Ten Commandments Monument Removed from Oklahoma Capitol in the Dark of Night (Videos)

Crew removes Ten Commandments
monument from Oklahoma Capitol
under cover of darkness
Monday, Oct. 5, 2015.
Image from TheBlaze.com

Late on Monday, October 5, 2015, a crew paid by the state of Oklahoma came in cover of darkness and removed the 4,800 pound monument of the Ten Commandments from the Oklahoma Capitol grounds. (Tweet that!)

A spokesman said the next day that "the decision to remove the monument in the dark was made to avoid disturbing workers at the Oklahoma Capitol, while heavy equipment was being used to detach the statue, and to avoid protesters," according to a WashingtonPost.com article. (Tweet that!)

Oklahoma's controversial Ten Commandments monument was quietly removed overnight

The article also says that "at least two dozen [Oklahoma State] troopers were present, while maybe five or six residents showed up." (Tweet that!)

The next day, "Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin launched a campaign Tuesday to restore a monument to the Ten Commandments that was removed from the state capitol overnight under a court order," said an NBCNews.com article. (Tweet that!)

Oklahoma Removes Ten Commandments Monument Under Court Order

KOCO 5 News:

10 Commandments monument removed from Capitol grounds

Runs :56

Gov. Mary Fallin addresses the relocation of the 10 Commandments statue

Runs 7:42

Of all the articles online I reviewed to write this post, the WashingtonPost.com article was the only one that called the Ten Commandments monument "controversial."

For the Antichrist to take over the world and fulfill Bible prophecies, first Christianity and all remnants of it and of God's Word, such as the good commands engraved on this monument, must be destroyed, made powerless, or otherwise removed from society. (Tweet that!)

Will the “Framework Agreement” with Iran be the False Peace Treaty in Bible Prophecy?

"Negotiations about Iranian Nuclear Program - 
the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Other Officials 
of the P5+1 and Ministers of Foreign Affairs 
of Iran and EU in Lausanne" 
by United States Department of State
Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

I had a friend ask me the other day if the "framework for a deal with Iran," which seems to be coming to be known as the "Framework Agreement," which the Obama Administration has worked out via Secretary of State John Kerry could be the "false peace treaty" in Bible prophecy. (Tweet that!) I had to admit I was kicking myself that I had not thought of that possibility.

Let me explain what my friend was referring to. The Bible speaks of "weeks" which we understand to be "weeks of years," in other words 7-year segments of time. In Daniel 9:20-27 the prophet Daniel saw a vision of the angel Gabriel, whom Daniel had seen and met with before. This time, Gabriel gave Daniel insight and instruction about "seventy sevens." We understand these to be 70 weeks of years.

Then in Daniel 9:25 Gabriel speaks of "seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.'" That totals 69 sevens. Which means there is one more "seven" left: the 70^th seven, or one more "week of years," a 7-year period.

There are, of course, different ideas about this, but many (if not most?) scholars believe there was an indeterminate gap of time between the 69^th week in Daniel and the 70^th week. And this final 70^th week of 7 years will be the final 7 years of history on earth as we know it now.

Then Daniel says this about that 70^th week of years:

"He [that is the Antichrist] will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." (Daniel 9:27, NIV 1985)

As you can see, there is a covenant with "many." I believe most scholars think this is the Jewish people. I wonder if it isn't the majority of people on the earth?

This covenant is for one seven-year period. But in the middle of this seven – in other words, at the 3½ year point – the Antichrist breaks the covenant. (Tweet that!) This means the Antichrist never really meant for there to be lasting peace and so it was a "false peace." (Tweet that!)

We know the Jewish Temple has been rebuilt on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem at this point because sacrifices are going on, and that is the only place Jewish sacrifices can take place. (Tweet that!)

Then, in the middle of this seven-year so-called peace deal, the Antichrist puts an end to sacrifice, meaning he stops the Jewish sacrifices going on at the Temple.

When he, the Antichrist, breaks that covenant at the half-way point through the seven years, all hell breaks loose quite literally. The Antichrist sets himself up as God in the Jewish Temple or "on a wing of the temple" and this attempt to usurp God's rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords is the last straw: the abomination that causes desolation.

