Prophecy Watchers – Has the end-time judgement of Laodecia begun? 28th February 2011

Grace, Joy and Shalom in the perfect love of our Redeemer YHVH of Hosts, who is the First and the Last! (Isaiah 44:6).

"In That Day" is an email exhortational watchman ministry, looking to the imminent restoration of Joseph (Ephraim) and the whole House of Jacob "in that day".

Has the end-time judgement of Laodecia begun?

There has been a great tragedy in Christchurch and much shock and sadness currently exists in our nation.  Our hearts, sympathies and prayers are for those families who have been suffering and are victims. But at the same time we must ask the question if we have been given a Divine sign of the “end of days”.

Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

The tragedy of Christchurch is now being reflected on by a growing number of evangelical Christian discernment commentators across the globe, and their comments appear to reflect a single theme. That Almighty God has begun to judge apostate Christianity.

Scripture tells us that before YHVH begins to judge the nations, He will judge apostasy, false shepherds and those who have polluted His Name by distorting His Word with false doctrines, idolatry, witchcraft, religious pride, hypocrisy and lawlessness. This judgement of a people who claim to be committed to Him in a covenant of faith, but not on His terms, was demonstrated by Moses in the incident of the golden calf, Elijah at the battle of Mt. Carmel, and Yahoshua when He chased the moneychangers out of the temple (Matt 21:12) and is also yet to be a future experience when Messiah returns in the end of days (see the judgement of Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-22; and the purging out of “rebels” when Zion is redeemed, Ezekiel 20: 38)

Two weeks previous, I brought to your attention the signs of the uprising in Egypt over food prices (impending famine) and the announcement of the discovery of the prophet Zechariah’s tomb (calling us to consider the Prophetic message of Zechariah) as being specific Divine pointers to the first year of the last seven years of YHVH’s Divine Calendar. (For this audio message click on: http://www.inthatday.net/205771/birthofzion_Part7.mp3 )

The prophet Zechariahs massage heralds a call to YHVH’s people 1) to return to Him in repentance, 2) the flying scroll judgement of apostate religion – which is described as the house of the thief and the liar  and 3) the birth and return of Zion.

Considering the tragedy of Christchurch, one has to consider something of the context that surrounds the city of Christchurch and the nation of New Zealand as a whole, as well as what certain Christian discernment commentators across the globe (some included below) have recently written, pointing to the tragedy of Christchurch as a sign that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has begun to judge Christianity – in this sign, even the city’s name of “Christchurch” is significant, and the New Zealand media’s continual declaration that the destruction of the Anglican Christchurch Cathedral is the destruction of the “heart” of the city of Christchurch. Several are commenting that the message that is now revealed across the globe for all to witness, is a message directed at Christendom!

For your information, here are some interesting points concerning the City of Christchurch and the New Zealand Christian context that I have become aware of :

• Christchurch is the 2^nd largest city in New Zealand. This tragedy has significant social and economic implications for the whole nation of New Zealand. Whilst the NZ economy is currently on the edge of a “double dip recession”, the Christchurch tragedy stands to cost the national economy billions of dollars. The government is now calling for a new national tax on the NZ people to restore the city.( see: Devastated Christchurch will be uninhabitable for months ). At this time thousands are leaving the city with no intention of returning.(see: Thousands leave Christchurch after quakes). Whilst the official commentators state that ChristChurch is well insured, the reality of the global recession and other major disasters such as the floods in Australia may mean that the reality of insurers meet their full commitments may not eventuate. The implications is that city, and possible the New Zealand nation will not be able to recover economically for a very, very long time.
  
• Christchurch was the original British Anglican settler community to New Zealand in the early 1800’s, and Anglicanism spread across New Zealand from there. Hence the Anglican Cathedral, while being traditionally regarded as the heart of the city (see: Shattered cathedral is quake city's 'broken heart' ), is also significantly related to Anglicanism throughout New Zealand.
  
• It was a settlement that was originally built on sand and this was well known (see the liquefaction damage that has occurred in the last two major earthquakes), against contrary recommendations back in the early days. (see: Christchurch earthquake: Levels of liquefaction 300 - 500 pc worse). Does the building on sand sound any biblical warning note?

