A Pre-UFO Disclosure Request to the Church

As some may have heard, a committee comment was attached to a recent COVID relief funding bill signed by former President Trump in December 2020 stating the various military and intelligence agencies have been mandated to  within 180 days of the bill coming into effect, bring a non-classified report to the Senate Intelligence Committee stating what is known about UFO’s or Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP’s) as they are now known, with a classified appendix being attached if necessary.

In April 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense already released a statement verifying that specific videos circulating in public showing extremely fast and highly maneuverable flying vehicles were in fact real but “unidentified”. 

It’s coming faster than people realize, and if people aren’t ready, they may be caught in shock and have many questions.

Important questions to be asked include:  How is the Church as a whole going to deal with this?  What is going to be preached to the flock, and will it be reactionary, or preparatory?  How many church leaders are ready for this?  Do Christian faith leaders believe the Bible addresses this?  Are they aware phenomenon of this type has been mentioned in biblical history throughout the Bible, even from the time of the first book of Genesis, just with pre-modern terminology?  There are even biblical references to what is now called the Book of 1^st Enoch which goes into much of this in more detail.  Enoch, who “…walked with God three hundred years…” was Noah’s great-grandfather, and Methuselah was Noah’s grandfather.  Noah was born about 69 years after God took Enoch to be with Him.  (Genesis 5:18-32)

I encourage and humbly request that the readers of this page, even if they are doubtful about what is being claimed, that they at least quickly peruse a few of the links below where I’ve written on the subject and what I understand the Bible says about it, and even pass it on to others so people at minimum have a biblical reference point so they aren’t caught completely off guard when the world governments begin declaring what they understand of the UFO / UAP observations from likely a non-biblical reference point.   

Some people may already be thinking that what is being seen is something manifesting from the spiritual world, either angels, or fallen angels, or both.  What does the Bible say about human hybrids?  It actually speaks of this, even in Genesis before the flood.  Here are some links discussing it in both lesser and greater detail:

On the Verge of What’s Next?

Alien Soft Disclosure – You’ll Want an Answer To It!

On Aliens and Angels

Angels, Aliens, & UFO’s as I See It  (A more in depth look)

An Astronaut’s Psalm (From Psalm 139)

No Election Day Asteroid Impact Expected… Here’s Why

A number of months ago there was a fair bit of what I call fear-mongering on-line about a potential asteroid striking the earth around election day and causing pandemonium.  If a person looks at the space objects being tracked by NASA, you’ll see many objects listed, but nothing significant expected to impact the earth on the U.S. election day, or any time soon for that matter.  There are always objects flying relatively close to the earth, a few coming between the earth and the moon, but most are much further out, while small meteor fragments and dust land on the earth daily.  Being a bit of a space enthusiast, I often check out space related websites.  A good source of information on asteroids is NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies which lists objects currently being tracked:  Data Table

The closest approaching space object around this time is on November 2, 2020, is identified as (2018 VP1), and is between approximately 6 feet and 12 feet in diameter.  If it were to enter the atmosphere it would be highly unlikely to make it to the surface intact without disintegrating from friction, thus appearing as what is commonly referred to as a fireball streaking across the sky.  Also more importantly, its miss distance is calculated at between 7,700 km and 423,000 km from the earth.

For comparison, the International Space Station is currently about 400 km above the earth, some satellites orbit lower, some are much higher at 35,000 km, with thousands in between.

On November 3, 2020, the closest object’s ID is (2020 UA3), is larger at 36 feet to 81 feet in diameter, but much further away at about 5.5 Lunar Distances (LD = 384, 401 km) or over 2.1 million km away.  Everything else being tracked during that week is even further away than the two objects just mentioned.

On February 15, 2013, the meteor which exploded above Chelyabinsk, Russia was about 66 feet in diameter, travelling about 19 km / second, or over 40,000 mph and airburst about 14 miles or 22 km above the surface.  The closest the November 2 asteroid is expected to get is 7,700 km.

