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Featured Article: Invictus
Netanyahu: Iran responsible for more than 80% of Israel's security concerns
Putin ramps up Syria pact with Iran in US absence
'Floods, Volcanoes, Fires, Evil Spirits, Storms and Earthquakes' Will Come in Divine Judgement: Rabbi
Glimpses of Babylon
Woe to Israel in a Post Two Witness Great Tribulation World!
Daily Jot: Suspend your disbelief-we must answer the call
Daily Devotion: A Prescription for Spiritual Drought
Invictus - Pete Garcia - http://www.omegaletter.com/articles/articles.asp?ArticleID=8400
''As long as what you are afraid of is something evil, you may still hope that the good may come to your rescue. But suppose you struggle through to the good and find that it also is dreadful? How if food itself turns out to be the very thing you can't eat, and home the very place you can't live, and your very comforter the person who makes you uncomfortable? Then, indeed, there is no rescue possible: the last card has been played.'' -C. S. LEWIS, Perelandra
The Lament
Who am I? I know who I see in the mirror, but who am I really?
What is my purpose in this life? Is it simply to live, work, procreate, and die?
When I die, where do I go? Is there anything after this life? How can I be sure in what I believe to come next is right?
Why do I exist?
These thoughts relentlessly run through my head; constantly demanding answers to questions I cannot answer. My subconscious wants answers to questions I cannot even formulate into coherent thoughts. These are urgings and utterings that come from deep within myself that yearn and long for something more than this. But what? What is it that my soul yearns for...if even a 'soul' exists?
So many competing religions today. So many competing ideologies. Each place exclusive claims on the truth, but who can know? What is truth? Is it subjective or objective? Is the truth different for different people, or does it stand alone regardless of the viewer?
My only solace is to try and ignore the topic altogether. To avoid it at all costs and busy myself in the cares and affairs of this life. But these are only half-measures. When I am alone or when I witness death or hear of it, I am reminded of my own mortality. Then these thoughts and questions rush back into my mind.
Here again I tremble at the thought of the great, unknown future. Not a passing worry mind you, but a deep-seated fear that troubles my subconscious even in the midst of a crowd. I put on a brave face, but even worse is when I am alone and I think on these things. The unknown brings on me an overwhelming sense of dread and consternation. Words do no justice to my sense of foreboding in these matters.
I fear two things in these regards: First that I ask questions to which I have no answer to, and second, that my avoidance may lead to callousness in these matters. Perhaps the real issue is that I want answers to questions I may not be ready for.
Why does education fail to quench this thirst for answers? Science states that I am an accident. I am simply cells and tissue that have evolved from lower life-form from eons past. If I am mere flesh and bone, why do I yearn for something greater? Why are my passionate inquiries silenced when put to the test of truth? If I have a soul, who put it there? Was there some purpose for my being, or am I some kind of cosmic glitch accidently brought in to self-awareness?
If I am not an accident, but simply part of a predetermined, evolutionary process...then why do I question my purpose? Shouldn't my purpose have been ingrained in my DNA to simply know and do like that of an animal's instinct?
Why is there suffering and misery on the one hand, but joy and obliviousness in the other? Who decides who gets which? And death...the fairness or unfairness of it, marks some young, some old and who or what decides which?
But death becomes the great equalizer for all mankind. Death comes for us all in the end. The rich, the poor, the famous, the unknown, the proud, the pitied, the wise, and the fool; all suffer under death's cruel heel. A brother to Death is Time. Whereas Death remains impatient, time remains long suffering. Yet, they work in tandem these two-always denying the other until the person at hand expires amidst their cosmic and ancient game of tug-of-war. Time always says tomorrow when death says today. But the one thing man wants most, and is cruelly denied, is more time.
But it is not just time we want, but time in our healthy years. We fear death in the season of our youth, but embrace it in our aging. More often than not, time has its way. It wracks our mind and weakens our bodies till we one day desire to embrace that icy, cold grip of death's sweet embrace for but a moment of respite. At that point, we all want what we claim the dead to possess...which is to rest in peace and be rid of this wearisome world with all its heartache and troubles.
Or so I thought. Do the dead really rest in peace? Or do they blink out of existence never to be seen or heard from again? Or do they go somewhere worse? I could not know...or could I? William Earnest Henley once wrote in his epic poem Invictus;
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I cannot share in his bravado. I fear that perhaps there is some kind of cosmic reckoning or judgment I will have to undergo. Will my good deeds outweigh my bad? Is good and bad relative to the context in which I find my life? I fear that without some kind of redemption, my dark premonition will only ripen and sour as my days on earth grow shorter. My very shadow haunts the ground I walk on and reminds me that my days are numbered when it grows long in the fading light of dusk.
And then I heard it.
It startled me. Not a loud audible voice, but one that came from within me yet apart from my own stream of consciousness. It was a whisper in the storm. It was soft but powerful and filled both with care and confidence. A still, small voice that pierced through the noise and the distractions of the world around me. He said...
...before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
He formed me. He knew me. I marveled at those thoughts. How could someone know me before I existed? This would mean He knew my faults, my failings, my successes, my victories, my inadequacies and yet here I am. I am not famous. I am not 'noteworthy'. And as soon as my initial astonishment set in, a panic also emerged.
Who knew me?
This presupposes that "He" is something or someone greater than "I". But who was this mysterious interloper into my own thoughts? My mind reeled from the possibilities but then it happened again as if to answer the question I had just thought. That voice...His voice interrupted my own internal tempest saying...
...before Abraham was, I am.
That phrase...I had heard that phrase before, but where? A movie or book perhaps?
A simple search online offered me the answer almost immediately. It was from Jesus of the Christian Bible. Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus the Christ. He said it to some Pharisees who were accusing Him of something or other. When He said it, according to this passage, they were enraged at Him, but why? Why would they care about being before this man Abraham?
Another search yielded my answer almost as quickly. Essentially, Jesus was equating Himself with God. That phrase...I AM, is the name God gave to a man named Moses, whom the Pharisees revered above all others. So this Jesus was saying that He was God...which is why they were enraged. This drove my curiosity deeper into the Christian bible to see more of this Man named Jesus.
The Delight
Days and weeks have transpired and I have been pouring through the bible learning about this man Jesus of Nazareth. This is one who defied the religious authorities of His day to bring in a kingdom for which they were not ready. In the end, they tried Him, tortured Him, and killed Him on a cross. But not just them, but the Romans as well. A Roman Procurator named Pontius Pilate even asked the very same question I had...what is truth? According to my readings of the Gospels, Jesus died but did not stay dead. He robbed death of its victory and overcame time by resurrecting Himself back from the dead.
This Man defeated the very things I feared most....time, death, and the unknown.
According to the beginning of the Bible, the father of the human race, Adam, had sinned thus tying all men to this same fate. But Jesus never sinned and thus was not be bound to death's cruel grip. Although He never sinned, He willingly became sin by taking all of mankind's sin and died in their place. This is one who was before time, before death, before sin, but subjugated Himself at the bequest of His Father to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
I had not known what sin was before reading Scripture, but I knew in my soul (I know I have one now) that my sin was the bad and ugly things I did on a daily basis. The Bible says that above all else, God is holy and will not tolerate the presence of sin. This is what separated me from God. This feeds into my understanding of the yearning and longing I had for something greater, but not knowing what. It also explains my need for redemption. Redemption from something at the time I knew I needed, but did not know from what.
I understand now why Jesus had to come, because man (me) is incapable of saving ourselves. I also understand now that this is what distinguishes Christianity from every other religion and ideology on the planet. At its root, Christianity declares that man is incapable of saving himself through deeds (either good or bad) and thus, could never be declared righteous and suitable to live with God in eternity. A person has to be covered by the righteous blood of Christ in order to be declared righteous. Jesus is the only way. Jesus is the only truth. Jesus is the only life and there is no other way.
