon. Take a look and read the reviews if you like.

THE SURVEY SAYS!

The majority of the text to unChristian addresses a rather in-depth assessment of Christianity in language most Westerners would find familiar. But the revelations come by marketing analyses and surveys of young persons and then place that in the context of society today.

Bottom line to all this might be stated, at least in one way, as: “Bible believers and those outside the faith are both in trouble. Both are not on sound footing. Christians need to hold to the real core values of their faith and this means putting love in place of the “anti-this and anti-that” opinions that outsiders have of Christians. What’s worse, but not having a factual example to refer to, outsiders are not getting real information that should garner true attention to what biblical faith is, really is.”

Getting facts straight works in all directions. Misperceptions are often hard to correct, unless good examples come along.

NEED REFRESHING FAITH 

There is a ‘window perspective’ we have to all this.  And this comes from the Bible itself. In the last book there are seven letters delivered to seven churches (and to be clear the English word church really should be translated as ‘group of believing people,’ because at the time the letters were written these groups included both Jew and Gentile … whose faith was based on Messiah). The last letter typifies where we are on Earth today, in that many who profess to be believers are neither hot or cold. Being lukewarm is not acceptable.

And this is where we are today. Many believers are lukewarm. Many non-believing (non-Christian, non-Messianic, secular, atheist, agnostic, etc.) are lukewarm (to more than to just biblical core values).

In the weeks to come WindowView.org will add new pages that address factual information that is illustrated in ‘unChristian.’ Until we do, we wish to leave the believing community (those who declare a faith in Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus) with points for a refresher.

SEVEN ELEMENTS for a DAILY TRANSFORMATION

What might believers focus on to tighten their focus on faith.  The following seven elements are from the book:

– worshipping God intimately and passionately
– engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers
– pursuing faith in the context of family
– embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth
– serving others
– investing time and resources in spiritual pursuits
– having faith-based conversations with outsiders

(p78, unChristian)

unChristian

unChristian

The world has grown ever more complex and confused. The focus on faith has blurred as social issues stray from a morality that was clearly evident in previous generations. To distinguish oneself today may make us feel a bit odd, but that’s because the world at large is on a tangent. It’s not good news what’s going on in the world. What is good news is being a part of what transforms us daily and what becomes a good example to those around us. That example removes negativity about faith and sheds light on the real promise for life.

Director, WiindowView.org

The Seventh Letter … from Revelation 3:14-22: “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ –and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked– “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”

unChristian Faith Refresher is co-posted on our companion blog

 

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Google Seeks A Benefit as Gen Y Goes Cashless

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Here is an unsettling thought  … the Internet age is setting us up for something many folks just don’t think about … yet … but like lemmings running into the sea we are all part of a building momentum. Trouble is, if we mention a biblical theme here, many of you will say “Nonsense!”

Is it? Really? Keep reading … and think about it!

The article we refer to below comes from MarketWatch.com (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/google-wallet-gen-y-credit-card-2013-05-17).

Here is our point. If you are temped to use a handheld device to be cashless as you walk around in your day-to-day routine, we believe that at some point the possible theft of handhelds will make something else more compelling. How about a tattoo with a code? So you swipe your hand across a scanner that can read a colorless tattoo and detect the code to conduct a cashless transaction. Cool? Yeah! But there is a catch.

The Bible refers to a time when no person will be able to buy or sell without the ‘mark of the beast.’ Oh, prophecy stuff you say. Not to worry, couldn’t happen here … right?

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Google Wallet: Gen Y credit card?
Emailing money may appeal to generation that’s already abandoned cash

By Quentin Fottrell

Facing stiff competition and tepid demand, Google Wallet has not made a big splash in the world of mobile payments. But experts say young Americans may help revive its fortunes.

In an effort to boost the popularity of its mobile payment system, Google this week announced that it
is integrating Google Wallet with Gmail. Customers who’ve linked Google Wallet to their bank account or maintain a balance with Google Wallet can simply click the dollar icon on their Gmail to make a payment. It’s not the first time Google Wallet introduced new features. ….

… there are signs that there is untapped demand for mobile payments. Just one-fifth of young Americans ages 18 to 30 always carry cash, according to a new survey by CouponCodes4U … . Nearly half said cash would not be used in the future. “It’s a generational trend,” … And some 72% of Gmail users are under the age of 34, according to a survey by Hunch.com, …. “The younger generations are adopting this technology in droves.” PayPal and Google Wallet, for example, connect to a bank account or a debit or credit card through a person’s smartphone.

