30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 17 Simeon's Prophecy and Messianic Jews

Luke 2:34 And Shimon said a bracha over them and said to Miryam his Em, Hinei this one is destined for the michshol (stumbling) and tekumah (revival) of RABBIM [Isaiah 53:11-12] in Israel and for an Ot (Sign) that will be opposed (against which there will be mitnaggedim, opponents). [Isaiah 8:14; Isaiah 53:3]  The prophecy of Simeon recorded in Jerusalem over the infant Jesus, is lived out even today.  Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, is a stumbling to the very people He came to save Romans 9:32.

Bless yourself by watching the Testimonies of Jews on I Met Messiah.  I heard a statistic that more Jews have found Jesus in the last 19 years than in the previous 1900 years. (I wish I knew where I'd heard this, if you know where this is documented, please let me know so I can properly cite but did find this post.)

What struck me the most as I've watched the I Met Messiah videos is the misconceptions these brothers and sisters had about Jesus and the New Testament.  Many thought he was an Italian Catholic, they thought the New Testament was a book on how to kill Jews.  They believe if Jesus was really in prophecy that the Rabbis would have told them.  The blindness is astounding but unlike the Gentiles in the west - Jews are beginning to see the light of Messiah.

Like the Rabbis of Jesus day, the leadership is not pleased with this development and some are even training "counter missionaries" to fight the Messianic believers.  It is difficult to watch video tape of it because my heart just breaks for those modern day Pauls.  What most do not consider is that this is a fulfillment of Simeon's prophecy. (For an indepth study, please watch The Chosen People. where much of this material is gleaned.)

As the close of the church age draws nigh, the final week of Daniel will commence, which ultimately gives birth to the Golden Age, the Millennium.  With such, the remaining part of Simeon's prophecy is fulfilled; Israel will know revival.

This is a tough one to score - from a Birth Pangs perspective the end of the age of grace is rapidly approaching.  Alternatively, the fulfilled portion of the prophecy has been evident since the 1st century.  Scripture tells us that the number of Jews finding redemption and salvation in Messiah will be small until the time of the Gentiles is completed.  In all though, the Jewishness they bring to the faith has been a revelation and the Messianic Pastors are some of the most compelling and dynamic in the faith.  We have a rather large Messianic congregation near us and the leader is much sought after in Christian Sunday services (since they worship on Saturday)

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10
Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Signs in the Heavens - Day 5 - Rapture Index Score:  9 out of 10
Commotions - Day 6 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10
Scoffers - Day 7 - Rapture Index Score:  10 of 1
Vexed Souls - Day 8 - Rapture Index Score:  10 of 10
Greed -Day 9 - Rapture Index Score:  8 of 10
Famine - Day 10 - Rapture Index Score:  8 of 10
Itching Ears- Day 11 - Rapture Index Score:  10 of 10
Rushing to and fro - Day 12 - Rapture Index Score: 10 of 10
Blind Eyes and Hard Hearts - Day 13 - Rapture Index Score:  9 of 10
Brutal Men - Day 14 - Rapture Index Score:  8 of 10
Wars and Rumors of Wars - Day 15 - Rapture Index Score:  9 of 10
Boasters - Day 16 - Rapture Index Score:  9 of 10
Messianic Jews - Day 17 - Rapture Index Score:  7 of 10
Total to date:  147 out of 170 or 86.47%

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 16 Boasters

2 Timothy 3:2 - Boasters... (First, confession time:  Oh, God forgive me, I have been so guilty of this through my life.  I have always been ready to tell anyone who would listen how smart, talented, and successful I am.  I have listened to other people tell their stories simply so I could tell mine.  Until one season, where the Lord had enough of this ugly behavior and took it all away.  I lay in a broken clump with everything about me reduced to nothing.  It was only then that He really began to use me.  It was only then that I began to move in Galatians 6:14.  Derek Web's classic song, Awake My Soul, became my anthem and through the discipline of the Lord, I die daily.... but I'm still cute.  ((Sarcasm... well, sort of))

In the Greek, Boasters is Alazon which means empty pretender or boaster.  Thesaurus.com lists various synonyms including blow hard, braggert, big mouth, know it all, show off, and grand stander.  (Ouch)  Brian Regan is one of the greatest comedians of all time, has a stand up where he called boasters, "Me Monsters", check it out:

As lovers of self, we are naturally inclined to this behavior.  Social media has given us a world wide platform, it is often nauseating.  From my own experience, I was a boaster until the Lord took me down... often boasters have never known failure.  The work of their hands has been so blessed they believe they are indeed better, smarter, and more accomplished.  They believe of themselves that had they been born in Haiti they would have risen above their circumstances and prevailed - they are wrong.  Extreme poverty, hunger, danger, illness is not overcome by force of will alone.  Lacking proper basics in childhood stunts growth and intellect - so boasters believe more highly of themselves.  The bible warns, "Be not wise in thy own eyes." Proverbs 3:7

Boasters have been around since Cain and Abel - perhaps it was Cain bragging to the Lord about his sacrifice that sparked his murderous anger toward his brother.  Cain's sacrifice was one of his own effort as a farmer, while Abel's was a sacrifice of his flock.  Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly demonstrates the principal at work in the story of the original brothers.  "Lest any man should boast."

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 15 1/2 Wars and Rumors vs. Nation against Nation

This bit is expository in nature.  We looked at Wars and Rumors of Wars, we've also looked at commotions, but I wanted to elaborate a bit more on how this differs from Nation against Nation.

To do this, I found this great article by Wilfred Hahn who writes:  "The timing and the roles of the two signs of “hearing of wars and rumors of wars” and “nations rising against nation” are very different. They do not refer to the same end time phenomena for at least two reasons.