In closing, I have found the way, and it is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that if a man believes this in his heart, and confesses this with his mouth, that he can be saved, forever.
I am His now because He purchased me with His own sacrifice and I am part of Him. As a guarantee of this divine transaction, God (the Father), has imparted to me and in me, God the Holy Spirit, who now indwells me until the day I myself am redeemed. When I die or when the Lord returns, either way I will be with Him.
I no longer fear the unknown. I know that when I close my eyes in this life, I will awaken them in the next. I know that once this mortal life wears out, that I will be clothed in immortality. The future once seemed to me dark and fearful, now appears bright and indescribable. Why should I fear death any longer? If I die I simply go to a place far greater than where I am now. I know why I am here. I exist to serve Him and do this in whatever station of life I find myself. As a father, a husband, a worker, a leader, and in everything I do, I do for His glory. The Lord is the captain of my fate. Jesus Christ is the captain of my soul.
And that voice again came to me. He said;
Surely I am coming quickly!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Netanyahu: Iran responsible for more than 80% of Israel's security concerns - By Herb Keinon - http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Benjamin-Netanyahu/Netanyahu-Iran-responsible-for-more-than-80-percent-of-Israels-security-concerns-483354
According to foreign reports, Israel has acted on a number of occasions to disrupt arms shipments from Iran intended for Hezbollah.
Iran is responsible for more than 80% of Israel's security problems, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday, quoting one of the country's security agencies.
"We are not deterred, and are also building out strength," he said at a ceremony in the Foreign Ministry marking 25 years to the bombing of the embassy in Buenos Aires. "Since the attack in Argentina, Israel has gotten much stronger."
Netanyahu said that it was clear from the very beginning that Iran was behind that bombing, which killed 29 people, including Israeli diplomats, and injured 250 more.
"Iran initiated and planned it, and Hezbollah, which does what it [Iran] says, carried it out," he said.
That alliance will be foremost on Netanyahu's mind when he travels to Russia on Thursday. The premier has made clear in recent weeks that Jerusalem is very concerned that Iran is increasingly establishing a permanent foothold in Syria, and he will discuss this - and the close Iranian-Hezbollah alliance - when he meets in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We will strongly oppose arming Hezbollah with dangerous weapons," Netanyahu said. "Our red-lines are thick and clear, and we do not hesitate to act in order to preserve them."
If the 1992 bombing wasn't enough proof of the reach of Iran's terrorist tentacles, the blast two years later at the AMIA building in Buenos Aires - where 87 people were killed and 100 injured - was another indication of the Islamic republic's malicious designs, Netanyahu said.
"Iran is the greatest generator of terrorism in the world," Netanyahu said, adding there is a need to fight this terrorism which is just one of of Iran's arms of aggression. He said the other arms included its desire for nuclear arms, its development of ballistic missiles, and its sowing of instability through the Middle East.
In addition, he said, the Iranian regime "continue to threaten Israel with destruction."
Putin ramps up Syria pact with Iran in US absence - http://www.debka.com/article/25952/Putin-ramps-up-Syria-pact-with-Iran-in-US-absence
Constantly bombarded by allegations that his campaign associated with Russian intelligence, US President Donald Trump has held back from going through with his original plan for teaming up with Moscow in Syria for the important campaigns of wiping out the Islamic State and relieving Syria of Iran's iron grip.
His entire Middle East policy is up in the air, while he grapples with domestic foes. The much talked-of US coalition with its regional allies, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Israel, is also in abeyance.
Amid the uncertainty about the Trump administration's future steps, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is unlikely to make much headway in his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, March 9,
debkafile's intelligence and military sources report that, even if he does persuade Putin to stick to his promise to prevent Iran and Hezbollah from deploying troops on the Syrian-Israeli border opposite the Golan, he won't get far in his bid to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent military and naval presence in Syria.
This is the situation stacking up against Netanyahu:
1. The Trump administration has decided not to decide on Middle East policy - and Syria, in particular - while engaged in dodging his domestic enemies' Russian arrows.
2. Some of the president's advisers maintain that the state of indecision in Washington may turn out into an advantage. It might not be a bad thing for Moscow to carry the heavy lifting of tackling ISIS, Iran and Hizballah, rather than putting US troops in harm's way.
3. Putin is not waiting for Trump and is already on the move, debkafile's sources report.
Friday, March 3, Russian special operations units recovered the Syrian town of Palmyra from the Islamic State.
That day too, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), composed predominantly of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia and Arab tribesmen from the north, agreed to hand over their positions in the strategic town of Manjib to the Russians and the Syrian army,
The SDF was created, trained, armed and funded by the United States as the potential spearhead force for the offensive against the Islamic State. This force was able to last year to capture the small (pop: 50,000) northern town of Manjib, 30km west of the Euphrates, thanks only to US aerial bombardments of ISIS positions and American advisers.
How come that this important US ally suddenly surrendered its positions to the Russians and Assad's army?
There is more than one reason. Firstly, the SDF's Kurdish and Arab commanders apparently decided to give up on waiting for Washington to come round, especially since the only weapons they had received from the Obama administration for fighting ISIS were Kalashnikov AK-74 rifles.
Moreover, the Kurds' most implacable arch enemy is breathing down their necks. On March 1, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan threatened to order his army, which has occupied northern Syria since last year, to seize Manjib. He said: "Manjib is a city that belongs to the Arabs and the SDF must not be in Raqqa either."
The Kurdish-Arab force decided to take the Turkish leader at his word. Believing him to be close to Trump, its leaders decided their services were being dispensed with. They saw no point therefore in wasting and risking their troops in battles in the US interest. In this situation, Moscow looked like a better bet.
debkafile's military sources stress that, when the Russians say they are working with the Syrian army, they really mean the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the pro-Iranian Shiite militias and Hezbollah, because most Syrian army's units were decimated by nearly six years of civil war, or exist only on paper.
That being so, even if Putin does promise Netanyahu to distance Iranian and pro-Iranian troops from the Syrian-Israeli border, he may not be in a position to honor his pledge. With the Americans far away, they are Russia's main partners on the ground for achieving his future goals in Syria.
'Floods, Volcanoes, Fires, Evil Spirits, Storms and Earthquakes' Will Come in Divine Judgement: Rabbi - By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz - https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/84665/eerily-accurate-mystic-rabbi-predicts-cities-swallowed-up-plane-and-boat-crashes-but-israel-protected/#3rW1l9pMfFKlfY7i.99
"For the Lord GOD will do nothing but He revealeth His counsel unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:7 (The Israel Bible™)
As more of Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi's past predictions come true, a recent sermon, predicting disasters including earthquakes, storms, and plane crashes as a result of divine judgement in response to political events, takes on powerful relevance to today's times.
In his weekly sermon on Friday, Rabbi Ben Artzi,a prominent Israeli mystical rabbi, warned that these are exceptional times, with dire consequences waiting to happen. The mystical rabbi goes went great detail explaining current events in a new light, describing the cause-and-effect from an end-of-days perspective.
"The times will continue to be difficult and the judgements will continue to grow stronger: floods, volcanic eruptions, fires and heat, evil spirits, storms and earthquakes. Buildings will disappear into the ground - the ground will open up and swallow places in the world. Planes will collide and get lost, ships will get lost and sink."
His predictions follow a number of similar incidents. Last summer saw a wave of major earthquakes, including a 7.8 magnitude quake in Ecuador that killed over 500 people, and a 7.3 magnitude quake in Japan that killed over 50. Seismologists predict many more, in a phenomenon prophecy connects to the end-of days. And while lost planes are uncommon in these technologically-advanced days, it is nearly three years to the day since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished into thin air.
Rabbi Ben Artzi's other predictions focused on the Middle East, ranging from impact of Donald Trump's presidency on Israel to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and radical Islam.
