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Friday, January 3, 2014

Prophecy Watch: January 3 2014 FRIDAY Shevat 2, 5774 -Last Generation Network News -Prophecy Watch

 
 
          DAILY
>World Watch Daily
>Rapture Ready News
>Nearing Midnight
> more to come....
 

WORD WATCH DAILY PERSPECTIVE

 

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Kerry to Netanyahu:
Israeli-Palestinian peace not 'mission impossible'

 

 
Photo: GPO

Declaring peace is not “a mission impossible,” US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived on Thursday and immediately met a downbeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who spoke of growing Israeli doubts about the Palestinian commitment to peace.

Netanyahu, who together with Kerry made a brief statement before their Jerusalem meeting, said Israel’s doubts stemmed from “unabated” Palestinian Authority-sponsored incitement, as well as President Mahmoud Abbas’s failure to condemn the recent uptick in terrorism.

“A few days ago in Ramallah, President Abbas embraced terrorists as heroes,” Netanyahu said. “To glorify the murderers of innocent women and men as heroes is an outrage.

 

 

We’ll ignore a ‘worthless’ framework deal, says PLO

 

 
PLO Executive Committee Secretary General Abed Rabbo 
Photo: Reuters, Mohamad Torokman

On the eve of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO said that the Palestinians wouldn’t pay attention to a “worthless” framework agreement presented by the US.

Kerry is expected to meet with Abbas in Ramallah on Friday.

PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo said that the Palestinians have already spent the past few months negotiating with Israel, and there’s no need to start new talks about the implementation of a new framework agreement.

 

 

Winter Storm Hercules Snowfall Totals

 

 

Winter Storm Hercules, the first major winter storm of 2014, has delivered significant amounts of snow to the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast. Below are snowfall totals produced by Hercules as of early Friday morning.

 

 

Northeast Blizzard Cancels Nearly 1,500 Flights

A major snowstorm is continuing to impact parts of the Northeast Friday morning after dumping several inches of snow in cities such as Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh since Thursday.

The worst of the storm is focusing along the New England coast where upwards of a foot of snow have been reported. Gusty winds also accompanied this snow, making for blizzard conditions from New York to Boston with wind gusts as high as 50 mph.

 

 

Record US Cold

 

 

 

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Featured News 

Before Kerry meeting, Netanyahu 
calls out Abbas on commitment
to peace
 

Sticking Point in Peace Talks:
Recognition of a Jewish State
 

Hezbollah Moving Long Range
Missiles From Syria to Lebanon
 

Israelis doubt Palestinians’
intentions, PM tells Kerry
 

Settlement News to Wait
Until Kerry Leaves Israel
 

US tells Israel: There's no chance Pollard will be freed for release of Israeli-Arab prisoners 

Cameron, Merkel said to be headed
to Israel in peace push
 

Drones, placentas and transgender students: New laws in 2014 cover much ground 

World in turmoil: Seven
countries to watch in 2014
 

Latest News 

Islamic Authorities Seize Over 300 Bibles From Christian Group in Malaysia 

Italian navy rescues 233 migrants 
from Mediterranean boat
 

NSA making computer to crack 
most security codes
 

Ford to debut solar car 

Iraqis battle militant uprising 
in two Sunni cities
 

At least 3 dead as Cambodian 
forces open fire on protesters
 

Lebanon blasts reflect spillover
of Iran-Saudi proxy war in Syria
 

No green card? No problem -- undocumented immigrant can
practice law, court says
 

Winter Blizzard Blankets Northeast 

Bomb explodes in Hezbollah-controlled area of Beirut,
killing at least 4
 

All 52 passengers rescued from 
ship trapped in Antarctic ice
 

Prague to demand explanation
over arms cache at Palestinian
envoy’s home
 

3,000 Christians Gather in 
Europe to Pray for 2014
 

Thousands march in Hong Kong in escalating battle for democracy 

Mayor declares 2014 the 'year
of the Bible' in Texas city
 

South Sudan's president
declares state of emergency
 

Hopes fade for Antarctic air
rescue of ice-bound ship
 

Slayings in Tolleson, Phoenix
leave 4 dead in violent start
to new year
 

Beloved Catholic priest found
slain in California church rectory
 

United Nations too Christian,
claims report
 

California Crop Circle 
Sparks UFO Talk
 

Global poll: US is the greatest
threat to world peace
 

Franklin Graham Says God, Not Pope, Is the Judge on Homosexuality 

Fort Hood shooter's jail requests:
Bible, cheese source
 

White House News 

U.S. relations with Russia face critical tests in 2014 as Putin, Obama fail to fulfill expectations 

Obama golfs in Hawaii with 
New Zealand prime minister
 

What Happened to Obama’s 
NSA Reforms?
 

Obama Ringing in New Year
in Low-Key Fashion
 

Uprising as Obama plans to skirt
Congress on 'New World Order'
 

Barbara Bush remains hospitalized
as Obamas offer well wishes
 

After rocky 2013, what's ahead
for Obama in new year?
 

Putin sends new year's
greetings to Obama
 

As Sasha and Malia Obama become young women, a father laments time slipping by 

President Obama, the
merciless?
 

Poll: Barack Obama, Hillary 
Clinton most admired
 

Impeach Obama? DNC raises
fear in new email
 

Israel News 

 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither
slumber nor sleep. - Psalms 121:4 (KJV) 


EU-Funded NGO Dehumanizes 
Jews on PA TV
 

Israeli Arabs Object to Palestinian Authority Rule in Proposed Triangle Swap 

Security forces nab Islamic Jihad members suspected of planting Bat Yam bus bomb 

Visitors’ center planned for East
Jerusalem draws criticism
 

Ex-Israeli envoy to Argentina: Israel killed most perpetrators of AMIA, embassy bombings 

Netanyahu gloomy as Kerry
returns for peace talks
 

Rocket fired from Gaza after
Palestinian teen shot
 

Israeli Researcher Discovers
Evidence of Rare Color
Known as 'Biblical Blue'
 

