I'm going to have to learn how to type faster or more often

by Michael G. Mickey

(9-30-05)

If my readers could see my typing skills in action, they'd understand where I'm coming from. It's truly amazing what I've been able to accomplish in terms of keeping RaptureAlert.com timely over the last couple of years while working a full-time job and juggling family life as well, especially in light of my peck-peck-peck keyboarding skills. Even so, I'm convinced I'm either going to have to learn how to type faster or a lot more often than I have to this point if I plan to continue keeping my readers caught up in terms of documenting the news of our world today which I am convinced is screaming out to us that the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is drawing near, potentially at the very door! Why? Because each day seems to be bringing more evidence to light than the last and I haven't figured out a thing concerning any sort of mastery of the keyboard. Where do I begin pecking out some truth for my readers today, September 30th, 2005?

Bird flu: It just keeps sounding worse!

Just last night I was speaking to a local Bible study group on the topic of the end times (wouldn't you know it?), during which I discussed the topic of bird flu's deadly potential as a sign of the lateness of the hour we're presently living in. Quoting numerous sources I've read in the past, I told them that a bird flu pandemic now seems inevitable at some point, according to world health officials - a threat that could see tens of millions die. By this morning, a BBC report was quoting a UN health official as saying a new flu pandemic "could happen at any time and kill between 5-150 million people!" That's right! 150 MILLION people could lose their lives to it, more than half the current population of the United States of America! And yet many today simply refuse to see the truth that is right before their eyes. Yes, Jesus Christ is coming soon!

Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Wave and pay - another subtle reminder where technology is taking us

The Buffalo News is reporting 'contactless' credit and debit cards are coming our way, opening with the following statements:

Say goodbye to swiping your card. Now you can just wave it.

Consumers in Western New York and other parts of the country will soon have a new way to pay for their Big Mac, Slurpee, drugs or movies.

Rather than sliding their credit, debit, or prepaid card through a reader or giving it up to a store clerk, they can just flash their card or keychain attachment in front of the machine or tap it and be on their way. No need to sign a receipt or get change, and no need for long lines.

It all sounds so convenient doesn't it, but where will this technology ultimately lead us? My best guess is it will lead us to the prophesied mark of the beast. Eventually, we're told in prophecy, the Antichrist's False Prophet, as seen in Revelation 13: 16-17, will cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. Without this 'mark' no one will be able to buy or sell.

The word 'mark' in the original Greek is charagma {khar'-ag-mah}, which is defined as:

1) a stamp, an imprinted mark

a) of the mark stamped on the forehead or the right hand as the badge of the followers of the Antichrist

b) the mark branded upon horses

2) thing carved, sculpture, graven work

a) of idolatrous images

Charagma {khar'-ag-mah} comes from the same root word as 'charax' {khar'-ax}, which comes from the word charasso (to sharpen to a point, akin to grapho through the idea of scratching).

Grapho {graf'-o} is defined as:

1) to write, with reference to the form of the letters

a) to delineate (or form) letters on a tablet, parchment, paper, or other material

2) to write, with reference to the contents of the writing

a) to express in written characters

b) to commit to writing (things not to be forgotten), write down, record

c) used of those things which stand written in the sacred books (of the OT)

d) to write to one, i.e. by writing (in a written epistle) to give information, directions

3) to fill with writing

4) to draw up in writing, compose

We see, when we look at all of this in its totality, the mark described in Revelation 13:16-17, is going to, perhaps, involve something sharpened to a point that is going to involve a scratching or breaking of skin and the recording of information. Interestingly, as I have documented repeatedly through the years implantable microchip technologies are in the news today which involve insertion into the skin by way of a hypodermic needle. A solid example of this technology being propagandized as a solution to some of our increasingly dangerous world's troubles is found in a Yahoo Business story which documents how the technology is being used to help morgues keep track of Hurricane Katrina's victims. We need to keep a close eye on this developing technology which, like 'contactless' credit and debit cards, uses RFID technology to provide information when a scanner is passed near the chip.

A third party is needed in the Middle East? Oh yeah!