First, they occur in different time periods. To illustrate this observation, we must note that Christ clearly partitions the Olivet prophecies into three separate time periods:

1. That which is before the “end” comes (“the end is not yet”);
2. the beginning of the end, which is also referred to as the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:9); and
3. the time that comes thereafter (events described from Matthew 24:9 and Mark 13:9 onward). These periods correspond to the time leading up to the Tribulation Period, the first half of the Tribulation (42 months), and the next 42 months, often referred to as the Great Tribulation.

We must therefore notice that inter-country conflicts are mentioned in two different contexts: Firstly, the “hearing of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) occur before the end comes (this meaning the period before the Tribulation period starts). Secondly, we must then note that the occurrence of “nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” unfolds at a different and later time. This phenomenon is clearly part of the time that is called the “beginning of sorrows.” “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8)."

Prayers in a Foxhole

The original plan was for Day 16 (tomorrow as I sit here) to be about Kingdom rising against Kingdom but that does not feel right, so I'll keep myself open to the Lord's prompting tomorrow and let the Spirit lead.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 15 Wars and Rumors of Wars

In a study published in 2014, there were only 11 countries of 162 that were considered peaceful.  Matthew 24:6 tells us that in the end, there will be wars and rumors of wars. It is not just your perception that the world is become increasingly more violent and unstable, it is a documented fact.  Watch this short video below, pay particular attention to minute 1:02, we'll pick up on that after the video.

Deaths in violent conflict have risen 210% in the last 5 years.  Terrorism deaths have increased dramatically, especially in the Middle East and Africa.  Armed conflicts, violent demonstrations, internal factional fighting, regional conflicts have escalated in the world's hot spots.  These are the headlines of the day, or at least they used to be... I fear we have become so used to violence and war we no longer take notice unless it touches home.

Peace and Security among Wars and Rumors of Wars

Let us again go deeper in this series and I'd ask you to take this journey with me.  I'd like to look at the most peaceful countries, those they talked about in minute 1:00 of the video...

1 Thessalonians 5:3 applies to them... It is largely Europe who has been on the military welfare of the US for the last 60 years, who are the largest critics of Israel.  They stand and watch while Iran, Turkey and Russia make their evil scheme against Israel (Ezekiel 38:13).  "We are facing many challenges in our communities and we are aiming to achieve peace and security and stability with the help of the United States," said John Kerry of the Iran Nuclear Deal (source).  Thus, while the nations rage - even the seemingly peaceful are powder kegs about to come under severe judgement.   These wars and rumors of wars have been with us for the last 60 years, but they are escalating... and have begun giving birth to the stronger birth pangs of Nation against Nation but we will perhaps cover that on another day.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 14 Brutal Men

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. (2 Timothy 3:1) ... men will be brutal.

Brutal in the Greek is anemeros which means savage, fierce, wild.  In English, it is synonymous with  savage, cruel, vicious, ferocious, brutish, barbaric, barbarous, wicked, murderous, bloodthirsty, cold-blooded, callous, heartless, ruthless, merciless, sadistic;

Do these words even mean anything in our hardened world?  Have we become so numb to the nightly news of savagery that we are not even effected anymore?  By age 18 an American child will have seen 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 acts of violence (source).  ISIL beheads 20 young Christians,... ho hum.  Planned Parenthood cuts the brains out of live babies... oh well.  Man beats another man to death with a tire iron after speeding through a neighborhood... yawn (source).  A 13 year old Saudi girl is raped and beaten by her 64 year old husband.

We live in a wicked and violent world that is rapidly descending into the darkest days that mankind will ever see.   For the mighty restraining hand of God the Father is withdrawing and His Judgement is coming.   When the great church is removed and all that is left on the Earth are wicked men and women the violence will spiral out of control.  Woe to you inhabitants of the Earth...

Thus, the score for today is 8 of 10, men are still restrained but not for much longer.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 13 Blind Eyes and Hard Hearts

John 12:40 "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted , and I should heal them."

Brothers and Sisters, have you tried to talk to anyone about what is happening in the world lately?  It seems you can engage them on specific points but once you move into the big picture their eyes glaze over and they don't seem to be able to hear you.  It's astounding.  I've seen it time and time again in the last few months.  It is a supernatural hardening; they are modern day Pharaohs.

Revelation 16:10-11 Has always baffled me, until now.  People can have all of the evidence in front of them and still reject the Lord.  Today, these people are receiving the hard hearts they have longed for.  There are many debates in prophetic circles about who and how many are saved in the Tribulation and even the nature of that salvation - I think there are far fewer than we would expect.  For that matter, I think the Raptured number will be far fewer than almost anyone expects.

So men and women today do not want to hear about the saving grace and the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.  They do not want to know there terrible things that are coming upon the Earth.  They have no fear for their lives or their immortal souls - Proverbs calls them fools.  It is indeed a dreadful and fearsome thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (Hebrews 10:31).

Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.  Thus the blind eyes, the hard hearts, the rebellion against God is accelerating.  Their time is running out.  Once the Rapture occurs most will finish the work they have begun and God will send them the powerful delusion which seals their fate and damns their souls forever.

So Brother's and Sisters, abide and witness but do not feel defeated if they can not hear you, they have made their choice.  Today's Rapture Index Score is a 9 out of 10, there is just a glimmer of hope, there are still a few who will be saved but the time is short.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 12 Rushing to and fro

Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there,

Most of the time when we look at this passage we speak of travel.  While that is evident, obviously we are able to travel far more effectively and efficiently than in days past... even tonight I write this blog 300 miles from home, but what else is there here?  Let's look at this from a different angle.

Frantic Trading

The financial markets are collapsing... well, DUH!  There is nothing propping up this global house of cards.  Companies are not run efficiently, effectively, or profitably - that the stock market has been above 10,000 is absolute fairy tale land.