So, for prophecy watchers, we are watching for these two things:

• the Temple to be rebuilt on the Temple Mount where sacrifices resume for the first time since 70 A.D., and

• the start of a “peace” deal which we know will be killed after 3½ years.

So the question is, could this so-called deal with Iran that the United States and other nations are painfully claiming to be negotiating with Iran be that Biblically prophesied false peace deal? And furthermore, considering the previous post, I’m wondering might this "peace deal" be made on the 9^th of Av? (Tweet that!) It's something to watch.

Related Article:

• Previous post: Can this Date be Biblically Prophetic? Important Events in Jewish History on the 9th of Av

Muslim "Messianic" Expectations Align with Antichrist and False Prophet - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 9 -- Plus Easter Moments Countdown Days 19 & 18

End Times Eyewitness:
Israel, Islam and the Unfolding
Signs of Messiah's Return

In this final post in this 9-part series on comparing and contrasting Islamic prophecies and End Times prophecies of the Bible, Joel Richardson said this:

[Joel Richardson narrating on the DVD]: "Many other similarities could be listed, but the point is clear: the expectations of many Muslims throughout the earth concerning the Mahdi, and their version of Jesus, bears a striking resemblance to what the Bible describes concerning the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Though as unusual as much of this information may be to Christians, many Muslims believe that their Mahdi is already here on the earth." 

[Joel Richard interviewing Adnar Oktar on the TV program's set:] "We're living in the time of the Mahdi right now?" 

[Adnar Oktar, Turkish Muslim Leader, Television Host [translated and captioned on DVD]: "Yes. We believe that Mahdi is come and is busy with preparation. We believe that he appeared in Istanbul. That is how it is related in the Jewish Scriptures. This is how it is related in Islamic accounts as well. The Shia accounts also state that he will appear in Istanbul. The prominent religious leaders in Iran also state that he will appear in Istanbul. There is no other time for this than now." 

[Joel Richardson summing up in narration on the DVD:] "Simply stated, in light of the many startling ways in which the Islamic Mahdi and the Muslim Jesus align with the Biblical expectations concerning the Antichrist and the False Prophet, discerning Christians would do well to be aware of the rise of Messianic expectations throughout the Islamic world, particularly in light of Jesus' warnings that the last days would be marked by the appearance of "false prophets [who] will arise and mislead many."

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  Matthew 24:11

This concludes this series. Stay tuned for posts on the soon coming solar eclipse on the mid-point day of this Shemitah year: March 20th. We'll get ready for that eclipse next week. Please join the Facebook Event now here:

• #SolarEclipse Virtual Watch Party! - 1st #DarkSun of 2015

Please Tweet these Tweetables:

Expectations of Muslims' Mahdi and their version of #Jesus bears resembles #Bible's Antichrist and False Prophet! (Tweet that!)

As unusual as this may be to #Christians many Muslims believe their Mahdi is already here on earth #JoelRichardson (Tweet that!)

Discerning #Christians should be aware of rise of #Messianic expectations thru-out Islamic world. #JoelRichardson  (Tweet that!)

#Jesus warned the last days would be marked by appearance of "false prophets [who] will arise and mislead many." (Tweet that!)

Related Articles:

• Amazing Bible and Islamic Prophecy Parallels - Part 1
• Muslims' Teach the Lie that Jesus Will Deny the Cross! -Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 2
• All Inhabitants of the Earth Will Worship the Beast - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 3
• Peace, When There is No Peace - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy -Part 4
• Sacrifices Being Performed at the Rebuilt Jewish Temple - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 5
• Will the Muslim Caliph Rule from the Temple Mount? - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 6
• Muslim Mahdi Will Rule with Help of Djinn Demons - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 7
• Muslims Claim the Mahdi Will Rule for Seven Years - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 8

Easter Moments:

• Countdown Day 19: Jesus' Life was Poured Out Like a Drink Offering

• Countdown Day 18: My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

(Tweet that!)

Muslims Claim the Mahdi Will Rule for Seven Years - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 8 -- Plus Easter Moments Countdown Days 21 & 20

End Times Eyewitness:
Israel, Islam and the Unfolding
Signs of Messiah's Return

This another interesting parallel between the Islamic "end of days prophecies" and the End Time prophecies in the Bible. (Tweet that!)

