ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 2

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To gain additional insight into the economic upheaval AI might cause, I sought the guidance of AI itself.

Introducing ChatGPT Plus

We’re launching a pilot subscription plan for ChatGPT, a conversational AI that can chat with you, answer follow-up questions, and challenge incorrect assumptions.

Specifically, I asked ChatGPT, “Which industries are suffering because of AI?”

The brainy bot replied…

AI and other advanced technologies are disrupting and transforming various industries, causing some companies to face challenges in adapting to these changes.

For example, the retail industry is being disrupted by the rise of e-commerce platforms that leverage AI-powered recommendation engines and personalized marketing strategies to offer consumers a more convenient and personalized shopping experience. Similarly, the transportation industry is facing potential disruption as autonomous vehicles become more prevalent, which could impact companies that rely on human drivers.

The finance industry is also undergoing a transformation as AI is being used to analyze vast amounts of data and improve decision-making in areas such as risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer service. However, this has also led to concerns about job displacement and the potential for AI to reinforce bias and discrimination.

But this broad answer did not provide any particularly insightful details, like the detail that AI is already imperiling the jobs of fortune-cookie writers and warehouse workers.

It’s true; as the New York Times reports…

The fortune-writing industrial complex… is on the brink of a major upheaval. Or, as a cookie might put it: Beware—the machines are coming for your job.

OpenFortune Inc., a New York-based company that supplies printed messages to well over a dozen fortune-cookie factories around the world, says it has started using ChatGPT technology to potentially generate a near-limitless inventory of new messages…

By some estimates, three billion fortune cookies are made by factories around the world every year. Nearly all are written by a handful of fortune-cookie factory owners, their families or small teams of copywriters.

Or at least the messages were written by a small team of copywriters. AI is starting to push some of these copywriters out of the cookie factory and into the soup kitchen.

AI is also impacting the logistics industry. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), for example, is actively developing AI-enabled robotics in its warehouses to perform tasks that humans currently do.

And while Amazon asserts that its AI-powered endeavors will create over “700 new categories of jobs,” the giant logistics firm recently announced 27,000 job layoffs.

Connect those dots however you like.

Even more ominously, AI is not only threatening our jobs, but it is also threatening our humanity. That’s because AI can produce work that seems “manmade” but isn’t. It can produce everything from love letters to original paintings to rap music, including songs that “borrow” the voices of deceased rappers.

But no matter how creative AI technologies like ChatGPT may be, they never become human. They are intrinsically soulless. They provide artistry without art; knowledge without wisdom; logic without reason; and ethics without morality.

As such, they could become a toxin in the watershed of accumulated human knowledge and experience.

Over time, AI might produce such unfathomable volumes of “synthetic” art, literature, and media that it corrupts the essence of what we know as humanity. As a result, AI’s excesses will almost certainly cultivate a cultural longing for non-AI products and experiences.

That backlash is underway already. Technology in general has sparked a longing for the “human element” in various products and experiences – a desire for a deeper connection with the world and a sense of nostalgia for simpler times.

The country singer, Miranda Lambert’s song “Automatic” touches on this theme by lamenting the rise of technologies that have eliminated the tactile experiences and personal connections that enrich our humanity.

In the hands of Godless leaders, AI will further bring chaos and lawlessness to humanity. For Christians standing upon the Word of God Jesus tells us what to expect from a world that has rejected God and His commandments.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:9-13

In fact, before Jesus second coming, Paul tells us that a man of lawlessness (Antichrist) will appear. Knowing his time is short Satan takes control of this individual and declares himself to be God.

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

We are approaching the prophesied “end times”. Many of the prophecies are being fulfilled in our time. The major “end times”prophecy was fulfilled over 70 years ago now: the miraculous rebirth of the nation of Israel. It is the centre of all the other “end times” prophecies so watch Israel and the surrounding nations. If you have not seen it take a look at my recent post Turkey – the origin of the Antichrist.

SLAVES AND BOND SLAVES ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE

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When the apostle Paul was writing his letters to the Christian churches – half or more of the Believers were white slaves under Roman law. Though color or race was never relevant to Paul.

In today’s society, we would think of only freeing slaves. But in ancient society, if they had a master they would be provided with food and shelter, without a master meant starving or even death. Moreover, the word “slave” in the Bible, in Greek is “doulos”, it often means a voluntary slave or servant, what is referred to as a “bondservant”. This is a person who could go free but rather chooses to be a slave or servant to his master for life. In many ancient societies, especially with a kind master, this often would have been the very best of life. And with half the population being slaves, the apostle Paul gave instructions for how servants and masters should be honorable to each other (Ephesians 6:5-9).

But contrary to what some claim today – neither the Bible nor the apostle Paul ever promoted slavery.

Onesimus was a runaway slave who met the apostle Paul in Rome and was converted to Christ. Here is what Paul wrote back to his master, who according to Roman law could have put Onesimus to death: 

“I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.  I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul! Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! Philippians 1:10-21

Listen to the apostle Paul writing to all the Christians in Corinth, where there were also many slaves:

“Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.” 1 Corinthians 7:20-23

Paul certainly was not promoting slavery. Read what Paul writes to Timothy condemning slavery:

“We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. 1Timothy 2:8-11

The above words “slave traders”, in Greek is “andrapodistes”, which means more than just trading slaves of any race or color, it literally means any involuntarily keeping of any person against their will.

See what the Old Testament reveals:

God is the Deliverer of slaves: In Exodus in the Old Testament, God freed an entire nation of slaves through Moses – freeing 5 million Hebrews from their slavery under the Pharaoh of Egypt.