I've worked in corporate America - it's smoke and mirrors.  Optics as an astute colleague pointed out to me a few months ago.  It's all about how the reports look, all about your KPI's, all about how things look on paper....

And that is the crux of the matter, it's all about how everything looks.  People, rulers, companies, medicine, megachurchs - it's all appearances, nothing is what it appears to be; it's as if we have collectively fallen down the Rabbit Hole.  There is a lot of "activity", people are busier than ever, they multitask and get less done than before.

The KJV calls it rushing to and fro...  The markets are frantic right now and they should be.  Parents rush around frantic and feeding their kids garbage from one activity to the next.  We watch TV while texting and reading a magazine... we rush everywhere and get nothing accomplished.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 11 Itching Ears

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  2 Timothy 4:3

"Tell me something good, tell me that you love me.  Tell me something good, tell me that you like it."  I've written volumes about false preachers and sound doctrines, let talk about itching ears, but first a little 1970's funk.... 

Okay, now that you have an ear worm for the next 24 hours, let's talk about itching ears.  There is nothing new here, Israel was notorious for only wanting to listen to prophets who told them what they wanted to hear.  We are no different, the challenge is that the Western church is now completely dead because they have demanded for themselves only "nice" preaching and "easy" words.

They have bottle rot from staying on the milk bottle too long.  Jesus describes them as naked, blind, and poor.  They pretty much hate me... most of my friends have hid me on facebook, they don't want to hear this hard stuff.  Nobody wants to read about, "The End of the World, Dolley..."  Alas, itching ears don't want to hear of repentance, suffering, judgement, hell, pride, and the big one:  SIN.

They want to hear about money and blessing.  They want to hear about health and long lives.  They want to hear about love, acceptance, and a universal god that fits in their pockets.  They are fools and the Lord wants to flip their tables over and drive them out of the sanctuary with a whip.

Itchy Ears

Alas, it is a fulfillment of prophecy.  I always know I can stir up trouble if I post something negative about Joel Osteen or Joyce Meyers... holy cow, their itching ears will not hear how the doctrines they preach are heresy... nope.  In these last hours, where the lost need the church more than ever we are asleep and perishing, what a shame.  So today's Birth Pang registers a full blown 10.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 10 Famines

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Matthew 24:7).

Famine - we 21st Century First World people do not have a clue what famine is.  We don't know what it feels like (spiritually, emotionally, or physically), we don't know what it smells like, we have never been desperate - starving - dying.  Famine is not just food insecurity or failed crops or drought - Famine is an evil spirit, he will be released with full force in the Seal Judgments as the rider on the black horse (Revelation 6).  

Starving in Haiti (to help this child, go to Love a Child) 

It is estimated that the world loses 20,000 children a day to starvation.  That statistic is mind boggling - everyday a Mother mourns, a Father falls into hopelessness, and a child's life is cut short.  Think for a moment - it is your child, your nephew, your grandson... what is the cost?

NGO's across the globe try to alleviate this one child at a time.  Organizations like Feed My Starving Children provide millions of meals per year to the world's most vulnerable.  For $0.25 a meal, we can feed a meal to a starving child.  The map above shows the percentage of the population that are under nourished.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Africa and the Middle East have huge populations starving to death.  To see the details of each ongoing operation, click here.  The Rapture Index Score for Famine is set right now at a 8 since most of North America and Europe have been thus far protected from the devastating effects - not so for what is to come...

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 9 Greed

2 Timothy 3:1-2 Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days.  People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited;

Greed... the mantra of the 1980's was "Greed is good."*  In the text, the word is Philaguros which means loving money, avarice.  The English definition is an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.

Greedy Child

We all have that in us... desire, I want... As children, no one teaches us to be greedy, we ARE greedy.  Someone has to teach us to control that.  Parents indulge their children and instead of being satisfied and grateful for what they have become selfish, greedy, and grasping.  This carries over into adulthood.  No one is immune to this.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Greedy Government and Big Business

Shopping plays on that greed, we WANT.  Walk through your favorite store and pay attention to how you feel.  Get a few extra dollars in your hands and do you immediately spend it or start planning how you will spend it?  Go to a delicious buffet, do you overeat?

What makes last days greed different?  What are the markers that distinguish this greed from other times?

It is the celebration of greed as a worthy emotion, as not something to be tamed, but something to embraced.  As man abandons God, he worships at his own altar.  “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24).

Greedy Pig

We are surrounded by intense greed - within ourselves, our companies, our governments, and sadly our churches.  The entire false gospel contained in the word of faith movement is based on the sin of greed.  Like all these birth pangs volumes could be written, but dear reader, I don't have to tell you.  You live in this world, you know.  In your lifetime has greed gotten better?  If the answer is No, then we are indeed fully in the pangs of this end times sign.


The Rapture Index Score for greed is at an 8 because we still have folks giving to charity, we still have people supporting and helping the helpless.  We have not yet totally descended.

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10
Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Signs in the Heavens - Day 5 - Rapture Index Score:  9 out of 10
Commotions - Day 6 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10
Scoffers - Day 7 - Rapture Index Score:  10 of 10
Vexed Souls - Day 8 - Rapture Index Score:  10 of 10
Greed -Day 9 - Rapture Index Score:  8 of 10
Total to date:  77 out of 90 or 85.55%

*Disclaimer - the context of the greed is good speech is basically free market capitalism, where a person reaps the rewards of their labor, which is good.  As a matter of fact, it is a hallmark of the Millennium.  Isaiah 65:21-22.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 8 Vexed Souls

2 Peter 6:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

2 Peter 6:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2 Peter 6:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

Most of the time when we read Jesus' words:  Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot... we focus on the homosexual sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Recently, we began looking at the passage of being married and being given in marriage as it relates to that issue, but the Lord wants us to look deeper.  Read verse 8 again... Lot was vexed.  He was troubled in his soul with the wickedness surrounding him.  It says he lived day after day with them and it hurt his heart - it vexed his soul.

