Assad and Ahmadinejad under intense pressure

Desperate people do desperate things

Pro-Iranian officers in Syria's ruling clique plot coup against Assad
"until now Assad has restricted incoming Iranian aid to ammunition and anti-riot equipment – fresh supplies of which Iranian military aircraft landed in Damascus in the last 24 hours. But he denied landing permission to another Iranian flight which carried 200 members of Revolutionary Guard special units trained to break up demonstrations in urban areas. That plane returned to Tehran."

Iran Power Struggles Pits Clerics Against Ahmadinejad
Regarding apocalypticism, one recent episode that sparked much controversy was the countrywide distribution of millions of DVDs titled "Zohour Nazdic Ast" (Reappearance Is Imminent) in reference to the Mahdi or "Hidden Imam" who will usher in the Islamic Day of Judgment. Produced by the pro-Ahmadinejad institute Mobasheran-e Mahdi, the DVD claims that the president, Khamenei, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah are the prophesied commanders who fight the "enemy" for seventy-two months before the Mahdi reappears.

Israeli official: We are troubled by developments in Egypt
"In an interview with Al Jazeera Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Elaraby said the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza will open on a permanent basis within seven to ten days.

He said steps would be taken in order to alleviate the 'suffering of the Palestinian people.'"

Iran's president and supreme leader in rift over minister's reinstatement
"A rift is emerging between Iran's president and its supreme leader, prompting several members of the parliament to call for the impeachment of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has not been seen in public for days."

Will Mahmoud get his chance to hasten the arrival of his al Mahdi, the 12th Imam? Desperate people do desperate things.

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Israeli 'tunnel rats' to fight Hezbollah

U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks in recent months indicate that Israeli planners believe the next war with Hezbollah will last up to two months.

During that time 24,000-36,000 rockets and missiles are expected to be unleashed against Israel -- an unprecedented assault. Some 6,000 of these will be aimed at the urban area around Tel Aviv, Israel's largest city, where at least 1 million people live.

The casualty toll is expected to reach 3,500, with at last 100 civilian fatalities.
The cables filed by the U.S. Embassy in November 2009 noted that Israeli military chiefs estimated Hezbollah would fire 400-600 rockets a day during the conflict, 100 of them aimed at Tel Aviv.

Ahmadinejad absence fuels talks of Iran political crisis
"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's absence from a cabinet meeting Wednesday, his second no-show this week, and his absence from the public light since April 22, have fuelled talks of a serious political crisis in Iran"

Abbas hints peace talks with Israel still possible
"'Our plan does not involve negotiations with Israel or recognizing it,' [Hamas official] Zahar said. 'It will be impossible for an interim government to take part in the peace process with Israel.'"

Haniyeh (Hamas) and Abbas (PA)

Hamas: National unity gov't won't take part in peace talks
"Mahmoud Zahar says new Hamas-Fatah agreement doesn't mean terror group will recognize Israel or that it will participate in peace negotiations; Netanyahu says PA must choose between peace with Israel, peace with Hamas

Earlier, following a series of secret meetings in Cairo and Damascus over the past few weeks, Hamas and Fatah announced that they struck a deal to form a “national unity” government, and hold elections within a year."

Hamas-Fatah pact: Is the peace process over?
"Today, Fatah and the terrorist organization Hamas announced they’ve made a pact."

Iran’s Supreme Leader Declared the Mythical Figure in End of Times
"...there can be no doubt that the Iranian regime is truly messianic and that once they have their nuclear bomb, they will attempt to bring about the end of times and the reappearance of Imam Mahdi, as they have clearly shown in the movie. They intend to do this by destroying Israel and bringing about a total breakdown of the global economy."

Chinese Police Detain Illegal Church Members on Easter
"BEIJING – Chinese police detained at least 30 Christians belonging to an unregistered Beijing church as the congregation gathered Sunday for an Easter service, a church member said."

OK, let me get this straight:
we're arming al Qaeda to fight against Gadhaffi, while Assad in Syria is shooting mourners at funerals and the West does absolutely nothing about that?! Not to mention complete inaction against Iran's jailing, shooting, and killing of the opposition. So remind me again why the West has decided to intervene in Libya, but decided to leave Syria and Iran alone.

What a crazy world we live in! Only Christ can save us from our world "leaders".

DEBKAfile Syrian snipers kill 15 mourners at protesters' funerals Saturday
"Security forces and demonstrators continued to clash Saturday, April 23 in Damascus, Hama, Daraa and nearby Izraa after Friday's bloodbath left more than 100 dead and hundreds injured. Syrian snipers shot dead at least 15 mourners, injured dozens, at the funerals."

Violence in another McDonalds almost kills customer

Why nobody breaks up fights at McDonalds...

Dad who split up fight in McDonald's shot dead
"A DAD-of-four who split up a fight in a McDonald’s was shot dead moments after being told he wouldn’t see the morning."

