Ancient prophecy drives Islamic State’s battlefield choices, enslavement of women

By Mark Ellis – Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (ANS) — In northern Syria near the Turkish border lies the relatively small, nondescript town of Dabiq, home to about 3,300 people. It came as somewhat of a surprise last August when Islamic State (IS) suddenly targeted the city, which seemed to have little strategic importance.

But some may not have realized Dabiq figures prominently in Islamic eschatology – somewhat analogous to Armageddon in the Book of Revelation. It seems the ancient Hadith, which contains the teachings and deeds of Muhammad, prophesied that in the “last hours of history” the forces of Islam will face a horde of infidels at Dabiq in a decisive battle presaging the return of their Messiah.

The importance of this prophecy to IS was revealed in the recent video released November 16th announcing the beheading of American aid worker Peter Kassig.

“Here we are, burning the first American crusader in Dabiq, eagerly waiting for the remainder of your armies to arrive,” declares an IS fighter in the video. The militant condemns U.S. involvement in Iraq and pledges to defeat “this final and last crusade.”

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Rick Warren, Russell Moore Go on Rant Against Sex-Charged Culture

11/18/2014 Josephine McKenna/RNS – Charisma News

Prominent U.S. evangelicals Russell Moore and Rick Warren blasted the sexual revolution at a Vatican conference Nov. 18 and said it is destroying the institution of marriage.

Moore, the public face of the Southern Baptist Convention, said sexual liberation had created “a culture obsessed with sex” that had simply led to a “boredom of sex shorn of mystery.”

“Western culture now celebrates casual sexuality, cohabitation, no-fault divorce, family redefinition and abortion right as part of a sexual revolution that can tear down old patriarchal systems,” Moore told a global gathering of leaders from Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and other faiths as part of the “Complementarity of Man and Woman” conference convened by Pope Francis.

The Southern Baptist ethicist said the sexual revolution appeared to have imposed a new patriarchy that enabled men to “pursue a Darwinian fantasy of the predatory alpha male” for the pursuit of “power, prestige and personal pleasure.”

“Does anyone really believe these things will empower women and children?” he asked. “We see the wreckage of sexuality as self-expression all around us, and we will see more yet.”

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Franklin Graham Takes Hard Stand Against This Muslim Prayer

11/18/2014 Mark Andrews – Charisma News

Franklin Graham, who is widely respected as the heir-apparent to his father, iconic evangelist Billy Graham, isn’t shy about speaking out for God’s truth. So when he saw Christians compromise their principles to reach out to false religions in the name of ecumenicalism, it was no surprise that it drew a harsh response.

Graham this week slammed the National Cathedral in Washington for allowing Muslims to hold their first prayer service there last Friday.

“It’s sad to see a church open its doors to the worship of anything other than the One True God of the Bible who sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth to save us from our sins,” said Graham, head of the Samaritan’s Purse humanitarian aid ministry.

The younger Graham took to Facebook and spoke to the news media to register his extreme displeasure that a Christian cathedral—long a Washington landmark—would willingly be handed over to Muslims by the Cathedral’s Episcopalian leadership.

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BBC refuses to allow Israeli minister to show victims of synagogue jihad attack — had no problem showing Gaza victims

Robert Spencer Nov 18, 2014 – Jihad Watch

The mainstream media cannot be trusted. It is clearly aligned with malevolent forces. Unfortunately, it still wields disproportionate power and influence.

“BBC to Bennett: We don’t want to see victims of terrorism,” BBC, November 18, 2014:

Interviewer refuses to allow economy minister to show photograph of victims of the terrorist attack at Jerusalem synagogue.

A BBC interviewer refused to allow Economy Minister Naftali Bennett to show a photograph of victims of the terrorist attack in Jerusalem in an interview Tuesday morning.

Bennett appeared on BBC World News after a Palestinian spokesman, who claimed that Jews were murdering Palestinians in Jerusalem.

The Bayit Yehudi leader responded: “The fact is that [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] himself incites and tells the Arabs ‘take arms and fight the Jews.’”