The rabbi had words of reassurance for Trump supporters who believe the president will be good for the Jewish State, asserting, "Trump is doing his real work in secret, in order to fix all the things that were made crooked.
"He doesn't like to make this things public, and if he hasn't yet done what he promised, he will."
One prominent campaign promise that has yet to materialize is the much-discussed moving of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This weekend, however, with little fanfare or coverage in the media, a delegation of two congressmen arrived in Israel to begin scouting locations for the embassy in Jerusalem and putting the move into motion.
Moving on to the possibility of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, Rabbi Ben Artzi predicted there would be no advances in negotiations, explaining that coexistence runs counter to the spiritual inclination of the Arabs.
"The Palestinians and Hamas don't want peace," he pronounced. "It is inscribed in their hearts to hate the Jews and to expel them from Israel. The Palestinians can live anywhere else in the Middle East, but they choose to cope with the difficulties in Israel in order to have a chance to harm the Jews."
Despite their nefarious goals, however, he continued, the Arab world, even avowed enemies ISIS and Iran, will fail to harm Israel.
In fact, ISIS has an unexpected place in the divine plan - its role is actually to protect Israel from its enemies.
"ISIS will not be wiped out. God does not want it wiped out," the rabbi said. "ISIS creates complications all over the world in certain countries so that they will leave Israel alone. ISIS and the Muslims hate Christians more than they hate Jews."
Indeed, despite the combined effort of all the world's superpowers, including US forces and the Russian military, ISIS has yet to be defeated. Since its founding in 2014, ISIS has committed dozens of terror attacks in Europe and Turkey and killed hundreds of civilians, apart from its genocidal plan to wipe out all non-Muslims within its territories.
As for Iran, Israel has little to fear - but America does, the respected leader said.
"Iran is still working to produce nuclear weapons," the rabbi said. "America can use the [nuclear] agreement to reveal all the nuclear sites in Iran. But Israel is not in danger from these nuclear weapons. The threat of Iranian nuclear weapons is to America and the rest of the world."
Rabbi Ben Artzi has made similar predictions in the past that have come true in shocking detail. Last month, Breaking Israel News reported a prediction made by the rabbi that black magic will make a comeback in the world, focused on world leaders like US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Less than two weeks later, opponents of President Trump gathered outside Trump Tower in New York City in an attempt to curse the president and his supporters, sending out a call on social media for others to join in, with detailed instructions on how to perform the black magic.
Another of the rabbi's predictions that materialized concerned Russia providing Iran with the advanced S-300 anti-aircraft weapons system last summer.
"These missiles, which can shoot down practically any plane, will get a virus in their computers, and go crazy," Rabbi Ben Artzi reassured his followers in September. "They will blow up inside their bunkers. The launcher will blow up underneath them."
Glimpses of Babylon - By Daymond Duck - http://www.raptureready.com/2017/03/05/glimpses-of-babylon/
While trying to decide what to write, it occurred to me or God pointed out to me three things that were in the news this week that may have implications for the Tribulation period and the rebuilding of the ancient city of Babylon.
These three things are: witchcraft, slavery and the security of Iraq (with its implications for the rebuilt city of Babylon).
The worship of devils (demons, Satan, etc.) and sorcery are clearly identified as a worldwide (rest of mankind) problem during the Tribulation period (Rev. 9:20-21). Multitudes of witches, wizards and others will refuse to repent of their sins because they have too often rejected the Word of God and their hearts have become hardened.
Slavery and human trafficking are businesses that will tank when the ancient city of Babylon is destroyed by fire in one hour near the end of the Tribulation period. The loss of sales will cause the merchants of the earth to weep and mourn (Rev. 18:11-13).
The security of Iraq shouldn't be a problem today because the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003. Four years later, U.S. Gen. David Petraeus led a surge in Iraq that made the nation quieter and more secure than it had been in several years.
Unfortunately, America's troops were pulled out of Iraq too soon; ISIS moved in, Iraq's security was destroyed, and America's war effort was squandered.
Anyway, at one time, some might have thought that witchcraft, human trafficking and Iraq's security would be unthinkable issues in our modern world, but that is wrong and all of it may tie in with Bible prophecy.
Concerning witchcraft, it seems that large numbers of witches and others have decided to start casting spells on Pres. Donald Trump every night of a declining crescent moon until he is driven out of office.
Demons and unclean spirits operate in the unseen world, but they are real and they can cause havoc on earth (Matt. 12:45; 1 Tim. 4:1). Christians need to counteract this by praying for Pres. Trump.
Concerning slavery, the FBI calls it the third largest criminal activity in the world. The UN estimates that there are more than 20 million victims in the world.
Pres. Trump said it is happening in the U.S. About 5,500 cases were reported in the U.S. in 2016. Statistics show that it is worse in California than any other state.
Pres. Trump's daughter Ivanka got interested in it as a woman's issue. She decided to get involved and she has influenced her father to instruct several federal agencies to start investigating it. She even got him to pledge more resources to deal with it.
Concerning the security of Iraq, I will probably receive several e-mails with the intention of correcting me, but I have often said that I believe the ancient city of Babylon will get rebuilt. For whatever it is worth, there are reasons why I believe the way I do, but that is another subject.
It is too soon to boast, but the war in Iraq has reached the point where the U.S., NATO and our allies believe victory is on its way. The Iraqi government agrees and some are beginning to think about ways to secure the nation after ISIS is defeated.
It has even been reported that they are exploring the idea of letting NATO troops stay in Iraq (the land of Babylon) to secure the nation for an unspecified period of time.
Although, I have seen nothing in the news about it, the presence of NATO troops with no pull out date will make Iraq safe enough to resume construction of the ancient city of Babylon.
It would probably even be safe enough for the UN to relocate there.
I don't remember who it was, but I once heard a prophecy speaker say Babylon is the last frontier in Bible prophecy.
Today's witchcraft, human trafficking and the security of Iraq may be providing glimpses of that approaching frontier.
In case anyone doubts it, the United Arab Emirates have proven that a modern major city (Dubai) can be built in a few years not decades.
And if enough of the world's leaders were to co-operate on the project, it could be done in less time.
My Review of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?"
Over the last 35 years, I have literally read hundreds of books on Bible Prophecy and End Time signs. I especially enjoy books on the Rapture, and I have read almost every Rapture-related book published. In all those years, devouring thousands of pages, and millions of words, I have not read a better book on the Rapture than, Rapture Ready...Or Not?
Terry James might be physically blind, but he is spiritually sharp and well discerning beyond most authors. In "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" Terry has nailed the pre-trib Rapture, and removed any doubt what so ever about the Church going through the Tribulation. With great insight and Godly discernment, Terry explains with simple, yet profound words, why and how that he has come to believe the ways he does about the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the End Times scenario. I think after reading "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" you too will believe as Terry does, and be Ready for the Rapture like never before! - Randy Thomas - Publisher / Editor - Prophecy Update
For more information and or to get your copy of "Rapture Ready...Or Not?" use this link: http://www.raptureready.com/terry/book35.html
Woe to Israel in a Post Two Witness Great Tribulation World! - David Pepe - http://www.theignorantfishermen.com/2017/03/woe-to-israel-in-post-two-witness-great.html
Immediately after the execution, resuscitation and ascension of the Two Witnesses (Deut. 4:Rev. 11:7-19), the nation of Israel will find herself unprotected from the world's EXPONENTIAL demonic aggression (Jer. 30:4-8, Rev. 12:13-17). The majority of Israelis at this time who have rejected the Two Witnesses 1260 day ministry will now be ready to receive and put their trust in Hell's final chosen tool; but only to be deceived and slaughtered by his hand (Dan. 7,12:1-2, Zech. 13:8-9, Matt. 24:15-19, John 5:43, 2 Thes. 2:3-12, Rev. 11:7; 13, 17:8-18). The Two Witnesses ministry in RIGHTEOUS has so vexed and tormented these godless Jews who have dwelt with them in the land (Ezek. 38, 39:26, Rev. 11:8) for the last 1260 days that these will now be more than willing to receive and rejoice in their new liberator and his victory over the Two lights of RIGHTEOUS (Rev. 11:3-7). It will be at this last EXPONENTIALLY HORRIFIC "time (times and half a time/forty two months/1260 days - Dan.7:25, 12:7, Rev. 12:14, Rev. 13:5) that Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the image, the 10 horn nations and the remaining nations of the world will seek the absolute eradication of Israel from off the face of the earth (Ezek. 39:26, Dan. 12:1, Zech. 13:8-9, 14:1-2, Matt. 24:9, Mark 13:14, Rev. 12:13-17).
