HOW CLOSE ARE WE? To the second coming of CHRIST?

 Greetings to all who are curious,

About what? About the end times!

God bless you today.

I have been gone for awhile. I'm not going to belabor this because many of you know already.  2 years have come and gone since I was last with you--My life's partner and wife, Brandy Cook went home to be with the Lord: She was my number 1 concern during that time but now its time for me to re-engage! SO--here goes--!

There is so much to write about so lets take it from the top;  FIRST, The Biblical book of ISAIAH is incredibly important to anyone who studies prophecy; It proclaims things about the future and about the very end of the END TIMES and is incredibly important to everyone who sincerely desires to know what is ahead for mankind. For example--Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 prophecies about JESUS the Christ of God and this prophecy was written in about the eighth century B.C. HUNDREDS of years before HE was born! 

It says "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Child is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."---

ALL names in reference to the Holy One of Israel, JESUS the Christ of God!

And, in chapter 11 verses 1 and 2, He is described as follows; "There shall come forth a ROD OF IRON,    from the stem of Joseph (Jesus fathers name), and a BRANCH (followers of Christ) shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord"!

I quote these things to give you some background. Later in chapter 17, we see prophesied the destruction of the City of Damascus--a yet future event!  So? How does this all fit in with the end tines???

We do not know perfectly what God has in mind for the future but we can see our Bibles and what is happening in our world today.  Right now for example, we see the separation of ISRAEL from the nations of the world. Right now we see an alliance between IRAN, CHINA and RUSSIA, which has NEVER-EVER happened before! In fact BEFORE--these nations have been bitter enemies! And what is bringing them together? A shared hatred of all things JEWISH!!! ISRAEL!!!

Look at a map of the Middle East; You will find a very tiny strip of land--ISRAEL surrounded on three sides by Muslim nations and on one side, the Mediterranean Sea. I have been to Israel 9 times. You can drive the entire country North to South in one day. Surrounding Israel are Muslim countries with huge reserves of undeveloped land and yet NONE of these countries will accept any of the MUSLIM inhabitants of the GAZA strip--previously part of Israel.  No, no, they insist that tiny ISRAEL give these people--PALESTINIANS, a homeland of ISRAEL's land! AND YET--they already have GAZA!

Many folks don't like it BUT the Biblical book of ZECHARIAH  2:8 declares very loudly---"FOR THUS SAYS THE LORD of hosts, He sent me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; For he who touches you, TOUCHES THE APPLE OF HIS EYE!!!--Emphasis mine.

Scripture is speaking about ISRAEL here--described by GOD as the very center of His eye!!

It is a very dangerous thing to come against Israel for ANY reason! BY ANYONE!!!

No one on this earth knows the exact timing of end times events. But there is little doubt that we are getting extremely close. My lifetime or yours? Maybe! No one but God Himself knows for certain.

Regarding the Palestinian people? I pray for them--and I urge you to as well.  FOR THEIR SALVATION!

But ALWAYS be in prayer for the APPLE OF GODS EYE!  

ISRAEL!  God bless you all in JESUS name!

P.S. Many articles to follow!                

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Pastor Rance             

 DISASTER PREVAILS!!!

Greetings

When I last wrote to you, my sweet wife Brandy and I spoke of hope for the future since we had received great and encouraging words from a very renowned Doctor who specializes in cancer treatments. 

Sometimes medicine is not perfect! 

Brandy succumbed to her battle on 8-25-2023.

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I have been a pastor now for an extremely long time! During those years, like any other pastor, I have spent many the hour praying with wonderful folks who were about to step into heaven.

Far more frankly than I can remember! But nothing in my life was as difficult as loosing my sweet wife. Not even loosing our Son Santiago. NOTHING!!! She was far more than a fantastic wife. She was my ministry partner plus travel partner as we traveled to several countries of the world in our missions work.

She was my church Praise and Worship leader, Gospel singer, encourager in chief and the love of my life! And in 34 years we never one time had a serious argument!

MY SWEET WIFE!

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And so--it has taken me time to recover! Several months actually.

But now I am ready. Ready to write new articles. Ready to minister, ready to travel wherever the LORD may send me!

And just so you know- I have always been a positive happy man and that has not changed!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL TODAY!

THE MIRACLE OF HEALING!

 Miss me? Where o where have I been for the last 8 months?      

PASTOR RANCE HERE!!!

HI Friends---

Where have I been for the last 8 months? Its a long story but here goes---

About 8 months ago my sweet--wonderfully healthy wife Brandy came home one day and said---

I DON'T FEEL WELL!

After a couple of days of seemingly getting worse, I took her to a local Doctor. After examination he said, "well, I think you have some stomach ulcers---no more hot food (spicy) for you, here take these pills and you will be fine"---BUT SHE WASN'T!

Back for more extensive testing. This time they did all kinds of stuff and the answer we received was that Brandy had CANCER! Below the stomach. But wait--no one in her family that we know of had cancer except her father and he passed--not until his 80's.

Brandy is only mid 50's, has not smoked in over 30 years, is a prize winning (several gold metals) power lifter, head of a gymnasium and a power lifting team. Seldom sick, eating healthy and was never bothered by Covid!

???

When we heard this I immediately drove her to Ensenada for an appointment with a renound Doctor of 30 years experience who specializes in cancer patients. After another extensive battery of testing Brandy was scheduled within the same week for extensive surgery.

When it was complete the Doctor gave me very bad news---he had removed a large amount of cancerous material from various organs but had stopped the surgery because the cancer was spreading rapidly like the fingers if a splayed out hand---EVERY WHERE!!! The extensive incision went from under the breast to her navel. And he would not recommend either Chemo or Radiation and my sweet wife would live not much longer than 8 more months.

During this entire process we were praying diligently and now had some pretty awful news.

WHAT TO DO? WHERE TO GO?

WE PACKED AND LEFT--our home and pets in the care of a trusted friend.

In San Diego we discovered that Brandy did qualify for some insurance. By this time she was in severe pain and spent several days in two different hospitals. I might add here that there are many more details I am leaving out because its a very long story---!

After treatment in two leading hospitals, she was released to begin treatment at the leading cancer clinic in San Diego. This involved extensive Chemo and she was so sick I cannot begin to describe it to you--throwing up constantly, so weak she could barely sit up, traveling back and forth from our home in Mexico to the clinic stateside---losing a massive amount of weight, some hair loss (but not all) plus near complete loss of muscle--to the point that she could not herself remove a cap from a bottle. Her health was destroyed!

This went on for 3 extensive Chemo cycles which were nothing short of devastating. By the end of the third cycle, Brandy was another person altogether---sick, skinny and could hold NOTHING on her stomach. I honestly believed she was dying!!!

As for myself, I am in my 79th year and have never been sick other than several old Law Enforcement injures that required surgeries. I have been blessed in my health but being 24 years older than Brandy it seemed like I should be the one sick and not her. But the truth is I slept very little during this time and my diet was restaurants and more restaurants, without end. No work which is unusual for me but a ton of driving and caring for Brandy---which is why you are hearing from me today!

After the third extensive Chemo session Brandy decided NO MORE!!! She believed the Chemo itself was killing her!

During this time we were both doing lots and lots of reading and discovered that there are other far less well known but vastly effective medical cures for cancer. NONE OF WHICH---we had been told about!

We began to see a physician in Tijuana who specializes in cancer patients and who uses others forms of treatments---OTHER THAN CHEMO! And he and his wife are very serious Christians. To make a long story short, after one week of medical treatments by this Doctor and his staff--

BRANDY IS RECOVERING!!!

Still weak and tired but recovering. In fact today she was back to work at her gym and catching up on desk work.

Neither of us know how this will end---well I hope and of course she has a long way to go! But for now, she is obviously far far better.

I want to thank our home church in Coronado, California  plus all the saints there for their continued prayer and financial support. Also for our many many friends who have guarded our home and pets. Many other friends who have helped us financially and all of you who have PRAYED for us without end!!!

I Will keep you posted but for now I am a happy camper that my sweet wife is improving!

God bless you all,

Pastor Rance Cook

OUR TIME IS ALMOST UP!

 Dear friends,

This article is about end times prophecy but with heavy duty political overtones. If that bothers you don't read. But, if you are sincerely interested in what may well lay ahead for all of us---I encourage you to at least consider my opinion.

About one year before Donald Trump was elected president, I was praying and specifically asked if trump would be elected? The answer I received Deep down in my spirit--Was Yes, he would be elected President of the United States. I shared that with a personal friend who I am very close to-- who promptly told me I was crazy. So, we put a dinner be on it---and I won that bet.

No one is infallible when it to comes to praying, including myself. I do know that there have been many times I've heard specifically from the Lord. And the proof of that, is the success of the organisation the Lord used me to begin and that I eventually retired from. Still During those years, there were times that I was in a hurry while praying, and learned the hard way it is possible to be listening to your own well-intentioned voice and believe deep  down inside you that the Lord has spoken. That did not happen many times but it did happen and that is why I take my time before I make major decisions. Because I have learned that if I do it the Lords way it will be successful, if I do it my way it may work but never ever the way He intended.

I make this clarification to you, Because after Trump's first term in office I asked the Lord once again if Donald Trump would be re-elected to office. I was taking my time and not rushing things. And I asked several times. Once again the response I received was YES he will be re-elected. So when the final tally was in and Joe Biden was elected president, my reaction was oh well, I sure didn't hear Lord that time.

