Steve Bannon and Keith Ellison: Do the Democrats Really Care About Anti-Semitism?

A timely post about from www.jihadwatch.org about Steve Bannon and Keith Ellison. This follows this post about Hillary Clinton's loss.This follows this article about American energy independence and preventing money from going to hostile countries. For more, you can read two very interesting books HERE.You can follow me here.

Robert Spencer in FrontPage: Steve Bannon and Keith Ellison: Do the Democrats Really Care About Anti-Semitism?

 By Robert Spencer 37 Comments

The record is clear. My latest in FrontPage:

When is anti-Semitism not anti-Semitism? When it comes from the Left, of course.
President-elect Trump has enraged the establishment media by choosing Steven K. Bannon as his chief strategist, because Bannon, they claim on the flimsiest of evidence, is a white supremacist and an anti-Semite. Meanwhile, that same media is hailing Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) for announcing his candidacy for Chairman of the Democratic National Committee – despite Ellison’s very real links to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, two groups that are outdone by no one in anti-Semitism.
“A chorus of critics took to Twitter,” said the New York Times, “to lament what they said was a frightening normalization of the fringe views that Mr. Bannon promoted as the chairman of Breitbart News. The site has for years given voice to anti-Semitic, racist and white nationalist ideology.”
The evidence? Slim to none. As David Horowitz pointed out Monday, the source for the claim that Bannon is anti-Semitic is “a one sentence claim from an angry ex-wife in divorce court no less, that Bannon didn’t want their kids to go to school with Jews.” Horowitz noted in response that Bannon had wanted to produce a Horowitz biopic: “I find that particularly amusing since Bannon wanted to make a film to celebrate this Jew’s life.”
Horowitz also noted that CNN hit Bannon over “a headline at Breitbart.com calling Bill Kristol a ‘renegade Jew.’” Surely that proves Bannon’s anti-Semitism, right? Wrong. Said Horowitz: “In fact, neither Breitbart nor Bannon is responsible for that statement. A Jew is. I wrote the article, which was neither requested nor commissioned by Breitbart. And I wrote the headline: ‘Bill Kristol, Republican Spoiler, Renegade Jew,’” because “Kristol and his friends betrayed the Republican Party, betrayed the American people, and betrayed the Jews when he set out to undermine Trump and elect the criminal Hillary Clinton. Obama and Hillary are supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, the organization that launched the Arab drive to destroy Israel and push its Jews into the sea (that was their slogan).”
Joel B. Pollak, senior editor-at-large at Breitbart News and an Orthodox Jew, declared: “I have worked with Stephen K. Bannon, President-elect Donald Trump’s new chief strategist and senior counselor, for nearly six years at Breitbart News. I can say, without hesitation, that Steve is a friend of the Jewish people and a defender of Israel, as well as being a passionate American patriot and a great leader.”
Meanwhile, the same Democrats who are howling about Bannon are applauding Ellison’s announcement that he is running for DNC Chair, despite the abundant evidence of Ellison’s links to anti-Semitic groups. Ellison has spoken at a convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Yet ISNA has actually admitted its ties to Hamas, which styles itself the Palestinian arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Justice Department actually classified ISNA among entities “who are and/or were members of the US Muslim Brotherhood.”
It gets worse. In 2008, Ellison accepted $13,350 from the Muslim American Society (MAS) to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Muslim American Society is a Muslim Brotherhood organization: “In recent years, the U.S. Brotherhood operated under the name Muslim American Society, according to documents and interviews. One of the nation’s major Islamic groups, it was incorporated in Illinois in 1993 after a contentious debate among Brotherhood members.” That’s from the Chicago Tribune in 2004, in an article that is now carried on the Muslim Brotherhood’s English-language website, Ikhwanweb.
Also, the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) raised large amounts of for Ellison’s first campaign, and he has spoken at numerous CAIR events. Yet CAIR is an unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas terror funding case — so named by the Justice Department. CAIR officials have repeatedly refused to denounce Hamas and Hizballah as terrorist groups.
Hamas has declared: “Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah.” Ellison has spoken before several groups that have ties to Hamas, and has accepted money from a Muslim Brotherhood group; Hamas styles itself the Muslim Brotherhood for Palestine. Does Keith Ellison also, then, think that “killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah”? No establishment media “journalist” would ever dream of asking him that question, but it’s a fair one: Hamas repeatedly demonstrates genuine and murderous anti-Semitism, and Ellison has repeatedly shown himself willing and even eager to associate himself with Hamas-linked groups.
That’s the real story of anti-Semitism in American politics this week. But the media propagandists are most certainly not going to pause in their hysteria over Trump and Bannon to take any notice of it. Their hypocrisy is obvious, their dishonesty unrelenting, and their moral authority absolutely nil.