What I find most amazing is that the beast and his global demonic confederacy will most specifically target the altar of Almighty God and the most holy place where God's presence is to abide for destruction, desolations and abominations (Dan. 9:27, 11:45, 12:11, Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14, 2 Thess. 2:4, Rev. 11:1-2)! The newly constructed altar of sacrifice established at the hand of the Two Witnesses has pointed for the last 1260 days to our desperate need for God's RIGHTEOUSNESS for Adam's fallen race, the Person and work of the Messiah and to the FREE GIFT of ETERNAL salvation for all the world (Lev. 1-7, Isa 53, John 19:30, Rom. 3:23, 5:11-21, 10:4, Heb. 10, John 4:10, Rev. 11:1-2). The believing remnant of Israel (including the 144,000) and gentile converts who have received the Messiah under the Two Witnesses ministry will also at this time will also be globally targeted for destruction at the hand of Satan's beast (Jer. 30:4-8, Ezek. 39:26, Dan. 7:25, 12:1,7, Zech. 13:8-9, 14:1-2, Matt. 24:15-22, Rev. 7, Rev. 14, Rev. 12:5-17, 14:12, 17:14, 20:4). Though many will be beheaded and slain for Messiah's Name at the hand of Satan's beast, these redeemed of Almighty God will find their lives in Jesus' Life and then be raised at the first resurrection to reign with their Savior and Lamb FOREVERMORE (John 3:16, 11:25, Rev. 7:14-17, 12:10-11, 20:4,6)!
Now, Israel - because of their FULL rejection of the POWERFUL 1260 day ministry of Moses and Elijah (Almighty God's Two Witnesses) - will be given over to GREAT TRIBULATION and to their reprobate mind (Deut. 4:30, Isa. 2:6-12, Jer. 30:4-7, Ezek. 39:26, Dan. 9:27, 12:1, Matt. 24:9,15-19, Rom. 1:18-32, Rev. 11:2, 8; 12:13-17). Dear friends, when Almighty God's highest and best is fully rejected in GREAT LIGHT and global MIGHT, what can be possibly left for His nation but His wrath and RIGHTEOUS judgment which will lead one third of His people to repentance (Dan. 12:1-2, 11, Jer. 30:4-8, Ezek. 39:26, Joel 2:32, Zech. 12:10-14, Matt. 24:15-22, Mark 13:9-20, Rom.11:26)!
During this EXPONENTIAL demonic post Two Witness world, the forty two month Satanic global reign of terror against Israel and the redeemed of the nations will be HORRIFIC (Jer. 30:4-7, Zech. 14:1-2, Matt. 24:9-22, Rev. 11:2, 12:13-17)! These forty two months will seem like decades as Israelis seek to survive this HORRIFIC forty two month global purge (Matt. 24:13). For those who were able to flee to the wilderness (Matt. 24:15-19, Mark 13:9-20, Rev. 12:13-17), these will be SUPER NATURALLY protected and nourished until Messiah's glorious return (Rev. 12:14). It will be during this time of Divine protection (Rev. 12:13-17) that those who are Israel's remnant at this place of protection will be nourished in the TRUTHS they have heard from the Two Witnesses of Almighty God and consider their words and ministry. However it will not be until those who are left of the nation Israel see the second coming of the Messiah from Heaven's glory that they will NOW truly comprehend ALL the words of Almighty God's Two Witnesses. Then - at this time- with GREAT contrition, repentance and weeping Israel will receive Him as their Lamb, Savior and King (Isa. 45:17, 59:20, Jer. 30:4-8, 31:33, Dan. 2:43-44, 7:13-1, Joel 2:32, Zech. 12:10-14, 13:8-9, Mal. 4:4-6, Matt. 17:11, 23:39, 26:63-64, Mark 9:12, 14:62, Rom. 11:26, Rev. 1:7, 19:11-21)!
My dear friends, the Two Witnesses (who are Moses and Elijah) are absolute crucial in understanding end time prophecy. Leave these Two out and many prophetic theories will collapse including Daniel 9:27. When we include them and place them in their proper setting in the prophetic end time plan for Israel the scriptures come to life and Almighty God's plan for His chosen people is wonderfully manifest! The seven year tribulation is all about Almighty God dealing with the nation of Israel (Dan. 9) and restoring that nation to their Divine purpose and covenant promises Almighty God made with their Fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel). It will be these Two Witnesses who arrive in sync with the Rapture of the Body of Christ, that will be used greatly by the ETERNAL Holy Spirit of Almighty God to tell an EXPONENTIAL godless, technological and lawless Israel and world that the Day of the Lord is now here and the Kingdom of Heaven is indeed at hand! (Zech. 4:1-6, John 16:8-12, Rev. 11:4)
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
Daily Jot: Suspend your disbelief-we must answer the call - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
I laid awake last night with anticipation about writing you this morning. This is very important. Every generation of American has had a test. There was the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, two World Wars-all testing whether this great country would remain free. After World War II, the venue shifted to the Cold War where communism threatened our very existence and this continued through the Vietnam War. When President Ronald Reagan's policies paid off and the Soviet Union collapsed, Americans began to believe that communism was no longer a threat. Then it reappeared in the form of Islam and now the sinister aspect of communism disguised as the Democratic Party and Globalist moderate Republicans.
This generation, you and I, face an attempted takeover of our nation. We are living it and watching it play out every day. The voters spoke. The side that was aghast at the possibility of the opposing candidate not accepting the results of the election, has not accepted the results of the election. The ex-"president" is encouraging the mayhem and we are finding out more each day how the communists and their allies are undermining President Donald Trump's ability to govern. This is serious. Our generation is facing the very real prospect of a coup. We are witnessing how it is done in third world countries--subversive government appointees, media given over to the cause, paid protesters in the streets, and so on.
Yes, this is real. Suspend your disbelief that this could happen to America. It is happening. Christian Americans kept this country together since its inception. Christian Americans fought, bled and died for the God-given freedoms man was trying to take away. Christian Americans established a form of government that promoted the spread of the gospel around the world through Constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, freedom of religious expression, and freedom to protect these precious rights, by force, if necessary. It was Christian Americans by the grace, guidance and the hand of God himself who formed a nation of laws based on the laws of God and separated from it the ability of state-sponsored religion.
Communism compels the abolition of all morals and religion, and government replaces God. It is the antithesis of our form of government. It is the anthem of those trying to overthrow our current government. Suspend your disbelief. They have had eight years of working hard to undermine our legal system, to chose which laws to enforce, to dilute our security, and to set in place an overthrow using administrative leverage with perceived public opinion. We are seeing in a very practical sense how Ephesians 6:12 plays out for a nation: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
As Christian Americans we must ask ourselves if we are going to allow usurpers to destroy the greatest beacon of freedom of speech and religion the world has ever known. Are we the generation that allows that physical light of the world, that city that is set on a hill that cannot be hid, to be snuffed out? Has bad doctrine and deception filed the weapons of apathy so sharp that we cannot persevere against them? It is time to pray and act. We must engage with others, speaking the truth in love. This is no time to withdraw. Your God-given freedoms are on the line. Spiritual wickedness is manifest in physical opposition to truth and righteousness. Suspend your disbelief. We must answer the call.
Daily Devotion: A Prescription for Spiritual Drought - Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
-Proverbs 11:25
All too often, Christians in our culture can become narcissistic and self-absorbed, always talking about their needs and problems. Meanwhile, there are people facing a certain judgment.
God addressed this problem in Isaiah 58, where His people were complaining of spiritual dryness, deadness, and unanswered prayer, even though they were observing outward ordinances like prayer and fasting. God said, "This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help" (Isaiah 58:6-7).
The passage goes on to say, "Then your salvation will come like the dawn. . . . The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring" (verses 8, 11).
Effectively God was saying, "Though you are doing all of these outward things, you have become too focused on yourselves. All you are thinking about is yourself. Here's what I have asked you to do: Reach out to other people. And then when you get your priorities right, your soul will be like a watered garden, and I will satisfy your soul in dryness."
What a wonderful promise. The key is giving out. If you are generous in giving out what God has given to you, He will replenish you in the process. We as believers have a choice: Give out or stagnate, evangelize or fossilize, give out what God has given to us, or hoard it, stagnate, and miss out on being used by Him.