Israeli Government, Google Sign Collaboration Agreement to Modernize Bureaucracy 

Nazareth Christians Launch 
New Website, Tourism Effort
 

Israel ranks 6th favorite
country for Americans
 

Specter of withdrawal a constant
for Jordan Valley settlers
 

Israel, Palestinians 
Face Hard Choices
 

Birthright breaks record as 1,600 
participants arrive in one day
 

World's fastest Wi-Fi
being developed in Israel
 

Provocative Commentary 

Just like his predecessors, Kerry
finds trouble crossing the Jordan -
Avi Issacharoff
 

Stop the bailout — now -
Charles Krauthammer
 

The Snowden-Obama amnesty
double standard - Adam Serwer
 

Our World: Empowering Palestinians who reject Israel’s right to exist - Caroline Glick 

Israel Must Stop Fighting For
Survival - Ari Soffer
 

What Americans expect from Obama in 2014 -- commitment to democracy, human rights, rule of law, allies' security - Anne Bayefsky 

The Year of Doubletalk -
Aliza Davidovit
 

2013: A year of pitfalls and progress -
The Washington Post
 

Marriage died in 2013 - 
Dr. Keith Ablow
 

Jihad in our future -
Yoav Limor
 

A judicial difference of
opinion - David Keene
 

Prisoner release: A painful, uncredited step - Herb Keinon 

Time to wake up - 
Barry Rubin
 

It’s going to get bad fast between
Israel and the US - Lazar Berman
 

Message in an artillery
shell - Yaakov Lappin
 

From these alleyways, the anger
will flow - Avi Issacharoff
 

Is the president crowding 
the Pope? - Ed Rogers
 

Team Obama has brought Americans to an all-time low -- let's come together now in faith and action - Gordon Helsel 

The Phony Peace Partner -
Dr. Phlip Brodie
 

Pope Francis: Beyond the compelling
gestures - Martin E. Marty
 

Israel's Christian Awakening -
Adi Schwartz
 

Obama the Philosopher, Netanyahu 
the General - Dovid Efune
 

Libertarians: Snowden Debate
Foretold 50 Years Ago in
'Outer Limits' Episode - John Gizzi
 

Growing disquiet - Dan Margalit 

Inspired by God 

 

Christian News

"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." - E. M. Bounds 


January 3: Gentle Leading -
Streams in the Desert
 

January 3: Clouds and Darkness -
Oswald Chambers
 

January 3: A Balanced Schedule -
Charles Stanley
 

A.W. Tozer's Daily Devotional 

Charles Spurgeon's 'Morning and 
Evening' Daily Devotional
 

Daily Light 'Morning and Evening' 
Devotional - Jonathan Bagster
 

Charles Stanley's Audio Messages 

McLean Bible's Internet Services - 
Pastor Lon Solomon: Services are 
"live" Sunday' at 9 am, 10:45 am, & 
12:30 pm (Eastern-US), rebroadcast 
Monday at 2 pm (Eastern-US)
 

Pastor Lon Solomon, McLean Bible
Church, McLean, Virginia - 
Sermons by Date, Series and Podcasts

RAPTURE READY NEWS PERSPECTIVE 

 3 Jan 14

03 Jan 14

Elves delay Iceland road-building project
A judge ruled that the highway project be cancelled because there is a chance elves could be living on the barren landscape it was going to take place on. Elf advocates and environmentalists have been doing everything they can to make the Icelandic Road and Coastal Commission change its mind about the controversial road. The road would have run from Reykjavik to the Alftanes peninsula. The landscape between the capital and the peninsula is home to an elf church, and campaigners think elves may live there.  

Embassies Warned: N. Korea Can’t Guarantee Safety of Diplomats
North Korea has warned diplomats in Pyongyang that it can’t guarantee the safety of embassies in the event of a conflict and suggested they may want to evacuate their staff, Russia’s top diplomat said Friday. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is demanding an explanation from the North Koreans — asking whether the warning is an order to evacuate the North Korean capital or merely a proposal to consider doing so.  

No green card? No problem -- undocumented immigrant can practice law, court says
Sergio Garcia's parents brought him to the United States from Mexico nearly two decades ago. He's been waiting for a green card ever since. But there's one thing the undocumented immigrant no longer has to wait for, according to a California Supreme Court ruling on Thursday: his law license.  

It Begins: Obamacare Causing Hospital Workers To Go Unpaid
The hospital is strapped for cash not because its not making money, but because Leday says a new Medicare payment facilitator named Novitas Solutions is taking too way long to pay out Medicare claims to the hospital. Leday says he’s owed nearly $3 million in payments from Medicare and can’t make payroll… The Texas Medical Association says they are familiar with complaints like this one regarding the medicare payment facilitator- and a representative told us smaller community hospitals like this one are in similar situations.  

The On Going Decline of Women’s Rights in The Middle East
Women’s rights worsening in Middle East. Almost equally objectionable is the refusal of many Western organizations and activists, supposedly concerned to advance human rights, to recognize the bitter truth as a crucial problem and to demand real, systematic reform.  

Is World War Three about to start... by accident? Max Hastings asks whether rising tensions between China and Japan could boil over
Chinese diplomat argued that Japan risks 'serious threat to global peace' He even compared Japan today to Lord Voldemort, from Harry Potter It comes just weeks after China declared its own Air Defence Zone Japan's prime minister has threatened to shoot down any Chinese drones.  

Azle Residents Demand Answers About Quakes
Angry and frustrated, many residents are fed up after experiencing 30 earthquakes in one month. Many of the people at the meeting, which took place at Azle High School, blame the quakes on water injection wells. Fracking water is disposed of in those wells. “They’re bringing millions of gallons a day out here that have toxic chemicals and putting them down those wells. It’s just a bomb waiting to happen,” one resident told CBS 11 News.  

Scientists find records of rare ‘earthquake lights’
Certain types of earthquakes in certain areas can set off blazes of light seconds — sometimes days — before the actual quake. These can manifest as floating balls of light, bluish columns shooting up out of the earth and even reverse lightning, reaching up into the sky from the ground.  