Now I'm seeing things coming into to view that I believe are setting the stage for a final round of prophecy before the rapture. Bearing in mind that the rapture is an imminent event---nothing has to take place first. I believe part of what is coming will be Donald Trump returning to the office of President once more. In the end I believe that I did hear correctly, I simply did not understand the circumstances and all that would come before the answer to my prayer was realised.

So let me turn my attention to the subject of Donald Trump as President. First I do not consider myself to be a Republican or Democrat. What I am is a biblical conservative and I am ready regardless of party to give Kudos If something is done correctly, and I will be very vocal and speak out if something is done incorrectly. So why would a person like me, with 35 years in pastoral ministry, even consider voting for somebody like Donald Trump?

First of all, I have to say that he is undoubtedly one of the worst, self aggrandising Braggart's that I have ever seen. There were times during his first four years that I cringed at some of the things he was saying.  Regardless of it all  that, he was still my president and I will tell you why.

At the time of his first selection, The nation in general and specifically both the evangelical side of the church and also right-wing conservatives were sick and tired of what was going on in Washington DC. All of us realised it and we wanted change. Washington D.C. was a miserable, alligator infested political swamp that no previous president was able to make a dent in. And we wanted it cleaned up. Many of us including myself,  looked at Donald Trump and decided he could do the job, even with his personality failings. He was a successful businessman, and he did not come from a political background.

What we wanted, was a junk yard dog to go to Washington DC and clean that mess up. And a junk yard dog was exactly what we got, a fighter and the scrapper. A man who will not back up for anybody and a man who had enough money in his own right that we would not have to worry about corruption on a  personal basis. And frankly it meant something to me that he donated his entire Presidential paycheck.

We did not elect a man because of his personality or because he said nice things, or because he kissed anybody behind. We elected a man to do a job and as far as I'm concerned he did that job including, keeping his promises, Particularly where Israel was concerned which is very important for people like me.

In the process of doing what we elected him to do which was clean up that miserable swamp, he ticked a lot of people off--Specifically Washington insiders who I do believe many are members of the deep state government who are intent on keeping their own positions of power, no matter what.

The proof of the pudding is that the people he upset were and are deep state operatives who need to be GONE from the public square!

One last point regarding his personality: There were so many Conservatives and in particular Christians, who were wringing their hands because of his mean-spirited tweets. Well I have news for you friends I believe I figured that out from the very beginning. What he did was nothing short of brillient! Pres. Trump Realised that all he had to do was put out some mean-spirited tweet, or call the news organisations names, or give some ridiculous nickname to a political opponent, and he was literally sucking the oxygen out of the news world for the next 5 to 10 days. In the meantime while everybody was ringing their hands and saying oh what a horrible man he is, I believe he sat back in the big chair and was chuckling. Playing a decidedly unpolitical game, writing executive orders, And getting things straightened out which is exactly what we put him in office to do. When he realised that he had gotten everything out of the news he could possibly get, he simply made another tweet--got everybody's attention again and continue to laugh and get things done in a way that many people including newscasters did not even notice. And every single insult hurled at him, the more popular he became with his base---AND THE BUCKS CAME ROLLING IN TO HIS CAMPAIGN!

Smart, very smart as far as I am concerned. 

The thing about Donald Trump that I'm not sure people appreciate---? But have you noticed? Since he left office, Afghanistan fell completely apart, Both China and Russia are threatening the world, Iran is still pushing for nuclear weapons, North Korea Is now once again a pain in everyone's side, and turkey is coming dangerously close to withdrawing from NATO. Israel is under attack nearly constantly, and the United States military has become so week that it could barely fight a war on one ocean let alone two.

We do have a breakthrough of sorts on the abortion issue but that is because of Trumps picks for the Supreme Court. And who replaced him? We have an EXTREMELY WEAK man in the White House now who is actively pushing the agenda of gay rights and transgenderism---even on our school children.

None of that  happened under Trump when he was president. Specifically Russia and China were very quiet during the Trump years because they realised that they were looking at a very strong man who would follow through on his threats if they got out of line. Now we have a weak man in the White House and the world is talking about nuclear holocaust.

So does all this mean that I want Donald Trump to be back in office as president? Yes, absolutely I do as a biblical conservative because I believe that he is good for his word. 

This past week we saw the United States government taking unprecedented action in a raid of the personal dwelling of a past president and if you think that was done for any other reason than for keeping him from running for office again, I think you need to think again.

Whatever the deep state intended with that raid,  it has done exactly the opposite. People are flocking to Trumps camp and solidifying his base of millions upon millions of his supporters. History may record that the 2024 election was just handed to Trump by his worst enemies! Not to mention MILLIONS now pouring into his war chest and more than ever support for him to run again. And I sincerely believe he will be making an announcement sometime in the next couple of months.

My question to you who are reading this is; Do you really want to drain  the swamp or is that just so much political rhetoric?

I want to tackle another subject in this article that has to do with Biblical end times prophecy. If you're reading this article at all it's probably because you believe that the Bible is the word of God and you're interested and what is going to come upon this world. First of all, A ONE WORD GOVERNMENT is clearly shaping up right now before very eyes, That's the a subject for a different article but it is happening. A one world religion is also forming before our eyes right nowIn the form of the rapidly developing, CRISLAM. There is a very real possibility we are looking at in the next year or two a one world monetary system---the stage is already being set by Pres. Joe Biden to do away with the American dollar and to go to a form of Crypto  currency or some other issue, that could completely take away your ability and manage your own money. 

On another front I can see  Ezekiel chapter 38 & 39 developing before my eyes, with the rise of Gog From the land of Magog, In the form of Russia's current struggle to rise in power. Future prophecy also tells us the time will come when the antichrist who will be seated in Jerusalem, declaring himself to be God, will have a powerful army come against him of 200 million men, from the kings of the east. The undisputed king of the east right now is China. The stage is being set for the battle of Armageddon in The Valley of Megiddo.

All of those things and more are coming to fruition as I'm writing this message. I can't give you specific times nor can I predict the exact time of the rapture but I do believe that's on the near horizon as well.

This next election for President of The United States is ultimately important and I do believe Donald Trump will become president again and I do believe that he will help to usher in some end times  prophecies, including setting the stage for the signing of the seven your peace pact between the antichrist, Israel and her neighbors in the Middle East. Let's not be jumping hurdles here because I am not saying Donald Trump is The antichrist nor am I saying that his son-in-law Jarid Kushner is the antichrist either. But it was under the Trump years that we see the forming of the Abraham Accords. For the first time in centuries Arab and Muslim Nations were beginning to snuggle up to Israel and are talking about peace. Don't think for a minute they love Israel, or the jews because nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is they're doing this because they're petrified of Iran And I believe that Iran will develop a nuclear weapon, and hold all Middle East countries hostage to their power.

There have been many times over the generations that the Lord has used otherwise well-meaning people, to set the stage for future prophecies to be Realised. And I believe that Trump becoming president again will be another example of exactly that.

As far as America goes; No matter who the next president is, America is on a downhill slide into oblivion and I believe that is the reason why we cannot find specific mention of the USA in any end times prophecies.,

There is a lot of speculation these days about America being Mystery Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots as listed in chapter 17 of the book of Revelation.

35 years ago when I first entered the ministry, I could not see that correlation. Today, a very short 35 years later I'm no longer sure and I am beginning to believe according to scripture, America/ Babylon may well be totally destroyed. And I think that time could be Immediately after the rapture the church, but once again that's a subject for another time.

After reading this article, you of course are free to agree or disagree with anything I have said. Only time will tell, but I believe that America Is in big time trouble whether Pres. Trump is elected again or not. 

One final word for you never Trumpers! I did not vote for a pastor--I voted for a junk yard dog!

God bless,

Pastor Rance.

SO NOW MEN CAN HAVE BABIES? REALLY?

Dear friends,

The  world has gone crazy--Flat out crazy.

Last week a woman with a college degree testified before the United States Congress than men can have babies.

There's not a doctor in a the world that would agree with that but that is what is being pushed in the latest doctrine of the far left-wing agenda of total insanity.

A report was published on May 16, 2022 by Israel 365 news, the author being Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz and the title is "The left thinks that men can get pregnant", and they say it was prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah.

Considering the fact that men produce sperm not eggs and the fact there is no uterus on a man, or Vagina and therefore no birth canal, it is amazing to me that anyone in the United States Congress would even listen to that kind of stupidity.

The scripture that is quoted from Jeremiah to justify this is Jeremiah chapter thirty verse 6 which is asking rhetorical question? It says "Ask and see: Surely males do not bear young"----!

The reason that they can get away with falsely quoting scripture is because so few people are reading their Bibles these days--to cross check them.

We would call that fake news!!!

The subtext of this article is recorded From Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland which reported that students are studying to become midwives to deliver babies From 'birthing persons' with a penis.

Okay folks remember that this is a university. This is just the latest case of lunacy promoted by the political left who are now claiming that men could get pregnant. This  trash has infected western culture and it has manifested itself in various aspects of technology in entertainment throughout America.

Earlier this year Apple released several knew emojis as part of the ios 15.5 series update. One of them being of a pregnant man. Netflix is streaming  a Japanese program called 'He is expecting' which stars a pregnant man.

More recently, Calvin Klein's Mother's Day ad campaign pandered to the politically correct by featuring a pregnant transgender man and referring to this person as a biological woman. That drew massive criticism on social media. AND IT SHOULD!