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Iran: The 9-Step Plan to ‘Eliminate’ Israel

November 17, 2014 by Majid Rafizadeh

President Barack Obama appears to be determined to reward the ruling clerics in the Islamic Republic for its “good” behavior by engaging in nuclear negations.

In addition, President Obama has created the narrative that the Islamic Republic is in a weaker position in the nuclear negotiations because the Iranians want sanctions to be lifted against them. But what we witness in reality is that every time that the Islamic Republic rejects any deal that does not comply with its objectives, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry keep coming back with a new deal to satisfy the Iranian leaders. If the Islamic Republic is the weaker actor in these negotiations, then why are the rules of the nuclear deal not being set based on the p5+1 criteria?

John Kerry has been holding bilateral talks with the Russians and French in order to make sure that a final nuclear deal can be reached between the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and the Islamic Republic. Additionally, President Barack Obama seems to be determined.

President Obama has also recently written a secret letter — revealed by the Wall Street Journal – to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, implying the shared regional interests that the Islamic Republic and the United States bear in the Middle East. The letter appears to be asking the Supreme Leader to grasp the opportunity and seal the final nuclear deal, which would result in the lifting of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

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A Diverse and Powerful Egyptian Church

By Dr David Curry , Christian Post Guest Contributor – November 13, 2014

In June and July of 2013, Tahrir Square became a place where history was made. This Cairo, Egypt landmark housed the largest outpouring of protest against the radical Jihadist agenda in the Middle East, with estimates of over 20 million people protesting the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood. The loss of power for the Muslim Brotherhood brought repercussions to Egyptian Christians, both Coptic and evangelical, as the Brotherhood sought to both appeal for support among Islamic radicals, and punish Christians for speaking out against the brutality of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hundreds of churches were burned to the ground, homes and businesses were attacked and many Christians lost their lives.

As CEO of Open Doors USA, I have the privilege of regularly interacting with heroes of the faith, people who have suffered great persecution. I often meet people who have lost their entire families, businesses and homes, simply because they choose to be followers of Jesus. I was in Tahrir Square last January when Egyptians voted to adopt the new constitution and chart a path away from the rule of Islamic Jihadists. I watched as the Brotherhood demonstrated with violence, desperately trying to hold on to their death-grip of power over Egyptians. And I watched as Christians were targeted for brutality.

But just days ago, I returned again from Egypt. What I saw this time was a Church that has grown strong in spite of the horrendous difficulties that it faces. I saw Christians, both Coptic and evangelical, who have come to understand they must seek a common path together in faith. These are important first steps. What I saw was the first steps in the rebuilding of an Egyptian Christian Church focused on the saving grace of Jesus.

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The British Royal Family and the Islamist Terrorists

November 18, 2014 by Howard Rotberg – Frontpage Magazine

Four men aged 19-27 were arrested by British police on Thursday, November 6th, for allegedly planning a terror attack in London against Queen Elizabeth during the Remembrance Day ceremony that took place on Friday, November 7th.

The terrorists were seized by the police following months of surveillance and police were said to be interrogating the suspects – who are thought to have hatched a plot to assassinate the Queen with a knife.

England, of course, under Prime Minister Cameron is a leader in tolerance and respect for Islam and even allows Sharia Law-governed “no-go” areas. After the ISIS beheading of British citizen David Haines, Cameron was quoted as feeling the need once again, just as after every terrorist murder, to emphasize that such terrorism was not done by the “religion of peace”:  “They are killing and slaughtering thousands of people… they boast of their brutality… they claim to do this in the name of Islam, that is nonsense, Islam is a religion of peace. They are not Muslims, they are monsters”.

In my book, Tolerism: The Ideology Revealed (Mantua Books, second edition), I discuss how the endless tolerance of the intolerant illiberals endangers us all if these intolerants take power and end all tolerance.  Britain has quite an ambivalent relationship with Islam and especially those who commit violence, or otherwise attack British historic liberties and freedoms, for the purpose of conquest and a jihadist caliphate.