Greenwald: Obama Admin Would Make Snowden ‘Disappear’ If He Returned To U.S.
During a heated exchange on CNN’s The Lead, Guardian columnist and Edward Snowden ally Glenn Greenwald claimed that should Snowden return to the United States, the Obama administration would make him “disappear in prison” and “not allow him to speak”. Saying that the U.S. government does not allow whistleblowers as in previous years, Greenwald claimed, “If Snowden came back to Washington before he was convicted of anything, he would disappear in prison and not be allowed to speak.”  

‘Science Guy’ Bill Nye and Prominent Christian Set to Battle It Out Over Evolution and Creationism
Scientist Bill Nye has agreed to debate Christian leader Ken Ham next month at the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., where the two will face off over the ever-contentious topics of evolution and creationism. According to a release published on AnswersInGenesis.org, the website for Ham’s organization, the event will begin at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2014 inside the museum’s 900-seat Legacy Hall.  

Islamic Authorities Seize Hundreds of Bibles From Malaysian Christian Group in Raid Over Use of ‘Allah’
Malaysia’s Islamic authorities seized hundreds of Bibles from a Christian group Thursday because the holy texts use the word “Allah” in reference to God. Lee Min Choon, chairman of the Bible Society of Malaysia, said Muslim officials declared the organization had violated the law. As a result, the group lost 321 of its Bibles during the raid.  

Texas Mayor Declares 2014 the ‘Year of the Bible’
A Texas mayor has publicly designated 2014 as the “year of the Bible” and is encouraging citizens to read the Christian scriptures daily. Tom Hayden, mayor of Flower Mound, Texas, made the official announcement last month... “I was nervous about doing this and I’ve been thinking about it for two years, and procrastinated about if for as long as I possibly could,” he said.  

'Hezbollah smuggles advanced guided-missile systems into Lebanon'
Hezbollah are smuggling components of advanced guided-missile systems into Lebanon; however the organization is yet to hold enough parts in order to make the systems operational – according to US security officials. As stated by a Wall Street Journal report Friday morning, US officials believe members of Hezbollah are smuggling the systems piece by piece to evade a secretive Israeli air campaign designed to stop them.  

US Marines postpone fitness rule after most female recruits fail to do three pull-ups
The US Marine Corps has delayed a physical fitness requirement for women after more than half of female troops at boot camp couldn't do three pullups, officers said on Thursday. The pullup rule was supposed to go into effect with the new year but has been postponed indefinitely as commanders were concerned about losing female Marines and prospective recruits, officers said.  

U.S. hog herd falls more than expected as virus strikes
The U.S. hog herd fell by 1 percent in the latest quarter, slightly more than forecast, U.S. government data showed on Friday, as a deadly swine virus thwarted pork producers' efforts to rebuild herds. "This confirms that PED is in the nation's hog herd, which was not shown nor implied in their previous report (September)," Rich Nelson, chief strategist at Allendale Inc, said...  

NSA seeks to build quantum computer that could crack most types of encryption
In room-size metal boxes ­secure against electromagnetic leaks, the National Security Agency is racing to build a computer that could break nearly every kind of encryption used to protect banking, medical, business and government records around the world. According to documents...“a cryptologically useful quantum computer” ...is part of a $79.7 million research program titled “Penetrating Hard Targets.”  

UK sees further flooding amid storms and high tides
High tides and strong winds have brought flooding to Wales and western England as officials warn of a continuing threat in parts of the UK. There are currently 10 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - affecting south-west England, Gloucestershire and Wales. A tidal surge is due in Scotland, while in Wales, people are trapped in homes.  

 

US north-east battles first major snow storm of 2014
The north-eastern US has been hit by a major winter storm, with 53cm (21 inches) of snowfall recorded in one town in Massachusetts. Thousands of flights have been cancelled as heavy snowfall moved eastward from the Midwestern states. The New York and New Jersey governors have declared a state of emergency, urging people to stay indoors.  

RAPTURE READY Nearing midnight PERSPECTIVE 

 
 
 

Dec 30, 2013 

NSA Spying Is Hurting American Business

It has only been a few months since it was revealed that America has been spying on some of its closest friends. The scandal has already grabbed the title as one of the greatest diplomatic debacles in our nation’s history. It is also quickly becoming one of America’s greatest financial fiascos.

U.S. trade partners fully realize they are at risk of being spied on if they buy any communication technology made by U.S. firms. Our government passed laws requiring companies to install secret backdoors allowing the NSA to secretly gather information.

IBM, the largest computer-services provider, was one the first to report a sales drop. The firms’ China branch, reported a 22 percent drop in sales. The Chinese government is very tight-lipped about it its daily activities, so going forward, IBM would be the last company the Chinese government would chose to supply their data processing needs. A Louisiana Pension fund is suing IBM claiming the tech giant defrauded investors by concealing the sales decline after Edward Snowden leaked information that the company was cooperating with the NSA.

Cisco Systems is another company impacted by the NSA scandal. Cisco’s November sales were down 21 percent because of an instant problem with the Internet’s ability to trust its encryption products. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) told companies not to use cryptographic standards that may have been undermined by the NSA’s BULLRUN program. One of Cisco analysts admitted that cryptography was compromised: “It would be a critical blow to the trust required across the Internet and the security community.” Since Cisco is required give crypto keys to the NSA, its technology can never be trusted.

The bid by AT&T to acquire the European company, Vodafone, may be in danger due to the company’s well-documented involvement in the NSA data-collection programs. European officials are now saying the telecommunications giant will face “intense scrutiny” in the effort to purchase Vodafone. There may be so many restrictions placed on the combined company that AT&T may decide it is unprofitable to proceed with the venture.

Telenor, Norway’s largest telecom provider has reportedly halted its plans to move its customers to a U.S. based cloud provider. It will likely choose to go with a European firm.

The fallout is not just related to communication technology. Brazil has just decided to award a $4.5 billion contract to Swedish company, Saab AB, to replace its aging fleet of fighter jets. Boeing had been of the favorite to win the deal, but America’s spying voided its chances. “The NSA problem ruined it for the Americans,” a Brazilian government confirmed on condition of anonymity.