“If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters. Let them live among you in any town they choose, and do not oppress them.” In context, these were slaves that escaped to Israel from enemy nations, where under God’s civil Law everyone had great personal freedom, but they did have to honor God and His Law“. Deuteronomy 23:15-16:

Slavery in lieu of Capital Punishment: The first civil law God established after the Flood was Capital Punishment for murder. “And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image. Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth.” Genesis 9:5-7

This law applied to one murderer or any number of murderers, or even an invading army of murderers/terrorists. They too would all be worthy of capital punishment, to protect civilization, and to permanently stop their murdering and destroying a whole nation of people. In the case of an invading army of murderers, in the Old Testament under God’s Law, Israel was permitted to capture the invaders and instead of capital punishment they could rather give them a type of “life prison sentence”.

God’s civil Law form of a “life prison sentence”, is a person’s “life servant sentence”. Instead of the victims having to pay for the murderers’ life in prison, the murderers have to pay the innocent back by serving them for life. Such invading murderers of the nation, instead of a death sentence, can receive a life slavery sentence. This substitute for capital punishment was the only slavery allowance in the Bible. However, the original capital punishment law would be immediately applied if a “life slave” violated his sentence in any way.

Also, under God’s Law, there were Indentured Servants. These were individuals who had a debt that they had no way to pay it off, and therefore, were required to serve their creditor full-time until their debt was paid in full. However, if it was still not paid off after seven years, they were to be fully forgiven of their debt and released from being indentured (Deut. 31:10). Most don’t realize that the Pilgrims, the Puritans, and the vast majority of all the early white Europeans that came to America came as Indentured Servants.

Lastly, in God’s Law, there were Bondslaves or Bondservants: As reported above, these were individuals who chose to remain with their masters for life. They would put a spike through their earlobe to make a hole in their ear to identify they were a freewill bondservant. For many, being a bondslave under their master was the best life they could possibly ever have. Their masters were no doubt good to them and blessed them in many ways, and no doubt such servants were a blessing to their masters. 

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul refers to himself and other fellow leaders as bondservants of the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians saying everyone is a slave, either to sin or to righteousness. We are all slaves whether we know it or not. We are either slaves under the rule of Satan and this world or slaves of the King of kings – the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

This is what it means to be a bondslave of Jesus under His “yoke”:

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” Matthew 11:28-29

TURKEY – THE ORIGIN OF THE ANTICHRIST

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The following quote is from a nationalist poem used by Recip Tayyip Erdoğan in a famous speech that he gave when he was mayor of Istanbul. The speech landed him in jail for four months in 1999 and banned him from political life in Turkey under the charge of “inciting hatred based on religious differences.” It gives us a peek into the man’s heart and aspirations.

“Our minarets are our bayonets, our domes are our helmets, our mosques are our barracks. We will put a final end to ethnic segregation. No one can ever intimidate us. If the skies and the ground were to open against us. If floods and volcanoes were to burst, we will not turn from our mission. My reference is Islam. If I am not able to speak of this, what is the use of living?

Erdogan is the type of person the Antichrist would have to be, the type of leader that most prophetic experts predict – slick, persuasive, able to bridge the Eastern and Western worlds in dress, manner, and understanding, and being well-spoken and fluent in English. It is not a great leap to imagine a Turkish man. Perhaps a good candidate would be Sinan Ogan of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party.

Sinan Ogan is out of the recent presidential race but he has played a pivotal role in the second round as he came out in favor of Erdogan and is now seen as the “kingmaker”. In the aftermath of Turkey’s dramatic elections, a new name is on the lips of political commentators: third-placed presidential contender Sinan Ogan.

In the US, Gog and Magog in biblical prophecy were Russia, reflecting the Cold War lenses that were used at the time to interpret Scripture. However, now many end times Bible scholars believe Gog and Magog represent Turkey.

Turkey is identified by multiple ancient place names/locations that existed within that country’s current borders (i.e., Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, Togarmah). This coalition of nations, and the Bible implies many more nations with them, will make an all-out assault on Israel, intending to destroy her. God told Ezekiel that this event would occur in the ‘latter years’ (Ezekiel 38:8). At the last moment it will look like Israel will be wiped out, but God will intervene and … the other nations, including Iran, will suffer a 7-fold judgment from God – a great earthquake, pestilence, bloodshed, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone (Ezekiel 38:19-22). Finally, if the nations of the Middle East mentioned in Ezekiel 38 (i.e., Libya, Iran, Turkey, etc.) are right now coming into alignment with each other before our very eyes, and assuming that the incredible event described above occurs sometime during the Great Tribulation period as most Biblical scholars believe, how much closer are we then to the soon coming return of Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 38, one of the primary End Times passages in God’s Word, “confirms Turkey’s leadership role” due to five of the eight “nations” mentioned are located in Turkey.

Revelation 17 reaffirms Turkey as the host of the Antichrist, with Istanbul as the empire that suffered a fatal wound but will return to stun the world. That blow, many would say, was the AD 1453 capture of the glorious city of Constantinople, a true wonder of the world that was taken over by the Turks.

Another interesting note is Istanbul has long been known as the “city on seven hills,” which has a strange ring when you read this verse in Revelation 17: The seven heads [of the woman on the Beast] are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction (vv. 9-11).

Daniel 9 says the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed by the people of the prince to come (v. 26). The unit of the Roman legion that leveled the Temple in AD 70 was based in Antioch in modern Turkey.