I hope you understand there is no coincidence in all these parallels. (Tweet that!) The evil one, Satan, is very well aware of what God has predicted in His Word, the Bible. Satan has been around since before the Bible was written and he is well aware of what it says. (Tweet that!)

Also, Satan is very good at counterfeiting what God has created (because Satan cannot create anything on his own). (Tweet that!) So all the so-called "prophecies" that Islam teaches and believes are counterfeited and twisted from what God has done.

For example the true God is one God expressed in the Father, the Son which is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. (These three are known as the Trinity.) According to the book of Revelation in the Bible, in the End Times Satan will mimic this holy Trinity with his own unholy trinity: The Beast (Satan himself), the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. (Tweet that!)

So it's no coincidence at all that the "prophecies" of Islam also talk of a 7-year rule of Antichrist, as the Bible does. (Tweet that!)  Here is another byte from the "End Times Eyewitness" DVD:

[Joel Richardson's introduction to this portion of the DVD:] "To discuss the Muslim expectations concerning their two primary Messiah figures, I sat down with two Muslim leaders. The first was Adnar Oktar of Istanbul. And the second was Sheikh Ekrima Said Sabri. Sabri is the President of Quranic and Islamic Studies at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem." 

[A little later, Joel Richardson narrating on the DVD:] "Because the Bible teaches that the Antichrist will rule for a period of seven years, many Christians are surprised to find out that according to Islamic prophecy the Mahdi will also rule specifically for a period of seven years." 

[Sheikh Ekrima Said Sabri, translated in captions on DVD:] "There is more than one tradition concerning how long the rule of the Mahdi will be. The most common version is seven years."

(Tweet that!)

When the Bible speaks of the last 7 years, these seven years are divided into two: the first 3.5 years of a "false peace" when everything appears to be going great under the rule of the Antichrist (although anyone who follows and worships the true God will be persecuted and, if they don't denounce Him, will be killed. So it's really not so great after all.)

The Antichrist will then set himself up as "God" in the Jewish rebuilt Temple, which is the Abomination that Causes Desolation. During the second 3.5 years then all hell breaks loose leading up to the Battle of Armageddon -- in which God and his people are victorious over the Antichrist and all evil -- and the end of all as we know it. 

Here are some Bible prophecies about the last 7 years of life on earth as we know it now:

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." (Revelation 11:1-3, ESV)

Remember that on the Hebrew/Jewish calendar a month is 30 days, so 1,260 days equals 42 months which equals 3.5 years. (Tweet that!)

In some Bible verses this 3.5 years is said this way:

• "a time, and times, and half a time"
• interpreted as a year plus two years plus half a year ( or 1 + 2 + 1/2 = 3 1/2 years)

Also, for more please take the time to look at these verses:

• Daniel 7:25
• Daniel 12:7
• Revelation 12:6
• Revelation 12:14

Related Articles:

• Amazing Bible and Islamic Prophecy Parallels - Part 1
• Muslims' Teach the Lie that Jesus Will Deny the Cross! -Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 2
• All Inhabitants of the Earth Will Worship the Beast - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 3
• Peace, When There is No Peace - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy -Part 4
• Sacrifices Being Performed at the Rebuilt Jewish Temple - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 5
• Will the Muslim Caliph Rule from the Temple Mount? - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 6
• Muslim Mahdi Will Rule with Help of Djinn Demons - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 7

Easter Moments:

• Countdown Day 21: He was Crucified

• Countdown Day 20: Jesus, Though Sinless, was Numbered As One of the Sinners

(Tweet that!)

Will the Muslim Caliph Rule from the Temple Mount? - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 6 -- Plus Easter Moments Countdown Days 25 & 24

End Times Eyewitness:
Israel, Islam and the Unfolding
Signs of Messiah's Return

This is Part 6 post of a 9-part series on what Islam teaches about "End Times" prophecy. (Tweet that!) It amazes me that Islam even has prophecies of the "End Times" and I wonder if it did from its beginning (the 7th century A.D.). (Tweet that!) It's so clear to see how the End Times prophecies in the Bible have been stolen and twisted into something close but different...and yet the same because the "messiah figures" of Islam have written themselves right into the Bible prophecies of the Antichrist and his False Prophet -- the agents of evil. (Tweet that!)