If anyone was still concerned about rumors they may have heard months ago, this should put your mind at peace.

Christ The Redeemer: A Visual of Hope in the Midst of covid

A few days ago the famous Brazilian statue of Christ the Redeemer was lit up at night with the flags of the nations which are dealing with the covid outbreak.  This short video link to PBS NewsHour reveals amazing truths.

 

 

We see this statue of Jesus standing with its arms outspread, an image of the world upon it, then the continents, then the flags of each nation.

I think of the phrase, “Jesus is the hope of the nations”.

I think of the Scriptures where Jesus is recorded saying,

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”    Matthew 11:28

The idea of the “nations coming together in solidarity” is being used a lot lately.  As we approach Resurrection Sunday, let’s remember our hope is ultimately in the risen Jesus who opens up His arms and desires ALL to come to Him who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. 

“… and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed.”  1 Peter 2:6

 

N-95 Mask Shortage? Here’s a DIY

With N-95 masks being very hard to come by as a result of COVID 19 and hospitals being the obvious priority for their use,  people are looking for alternatives.

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council released this  2 minute video of a do-it-yourself face mask with the idea coming from the University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital.

 

Link is to the South China Morning Post YouTube channel.

 

Angels, Aliens, & UFO’s as I see it.

What we’re going to discuss can be interesting and even very intriguing, but it does pale when we bring our eyes to focus on who Jesus is, and what His written Word says about Him, humanity, history, and eternity.  It often seems there are societal trends that creep up and catch the overall church unaware, such as the rise and connection between UFO’s, aliens, angels, and artificial intelligence.  Jesus said the children of this age are wiser than the children of Light (Luke 16:8).  Maybe this is because we become content in the Lord, BUT, we have to recognize we need to intentionally be aware of what is happening in the world and the trends and directions it’s going in.

Specifically today, we need to recognize the increasing world acceptance of UFO’s and aliens existing as intelligent creatures from other planets, galaxies, or dimensions who came as various gods to various cultures in ancient times, thereby suggesting all creation stories with the various gods are equal, just having slight variations… and they’re also returning.  However, what many Christians are unaware of is that there are many passages in the ancient Scriptures which speak of angels and the spiritual world in ways people today describe UFO  / alien encounters.

Before we jump right in to the topic, I’d like to mention how grateful I am to Angela from the YouTube channel Yeshua Said My Name (YSMN) for freely exchanging ideas and knowledge on these subjects.  She’s a great communicator, encourager, and also has a great gift of presenting Scripture in a tangible way.

Carrying on with something which is almost a side note, but is significant, is current society’s work at degrading the God of the Bible and the attempt to make Him appear no greater than the gods or deities of other religions of the world.  Now, with the Politically Correct culture of today where we are taught that all belief systems are equal, it is considered offensive to suggest that one belief is superior to another, even though logically, it is the belief in the God of the Bible which provides our society with the freedom to disagree and not be forced into a belief or religious system.

 

One simple way we recognize the PC attack on the God of the Bible is when the first letter of a pronoun referring to God / Jesus, such as He, Him, Me, and Who, is no longer capitalized.  When I was in public school in the 1970’s-80’s, it was taught that any reference to the God of the Bible WAS to be capitalized, and this made one realize He is the God above all gods, and Lord above all lords… This was how Canadian society was founded.  When newer Bibles print pronoun references to God in lower case letters, it diminishes in appearance how great He is, and may sometimes confuse who a statement is referring to.  Therefore, I recommend encouraging people to get their own PHYSICAL Bibles, which can’t be updated or modified with the latest PC software version.  The same is true for concordances and other study aids – I see numerous cases where the on-line versions are softening the greatness and superiority of the One True God, and even replacing the name of historical “Israel” with “Palestine” when referencing cities.