We have also damaged opportunities for foreign investments by giving everyone that comes to this nation, the Big Brother treatment. I’m sure many entrepreneurs have decided against opening a business in America because it meant being treated like a potential terrorist every time they visited our shores.

For American companies all this bad blood amounts to a huge shortfall in sales to other nations. Forrester Research, a technology and market research company says the lost trade could reach $180 billion by 2016. Since America already has a $500 billion annual trade deficit, adding tens of billions to this figure will only make matters worse.

There is very little concern in Washington about American companies losing their competitive edge due to NSA surveillance. Even when Angela Merkel called President Obama to compare the NSA to the Stasi that she faced growing up in East Germany, he offered no guarantee that the spying on her personal phone conversations would stop. I did find one U.S. Senator who understands the problem. Senator Ron Wyden recently remarked, “If a foreign enemy was doing this much damage to the economy, people would be in the streets with pitchforks.”

Before Obama left for a Christmas vacation, he had a meeting with leaders of this nation’s biggest technology firms, and they complained very “loudly” over what the NSA is doing to their business. Even if they managed to convince Obama that something needs to be done, I see only a small chance the tide will turn. Just as the military-industrial-complex has become an impossible beast to manage, the NSA has had a dozen years to become equally entrenched.

I think our spying problem will eventually fix itself. The economic base of this nation is being eroded so rapidly by incompetent policies that the day will soon come when we can no longer afford to snoop on the rest of the world. The Bible’s lack of clear reference to America in prophecy may indicate our downfall is close at hand.

--Todd


 

2014 Prophecy Prospectus

The upcoming year invites a look into its major prophetic potentialities, based upon the way 2013 is ending. If this was a prospectus on any number of the general matters on which a prospectus is normally issued, it would be directed only to those who have invested interests or potential investment interests in the financial possibilities presented.

In other words, the prospectus would be highly limited in scope to but a relatively few people. For example, stockholders of a publicly held company would want to know the potential economic advantages that holding stock in that company offers. The analysis within a prospectus would be to inform potential investors about products and or services, now or in the immediate future, and probable company performance before they determined whether to buy new stock being offered.

Our prophecy prospectus differs in a couple of major ways from that just described:1) Those investors potentially affected by future performance are neither limited in scope nor in numbers involved. Bible prophecy involves, literally, every person alive on planet Earth. 2) The prophecy prospectus literally involves investment potentialities--not of meager, earthly dollars and cents—but things that determine future dividends for investors throughout all of eternity.

We will try to analyze some of the primary issues and events at this year’s end and project the prophetic trends, based upon that analysis as we move into 2014 and beyond.

Admittedly, this will offer only the very slightest look at these things. We will do so, not with hubris or self-aggrandizement; only the God of Heaven knows the future. But, our Lord has indeed given us–and in many cases, in considerable detail—an overview of things to come. We are told by Him to “watch” (Mark 13:37) for those things to come that He promises us we can know, at least in general terms:

“Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me” (Isaiah 45:11).

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).

The Holy Spirit, God in His omniscience, gives those who are in His family (all born again through belief in His Son, Jesus Christ) both the ability and the command to watch for prophetic signals in discerning the times in which we live. Therefore, let us look at the prospects for 2014, with the confidence that we can achieve at least a certain degree of understanding about things to come.

The bottom line in considering things to come at this juncture is that the time of Tribulation is no longer just a faint rumble of distant thunder on the prophetic horizon. Every major element of Bible prophecy leading up to Christ’s Second Advent can be discerned by anyone with a futurist viewpoint of biblical eschatology--that is, everyone who believes that there are major prophecies yet to be fulfilled. As the year 2013 closes, we very briefly analyze those key elements of prophecy yet future and consider the prospects for 2014 and thereafter.

Israel: Israel is at stage center for the final act of Satan’s war against God to play out. The American president has exerted his power and authority, to considerable extent, in putting the Jewish state’s prime minister on notice that Israel will be given U.S. support only if Israel complies with the stipulations Secretary of State John Kerry and the so-called Palestinian leadership contrive. Chief among these matters of compliance is, apparently, the cessation of construction within Israel’s sovereign territory. On the other hand, the Palestinians do not have to agree to even recognize Israel as a legitimate national entity. Certainly, for the immediate future, there can be no peace arrangement under this broad area of disagreement. If the dreadful peace of Isaiah 28 is to be made, there will likely have to develop even more severe potential for war in the region, with the Palestinian leadership perceiving they will lose any chance to achieve statehood, I believe. Then, that leadership–like all good Islamists—will lie to agree to some of Israel’s demands. Whether this government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, will buy those lies is another matter. It seems to me that a much broader peace scheme must be in play for it to come up to the dimension of the Isaiah 28:15, 18 covenant, so look for the current peace efforts to limp along for quite awhile.

Iran: This nation that comprises most of ancient Persia smugly senses a weak U.S. administration, I suspect. It will play the game of Middle East chess until it is right back to doing within its mountainous underground nuclear laboratories what it has been doing since setting its sights on building a weapon that can carry out the mullahs’ designs of hegemony over the entire region and the elimination of the hated little Satan --Israel.

Russia: Russia will continue to demonstrate it is resuming superpower status in its climb back from the fall as the U.S.S.R. Prophetically, Russia’s ties to Iran can only grow stronger, even though the two nations will likely attempt to show, publicly, a marked independence from each other. I believe that Israel’s increasing capabilities in the area of natural gas production and its growing gas industry’s inroads into European and other markets greatly disturb Putin. Look for Russia to keep strengthening its military position and influence to the south.

Electronic control technologies: Electronic control technologies in the U.S. and on a global scale look to be growing ominously as the weeks roll on. Despite the NSA and other scandals, with the divulgences by Snowden and other revelations of privacy-destroying snooping by governments, the world-wide system of control is progressing geometrically and, perhaps, is already of sufficient strength and ubiquity to give Antichrist what he needs to subjugate most of the world’s populations once he takes the reins of power as indicated in Revelation 13:16-18.