Now it is announced that there will be a new group of homosexual and transgender super heroes.

Unfortunately this is not just a cultural problem because it is also impacting Academia. The idea of male pregnancy found its way into a recent article in Medical News Today, that asked the question--Can men become pregnant? Went on to report that some transgender men and non-binary people can become pregnant. I want to remind you that I'm quoting a medical journal here. The article investigated the possibility of uterine transplants that would enable  biological men to give birth. It discussed the difference between sex and gender, describing it as a 'social construct'.

Unlike a person with pre-determined biological sex,  and individual reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics defined, genetics alone do not determine a person's gender, the article claimed.

I don't normally quote Rabbinical sources but I found one by Rabbi Yosef  Berger to be very interesting stating that 'the transgender movement is the last stage of idolatry that precedes the coming of Messiah, King Jesus. To be honest he does not mention Jesus as he would not be expected to but Jesus is the Messiah as I point out.

Rabbi Berger makes the point that idolatry is man trying to replace God, and I cannot agree with him more. God determines a person's sex before he comes into the world and rejecting this aspect of 'yourself' is actually rejecting your relationship with God.

Just a few years ago something as stupid as this would never have been discussed. But now some people are trying to create a reality that does not exist. It is only a very twisted image but gullible people are buying into it in droves.

Surely the ancient people who originally overheard that prophecy first hand must have thought it was absurd, that there was no possibility that such a thing as a man giving birth could ever come to pass. But just like depravity and idolatry increased in ancient Egypt, so to is this happening again today. 

So let's talk about our President Joe Biden We will call this section 'Biden versus the Bible'.

The transgender issue in America affects less than .6% of US adults but it has become a platform of the Biden administration who is endorsing it strongly. While on the campaign trail and October 2020, Biden promised to legalise transition treatments for children from one sex to the other.

This is pure 100% evil. This is satan himself attempting to take over the rules established by a Holy God and in the long run he will note get away with it. But for now he has taken President Biden captive along with millions of people getting on his transexual bandwagon.

The idea that an eight-year-old child or a 10-year-old can decide for themselves, apart from their parents knowledge that they want to become transgender should never be allowed and yet there are some school districts and teachers who are introducing and teaching this idiocy to children. 

Pres. Biden made good on his promise by appointing a person by the name of Rachel Lavine, an openly transgender biological man to be the assistant secretary for Health. Lavine who is the father of two children is in an important position within the Federal government--- dresses like a woman and is advocating for transition treatments for minors. If you have read the news you will know that those  transition treatments include breast removal for girls, and penis and testicle removal for boys.

And our government is pushing, at least under this administration, to pay for this insanity and surgery which these children will grow to regret for the rest of their lives and will not be able to reverse.

Last month Biden made a speech for international transgender day, beginning with a statement that shows the depth of his faith and his belief in the Bible, or perhaps I should say disbelief, claiming that transgender's are made in the image of God. This of course is a gross misrepresentation of the Bible because, specifically---God created man in his image, God created man to be male and female, Genesis 1:27.

I say to whoever is reading this article, this is not only terminal insanity but it is the grossest form of sin and the planned instruction of our children by evil people who want to not only destroy our children but destroy our great American way.

You may not realise that there are our over 350 million people in United States, About 250 million of them claim to be Christians. So I ask? That is a huge voting block so why oh why is the church allowing this to happen?

Anybody looking at what is happening not only in America but around the world may now understand that homosexual is being celebrated as are transgender's competing in women's sports, not to mention the abortions of hundreds of millions of dead babies. Can anybody doubt that we are in the end times in this world?

Maranatha!

Pastor Rance

AND NATO STICKS IT'S COLLECTIVE FINGER UP PUTIN'S NOSE!

Hello fellow traveler's---in a world gone crazy!

Isn't it amazing---To end WWII the USA used two Atomic bombs on Japan, Years later the world was under nuclear threat when Russia attempted to place Nuclear weapons in Cuba.

AND here we are again--Russia threatening Nuclear reprisals if the USA and NATO countries interfere in an unrighteous war against the Ukrainean people.

Will we never learn!??? As with all things human, there  are several different sides to this story. 

So from the top:  I think it is totally detestable that a Nuclear power the size of Russia would wage war against a much smaller nation, in this case Ukraine, Regardless of the reason. I'm frankly tired of hearing people say maybe Russia is right because the government of Ukraine has a long history  of corruption and dishonesty. So, I have to comment about that. First, can anybody reading this article honestly look at their own government and tell me there are not crooked politics, greed, and downright abuse of power working in your own home country?

Secondly, if the Ukrainean Government were the worst on the entire planet, it will not justify  the wholesale killing of hundreds and thousands of citizens including both women and children. So this war simply cannot be justified.

I do not excuse the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin in the slightest way for what he is doing, nor do I believe it is right. However there is a second side of the story and if we are being honest we do have a look at both sides Before we render any verdict.

After World War II  Russia begin gobbling up surrounding countries and solidify this massive empire into the old USSR and they began building  nuclear weapons at an unprecedented rate.

This began a weapons race between Russia and United States and also other countries such as Great Britain,  France and a number of other countries who climbed on the bandwagon of nuclear weapons. And the whole thing ended up in a Cold War which means the countries like the US  and the USSR were mortal enemies without open warfare. The did not  get along at all, but they were able to craft a nuclear treaty, which I doubt either side really suck to. And there was a catch phrase invented, called "Mutually  Assured Destruction".

What that meant was that both sides realised that if either one pushed the nuclear button the other side would do the same and both countries would be destroyed. And that is basically the way the world lived for 70 years---on the verge of nuclear war. 

Then during Pres. Reagan's time in office he was able to put so much economic pressure on the Soviet Union plus spent so much money on new weapons, that the USSR was not able to keep up---and iut destroyed their economy. The result being that the entire USSR came tumbling down, leaving Russia to try and pick up the pieces in that and part of the world. 

The West formed a new treaty organisation after World War II, to provide a hedge of protection against further expansion by the Soviet Union. What that meant was approximately 2 countries banded together, basically led by the United States (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) which consisted if 12 nations. 

And when the USSR fell apart the reason for the NATO to exist disappeared. But even though NATO's job was no more, it continued to expand ever eastward toward Russia. The original NATO became 30 countries and has been a continual threat to Russia--at least in the Russian mindset. 

The current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin has been in office for many years. I can see his view point. That does not mean he has the right to invade other countries but in all of the years since the USSR fell apart, Russia has a attacked immediate neighbors but it has never shown aggression toward any nations within NATO.

Mr. Putin has been telling the world for a lot of years that he is concerned about the safety of Mother Russia because has expanded so far eastward toward his territory. Frankly no one has been Listening and then they wonder why Russia attacked Ukraine. I believe that the reasons Putin has attacked Ukraine is to provide protection between Russia and further expansion by NATO countries. Also, to be perfectly honest, the Ukraine is a breadbasket with a lot of natural resources and I'm quite sure that Russia has  it's sights set on those as well. Plus, Ukraine also has a number of nuclear power plants which would be good for Russia to posses. 

The issue at stake are hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian people being displaced from their country, their homes being destroyed, entire cities having there buildings and infrastructure destroyed which is not doing anybody any good and is putting a heavy burden on surrounding countries who are absorbing all of these refugees.

Because of Russia's invasion of the Ukraine the United States and other NATO countries banded together to begin providing the Ukrainian government with weapons to fight the Russians. From the outset, President Putin has warned the world about other countries NOT becoming involved.  And if they did, Russia would maintain the right to retaliate with nuclear weapons . So far nobody is taken this seriously and the United States Government has just approved another $30 billion in both military and humanitarian aid.  Other nations have also been sending weapons to Ukraine to kill the Russians. On the other side of the spectrum it is clear that the Russian army have in excessively brutal ways, raping and pillaging the countryside and utilising other tactics that are considered by the world to be war crimes.

Throughout WW II, at least 3 countries maintained neutrality, which means that they did not take either side of the war. One of them is Switzerland which frankly was used by all sides for banking purposes.  

Two of the other countries to maintain Neutrality we're Sweden and Finland. In the case of Finland it shares a common boarder which is several hundred miles long, with Russia. Now that Sweden and Finland are witnessing what Russia is doing to Ukraine, fear has risen among their government officials and much of their populations that they could be the next to be targeted for Russian expansionism. So now  both nations have voted to seek membership in NATO which would expand  NATO nations to 32 countries standing against Mother Russia.

This week in the news, this is the headline, "Ruling parties in Sweden and Finland are now seeking NATO membership in a historic shift away from neutrality.

My Friends of this happens, their is a real possibility that this war between Russia and Ukraine could expand---DRASTICALLY. There are those that say the Russian Army has not done a good job and is sustaining massive casualties, and it is true that  Russia has lost a lot of but let us not forget that Russia is the largest nuclear power on the face of the planet even much more so than the United States. 

This thing could escalate far beyond Anything that We have seen before on this planet.

Biblically speaking I don't see a third world war except for the approaching war of Armageddon which is at some point in the future after the anti-christ steps onto the scene and causes to be signed a seven-year peace pact between Israel and her neighbors.

But in full disclosure the Bible does not specifically speak about World War I War World War II or Korea or Vietnam or a number of other large-scale conflicts that have happened.