“It’s early days for mobile payments,” says technology analyst Jeff Kagan. “I have children in their early 20s who rarely carry as much as $5 in their wallet.” That’s just enough for tips. “Today, we leave the house with a wallet, car keys and smartphone,” he says. “There will come a time when it will only be our smartphone. … Thousands of merchants are still not set up for mobile payments, making it more difficult for smartphone evangelists to cut up their plastic. What’s more, some consumers are still concerned about security issues of making payments via mobile phone. One U.K. survey found that 44% of people were reluctant to adopt mobile wallets due to fears of phone hacking; only 17% of those surveyed say they would use mobile wallets. (Google did not return requests for comment.)
——————- WindowView Perspective ——————————

We rest our case. It’s a generational thing. In an increasingly material and secular global society, the younger generation will be swept by the momentum the Bible already anticipates. To address the latter security issues … we are waiting for the charismatic leader who seduces the masses to be inscribed with some type of mark. And that will seal together the notion put forth in the article above and in what the Bible declared thousands of years ago.

Far fetched you say?

Have you been looking out your window to see the implications for what is going on out there?

Well, that’s why this window is here!

Our comments here relate to global changes … many of which creep up on us while we are distracted by our day-to-day life. Change is surrounding our lives in many ways … all the more reason now is time to look at the implications.

Director, WindowView.org

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Life’s Data as well as Bible Data is Preserved

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The WindowView theme of “Science and Scripture in Harmony” comes with some key reminders. We keep pointing to information as evidence. What stands over time tends to be data or information that is foundational and truthful. Depending on how you approach information, one might have to consider all is a product of the initial cause for existence. So, if that cause is from God, what of the reliability of longstanding evidence from science and Scripture?

Here is an example. For all the commotion about evolution, with the implication of ongoing macro-evolution over time (change over time), we have examples of stasis (relative unchanging sameness over time). That is, there are species that have existed millions of years without changing over time. The data in this case are the DNA codes within such organisms. The relatively unchanged form, function, and existence tell us evolution is not necessarily a driver for change. Use of the word evolution in this context imparts a process in action at all times—this makes evolution a driving force. Does that exist?. Some suggest that only micro-evolution is adequately demonstrated. Our point here is simple, science information exists to tell us there is a tendency to stay the same without change unless driven to do so. And when there is change … a return back to an original form can and does occur to demonstrate a tendency toward sameness and not branching evermore to something else. This is not to say apparent branching is not apparent, but then the evidence of transitional steps eludes us. Claims of such evidence is often met with complications. To consider the reasons why brings continued debate.

To all the above we think there is a note of key importance. The body of information that supports life is sufficient without change. The assumption of continual change and randomness is an assumption based on short, not long, time frames. The net message is one of a built in stability of lifeforms to bring life forward over time. The evidence is the “living fossils” that have little to no change.

Further, the vital point to a look at how the DNA codes have supported existence to all life is itself a bit of evidence for the complexity and awesome nature to there being an existence … at all! The testimony from life to those of us alive today is that life is rather incredible and perhaps a key testimony to why we exist … at all! Stasis, over time, provides an opportunity for multiple generations to come to the same testimony before moving on.

So let us consider another form of information and relative stasis over time. Consider a validation of another key source of data and the testimony that evidence provides … us all! From a monthly electronic letter I have lifted a few words … these are written by someone whose profession involves translation of ancient manuscripts:

“As we sometimes do, we talked about the Dead Sea Scrolls, commenting on how these ancient manuscripts have helped our understanding of the Bible. For one thing, the scrolls confirm the antiquity and authenticity of the traditional Hebrew text upon which we base translations; for another, the scrolls help us to determine the best text to follow in places where other important biblical manuscripts differ slightly from each other. In short, the scrolls help us keep translations accurate.”

“The bigger story is that throughout all generations, the Lord has preserved his word. He continues to do so today, even as the Bible is being translated into more languages than ever before.”

Life has sustained DNA translations to provide a basis for our lives to be a witness to the awesome nature of our existence. And as the Bible reminds us, there will be a fullness in time where everyone alive will have the opportunity to see the Bible’s testimony delivered, in respective language, to us all. When that state of fullness is reached, we come to a cosmic turning point with no return to earlier time. At that point some move into a continual relationship with the author of life and others do not … this is the final portal from here to the eternal. Which way will you be going?