These are the areas of most particular prophetic relevance while we finish this year and look into the next, in my opinion. Other areas, such as economy, religion, and cultural matters are only slightly less critical in considering prospects for 2014. We will continue to look at these aspects of life as well through the prism of God’s prophetic Word.

The most profitable investment any of us can make for the upcoming year is to pray, study God’s Word, and put our efforts and resources into His kingdom for reaching souls of men, women, and children. We at Rapture Ready solicit your help in investing in that mission in 2014. Your "heavenly bank account" will increase beyond measure.

-- Terry

 "A ministry of VidDevoChurch"
 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Prophecy Watch: January 2 2014 THURSDAY Shevat 1, 5774 -Last Generation Network News -Prophecy Watch

 
 
          DAILY
>World Watch Daily
>Rapture Ready News
>Nearing Midnight
> more to come....
 

WORD WATCH DAILY PERSPECTIVE

 

----------------------------

Ariel Sharon near death after grave deterioration in his condition; the 8th anniversary of severe brain hemorrhage is January 4

 

85-year-old former prime minister and defense minister, comatose since 2006, suffers renal failure in hospital

Comatose former prime minister Ariel Sharon’s condition has deteriorated, doctors said on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer said Sharon’s condition began taking a turn for the worse in recent days.

Doctors said Sharon, 85, who has been in a vegetative state since 2006, was suffering from renal failure that could lead to multiple organ system failure and death.

Hebrew media reports late Wednesday said doctors had told the family that Sharon had, at most, no more than four days to live.

 

 

Kerry's 'framework' expected to be 'outline' of future agreement, arriving in Israel Thursday afternoon

 

 
Arriving on Dec. 12, 2013

US Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to meet separately with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas soon after his arrival Thursday afternoon to discuss his ideas for a framework agreement that would serve as an outline for a final agreement.

A senior state department official said Kerry was not expecting any breakthrough during this trip, his 10th to the region since taking office in February. Rather, he said, Kerry was pushing for the sides to agree on guidelines for what the final deal would look like. Then the job would be to fill in the details.

Kerry is expected to remain in the region through the weekend, though no date has been given for his departure.

 

 

The 'bull in the china shop' to return to Israel:
'Kerry's framework proposal could be explosive'

 

 

US deal will trade off ‘Jewish’ Israel for 1967 lines — report

 

 

Abbas threatens to rally UN against settlement ‘cancer’

 

 

Winter Storm Hercules Forecast: 
First snowstorm of 2014 targets Midwest, Northeast; 
Lake Michigan snow band to target Chicago

 

This long-duration snow event has begun, as an expansive swath of light snow spreads from the northern Rockies and northern Plains into the southern Great Lakes through New Year's Eve night as we shift from 2013 into 2014. Winter Storm Hercules is also being preceded by heavy but localized lake-effect snows east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Meanwhile, as the body of Hercules moves east, lake-effect snows will set up off Lake Superior and Lake Michigan Thursday into Thursday night. The Lake Michigan snow band will likely target the city of Chicago for a time before swinging into the more conventional Northwest Indiana snowbelts. Additional accumulations from the lake effect could push snow totals past the one-foot mark in a rather small area, but that small area could be home to several million people.

 

 

Frigid New Year's forecast for parts of U.S. -- 40 below zero

The National Weather Service forecasts many other areas of the United States will have a chilly start to the New Year with lows below zero -- well below zero.

“The two really cold spots will be New England and Wisconsin,” said Bruce Terry, a forecaster with the weather service. Minnesota and North Dakota will also be frigid, he said.

Lows in Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota could reach 40 degrees below zero on Tuesday night, he said. In New England, temperatures will be relatively warmer, with lows near or below zero.

 

 

Major Snowstorm Targets 70 Million in Northeast, 
New York to Boston Thursday night

 

A major snowstorm will reach from across part of the Midwest to the central Appalachians and New England Thursday into Friday. A blizzard will evolve from the storm in parts of the Northeast.

The storm will affect more than 70 million people in the Midwest and the Northeast combined and could have a major negative impact on travel for people returning from holiday destinations, heading back to school or resuming business activities.

It will be far from the worst storm to ever hit the area, but people should be prepared for flight delays and cancellations because of direct and indirect impacts from the far-reaching storm. Some roads may even close for a time.

 

 

Palestinian ambassador in Prague killed in blast

 

Explosion reportedly occurs when envoy, Jamal al-Jamal, opens a safe; one other person stricken with shock

The Palestinian ambassador in the Czech Republic, Jamal al-Jamal, died Wednesday afternoon of wounds that he sustained several hours earlier in a mysterious explosion that rocked his Prague apartment.

Prague rescue service spokeswoman Jirina Ernestova said a 52-year-old woman was also taken to the hospital after suffering from shock.

The 56-year-old Jamal was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after the blast, but died several hours later.

 

 

Putin vows to annihilate "terrorists" 
after suicide bombings

 

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday vowed to annihilate all "terrorists" following two deadly bomb attacks in the southern Russian city of Volgograd that raised security fears ahead of the Winter Olympics.

The uncompromising remarks in a televised New Year address were Putin's first public comments since suicide bombers killed at least 34 people in attacks less than 24 hours apart on a railway station and a trolleybus on Sunday and Monday.

But after two decades of violence in the North Caucasus, Islamist militants continue to pose a threat beyond their home region. Russia's Olympic Committee chief said no more could be done to safeguard the Games since every measure possible was already in place around Sochi, beneath the Caucasus mountains.