text:
‧Business
Wed, Feb 20, 2019 - Page 12 News List
Machinery exports to grow 5 to 10 percent: association
By Ted Chen / Staff reporter
Taiwan's machinery industry is expected to continue to grow at an annual pace of 5 to 10 percent to surpass NT$1.2 trillion (US$38.9 billion) this year, despite headwinds from the US-China trade dispute, an industry association said yesterday.
While the dispute has raised concerns among customers worldwide, inelastic demand remains intact and would support growth this year, Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI, 台灣機械公會) chairman Alex Ko (柯拔希) was quoted as saying by the Central News Agency.
Inelastic demand from the continued adoption of automation and smart manufacturing technologies and ongoing infrastructure projects have not been affected by the trade spat, Ko said, adding that Taiwan's machinery sector is expected to grow at an annual pace of NT$80 billion to NT$100 billion.
On the upside, many suppliers of global brands have been asked to diversify their production lines beyond China, and the anticipated migration of factories to Vietnam, India and other developing markets is likely to support machinery demand, he said.
Taiwan's machinery exports last month rose 2.6 percent annually to US$2.27 billion, TAMI data showed.
With the local currency weakening last month, that translated into annual growth of 6.6 percent in New Taiwan dollar-denominated figures, TAMI said.
Premier dismisses media report on appeasing China