Genesis 19:7 - Lot pleads with them, his friends... please don't do this wicked thing.  The righteous souls cry out to their fellow men, please brothers do not do this!  Lot lived with them, they were his mates, Genesis 19:1 finds him sitting at the city gates.  Cities banded together to defend one another, Lot had to trust these people.  

Remember, Lot was a righteous man, otherwise the Lord would have just destroyed him with the rest of the city.  Somehow with all the salt pillars and the incident with his daughters later we lose that part of the story.  It is easy to get caught up in the salacious aspects but consider what type of man could have been found righteous in such an environment and during that point in Biblical history.

Vexed Soul

Take heart Brothers and Sisters, the Lord knows that your heart is vexed.  He knows you are crying out to your friends, your family, and your nation for them to not do these evil things but let your heart not be troubled.  The Lord rescued Lot and Peter tells us that He will rescue us as well.  For we are not appointed to wrath but will some day soon be with the Savior.

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10

Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

Signs in the Heavens - Day 5 - Rapture Index Score:  9 out of 10

Commotions - Day 6 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

Scoffers - Day 7 - Rapture Index Score:  10 of 10

Vexed Souls - Day 8 - Rapture Index Score:  10 of 10

Total to date:  69 out of 80 or 86.25%

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 7 Scoffers

2 Peter 3:3-4  Know this first of all, that in the last days scoffers will come with their scoffing, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."

The Greek word for scoffer in this passage means to mock.  In English to scoff is to speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way. Synonyms;  mock, deride, ridicule, sneer at, jeer at, jibe at, taunt, make fun of, poke fun at, laugh at, scorn, laugh to scorn, dismiss, make light of, belittle.

Scoffers who Scoff

Thus, a fulfillment of prophecy is that those who believe that the Rapture is imminent are scoffed at.  Even among family and friends, if you are looking for the Lord's return, there will be a whole lot of eye rolling.  The irony is that Jesus himself said:  "What I say to one, I say to all; watch." (Mark 13: 37).  In the Olivet Discourse in Luke and in Matthew, He clearly outlines the signs of the times and what to look for, yet it is easier to mock something than it is to actually look into it.

Sadly, many of the mockers are self proclaiming Christians.  They are in love with this world and have check marks to make on their bucket lists.  There is a new house to buy and a new vacation to take and all this talk about prophecy just brings them down... Know this, one day Jesus WILL return, one day the greatest miracle of the age will occur, and most of the scoffers will be left behind.  

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10

Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

Signs in the Heavens - Rapture Index Score:  9 out of 10

Commotions - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

Scoffers - Rapture Index Score: 10 out of 10

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 6 Commotions

Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Commotions - it reminds me of my Dad breaking up a fight between my sister and I. "What kind of commotion is going on over here?"  The Greek work is Akatastasia and is used only 5 times and means instability, a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion.  Sounds like every country and city in the world right now, doesn't it?

Greek Protests

Greece - a country in absolute disarray.  Looming economic collapse, runs on banks, runs on food:  the whole house of cards is going to come tumbling down.  Italy, Ireland, and Spain will follow shortly thereafter.

Baltimore, Oakland, Ferguson - Commotion everywhere.

Africa - South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has about a year of stability after 23 years of civil war - fighting broke out 19 months ago and shows no signs of stabilizing.  Nigeria - terror from Boko Haram.  Fighting in CAR, DRC, Kenya.  Political upheaval in Burkina Faso, Mali, and else where.

Syria, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Yemen - all flowing with the blood of martyrs and deposed dictators.

Ukraine and Russia - peace talks and cease fires have collapsed and dozens of soldiers and civilians have been killed in the last two weeks (read more).

Global Conflicts August 19, 2015 (source)

In Mexico we have political and criminal unrest as a corrupt government fights with the drug cartels.  Venezuela has disintegrated under Chavez with the currency being so devalued it is being used as napkins (source).

Thus, our Day 6 Birth Pangs are well documented, commotions...

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10
Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Signs in the Heavens - Rapture Index Score:  9 out of 10
Commotions - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 5 Signs in the Heavens

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring" (Luke 21:25).

Much has been written about the signs in the Heavens in the past few years; I've done my fair share of blogging about the Blood Moons and the Solar Eclipses.  If you are unfamiliar with the phenomenon I encourage you to do the studies, it is a compelling and fascinating study.

 Nasa captured this image of a solar flare in 2014. The strongest recorded incident of coronal mass ejection dates back to 1859. Photograph: Rex/Nasa

Astronomy, sadly, is one area of study where I am sorely lacking.  We live in an area that is so light polluted we can't even see stars.  Thus, it is from this point of dependence on the Lord that I'll write to you about the signs in the Heavens.  I first became interested in God's story book in the sky after reading Bodie and Brock Thoene's books, JR Church did wonderful study on Biblical Astronomy, and most recently someone shared the 2007 documentary, The Star of Bethlehem which is embedded below.  I implore you to take the time and watch the film, it will bless your socks off.

The revelations about the star are fantastic but the signs in the sky the day and the hour of the crucifixion are awe inspiring. You might remember we had a similar convergence on June 30, 2015 where Jupiter and Venus appear almost as a single star in the night sky (read more),

Meteors and fire balls light up the night sky on a weekly basis, many captured by dash cameras and mobile devices like this one from November 2014.

Man is completely baffled by the Sun, it remains an area of study that is subject to all types of agenda driven reports.  From magnetic polar shifts, to massive explosions, to solar storms, to "correcting" the record on sun spots as they relate to "climate change" data - it seems our neighborhood friendly star stumps the collective wisdom of mankind.  A recent British report stated that the world would have as little as 12 hours to prepare for a damaging solar storm (source).  