I certainly don't blame the western nations wanting to protect Sweden and Finland and help out the Ukrainian people, But I do not personally believe that there has been a serious effort to sit down and workout these problems and bring peace to the situation. The general attitude seems to be Putin, "Bad dog bad dog". But it's time for leaders of the world to look at the 'bad dogs' position and at least considered the fact that Russian leadership does feel threatened by NATO's extreme expansion. There has  to be a way to resolve these issues without a massive escalation in this war.

 In closing let me just say in my opinion this is the closest the world has been to nuclear destruction the entire time since the USA dropped 2 Atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II.  Let us hope the next two do not START World War.

Pastor Rance.

THE LORD RESTORES ALL THINGS!

Dear friends,

When I retired from my church and from my missions ministry of IDT (International Disciple Training, Inc.), it was for the express purpose of reaching a far greater audience than I had ever done before. After very much seeking the Lord, I knew He was calling me to reach people on the Internet.

In full disclosure I knew it would be an uphill battle; First, I am not a professional writer although after posting about 300 articles on the internet, I have learned a few lessons. Some good lessons and some bad. On the good side, the Great Commission tells us to GO INTO THE WORLD (Matthew 28:18-20), make disciples and teach. Of course you cannot very well baptise on the internet but you certainly can encourage folks to do so.

On the negative side I learned very quickly that many in leadership of the organized church reject the idea that an internet based ministry is a valid ministry. That never bothered me because I know what the Lord put on my heart and just like we should ALL be doing, I am playing for an audience of ONE! So for the next few years I authored and posted  somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 fairly lengthy Biblical articles. Very much to my surprise many of them have been read by folks in over 70 countries.

If that is not an example of the grace of God---I never saw one!

Then, for my wife Brandy and I, tragedy struck on December 13, about year and a half ago.  Our precious son Santiago graduated to heaven on that day. For my wife it was earth shattering. Both of us know exactly where he is and that he is waiting for us to catch up with him someday---but for a mother--that knowledge does not fill her empty arms! For me? While it was horrible, the net result was that I lost the drive to write. I tried valiantly but my inspiration simply would not come. As a result, anyone looking will discover that I published my last blog article in July 2020.

Then COVID struck the entire world!!! There is not the slightest doubt in my mind that this worldwide plague is directly out of Matthew chapter 24:7. Not that God caused it but I do believe Jesus was identifying Covid when He spoke of Famines, Pestilence and earthquakes etc.  The result as you will remember is VERY MANY churches closed and many believers out of fellowship. A DISCLAIMER---in a perfect world, as a pastor of 35 years, I would choose for ALL believers to be in a good Bible teaching church with their own pastor. But COVID made that impossible. I am not one who decries the evils of Social Networking although most certainly there are many. But what can be used for evil can also be used for good. So, with no inspiration to write my blog articles I automatically defaulted to one of my spiritual gifts---ENCOURAGEMENT!

I began encouraging folks on my FaceBook page and quickly discovered an entire ministry all of it's own.

So, I write on Face daily, post scriptures and some light hearted jokes. That has attracted well over 2000 friends and is rapidly growing. In short, although certainly not advertising as such, I find myself being a sort of on-line pastor to many still out of fellowship. It's a safe place for people based on at least three things; 1). I ALWAYS stick to the Bible and post nothing about any denominational doctrine. 2). Ministry for me has never been about money so I don't discuss it or ask for monetary support and never intend to. 3). I have nothing for sale and do not sign up for any advertising on my Face page.

I had no idea of what the Lord obviously knew would happen. FOLKS NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED DAILY! So, I do and will continue doing so.

BUT NOW--Praise the Name of JESUS, for the first time in nearly two years, my inspiration seems to be returning. What you are reading right now is the first blog I have published in a long time and I find myself excited about getting back in the writing groove for Jesus!

I have lots of writing fodder. I plan to get back to Biblical prophecy, short sermons, interesting worldwide phenomena and hope to do some live teaching---FACEBOOK LIVE. COOL!!! (-:

God bless you all today, BE BLESSED!

Pastor Rance.

 

PLANET EARTH--IN BIG TROUBLE--DESTRUCTION OF USA! Part 1.

Dear friends and readers

I promised to write an article outlining a very possible scenario for future worldwide events that will effect all of mankind. THIS IS IT! Part 1. Part 2 coming in about two weeks.

But first, a disclaimer; I am NOT a prophet of God. Nor do I make even the slightest claim, that God has spoken to me about the contents of this article. I draw my conclusions from many years of Biblical study, majoring on the prophetic writings of the Lords prophets. There will be those who have read and studied just as long as I have who will reject my conclusions. I accept that and expect it.

This article will be frightening to some of you. If however you believe as I do that the Lord will come for His people (Rapture) before the events of the great tribulation years, then you will recognize that you have nothing to fear.

I do base my conclusions on my understanding of scripture. You are free to agree or disagree and I respect your own conclusions whether they agree with mine or not! I will begin with a overview of the order of events that seem likely to me and then explain more fully including scripture in part 2.

Also of note is my rejection for many years that the United States could in fact be MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Revelation chapter 17). My rejection was based on the fact that I could find no substantiating evidence to support that conclusion.

I was wrong! And now that is exactly what I believe---explained later in part 2.

NO ONE KNOWS THE TIMING OF THE RAPTURE as outlined in both first and second Thessalonians. My advice is to stay away from anyone trying to set dates for that event. But I will begin my scenario with that event;

RAPTURE. (Occurs in Revelation chapter 4).

World in complete and thorough chaos. Hundreds of millions have disappeared and the United States has been left decimated.

Massive nuclear attack on what is left of the United States, post rapture. By either Russia or China---most probably Russia. This is the destruction of Babylon the Great! The USA has huge military installations near both the Northern and Southern boarders. An attack of this magnitude would do incalculable harm to both Canada and Mexico.

Signing of peace pact by the anti-christ between Israel and her neighbors--to include agreements allowing Israel to build the third Temple.

Attack on Israel by Gog from the land of Magog and his hordes. Gog being Russia.

Complete annihilation of Gog's armies---down to 1/6th of it's strength. NOTE: GOGS ARMY COMPRISED MOSTLY OF MUSLIM NATIONS! The destruction will be wrought SUPERNATURALLY by God Himself. Israel will not have to fight this battle.

Concurrent destruction by God of the coastland areas of the nations who have assisted in this massive attempted attack. Basically rendering current Muslim nations incapable of being a major power player in the future war of Armageddon.

Israel begins to destroy the weapons of Gog's massive army---which will take Israel 7 years to accomplish.

Israel will take 7 full months to bury the dead of Gog's army.

During the first 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation period, Israel will build the third Temple and the anti-christ becomes very powerful but appears to be a man of peace.

At the 3 1/2 year mark of the tribulation years, satan will enter the anti-christ who will have been killed by a head wound and raised from the dead. The false prophet will emerge.

The anti-christ desecrates the third Temple and declares himself to be God.

During the seven years, millions who missed the rapture will come to Christ through the 144,000 of Revelation chapter 7 and the two witnesses of chapter 11.

After the 3 1/2 year mark the anti-christ and false prophet will persecute and kill both Jews and gentiles who have become followers of Christ. Many by be-heading. It is during this time that the mark if the beast becomes a requirement for all of mankind.

The anti-christ's goal will be worldwide subjugation. The nations of the East---Asia, Perhaps Japan, the Koreas, China for sure, will increasingly reject the anti-christs leadership and desire for world domination.

The anti-christs power base and weaponry will be whatever may be remaining of the United States stockpiles plus the European and Hispanic cultures and misc people groups, perhaps Southern Africa and so forth.

Near the end of the 7 years of tribulation, a massive 200 million man army will march out of the East to confront the forces of anti-christ in the valley of  Megiddo in Israel.

BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON ENSUES!

Return of true Christ from heaven, leading His army riding white horses. His army in reality is the BRIDE OF CHRIST (the Raptured church made up of both Jew and gentile followers of Christ), of Revelation chapter 19 who are returning to the earth after the WEDDING SUPER OF THE LAMB--which was completed in heaven--Revelation chapter 19:7-9.

Christ stops Armageddon and destroys His enemies. The BRIDE is only a witness and does not participate in this final destruction,

Then comes the Lord, taking captive satan and locking him in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. And throwing both the anti-christ and the false prophet into the everlasting lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The beginning of the thousand year reign of Christ on earth.

NOTE: Obviously there are very many other things interspersed with these main events.

In Part two--published in about two weeks, I will explain my rational for the timing I have ascribed to these events--accompanied by scripture.

Chew on this and we will get to the meat of things in the next article.

God bless you all,
Pastor Rance.
P.S. Do you doubt the destruction of the mighty United States? Every single world power in history has been destroyed or fallen into a second nation status if it survived at all. And we know that GOG from the land of Magog WILL happen. Israel could never be invaded like that as long as its foremost ally--the United States is still a capable world power.

PAUL REVERE'S MESSAGE TODAY???

Dear friends and readers,

If the famous Paul Revere were alive today, he would be riding a "chopper", wearing a MAGA cap and yelling "THE MARXIST SOCIALISTS ARE COMING, THE SOCIALISTS ARE COMING"! Paul's original warning "the British are coming" was intended to warn a fledgling American population that King George and His troops wanted to smash a rebellion from taking land and tax monies away from the King.