 

 

-----

Featured News 

Settlement News to Wait
Until Kerry Leaves Israel
 

Specter of withdrawal a constant
for Jordan Valley settlers
 

US tells Israel: There's no chance Pollard will be freed for release of Israeli-Arab prisoners 

Israel, Palestinians 
Face Hard Choices
 

Cameron, Merkel said to be headed
to Israel in peace push
 

Drones, placentas and transgender students: New laws in 2014 cover much ground 

World in turmoil: Seven
countries to watch in 2014
 

Netanyahu says Lebanese rocket attack constitutes 'double war crime' 

Former MK Eldad: Time to Treat the
Temple Mount Like a Holy Site
 

Latest News 

3,000 Christians Gather in 
Europe to Pray for 2014
 

Thousands march in Hong Kong in escalating battle for democracy 

Mayor declares 2014 the 'year
of the Bible' in Texas city
 

South Sudan's president
declares state of emergency
 

Hopes fade for Antarctic air
rescue of ice-bound ship
 

Hackers post account info of 
4.6 million Snapchat users
 

Slayings in Tolleson, Phoenix
leave 4 dead in violent start
to new year
 

Beloved Catholic priest found
slain in California church rectory
 

United Nations too Christian,
claims report
 

Pope stresses strength, courage,
hope in new year
 

California Crop Circle 
Sparks UFO Talk
 

As Colo. legalizes pot, hopes
soar in other states
 

Global poll: US is the greatest
threat to world peace
 

Gas prices down in '13,
to go lower in '14
 

H1N1 strain apparent as St. Louis
area flu numbers spike
 

Calif. church battling county to keep up 'Support Our Troops' billboard 

Franklin Graham Says God, Not Pope, Is the Judge on Homosexuality 

Fort Hood shooter's jail requests:
Bible, cheese source
 

Saudi Arabia to inject $3 
billion into Lebanese army
 

Five Pastors Killed in Crash
Following post-Haiyan Outreach
 

Minimum wage to rise in 
13 states on Jan. 1
 

White House News 

Obama Ringing in New Year
in Low-Key Fashion
 

Uprising as Obama plans to skirt
Congress on 'New World Order'
 

Barbara Bush remains hospitalized
as Obamas offer well wishes
 

After rocky 2013, what's ahead
for Obama in new year?
 

Putin sends new year's
greetings to Obama
 

As Sasha and Malia Obama become young women, a father laments time slipping by 

President Obama, the
merciless?
 

Barack Obama's troubled health 
care law at crossroads
 

Poll: Barack Obama, Hillary 
Clinton most admired
 

Iran doesn’t take Obama’s military
option seriously, says Oren
 

Impeach Obama? DNC raises
fear in new email
 

Obama’s TV Picks: Anything
Edgy, With Hints of Reality
 

Israel News 

 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither
slumber nor sleep. - Psalms 121:4 (KJV) 


Israeli Researcher Discovers
Evidence of Rare Color
Known as 'Biblical Blue'
 

Israeli Government, Google Sign Collaboration Agreement to Modernize Bureaucracy 

Nazareth Christians Launch 
New Website, Tourism Effort
 

Israel ranks 6th favorite
country for Americans
 

IDF patrol takes fire 
from Gaza
 

Birthright breaks record as 1,600 
participants arrive in one day
 

IDF patrol takes fire
from Gaza Strip
 

NGO: 'C'tee Robs From the
Sick to Fund Abortions'
 

Israeli population surpasses
8 million
 

Rocket hits western Negev
in latest escalation
 

Settler leaders: Washington under-
stands the Jordan Valley must
remain in Israeli hands
 

World's fastest Wi-Fi
being developed in Israel
 

Provocative Commentary 

Our World: Empowering Palestinians who reject Israel’s right to exist - Caroline Glick 

Israel Must Stop Fighting For
Survival - Ari Soffer
 

What Americans expect from Obama in 2014 -- commitment to democracy, human rights, rule of law, allies' security - Anne Bayefsky 

The Year of Doubletalk -
Aliza Davidovit
 

2013: A year of pitfalls and progress -
The Washington Post
 

Marriage died in 2013 - 
Dr. Keith Ablow
 

Jihad in our future -
Yoav Limor
 

A judicial difference of
opinion - David Keene
 

Prisoner release: A painful, uncredited step - Herb Keinon 

Time to wake up - 
Barry Rubin
 

It’s going to get bad fast between
Israel and the US - Lazar Berman
 

Message in an artillery
shell - Yaakov Lappin
 

From these alleyways, the anger
will flow - Avi Issacharoff
 

Is the president crowding 
the Pope? - Ed Rogers
 

Team Obama has brought Americans to an all-time low -- let's come together now in faith and action - Gordon Helsel 

The Phony Peace Partner -
Dr. Phlip Brodie
 

Pope Francis: Beyond the compelling
gestures - Martin E. Marty
 

Israel's Christian Awakening -
Adi Schwartz
 

Obama the Philosopher, Netanyahu 
the General - Dovid Efune
 

Libertarians: Snowden Debate
Foretold 50 Years Ago in
'Outer Limits' Episode - John Gizzi
 

Growing disquiet - Dan Margalit 

Inspired by God 

 

Christian News

"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." - E. M. Bounds 


January 2: Climb Upward -
Streams in the Desert
 

January 2: Will You Go Out Without
Knowing? - Oswald Chambers
 

January 2: Discovering Life’s
Purpose - Charles Stanley
 

A.W. Tozer's Daily Devotional 

Charles Spurgeon's 'Morning and 
Evening' Daily Devotional
 

Daily Light 'Morning and Evening' 
Devotional - Jonathan Bagster
 

Charles Stanley's Audio Messages 

McLean Bible's Internet Services - 
Pastor Lon Solomon: Services are 
"live" Sunday' at 9 am, 10:45 am, & 
12:30 pm (Eastern-US), rebroadcast 
Monday at 2 pm (Eastern-US)
 

Pastor Lon Solomon, McLean Bible
Church, McLean, Virginia - 
Sermons by Date, Series and Podcasts


RAPTURE READY NEWS
 
PERSPECTIVE 

 2 Jan 14

02 Jan 14

SOLAR ACTIVITY IS HIGH
2014 began with a bang. At 18:54 UT on January 1st, big sunspot AR1936 erupted, producing a strong M9-class solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the explosion's extreme ultraviolet flash.  

A special hacking unit of the U.S. National Security Agency intercepts deliveries of new computer equipment en route to plant spyware, according to a
More than 19,000 people have been displaced by a volcano in Indonesia that has been erupting for months and shot lava into the air nine times overnight. Mount Sinabung on Sumatra sent hot rocks and ash 7,000 metres in the air last night and this morning, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.  