Satan's mission is to steal, kill, and destroy and he thinks that by "stealing" the Bible prophecies -- which were actually written about him -- twisting them into something that looks attractive to some, he can kill the people who truly love God and destroy God's prophecies of the End Times. But the fact is the End Times prophecies will play out just as God has said and God is the Victor, not Satan. (Tweet that!)

I am presenting this series of blog posts to inform Christians (because I know you'll be fascinated as I am!), and to educate those who do not know about these things (Tweet that!) so you will not be taken in by the twisted lies but will see the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ -- and therefore will follow him only. (Tweet that!)

If you have not read the previous posts in this series, you will find links to them under "Related Posts" at the bottom of this post.

My thanks to Joel Richardson and his team for creating this enlightening DVD. Here's another piece of interesting information form the DVD:

Joel Richardson introduced this section of the DVD with this: "To discuss the Muslim expectations concerning their two primary Messiah figures, I sat down with two Muslim leaders. The first was Adnar Oktar of Istanbul. And the second was Sheikh Ekrima Said Sabri. Sabri is the President of Quranic and Islamic Studies at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem...."

Continuing a bit later on the DVD:

Joel Richardson: "...according to Islamic prophecy, the Mahdi will be a Muslim Caliph, or a global Muslim leader, together with the Muslim Jesus, will actually establish his seat of Islamic authority on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem." 

[Sabri,explaining Muslim beliefs as translated in captions on DVD:] "The Mahdi will be Caliph for the Muslims. The Muslims will follow him and his rule. Due to the fact that Jerusalem and Palestine are the center of the Islamic world, there can be no question that the Muslims and the Mahdi will be established there during that period of time. When Mahdi will come at the end of days his rule will not stand only in Jerusalem or Palestine but in all the world."

Do not be deceived. This is not the true Jesus. (Tweet that!) This is the Antichrist and his False Prophet who have come to deceive the whole world (if that were possible). His mission is to steal the position of King that the real Jesus truly owns, to kill and destroy the people who love the true Jesus. (Tweet that!) The Antichrist and his False Prophet will be able to wreak havoc in this world, but ultimately they will not succeed. (Tweet that!)

So who will you follow? Can you tell the difference between the players? (Tweet that!) Between the real Jesus and this masked impostor called the "Muslim Jesus"? (Tweet that!)

Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. (Mark 13:5-6)

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. (Luke 21:7-8) 

Related Articles:

• Amazing Bible and Islamic Prophecy Parallels - Part 1
• Muslims' Teach the Lie that Jesus Will Deny the Cross! -Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 2
• All Inhabitants of the Earth Will Worship the Beast - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 3
• Peace, When There is No Peace - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy -Part 4
• Sacrifices Being Performed at the Rebuilt Jewish Temple - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 5

Easter Moments:

• Countdown Day 25: Jesus Your Scapegoat

• Countdown Day 24: Jesus was The LORD's Goat

(Tweet that!)

Inhabitants of the Earth Will Worship the Beast - Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 3 -- Plus Easter Moments Countdown Days 31 & 30

Continuing our study of the lies Islam teaches about the return of the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, here's more from Joel Richardson's DVD End Times Eyewitness: Israel, Islam and the Unfolding Signs of Messiah's Return. (Tweet that!)

Today we'll hear from Sheikh Ekrima Said Sabri. Sabri is the President of Quranic and Islamic Studies at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem.

From the DVD:

Joel Richardson narrating: "According to the Muslim expectation, together, the Mahdi and the Muslim Jesus, will cause Islam to become supreme throughout the world causing most to become Muslims. Likewise, according to the Bible, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will force all inhabitants of the world to follow them." 

[Sabri, in interview translated in captions on DVD:] "The non-Muslims will not be completely demolished, but there will be an overcoming of Islam, because it will grow stronger. As we know, because Islam will become stronger as it is in stronger Islamic countries. Its followers will increase in number. Of course one of the main reasons for the increase of Islam will be the appearance of Jesus according to our religion. When Jesus will come he will speak to the Christians and to the other religions, proclaiming that he is Jesus and he will champion the laws of Mohammad, then there will be a great numbers of Christians who will choose Islam as their new religion. Because the prophet they believed in will proclaim the religion of Mohammad."