 

Throughout the millennia, what we now call UFO’s seem to have appeared to people in forms relevant to them, forms they would understand in their period of history.  This is increasingly happening again, whether people are seeing “flying saucers”, non-human created aircraft, or actually encountering and communicating with ET’s, “aliens”, ascended masters, or as they are now also called, NHIB’s or Non-Human Intelligent Beings.  The things people describe sound extremely plausible and in some cases real, and many seem happy and content, but, does what they experience bring their focus or adoration to the God who created the universe and the very beings / angels / fallen angels they are communicating with, let alone Jesus?  If the NHIB’s don’t teach or agree that Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life, then they are preaching a different gospel which doesn’t deal with sin, salvation, redemption or Jesus’ return.  I believe this is a key thought we need to remind people of who genuinely experience these beings.

The first few verses of Genesis chapter 6, just before Noah and the flood, speak very briefly on the origin of the giants, Nephilim, or “men of old, men of renown” being born to human women as a result of the sin of fallen angels.

In the generally non-canonical Book of Enoch, there is much greater detail on this angel and human encounter and what certain angels or “watchers” did in teaching humanity various crafts and skills, astronomical knowledge and other sciences, as well as some watchers corrupting humanity and the gene pool.   Although this book was not included in the Bible as we have it, it is referenced in the book of Jude and other places in the canonical Scriptures.

 

The prophet Elisha, described chariots of fire.  In 2 Kings 6:11-17, when Israel’s army was surrounded by Syria’s army, Elisha’s assistant came to him in a panic because they were outnumbered.  Then Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his assistant, who was then able to see “chariots of fire” or “fiery chariots” around them.  This is something in the unseen realm, or another dimension that we don’t normally see, but, is real, and when it was made visible, appeared in a form Elisha could describe.  Notice it doesn’t actually say they were angels, but, vehicles of a sort described as fiery chariots, and were there to support and protect God’s people.  The incident continues with more intrigue as the Lord blinds or confuses the invading army at Elisha’s request, so the prophet ends up leading them to Samaria where there eyes are opened, realize they are prisoners, are fed, watered, and sent back to Syria.

The book of Ezekiel chapter one tells of a vision this prophet was given where he describes something that seems both alive, and also mechanical, and he describes something resembling a throne with someone in appearance as a man, but with something like glowing metal, and he then describes it as seeing the glory of God on a throne, who then speaks to him.  His description of the vehicle he saw could almost be similar to modern spacecraft or UFO reports.

 

Moving ahead a few centuries…

Ancient Roman armies have recorded several occasions seeing objects in the sky.  In 218 B.C. they described, “A spectacle of ships (navium) gleamed in the sky.”  In 217 B.C. they saw round shields in the sky, and in 173 B.C. again they recorded seeing a great fleet in the sky.    https://www.theepochtimes.com/nasa-reports-on-credible-ufo-sightings-in-ancient-times_703237.html

The famous historian Josephus recorded that on the 21^st day of Artemisium, in A.D. 65, in the skies over Judea were seen chariots and armed battalions flying through the clouds and surrounding the cities.  https://www.theepochtimes.com/nasa-reports-on-credible-ufo-sightings-in-ancient-times_703237.html

 

Jumping ahead to the year 1531, Juan Diego encountered an apparition claiming to be Mary at Guadalupe, now a part of Mexico City, where she is said to have requested the people build a place to honor / worship her, and she would in turn assist them.   I’ve written more about this here:  https://universalhopeandlife.wordpress.com/2019/02/03/alien-soft-disclosure-youll-want-an-answer-to-it/

Then 30 years later, in 1561, during the morning of April 14, over Nuremberg, Germany, there occurred some sort of battle in the sky with various spheres, cylinders, and crosses, as well as an object described as being shaped like a spear head.  Some objects were reported as falling and burning up on the ground.  The event was reported to have lasted well over an hour, and was documented in print and with a woodcut engraving, now in a collection in Zurich, Switzerland.  Was this potentially a battle over a key family who would have future significance in 20^th century Nuremberg?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1561_celestial_phenomenon_over_Nuremberg