UK: Sharia court orders woman to return to abusive, rapist husband

Pro-Israel artist threatened with 5 years in jail for anti-terror posters at GMU

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about Pentecost. This follows this post about feminism in the military. This follows this post about mob attacks. For a free magazine subscription or to get the books recommended for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886- 8632.

Pentecost and the Book of Ruth

 by Graemme Marshall 1 comment

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What connections are there between Pentecost and the book of Ruth?

The book of Ruth is a delightful story of romance, simplicity and purity. It conversationally tells of a mother bereft of husband and sons, yet still faithful to God. Also described is a daughter-in-law widowed of her husband (and childless) who demonstrates outstanding devotion to her mother-in-law and God. Further included in the narration is an upright and generous farmer blessed both by employees and God alike. The historical setting is Bethlehem in Judah in the days of the Judges around 1100 B.C.

A study of the book of Ruth is worthwhile for gleaning great principles and truths.

Although a specific purpose is not clearly stated, there is considerable connection with the meaning of the biblical festival known as the “Feast of Weeks,” the “Feast of Firstfruits” or “Pentecost” (Exodus 23:16 Exodus 23:16And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when you have gathered in your labors out of the field.
American King James Version×; 34:22; Acts 2:1 Acts 2:1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
American King James Version×). A study of the book of Ruth is worthwhile for gleaning great principles and truths.
Ethnically, Ruth was a Moabitess, only distantly related to the Israelites through Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Genesis 11:27 Genesis 11:27Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
American King James Version×; 19:37). She didn’t grow up worshipping the God of Israel. However, the book of Ruth shows that, in God’s sight, conversion to God’s true religion is incomparably more important than one’s ethnicity.

Royal lineage

Ruth’s marriage into the royal Davidic line foreshadowed the eventual composition of the larger Church to come. The book foreshadows how gentiles would be called to join with “spiritual Israel” upon repentance and faith. In Ruth’s life we also discover how God at times circumvents the norm.

The book foreshadows how gentiles would be called to join with “spiritual Israel” upon repentance and faith.

The author takes care to trace David’s ancestry all the way back to Perez to encompass Abraham’s blessing (Genesis 49:10 Genesis 49:10The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and to him shall the gathering of the people be.
American King James Version×). Interestingly, Perez is the illegitimate, yet chosen, son of Judah and Tamar. This “unexpected” type repeats again with Boaz. He was the son of Salmon by Rahab (Matthew 1:5 Matthew 1:5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
American King James Version×). Then later, still contrary to convention, we have David, who wasn’t the eldest son but the youngest. Finally, David’s heir, Solomon, is not the eldest either and was born through inauspicious circumstances of Bathsheba.
Ruth herself was a Moabitess who by marriage to Boaz now symbolically reunites the wayward clan of Lot’s son (Moab) back into Abraham’s family. Ruth thus becomes a vital link to David as his great-grandmother.
God’s generous providence is exhibited by the inclusion of a gentile into the royal lineage of the Messiah. When Ruth says, “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” and “The LORD do so to me, and more also, if…’ (Ruth 1:16-17 Ruth 1:16-1716 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your God my God: 17 Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part you and me.
American King James Version×), her words imply that Ruth, who once lived by the gods of Moab, now lives by the standards of Israel’s God.
The setting of Bethlehem, too, is interesting. It is here later that Jesse and David will live. And it is also here, in Bethlehem, that Christ our “Redeemer” is born.