• New Zealanders hold themselves high as being liberal, culturally sensitive, accommodating and adaptable pioneers, often striving to lead the world in humanistic, social conscience, political activism, cultural, and religious trends.  Whilst most New Zealanders are secular in persuasion, their values appear quite congruent with post-modern progressive Christian ethics and values, as reflected in liberal Christian theology, but simply without a faith in Jesus. Progressive Christianity appears therefore to be a religious "condiment" to a general secular social-humanist value system that characterises the typical modern New Zealander.

• Of the New Zealand Christian population, conservative evangelicals are but a small percentage, with Pentecostals and Charismatics constituting the larger proportion of evangelicals. Gnerally speaking the varying streams of New Zealand Pentecostals and Charismatics have kept themselves abreast of Western Christianity by importing the latest popular American Christian trends whether materialist, Gnostic or music / church growth strategies, as well as the contemporary “Emergent Christianity” of new ageism. Consequently there exists very minor differences if any  between the expressions of the various pentecostal and charismatic denominations.

On the other hand, the New Zealand liberal Christian orthodoxies such as Anglicanism, Methodism, Presbytarianism and United Church of Christ, have stood against conservative evangelical Christianity with a mix of socialist humanism, allegorical liberal theology, ecumenicalism, and social justice worldviews, and perceive themselves to be good,  responsible “global citizens” and a part of the (politically acceptable) enlightened global trends as reflected in the World Council of Churches and Christian orthodoxy in the new world. The focus of this liberal Christianity is to emphasise toleration and “inclusivism” of all faiths in harmony with each other, rather than uphold any biblical standard of sanctified “set apartness” or holiness according to biblical writ,  which might otherwise cause divisions or exclusiveness.

• Progressive Christianity – the ecumenical socialist/humanist left of liberal Christian orthodoxy, has a home in Christchurch ( see: Sea of Faith Christchurch Group). This movement stands in relationship with progressive Christianity in the other two main cities of New Zealand,  in Wellington (see: Progressive Christianity.org) , and in Auckland, at the city centre Anglican Church of St Matthews-in-the-city (the heart of Auckland?)

• Christchurch Cathedral and Christchurch Square has been the public stage of the Christchurch Wizard for over a decade, who has publicly declared paganism and magic immediately in front of the Cathedral to all those who visit Christchurch. After living many years in Christchurch, the Wizard left Christchurch immediately after the first quake in 2010, and was not present during this last tragic quake. However, he has just returned, and his message to Christchurch city (TVNZ Close Up 28^th Feb) is not to worry but now to be happy and enjoy themselves: (see TVNZ - Christchurch’s Wizard returns (TVNZ Video) The Wizard of Christchurch Cathedral square returns! “When you think of Christchurch, you think of cathedral, think cathedral, and you think the wizard” – Malcolm Sainsbury, TVNZ Close Up presenter. 28^th Feb 2011)

• Immediately after the first earthquake in 2010, Andrew Strom called for prayer in the city square of Christchurch, outside of the main Anglican cathedral, for the city to give thanks to Almighty God that no life had been lost. Strom’s request was refused by The Dean of Christchurch Cathedral. In addition all other Christian denominational leaders in the city also refused to participate. ( See:  AWFUL SHAKING in CHRISTCHURCH – Andrew Strom. )

• Inside the Christchurch Cathedral were murals of ancient swastikas installed since 1833. (see: Christchurch Cathedral inlaid stonework 1883, and Christchurch Cathedral - offering of the cathedral guild 1883, (for information, see also The meaning of the word “Swastika”  -The swastika symbol is one of the oldest symbols on the Earth and can be found in all religions and traditions, on all continents)

• From a recent personal conversation with a Maori messianic believer, I was informed that more than 40 –50 years ago this person’s tribe was originally keeping the Sabbath according to biblical injunction, but that the tribe was then given a forced choice by Anglicans to drop the Sabbath in favour of the Roman Christian Sunday, if they were to be accepted as part of the Anglican community. Consequently, the tribe was split, even along family lines, and remains this way today.

Christian Discernment Commentaries Of The Christchurch disaster

The following commentaries are worth reading:

The Church Bells All Were Broken (click here) to read)
I believe the Father is testifying through these events that judgment is at hand. A great shaking is coming to the nations. The shaking will test all that the church has built. Much will crumble. Many lives will be tragically lost. The faith of multitudes will fail, for it is not sufficient to carry them through coming days.