Of course any person who comes claiming to be Jesus and then who denies the truth of the Cross and urges anyone to believe in "the religion of Mohammad" is not Jesus but is a fraud, a liar, and an agent of Satan. (Tweet that!)

The true Jesus would never ever ever promote another religion. Anyone who thinks that could happen is beyond ignorant. (Tweet that!) Jesus Himself is the Truth. He said so in John 14:6.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:6

Jesus is the true "religion," although it's not a religion -- it's simply the truth. Anything else is a false religion, which is a system of rules or rituals meant to appease a god. Jesus would never promote a false religion!

A true Christian will never abandon Jesus. Nor will we ever worship the Beast that is Satan.

"All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 NIV, 1984) 

"He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed." (Revelation 13:12 NIV, 1984) 

"Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth." (Revelation 13:14a NIV, 1984) 

"He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed." (Revelation 13:15 NIV, 1984)

Tweetables:

According to the Muslim expectation, together, the Mahdi and the Muslim Jesus, will cause Islam to become supreme throughout the world causing most to become Muslims. (Tweet it.)

Likewise, according to the Bible, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will force all inhabitants of the world to follow them. (Tweet it.)

Related Articles:

• Amazing Bible and Islamic Prophecy Parallels - Part 1
• Muslims' Teach the Lie that Jesus Will Deny the Cross! -Bible vs. Islamic Prophecy - Part 2

Easter Moments:

• Countdown Day 31: Caiaphas Speaks Truth: It is Better for One Man to Die Than a Whole Nation Perish

• Countdown Day 30: It's Not Blasphemy If It's True

(Tweet that!)

Six Events that Must Happen Before the Rapture According to Bible Prophecy (Video Post)

Author John Shorey

In the previous post we heard from author John Shorey about fascinating calculations he has made from the Solar Eclipse coming next March 20, 2015, to the Feast of Trumpets in 2018. (Tweet that!) If you missed that, you can find a link at the end of this post.

Today, here's a short video with more information from author John Shorey.  He talks about six things that must happen before the Rapture. (Tweet that!)

Some of them have already occurred. (Tweet that!)

Most of these we have talked about on this blog. (Tweet that!)

Most people I know who believe in the Rapture believe it will happen before the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation Period, although there are other theories including the Mid-Tribulation theory. (Tweet that!) This means the Rapture would occur three and a half years into, or half way through, the Tribulation Period.  This is Mr. Shorey's position and he gives a compelling case for it. (Tweet that!)

I haven't read any of his books, but I admit I'm interested and am putting them on my to-read list.

Here is today's short video which took place on Pastor Jim Bakker's show with author John Shorey as a guest:

Jim Bakker with John Shorey

Posted October 3, 2014

Runs 2:19 

Scheduled for Tuesday: a recent statement from Jim Bakker posted October 30th, 2014.

Related Article:

• Israel turns 70 years old in 2018 - Signs in Bible Prophecy Must Be Significant (Video Post)

Those Days Will Be Shortened

iStock (c) MACIEJ NOSKOWSKI

In the next section as Jesus describes what events will precede his return, he talks about something that has always intrigued me. I can't say I understand it. It's a mystery to me. Let's see what you think.

Right after Jesus talks about "the Abomination that causes desolation," he says this:

...then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house.  Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:16-22)

Focus on two verses here:

• verse 20: "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath."
• and verse 22: "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."

This has always sounded to me as if the time in which all the End Times prophecies will occur can shift in time. (Tweet that!)

I mean, if we can pray and affect the fact that our flight will not take place on the Sabbath, doesn't that mean the time for this to happen is not a set date in time? (Tweet that!)

And if the days can be shortened, or will be shortened, does this indicate some flexibility in the dates these things will take place? (Tweet that!)

If that's possible (and I'm not saying that it is), what is it that affects the changes that might occur in the date things will happen? It seems what can make that difference is our prayers. (Tweet that!)

And yet, End Times events also seem to have a "set time." (Tweet that!)

For example, Daniel said:

The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:27)

So it seems as though End Times events do indeed have a set time. (Tweet that!)

I know. That's a contradiction. That's why it's a mystery to me. What do you think?

If you would like to read more about all of this, I suggest you read the account of "the King Who Exalts Himself" (that would be the Antichrist) in Daniel 11:36 – 12:13.