Director, WindowView.org

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WAR? A Report From Jerusalem

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This rather lengthy blog post contains two entries from David Dolan.
Info about Mr. dolan appears at the end of this post.

Typically we post on science topics here and other topics on the Harmony blog … but this time due to the potential global influence, this post transcends boundaries and we offer it here.
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Shalom again from Jerusalem.

I just received this disturbing report from one of my email news updates,
sent from a web site monitoring current events around the world. I thought
it was important enough to pass along at this time.

“North Korea has moved two more short-range missile launchers to its east
coast launching pads, according to a South Korean news agency. An
unidentified military source said it indicates the possibility that
Pyongyang is planning an imminent missile launch. Satellite imagery
suggests the mobile missile launchers are designed to carry warheads on
short-range Scud missiles. South Korea and its allies have been expecting
a possible provocative act from Pyongyang after weeks of threats from the
North Korean regime to launch a nuclear attack upon South Korea and its
American and regional allies. Some analysts suggest the North Korean
Communist regime may choose April 25 for a show of defiance to coincide
with the 55-year anniversary of the formation of its national army in April
1948.”

Keep watching and praying.

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April 22, 2013

Shalom to all,

It has been another month of dramatic news here in Israel and in the region. My latest news summary focuses on growing violence in the Palestinian territories and a series of rocket attacks aimed at Israeli civilian communities. I also take a look at the latest dramatic developments related to Israel that have been taking place during the month in Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Turkey and Iran. With all the bad news in the region and the world, at least I can report that the Promised Land has had the wettest April in many years. Israel usually does not get much, if any, precipitation from around mid-April until sometime around the Jewish New Year in the autumn, so the strong “latter rains” which are just coming to an end today are indeed very welcome, even if we had to don our winter coats for awhile after several weeks of unusual heat and dust storms.

On a more personal note connected to my mailings concerning North Korea and America, I did not share something important at the time of my first posting on Friday, April 12. I had a strong sense in my prayer time concerning the North Korean nuclear threat that some sort of terrorist backpack bombs would be detonated around the middle of the month in the United States. I felt I heard in my morning time of prayer that such an attack would lead to American casualties inside of the country. That was why I sent out my warning. However I did not sense that the attack would necessarily be connected to North Korea or include the small nuclear bombs that I wrote about. Those conjectures were connected to my concerns (which I still have) that North Korea might attempt to carry out its threatened nuclear attack upon several American cities via such backpack bombs. I am of course greatly relieved that the actual backpack bombs mid month were not nuclear, as the people of Boston, all of America and the foreign marathon guests certainly are as well! Still, many people obviously had their lives permanently and horribly altered in the conventional attack that did take place at the hands of the two young Muslim brothers from Chechnya.

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TROUBLE GROWS AT HOME AND ABROAD

By David Dolan

It is rare for Israeli media reports to focus for many days on events happening outside of the country. However that was the case from the middle of April when the Boston Islamic terror attack took place, closely followed by the deadly chemical disaster in Texas. Both stories deeply resonated with the Israeli public, which has obviously been the target of many Muslim terrorist assaults and powerful blasts in the past. The fact that these horrific things were taking place inside the borders of Israel’s closest ally, the United States, only added to Israeli interest and concern.

The escalating violence in the Palestinian territories during the month was another major focus of media attention. Fears that a new Palestinian uprising might be brewing grew as clashes took place in many locations, including parts of Jerusalem. Israeli forces arrested a number of Hamas terrorist suspects in the area during the month.

Meanwhile Palestinian rockets were once again fired from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Several Iranian-built Grad rockets later struck the southern Israeli resort city of Eilat. Others reportedly landed in nearby Aqaba Jordan. Israeli officials said the rockets were fired from the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, which has become a haven for terrorist groups ever since Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power over two years ago. This came as unrest spread in the Arab world’s largest country, with thousands of anti-government demonstrators calling for current President Muhammad Morsi to resign. Scores of Egyptian Coptic Christians clashed with Muslims who attacked the Coptic cathedral in the Egyptian capital city.