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
New York City All Destinations
Explore New York City
New York City Tours
All New York City Tours
Ice Parks
Ice Skating Tickets
National September 11 Memorial & Museum Tours & Tickets
Broadway Tours & Tickets
One World Observatory Tours & Tickets
Statue of Liberty Tours & Tickets
Top of the Rock Tours & Tickets
Manhattan Skyline Tours & Tickets
Empire State Building Tours & Tickets
Hudson River Park
Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July in New York City
New York City Walking Tours for Foodies
New York City for Foodies
How to Find the Best Pizza in New York City
Ice Skating in New York City
Ways to Celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve in New York City
Things to Do in New York City This Winter
Hudson River Park Tours
Hudson River Park Tours and Tickets
A hidden gem on New York City's west side, Hudson River Park includes more than 500 acres of protected urban parkland. Find a range of activities to enjoy, from riding the park's carousel to playing pickup basketball. Perhaps the best choice is a stroll or bike ride, since the park boasts four miles of waterfront.
353 West St, New York, New York, 10011
Tours and Activities to Experience Hudson River Park
You are viewing Virtual Experiences in New York City. See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. 🌎
New York City: Brooklyn Bridge & Waterfront Bike Tour (2 Hours)
See New York City's iconic attractions and diverse neighborhoods on a guided 2-wheeled tour. Cycle past skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty on a tour of Battery Park and Wall Street, and enjoy the urban scenery along the Hudson River path. Bike across the Brooklyn Bridge for a quintessential Big Apple experience, and take in fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline.
Electric Bike Tour of Central Park and Waterfront Greenway
New York City—especially the Central Park area—has a lot of ground to cover. This Central Park electric bike tour allows you to see more than you would on a walking tour and in less time. Plus, it takes you to top highlights throughout the park and lets you cruise along the bike-friendly Hudson River Waterfront Greenway for fantastic river views.
3 hours&nbsp30 minutes to 4 hours
Inside Central Park and Hudson River Bike Tour
Travel on two wheels, and enjoy the fresh air, when you go on a small-group bike tour of the West Side of Manhattan. Find your guide in the morning at Pier 78, just adjacent to the Lincoln Tunnel, where you'll pick up your bike and head out. Coast along the Hudson River Greenway, and admire the riverside and skyline views as you go. You'll glide past landmarks like the High Line, will explore Chelsea and the South Street Seaport, and more.
Private New York City Boat Tour
See New York City from the waters of the Hudson River on your own private motorboat tour. Enjoy two hours of sightseeing with stops at the Brooklyn Bridge, Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) and Statue of Liberty. Bring your group of up to six people along with your own food or drink for this exclusive New York boating experience. Your tour departs from a convenient location in lower Manhattan.
Hudson River Bike Rental
Spend the day exploring Lower Manhattan's architecture, sites, landmarks, and coastal views with this convenient bike rental. Perfect for independent travelers, choosing a rental rather than a tour lets you go at your own pace and spend as long as you want at each stop. Plus, traveling by bike enables you to fit in more sights than you can on foot.
Manhattan Neighborhoods with Central Park Bike Tour
New York's vast size and confusing transit system can be overwhelming to navigate. On an active and eco-friendly cycling tour, cover the city's major highlights without getting lost or stuck underground on the subway. Rides through popular areas including Southstreet Seaport, Chelsea Piers, the Upper West Side, and Central Park give you a feel for New York City's bustling atmosphere and leave you with a lay of the land.
New York Highlights Bike Tour
Traveling by bike means you can cover more distance than on foot and avoid New York's notorious traffic. On this tour, set out from Central Park, cycle most of the length of Manhattan, and see more of the sights in less time. Stop along the way to see St. John the Divine (North America's largest cathedral), Columbia University, and Riverside Park; follow the Hudson River into downtown; and finish in Lower Manhattan by the Brooklyn Bridge.
High Line & Hudson Yards Small Group Walking Tour
If you love public art, innovative design, and urban adventure, then there's one New York City attraction that you shouldn't miss: the High Line. Escape the city's hustle and bustle on this rejuvenating High Line hike, where you stroll an elevated park with well-tended gardens, works of public art, and views of the skyline and Hudson River. Along the way, pass Vessel, an interactive artwork at Hudson Yards, and end your tour at the renowned Chelsea Market.
New York Electric Bike Rentals
Save your energy, avoid blisters, and cover more ground than possible on foot by renting a comfortable and efficient e-bike to explore Central Park. Pedal down miles of paths and take in the art, architecture, and history that make Central Park unique, taking breaks whenever and wherever you want.
Ultimate NYC Tour
Departing From Kearney NY seeing all the sites in NJ and first stop Statue of Liberty and Skyline of NYC
NYC Electric Bike Tour of Midtown, Central Park, and Times Square
Pedal around New York City without breaking a sweat on this electric bike tour. Follow your guide through Central Park, Midtown, and the Hudson Greenway without worrying about navigating the city's busy streets; leave that to your guide. Simply take in the scenery, spot landmarks like Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and use the electric pedal assist to help you power your hassle-free ride.
Cycle To NYC's Top Sites In One Day
Have only a short stay planned in New York? See more of the city in less time, and get up close and personal with the sights, on this private bike tour. Perfect for experienced urban cyclists, this excursion will take you to two boroughs, and past landmarks like Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and more. As you go, your guide will share the stories behind the sights, plus insider New York knowledge.
New York City Private Boat Tour with a Licensed Guide
Enjoy two hours of sightseeing with stops at the Brooklyn Bridge, Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) and Statue of Liberty. See New York City from the waters of the Hudson River on your own private motorboat tour. Bring your group of up to six people along with your own food or drink for this exclusive New York boating experience. Your tour departs from a convenient location in lower Manhattan.
What''s the best way to experience Hudson River Park ?
The best ways to experience Hudson River Park are:
More Tours in New York City
Things to do near New York City
More attractions near New York City
Friends Building
New York City West Village
Whitney Museum of American Art (The Whitney)
Cafe Wha?
Ground Zero Museum Workshop
Museum of Interesting Things
Astor Place Theatre
Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex
Recommended for New York City