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New Year’s Eve & New Year 2015 program at CTFM at 30 Star Crescent in Hallam

Dear friends & family in Christ, 31st December—New Year’s Eve Worship Service at 9.30pm with Communion followed by supper (bring a plate of finger food) – no hot food please…

Continue ReadingNew Year’s Eve & New Year 2015 program at CTFM at 30 Star Crescent in Hallam

Appeasement: Obama’s Secret Letter to Khamenei

November 17, 2014 by Joseph Puder – Frontpage Magazine

The Wall Street Journal headline on November 6, 2014 stated that “Obama Wrote Letter to Iran’s (Ayatollah) Ali Khamenei (Supreme Leader of Iran) About Fighting Islamic State.” The article described the letter as “secret,” and goes on to say that the October, 2014 letter to Khamenei “[m]arked at least the fourth time Mr. Obama has written to Iran’s most powerful political and religious leader since taking office in 2009 and pledging to engage with Tehran’s Islamist government.”

President Obama’s “secret” letter has raised deep concerns among U.S. Middle Eastern allies including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Emirates, who have expressed their concern that America’s desperate efforts to reach an agreement on the nuclear issue with Tehran might appear as appeasement, and that the U.S. might soften its demands for Iran’s nuclear disarmament. They are worried that the Obama administration’s eagerness to get an agreement might leave the radical Iranian regime with the capability to produce a nuclear weapon.

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the revelation concerning the “secret” letter to Khamenei, saying, “I think the struggle with ISIS doesn’t need to come at the expense of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear arms.”

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National Cathedral Hosts Islamic Prayers; Lone Protester Interrupts Service

By Stephanie Samuel , Christian Post Reporter – November 14, 2014

UPDATE: 3:31 p.m. The Muslim prayer service held at the Washington National Cathedral was briefly disrupted by a protester, according to a local NBC report.

“Jesus Christ died on that cross over there!” a woman said loudly, immediately after announcements at the beginning of the service were made. “He is the reason why we are to worship only him. Jesus Christ is our lord and savior!”

According to the NBC report, she continued, “We have built, and allowed you here in mosques across this country. Why can’t you worship in your mosque, and leave our churches alone?”

The protester was then escorted out of the cathedral, News4’s Kristin Wright reported. She was removed without incident, but she continued her protest once she was taken to an adjoining space. 

The Episcopal church set in Washington, D.C. altered its visitor tour schedule in order to host traditional Islamic Friday prayers called Jumu’ah. The service was led by South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, and held in the Cathedral’s north transept, an area considered “almost mosque-like” because of its arches and limited iconography.

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Lifeway Study: Almost a Quarter of American Families Have Turned to Church Food Pantries for Help

By Stephanie Samuel , Christian Post Reporter – November 26, 2014

A September Lifeway Research survey reveals that nearly a quarter of Americans have received food from a church-run food pantry. Minorities and churchgoers commonly benefit from church pantries, according to the survey.

The Nashville-based Christian research firm polled 1,158 respondents about church food pantries and found that 22 percent said they have relied on a church program to feed their families. Of those who have received food from a church pantry, 26 percent were churchgoers. Over a third identified as evangelical.

More than one in three church pantry users (37 percent) were African Americans, 25 percent were Hispanic while 19 percent of the pantry users were Caucasian.

Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research, said of the survey’s results, “There is an abundance of food in the U.S., but plenty of people still go hungry.”

Some 50 million Americans struggle to put food on the table, according to national food bank network Feeding America.

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The Church’s Responsibility to Address Male Violence Against Women

September 09, 2014

Male violence against women is a real problem in our culture, one the church must address. Our responsibility here is not simply at the level of social justice but at the level of ecclesical justice as well.

We must teach from our pulpits, our Sunday school classes, and our Vacation Bible Schools that women are to be cherished, honored, and protected by men. This means we teach men to reject American playboy consumerism in light of a Judgment Seat at which they will give account for their care for their families. It means we explicitly tell the women in our congregations, “A man who hits you has surrendered his headship, and that is the business both of the civil state in enacting public justice and of this church in enacting church discipline.”