Pastor Seeking to Protest at Mosque Briefly Jailed
"The scheduled protest by the Rev. Terry Jones was supposed to occur at 5 p.m. Friday, but was scuttled by the court proceedings. A jury decided his past actions were evidence the protest outside the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn could lead to violence."


Who would be perpetrating the violence? Muslims of course. Muslims can demonstrate and call for Jihad all they want, but as soon as a whistleblower steps up and calls them out - the whistleblower is jailed. How absurd is that?!

Clergy united in their mission to protest rally by Florida pastor
"The Rev. Ron Griffin of the Rose of Sharon Church of God in Christ in Detroit attended the program and vigil, and said the event was important. “We’ve got to stop allowing fringe individuals to come and divide us,” he said. “We need to send a message that we’re not going to allow that.”"


If these pastors were not ignorant of Islam, they'd realize that Islam is incompatible with ANY other religion. And these pastors are the leaders of their flock?


The Quran says:

The Jews call Ezra a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth! (9:30)


Christians are blasphemers (5:17, 5:73) who have invented a lie about Allah (10:68-69) by ascribing partners to Allah (ie. the Trinity).  Inventing a lie about Allah is the worst of sins (7:37, 29:68) and for this reason Christians are condemned to Hell (10:70).  Although one (early Medinan) verse seems to say that righteous Christians will go to heaven, this is abrogated by later verses that make it very clear that Christians must cease being Christian (ie. reject the Trinity) or suffer eternal torment for their beliefs (5:72-73).


The Quran assures believers that Jews and Christians have “diseased hearts” (5:52).  Allah even takes credit for the enmity between them (5:14).  Only Jews and Christians who submit to Islamic subjugation and pay the Jizya are protected in this world (9:29 & Ibn Ishaq 956).


Anyone who gives up his religion is a “perverted transgressor” (3:82).  Perverted as well is anyone who denies Allah (40:63) or does not believe Muhammad (2:99).  Freedom of conscience does not exist in Islam.  Muhammad clearly prescribed the death penalty for apostates (Bukhari 52:260).

Bigger Than Christmas

Ultimately the only thing that matters is the Cross and our response to it

 

thereligionofpeace.com

Egyptian Protesters Call for Removal of Coptic Christian Governor
"Egyptian protesters -- some believed to be radical Islamists -- have surrounded the office of a newly appointed Coptic Christian governor Thursday in an attempt to force his resignation."

Former diplomat warns of Palestinian state
"As a strategy, Israel needs to think about the day after the vote"

'Statehood may be Pyrrhic victory for Palestinians'
"In an interview with Ma’an radio station, Al-Maliki said the PA intended to declare an independent state on the 1967 borders, including east Jerusalem, by September."

Psalm 132:

¹³ For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem;
      he has desired it for his home.
 ¹⁴ “This is my resting place forever,” he said.
      “I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
 ¹⁵ I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
      I will satisfy its poor with food.
 ¹⁶ I will clothe its priests with godliness;
      its faithful servants will sing for joy.
 ¹⁷ Here I will increase the power of David;

      my anointed one will be a light for my people.
 ¹⁸ I will clothe his enemies with shame,
      but he will be a glorious king.”

'PA will get majority UN-recognition for Palestinian state'
"US and European diplomats warned that if Netanyahu does not present a new initiative, the US, Russa, the European Union and the United Nations will potentially endorse the creation of a Palestinian state along 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as the capital."

For those who have read Ellis Skolfield's The False Prophet, you know that the trampling of the Gentiles on Jerusalem was likely done after the 6-day war in June, 1967. My question is this: will God allow parts of Jerusalem to be returned to Gentile rule as proposed by the US, Russia, the EU, and the UN? Jerusalem is about to be partitioned again- will the God of Jacob allow that? I highly doubt it!

Ellis Skolfield's contention - What's so special about 1967?
 
They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luke 21:24

'Iran appoints first ambassador to Egypt in 30 years'
The radicals are spreading out.

Got Quran

This is how the region turns on Israel. The beginning of the end -

FBI Counterterror Official: Al Qaeda 'Thrives' After Dictators Fall - ABC News
"On the same day reports emerged of a new al Qaeda video that praised the revolutions sweeping the Arab world, one the U.S.'s top counter-terror officials warned the terror organization 'thrives' in the political unrest that follows."

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Completely off topic...


All those tweets, apps, updates may drain brain
"The problems we face today don't call for shallow understanding and short attention spans. They demand minds that can tolerate dull details, and maintain focus when wading through abstruse subject matter."

Straight from the snake
Genesis 3:
⁴ “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

Rob Bell - false teacher, leading the sheep astray
Not the kind of attention one should be seeking, especially at the end of days
 

Is Hell Dead? - TIME front cover
"...the redemptive work of Jesus may be universal — meaning that, as his book's subtitle puts it, 'every person who ever lived' could have a place in heaven, whatever that turns out to be."