Daniel 11 tells us of a “king of the North” who will be much like the Antichrist (an archetype of him). Most prophecy scholars agree that this was Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the ruler of the Seleucid Division of the Greek Empire. Much of that king’s reign was over modern-day Turkey.

Isaiah’s and Micah’s frequent mentions of Assyria’s opposition to Messiah Jesus further underscore the geographical proof of Turkey’s role. The ancient kingdom of Assyria comprised much of modern Turkey.

Zechariah 9 reaffirms Turkey’s role as it says the sons of Zion will be roused against the sons of another kingdom. Verse 13 has often been translated as “sons of Greece,” leading to many interpretations of the End Times centered around a revival of the Greek Empire, or the Western world as exemplified in Greek thought. But more careful, literal translations interpret this verse as “sons of Yavan.” Who was Yavan? A grandson of Noah, whose descendants settled in western Turkey, many in the city of Izmir, a longtime biblical site. Another son of Yavan (or Javan) was Tarshish, now modern-day Tarsus, also in Turkey.

The “throne of Satan” mentioned in Revelation 2 was constructed in Pergamum, a city whose spectacular ruins you can see in Turkey today, along with a reconstruction of that throne. In addition to these seven “biblical proofs,” Walid Shoebat* makes a powerful case for a Turkish Antichrist by noting that any Beast who would be able to dupe the nation of Israel into a peace treaty for three-and-a-half years would have to “have the reputation for being moderate and must possess the trust of the Israelis and the world.” I agree. There will need to be some repair in the Turk-Israeli alliance before this can happen, but these two nations have shown a remarkable willingness to partner in hopes of keeping the rest of the Middle East calm, up until very recently. And despite the political tension between the two, the economic relationship remains strong, with a nearly 40 percent jump in trade reported in 2013.[274] Turkey and Israel have a history of cooperation, unlike Israel with other Middle

Turkey is one of the few Middle Eastern countries that recognized Israel’s right to exist immediately, on March 28, 1949. Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the U.A.E., and Yemen still do not accept Israeli passports, and I don’t see another country of consequence in the region that would be able to lure Israel into a peace treaty.

Shoebat affirms the common scriptural narrative that “the Antichrist will initially appear to be moderate and trustworthy, but he will also eventually show his true colors. And, his success will come through deceit and shrewdness.” He added, “When searching for the Antichrist, one must never look to Ahmadinejads or Usamas of the world, but instead to someone with a moderate mask – at least in the beginning. His sinister, rabid hatred for Jews and Christians will not be revealed until he lures the sheep into his den.”

Anyone able to pull off a peace treaty with Israel and then negotiate his way to global domination will look great, speak well in English, and be comfortable around all sorts of people from the West and East. I don’t think he will wear an Arab dress or be monolingual. I think he will look like a handsome politician and wear a variety of clothing to fit the context; he will be familiar with Western ways of thought, and he will probably have been educated at some point in Europe or the U.S. This fits the profile of many leaders in Turkey who have studied abroad and speak at least passable English. They present themselves and their country as moderate, tolerant, and inclusive, but they are not shy about their faith, either.

The fact is the Turks have either killed or driven out all minority peoples and faiths. The Armenian Genocide in 1914-18 is increasingly recognized, even among Turks, as having occurred. One-and-a-half million Christians were expelled in 1923, and another 150,000 left after anti-Christian riots in Istanbul in 1955, helping to cut the Christian population from two million to a mere four thousand today.[

The author Ralph Stice tells a story that is classical Turkish “tolerance.” At the University he was teaching, he tried to book the room that was designated for religious minorities to meet. On the surface, it looks as if religious minorities will be welcomed to practice their faith as they see fit. In reality, however, Christians were not allowed to meet in the room designated for them in a religious complex. The promise was, in fact, a lie. Perhaps this is why the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Christian Church, Bartholomew, told 60 Minutes, “I feel crucified” living under a Turkish government that “would like to see his nearly 2,000-year-old Patriarchate die out,” as the church’s seminary was shut down and part of its property seized, like a python slowly squeezing a victim to death.[

As the idea that Turkey could be the home of the Antichrist has gained circulation, Turkish imams are fighting back even as they agree to be interviewed by American authors such as Joel Richardson. Adnan Oktar is a renowned Islamic teacher who oversees a popular website bursting with information on al-Mahdi. When challenged; in a soft, calm, reasoning voice, Oktar says that labeling Turkey as the Antichrist “makes the slaying of the Muslim world lawful,” and then says, “It is wrong and illogical to portray Turkey as the Antichrist. It is cruelty … You fail to think the best … You must trust people … You are sowing the seeds of hatred in all Christians’ hearts … You should be demanding warmth and brotherhood … We believe in the same Allah, don’t we?

Summary by Ralph Stice: For the many reasons I’ve stated – from Turkey as the site of the largest Muslim empire in the world and the only country seeking to revive such an empire, to possible scriptural evidence for the “Lost Land of the Bible” being a key country in the End Times – I believe Turkey merits our most careful attention in the years to come. As I lived in Turkey, I found a brand of Islam that I think would play very well in the modern world as a deceptive lure into the religion of Muhammad. There is just enough charm, Sufi-inspired emotion, and emphasis on “love,” “understanding,” and “tolerance” to make a Turk a prime candidate for the Antichrist, someone who appears quite palatable with politically correct people, yet who has a burning desire to spread Islam across the globe. Let me add Sinan Ogan is a good example of such a Turk.