Significant lunar and solar eclipses, meteor showers, solar activity, alignment in the stars - for those that are looking, the signs are there.  I initially scored this as a 10 out of 10 but then it occurred to me that during the Tribulation there will be many more signs like angels crying out from Heaven, the asteroid Wormwood, and the coming of the Son of Man for all the world to see, so for now we will settle with a 9.

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10

Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

Signs in the Heavens - Rapture Index Score:  9 out of 10

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 4 Revilers

2 Timothy 3:2 in the American Standard version renders this famous passage thus:  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.

Revilers - that word jumped out at me.  The KJV translates it as blasphemers - the Greek means speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive.  In English, to revile is to speak of something or someone in an insulting and critical way.  This is vicious speech.

Look around, the discourse is no longer civil.  In doing the research for this blog, I stumbled upon a Russian Metal Band called Bestial Reviler whose album theme was war, evil, and blasphemy.  Spouting song titles that I will not repeat, foul.  Metal music is an entire genre based in wickedness and Satanic worship.  Gangsta rap is the same full of violence and obscenity.  

Reviler

Last month, we watched the celebrations in the street of homosexuals; all manner of vile and vicious behavior was on display.  I saw a video of a gay man sodomizing a life sized replica of Jesus and then proudly declaring to the crowd that "This was F-ing Jesus".  I recoiled in horror and was sickened by the spectacle.

There is coming a day soon when the Lord will no longer withhold his righteous judgement against such behavior.  Revilers and blasphemers... they will shake their fist at God.  A Reviler is someone who disparages Christians who hold a Biblical worldview and take the Scriptures literally, so for all my Brothers and Sisters out their who claim solidarity with the rainbow crowd, check your revile meter.

Psalm 74:18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name.

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10

Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 3 Mass Animal Deaths

Hosea 4:3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

The winter solstice that occurred on December 22, 2010 was accompanied by a rare Lunar Eclipse, the first such occurrence since 1638 source.  Richter Scales across the globe registered seismic activity.  The US President signs an order to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".  By today's standards, these headlines seem ho hum but this date marks the beginning of something sinister... mass animal deaths.

Dead Fish

Billions of animals have died inexplicably.  End Times Prophecy has kept a complete listing as of today, there have been 577 mass animal deaths thus far in 2015.  Here is a single day's example:

13th August 2015 - 21 dead whales have been found during the past month in southeast Alaska, America.
13th August 2015 - 32 dead dolphins have washed up THIS MONTH, 'something is wrong', along the coast of Bulgaria.
13th August 2015 - 4 dead humpback whales found washed up in British Columbia, Canada.
13th August 2015 - 4 Whales stranded, 3 dead on the coast of New Taipei, Taiwan.
13th August 2015 - Tens of thousands of fish have died (3rd mass die off this year) in a lake in Mandalay, Myanmar.
13th August 2015 - Hundreds of dead herring found washed up on a beach in Unalaska, Alaska, America.
13th August 2015 - Large numbers of fish dying off in south-central Alaska, America.
13th August 2015 - Dozens of dead birds found washed up on the river bank in Keokuk, Iowa, America.
13th August 2015 - Die off of several species of fish found along 3 miles of river in Iowa, America.
13th August 2015 - Hundreds of anchovies wash up in Monterrey Harbor in California, America.

Secular researchers from the University of San Diego, UC Berkeley and Yale blame man made pollution and natural causes but assert that each die off must be studied by scientist familiar with the species to determine the cause of death.  Given the number of reported die offs there are not enough scientist, money, or time to keep up with it all.

The truth is that we are living on borrowed time.  The Creator is bringing judgement upon this planet, not because we are polluters but because we have rebelled against Him.  Sadly, the vast majority of the animals alive at the beginning of the Tribulation will not survive, some days, I feel worse for them than I do the rebellious people.

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 2 Perplexity of Nations

The Perplexities of Nations (Luke 21:25) - has there ever been a time when the nations of the Earth seem so disjointed and irrational?  Decisions being made in government and big business defy logical explanation.  For the biggest issues of the day, they can not even define them, let alone address them.

Perplexity is defined by Merriman Webster as: the state of being very confused because something is difficult to understand.  The archaic meaning is to be in an entangled state.

Angela Merkel is Baffled

In the Scripture above, the Greek word Aporia is used exclusively in this verse and comes from the root Aporeo which means: to be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn to be at a loss with one's self, be in doubt not to know how to decide or what to do, to be perplexed.

Through the definitions above, we have just described the state of governance.  For example, look at this abominable "Iran Nuclear Deal".  Lifting sanctions, giving billions of dollars, and enabling the world's largest state sponsor of terror to be free to develop nuclear weapons is a good idea in what reality?  Yet the nations of world seem to think it is a great deal.  They have been given over to a reprobate and perplexed mind.

John Kerry is Confused

Big business is not immune; decades of consultants and socialist indoctrinated college graduates have replaced the maverick revenue generators and bold leaders with economies of scale and standardized processes.  Simple questions produce flow charts and thousand word answers - everything is overly complicated and no one seems to have the power or the vision to right the ship.  (Read more at Death of the Branch Manager)

Target is Perplexed

A time will come soon that the Nations of the World will be so overcome with confusion they will cede their sovereignty, their weapons, and their nationhood to the coming world leader.  This dynamic leader will cut through the confusion, he will lure them with false promises - they will say, "Peace and Security" and gladly surrender.

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 1 Lovers of Self

Matthew 24:8 - Jesus declares that the coming end of the age will be like birth pangs upon a woman.  We know that as labor progresses the pains get more intense and closer together.  This series will explore a new event each day, to encourage the believer, to wake up the sleeping, and to convict the skeptic.  2 Timothy 3:2 famously describes the condition of mankind at the end.  So we will start here - lovers of self.