 

Over the course of the last year or so, 2019, there have been several occasions on many news networks where video reports are shown of U.S. jet fighters chasing unknown aerial vehicles, with Tucker Carlson of the Fox News Network interviewing pilots about it, and also a U.S. congressman who said elected officials are now getting some official reports about this and are discussing how to proceed with what to tell the public.  Pilots have reported these craft fly beyond human capabilities and don’t believe they are of this world.

The show Ancient Aliens has been on the air for a number of years now, presenting what is claimed to be archeological proof from numerous ancient cultures suggesting humans have been contacted by, and guided by gods / aliens since the beginning of civilization.

On a recent episode of Ancient Aliens (air date 2019.10.11) one person uses the phrase “…when you come into contact with an ET, you’re going to feel like they are reading your mind, and you’ll be able to exchange information spontaneously.”   Ideas of ESP, energy transfer to manipulate objects, and in some cases heal are all being associated with aliens, or other dimensional beings.

Many of the higher beings ancient people saw were said to shine brightly and were called “Shiny ones”.   Some who are pursuing this thought line also have goals of becoming “shiny ones” like the gods / aliens.  This goes back to the beginning when the serpent in the garden deceived Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, with the lust for knowledge when what he said was recorded in Genesis 3:5, “…your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…”  Many today continue this pursuit to be other than what we were created to be, pursuing the ascension to “god-like” status.

Remember, the Bible says Satan masquerades as an angel of light, (think: “shiny ones”) meaning many beings that people claim to see or be in contact with aren’t necessarily promoting Jesus.

 

Historically and today, many religious and prophetic people are said to have contacted “the gods”, or in today’s language “aliens” or “ascended masters” in various distant galaxies or dimensions for information and insight by going into trance-like relaxed states of consciousness through various means such as using low and specific tempo’d music, repeating “Ohm”, playing specific drum rhythms, or inhaling chemical mixtures.

I’ve noticed many of the people claiming to be experiencing these spiritual or extra-terrestrial contacts tend to wear chains or necklaces with large stones on them.  They have goals of evolving using consciousness, and learning how to use one’s brain to “time travel” into other planes or dimensions, and communicate with other beings.  I ask, is this an attempt to escape the present?  The Bible says Jesus wants to meet us in our present, and we don’t require special stones or technology for this.  Just call on His Name.

 

There is a progression towards using consciousness to communicate directly with machinery / A.I., and possibly NHIB’s.  Look at the amount of information being collected on every individual, including events, habits, what is written, what is spoken, and the biometric data to physically connect the data to the person.   Those who choose to submit their DNA for tracing family trees and history will be completely exposed to those who control the most advanced A.I. systems.  Physically connecting the brain to computer intelligence is the next thing being pursued, which will result in “enhanced individuals”.   This will allow people to connect to the hive-computer mind and be in touch with everything else that’s connected, and also receive information the A.I. allows them to receive, or… chooses to send to them.   All with the attempt to evolve to the next level of human consciousness and the illusion of power, control, freedom, and possibly even connect with “alien beings”.

I ask, to whose actual advantage is this, and will human to human relationships remain?

If we’re aware, we see and recognize this all creeping out gradually into common view, sometimes through occasional statements by key world leaders, whether Russia’s Putin saying if the U.S. doesn’t tell the world about it, then he will, or Russia’s President Medvedev speaking of files they have of aliens living among humans, or Paul Hellyer, the former Canadian Minster of Defense telling of some of what he’s been told, and pushing for full disclosure, and even of some “aliens” being in direct communication with some world leadership.  There’s also the pope saying he would baptize aliens if they came to him.  Also, various air forces from around the world have presented video of craft they’ve pursued.   We see a push to have the facts officially publicized with some lay people involved with this push having said 2021 is the year for full disclosure.  What’s currently on the main North American news networks is periodic soft disclosure.