Signs of Judgment - Christchurch Earthquakes and the National Christmas Tree (USA) (click here to read)
“The church is being judged at the present time….The nature of this judgment is that it begins gently and escalates…Consider some recent signs. The earthquakes in Christchurch, NZ have been recognized by many watchful saints as signs to the church…Look at the picture of the statue honouring the founder of Christchurch lying face down in the dirt. This is in Cathedral Square. Are you seeing what it means? It's not my Lord but one who compares to Nimrod and Nebuchadnezzar.

The loss in New Zealand is genuine and I don't want to discount it. I am not numb to the very real pain felt by those whose lives were and are touched by the quake. Yet, what's imperative is that you hear the message that the pain and loss it portends will be just as real and on a far greater scale with consequences extending beyond this mortal life.

Below is a discernment poem that was recently posted on The Christchurch Disaster

“Christ’s church”

Shaken, shaken is Christ’s church,
The bastions are falling to the ground.
Bastions of demonic doctrines,
That from men have been passed on down.

Beware, beware of your folly,
Stop allowing yourself to be deceived.
It’s time to come out from under,
The lie that took hold of Eve

Satan spoke, “hasn’t God said,”
And so it is with man.
They speak words of doctrine,
That were never a part of My plan.

You choose today whom you will serve,
Will it be My way or mans.
The choice remains, in your hands,
To now be part of My plans.

You say you want to serve me,
You run to the ends of the earth.
But what you have done is brought confusion,
To those whom I want to convert.

Look up, look up into the skies,
For soon I will return.
My prayer for you today is this,
That from all your folly you’ll turn.

Clarke Slootweg 02/22/11 (from Blog comments under article: http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/2011/02/17/awful-shaking-in-christchurch-andrew-strom/ )

Reflecting on A “Poignant” Moment:

In an interview on the national television, one Christchurch Anglican Clergy stated that when she heard the bell of her collapsing church spire strike the ground, it was a poignant (heartbreaking) moment. In reflecting on this description I wondered how it could be that the fall of a church spire and the last sound of the bell would be more poignant than a fear that the church itself could be under real judgement by the Most High? 

When religion has deliberately (doctrinally) reconstructed the authentic God of the scriptures into a preferred humanist image of oneself, to be a God whose unconditional love would never permit any judgement of iniquity (biblical lawlessness), then the ability to hear the message of the Spirit of YHVH through such tragedy may not be possible because of a self-inflicted deafness. The heart can be deceived and hardened to true life in the Spirit of the Most High God – to the pont where the eyes cannot see and the spirit cannot hear. Such is the dulling effect of man-made constructed religion that looks perfect to man in its form but simply cannot entertain or comprehend the thought that God will judge His people, men's religions and the nations. When the clergy, (if it were to play any significant role) should be the first to submit itself to deep repentance and then to call the nation to return to YHVH and ask for forgiveness for transgression and sin, they remain incapable of any truly Apostolic ministry and can only but hold memorial services for individual victims and grieving families…while the watching public legitimately questions – where was your God in this? 

However, it has to be said that contrary to a humanly constructed Christian theology , the scriptures declare in plain text that to love the true God means to OBEY His commandments - to obey His Law - ( 1John 5:2) and that Yahoshua, the true Messiah, by His own declaration will judge iniquity in the end of days (Matt13:41; Luke 13:27), and that those who commit iniquity will be excluded from His eklesia. Why? Because YHVH declares Himself to be a jealous God!  (Exodus 34:13). It becomes imperative therefore that Christians, who are sensitive to the Almighty’s chastisement, should study what the scriptures define as “iniquity”, since the Christchurch disaster is a Divine chastisement of Christianity and of national significance, and at the same time it is an end time global warning to those who would hear the call to repent.

So which is more poignant (heartbreaking) – the sound of a collapsing bell tower of one's Church, or the inability of a clergy class to discern the devastating judgement of the Almighty that the Christian Church and its deliberate ignorance of the written word is in dire straights? What highlights this matter even more is that whilst the denominations of the institutional Christian Churches in the city centre were utterly demolished, the Jewish synagogue came through unscathed. Could it be that, YHVH Almighty is demonstrating that His measuring line which He has placed upon institutionalised Christianity is so very far beyond what the Christian worldview and its Greco-Roman mind could comprehend?