text:
An innovative approach to individualizing patient rehabilitation in fracture care is moving closer to clinical trials. The AO Fracture Monitor, a biofeedback sensor system that continuously and objectively monitors bone healing progression, arose from discussions between Dr Markus Windolf, AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) Leader of the Focus Area Concept Development, and AO Foundation founding father and longtime ARI Director Prof Stephan Perren.
The concept involves an implantable data logger attached to a standard bone plate and a smartphone app that wirelessly connects with the data logger, downloading the information. A central web server collects and stores data from the patient's smartphone for visualization, and the patient's physician gains a high-value aid to their decision-making on further treatment.
"Measuring fracture healing through implant deformation is not a new idea, but continuously acquiring this information together with data on fracture activity is something new," Windolf said. "A better understanding of how fractures heal and being able to objectively measure the healing process helps deliver better outcomes for patients."
The AO Fracture Monitor measures the deflection of the stabilizing implant under physiological loading for up to eight months postoperatively and, at the same time, delivers patient mobility information. The project was initially funded by an AOTrauma Research Grant to develop the first prototype and measure fracture healing in the frame of animal experiments. An external fixation (ExFix) version of the device has been tested in clinical trials to obtain clinical proof of concept with strong support from the AOTK System. Now, thanks to AO Development Incubator (AODI) support, the AO Fracture Monitor is moving towards patient trials in 2020. This AODI support helps pave the way to the translation of this promising concept into clinical use.
"There is no device on the market that can objectively measure fracture healing. It can be considered a disruptive technology because x-rays are the current standard of care, and that sometimes can be difficult because it puts clinicians in the position of waiting as long as six months postoperatively to diagnose fracture healing complications—a period of patient suffering and lost productivity that could be significantly shortened with such technology," Windolf said.
"Furthermore, we won't need to fear reinjury of the bone because we will know when the patient is ready to fully bear weight on the fracture," he added. "The earlier the patient can bear weight, the better, because that means the patient can go back to normal life as quickly as possible."
Windolf said clinical trials to validate the implantable version of the AO Fracture Monitor are a key part of the support provided by the AO Development Incubator.
"Without AODI support, there is no way we could finance such a project in the AO," he said, explaining that the AODI fosters novel concepts like the AO Fracture Monitor that support the AO Foundation's mission of promoting excellence in patient care and outcomes in trauma and musculoskeletal disorders. That support ranges from financing to the know-how needed to build and execute project plans toward market introduction.
"The AODI is a natural fit. It's all about translating our ideas from research into clinical application. The AODI is quite an important vehicle for us because it is willing to take on more potentially disruptive technologies."
As with any innovative medical device, the AO Fracture Monitor could encounter regulatory and reimbursement hurdles, but Windolf is confident of the business case behind it.
"We are constantly receiving feedback from surgeons who indicate that the market is waiting for this solution," he said.
In addition to Windolf, the AO Fracture Monitor project team at ARI includes Manuela Ernst (Project Leader, Biomedical Development), Ronald Schwyn (Project Leader, Biomedical Development), Viktor Varjas (Project Leader, Biomedical Development), Dominic Gehweiler (Project Leader, Biomedical Development). Medical advisor is Prof Tim Pohlemann, a member of the AO Foundation Board.