Todays warning would be very different. What became a massive bastion of the free world---the United States of America, is now besieged from within. No country on earth let alone a vastly diminished British Empire could even come close to defeating the United States military. No, today the country is ripping itself apart from within. Political parties have changed entirely, their basic platforms from a mere 50 years ago and both of the major parties (Democrat and Republican) are so fractured that they can barely function let alone agree on the slightest legislation. In the meanwhile a voter revolt of sorts is shaping up big time. And some might even argue, a second civil war.

I have served now as a pastor in a foreign country for most of my 34 years of ministry life. But, I love the Stars and Bars and my Constitution in the United States. I love the fact that when I am in the States I do not have to submit to military check points as I do frequently in the country I minister in. Americans have the greatest freedoms on planet earth. And they have the opportunity in a free enterprise system to become as wealthy as their own skills will allow. They can worship as they please (although that right is under increasing attack) and they can drive from coast to coast without ever one time producing a passport. The good ole US of A is still a great place in many ways but frankly in many others, it no longer resembles the country I grew up in.

Perhaps it is because I have been away for so long (with occasional visits back home) but the differences I now see and what I once saw are glaring. Not the landscape or freedoms for sure. But the lackadaisical attitudes on the part of so many people coupled with an obvious feelings of ENTITLEMENT! Having said that, there are millions of hard working Americans who delight in earning their own way. But somehow in quick order the nation has also developed millions who think they deserve a free ride. Welfare, food stamps, freebies galore all on the Government dole---paid for by other folks who work hard for their money. Somehow we as an American society have allowed a sort of "ROBIN HOOD" mentality to sneak up on us. Take from the rich and give to the poor.

In cases of very real hardship, health and so forth, I am not against helping people in need but many generations have now come and gone since "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage" was promised as part of the American dream. I can't tell you how many times I have heard that phrase accredited to President Frankly D. Roosevelt---a Democrate. Not so, in fact it was actually a campaign slogan of a Republican contender for the presidency, Herbert Hoover in 1928 coming into the Great Depression. Hoover served one term and was defeated by Roosevelt in 1933 and it was he who had to deal with the aftermath of the Great Depression plus WWII.

My point is that welfare and its attendant production of people feeling entitled to government dole is not knew. But since the Great Depression, welfare in many forms has all but bankrupted the greatest nation on the face of the earth which is now saddled with a national debt well over 21 TRILLION dollars and growing by the minute.

America and the American dream has always been an experiment which has also been the envy of the entire world. With a free enterprise system also comes great thinkers and thinking.

And now with a very controversial President and Covid 19, our economy has taken a tremendous dive. Businesses are going under, many states are still in lock down and on top of all that, civil unrest and violent destruction are sweeping the nation. Fear is creeping in to every single aspect of our society and "political correctness" is the name of the game. Into the breach steps groups like Black Lives Matter and Antifa. The latter now labeled by our President as a domestic terror organization which I fully agree with. Can anyone tell me why those criminal thugs are not in jail? And while your at it please tell me why so few of our elected officials are not screaming to make that happen?

Have you ever looked up the website of Black Lives Matter? You owe it to yourself to do so because they are openly a Marxist anti American organization with completely and totally antithetical Biblical agendas including the promotion of the LGBTQ lifestyles. Check for yourself at blacklivesmatter.com.

These people have no purpose other than the destruction of the United States as we know it and could care less about the black community and in particular black members of the Christian faith. And in both cases of the 2 above stated, phony organizations, they are attempting to rewrite history by tearing down statues and ripping up books and old classic movies that in the slightest way "THEY SAY" is representative of white supremacy. The term used is "SYSTEMIC RACISM"! That term if true would mean that every single system, program or benefit, either government of private in the United Stated  is skewed toward racist views of depressing the black population or other minority groups.

HOGWASH! Pure and simple non sense. Now that does not mean that there are not still prejudiced people because there are. But that is the fault of a fallen world populated by fallen mankind and cannot be regulated or done away with by passing laws against it. And the ONLY sure cure for racism is a solid repentant relationship with Jesus Christ. But this article is not about the church.

So let me be clear on a number of key points---coming from the perspective of a man born in 1944 and having served in three careers: Law enforcement beginning way back in the 60's when riots were the name of the game coupled with extremely violent union strikes, the beginnings of a very real women's rights movement and the "free love" generation of Woodstock fame. Secondly, having served in the Marine Corps reserve for 24 years and now in my 34 th. year of full time Christian ministry. Strange that in none of the above did people of different colors have a hard time getting along. And in fact never once in my hearing was color mentioned or became an issue.

The fiction of SYSTEMIC racism is exactly that. FICTION! In all three of my careers I have noticed that blacks and whites and browns and all of the above get along in the most part just fine without government interference. Also without the unrelenting false pressure and agitations caused by some (certainly not all) civil rights leaders, many of whom have become filthy rich while the masses of the people they supposedly represent are living below the poverty level. And if they and organizations like Black Lives Matter are so sincerely concerned about young black folk then why are they not doing something to help fix it? Why are there not programs to help keep black fathers in the household? Why are they building abortion clinics in back neighborhoods? Why are they not  doing something to help in some of the major cities who's murder rate of young blacks is primarily at the hands of other young black men?

Why are the police to blame for all of Americas sins? When an actual very small percentage of death today is caused by police shootings? NOTE!!! If there is a dirty cop out there by all means prosecute but do not blame the men and women in uniform who honor the badge that they wear nation wide and risk their own lives daily to keep civilization up and running.

And leave off with the WHITE SUPREMACIST diatribe because you are not fooling anyone. Saying such things really is racist. Toward white folks most of who do not have a racist bone in their bodies.

And wake up folks!!! Mandatory closure if churches for ANY reason is a direct assault on the First Amendment. Not to mention that in the last year alone--not only the First but also the Fourth and Sixth Amendments have been trashed and so few people seem concerned about that. Really? If that trend continues, say good by to the Constitution and if that happens say good by to the Republic! And if that happens, say good by to a free America!

Do we still have a long way to go as a nation before there is racial and gender equality? Across the board? Yes, absolutely and I am so sad that slavery ever existed.  So sorry that all women are not earning the very same money as their male counterparts. So sorry that our schools in many parts of the USA are graduating students who cannot spell or add 3 plus 3. But you know what? I have never owned a slave and neither to my knowledge has any member of my family FOREVER! I have never treated women or minorities with anything less than total respect. I had to work my butt off to get passing grades in school and have never ever used excuses for my own failings!

While I will stand solidly and vocally against any kind of racism or lack of total equality,  I will not apologize to anyone simply because God chose to have me born to white parents.

If Paul Revere were riding today, he would be yelling at the top of his lungs, "THE MARXISTS ARE COMING AND SO IS ANOTHER CIVIL WAR"! If we are not VERY careful from this point onward!

May the Lord help us all if peace is not restored very soon to the United States of America!

Pastor Rance.

DO WE FOLLOW GOD'S LAW OR GOVERNMENT LAW?

Dear friends and readers,


I am receiving requests for my take on scriptures like Romans 13 which begins with "LET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES---"!

I am a law abiding citizen of any country I happen to be in at the time. In other words, I would not knowingly break any law of either civil or criminal intent---!

HOWEVER

As a follower of Christ, I am also commanded by the Lord to follow Biblical doctrine and in more and more instances today, man's law and Biblical doctrine are absolutely opposed to one another.

Is it Biblically correct to "smuggle" bibles into China or other countries who have forbidden them?

Biblically correct to "find inventive ways" to get clothing or food or medicine to people in dire need even though man's government forbids it?

Hand out Bible tracts or evangelize where it is forbidden?

Refuse to close churches at the command of elected officials for health reasons even though those commands stand in stark contrast to the Bible and to a countries Constitution?

Those are the very real questions that many followers of Christ are facing today and asking questions about.

As I returned from a two day trip this week, I had planned on writing an article on this blog about that very thing; Much to my surprise and gratitude, I discovered that a colleague from another ministry in our area had just done so. In reading his comments I immediately knew that I could not have done a better job and received his permission to reprint his article here.

Please meet Todd Mike Fink, a fellow biblical scholar, church elder, author and supporter of all things Israel. I wholly support his comments on this subject. He has also published a very good book entitled "ISRAEL, BIBLICAL SITES TRAVEL GUIDE". He can be reached through HolyLandSite.com

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ENJOY!

Following is my understanding of the authority structure and what I believe are common misunderstandings about the role of government and the church. I know some will disagree and that is fine. May God richly bless you! Difference in opinions by God’s people is nothing new. My utmost respect for you if you see things differently. For brevity’s sake I have reduced the following content, I could say much more but will leave it at this for the moment.