Reviewing Divine Global Signs over the past four months

To conclude, let’s re-consider some of the globally impacting signs we have witnessed occur in the last 3 months, which appear to be pointing to certain biblical messages:

1. Mount Carmel Forest fire (2 Dec 2010)

    "These were not the Hannuka flames Israel was expecting. On the first day of the festival, the top of Mount Carmel looked like one of those volcanoes you see on the National Geographic Channel. The pillar of smoke could be seen from 50 miles away." Quote by S. Plaut

    "On the first day of Hanukkah - a Thursday - a devastating fire broke out on the mountain top near where Elijah had called down fire from heaven. This fire, the worst in the history of Israel, was driven by violent winds which sent it out of control for four days." Quoted from "Maoz Israel Report".

Was the Mount Carmel fire a warning of what is to come? Was YHVH giving a divine sign to remind us of the biblical event of when Elijah called down fire from heaven when he proved to all Israel that, "YHVH he is God, YHVH, He is God"? Let us reconsider the Message of the Mt. Carmel incident – it speaks of the judgement of Apostate religion that poses itself to be legitimately of the House of Israel.

    "Now send and gather all of Israel to Me on Mount Carmel… Then the fire of YHVH fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

    And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "YHVH, he is God; YHVH, he is God." And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape."  — (1Kings 18: 19, 38,39).

(For pictures of this recent fire see : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Carmel_forest_fire_%282010%29 )

 2. Egyptian Revolution Over Food Prices (30 Jan 2011)

Let us not forget the sign that in Jan 2011, the issue that was reported as having began the Egyptian Riots was the cost of food Egyptians were facing, as the average Egyptian spends 60% of their income just on the purchase of food. Reporters have since clarified how the currency manipulations of the US Fed (and other national currencies) became the straw that broke the camel’s back as far as inflating food prices in Egypt were concerned. That the riots have been now superseded by other political movements does not detract from the initial sign that was given for our attention – an uprising against Pharaoh over escalating food prices in Egypt. This points us, to the redemption parable in Goshen (Genesis 43-37) and to the beginning of the great 7 years of famine.

(see initial report: Egypt and Tunisia usher in the new era of global food revolutions

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/8291470/Egypt-and-Tunisia-usher-in-the-new-era-of-global-food-revolutions.html

3. World Media Proclaim Zechariah’s Tomb has been discovered (3 Feb 2011)

Archaeologists in Israel believe they may have stumbled upon the tomb of the biblical Prophet Zechariah in a newly discovered church. However, regardless if this a true archeolgical finding, the herald in the media was the name of the prophet Zecharia – which calls us to attention to study his prophetic message.

Zecharia’s message heralds the call to YHVH’s people to prepare to return to Zion, the judgement of apostate religion and the cutting off of wickedness” (Zech 5: 8)

Zech 2:10 ¶  Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith YHVH.

(see initial report: Israel Archaeologists announce they May Have Found Tomb of Prophet Zechariah http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/03/archaeologists-may-have-found-tomb-of-prophet-zechariah/

4. The Christchurch Earthquake (Tuesday 22^nd Feb 2011)

From the discussion above it would seem that the sign of ChristChurch’s tragedy is the judgement of institutionalised post-modern Christianity, as is being discerned by Christian commentators.

The Real Biblical Issue At Stake  - “Because you have forgotten my law…”

However, while Christian commentators may be correct in their discernment concerning Christchurch pointing to the judgement of institutional Christianity, they yet themselves do not recognise the real issues at stake. The biblical prophets tells us that in the end of days YHVH will judge ALL those who profess to hold covenant faith with Him and yet have dismissed or “forgotten His Law”. The impending judgement declared is that that they themselves will be “forgotten”.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

At the same time YHVH is rising to redeem His remnant people, who are those by biblical definition who have 1) keep the commandments of YHVH (The Law), and 2) have faith in Yahoshua Messiah’s atonement - back to Zion.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Yahoshua.

Thus the focus of our conclusion is not that the institutional Christian “Church” is beginning to experience the judgement of YHVH, but that YHVH’s true ecclesia is being readied to be revealed and He is sending His last minute call for the very last precious ones of His true remnant people to finally leave the institutions of organised Christian religion and remove themselves form its foundational non-biblical practices BEFORE the great judgement comes, symbolised by 1) the destruction of all Christian Church buildings in the “heart” of Christchurch and 2) the mass exodus of people that are now daily fleeing the city for other places of refuge), and to make their garments clean by returning to true faith and obedience to YHVH’s written Word.