A near kinsman

Boaz acted as the Old Testament “kinsman redeemer,” which also serves as a Messianic type. His actions were based on the “levirate law” given in Deuteronomy 25:5-10 Deuteronomy 25:5-105 If brothers dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without to a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother to her. 6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. 7 And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother. 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; 9 Then shall his brother’s wife come to him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done to that man that will not build up his brother’s house. 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that has his shoe loosed.
American King James Version×. The Hebrew word gaal describes the one who fulfills this function. The book makes it clear that the gaal alone possessed the right to redeem, yet was under no obligation to do so. The graciousness of God towards sinful humans is a type of the love and generosity exhibited by Boaz towards Ruth.
We are told that Boaz was a righteous man who kept the law (Ruth 2:20 Ruth 2:20And Naomi said to her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said to her, The man is near of kin to us, one of our next kinsmen.
American King James Version×, 9, 11-12; 3:9, 12). But there were others who did not. Boaz encourages Ruth to continue gleaning (according to the law in Leviticus 19:9 Leviticus 19:9And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest.
American King James Version×) but acknowledges the dangers for a young woman to do so on her own in some fields (Ruth 2:8 Ruth 2:8Then said Boaz to Ruth, Hear you not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
American King James Version×). Bethlehem appears to have been an exceptional town, considering the chaotic period of the Judges—generally characterized by idolatry, syncretism (mixing of paganism with true faith), social injustice, intertribal rivalries and sexual immorality. However, the way the people of Bethlehem greeted one another (verse 4) shows a degree of conscious allegiance to God.

God is often portrayed in the role of Israel’s near kinsman, because He is the Creator, Redeemer and Savior of His people.

God is often portrayed in the role of Israel’s near kinsman, because He is the Creator, Redeemer and Savior of His people. Redemption from Egypt was not only an act of purchase but also the action of a kinsman moved by love. God told the Israelites, “I have remembered My covenant [with Abraham]… I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem [gaal] you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:5-7 Exodus 6:5-75 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Why say to the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, which brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
American King James Version×).
When Israel became God’s by redemption as well as by creation, they could trust Him to deliver them in the future. Believers today can also count on God. As our Redeemer, He has made us His own and will act to deliver us.
The near kinsman had to be a blood relative, and Christ became our Brother by the virgin birth to become a human being. The kinsman had to have the money to purchase the forfeited inheritance (Ruth 4:9 Ruth 4:9And Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, You are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.
American King James Version×). Christ alone has the worth to pay the price for sinners. The kinsman had to be willing to buy back the forfeited inheritance (verse 6), even as Christ laid down His life of His own free will. The kinsman also had to be willing to marry the wife of his deceased relative (verse 10), a type of the bride-and-groom relationship between Christ and the Church.

The Day of Pentecost

From this standpoint, the four brief chapters of Ruth are most instructive concerning the redemptive and saving work of Jesus.
God’s Spirit has been available from that first Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection to all who truly repent and are baptized (Acts 21:1 Acts 21:1And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from there to Patara:
American King James Version×, 38-39). The Day of Pentecost is an annual reminder that God poured out His Spirit to establish His Church, the group of believers redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice and led by His Spirit. With these marvelous truths in mind, a study of the small book of Ruth can be uplift and strengthen us as we think about our “near Kinsman” who acts on our behalf.

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What Religious Days Do You Observe?

Friday, April 3, 2015 (All day)

What religious days do you keep? Easter? Passover? What does the New Testament say?