The Lord allowed me to be aware of and pick up on what may be the beginning of this disclosure as I wrote what I heard when in January 2019, Fox News’ Tucker Carlson interviewed an American high ranking politician saying he was going to call for a closed door meeting with colleagues to discuss when and how to reveal what about UFO’s and contact with them.  I wrote about it on February 3, 2019: https://universalhopeandlife.wordpress.com/2019/02/03/alien-soft-disclosure-youll-want-an-answer-to-it/

Then later that spring and summer the show Unidentified came out with the host, Luis Elizondo, being a former high ranking defense official who among other things directed the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, but resigned from the Pentagon in October 2017 because the government wasn’t taking the threats or the departments work seriously enough.  He also said he believes there is, “very compelling evidence we may not be alone.”  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Aerospace_Threat_Identification_Program

What do we do with all this?  I suggest we simply realize it’s out there, in the media, in increasing ways, with increasing proof, AND, the consider the Bible spoke of this as being the spiritual realm intersecting the physical realm.  It speaks of certain angels, 1/3 of them actually, who chose to depart from the ways of the Lord God who created them.  Some of them were put in chains in some form of dungeons where they wait for the Lord’s judgement at the end of history as we know it.  Some still are roaming about.  There’s something referred to as the Nephilim spirits as well, with some creatures that remained to be dealt with by Israel’s king David and his men, as Genesis 6 says the Nephilim were on the earth in the days before Noah and the flood, and also afterwards.  Jesus said “…as it was in the days of Noah (before the flood), so shall it be at the coming of the Son of man…”, referring to Himself as the Son of man when He returns at the end of regular history.

I also suggest we, and especially church leadership, be expecting in the not too distant future, (whether 2021 or not), to have key world leaders say in effect, “ there are aliens among us, some of whom are here to lead the world into peace…”, and we be ready to decide if they are on the Lord’s side, or not.

This is much to prayerfully consider, study up on, and see how the Lord’s Spirit moves in our hearts about this.  A key thing is, it’s time to bring in the harvest, bring people to the Lord, as the time may be short.  Jesus said to be wise as a serpent, but innocent as a dove.  He also said, “Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming… For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will…Who then is the faithful and sensible servant whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?”  Matthew 24:42, 44-45.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angels and “Aliens” Bible References

This is intended to be a reference point presenting in one place, some of the main biblical documentations of angels within the Bible.  In the Bible, there are many occasions of angels appearing to, communicating with, and interacting with people.  Sometimes live in person, sometimes in a dream.  There appears to be an angelic hierarchy.   Some are messengers, some are mighty warriors, some have been created for a purpose reserved for the end of our current history near the end of the book of Revelation.  Near the beginning of biblical history, some rebelled and became what’s commonly known as “fallen angels”.

 

Here are merely some of the encounters and observations people have had with the angelic world which are listed in the Bible:

 

Genesis 6:1-4  (Things taking place during the time of Noah)(The flood event follows immediately after)

Gen 6:1  “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,”

Gen 6:2  “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

Gen 6:3  “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

Gen 6:4  “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”

 

This Genesis passage is a bit challenging to interpret, but the phrase “the sons of God” is “sons of elohiym”  (Hebrew:   אלהים ) and is not referring to human males, but more likely some form of angels.

(H430 Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries)

 

“Giants”:   bully, tyrant, giant.   The word “Nephilim” is also used here.

(Hebrew: נפל    נפיל)  (H5303 nephı̂yl  nephil  Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries )

 

“Mighty men”:    warrior, tyrant: – champion, chief, strong man, valiant man

(Hebrew:  גּבּר    גּבּור   ghib-bore’)  (H1368 Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionaries)

 

*** Notice verse 4 says “there were giants / Nephilim in the earth in those days; and also after that”.  We know Joshua and his men had to deal with them centuries after Noah and the flood.  The giants were also known as Nephilim and also called the sons of Anak.  This is recorded in the books of Number 13, Deuteronomy 9, Joshua 15, 18, and 21.