The chances that Hamas will reconcile with the Palestinian Authority seemed to increase after PA Prime Minister Salam Fayad resigned mid month. Strongly backed by the United States and other western powers, Fayad was known to be engaged in an increasingly bitter dispute with PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Analysts said the departure of the relatively moderate politician would seriously harm American government efforts to re-start peace talks between Israel and the PA.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and its former ally Turkey remained strained during April despite the Israeli government’s official apology last month to Ankara over the deaths of nine Turkish Muslim militants aboard the Mavi Marmara ship. The ship was part of an international flotilla that attempted to break through the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip in May 2010. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan displayed his continuing contempt for the Jewish State by announcing he would visit the Hamas-ruled coastal zone in late May to mark the third anniversary of the incident.

The Palestinian Authority expressed opposition to the pending visit, saying it would “deepen divisions” between itself and the rival Hamas movement. An official statement went on to note that “The Gaza Strip is not an independent Palestinian state and Hamas is not the legitimate representative of the Palestinians.” Meanwhile an accord was signed between the Palestinian Authority and Jordan that supposedly gives the Jordanian government “responsibility and control” over all Moslem and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

In the north, Israeli military forces came under renewed fire from across the Golan Heights border with war-torn Syria. IDF forces returned the fire. This came soon after an Islamic rebel militia force fighting with others to topple the Syrian Assad regime announced its allegiance to the Al Qaida terrorist group. The radical Muslim group is known to be operating in territory near the Israeli border. UN peacekeeping forces that had been patrolling there for many years were ordered to stay indoors all month after rebel forces kidnapped a group of UN soldiers from the Philippines in March. Israeli officials once again warned they would not permit the massive Syrian chemical weapons arsenal to fall into rebel hands or to be transferred to Shiite Hizbullah militia forces in neighboring Lebanon. A French newspaper said armed Israeli drones have been flying nightly over Syrian skies, monitoring the situation on the ground in the blood-soaked Arab country. The report said the pilot-less surveillance aircraft enter Syrian airspace via a corridor opened over Jordan.

Fears of a possible rocket and missile attack from the Iranian-backed Hizbullah militia increased in Israel after Iran’s longtime ally, North Korea, declared it was preparing to launch an imminent nuclear war against the United States and its East Asian allies. A former Israeli military officer warned at an annual security conference in Herzliya last month that if conflict broke out on the divided Korean Peninsula, it could quickly be followed by another round of attacks from Hizbullah. Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders are known to be operating alongside the Lebanese Shiite militia force.

On a far more positive note, natural gas from the huge Tamar field located under the Mediterranean Sea west of Haifa began to arrive at a terminal in the Israeli port city of Ashdod the last day of March. The gas is projected to meet Israel’s domestic needs for at least the next three decades. Soon after the gas began flowing via an underwater pipeline, the Water and Energy Ministry issued a statement saying the high cost of electricity in Israel would soon decline due to the natural gas flow. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the flow, saying it will “enhance Israel’s economy and benefit all it’s citizens.” However security experts warn that the large petroleum platform located above the gas flow pipeline outlet will be a major target for Israel’s enemies. Although Israeli naval vessels have been permanently stationed near the platform, they add that Hizbullah rockets could easily be directed at it.

PALESTINIANS FIRE MORE ROCKETS AT ISRAEL

The month of April began with more Palestinian rocket attacks aimed at Israeli civilian communities near the Gaza Strip. One day after the weeklong Passover celebration ended on April 1, Palestinians fired two short-range mortar shells at Israeli targets. However both shells landed just inside the Gaza Strip border fence. A third shell later struck Israeli territory in the Eshkol region. No injuries or damage was reported in the attacks. Despite this, the Israeli Air Force was sent into action over the Gaza Strip for the first time since last November’s “Pillar of Defense” operation ended. Despite evidence that the rockets were fired by Muslims who are not members of the large Hamas militia, several Hamas targets were bombed, but no casualties were reported. The IAF action came soon after new Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon told reporters that the government “sees Hamas as being responsible for everything that is fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel. We won’t allow any routine involving a drizzle of rockets at our civilians and military forces.”

The following morning, two rockets landed in the frequently struck Israeli town of S’derot. The rockets landed as local parents were dropping off their children at several area schools. Although again no damage or injuries were reported, PM Netanyahu reacted by warning Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip that, “If the quiet is violated, we will respond strongly.” After calling upon Israel to “act with restraint,” United Nations Middle East envoy Robert Serry denounced the Palestinian “indiscriminate firing of rockets into civilian areas.” The US, Britain and France also spoke out against the rocket attacks, with the French government saying it “harshly condemns the rocket fire on the civilian population in south Israel.”