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[Steve Myers] What religious days do you keep? In the New Testament you’ll find a couple of days that are mentioned that are God’s festivals that most Christians today don’t even observe. And yet, we’re given very specific instructions that we ought to be doing that. We can find them over in 1 Corinthians chapter 5, and in this particular passage – verse 6 begins to describe the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. And it says this: “Your glorying is not good. Don’t you know a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” Now, why talk about that? Well, he goes on and says, “Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you are truly unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast,” he says, “not with old leaven, nor with leaven of malice and wickedness, but the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians:6:5-8 [5] I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
[6] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
[7] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
[8] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.).
So the apostle Paul says very specifically, “Keep the feast”. Or some translations say, “Observe it”. Other translations say “Celebrate the feast”. So do you keep the Passover? Do you keep the Days of Unleavened Bread?
You know, back in the Old Testament, even Leviticus 23 tells us these aren’t any old days, that these are God’s feast days. They are the feasts of the Lord. And so, you ought to check it out. Check out what the Bible really says about the days that you should observe, and then when you find what it really says, well, keep it. Celebrate them. Observe the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread and all God’s festival days. Check them out – maybe something that you’ll be surprised to find out about.
That’s BT Daily . We’ll see you next time.

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An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about the Day of Atonement. This follows this post about Ebola. For a free magazine subscription or to get the books recommended for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886- 8632.
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Why should Christians celebrate the Day of Atonement (also known as Yom Kippur)?

Long after Jesus Christ’s death, the Day of Atonement continued as an important Holy Day for the New Testament Church of God. What does the Day of Atonement mean for Christians today?

Answer: The Day of Atonement is the fifth of God’s annual Holy Days (Leviticus:23:26-32 [26] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[27] Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
[28] And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
[29] For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
[30] And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
[31] Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
[32] It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.), following shortly after the Feast of Trumpets. Observed by fasting (verse 27; compare Isaiah:58:3Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.), which means not eating or drinking (Esther:4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.), this day portrays the human race finally becoming at one with God.
At the return of Jesus Christ, Satan the devil, who now leads all of mankind astray (Ephesians:2:2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:; Revelation:12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.), will be bound (Revelation:20:1-3 [1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.) so all humans of all nations can be reconciled to God.
In the New Testament Luke referred to this Holy Day as "the fast" in Acts:27:9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,.
When the meaning of the Day of Atonement is fulfilled in the future, it will set the stage for the sixth festival of God, the Feast of Tabernacles.
For more information, please read our booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope For All Mankind.

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What was Jesus doing for you in the fall of 30 A.D.?

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about Jesus and the Feast of Tabernacles.  This follows this post about the Day of Atonement.   For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

What was Jesus doing for you in the fall of 30 A.D.?




Source: Photos.comNearly 2,000 years ago this October, our Savior Jesus Christ set us an example of power and courage. Despite living in a world that rejected Him, He openly celebrated a timeless Festival that is established forever. What is this joyous event and what does it mean for you?



If one reads about an event in the Bible that all nations would one day be required by God to observe, wouldn't it make sense to find out more about it now? Here's a sometimes overlooked biblical fact: The Bible tells us in Zechariah 14:16And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.



See All... that everyone in the coming Kingdom of God will observe the biblical Festival of Tabernacles and worship Jesus Christ there as King.



And no surprise, as Jesus Himself observed this Festival while living on the earth nearly 2,000 years ago (John 7:2-52 [2] Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

[3] His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

[4] For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

[5] For neither did his brethren believe in him.

[6] Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

[7] The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

[8] Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.

[9] When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

[10] But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

[11] Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

[12] And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

[13] Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

[14] Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

[15] And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

[16] Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

[17] If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

[18] He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

[19] Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

[20] The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

[21] Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

[22] Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

[23] If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

[24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

[25] Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

[26] But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

[27] Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

[28] Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

[29] But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

[30] Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

[31] And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

[32] The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

[33] Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

[34] Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

[35] Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

[36] What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

[40] Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

[41] Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

[42] Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

[43] So there was a division among the people because of him.

[44] And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

[45] Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

[46] The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

[47] Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

[48] Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

[49] But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

[50] Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

[51] Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

[52] They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.





See All...).



So what exactly is this Festival of Tabernacles?

The biblical Festival (or Feast) of Tabernacles occurs in the fall (as reckoned in the northern hemisphere), and serves as the capstone of the seven annual Holy Day seasons revealed by God (Leviticus 23:24Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.



See All...). As the seventh chapter of John eloquently and powerfully confirms, Jesus observed this Festival Himself, setting an example for His 21st century disciples.



Jesus declared that His Church—people who actually followed His commands and example—would never cease to exist (Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.