 

The book of Jude from the New Testament speaks of what happened to angels mentioned above in Genesis 6:1-4

Jude 1:6-9  (Note:  Jude is the half brother of Jesus, who became a believer after the resurrection of Jesus.  These passages refer to the book of Enoch)

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.   Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.   Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, did not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Jude 1:14-15

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

 

Genesis 19  Records two angels interacting with Lot, who offers them lodging and a place to wash their feet.  They also physically rescue Lot from crowds of people and even caused them to be blinded.  This shows that angels can be completely physically interactive in our realm and dimensions.

Genesis 28:12, 17  (Note:  This speaks of Jacob recognizing a door, portal, or gateway into heaven which is used by angels.  Jacob named the location “Bethel”, meaning “house of God”)

“And he (Jacob) dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it…..  And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

 

Judges 13 (Note: An angel appears to the wife of Manoah, then Manoah himself, but the couple doesn’t realize he is more than a man until they offer a sacrifice to the Lord, and the angel ascends into heaven in front of their eyes).

 

1 Chronicles 20:5-8  (David and his men are fighting giants with 6 fingers and 6 toes on their hands and feet!)

“And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.  And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.  But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him.  These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.”

 

 

Daniel has several encounters with the angel Gabriel:

Daniel 9:20-23

“And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;   Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.   And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.  At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.”

 

Daniel 10:12-15  (Note:  The angel speaks of having to contend with an opposition angel , “the prince of the kingdom of Persia”, struggling with him for 21 days, until Michael, one of the chief princes of the Lord’s angels came to assist him, likely Gabriel.  This shows there are unseen battles being fought in the unseen spiritual realms.)

“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.   But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.   Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.   And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.”

 

 

Ezekiel 1:4 – 28  Note:  this appears to be the description of some sort of angelic vehicle – chariots of fire?

 

Matthew chapter 1 and Luke chapter 1 & 2  “The birth of Jesus” – History:  The angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.

“Fear Not”, is a common part of the angels greeting.  This suggests people are often startled upon seeing an angel.

 

Luke 1:11-22  (An angel tells of the coming birth of John the Baptist who will prepare the way for Jesus, and also states that he stands in the presence of God… this is an important angel!)

“And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.   And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.   For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.   And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.”

 

Matthew 2:13-14  (An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream, and Joseph obeyed)

“And when they (the wisemen / magi) were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.   When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”

 

Luke 22:43  (An angel is sent to strengthen Jesus when he prays at the Mount of Olives.)

“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.”

 

 

Acts 5:18-20  (Angels can physically interact with our world)

“And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.   But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”

 

Acts 12:21-23  (God’s angels have all sorts of abilities and purposes)

“And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.   And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.   And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”

(The History Channel mentioned this as well!)

 

 

The book of Revelation has numerous passages with angels.  Here are a couple key thoughts out of it.

Revelation 22:8-9 (The apostle John who received a vision / revelation of Jesus)  Here he bows to worship an angel, but the angel says to not do it – he is merely another servant of Jesus, as is John.):

“And I John saw these things, and heard them.   And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.   Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”

 

Revelation 22:16

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

 

There  are also  other passages which speak of fallen angels being disguised and manipulating people, situations, and sowing confusion, drawing people away from the saving gospel of Jesus the Messiah, the risen Son of God:

Galations 1:6-9  (The apostle Paul writing to the believers in Galatia, some of whom have had confusing teachers)

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:   Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.   As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

 

2 Corinthians 11:14-15  (The apostle Paul’s writing)

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

 

There are many other passages pertaining to angels, but this should give people a good start.  Remember throughout the Bible people sought the Lord, and sometimes He would send angels to personally and visibly intervene in an individuals life, but humans were never meant to worship angels which are created beings as are we.  Rather, pray to and worship the Lord God of heaven and earth who created all that exists, and provides salvation through Jesus alone.