text:
package at.eht.stream.service;

import android.app.Service;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.os.IBinder;
import android.util.Log;

import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.List;

import at.eht.stream.persistence.DatasetMetadataManager;
import at.eht.stream.persistence.SampleBatchDAO;
import at.eht.stream.model.SampleBatch;
import at.eht.stream.webservice.OnRequestCompleted;
import at.eht.stream.webservice.RequestPosterTask;
import at.eht.stream.webservice.Response;
import at.eht.stream.webservice.SubmitBatchRequest;
import at.eht.stream.webservice.SubmitBatchResponse;
import at.eht.stream.webservice.SubmitLargeBatchRequest;
import at.eht.stream.webservice.SubmitLargeBatchResponse;

/**
 * @author Markus Deutsch
 */
public class UploadService extends Service {

    public final String LOG_TAG = "UploadService";
    private int errorCount = 0;
    private final int maxErrorCount = 3;
    private long numberOfTotalUploads = 0;
    private long numberOfTransmissions = 0;

    public static final String KEY_TOTAL = "totalUploads";
    public static final String KEY_CURRENT = "currentUploads";
    public static final String ACTION_DATAUPLOADED = "at.eht.stream.ACTION_DATA_UPLOADED";

    @Override
    public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
        return null;
    }

    @Override
    public void onCreate() {
        super.onCreate();
        SampleBatchDAO.init(this);
        startUploading();
    }

    @Override
    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
        return START_STICKY;
    }

    @Override
    public void onDestroy() {
        super.onDestroy();
    }

    private void startUploading(){
        numberOfTotalUploads = SampleBatchDAO.getNumberOfBatches();
        numberOfTransmissions = 0;
        sendDataUpdatedBroadcast();
        uploadNextFew();
    }

    private void uploadNextFew(){
        List<SampleBatch> sampleBatches = SampleBatchDAO.findNextFew(5);
        if(sampleBatches == null || sampleBatches.size() < 1 || numberOfTransmissions >= numberOfTotalUploads){
            stopSelf();
            return;
        }

        new RequestPosterTask().execute(new SubmitLargeBatchRequest(new OnRequestCompleted() {
            @Override
            public void onSuccess(Response response) {
                SubmitLargeBatchResponse batchResponse = (SubmitLargeBatchResponse) response;
                Log.d(LOG_TAG, "Successfully transmitted batch: " + Arrays.toString(batchResponse.getBatchIds().toArray()));
                List<String> batchIds = batchResponse.getBatchIds();
                for (String batchId : batchIds) {
                    if(SampleBatchDAO.deleteByHash(batchId)){
                        errorCount = 0;
                        numberOfTransmissions++;
                        Log.d(LOG_TAG, "Deleting " + batchId + " OK.");
                    } else {
                        errorCount++;
                        Log.e(LOG_TAG, "Deleting " + batchId + " failed.");
                    }
                }
                sendDataUpdatedBroadcast();
                uploadNextFew();
            }

            @Override
            public void onError(Response response) {
                errorCount++;
                if(errorCount < maxErrorCount){
                    uploadNextFew();
                } else {
                    stopSelf();
                }
            }
        }, sampleBatches, DatasetMetadataManager.getInstance(this).getDatasetTitle()));

    }

    private void uploadNext(){
        SampleBatch sampleBatch = SampleBatchDAO.findNext();
        if(sampleBatch == null || numberOfTransmissions >= numberOfTotalUploads){
            stopSelf();
            return;
        }

        new RequestPosterTask().execute(new SubmitBatchRequest(new OnRequestCompleted() {
            @Override
            public void onSuccess(Response response) {
                SubmitBatchResponse batchResponse = (SubmitBatchResponse) response;
                Log.d(LOG_TAG, "Successfully transmitted batch: " + batchResponse.getBatchId());
                if(SampleBatchDAO.deleteByHash(batchResponse.getBatchId())){
                    errorCount = 0;
                    numberOfTransmissions++;
                    sendDataUpdatedBroadcast();
                } else {
                    errorCount++;
                }
                uploadNext();
            }

            @Override
            public void onError(Response response) {
                errorCount++;
                if(errorCount < maxErrorCount){
                    uploadNext();
                } else {
                    stopSelf();
                }
            }
        }, sampleBatch, DatasetMetadataManager.getInstance(this).getDatasetTitle()));

    }

    private void sendDataUpdatedBroadcast(){
        Intent intent = new Intent(ACTION_DATAUPLOADED);
        intent.putExtra(KEY_CURRENT, numberOfTransmissions);
        intent.putExtra(KEY_TOTAL, numberOfTotalUploads);
        sendBroadcast(intent);
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Knute Larson runs in his everyday life, but he also knows the significance of the marathon of life. As a pastor for 43 years and a church coach for eight, he understands the many choices and mistakes that go into training for, then running, a marathon of either kind. This book contains a conversation between Larson and readers about how to run their best race – the great human race.