Selfies = Self Love

Have we ever seen a time where love of self was greater?  In 2013, Oxford Dictionary declared that Selfie was the word of the year.  The advent of social media has perpetuated an age of self worship.  Obviously, man has always loved himself and Jesus admonished us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31) which proves that we do not need to be taught to love ourselves but must learn to love others just as much.

Narcissism is a psychological disorder that inflates the love of self at the expense of empathy for others.  The scientific findings and measurements of the rise in this condition are startling.  Psychology Today reports that simple tests given to college students show " approximately 70 percent of students today score higher on narcissism and lower on empathy than did the average student thirty years ago."

The United States has elected, twice, a President that uses the first person pronouns to such an extent that it would be comical if it was not so serious.  He is President Selfie and has embarrassed himself and the nation numerous times with his unrestrained self love.

September 2011 - UN Heads of State Group Picture

Pop culture idolizes and perpetuates this love of self - people aspire everyday for validation and admiration among their peers and the internet.  Romans 1:28 says that since they have rejected God, He will give them over to a reprobate mind.

We worship ourselves and our bodies.  We know that if we eat the right foods, take the right vitamins, work out in the right way we will preserve this flesh.  It is the same lie... "Surely you will not die..." (Genesis 3:4).  Books can be and have been written on the subject.  If you live in this time, you get the point.

No one is immune from this, we love ourselves.  I'm not excluded from this and it requires prayer and discipline to knock myself off the throne of my life and put the one who rightfully belongs there.  It is a daily discipline.

Lovers of Self - Day 1 in the 30 days of Birth Pangs - Rapture index Score:  10 out of 10

A Letter for your Rapture Box

As the hour grows closer, many believers are putting together boxes and instructions for their friends and family left behind.  I'd like to share mine with you.  Please feel free to copy and paste to your loved ones.

Dear Friend,

Peace be with you.  If you are reading this, you will need that peace to carry you through what you are facing.  Jesus tells his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27).  I pray for you:   “Lord, please comfort my Friend.  Please send your presence upon them now, please open their eyes and enable them to read and understand the words you have had me write.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

This letter is going to be the most straightforward and frank piece that I’ve ever written, for the time has passed for smooth words that cajole and coddle.  You are in dire straits and the words I am about to write are the only way to save your eternal soul.

I am sure that the world is spinning in chaos now with the disappearance of so many people.  Whatever you have heard, do not believe it.  Jesus has returned to take his Bride to Heaven and the much anticipated Rapture has occurred as was foretold in the Scriptures thousands of years ago.  

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 because the Lord himself, in a shout, in the voice of a chief-messenger, and in the trump of God, shall come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are living, who are remaining over, together  with them shall be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in air, and so always with the Lord we shall be.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52  lo, I tell you a secret; we indeed shall not all sleep, and we all shall be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we -- we shall be changed:

The world will have many stories; Satan and his minions will come with many lying signs and wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:9) they have prepared for this hour since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden when they received the lease to planet Earth.  They are powerful beings and will amaze mankind with their tricks, Scripture says that if it were possible they would even fool the very elect.  They will have elaborate explanations as to where we have all gone.

First they will come under the green cloak of environmentalism.  They’ve been doing it for a number of years now.  There is probably some sort of ecological disaster coming and I surmise that the lie will involve “aliens”, who will claim they are the creators of life and gods.    They aren’t, they are fallen angels and demons.  They will claim first that the Christians were eliminated because we would have been a hindrance to the new reality, then they will claim to have taken the children to protect them from what is coming.  They have probably abducted many well established atheists to cover the fact that Scripture accurately predicts the Rapture.  These atheist will  be broadcasting “live” from some fake location, reassuring the inhabitants of planet earth that all is well. It is not and they are lying.  It is like the Truman Show, it’s staged.

False Christian teachers and Pastors will emphatically claim it is not the Rapture because they and their congregations are still here.  The Bible says that in the last days men will cry out to him claiming to have been his children and He will declare “Depart from me, I knew you not.”  Matthew 7:21-23  This was the apostate church that spewed lies and preached a gospel other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Stay away from them, they are agents of the devil.

The enemy will demonstrate power and spin false tales, they will claim they are the good guys, they are not.  A leader will emerge that will be the most amazing orator, peacemaker, and problem solver the world has ever known.  He will inspire the world and they will fall at his feet.  It is smoke and mirrors, he is an evil man and mid way through the Tribulation will seem to take a fatal wound to the head.  When he rises from the dead, there is no other than Satan possessing him.  The False Prophet will direct the world to worship this leader and force death upon anyone who refuses.  All will be required to receive a mark, either on their forehead or their hand that will allow them to buy and sell.  Anyone who refuses the mark will have their body killed, anyone who accepts it is damned to hell forever.

If you value truth, believe what I say to you.  Perilous times are ahead.  The painful fact is that most people that remain on the earth today will die over the course of the next 7 years.  Odds are, you and your family and friends that remain will not survive to the Second Coming of Jesus.

Before you now, is your last chance, your last choice.  You have heard the gospel and rejected it.  In your heart, you did not believe that “for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Jesus will not die but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16).  It is not too late but the time is very short, your window of opportunity is closing rapidly.  God will be sending a powerful delusion to those who have heard and rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ.  (2 Thessalonians 2:11) If you do not repent and accept Jesus and your savior, you will believe the lies.  Once that happens, you are lost.

Heed my warning, for I tell you the truth.  I am not dead, I am also not on some space ship, I haven’t been taken somewhere to populate another “Earth”.  I am with the Lord Jesus Christ right now celebrating, oh that you were with me!  The thing is, it is not too late.