Misunderstanding One: The Government Has Authority Over the Church. Therefore, the Church Should Submit to the Government
Many use Romans 13:1–7 and 1 Peter 2:13–14 as mandates that the church should obey the government. However, these verses do not speak of the church but of citizens. Moreover, the context of these verses clearly show that the government’s command from God is to punish evil, praise what is right, and be servants of goodness. It does not teach that the government has absolute authority over the church, or believers. The church and believers have a higher authority and that is Christ. Whenever the government hinders, forbids, or impedes the commands of Christ for His church, then we simply must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29).
Christ said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18–20). Christ, who is fully God, has maximum authority over the church and the church is to obey God as its highest authority. The church is unique and is not a business, social club, restaurant, sports event, etc. It is the bride of Christ and in whom Christ lives. Therefore, whenever we have a prohibition given by government that impedes us from fulfilling any command given by Christ to His church, then we must obey God rather than government.
Misunderstanding Two: The Church Is Not Being Prohibited from Preaching the Gospel, So It Should Submit to the Government and Stay Closed
Many use Acts 5:29 to claim that because the government is not forbidding the church to preach the gospel, that it’s biblical to obey the government and close its doors. To build a doctrine of whether or not we obey God based on one text is faulty hermeneutics (the science and art of interpretation). We need to look at all of the commands given by Christ to the church and not just one. We have many other commands that cannot be fully carried out when the church does not meet together, i.e., preach & teach, make disciples, evangelize, baptize, Lord's Supper, not forsake assembling together, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, exercising all the spiritual gifts, ministering to the weak, older teaching the younger, greeting one another, and many more. I would also argue that when the church doesn’t meet together that preaching and teaching is greatly hindered and the presence of the Lord that is uniquely manifested when the church gathers together is lost.
The book of Hebrews provides one of the most compelling reasons for the physical gathering of the church together. The theme of the book speaks of how Christ is better than and fulfills every aspect of the Old Covenant. Chapters 1–10 build case after case of why Christ is the absolute and perfect fulfillment of every aspect of the Old Covenant. Then, in Hebrews 10:19 there is a transition. This transition begins with the word, “therefore.” Based upon the truths of chapters 1–10, we now have these commands in Hebrews 10:19–25: “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
The context of this passage sets the setting wherein the truths of the book of Hebrews is to mainly take place. And this place is within the setting of the gathered assembly of the church of Christ the living God in whom resides all power and authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, period! Therefore, I believe that if a church chooses to do so for a short period for health reasons or catastrophes, it can choose to do so voluntarily but is not obligated by the government to do so.
It is within the gathering of the saints that the vast majority of the commands given to the church by Christ take place. Therefore, I believe that whenever we have a prohibition given by government that impedes us from fulfilling any command given by Christ to His church, then we must obey God rather than government.
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I sincerely hope this has clarified for you any issues pertaining to our responsibilities relevant to obeying God's law as opposed to man's law.

God bless you all today,

Pastor Rance.

STRANGE EVENTS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH! Do they bode the end times?

Dear friends and readers,

How far into the "end times" are we? That is the question many are asking. Anytime new wars, plagues, increase in earthquake activity, or strange weathers patterns happen, I begin receiving requests  for information and articles on a variety of subjects. Most predominant are the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. AND the difference between the two.

But also some geo-political questions, why the USA is not featured in end times eschatology, who are the final armies of Armageddon and so forth! Don't you just hate it when pastors and or Biblical scholars start throwing around terms like "ESCHATOLOGY"? Half the congregation yawns and the other half scratches their head and pretends they have a clue what is being talked about. But in this case that word is very relevant.

Most people render the word ESCHATOLOGY as a catch all phrase for a study of the end times. But it is really very much more that that! Included, are of course physical and Biblical things expected to happen in the "END TIMES", but for mankind in general, ESCHATOLOGY is far more personal. The official definition of the term is "The science of last things", but that includes The death, judgement and final destination of mankind. Remember that of the earths current population of about 7 1/2 BILLION people, only 2 1/2 BILLION claim to be Christians. I have some doubts about that but--thats for another day to discuss!

However that means that roughly 5 1/2 BILLION people do not know why they are here or where they are going when it's "all over"! Sad but true. Would this be a good time for me to go on a major rant about why more confessing Christians seemingly care less about the Great Commission?

PROBABLY NOT!

So lets talk about some very strange things that are happening worldwide today: NOTE--Nearly all, of these things happen and have happened before at one time or another in earths history. But when they all seem to be happening at once?? Perhaps we need to be paying attention.

First some scripture; Luke 21:25 --in relation to Christs returning--tells us-- AND THERE WILL BE SIGNS IN THE SUN, IN THE MOON, AND IN THE STARS; AND ON EARTH DISTRESS OF NATIONS, WITH PERPLEXITY, THE SEA AND THE WAVES ROARING; MENS HEARTS FAILING FROM FEAR AND THE EXPECTATION OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE COMING ON THE EARTH, FOR THE POWERS OF THE HEAVENS WILL BE SHAKEN, THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. NOW WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN, LOOK UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR!

This has been argued over time and time again but this is a RAPTURE SCRIPTURE---not a Second Coming scripture!  Notice the words and context! Coming in a cloud and redemption. Only those who have received Christ will be redeemed!!! Christ left in a cloud and will return in one. NOTE--That is VASTLY different than the scene we see in Revelation chapter 19:11-16 which explains in depth what the Second Coming of the Lord will look like. NO MENTION OF CLOUDS!

Acts 2:19 Rev. 12 and at least 11 other scriptures tell us that we are going to witness some very strange things at the end of the end times. And that will happen before both the Rapture and the Second Coming"!

Todays news is full of weird things happening all over the world and in the heavens; This week alone articles appeared about a phenomenon happening on our sun. Apparently the normal sunspots and huge explosions on the suns surface are dialing back dramatically. Something called a winter sun which is expected to materialize here on earth with GLOBAL COOLING! So much for the hullabaloo of global warming!

For over three years we have consistently seen red moons and most recently an event in which the moon appeared much larger than normal because the moon was much closer to earth than normal.

A May 26 article was posted regarding a huge black hole in space and the article was called THE GALAXYS BLACK HOLE IS MYSTERIOUSLY FLASHING STARLIGHT. This black hole is in the very center of the Milky Way of which Earth is also a part. Normally black holes cannot be seen with the naked eye because they are ---BLACK---devoid of light! 26,000 light years away from us is a supermassive black hole known as SAGITTARIUS A or SGR A. It is 4 million times lager than our sun. Light cannot escape a black hole. And yet---apparently, recently it is acting in an extremely unusual manner, making stars appear to dance around it and points of light are blinking in our direction.

These things remind me of Joel 3:4 THE SUN SHALL TURN TO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD!

On May 13, 2019 an astronomer in Hawaii--in the span of only two hours reported that the black hole became 75 times brighter than normal, observed through an infrared method!

Signs in the heavens? Obviously but are they a preclude to ominous end times events?

Now we have a worldwide plague---a PESTILENCE reminiscent of Jesus prophecies in Matthew 24. WORLDWIDE for the first time ever in recorded history. So far with no end in sight and the very real potential of millions of deaths and the destruction of the entire worlds economy. Covid 19, with scientists worldwide caught by surprise. BILLIONS OF PEOPLE locked away in their homes shaking with fear! And I mighty add, with the very real possibility of wide spread public insurrection, riots and civil disobedience which could easily turn into armed conflict.

Massiver swarms of locusts in several countries bring with them total and complete devastation of hundreds of square miles of crops and farmlands. These little beasts by the BILLIONS are moving, across Africa  and invading Iran.

Last week directly following huge thunderstorms and massive flooding with several people killed, Egypt was covered in darkness. Hail the size of iceballs falling in parts of Mexico, and south central USA. Golf ball sized hail for a few minutes in Texas. A huge cyclone system that engulfed Egypt and was seen moving across the entire Middle East.

There are some Biblical expositors now claiming that we are seeing in various forms, a repeat of the original 10 plagues seen in Egypt of Moses day. Without further proof, I for on cannot go that far. Nor am I prepared to say that GOD is somehow responsible for all this happening. But I can say for sure that this time in the worlds history has my attention.

I do not know where all this is going! But I do know that the United States is on the verge of a very real cold war again---only this time with China. I know the world is in far more debt that can possibly ever be paid off. I know that mens hearts are failing with fear. That all of the predicted signs by Jesus in Matthew 24 are here in plain sight. And I know that things are getting worse by the day all over the world!

I know that entire nations are being torn apart by political extremists. That once again racial and cultural hatred are separating humankind at an alarming rate. And I know that once again, Israel is under concentrated political fire, and anti-semitism is raising its ugly head.

Are all these things--and more--signs of the end of the end times? All I can say is keep looking up because our redemption draws nigh!

God bless,
Pastor Rance.

EMOTIONALLY INJURED? YOU CAN SHED THE CHAINS THAT BIND YOU!

Dear friends and readers,

As you know by now, this afternoon I went live on Facebook with a very short version of what you are about to read below. One of the most difficult problems I have run into during my 34 years as a pastor, is trying to help people who have been emotionally injured by others.

Frequently these injuries come by way of undeserved rumors, back stabbing, someone being a busybody in other peoples matters, marital infidelity, or in many cases being thrown--over, abandoned or let down by someone you considered to be a true friend. And sadly in many cases the inability to forgive yourself for some past sin or lifestyle. But forgiveness deserves it's own time of ministry so today we will concentrate on emotional injury.


Lets take it is reverse order; First however, lets be clear as uncomfortable as it may seem. We like to view anyone who uses the name of Christ as a true Christian. And usually that is the case. But we often forget that the Bible tells us there are "WOLVES" among the sheep. Also false prophets and false teachers. We are often surprised when they show up but we should not be. And in this case what that means---because the scripture refers to followers of the Lord  as being His sheep--that there are some among us who are RAVENOUS WOLVES---mean spirited people who would much rather tear down than build up those around them. And frankly I have found that the age old adage to be true; "There are two kinds of friends--FAIR WEATHER AND FOWL WEATHER!