The Palestinian Mujahedeen Shura Council claimed responsibility for the rocket firings. Soon afterwards, the radical Sunni Muslim group said the Hamas regime ruling the Gaza Strip had arrested two of its members charged with carrying out the attacks. However Hamas denied it had apprehended the two men, saying “Our security apparatus is part of the resistance and does not arrest anyone who resists the occupation. On the contrary, we encourage resistance.”

Strongly linked to Al Qaida, The Mujahedeen Council carried out a border attack last June launched from the Sinai Peninsula upon Israeli workers constructing a new border fence in the area. The attackers detonated an improvised explosive device and also opened fire on Israeli vehicles carrying some of the workers to their jobs. A 35-year-old Arab-Israeli father of two from Haifa was killed, as were at least two of the attacking terrorists.

One week after the early April rocket and mortar attacks, Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired three more rockets at Israel. This attack came on Israel’s annual Holocaust Remembrance Day as American Secretary of State John Kerry was visiting the country. One rocket exploded in the Sha’ar Ha Negav region west of Beersheva while the other two landed inside the Gaza Strip. Despite the fact that no injuries were reported from the unprovoked assault, the chief American diplomat denounced it, as did Israeli leaders. Defense Minister Ya’alon ordered the closure of several Israeli border crossing checkpoints, while allowing the civilian Erez checkpoint to remain open for Palestinians needing urgent medical care in Israeli hospitals. All of the crossings were reopened five days later. On the evening of April 18, two mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into the western Negev Desert area, again thankfully causing no casualties or damage. Another Kassam rocket landed in Israel on April 20.

DEATH SPARKS OFF PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE

The Mudahedeen Council said its latest assaults were in reaction to the April 2 death of a Palestinian convict who was being treated for throat cancer at Beersheva’s Soroka Medical Center. The man, 64-yar-old Maysara Abuhamdia, had been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of plotting with other Palestinians to blow up a popular cafe in the Jerusalem German Colony neighborhood in 2002. Another restaurant in the area was destroyed by a suicide bomb blast at that time as the second Palestinian uprising reached its peak. A former general in the PA security services, Abuhamdia was a member of the PA-linked Fatah movement before joining the Hamas movement. Both the PA and Hamas accused Israel of deliberately killing him. However an autopsy found he died of natural causes while receiving a chemotherapy treatment at the hospital. Before his death, the convict had accused Israeli prison authorities of medical neglect, claiming he was only being given painkillers to treat his throat cancer. Israeli officials denied the charge.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas quickly poured oil on the news that Abuhamdia had perished. “Today, we were surprised to hear about the martyrdom of prisoner Abu Hamdiyeh,” he said before vowing to “continue our efforts to liberate the homeland and the prisoners.” The comment helped to ignite violent protests in several Israeli prisons and the eastern half of Jerusalem and surrounding Arab communities. Clashes also broke out in Hebron and other cities and towns in the disputed territories under full PA control. Hundreds of Palestinian youths threw stones and firebombs at Israeli soldiers and police forces, who replied with tear gas and rubber bullets.

On April 4, two Palestinian teenagers aged 17 and 18 were killed by IDF gunfire as they were hurling homemade firebombs at soldiers manning an IDF checkpoint near the community of Einav. Another attacker was wounded in the incident, which sparked additional clashes in the tense disputed territories. More clashes occurred as many Palestinians and Israeli Arabs marked “Prisoner Day” on April 18. It was held to express “solidarity” with the approximately 4,800 convicts being held in Israeli prisons, many of them for terrorist related crimes.

One day before, at least two Grad rockets were fired at the southern port city of Eilat from the nearby Sinai Peninsula, with two others landing in nearby Jordan. The Palestinian Mujahedeen Shura Council was thought to have been behind the attack. One rocket landed next to a home in the city. The rocket attack prompted officials to close Eilat’s international airport for a time. Several area residents were treated for shock. An Iron Dome anti-missile battery was moved to the area to protect Eilat from future attacks.

The Jerusalem District Attorney indicted five Arab residents from the eastern half of the city on charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist shooting and kidnapping attacks against Jews near the Temple Mount. According to the April 18 indictment, Nor Hamdan decided in February to plot assaults upon Jewish worshipers near Judaism’s holiest site on earth and against security forces in the area. Hamdan allegedly recruited the other four defendants and formed a terror cell. He then made contact with several Palestinian terror organizations in order to receive training, guidance and weapons from them. The indictment said cell members gathered several times in February and March, intending “to help enemy terror organizations in their war with Israel.” The indictment added the Palestinian cell intended to kidnap an Israeli Jew in order to kill him and steal his weapon for use in future terrorist operations.