A Middle East Times article marks the fact we're entering the sixth year of the Palestinians' current intifada (uprising among Palestinian Arabs of the Gaza Strip and West Bank) against Israel, noting that chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat is stating a third party is needed to bring the current conflict under control. He is quoted in the article as saying, "Things are slipping out of hand and I believe it is high time for a direct third party intervention. We believe at this stage that a third party - maybe President Bush, maybe others in the quartet, can a play a role ... to begin a de-escalation of this process." Bingo! That's exactly what I believe Bible prophecy tells us is going to happen!

Daniel 9:26-27 tells us a prince (or leader) of Roman descent is going to 'confirm' peace in the Middle East between Israel and her enemies "with many." As those who read my site regularly know, I believe the man who will ultimately do this is going to be from the European Union - the revived Roman empire we're told, in Daniel 2:44, will be the final empire to rule the world leading up to the visible, physical, bodily return of Jesus Christ at Armageddon!

Isn't it interesting, in light of Daniel's prophecy, that we see Erekat asking for President Bush or "maybe others in the Quartet" of Russia, the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union to play a third party role in the ongoing peace process? Could it be my suspicion that the Quartet may, in fact, be the "many" of Daniel 9:27 is going to be found to be true in the not-too-distant future? If so, those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior may be on the verge of taking a trip, via the Rapture of the Church, that will carry us higher than we have even dreamed possible - all the way to heaven even! Why? Because the Rapture of the Church will precede the seven-year Tribulation Period to come, which will run concurrently with the Antichrist's seven-year peace covenant.

How exciting is it to imagine we may be the generation of Christians that will never have to feel the sting of death? It's a real possibility, friends!

The EU calls emergency talks as Austria blocks accord on Turkey

As I've stated in the past on numerous occasions, Bible prophecy doesn't seem to indicate Turkey is going to make it into the European Union. Rather, according to Ezekiel 38 & 39, Turkey seems to be a nation that will be found in alliance with the Arab world when a vicious attack on the nation of Israel will take place at a time of perceived peace - a peace I believe will come in the early Tribulation Period when Israel will be living under the covenant of peace the Antichrist is going to confirm in the prophetic future.

Ironically, as Turkey's time to begin accession talks with the European Union on October 3rd is nearing, the EU is being forced to hold emergency talks in an attempt to overcome Austria's objections to Turkey doing so, "against a mounting sense of brinkmanship over the deadlock", according to an EUBusiness.com article.

A EU Observer article states the UK, which presently holds the EU's rotating presidency, announced on Thursday, 9-29-05, an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers will held on Sunday - the day before the EU's accession talks with Turkey are scheduled to start after "talks at the ambassadorial level broke down" as a result of Austria continuing to block the framework for membership negotiations with Turkey. At the heart of the issue is the following, as documented in the article itself:

The Austrians have demanded the word "accession" to be scrapped altogether from the first paragraph, and the words "possible alternative bond" inserted elsewhere in the paragraph.
European diplomats commented that the deleting of the word "accession" is impossible, as this would be in breach of the EU leaders' own conclusions last December - stating that the goal of the talks is accession.

On top if this, Turkey has repeatedly said it will walk away from the talks if it gets offered anything less than full accession.

The drama continues....

Reader input

Recently, I received an e-mail from Dennis H. of Rock Hill, SC who wrote to tell me how disturbed he was by something he saw on television recently which I didn't. Although I can't confirm what he told me he saw as absolute fact, after looking at some information I found on the worldwide web, I believe what he told me is probably accurate.

He wrote to tell me he'd seen a recent segment of a popular television news show during which the host interviewed the author of a recently-released book which shall remain nameless on the topic of how "fundamentalist religious sects" are trying to reshape America's federal courts, the effect of which may someday result in a nation remade in their intolerant image, governed by their inflexible laws.

Who are these dangerous fundamentalists who threaten America's legal system that we may thwart their efforts, you ask? According to Dennis H., the host asked the author who public enemy #1 is with regard to American law. The author's answer? The evangelicals and fundamentalists. Christian believers! Who would've guessed, right?

I leave you with Matthew 5:11-16, the words of Christ:

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Is there any doubt the end is drawing near? No wonder I can't type fast or often enough!

Would you like to reproduce this article to share with others? If so, please click HERE.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.