Fair weather friends are those who are with you when the sailing is good and the weather is pleasant but let a storm approach and they will throw you overboard. A foul weather friend is there with you NO MATTER WHAT! Through thick and thin. Unfortunately when we meet new acquaintances, we never really know what kind of relationship will develop. The "trick"of life is being able to stand strong through a bad time with a fair weather friend without becoming calloused toward everyone else that you meet in the future.

Next on the hit list of biggies is marital infidelity. Thats a tough one for everyone and is probably at the head of the list for producing emotional injury. Many the person---both husband or wife who has been cheated upon carries unwelcome baggage and chains with them the rest of their lives. I would like to make a point here so please listen up. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard from women--THOSE LOUSY MEN--NONE OF THEM CAN BE TRUSTED! At times like that I am quick to gently point out that on the other side of a cheating husband, is ANOTHER WOMAN! And frankly the incidences if cheating wives is just as painful to the man who was cheated upon as it is for a wife who has been cheated upon.

A fact of life is that so much emotional baggage is carried around after a failed relationship that very many second marriages fail miserably because whomever it was in the first marriage that was cheated upon,  almost invariably casts suspicions upon a new marital partner---without cause. Now we are looking probably at TWO consecutive divorces. Who wants that? But healing has to come before normal human relationships can begin again.

Then we have the rumor mongers and busy bodies who leave behind them a trail of emotional wrecks who are scarred for life because they are afraid that those around them will believe the un-truths that have been spread. A short point--if there are grains of truth in what a mean spirited person has said, it is our responsibility to honestly face whatever it is we have done wrong and repent for it. Try not to do that again and get on with our lives.

Having said that, very many people---perhaps you are one of them, have been sincerely and innocently hurt by someone and are having a terrible time getting past it. I understand because I have been there and so has my wife. Lots of pastors teach their hearts out only to become the brunt of rumors. It's life!

I have discovered some things that help. Bearing in mind that I too am susceptible to hurt feelings just like anyone else. But age and experience do help you learn a thing or two.

First, over the years I have learned to be "TEFLON MAN"! If something is said about me that is untrue, I try and go to that person, politely and privately and talk it out. Sometimes that works and sometimes not. One of two things are going to happen; 1). Even if that person does not repent, they WILL THINK TWICE about shooting off their mouth about me again---because they now know that if they do so again, they can fully expect me to be standing on their doorstep asking for an explanation. And generally speaking, that solves the problem. 2). I FORGIVE and gain a friend.

If I am rejected, I merely allow false statements to slide off me like I was covered in teflon. And I have found that if I have friends who are willing to believe the worst about me, then they were never really my friends to begin with.

AND THEN I  WAGE WAR--Spiritual war!  You see, I have discovered a secret formula! 1). I never strike back. 2). I let the Lord fight my battles for me. He is very good at that. 3). I completely
change my view of the evil sparker. Particularly if that person is a professing Christian. Because, I realize it is not me in this instance who is in trouble. The person in trouble is the evil speaker, the busybody, the rumor monger, the mean spirited evil doer. Particularly if that person is one of those with a long track record of evil speak. Then, I able to place that person in a position of compassion. Silly you say? Not at all. Matthew 7:21-23 is a picture of people who considered themselves to be followers of Christ, but He says to them "I NEVER KNEW YOU, DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS"!

That scares me in their behalf. What better person to wage a prayer campaign in their behalf than someone they have tried to hurt with their mouth. ME! Now my feelings go from hurt to compassion for someone who might be lost for all of eternity.

Proverbs 25:21 "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat. And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. ROMANS 12:20 " If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"!

If we do it God's way we win. And potentially so does the evil doer who hurt you. In this case, HEAPING FIRE basically means YOU doing good for an enemy, that may bring conviction to the evil speaker. NOT BEING OVER COME BY EVIL is YOU deciding to shed the injury or insult and to continue on with your life, free of the chains of hurt feelings and the sin of un-forgiveness!

How does that play out for me personally? Well, frankly someone who has spoken evilly about me, or my wife, or my friends, is not going to find their feet under my coffee table. I don't trust evil speakers and will not fellowship with them until they repent and stop their evil ways. BUT, If I saw them broken down on the road I would stop and help. I would go and pray for them if they were ill. Feed their family if hungry. In other words, in order for me to AVOID having my feelings hurt, I have learned it is far better to do things God's way.

I don't have to accept bad mouth. I don't have to accept hurt feelings. I do not have to accept insult. ALL OF THOSE are MY decisions to make. And here is the reality friends; That person who has hurt you---no matter how it was done, will continue to do so if you react to it. But when they know they CANNOT GET TO YOU, they ALWAYS move on to pick on someone else. Turn your heart and your mind around. Don't allow yourself to be a victim. Begin praying for the true victim who is the one who is allowing satan to use them to hurt other people.

Can you do that overnight? Probably not. But if you PRACTICE GOOD, it will eventually become FIRST nature to you. Practicing good is to appropriate for yourself THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT--Galatians 5: 22-23 "LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF CONTROL. Against such there is no law.

Or you can continue to nurture and guard your hurt, which means that anyone who wants to hurt you, OWNS YOU! Which would you rather be? VELCRO man or woman that allows every single hurt or insult to stick to you? Or Teflon man or woman who can let it slide off like so much primordial ooze so you can go on to be the fullness of all that God intended you to be?

YOU CAN SHED THE CHAINS THAT BIND YOU!!! The Lord will help you--call upon Him and watch and see.

If you want to.

God bless,
Pastor Rance.
P.S. You can write to me at pastorrance44@gmail.com
If you want to.

EARTHQUAKES and NO FEAR! Matthew 24??

Dear readers,

Peace and grace to all of you in Jesus great name!

I have promised I would do an article on Matthew Chapter 24 verses 1-8. The specific emphasis would be current earthquake activity worldwide. Since Matthew 24 verse 7 specifically says "EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS PLACES" and these verses are speaking about the end times, can we draw any parallels between Biblical prophecy and current events?

CAUTION!!!!!!! It is so easy to take a leap into a very shaky theological area while speaking about these concerns! Jesus did say that we should be able to recognize "the signs of the times"! No problem with that these days---they seem to be all around us. However, it is dangerous to take snippets from the daily news, or even single large scale world events and try and fit them into Biblical prophecy. Right now we are in the middle of the Coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic. Lots of folks are speculating that this plague is heavenly sent. Some kind of Divine retribution. While I suppose that COULD be true, personally I am not prepared to prove myself a false prophet and simply do not have sufficient evidence to make that claim.

My approach is to carefully examine extended periods of time and trends to discover any correlation between Biblical predictions and what is happening on the ground here in this day and age. While doing so, a very colorful, dramatic mosaic begins to emerge. In my opinion, with a careful and exacting examination of this mosaic, or "snap shot in time" we can definitely draw some logical conclusions that lead us to the definite suspicion that we are in fact living in the "end times". Obviously opinions will vary widely regarding what exactly constitutes "THE END TIMES". And in fact Paul's writings of the First Century seem to indicate that he thought the end times were beginning then.

Some will point out that the Apostle John, in the first century, said (1 John 2:18) "Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour"! (By the way, please don't anyone write to me and tell me that the word antichrist should be capitalized---grammatically correct or not, I will not give honor to that future creep)! On the other hand, we in this generation do have some verified prophetic fulfillment that we can point to that makes it clear as crystal that we are living in the most exciting time since the cross of Christ. I will address these fulfilled prophecies in other articles. How's that for a teaser? Does Israel's May 14, 1948 give you a hint?

Now regarding earth quakes; Oh, how many times have I been told "Pastor, you don't understand, earthquakes have always happened with rates of both more and less depending upon the century". So let's talk about that and then YOU decide!

I have before me PILES of research done by the USGS (United States Geological Service). So here is the bottom line for you folks that say "But come on now, isn't it true that there have ALWAYS been consistent and regular earthquakes"? No actually it is not true. In the category of Magnitude 6.0 and greater, as it turns out there were no reported quakes in any of the following years:

1961,1956,1936,1924,1921,1894,1893,1889,1888,1883,1881,1880,1878,1876,1874,1870,1869,1866,1858 through 1864 1844 through 1854, 1839 through 1842, 1837, 1824 through 1834, 1822, 1820, 1813 through 1818. Prior to that there were very many years in history that there were no recorded earthquakes all the way back to the year 856 A.D. Then again maybe some historians simply did not bother to record them.

The question is simple. Is there any kind of historical trend indicating that earthquakes have either become stronger or more frequent as time has gone by? Well, you be the judge!

From the year 856 A.D. until 2001 (1145 years), there were a total of 567 reported earthquakes Magnitude 6.0 or greater.

From the year 2002 until 2010 (8 years) there were 429 earthquakes Magnitude 6.0 or greater.

Ummm! Let's see now: 1145 years=total 567 world wide quakes!

8 years= 429 world wide quakes!!!

Would you say that represents a marked increase? Is that a trend that could possibly relate to the Biblical prophetic fulfillment of Matthew 24:7? from 2012 to 2019 in the 6 point category or above there have been 12,180 which is an average of 1502 per year worldwide. And so far in the first 4 months of  2020 there have been 425.

To be fair here, the USGS website claims no appreciable increase in earthquakes per year. Their math is obviously different than mine.