NSA intercepts computer deliveries to plant spyware
A special hacking unit of the U.S. National Security Agency intercepts deliveries of new computer equipment en route to plant spyware, according to a report on Sunday from Der Spiegel, a German publication. The method, called “interdiction,” is one of the most successful operations conducted by the NSA’s Office of Tailored Access Operations (TAO), which specializes in infiltrating computers, wrote the publication, citing a top-secret document.  

China's Liaoning aircraft carrier completes sea trials
The Chinese navy has completed sea trials for its first ever aircraft carrier, further evidence of expanding sea power as the country's neighbours worry about its military ambitions. The Liaoning was bought from Ukraine in 1998 and extensively refurbished before entering service in 2012. It returned to port on Wednesday after a 37-day voyage in the South China Sea, the official Xinhua News Agency said.  

Global Terror in 2014 – a Forecast
Terror in Israel will continue as the fact that the “peace talks” with the Palestinians lead to nowhere becomes clear.  

Israeli Sources: Palestinian Embassies – “Terrorist Centers”
No Surprise in Israel after the recent “work-related incident” which led to the death of the Palestinian Authority Ambassador to the Czech Republic.  

US Government Orders 14 Million Doses of Potassium Iodide
The Department of Health and Human Services has ordered 14 million doses of potassium iodide, the compound that protects the body from radioactive poisoning in the aftermath of severe nuclear accidents, to be delivered before the beginning of February. The ongoing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant has prompted concerns that the purchase is connected to the threat posed by radioactive debris washing up on the shores...  

Blizzard to Reach From NYC to Boston Thursday Night
A major snowstorm will reach from across part of the Midwest to the central Appalachians and New England Thursday into Friday. A blizzard will evolve from the storm in parts of the Northeast. The storm will affect more than 70 million people in the Midwest and the Northeast combined and could have a major negative impact on travel...  

Japan's population falls 'by record 244,000' in 2013
Japan's population declined by a record 244,000 people in 2013, according to health ministry estimates. The ministry said an estimated 1,031,000 babies were born last year - down some 6,000 from the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of people that died last year was 1,275,000 - a rise of around 19,000 from 2012.  

Skype social media platforms hacked by 'Syrian Electronic Army'
The social media platforms of Skype have been hacked by a group claiming to be the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA). The group posted anti-surveillance messages, including a message telling people not to use email services of Microsoft, the owner of Skype. It claimed "they are monitoring your accounts and selling the data to the governments".  

Blast kills Palestinian ambassador in Prague
The Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic is killed by an explosion at his home in Prague, in what police say appears to have been an accident. Jamal al-Jamal died of his injuries in hospital four hours after the blast. It happened when Mr Jamal tried to open a safe that had been sealed for more than 20 years, officials say.  

Cuba leader Raul Castro warns of 'subversive campaign'
Cuban President Raul Castro has warned that Cuba is confronting "ideological and political subversion aimed at toppling its socialist system". In a speech commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, Mr Castro said "global power centres" were "subtly introducing neo-liberal and neo-colonial thinking" into Cuba.  

EU ends funding for Spanish banks, praises austerity
The EU says Spain's banks are back on a "sound footing," but one in four Spanish people are still unemployed. Klaus Regling, the director of the Luxembourg-based European Stability Mechanism (ESM), made the statement on Tuesday (31 December) to mark the expiry of Spain's EU credit line.  

 

RAPTURE READY Nearing midnight PERSPECTIVE 

 
 
 
 

Dec 30, 2013 

NSA Spying Is Hurting American Business

It has only been a few months since it was revealed that America has been spying on some of its closest friends. The scandal has already grabbed the title as one of the greatest diplomatic debacles in our nation’s history. It is also quickly becoming one of America’s greatest financial fiascos.

U.S. trade partners fully realize they are at risk of being spied on if they buy any communication technology made by U.S. firms. Our government passed laws requiring companies to install secret backdoors allowing the NSA to secretly gather information.

IBM, the largest computer-services provider, was one the first to report a sales drop. The firms’ China branch, reported a 22 percent drop in sales. The Chinese government is very tight-lipped about it its daily activities, so going forward, IBM would be the last company the Chinese government would chose to supply their data processing needs. A Louisiana Pension fund is suing IBM claiming the tech giant defrauded investors by concealing the sales decline after Edward Snowden leaked information that the company was cooperating with the NSA.

Cisco Systems is another company impacted by the NSA scandal. Cisco’s November sales were down 21 percent because of an instant problem with the Internet’s ability to trust its encryption products. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) told companies not to use cryptographic standards that may have been undermined by the NSA’s BULLRUN program. One of Cisco analysts admitted that cryptography was compromised: “It would be a critical blow to the trust required across the Internet and the security community.” Since Cisco is required give crypto keys to the NSA, its technology can never be trusted.

The bid by AT&T to acquire the European company, Vodafone, may be in danger due to the company’s well-documented involvement in the NSA data-collection programs. European officials are now saying the telecommunications giant will face “intense scrutiny” in the effort to purchase Vodafone. There may be so many restrictions placed on the combined company that AT&T may decide it is unprofitable to proceed with the venture.

Telenor, Norway’s largest telecom provider has reportedly halted its plans to move its customers to a U.S. based cloud provider. It will likely choose to go with a European firm.

The fallout is not just related to communication technology. Brazil has just decided to award a $4.5 billion contract to Swedish company, Saab AB, to replace its aging fleet of fighter jets. Boeing had been of the favorite to win the deal, but America’s spying voided its chances. “The NSA problem ruined it for the Americans,” a Brazilian government confirmed on condition of anonymity.

We have also damaged opportunities for foreign investments by giving everyone that comes to this nation, the Big Brother treatment. I’m sure many entrepreneurs have decided against opening a business in America because it meant being treated like a potential terrorist every time they visited our shores.

For American companies all this bad blood amounts to a huge shortfall in sales to other nations. Forrester Research, a technology and market research company says the lost trade could reach $180 billion by 2016. Since America already has a $500 billion annual trade deficit, adding tens of billions to this figure will only make matters worse.