*Walid Shoebat. He used to be a radicalized Muslim willing to die for the cause of Jihad until he converted to Christianity in 1994.
A significant portion of this post was taken from the book by Ralph Stice, Arab Spring, Christian Winter: Islam Unleashed on the Church and the World. ANEKO Press.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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I have written a lot about Technochasm and how rapid technological change without Godly leadership is causing chaos at all levels of society. As a result, it is becoming more difficult to invest wisely. God has gifted me with business skills so that even before I was born again at 46, I had managed several large corporations including The Ramsay Group, which at the time, in the 1970s, was the largest surgical, dental, and scientific supply company in Australia. Since retiring and giving my company to my three boys, I have needed to invest wisely to survive hence I subscribed to a number of investment advisory services to learn the art. I have enjoyed the journey and have done well so feel I should share some of the wisdom with my Christian brothers and sisters that follow my blog.

Start with a “macro” analysis or “top-down” investing. Look for big-picture trends that drive huge, multiyear moves in entire sectors of the market. The type of trends that can spin off dozens of triple and even quadruple-digit gains in a span of a few years. When investors use the global macro strategy, they identify investment opportunities from a broad, global, top-down perspective, rather than by examining stocks one by one (a micro, bottom-up perspective).  Global macro traders find moneymaking opportunities by watching geopolitical events and going deep on business cycles, disruptive technologies, stock valuations, commodity price trends, even interest rates … and even further afield. Look for opportunities in any asset… in any country… in any direction. Companies with “hyperscalibilty“.

Macro Analysis for me revealed these top three investment opportunities

  1. ENERGY/RESOURCES
  2. ROBOTICS/ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE  
  3. INFORMATION (Internet of Things)

ENERGY

There is no doubt that the move to Green Energy will happen over time, but it will not happen soon so the need for Natural Gas and Oil will still be in demand through the 2050’s. Money has moved out of this sector for emotive reasons so that share prices are at attractive levels and even dividend payments make them a good investment. Companies in Natural gas that are transitioning to green hydrogen are my choice.  Moreover, of the new Energy opportunities I believe Nuclear and Hydrogen are the two best options.

NATURAL GAS/LNG – 1. Omega Oil & Gas (OMA): Omega Oil and Gas has two exploration permits in the Surat Basin in Southeast Queensland, ATP 2037 and ATP 2038. The two permits represent an area of over 250,000 acres and are located approximately 50 km away from critical gas transmission infrastructure. As an Aussie, I have put Omega Oil & Gas first but in reality, the next company should take first place. Note it is in both my Natural Gas and Hydrogen markets. 2. TotalEnergies (TTE): “Natural gas is a key energy for the transition to renewables. First and foremost, it plays a major role in power generation thanks to its flexibility and ability to meet the rapid growth in demand fuelled by the electrification of uses. Increase the share of gas to 50% of our sales mix by 2030. Consolidate the Company’s position among the top 3 in LNG.” Natural Gas is a widely available resource, well redistributed worldwide thanks to LNG. It is a simple and immediate solution for decarbonizing electricity and industry, especially in high energy-consuming sectors (steel, cement, etc.). An ideal partner for renewables, which are intermittent and seasonal by nature. A core component of numerous coal-consuming countries’ roadmaps toward their Net Zero ambition. A source for massively developing blue hydrogen with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, 3. Tellurian Inc is responsible for 36% of the global LNG and 79% of the US LNG in production today. As well as TotalEnergies and Tellurian check out Kimbell Royalty Partners (KRP)

HYDROGEN – 1. Plug Power Inc: “Plug, the leader in building an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem that addresses every step of operations, is proud to offer its customers cost-effective green hydrogen, which is quickly becoming the molecule of choice for customers both large and small. Led by a team with nearly five decades of experience, Plug’s PEM electrolyzer solutions produce carbon-free green hydrogen using renewable electricity and water. Plug offers electrolyzer solutions that cover a variety of applications from mobility to power to chemical industries.” 2. Total Energies: “As a multi-energy company, we produce and market oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gas, renewables and electricity. Our presence across the entire value chain of these energies – from production and processing to distribution in various forms – enables us to invent technological solutions and innovate for our customers. Our integrated business model is our strength and sets us apart. Efficient, profitable and innovative, it is a guarantee of quality for our customers. French companies TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), Air Liquide (AIRP.PA) and Vinci (SGEF.PA) announced the launch of what they said would be the world’s largest clean hydrogen infrastructure fund, as companies increase their presence in the green energy sector.”

NUCLEAR – I have a high priority to find companies involved in providing resources for nuclear reactors and or makers of nuclear reactors. Uranium: Australia’s known uranium resources are the world’s largest. Currently, it accounts for 17% of all energy exports. Australia accounts for almost one-third of the world’s uranium deposits — 27.53 percent as of 2019 — and there is a slew of future exploration and expansion projects brewing in the country. With 31 known uranium deposits, the list of potential new mines or mines being brought back online is long.