 

Jude 1:24-25

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

 

On the Verge of “What’s Next?”

From my perspective, we seem to be in the point of human history when we’re truly on the verge of greatness or destruction, and need something solid to be anchored to… words of hope will follow!

We’re beginning to colonize the solar system starting with the moon and Mars in the next 10 years.  If careless, we could also annihilate ourselves over disputes in the middle east, China, Russia, or wherever the next crisis may appear.  Different parts of the world are dealing with weather caused disasters.  The Vatican has over the last few years made several comments leading one to expect the discovery of alien life elsewhere in the universe to come about before long which will require a rethinking of biblical texts.

Then, there’s also many people who have seen or experienced things which seem other worldly.   Some experiencing fearful things, others simply observing lights or possibly vehicles in the sky.  (I have a bit of a story to tell of this)  It may surprise some people to learn that the Bible actually mentions or alludes to things of this nature in various writings.

According to the show Ancient Aliens, various world governments are aware of “extra-terrestrial” aliens living among humans but won’t publicize it because it would cause public alarm… no-kidding!  Also, some religions claim there are many other civilizations in the universe.  The show also makes the valid point, that if aliens claiming to be from elsewhere in the universe were to make themselves known to the public on Earth, such a public unveiling would cause a collapse of both world religions and governments around the world.

Thinking of this in advance, we could expect some form of societal chaos requiring a super strong individual to restore peace, safety, and order (to the galaxy?).  This may sound absurd, but if we think about it, there would probably be a lot of emotionally shaken up people looking for stability, and this would seem the likely time for a solid world government with a strong charismatic leader to take charge…  We should also look out for deception.  (The Bible warns of a great delusion / deception, and I’m inclined to believe wherever the “aliens” claim to be from, they are still created beings.  If they draw attention away from the biblical God, then they’re dark entities and not to be listened to.)

One winter evening a few years ago, I was about to go outside, but suddenly had this strong sense that I was supposed to stop and read some Psalms because I needed to be inspired by something.

 

Psalm 124:6-8 says:

“Blessed be the Lord,

Who has not given us to be torn by their (the enemies) teeth.

Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper;

The snare is broken and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.”

 

As I read this Psalm, a melody and lyrics came quickly to my mind.  And as you read this, please remember the above verse reminding us that the Lord made everything in the heavens as well as the earth, both seen and unseen, spiritual and physical, in our dimensions and in multiple dimensions, and all are subject to Him!  Whatever our situation today, He desires that we call on Him.

 

The Name of the Lord

 

The Name of the Lord,

The Name of the Lord,

O blessed be,

The Name of the Lord.

 

In the Name of the Lord, Yeshua, is our Salvation.

In the Name of the Lord, our Rock, we put our trust.

In the Name of the Lord, is our Wonderful Counselor.

He is the Holy One, and the Light of the World.

 

In the Name of the Lord, nations will rise up and fall down.

The Name of the Lord, is Faithful and True.

In the Name of the Lord, there is justice and mercy.

He is Immanuel, He’s the Bright Morning Star.

 

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At the sound of Your voice, all creation will praise You.

At the sound of Your voice, every knee will bow.

Blessed are You God, You are, the King of the universe,

Yet You chose to die for us, then You rose up from the grave.

Yes, You rose up from the grave.

 

You are coming again, You are coming again, We bless You O Lord, You are coming again.

 Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ, You are Lord of all.

 The Name of the Lord, The Name of the Lord,

O blessed be, the Name of the Lord.

 

 

As we ponder the universe, every scientific discovery, every philosophy, every invention, and every creation, let’s realize all that exists had to have a creator, and that Creator Jesus desires us to trust Him while we’re all on the verge of “What’s Next?”