See All...). That declaration continues to be fulfilled today, as a "little flock" (Luke 12:32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.



See All...)—multiple thousands of Christians—are gathering this fall. They are assembling to observe the same biblical festival that Jesus kept in a very high profile way just a few months before His crucifixion.



Why Keep the Festival in the 21st Century?

As these Christians observe the Festival of Tabernacles today , you may wonder why this ancient event is relevant in a digital age. When the Holy Day seasons were first openly revealed to humanity, the Israelites would take palm and tree fronds to build temporary dwellings (Leviticus 23:30And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.



See All...). In Hebrew, the Festival of Tabernacles is literally called "the Festival of Booths" ( Sukkot in Hebrew).



Today, in the spirit of those temporary dwellings, Christians observe the Festival outside of their regular homes, travelling to cities and meeting places around the globe. There they celebrate the fact that our fragile lives are but temporary, and that we look to a new life of eternal service beginning in the coming Kingdom of God!



This joyous Kingdom of God, which Jesus and the apostles referred to more than 100 times in the New Testament, will be a time of great peace and prosperity. What is your priority as a Christian in your day-to-day affairs? Your Savior and future King declares to you and me: "Seek first the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.



See All..., emphasis added).



So if this Festival of Tabernacles pictures the coming Kingdom of God, when Jesus Christ will have returned to this earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:15-16 [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.





See All...), what about the other six Holy Day seasons of God?



A personal prophecy for you

The entire seven Holy Day seasons of God represent nothing short of God's amazing and wonderful plan for all of humanity! The incredible truth? These biblical seasons represent a personal prophecy for you, your family, your friends—literally all who have ever lived or who will live. (This is all explained in detail in our free booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for all Mankind . If you don't have a copy, order one today, or download it free).



The first three—the Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost—have collectively opened the door to salvation and spiritual understanding for Christians today. The four remaining holy day seasons –the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Festival of Tabernacles and the celebration of the Eighth Day (also known to some as the Last Great Day) —represent an intense and happy vision for us. They picture a time of profound "gladness and joy" when God will directly intervene globally in human affairs, "and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.



See All...). They represent a time of great globe-encircling peace!



No wonder Jesus was unafraid to openly keep the Festival of Tabernacles some 2,000 years ago, despite open death threats. No wonder He assertively made breathtaking declarations (John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.



See All...) and performed stunning miracles (John 9:1-11 [1] And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

[2] And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

[4] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

[6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

[7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

[8] The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

[9] Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

[10] Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

[11] He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.





See All...). If you truly understand God's plan for you, then you too can say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.



See All...).



As you read this, thousands of members of the United Church of God are keeping this Festival in many locations around the world . There may be one near you. If you'd like to see what this celebration of the coming Kingdom of God is like, you are welcome to see for yourself. Jesus set an example for all of us in 30 A.D., pointing us to the final victory of God pictured in the joyous Festival of Tabernacles.







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Alhamdillullah [praise allah]: Muhammad Ali’s Grandson, Jacob Wertheimer, Bar Mitzvahed – Sting Like a Maccabee

A very interesting post from http://www.debbieschlussel.com/ about a convert FROM Islam that deserves Religious Civil Rights! This follows this post about a U.K. attempt to indoctrinate students in the Koran (Quran).  This follows this article about American energy independence and preventing money from going to hostile countries such as Iran and Venezuela. For more that you can do to get involved click HERE and read a very interesting book HERE!




Alhamdillullah [praise allah]: Muhammad Ali’s Grandson, Jacob Wertheimer, Bar Mitzvahed – Sting Like a Maccabee

By Debbie Schlussel



I love stories like this, and I’m sure the Muslim world will be out to get this murtadd ["apostate"]. Technically, Jacob Wertheimer is not a Jew and needs to go through a conversion to be one. But he identifies as Jewish, chose Judaism over Islam, and just had his Bar Mitzvah. His father is Jewish, and his mother, Khaliah Ali-Wertheimer, daughter of boxer Muhammad Ali, left Islam (she’s an “apostate,” too). Muslims love to rub it in the world’s face every time a prominent non-Muslim, especially a Jew or Christian, converts–er “reverts,” in their phony, fantasist terminology–to Islam. Now, it’s their turn. And turnabout is sweet, in addition to being fair play. Wow, that must sting like a Maccabee.