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors is where government money is being invested. Nuclear-powered subs have proved small nuclear is relatively safe as problems can be contained. 1. TerraPower:  Received an $80 million U.S. Gov grant for a Natrium nuclear reactor. In August 2020, TerraPower first introduced the Natrium technology, co-designed with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. It features a cost-competitive sodium fast reactor combined with a molten salt energy storage system. The schedule, mandated by Congress, requires the Natrium plant to be complete by 2028. TerraPower is on track to make this schedule work to secure key regulatory approval in the near term with a goal of starting construction in 2024. 2. NuScale Power: A global leader in small-scale modular nuclear reactor technology. VOYGR™ SMR plants are powered by the innovative NuScale Power Module™, the first and only small modular reactor (SMR) to receive design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NuScale Power Module design is based on proven pressurized water-cooled reactor technology and was developed to supply energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. 3. BWXT Nuclear Microreactors: BWXT will build the first advanced full-scale transportable nuclear microreactor in the USA under a contract awarded by the US Dept. of Defence (DoD) Strategic Capabilities Office. To be completed and delivered in 2024 for testing at the Idaho National Laboratory. 4. Westinghouse is currently developing the eVinci™ Microreactor, a next-generation, very small modular reactor for decentralized remote applications. Others worth watching are Kairos Power, Rolls Royce, and Rosatom (Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, will this month begin work at the future site of a small-scale nuclear power plant in the far eastern Siberian territory of Yakutia)

BATTERY STORAGE – 1. Altech Batteries Ltd (Na/Al) Lithium batteries will eventually be replaced because the metal is “rare” and therefore expensive, and the batteries can explode (flammable). Hence Altech Batteries Ltd – working with Sodium and Aluminium. 2. POSi Energy – Silicon Power, announced the demonstration of a new lithium-silicon anode that allows a revolutionary performance step-up in lithium-ion batteries. It is still using Lithium but adding Si adds to performance and safety. 3. Ivanhoe Electric Inc in Resources VRG Energy – vanadium redox flow batteries. Also, see Resources for Ivanhoe Electric.

RESOURCES

RARE EARTH MINERALS – 1. Lynas: The Lynas Mt Weld mine in Western Australia is acknowledged as one of the world’s premier rare earth deposits. Lynas also operates the world’s largest single rare earth processing plant in Malaysia where it produces high-quality separated rare earth materials for export to manufacturing markets in Asia, Europe, and the United States. 2. Ivanhoe Electric Inc:  a) A technology company focused on next-generation geophysical surveying and modeling for the mining industry (“Typhoon” – a geophysical data-acquisition system that uses a proprietary high-resolution, pulse-imaging process. The raw data Typhoon acquires then feeds into an analytical process that uses geophysical modeling and artificial intelligence (AI) to “map” subterranean metal deposits), b). A mining company focused on U.S.-based “electric metals” projects like copper and nickel (The Arizona project, called Santa Cruz, was an operating mine from 1974 to 1984, Typhoon has revealed it is the “second-largest undeveloped copper deposit in the lower 48 states. Ditto for Ivanhoe’s Tintic Project in Utah. c). An energy storage company focused on long-duration solutions for the utility and enterprise markets. VRB Energy develops and manufactures advanced grid-scale vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) storage systems. They provide long-duration power for up to 12 hours per day, which is more than three times what the typical lithium-ion batteries deliver. Secondly, because VRFBs do not degrade like lithium-ion batteries do, they can operate three to four times longer than the typical seven-year lifetime of lithium-ion energy storage installations. Third, VFRBs are much safer than lithium-ion batteries.

COPPER – 1. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX)

ALUMINIUM – Alcoa, the current valuation is cheap enough that the stock could deliver outsized gains over the next several months, especially as world stockpiles are low. According to the IAI, renewable energy needs will create demand for aluminum to replace existing copper cabling for power distribution. In total, the electric sector will require an additional 5.2 million metric tons by 2030, according to the group.

INFORMATION

LOW EARTH ORBIT SATELLITES – 1. Starlink is owned by SpaceX.  SpaceX is leading the way, but I would hold off on any investment until late 2023. 2.  Amazon announced the next steps in its upcoming Project Kuiper satellite internet services. The project plans to launch 3,236 satellites into low Earth orbit, offering high-speed, affordable broadband anywhere with a view of the sky.

QUANTUM MICROCHIPS – 1. Archer Materials, 2. Quantum Scape Corp

SENSORS – 1. Allegro Microsystems: With more than 30 years of experience developing advanced semiconductor technology and application-specific algorithms, Allegro is a global leader in power and sensing solutions for motion control and energy-efficient systems (650 patents). Through innovations in e-Mobility, Clean Energy, and Automation, they are helping move the world toward a safer, more sustainable future. Each year they ship over one billion units into these applications to support 10,000+ customers around the globe, including over 50 automotive OEMs. Their global engineering, manufacturing, and support, combined with their agility, make Allegro a trusted partner to both large enterprises and regional market leaders worldwide.   

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – 1. Microsoft spent nearly $20 billion to buy Nuance Communications, “a pioneer and a leading provider of conversational AI and cloud-based ambient clinical intelligence for healthcare providers.” Incredibly, 90% of the world’s hospitals use Nuance’s solutions. Earlier this year, Microsoft poured $10 billion into OpenAI, the creator of the ChatGPT bot that has become an “overnight” sensation. Microsoft previously invested $1 billion in the AI company in 2019. 2. Intel Because of the recent release of ChatGPT, an AI-powered “chatbot” that can do everything from answering questions to writing essays, AI-focused investing has become the newest Wall Street sensation. Intel tops the companies producing AI chips. IBM has already structured a joint venture with Intel to develop AI chips – and why Nvidia has stated publicly that it will consider contracting with Intel for the first time to produce some of its chips. Intel is building three-chip manufacturing facilities in the USA. The company’s NCS2 is its latest chip that was developed specifically for deep learning. Also, the brand-new Gaudi2 AI chip, designed by Intel’s Israel-based Habana Labs, is twice as fast as its first-generation predecessor. 3. GE Health Care Technologies (GEHC) GE has spun off this company using AI in health care. 4. Palantir (PLTR) AI for defense