You have before you now a choice:  Heaven or Hell.  “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”  (Please forgive the song lyric…)

To avoid Hell and get to Heaven, you must pray this prayer:  “Dear Lord Jesus - I am sorry that I have hardened my heart to you, I am sorry that I did not believe that you came to save me.  I am sorry that I have tried to find you with my own righteousness.  I am a sinner, please forgive me, Lord.  I confess that I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, that He died on the cross for my sins, and was raised on the third day.  I believe that there is no other name under heaven or on earth by which we can be saved.  I ask for you to come into my life, to come into my heart, and I ask you to seal me with your mark.  Lord strengthen me for the trials to come.  Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  In my own strength, I can do nothing but I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.”

If you have prayed this prayer, memorize it and pray it often.  You must hold tight to your salvation.  For unlike the church age, this salvation demands obedience, vigilance, and faith.  The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 describes what will happen to believers who survive the Tribulation - half of them were found to have not retained their salvation.  Oil in that parable is the Holy Spirit, whom you have received a portion of if you prayed the above prayer.

This is teaching that many during the church age did not recognize, it is why for centuries people fought over the eternal nature of salvation, for Tribulation believers you are instructed to hold tight to your salvation.  “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matt 24:12-13).

Jack Kelley of Gracethrufaith writes:  “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.  Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on (Rev. 14:12-13).”  These verses tell us tribulation believers will be responsible for both keeping the commandments and remaining faithful in the face of the deprivation and persecution they’ll face for refusing the mark of the beast. They will also be expected to surrender their lives if necessary rather than take the mark. They will have been warned that anyone who takes the mark will be lost forever (Rev. 14:9-11).  There’s no indication from these verses that post-Church believers will be protected from this, there’s only a promise of blessing for the martyrs.”

What is coming upon the earth is well documented; from the time Israel signs the peace treaty with the man of sin, the clock will start on the final 7 years.  There may be a lag time between the Rapture and the treaty, but we are told in Scripture that this period will be the most horrific ever recorded.

I suspect that reference material, books, websites, and bibles will be systematically eliminated.  Find a Bible and keep it with you.  Take it, use it, read it - it will be your most important weapon moving forward.  Go to gracethrufaith.com and print off as much as you can about what is coming down the line, the doctrine and teaching on this site is solid.  RaptureReady.com was designed to survive - they will have articles and research.  If you do not understand something, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom.

Now for the good news, God wins.  He will triumph over Satan and will usher in His glorious millennial kingdom.  The earth will be restored to its original perfect state, justice, kindness, goodness, and prosperity will blanket the inhabitants.  Many that survive the Tribulation will not die but will have their bodies healed and renewed.  There IS hope.

You can do this and the Lord will help you.  You are no longer on your own, the Holy Spirit will guide you.  Learn and memorize the Lord’s Prayer:

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Memorize the Full Armor of God: Ephesians 6
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

This seven year period known as the Tribulation is set aside to bring the Jews back into relationship with God and to judge the nations over how they have treated Israel.  This is also the judgement of Satan and his fallen angels and their eviction from the Earth.  At the Garden of Eden, Satan received a lease to this planet, the lease is up and the true and rightful owner is taking it back.  Revelation Chapter 5 starts with the breaking of the seals on this lease.  Read and study, it will serve you well.

I wish I could tell you all that I know but I feel this letter drawing to a close.  I have not gone into detail of the consequences of not choosing the path I’ve laid out for you, I trust that you will not chose foolishly.  Know this, everyone lives forever - this puff of smoke we call life determines whether you will spend it in paradise or whether you will be tormented in fire, sulphur, and violence forever.

I love you and I have prayed for you.

The Devil's Tomato

About 13 years ago, a nasty weed came up in my flower bed.  I went to pull it out and a thorn penetrated my glove and pierced the skin.  That made me mad, "This is my garden!"  I declared and went after it again, albeit a bit more carefully this time.  I pulled it up but I could tell I hadn't got all the roots.  This weed was like a mythological hydra, and grew back 7 more plants!  I dug deep but couldn't find the source.  It laughed at Round Up.  I nicknamed it "The Devil's Weed".

Solanum carolinense - Devil's Tomato

Turns out, everything about this deep rooted pest is poisonous - including the thorns which made the joint sore on my pricked finger.  I battled this thing for a decade.  Finally, I set out to find out what it actually was in hopes of final eradication; Solanum carolinense aka Carolina Horsenettle aka Devil's Tomato.  A nasty thing with a tap root that can grow quite deep and spreads underground by rhizomes and seeds.  Now that I understood it, I was going to tackle it from a new angle - a full size shovel.

I dug huge holes in my garden, but cutting the roots made it spread and any tiny piece of root took hold in the lawn and in the surrounding area.  Finally, I just started pinching it off and throwing away the little shoots.  After a year, what comes up is small and easily dealt with - I keep after it.

Today, when I was clearing out five or six tiny shoots I realized that in many ways this weed is like sin in our lives.  It springs up out of nowhere, it's difficult to kill, it spreads when you least expect it, deep digging won't always eradicate it permanently, and to keep it under control you have to be vigilant and nip it when they are tiny and throw them in the trash.