There is very little concern in Washington about American companies losing their competitive edge due to NSA surveillance. Even when Angela Merkel called President Obama to compare the NSA to the Stasi that she faced growing up in East Germany, he offered no guarantee that the spying on her personal phone conversations would stop. I did find one U.S. Senator who understands the problem. Senator Ron Wyden recently remarked, “If a foreign enemy was doing this much damage to the economy, people would be in the streets with pitchforks.”

Before Obama left for a Christmas vacation, he had a meeting with leaders of this nation’s biggest technology firms, and they complained very “loudly” over what the NSA is doing to their business. Even if they managed to convince Obama that something needs to be done, I see only a small chance the tide will turn. Just as the military-industrial-complex has become an impossible beast to manage, the NSA has had a dozen years to become equally entrenched.

I think our spying problem will eventually fix itself. The economic base of this nation is being eroded so rapidly by incompetent policies that the day will soon come when we can no longer afford to snoop on the rest of the world. The Bible’s lack of clear reference to America in prophecy may indicate our downfall is close at hand.

--Todd


2014 Prophecy Prospectus

The upcoming year invites a look into its major prophetic potentialities, based upon the way 2013 is ending. If this was a prospectus on any number of the general matters on which a prospectus is normally issued, it would be directed only to those who have invested interests or potential investment interests in the financial possibilities presented.

In other words, the prospectus would be highly limited in scope to but a relatively few people. For example, stockholders of a publicly held company would want to know the potential economic advantages that holding stock in that company offers. The analysis within a prospectus would be to inform potential investors about products and or services, now or in the immediate future, and probable company performance before they determined whether to buy new stock being offered.

Our prophecy prospectus differs in a couple of major ways from that just described:1) Those investors potentially affected by future performance are neither limited in scope nor in numbers involved. Bible prophecy involves, literally, every person alive on planet Earth. 2) The prophecy prospectus literally involves investment potentialities--not of meager, earthly dollars and cents—but things that determine future dividends for investors throughout all of eternity.

We will try to analyze some of the primary issues and events at this year’s end and project the prophetic trends, based upon that analysis as we move into 2014 and beyond.

Admittedly, this will offer only the very slightest look at these things. We will do so, not with hubris or self-aggrandizement; only the God of Heaven knows the future. But, our Lord has indeed given us–and in many cases, in considerable detail—an overview of things to come. We are told by Him to “watch” (Mark 13:37) for those things to come that He promises us we can know, at least in general terms:

“Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me” (Isaiah 45:11).

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).

The Holy Spirit, God in His omniscience, gives those who are in His family (all born again through belief in His Son, Jesus Christ) both the ability and the command to watch for prophetic signals in discerning the times in which we live. Therefore, let us look at the prospects for 2014, with the confidence that we can achieve at least a certain degree of understanding about things to come.

The bottom line in considering things to come at this juncture is that the time of Tribulation is no longer just a faint rumble of distant thunder on the prophetic horizon. Every major element of Bible prophecy leading up to Christ’s Second Advent can be discerned by anyone with a futurist viewpoint of biblical eschatology--that is, everyone who believes that there are major prophecies yet to be fulfilled. As the year 2013 closes, we very briefly analyze those key elements of prophecy yet future and consider the prospects for 2014 and thereafter.

Israel: Israel is at stage center for the final act of Satan’s war against God to play out. The American president has exerted his power and authority, to considerable extent, in putting the Jewish state’s prime minister on notice that Israel will be given U.S. support only if Israel complies with the stipulations Secretary of State John Kerry and the so-called Palestinian leadership contrive. Chief among these matters of compliance is, apparently, the cessation of construction within Israel’s sovereign territory. On the other hand, the Palestinians do not have to agree to even recognize Israel as a legitimate national entity. Certainly, for the immediate future, there can be no peace arrangement under this broad area of disagreement. If the dreadful peace of Isaiah 28 is to be made, there will likely have to develop even more severe potential for war in the region, with the Palestinian leadership perceiving they will lose any chance to achieve statehood, I believe. Then, that leadership–like all good Islamists—will lie to agree to some of Israel’s demands. Whether this government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, will buy those lies is another matter. It seems to me that a much broader peace scheme must be in play for it to come up to the dimension of the Isaiah 28:15, 18 covenant, so look for the current peace efforts to limp along for quite awhile.

Iran: This nation that comprises most of ancient Persia smugly senses a weak U.S. administration, I suspect. It will play the game of Middle East chess until it is right back to doing within its mountainous underground nuclear laboratories what it has been doing since setting its sights on building a weapon that can carry out the mullahs’ designs of hegemony over the entire region and the elimination of the hated little Satan --Israel.

Russia: Russia will continue to demonstrate it is resuming superpower status in its climb back from the fall as the U.S.S.R. Prophetically, Russia’s ties to Iran can only grow stronger, even though the two nations will likely attempt to show, publicly, a marked independence from each other. I believe that Israel’s increasing capabilities in the area of natural gas production and its growing gas industry’s inroads into European and other markets greatly disturb Putin. Look for Russia to keep strengthening its military position and influence to the south.

Electronic control technologies: Electronic control technologies in the U.S. and on a global scale look to be growing ominously as the weeks roll on. Despite the NSA and other scandals, with the divulgences by Snowden and other revelations of privacy-destroying snooping by governments, the world-wide system of control is progressing geometrically and, perhaps, is already of sufficient strength and ubiquity to give Antichrist what he needs to subjugate most of the world’s populations once he takes the reins of power as indicated in Revelation 13:16-18.

These are the areas of most particular prophetic relevance while we finish this year and look into the next, in my opinion. Other areas, such as economy, religion, and cultural matters are only slightly less critical in considering prospects for 2014. We will continue to look at these aspects of life as well through the prism of God’s prophetic Word.

The most profitable investment any of us can make for the upcoming year is to pray, study God’s Word, and put our efforts and resources into His kingdom for reaching souls of men, women, and children. We at Rapture Ready solicit your help in investing in that mission in 2014. Your "heavenly bank account" will increase beyond measure.

-- Terry

 "A ministry of VidDevoChurch"