The alternative to this warning to a repentant return is but a greater judgement of an eternal significance.  To deliberately remain in the places of apostasy in the days ahead is to ignore the last warning and heart call of YHVH’s Spirit, and what remains is to then be judged as a willing participant in the sins of “Christ Church” and to receive her judgements of plagues, as it is written:

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Indeed, we are just about to complete the first year of the last 7 years known as Jacob’s trouble.  The signs that we are beginning to see rapidly unfolding around us across the world today are increasing evidence that YHVH is about to redeem the remnant of Zion in the coming days, according to the testimony of the biblical prophets. That being said, the remnant who are looking to Messiah Yahoshua and His call to Zion are beginning to hear His command:

Luke 21:28 28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

As for Christianity, whether you be evangelical, conservative or liberal, whether you preach that the Word of YHVH is to be interpreted allegorically and not literally, or if you preach that the Law of YHVH has passed away, and that it no longer is an important matter to the "new testament" Christian, it simply will not matter much longer – you need only to HEAR the Words of the one true Messiah Yahoshua by reading it for yourself and then deciding whether Institutional Christianity has or has not departed from biblical truth and promoted apostacy:

Matthew 5:17-19.

17 ¶  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 

19  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Yahoshua Messiahs’ Word to ALL YHVH’s remnant eklesia is to REPENT! The example of Christchurch can thus be likened unto the biblical record of the Tower of Siloam.

Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

No trace of denominational Christianity will be found in the new nation of Zion, and neither will there be Right Reverends, Deans or any you name it clerical rank - but only the “outcasts of Israel” and “strangers” called one by one from the nations where they have been scattered, who have been forgiven by the blood of the lamb, who love YHVH Almighty, and have repented and returned to keep His commandments.

Trusting in the Grace of YHVH and in His Son, Yahoshua Messiah.

Rob

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Other Global News Reports Of Note

Public Statement From America’s Top SpyThursday, when Washington’s new director of national intelligence, retired Adm. Dennis Blair, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee of the coming collapse of America.

Its Not an Arab Revolution…It’s a Global Revolution

The worldwide riots are not mysterious or unforeseeable. They've been predicted for years, and are a direct result of the bad policy choices made by most nations worldwide.

The Bank for International Settlements - the world's most prestigious financial agency, nicknamed the "central banks' central bank" - warned in December 2008 that the bailouts and other bank rescue programs were putting nations were transferring risks from private companies to nations.

…In other words, by assuming huge portions of the risk from banks trading in toxic derivatives, and by spending trillions that they don't have, central banks have put their countries at risk ....

Warning: Food Supply and Affordability are Seriously Threatened

Across the board, basic foods started surging in price at the start of the year, showing the biggest monthly rise in more than five years. Bread and pasta have increased more in the last month than they have ever done in the last two years—even temporarily. Nations all over are concerned that increasing commodity prices will make headline inflation very painful.

CNN: Scientists, telescope hunt massive hidden object in space (Planet X on Solar System Horizon)

Some scientists think a brown dwarf or gas giant bigger than Jupiter could be at the outer reaches of the solar system. In this image showing relative size, the white object at the upper left edge represents the sun.

.. And when we say giant, we mean GIANT.

Evidence is mounting that either a brown dwarf star or a gas giant planet is lurking at the outermost reaches of our solar system, far beyond Pluto. The theoretical object, dubbed Tyche, is estimated to be four times the size of Jupiter and 15,000 times farther from the sun than Earth, according to a story in the British paper The Independent.

Still doubting that global famine is growing? Food prices push millions into poverty

Rising food prices pushed tens of millions of people into extreme poverty last year and are reaching "dangerous levels" in some countries, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said Tuesday as he released new data showing that the cost of grain and other staples is near a historic high.

World Bank: Food prices at "dangerous levels"
Global food prices have hit "dangerous levels" that could contribute to political instability, push millions of people into poverty and raise the cost of groceries, according to a new report from the World Bank.

The bank released a report Tuesday that said global food prices have jumped 29 percent in the past year, and are just 3 percent below the all-time peak hit in 2008. Bank President Robert Zoellick said the rising prices have hit people hardest in the developing world because they spend as much as half their income on food.

"Food prices are the key and major challenge facing many developing countries today," Zoellick said. The World Bank estimates higher prices for corn, wheat and oil have pushed 44 million people into extreme poverty since last June.