According to a report  from Breaking Israel news dated April 13 2020, the earth seems to be waking up as seismic activity is being increasingly reported around the globe. Last month a 6.5 shook Idaho generating multiple avalanches. The largest to hit the region since 1983. 238 total in Idaho in the last week although obviously smaller or after quakes. However according to the USGS five of those were rated 4.0 to 6.5. 2 weeks before, near Salt Lake City Utah, a 5.7 hit. Since then again centered around the Salt Lake area 886 quakes have been reported. Including Wyoming that is total of 980 since March 18.

Yellowstone Park which is extremely unstable registered the caldera experiencing 111 since March. The Yellowstone  Norris geyser the hottest and believed to be the oldest thermal area is constantly inflating and deflating---pulsating in erratic bursts. The entire basin rose 5.9 inches in 2013. Yellowstone is listed as the most dangerous supervolcano in existence and if it ever completely erupted estimates are that it could well devastate an area the size of five States.

The Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland has experienced about 8000 earthquakes and about 10 centimeters of land uplift since January 21. Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia recently exploded. Also recently a 3.6 quake hit southern Israel. And just days before that a 4.3 hit southern Israel epicentered in the Red Sea 60 miles south of Eilat. A region closely estimated as perhaps the place Moses crossed the Red Sea. And another of lesser magnitude, 3.8 near the port of Haifa. Israel sits atop the Syrian-African rift.

This may or may not be important because the events of Ezekiel 38-39 the future Gog and Magog invasion of Israel is prophesied to be accompanied by earth changing earthquakes.

Then there are many very bothering recent volcanic activities, some having been dormant for centuries or thousands of years. Iceland eruption for the first time in 800 years. Reykjavick with rising levels of magma and 10 centimeters of ground lift. This artery is actually fed by 5 ancient volcanic systems.  The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjnallajokull volcano. Indonesia's Krakatoa sending smoke 10 miles into the sky. Before that in 2018 it triggered a tsunami and before that in 1883 it killed 36,000 people. On the Kamchatka peninsula, Klyuchevskaya Sopka peak erupted with volcanic ash climbing 4 miles high. And others in the region.

Mexico, a volcanic ash plume reached an estimated 19,000 feet. Kericini in Sumatra erupted. In South America, Sangay and Reventador in Ecuador, Chile and Guatemala. Stromboli in Italy. Erebus in Antarctica. New fissure vents reported in Ethiopia. And then if course the ever present RING OF FIRE volcanoes! a 25,000 mile long horseshoe shaped region in the Pacific ocean. Including most of California, Washington State and Alaska. It includes 452 volcanoes, 75 percent of existing worldwide volcanoes and produces about 90% of the worldwide earthquakes today. 81% of the worlds largest.

And then there was one of the three worlds largest recorded earthquakes of 9.2 in northern Sumatra and a 9.0 in Japan in 2011.

Reported on April 14, 3 massive volcanoes erupted in Indonesia. Mt. Sinabung, Mount Kerinci and Mount Semeru. That same day, the Jakarta Post reported that the Anak Krakatau volcano erupted. And others like in Hawaii. Ertale with it's own lava lake in Ethiopia. Philippines, Taal volcano on the island of Luzon has become active. Japan, Mount Shintake erupted. Mexico, Mount Popocatepetl rumbled to life with glowing rocks thrown an estimated 20,000 feet into the air.

But we are told NOTHING UNUSUAL!!! How could we doubt our "EXPERTS" when it appears that nearly all the "FACTS" we have been spoon fed about Covid 19 are already being proven faulty.

So you decide??? But one last point; Reportedly the most dangerous earthquake fault in the world is the "HAWARD" which runs roughly parallel to the San Andreas in California. And between the two, experts have been saying for years that the BIG ONE could happen at anytime. Back in 1868 only 24,000 people lived along those fault lines.  How many multiple millions live above them today?

If you think that there is an increase in earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happening today, do you think that there could be a correlation here with Matthew 24? And how about what we see happening around the world at the very same time? Nation will rise against nation. Kingdom against Kingdom, Famines, Pestilence (plagues), and earthquakes in various places??? And lawlessness will abound? And the love of many will grow cold?

Sounds to me like a perfect description of the Democrats versus the Republicans.

Food for thought,

God bless,
Pastor Rance.

GODLY WISDOM--Covid 19 (Maybe forbidden foods are not good for mankind)?

Dear friends and readers,

MORE ON COVID 19! How did it start? Did the world contract this because mankind was eating unclean animals?

OOOOHHH, I know I will get blasted for this one. But before any of you "put out a contract" on me for sliding back into the dark side of legalism---read the entire article---PLEASE!

I am, as are you, a born again believer saved by grace and as such the legalisms of the Old Testament---such things as prohibitions of certain types of food, no longer apply to us.

That's my "bullet proof" disclaimer:

 And absolutely YES, I do know exactly what Acts has to say in 10:15 "WHAT GOD HAS CLEANSED YOU MUST NOT CALL COMMON"! And although Jesus was actually referring to Gentiles becoming part of the church---still Peter was shown a vision of a sheet descending from heaven and in it were all kinds of four-footed animals, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And yes Jesus did tell Peter "Rise Peter, kill and eat"!

And yes, I am fully aware of Colossians chapter 2:16 "Let no one judge you in food or drink" etc etc etc! AND YES, Jesus says in Matthew 15:10-11 "HEAR AND UNDERSTAND: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man"!

WHEEEEW! Glad we got THAT out of the way.

But Seriously, did you know that many of the recent plagues that have descended on the earth have been tracked back to mankind eating Biblically forbidden foods? Well that's actually a misnomer because God never ever said that some 'FOODS' were forbidden. What He said was that certain animals were given to mankind FOR food. All the other beasts of the earth we're not considered food to begin with. That is an important distinction.

So I know at this point that some of you are desperately beginning to twitch and wonder if I am going to tell you to clean up your act---of eating that is. But no I am not. In fact I love sometimes to go downtown and snarf up copious numbers of shrimp tacos, go to our bay and munch down great, fresh from the sea oysters and occasionally love a good pork roast. So you can stop twitching now (-:

But lets have a review; In Genesis 1:29 God listed food for man originally as herbs and grains and fruits. In Leviticus 11 this list was expanded to creatures from the land that included animals that had BOTH divided hoofs and chewed the cud. And anything from the sea or lakes that had fins and scales. And some birds. The following were considered to be "CLEAN" for mankind to eat; Cattle, sheep, lambs, goats, wild sheep, wild goats, gazelles, antelopes, deer, fish, most birds, quail, doves, pigeons, locusts, crickets, grasshoppers, katydids.

Gosh I'm certain that God must have accidentally left out Twinkies!

Unclean for mankind to eat were; Camels, rock hyrax, rabbits, pigs, lizards, weasels, eels, shell fish, catfish, eagles, vultures, falcons, kites, ravens, ostriches, owls, sea gulls, hawks, pelicans, osprey, cormorants, storks, herons, hoopoes, bats, swarming insects and we could add to that dogs and cats.

So why do you think that God said that some animals were clean and some were not? Iv'e actually had someone try and tell me that it was because there was no refrigeration in those days. WOW!

Actually it is because the unclean animals are basically all scavengers. In other words God put them on the earth to clean up the mess. Eat dead animals, keep the seas clean and so forth. Ever seen a dog eat his own vomit or role in and eat dead birds?

A great friend of mine (another pastor by the way) once said to me when we ordered lobster and shrimp "You know there is nothing that tastes better than some fresh bottom dwelling scum sucker"! And how could we possibly survive without a great big BLT once in a while. YUM, bacon!

I was raised on a ranch and had pigs as a Future Farmer project. Did you know they eat their own poop? Well, hey this is a family article, so lets not go there shall we?

Yep it's great to be saved by grace. We can eat whatever we want.

But did you know that they are now pretty certain that the Coronavirus (Covid 19) may be traced back to the common everyday practice in China of people eating things like bats, dogs, eels and actually very many of the unclean animals on God's hit list? YUM!

SOOO, do you think God forbad the eating of bats because it would give Him ample reason to slap down offenders? Or maybe--JUST MAYBE, it was because our Creator knew a thing or two about what it takes to keep His created beings healthy?

Actually there is ample reason to believe that many of the pandemics in man's history were related to feasting on unclean animals and other beasts. The practice of which can pass on disease to the consumers and then to other people they come in contact with.

Consider this list of some past pandemics and some foods that were later discovered to be related to the outbreaks;

PIGS (Spanish flu, Asian flu, Swine flu).
BATS--and certain other flying creatures (SARS, MERS, Probably Covid 19).
PANGOLINS (again poss. Covid 19).
CHIMPANZEES (HIV/AIDS).
RATS (BLACK DEATH, GREAT PLAGUE OF LONDON, THIRD PLAGUE OF EUROPE).
CAMELS (MERS).
DOGS (HONG KONG FLU, ASIAN FLU).
CIVET CATS--Mongoose like creatures (SARS).

Not to mention horrible outbreaks from flies, fleas and mosquitoes (Malaria).

Now once again, I for one, fully intend to covet and enjoy my next BLT.

But It does make me wonder if God may have been onto something there when He clearly said "these things are unclean for you---mankind!

So now we have Covid 19, hundreds of thousands dying around the globe and the potential for a worldwide financial disaster unlike anything the world has ever seen before.

Bat soup anyone?

Ah, sometimes we can be our own worst enemies.

No legalism here!

God bless,
Pastor Rance.