Sting Like a Maccabee: allah NOT the “Greatest” to Newly Bar-Mitzvahed Muhammad Ali Grandson, Jacob Wertheimer











One of his grandchildren, Jacob Wertheimer, was recently bar mitzvahed. . . .



Jacob (the son of Khaliah Ali-Wertheimer and her husband, Spencer) turned thirteen on January 21 of this year. The bar mitzvah took place on April 28 at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. One hundred fifty people were in attendance. Jacob’s grandfather was among them.



“I was born and raised as a Muslim,” Khaliah says. “But I’m not into organized religion. I’m more spiritual than religious. My husband is Jewish. No one put any pressure on Jacob to believe one way or another. He chose this on his own because he felt a kinship with Judaism and Jewish culture.”



“The ceremony was wonderful and very touching,” Khaliah continues. “The theme of Jacob’s presentation was inclusiveness and a celebration of diversity. My father was supportive in every way. He followed everything and looked at the Torah very closely. It meant a lot to Jacob that he was there.”



Khaliah says proudly that Jacob is an “A” student and a good athlete with Ivy League aspirations. She also notes that the bar mitzvah of Muhammad Ali’s grandson is “a wonderful tale of what’s coming in the world.”



The Wertheimers are not the only Muhammad Ali descendants to have a good vibe with the Jewish people. One of Ali’s other daughters is involved with scientific research in Israel and is a big fan of the country. I know this because I was once on a TV show with her, and she told me.



Float like a butterfly, sting like a Maccabee.

The Bible Prophesied the Exact Year the Messiah Would Appear

An interesting article from www.ucg.org explaining the Messiah's birth from an Old Testament (Tanakh) prophecy. This follows this post explaining who and what Jesus Christ was. For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

The Bible Prophesied the Exact Year the Messiah Would Appear


An amazing prophecy in Daniel:9:25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. gives the specific year the Messiah would appear.



An amazing prophecy in Daniel:9:25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. gives the specific year the Messiah would appear. The angel Gabriel revealed this information to Daniel approximately 580 years before its fulfillment. Let's examine this remarkable prophecy and how it was fulfilled.



"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks ..."



The word translated "weeks" here literally means "sevens." While it could mean seven-day weeks, that is evidently not the case here. Daniel had been specifically praying earlier in the chapter about a prophetic period of 70 years. In this answer to his prayer, he is told of a period of 70 sevens—clearly meaning 70 sevens of years in this context, i.e. 70 seven-year periods.



Adding 7 plus 62 (69) of these seven-year periods—that is, a total of 483 years—from a decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem gives the year the Messiah would appear on the scene.



After Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., the Babylonian Empire was succeeded by the Medo-Persian Empire. This empire's kings issued several such decrees that were recorded in the Bible (by Cyrus in 538 B.C., found in Ezra:1:1-2[1]Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,[2]Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah., and by Darius in 520 B.C., described in Ezra:6:8Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.).



But the one that was issued by Artaxerxes Longimanus in 457 B.C. (Ezra:7:11-26[11]Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.[12]Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.[13]I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.[14]Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;[15]And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,[16]And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:[17]That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.[18]And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.[19]The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.[20]And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.[21]And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,[22]Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.[23]Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?[24]Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.[25]And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.[26]And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.) points us specifically to Christ's ministry. Counting 483 years from the 457 B.C. date of this decree brings us to A.D. 27 (keep in mind that because there is no year "0" we have to add one year to the calculation).



A.D. 27 was a significant year. Jesus was baptized this year and began His public ministry.



The Jews of Christ's day were certainly familiar with Daniel's prophecy. And regardless of which decree one might choose as the starting point of the 483 years, the time for the Messiah to appear had elapsed during Jesus' day. Messianic fervor was rampant with the realization that the fulfillment of this prophecy was near at hand (compare John:1:41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.; 4:25).