CLOUD STORAGE – Amazon

TRANSPORT

ELECTRIC DRIVERLESS CARS – 1. Aeva Technologies Inc (Lidar helps cars see: Aeries II is the world’s first 4D LiDAR sensor with unparalleled capabilities), 2. Apple, 3 Tesla

HYDROGEN POWERED – Trucks, Aeroplanes, Boats

FINANCE

Blockchain – Bitcoin, Ethereum, Chainlink, Aave

Digital money

HEALTH

Biogenetics – 1. Genetic Engineering, 2. AI – GE Health Care Technologies (GEHC)

The foundational patents for CRISPR genetic editing technology belong to the Broad Institute (Harvard & MIT) – March 2022. The decision is likely to affect companies that licensed rights to CRISPR-cas9 gene editing from the University of California as well as its partners the University of Vienna and Nobel laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier. Among them are Intellia, CRISPR Therapeutics and Caribou Therapeutics.

INDUSTRY

ROBOTICS – 1. ABB (Swiss company HQ Zurich) “Pioneering digital technology company ABB today announced a major, new US$150 million investment in Shanghai, China to build the world’s most advanced, automated, and flexible robotics factory – a cutting-edge center where robots make robots. The new Kangqiao manufacturing center, near ABB’s expansive China robotics campus, will combine the company’s connected digital technologies, including ABB Ability™ solutions, state-of-the-art collaborative robotics, and innovative artificial intelligence research to create the most sophisticated and environmentally sustainable “factory of the future.” It is expected to begin operating by the end of 2020. Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for ABB as China’s #1 robotics manufacturer as well as a critical global growth investment for the company in the world’s largest robotics market. In 2017, one of every three robots sold in the world went to China, which purchased nearly 138,000 units. Today, ABB employs approximately 5,000 people in Shanghai, and the company’s robotics businesses in China employ more than 2,000 engineers, technology experts and operational leaders in 20 locations across the country.“

2. Midea Group (Revenue $39 bill) – Chinese company with manufacturing also in Germany for the European market, Denso Corp (Revenue $47.4 bill) – a Japanese company that builds industrial robots and programmable logic controllers used in manufacturing factory automation. The company also provides automatic identification products, code readers, and semiconductors. 3. Sony (Revenue $79.2 bill), Sony wants to drive robot development for everyone. Sony’s robotics platform was born from this idea. “We will provide all the fundamental technology we have fostered for many years to help you build basic functionality that requires the most development stress. Developers can focus their work on areas they want to concentrate on. This leads to dramatically shorter effort to put a variety of high-quality robots to practical use. Sony will kick-start a revolution of sharing in today’s development environment where it is normal for companies to hold onto their problems“. 4. Siemens AG (Revenue $97.4) The second-largest robotics company in the world is Siemens AG. Siemens AG is a global major player focusing on the areas of power generation, smart building infrastructure and distributed energy systems, and automation and digitization in the process and manufacturing industries, 5. Honda Motor (Revenue $142 bill) Honda Robotics developed the “most advanced humanoid robot”, ASIMO (Advanced Step Innovative Mobility) with the aim of creating robots that will coexist with and be useful to humans.

DRONES– 1. IAI (Israel) A leader in defense, aerospace, and commercial markets, IAI leverages state-of-the-art technology and decades of combat-proven experience delivering solutions to your national defense and security challenge. 2. Fortem Technologies is a leader in drones for military operations. 3. Aero Vironment – Unmanned Aero Systems Tactical Missile Systems etc.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES – Corning Inc (combine unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics with proprietary manufacturing and engineering platforms to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance lives): 1. Optical Communications – 5G buildout… 2. Display Technologies… 3. Specialty Materials – Gorilla Glass laminates: mobile phones, car windows, etc … 4. Environmental Technologies… 5. Life Sciences.

Alkegen: Alkegen has just joined two of the leading specialty materials manufacturing companies Unifrax and Lydall to create one new innovation-driven company to bring to market the most effective materials for a number of industries, Additives and Reinforcements, Aluminium Non-Ferrous Metals, Appliances, Automotive, Battery and Energy Storage, Catalysis, Ceramic and Glass, Filtration and Separation. Fire Protection – Commercial and Industrial, Foundry, Hearth, Iron and Steel, Petrochemical, Power Generation, Transportation.

THE WORLD IS GOING TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET

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Marcus Tullius Cicero growled these famous words to the Roman senate in the first century BC to decry the deterioration of civilized society. “Oh, the times!” he lamented. “Oh, the standards!”

Today, over two thousand years later, the world is still going to hell in a handbasket.

Cicero had good reason to beat his breast about the times and the standards. He was living in the final decades of the Roman Republic, as it descended into civil war and dictatorship. In due time, Cicero himself was hunted down and executed during the power struggles that consolidated Julius Caesar’s position as dictator of the Roman Empire.

Are we living today in the modern equivalent of the fall of the Roman Republic? Are we headed for societal breakdown and destruction as the doomsayers shout in our ears via newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet?

Or are we in the end times predicted in the Prophets, the Gospels, and the Book of Revelation? Is Jesus Christ about to return to the earth Rambo-style to annihilate all the unbelievers and set up an eternal kingdom for the Elect on a brand new Earth version 2.0?