Blood Moons and More - Why September 2015 is Interesting

Abigail and Dolley readers why are we looking at September 2015 with our eyes peeled?  What has prophecy buffs so excited?  I'll tell you, it is a convergence of signs.  Notable numeric, celestial, and prophetically significant events all coming together this Fall.  This is the most anticipated prophecy season that I've seen since I started seriously studying this in 1998.  We must go forth with caution but I would be disingenuous if I did not admit that I am excited and full of anticipation.  (Originally published June 2015, as I've found new events, I am adding on to the post.)  I've written a ton about this and will include links to full blogs but here's a quick run down:

Blood Moon with a "fig" tree

September 2015 Specific Events:
1.  The Fourth Blood Moon on September 28, 2015 (Feast of Tabernacles) - discovered by Mark Biltz.
2.  End of the Shemitah (Sabbath) Cycle on September 13, 2015 (Feast of Trumpets) - significance discovered by Jonathon Cahn and documented financial collapses.
3.  Jubilee Year to be declared on September 23, 2015 (Day of Atonement)
4.  Jerusalem Recaptured - 49 prophetic years to the day on September 23, 2015 (Day of Atonement)
5.  French Foreign Minister declares 500 days until climate chaos ends on September 23, 2015 (Day of Atonement)
6.  Pope Francis visit to the US begins on September 23, 2015 (Day of Atonement) with the President, September 24, 2015 to address a joint session of the US Congress, and September 25, 2015 to address the UN.
7.  The UN opens it's 70th Session on September 15, 2015 (Feast of Trumpets)
8.  Solar Eclipse - on September 13, 2015 (Feast of Trumpets)
9.  Jade Helm - the massive US Military exercise planned for the SW US ends on September 15, 2015 (Feast of Trumpets)
10.  More Signs in the Heavens:  Virgo (the Virgin Bride) will be clothed with the sun and moon joined together at Virgo's head on the September 13, 2015 (Feast of Trumpets) led by King planet Jupiter near King star Regulus in constellation Leo the Lion (King of Judah) (some believe the moon is representative of the Church and the sun of Christ)
11.  It is interesting that Passover 2015 falls on a Friday, 4/3 just like in 33 AD.  (Which the heavens declare was the crucifixion date).  The fall feasts in 2015 fall on 9/13, 9/23, and 9/28 just like in 33 AD, and even on the same days of the week - Sunday, Wednesday, and Monday. (source).
12.  The World Meeting of Families is set to take place in Philadelphia September 22-27, 2015.  This is a Roman Catholic conference, that at first glance does not seem extraordinary because the date and the location coincide perfectly with Pope Francis visit described above.  What is unusual was the date and location were announced by Pope Benedict in 2012 and at the writing of the above link, Pope Francis had not been named successor nor were the organizers certain he would be at the event.
(New) 13.  The US Congress' deadline to approve the nuclear deal with Iran ends on September 15, 2015 (Feast of Trumpets).
(New) 14.  The Jewish Sanhedrin is scheduled to put Obama on trial - September 9, 2015
(New) 15.  The Jewish Sanhedrin is scheduled to put Pope Francis on trial - September 20, 2015
(New) 16.  The Significance of the Number 4 and how it is playing out in September.
(New) 17.  Leading Jewish Rabbi predicts the arrival of Messiah on the eve of Rosh Hashanah - September 12, 2015

UN Monument of St. George Slaying the Nuclear Dragon in honor of Elimination of Nuclear Weapons Day presented by Russia on Sept 29.1990 (The Day of Atonement)

Annual September Events of Interest in Light of the above:
1.  The UN celebrates the International Day of Democracy on September 15, 2015 (Feast of Trumpets) where they promote consolidating world democracy (Note Democracy is not a stable form of government and almost always leads to Oligarchy and Dictatorship).
2.  The UN celebrates the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons Day on September 26, 2015 - what a perfect set up for Tribulation disarmament.  Note the above statue, the rider does not have a weapon and slays a dragon made of US and Russian nuclear weapons.  (Rev 6:2) For more on the statue, click here.
3.  CERN celebrates their annual take Science to the Street on September 25, 2015
4.  Autumnal Equinox - First Day of Fall on September 23, 2015 (Day of Atonement)
5.  Dozens and Dozens of Movies, TV Shows, and Music Videos feature the day September 23 (Day of Atonement)
6.  Hindu Holiday Varaha Jayanti Muhurat on September 15 (Feast of Trumpets) which celebrates an incarnation of their God of Peace
7.  Hindu Holiday Ganesh Chaturthi on September 17 - starts a ten day holiday that commemorates a son (spirit of Tamuz) character, guarding his goddess Mother (spirit of Semiramis) from her angry husband the destroyer Shiva (spirit of Nimrod). (For more information check out this video.)
8.  Muslim Holiday of Eid al-Adha on September 23-26 (Day of Atonement) where they bastardize the account of Abraham and Isaac and substitute Ishmael as the son Abraham was going to sacrifice.

A statue of the Hindu God of Destruction Shiva outside the HQ of CERN

Non-Date Specific Signs:
1.  Prophecy of the Fig Tree - Matthew 24:32-34 - "This generation shall not pass away".  My opinion is that a generation is 70 years and it began in 1948. (For more see:  The Last Generation)
2.  The UN declares 2015 as the Year of Light and Light Based Technology - note in the occult Satan is the Angel of Light and Pyramids are symbols of power.
3.  The increase in the Birth Pangs all escalating rapidly.
4.  For an overview of the possible timeline, please check out Beyond the Blood Moons.
5.  A reestablishment of the Jewish High Court Sanhedrin (Exodus 18:21).
6.  The technology of the Tribulation is the technology of today - not 10, 20, or 50 years from now.

Pyramid where closing ceremonies of the Year of Light will take place

Speculation:
1.  It is speculated that France will introduce a measure at the opening of the UN in September for Palestinian Statehood, which for the first time in history the US will not block.
2.  CERN to open a portal into another dimension in September - (here's a great video if you don't know about this organization and their plans).
3.  Many believe the Rapture of the Church will take place on the Feast of Trumpets
4.  Many believe the Tribulation will begin on the Day of Atonement.
5.  Many believe that the Lord will return on the Feast of Tabernacles.

In the end, given the preponderance of evidence, it is compelling and exciting.  I encourage you to check out all of the above links yourself.  Interesting, even to a "non-conspiracy" theorist like me!