If the Messiah was to come, He would have to arrive on the scene just when Jesus did—in the exact year!

Atonement: A Day of Deep Reflection

An interesting article from www.ucg.org describing what the Messiah was to accomplish. This follows this post analyzing the Messianic prophecies.   For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

Atonement: A Day of Deep Reflection

A commentary by Gerhard Marx





Sin is the cause of much pain and suffering in the world. But where does sin come from? What is its source? And how can we be rid of the scourge of sin? The biblical Day of Atonement answers all of these questions.





Source: Photos.comThe New Testament makes it clear that Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of all who repent and acknowledge their part in Christ's death, a recognition that their sins caused Jesus to die.



One of the seven Holy Days of the Bible is also associated with atoning for sins. It's the Day of Atonement.



When in 1973 Egypt attacked Israel on the Day of Atonement, it became known as the Yom Kippur War (Yom Kippur is Hebrew for Day of Atonement). Up to the time of Jerusalem's destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70, the high priest would seek forgiveness for the sins of the whole Jewish community, and by so doing would reconcile his people to God.



For a Christian, one focus on this Day of Atonement is the removal of the primary cause of sin—Satan and his demons. As quoted in our booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind,"Until God removes the original instigator of sins, mankind will simply continue to fall back into disobedience and suffering. Although our human nature has a part to play in our sins, Satan the devil bears great responsibility for influencing mankind to disobey God." The booklet goes further and explains the fate of Satan at the end-time when God intervenes in the affairs of man.



Satan is the main source of evil in the world

I remember only too well an incident that occurred at work earlier in my life. A work colleague and I were discussing the existence of God. I was shocked when he expressed to me that, although he believed in God, he believed that God was evil. I asked him how he could say such a thing. He answered that it was on account of all the terrible things, all the evil that happens in the world on a daily basis. My workmate had experienced war directly and saw enough evil being perpetuated in coming to this conclusion.



Although his view of God was shocking to me, I could not deny the fact that evil is perpetuated among the sons of men. Only later, after coming to an understanding of God's plan for mankind, which the above mentioned booklet explains, did I realize that my work associate had made one vital mistake in his otherwise astute observance about evil in the world.



It's not the Almighty who is to blame for the evil we see, but rather Satan himself, who is called in the New Testament "the god of this world" as the King James Bible translates it. The evil we see all around us must be laid primarily at his feet. The New King James refers to Satan as "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians:4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.). The apostle Paul refers to him in the following way when he encouraged his Christian readers: "in which you once walked according to the course of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians:2:2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:).



Satan's evil influence to be removed by Jesus Christ

Satan has been allowed to influence many leaders in society—political as well as religious leaders—to follow a course of action that is in opposition to God's way of life. The experience of the patriarch Job in the Bible is a prime example of Satan being the cause of many of the evil events befalling the world. It was he who brought destruction to Job's family and his servants in the hope that Job would turn against God, just like he tried to have Jesus Christ turn against His Father (Matthew:4:1-4[1]Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.[2]And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.[3]And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.[4]But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.). But both Job and Jesus continued to acknowledge God as the Almighty. Job stated, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job:1:21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.).



The meaning of the Day of Atonement shows that one of the first acts that Jesus Christ will perform once He returns to establish the Kingdom of God is to banish Satan to the "bottomless pit" so that he can deceive the world no longer. That is exactly what he has done for the entirety of man's existence—to deceive and lead people astray from worshiping the true God. But at Christ's return he is to "deceive the nations no more" (Revelation:20:1-3).



The Day of Atonement is given to us in God's Word so that we may humbly reflect on all the evil we see in the world for which Satan is primarily responsible. All the suffering that the world has experienced over the millennia will ultimately be brought to an end after God's Kingdom has been established on the earth. This Holy Day has great significance for the entire world, and God's true Church is keeping it, awaiting the time when Satan will "deceive the nations no more."






We recommend the previously mentioned booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. To read more about the Day of Atonement, read this corresponding chapter - "Atonement: Removal of Sin's Cause and Reconciliation to God
.