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
- 2 Timothy 4:3

¹⁵ And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. ¹⁶ Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
- Mark 16

Krauthammer: Israel has 'given away' claim to West Bank
"“I said the battle for the West Bank is already lost; all that's left is the battle to hang on to Jerusalem—which the Israelis may also be losing as well,”"

Palestinians seek $5 billion for 3-year development plan
"Fayyad to brief West on bid to fund Palestinian state, says 'now it is time for us to be the masters of our own destiny in a state of our own.'"

Netanyahu: Iran has recently accelerated nuclear program
"PM tells EU ambassadors to Israel that Tehran has taken advantage of less pressure from West to speed up nuclear program, accuses international community of 'rushing to judgment' over Gaza attacks"

Israel warns travellers of Passover attacks
"Israel on Sunday urged its citizens and foreign Jews to exercise special caution against possible militant attack when traveling over the Passover holiday as tensions in the Gaza Strip rise."

What's good for Libya, is good for Gaza

Arab League plans to ask UN to impose no-fly zone over Gaza
"Amid escalation in violence along border Moussa says proposal to be presented to UNSC"

Joel 3:

 ⁴ “What do you have against me, Tyre and Sidon and you cities of Philistia? Are you trying to take revenge on me? If you are, then watch out! I will strike swiftly and pay you back for everything you have done...

⁹ Say to the nations far and wide:
      “Get ready for war!
   Call out your best warriors.
      Let all your fighting men advance for the attack.
 ¹⁰ Hammer your plowshares into swords
      and your pruning hooks into spears.
      Train even your weaklings to be warriors.
 ¹¹ Come quickly, all you nations everywhere.
      Gather together in the valley.”

   And now, O Lord, call out your warriors!

 

Amid new threats, Israel preps for multi-front war

"A new Israel Defense Forces report reveals that since 2006, Israel’s neighborhood has grown a lot more dangerous.

According to the March 31 report, Hezbollah has been busy in southern Lebanon for the past five years. The terror group has built more than 500 bunkers armed with various weapons, 300 underground facilities, and 100 storage units for rockets, missiles, and other weapons."

ElBaradei: We'll fight back if Israel attacks Gaza
"Former International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei, who had previously announced his intentions to run for the presidency of Egypt, said Monday that “if Israel attacked Gaza we would declare war against the Zionist regime.'"

Hidden in a cave: First ever portrait of Jesus found in 1 of 70 ancient books?

The next Gaza war is getting closer - Cast Lead II

"After a week-long lull in violence along the Gaza border, the southern front is heating up once again following Israel's assassination of three Hamas men in Khan Yunis."

This article is from February 18th, but well worth reading and heeding:

KAHLILI: Iranian regime: Israel's days are numbered
"This hadith, referring to Imam Ali, the prophet’s cousin and son-in-law and the most revered figure in Shiite Islam, says: “Before the return of Mahdi, a tall black man will rule the West and the largest army on Earth. He will carry a ‘clear sign’ from my son, Hussein Ibn Ali (the third Shiite imam), do not fear him!”"


Praise the only God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel that He has it all under control. No need to fear the present evil on earth.

Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters--their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred--had joined them.

- Revelation 6:11

Anti-Israel pages, on (ironically) Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook, are a dime a dozen. But those posts make me wonder if the Middle East unrest today (Libya, Syria, Iran, Bahrain, Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, et al) will make its way into Israel? When I look at Ezekiel 38 and Joel 3, it sounds somewhat like it will be unsophisticated, primitive people and armies advancing against Israel in the last days. Do those passages describe a grassroots attack by Arabs and Persians?

Ezekiel 38:
⁴ I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws to lead you out with your whole army—your horses and charioteers in full armor and a great horde armed with shields and swords.

Joel 3:
⁹ Say to the nations far and wide:
“Get ready for war!
Call out your best warriors.
Let all your fighting men advance for the attack.
¹⁰ Hammer your plowshares into swords
and your pruning hooks into spears.
Train even your weaklings to be warriors.
¹¹ Come quickly, all you nations everywhere.
Gather together in the valley.”


Strategy to invade Israel posted on Facebook
"'After the Tunisian, Egyptian, and Libyan intifadas, the time has come for the Palestinian intifada. The first Palestinian intifada was in 1987 and the second in 2000, but the third Palestinian intifada [will commence] on May 15, 2011,' it said, according to MEMRI's documentation.

'It should be noted that, while urging the public to join the mass demonstrations on May 15, the page administrators also hinted at a coming war on the Jews and called on the readers to prepare for martyrdom,' Barkan's report confirmed.

'For example, they posted a well-known hadith, which states that the Day of Judgment will only come after the Muslims fight the Jews and vanquish them: 'The hour [of Judgment] will not come before the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them.''

Another message on the page states, 'Paradise calls you. I ask everyone to come out on May 15. Do not say 'I can't.' For once [in your life], at least, do something to help the Muslims ... martyrdom calls you.'"