 

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The Next Lunar Lander: Beresheet

On the evening of Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched among other satellites, Israel’s first lunar lander into orbit.  Over the course of  about 8 weeks it will make several increasingly large elliptical orbits around Earth until its orbit reaches that of the moon, where it will in turn orbit the moon in decreasing distances until its low enough to decelerate and land.

I think the name Beresheet, chosen by SpaceIL is fitting, as it’s translated “In the beginning” – the first words of the first book of the Bible.  In English we know it as Genesis.  In Hebrew, its Beresheet.   “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:1.

The fascinating video by SpaceIL can be seen by clicking here.

More of the story is at:

https://www.space.com/spacex-israeli-moon-lander-satellites-launch-success.html

 

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Heads UP! – Asteroid will miss us!

The asteroid 2013 MD8, being described in some media as on a near collision course with the Earth tomorrow, Feb. 19, 2019, will actually miss the Earth by approximately 15 lunar distances.     One lunar distance equals 384,401 km, so the asteroid on this orbit’s closest approach will be over 5,804,000 km (3.6 million miles) away from Earth.  Its diameter is estimated at 51 meters, and is traveling 13.6 km / second.  More technical observations about asteroid 2013 MD8 from JPL can be found here.

The story headlines are somewhat sensationalized.  This happens often with asteroids, and it makes for great click bait.  If it draws readers interest to the point they genuinely study up and become knowledgeable about astrophysics, astronomy, or space weather then I think it’s great.  However, the headlines often appeal to the fear factor of impending doom, which doesn’t come very often in world history.

It’s not uncommon for asteroids to come much closer than this one, with their course of travel being between Earth and the moon, and on occasion between Earth and some of the higher satellites, which may be 22,000 miles above our planet.  When considering the vast distances in space, MD8, is traveling fairly close to the Earth, but it’s not a bullet burn.  Have no fear!!

Pleiades – The Tiny Jewel… The Needed Distraction

The good thing about winter, even a cold one, is the fact that the sun sets early, and we can see the stars longer without having to stay up super late.   It’s time for a breath of fresh air away from the divisive controversies of today’s world.  Looking up can help us keep perspective, and regain perspective.  Seeing the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters as it was anciently called, helps create a sense of wonder and awe of the genius of the universe, and reminds us of how tiny we are, and how big is the God who created all of this.  He’s got it under control!

I sometimes describe this tiny star cluster which is about 400 light years away, as the “microscopic dipper” that’s about twice the distance from Orion’s shoulder to the red star Aldebaran of Taurus the bull, and in the same direction.  Kind of like Peter Pan’s, “second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning!”  Except this is real.

It’s said to be named by the ancient Greeks, but it’s also written of in the book of Job, which may have been written about 1600 BC.  You may be aware the Pleiades is a cluster of stars which are gravitationally connected to each other with the main group of stars covering a distance of about 8 light years across, but did you know the book of Job implies these stars are connected as well?

“Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?”  Job 38:31

The Hebrew word for “influences”, מעדנּה  , mah-ad-an-naw’  refers to a bond, or group influence.  Beyond the poetic beauty of that verse, isn’t it amazing how the Lord inspires His writers to state things they possibly don’t know the full scope of, such as gravitational forces holding a cluster of stars together which were formed from a nebulae at approximately the same time.

It was a beautiful sight to see 3600 years ago, and it still is today.  It’s one of the visual things that helps unite us with the past.  We’re being amazed by the same part of God’s creation that people of the Old Testament were millennia ago.  The Pleiades and Orion constellations of the ancient past are the same as those of today, with the subtlest of changes, but the same ability to cause us to pause in wonder and admiration at the creation, and to worship the creator, our Creator and Savior.

Referring to Jesus, it is written:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being by him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him… But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name…  And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  

John 1:1-4, 9-10, 12, 14