The evidence is all around us. There are wars and insurgencies everywhere. Everyday political corruption is exposed in one place or another, and disgraced politicians scuttle off to exile, prison, or death. Traditional marriage is breaking down. The divorce rate is soaring. And what’s the matter with kids today?

For anyone watching, it seems to be clear that not only are we in for difficult times ahead, but that our politics are ugly and getting uglier from all sides. We must stand out by not allowing the toxicity of our cultural and political climate to rub off on us but we need to rub off on it. And while, certainly, Christians can and should participate in the political process and vote our conscience, may we be careful not to betray our values and beliefs in the name of advancing them.

Christians should be careful to remember Jonah, who was so caught up in demonizing the other side and filled with anger at the people of Nineveh that he ran from carrying out his mission to proclaim God’s message of compassion and warning of judgment.  Christians, Jesus said, should be known for their genuine love for each other and for those outside the faith. We must not lose sight of our mission given by Jesus Christ, which is not to gain political power or influence at all costs but rather to proclaim the life-changing power of the Gospel of Christ in the hope it will change hearts and minds, and ultimately, the world. Jesus does not say in Matthew 24 that He will return for the Church once it sufficiently proclaimed political and ideological talking points, or once enough elections have been won. Jesus said He will return once the Gospel has been shared with everyone.

The world is watching.

“Do all things without complaining or arguing, that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” Philippians 2:14-15

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the LORD and on His law, he meditates day and night.” Psalms 1:1-3

The author of Taking a Stand in Our Dying Land is Pastor Stephen Mitchell. He is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Maryland

DARWINIAN EVOLUTION PREPOSTEROUS

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It is mathematically preposterous to infer macroevolutionary developments from microevolutionary observations according to Dr Olen R. Brown, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri- Columbia, USA, and, David A. Hullender, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, US.

This new evidence is from an article “Neo-Darwinism must Mutate to Survive” by Brown and Hullender in an international journal called Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, which is a peer-reviewed publication established in 1950. It seeks to offer “informative and critical reviews of recent advances in different aspects of biophysics and molecular biology.

ABSTRACT

Darwinian evolution is a nineteenth-century descriptive concept that itself has evolved. Selection by survival of the fittest was a captivating idea. Microevolution was biologically and empirically verified by the discovery of mutations. There has been limited progress to the modern synthesis. The central focus of this perspective is to provide evidence to document that selection based on survival of the fittest is insufficient for other than microevolution. Realistic probability calculations based on probabilities associated with microevolution are presented. However, macroevolution (required for all speciation events and the complexifications appearing in the Cambrian explosion) is shown to be probabilistically highly implausible (on the order of 10−50) when based on selection by survival of the fittest. We conclude that macroevolution via survival of the fittest is not salvageable by arguments for random genetic drift and other proposed mechanisms. Evolutionary biology is relevant to cancer mechanisms with significance beyond academics. We challenge evolutionary biology to advance boldly beyond the inadequacies of the modern synthesis toward a unifying theory modeled after the Grand Unified Theory in physics. This should include the possibility of a fifth force in nature. Mathematics should be rigorously applied to current and future evolutionary empirical discoveries. We present justification that molecular biology and biochemistry must evolve to aeon (life) chemistry that acknowledges the uniqueness of enzymes for life. To evolve, biological evolution must face the known deficiencies, especially the limitations of the concept of survival of the fittest, and seek solutions in Eigen’s concept of self-organization, Schrödinger’s negentropy, and novel approaches.

Something essential is missing in the theory of biological evolution (Neo-Darwinism)

Any overall mechanistic explanation of the origin and evolution of life ultimately must satisfy two challenges: the transition from non-life to life, and the blossoming of life forms that are so extreme as to appear outrageous. The evolution of a few flowers on a hillside is reasonably explained by mutation and selection; it stretches logic to explain the millions of extremely diverse species seen currently and in the fossil record. It is difficult to conceptualize an insect that is novel or more…

A way forward

An example of the application of mathematics to a difficult science problem was the Drake equation which estimated the number of alien civilizations capable of radio communication with Earth (Loeffler, n.d.). Carl Sagan popularized it on the PBS broadcast Cosmos. Drake and his equation contributed significantly to the founding of the Search for Extraterrestrial Life (SETI). We propose an equation, modeled after the Drake equation, to stimulate thought about evolution probabilities (Eq. (1)). The …

Probability of evolution

Probability, like any scientific analysis, has limitations. Because evolution is generally accepted as scientifically established, probability assessment has largely been overlooked; it happened, we are here, so the probability is one. Evolutionary probability generally is said to be supported by the statement that billions of years make evolution possible. However, this overlooks the fact that time is a linear factor and evolutionary probability inevitability involves exponentials that are …

Self-organization is hidden in life chemistry

Manfred Eigen, a Nobel Laureate, and member of the Pontifical Academy, introduced the concept of the self-organizing power of matter into biological evolutionary theory (“Manfred Eigen: From relaxation kinetics to evolution,” 2018). His 59-page article titled Self-organization of Matter and the Evolution of Biological Macromolecules (Eigen, n.d.) was published in 1971. Eigen did more than anyone before or since to apply mathematics to evolution. Throughout the paper, Eigen supports the narrative with …

The enzyme is essential for life

Life is the most unimaginable state of matter. For growth and replication, energy is essential. The cell is chemically far from equilibrium and maintained by intricately complex processes that require enzymes to make required chemical changes. All life forms use ATP as the ultimate energy source to pull reactions in favoured ways essential to life. The human, amazingly, using the power of enzymes makes approximately 450 pounds of ATP each day according to L. M. Krauss (2001). This requires that …

Aeon chemistry

As “the something” additional required to explain life we propose that the concept of life chemistry (aeon chemistry – meaning vital or life chemistry) be used for the biochemistry within cells that has the appearance of being directed or vital. The difference is not subtle; it cannot be avoided with intellectual honesty. Life, and most certainly its evolution, involves direction (for example, the descent of humans from a common ancestor). It is irrational to believe that chemistry to form a rock or a …

New physics and a fifth force in nature?