KERRY RETURNS BEFORE FAYYAD RESIGNS

Two senior American officials visited Israel during the month: John Kerry, who flew back to the country the first week of April after accompanying President Obama to Israel in March, and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who came to discuss new US arms supplies to Israel and the situation in Syria and Iraq. Hagel wrapped up details of a ten billion dollar American sale of V-22 Osprey troop transport aircraft to Israel, along with refueling tankers, advanced radars for IAF fighter jets and anti-aircraft missiles.

The declared intention of Kerry’s stop this time was to put pressure on both Israeli and Palestinian officials to get back to the negotiation table. However the diplomat’s visit appeared doomed to failure even before he arrived when Nimr Hammad, an aid to PA President Abbas, totd a French news agency on April 4 that his boss “wants to know, through a map to be presented by Benjamin Netanyahu to Kerry, what the Prime Minister’s view of a two-state solution would be, especially the borders.”

An unnamed Israeli official in Netanyahu’s office replied that Israel “will agree to put borders on the table when we know what we are getting from the Palestinians,” noting that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had “presented a generous map, and that led him nowhere.” The official said a final peace accord will have to include a Palestinian pledge to waive the so-called “right of return” to family homes inside of Israel’s current borders. He added it must also include formal PA recognition of Israel as a Jewish State, and acknowledgment that IDF forces will continue to have overall security control in the strategic Jordan Valley near the border with Jordan. Analysts said the latter condition is probably an indirect admission by Israeli leaders that Jordanian King Abdullah may eventually be toppled from his throne by Muslim militants who want to transform the kingdom into an Islamic theocratic state that annuls the country’s current peace treaty with Israel.

Soon after the Secretary of State departed the country, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad resigned from the PA government. The April 13 resignation was quickly accepted by Abbas, who was known to be unhappy that the Western-orientated politician was being treated with more respect by world leaders than he was. Fayyad’s departure was one of the conditions Hamas put forward in reconciliation talks with PA officials. Palestinian media reports said Abbas might hold the PM position for the time being or possibly appoint a technocrat to it. The PA constitution says the PA President has to make his selection within two weeks of any cabinet resignation. However Israeli analysts note that Abbas has ignored many other legalities ever since taking over the PA from Yasser Arafat in 2004.

Salah Bardawil, a senior Hamas official, said Ismail Haniyeh, who acts as Prime Minister of the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip, should replace Fayyad. “Ismail ought to be the legitimate Prime Minister since he was granted the confidence of the Legislative Council,” he said in a newspaper interview. “Fayyad, on the other hand, has been the Prime Minister of an illegitimate government. He has been cooperating with the occupation forces and his name has been associated with General Dayton.” Dayton was the former American military liaison in charge of US-funded training of PA security forces.

Several Israeli analysts pointed out that despite Fayyad’s popularity with American and other Western leaders, he was largely unable to slow the rapid downward spiral of the Palestinian economy, which is heavily reliant on foreign aid. In March, the International Monetary Fund issued a report that said “The Palestinian economy in Gaza and the West Bank is in a far more precarious situation that it was six months ago.” It noted that a quarter of Palestinian workers were unemployed by the end of 2012.

An accord was signed during April between the PA and Jordan, supposedly granting the Jordanian government “responsibility and control over all the Moslem and Christian holy sites” in Jerusalem. It states that Jordanian King Abdullah enjoys the “full right to exert all legal efforts to safeguard and preserve Al Quds (Jerusalem) holy sites.” In a joint statement issued by both the PA and Jordan, the accord was said to be designed to “thwart Zionist attempts to Judaize Al Quds and its holy sites.” Israeli government officials made no public comments on the accord, although analysts said they definitely prefer to have Jordan declared the responsible party over the holy sites rather than the PA, even though neither Arab government has any actual control on the ground in Jerusalem.