Church discipline against wife-beaters must be clear and consistent. We must stand with women against predatory men in all areas of abandonment, divorce, and neglect. We must train up men, through godly mentoring as well as through biblical instruction, who will know that the model of a husband is a man who crucifies his selfish materialism, his libidinal fantasies, and his wrathful temper tantrums in order to care lovingly for a wife. We must also remind these young men that every idle word, and every hateful act, will be laid out in judgment before the eyes of the One to whom we must give an answer.

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Prayer Service outside the Lindt Chocolate Melbourne

Dear friends & family,

Wflowers outside Lindte are so pleased to say that the Prayer Service outside the Lindt Chocolate outlet last Sunday afternoon was very successful.
It was very moving and touched many lives including the café staff, people passing by and even some of the police officers.
Around 100 people gathered to show their love and compassion to the families of the two victims of the hostage crisis. We also prayed for those who had been held hostage, and the thousands who watched it on TV and were traumatized.
Complete strangers stood side by side with us and sang “Amazing Grace”, and with tears they joined in to unite as one.

There was a clear message to those who do not love peace, nor the freedoms we enjoy.
That they will not be able to take it away from us.
The Bible states in 1 John 4 : 18 “Perfect love drives out all fear”. I feel this is so true, the feeling of love demonstrated by the people gathered was far greater than the hatred shown by the Islamic hostage-taker who was killed by the police.
Ps Daniel stated, “It is so good to take church to the streets and meet people at their point of need. the feedback was very encouraging”.
One of the police officers came up to us at the end of the service and said:

“Thank you so very much for doing this service. I was listening to you guys, it was very touching. You need to do more vigils like this, we hope we were able to assist you. Please contact us any time you need and keep up the good work.” (more…)

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Majority of Americans Recognize Christ in Christmas

Charisma News – Melanie Korb

While some “grinches” try to secularize Christmas and remove any mention of Christ from Christmas, the majority of Americans still celebrate the “reason for the season.”

According to Rassmusen Reports, 78 percent of Americans believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth to die for our sins; 79 percent of Americans say religious holidays should be celebrated in public schools, and 70 percent prefer “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays” on store signs.

The majority of Americans believe that Christmas should be celebrated in public schools. Public schools are not religion-free zones. Classroom discussion of the religious aspects of the holidays is permissible. A holiday display in a classroom may include a nativity scene or other religious imagery, so long as the context also includes secular symbols.

A choral performance may include religious songs. Indeed, the majority of the songs may be religious, so long as the performance also includes secular holiday songs. If the students select their own songs, there is no requirement that the songs include secular numbers. (more…)

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Iran: forget the negotiations, Khamenei just wants to annihilate Israel

November 15, 2014, – The Times of Israel

If you invite someone you want to befriend over for dinner and, as soon as he enters your house, he kicks your cat, spits on the floor and punches your son in the face, you suddenly realize that you have made a mistake.

On the contrary, when Ayatollah Khamenei, following a letter that the US President Obama sent him as a sign of understanding and alliance, tweeted urbi et orbi his genocidal project to annihilate Israel, no reactions have been heard from the hesitant ambassadors of the P5+1 countries, which stayed in Oman in the last few days for a new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear energy program.

Even Obama did not say a word about it. But how is it possible to talk with someone who cares to explain in a 9-point list why the “Zionist regime” must be destroyed? Khamenei explains it thoroughly: “Why should the Zionist regime be eliminated? During its 66 years of life so far, the fake Zionist regime has tried to realize its goals by means of infanticide, homicide, violence and iron fist… the only means of bringing Israeli crimes to an end is the elimination of this regime”.

Then Khamenei, who affects to prefer the Jews walking away with not too much bloodshed, suggests to organize a referendum for all the Arabs and Christians (who, for the occasion, became his friends… but no Jews, please) and make them vote for the total elimination of Israel. He says he is certain that the international public opinion will gladly accept his plan, but reassures the terrorists: until that day, they are invited to keep on in their armed struggle. Khamenei tells his ferocious and obscene truth, while instructing his delegates to buy time on the nuclear issue. After all, Iran has always acted this way.

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