Jingle Bells, Batman Smells - Dec 23

What's up with the superherophobia? I'd take the Batmobile Tumbler over Santa's sleigh any day. Anyhoo, here's a cool Christmas pic to add to your folder:


Actually, scratch that. Poor old St. Nick has collided with a PLA jet whilst over the South China Sea. As a result, Christmas is cancelled this year. Hope that doesn't inconvenience your family too much.

Gog and Magog

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet. Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. (Ezekiel 38:2-6)

This has been a little nugget of Bible prophecy that continues to fascinate me. It tells of a war launched against Israel won by God Himself. Libya and Ethiopia are self-explanatory. Persia is modern-day Iran. But who is the 'house of Togarmah of the north quarters'? Turkey and Russia seem to be the most logical choices. With the recent National Intelligience Estimate (NIE), Bible prophecy has just taken a quantum leap.

Iran (Persia) and Iraq

Here's my pet theory: America has made its mind up that diplomacy with Iran is over. Knowing recent Iran-Iraq relations have not been stellar, especially in the 1980's, the Bush administration has cut a deal: Either co-operate with us on Iraq with the eventual U.S. troop withdrawal or we will arm Iraq (and possibly the KSA as well) to the teeth. An Iranian pledge of non-interference in Iraq's internal affairs gives them a reprieve wrt their nuclear ambitions. With a year left in power, Dubya wants his vindication and he wants it now. Determined to carve out a legacy at any price, the groundwork has been laid for a destructive confrontation, endangering both Jewish and Arab lives. Thus, whomever inherits the Oval Office in Jan '09 will have a ticking time bomb to deal with as soon as they assume command.

Israel: We Are Not Amused

Naturally, the Israelis are mortified. America, Israel's biggest ally and supporter, has abandoned the Jewish state. While that may or may not be the official case, I think the end result is still the same. It certainly has made for sober reading in the Israeli newspapers of late. Israel once more stands alone against its enemies.

The Russian Bear Awakes

There's no way to know for sure what role (if any) Russia will play in Ezekiel's prophecy. What we do know (and it ain't pretty) is this:

The precedent of Russian MiGs over Israeli airspace has already been set. Russian complicity in the Six-Day War of 1967 was much more significant (and sinister) than originally believed.

While the Yeltsin years hardly represented a nadir for Russia, things have deteriorated under Vladimir Putin. Vlad the Impaler has throttled the opposition and stifled what was left of a free press. Time magazine can call it 'stability' all it wants, but former chess grandmaster Gary Kasparov isn't fooled: It's the old reconstituted Soviet system in all its evil glory.

U.S-Russian foreign relations have taken a nosedive as well. The recent decision by the Bush administration to put a missile defence system in Poland has upped the ante. While the U.S. continues to engage Iran over Iraq (see above) the Americans fundamentally distrust the Iranians (with good reason) and Russian attempts to enable them.

Saving Man from the Wreckage of Civilization

The Gospel was never given to save civilization from wreckage. It was given to save man from the wreckage of civilization. Above all, there is a God who loves us very much. A man living in a cave in India was given a new life in Jesus Christ thanks to a GFA missionary. It is through faith, by receiving The One Who Was Sent, Jesus the Messiah, the same shall be saved. That to me is the heart and soul of the gospel message. If you understand that, then you've grasped the true meaning of Christianity.

Sultan Knish

Found this blog by glorious accident. You can check out this post about the self-defeating jihad that the West finds itself in. The link to his homepage can be found under 'Israeli Bloggers'.

Merry Freakin' Christmas!

I would like to take this time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. As I have this week off, I do intend to post again before the year is over. BTW, Santa is very much alive and in one piece, despite China's best military efforts. Stay safe, have fun and please don't drink and drive!

Johnny Cash