NETANYAHU WARNS IRAN AGAIN OF POSSIBLE ATTACK

After attending the funeral of the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on May 18, Benjamin Netanyahu told the BBC that Israel does not need anyone’s approval to exercise its right to self defense. He added the United States and other countries concur that Israel has the right under international law to defend itself as its leaders see fit. The PM said “Israel’s right to defend its existence is not subject to a traffic light. We don’t need anyone to give us the right to prevent a new Holocaust.” Netanyahu added he is certain that Iran’s Shiite Muslim leaders are determined to construct nuclear weapons and are only buying themselves more time to enrich uranium by engaging in talks with world leaders about their nuclear program. The Premier added that Israeli intelligence officials believe Iran needs to produce just 80 more kilograms of highly enriched uranium in order to construct a bomb, having already produced 170 kilograms. He said the vow that Iran’s ally North Korea has made to launch a nuclear strike upon US forces and allies in East Asia should serve to underscore the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran.

On the same day Netanyahu was interviewed, senior diplomats stationed in Vienna told reporters the Iranian regime is increasing the number of advanced centrifuges that are rapidly enriching uranium at its Natanz underground plant. “It is clear Iran can build nuclear bombs. The question is how many and how good they are,” one unidentified Western envoy was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile Iran’s armed forces chief, Major General Ataollah Salehi, told an Iranian TV network that Israel is not capable of launching a military strike against Iran. He claimed “the Zionist regime is too weak to challenge Iran militarily. The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran will give a swift and crushing response to any aggression by enemies against our country with full preparedness.”

Salehi’s bombastic remarks came soon after both Israeli Defense Minister Ya’alon and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz said that Israel is preparing for the possibility of a unilateral military strike upon Iran’s nuclear program. Gantz added that, “The IDF has the ability to attack the Iranian nuclear sites without help from other nations,” adding that top Israeli military and political leaders are “holding ongoing discussions” about the critical issue. In response, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi dismissed the comments as “worthless threats” since “the Zionist regime is not so unwise as to commit suicide.” He boasted that his military forces are “prepared for a rapid reaction to any adventure by the Zionist regime.”

Last month, supreme Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed that both Tel Aviv and Haifa would be obliterated if Israeli leaders “make the slightest mistake” against the Islamic Republic. Some Israeli analysts warn that Iran may have already moved short-range field nuclear weapons into Lebanon, controlled by Iranian Revolutionary Guards stationed with Hizbullah militia forces in the country. They say such weapons, which were positioned on both side of divided Germany during the Cold War, could have been constructed by either North Korea or Pakistan, both declared nuclear powers with ties to Iran.

Concerning the warfare in neighboring Syria, Gantz said the IDF is preparing for a possible military confrontation with both Syria and Lebanon. “We are ready, at any given time, and in an immediate manner, for a war with Syria, both on the defense and on the offense. I don’t see it happening tomorrow morning, but despite that we are ready.” In his BBC interview, PM Netanyahu also spoke of the fighting in Syria, repeating earlier statements that Israel will not allow the regime’s large chemical weapons stockpile to fall into either the hands of Syrian rebel forces or Hizbullah. As for the question of whether or not Western nations should help arm the rebel forces, the Premier noted that “terrorist groups such as Al Qaida, Hizbullah and Islamic Jihad” are all operating inside Syria alongside local fighters. He warned that if any of these groups gain control over the regime’s chemical weapons, it could “present a terrorist threat on a worldwide scale.”

In these days of increasing terror attacks, wars and rumors of wars, it is a blessing to recall the many prophecies of ultimate shalom that have come from the Father of Lights. Among them is this one found in Isaiah 62:11: “Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the ends of the earth; say to the daughter of Zion, ‘behold your salvation comes. And His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him.’”

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DAVID DOLAN s a Jerusalem-based author and journalist who has lived and worked in Israel since 1980. That is the bulk of his life. HOLY WAR FOR THE PROMISED LAND (Broadman & Holman) is an overview of the history of the Israel and of the bitter Arab-Israeli conflict that rages there, plus some autobiographical details about the author’s experiences living in the land since 1980. It especially examines the important role that militant Islam plays in the conflict.

ISRAEL IN CRISIS: WHAT LIES AHEAD? (Baker/Revell), which examines the political and biblical prospects for a regional attack upon Israel, settlement in the disputed territories, and related topics, is also available for purchase, along with an updated edition of his popular end-time novel, THE END OF DAYS (21st Century Press).
For information about his two novels, THE END OF DAYS and MILLENNIUM: THE LORD REIGNS, go to www.ddolan.com Yochannan my be coming soon.

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