The long-awaited first results from the Muon g-2 experiment at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory are now available (UW News staff, n.d.). The data show fundamental particles called muons acting in ways not predicted by the current best theory, the Standard Model of particle physics. The finding is of tremendous significance. The result, made with unprecedented precision, confirms a discrepancy that has been concerning researchers for decades. Although it is…

Conclusions

Biology originated as a descriptive science; it has progressed to an empirical stage, and now it is time to retain both while boldly progressing into a theoretical phase. Microevolution is probabilistically realistic; macroevolution is not, and this is documented empirically. Biological evolution should be challenged with four objectives: (1) to redefine the limitations of survival of the fittest (natural selection) to explain what is fundamentally established and creatively to seek and define…

Article “Neo-Darwinism must Mutate to survive” by Dr Olen R. Brown, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri- Columbia, USA and, David A. Hullender, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, US – https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/progress-in-biophysics-and-molecular-biology

BIBLE COLLEGES TEACH EVOLUTION

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The following report from Scientific American shows that academia is concerned that one in six biology teachers still cling to a Creator God.

Scientific American stated in 2019 that despite encouraging trends, one in six biology teachers, 17.6 percent, are still presenting creationism as a scientifically credible alternative to evolution. And almost as many high school biology teachers, 15 percent, are still failing to emphasize the broad scientific consensus on evolution, despite its general prevalence in state science standards and despite encouragement from professional organizations.

For me what is even more disturbing is the number of Bible Colleges that teach evolution and compromise the clear Bible teaching on creation and a young earth.

Jesus believed in a young world, but leading theistic evolutionists say He is wrong.

The standard secular timeline, from an alleged ‘big bang’ some 15 billion years ago to now, is accepted by most people in the evangelical Christian world, even though many would deny evolution. Some would even say that to dispute billions of years is to place an unnecessary stumbling block in the way of any scientifically-minded potential converts.

This is in contrast to the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator made flesh, as well as several of the biblical authors, which makes it plain that this is wrong—people were there from the beginning of creation.

“But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.” Mark 10:6

“That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zacharias … ” Luke 11:5-51

Paul plainly says in the following Scripture that people have been able to perceive these attributes of God in His creation ever since the creation of the world. Not ever since people were created.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”. Romans 1:20

Carl Weiland former CEO of CMI produced the following response for a Professor at a leading Bible College whose response to Jesus’ clear teaching on origins was that Jesus did not know the science we know today. Moreover, Jesus had laid aside his divinity at the incarnation.

“OK, let’s assume for the sake of the argument that firstly, creation was by evolution, over millions of years of death and suffering—and that Jesus did perform some sort of lobotomy on Himself so that He could no longer recall what really took place. So He just understood Genesis in the most natural straightforward way, not realizing what the real truth was. What you’re claiming, in that case, amounts to this: That God the Father, knowing the real truth, permitted not just the Apostles, but His beloved Son, while on Earth, to believe and teach things that were utter falsehoods. Furthermore, it means that the Father permitted these false teachings to appear—repeatedly—in His revealed Word. With the result that for some 2,000 years, the vast majority of Christians were seriously misled about such things as not just the time and manner of creation, but gospel-crucial matters such as the origin of sin, and of death and suffering.”

The Lord Jesus repeatedly made it clear that His words and actions were on the Father’s authority, in all respects. Some examples:

“So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me‘”. John 8:28

“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” John 12:49-50

When God’s church and Bible Colleges no longer teach the inerrancy of the Bible – God’s Word, you know He will step in and judge them just as He has judged the nation He set up to be His witness on the earth – Israel.

Thank goodness the Bible gives us many prophecies that apostasy will be prevalent in the last days before Jesus returns so we need not be concerned, God is still in control. However, we need to make sure we are doing what He has called us to do. Christians are called to be salt and light in a dark and dying world. Why salt? Salt purifies, it preserves, it enhances the flavor. It prevents decay, it puts out fires, and it helps to de-ice things that are frozen. Light dispels darkness, reveals hidden dangers, and exposes dirt (sin).

THE NUMBER OF LGBT TEENS SKYROCKETS

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One in four high school students in the United States identify as homosexual, bisexual or are questioning their sexuality, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This data was collected in 2021 so considering what governments and educational establishments are doing to establish LGBTQ as a legitimate and even protected lifestyle then these numbers will only increase.

God and His commandments are no longer held as sacred. The fear of God is nonexistent so what God told us would happen in His Word, the Bible is happening. Lawlessness will only increase until God pours out His wrath upon an unrepentant world.

“And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Mark 13:12-13

The latest edition of the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System found that 74.2% of high school students claimed to be exclusively attracted to the opposite sex in 2021. Of the remaining participants, 11.9% identified as bisexual, 3.2% as gay or lesbian, and 9% as “other/questioning.” The survey examines the responses of 17,232 students collected in 2021. 

Data compiled by Gallup, released in February, showed that the share of the American population identifying as LGBT had doubled over the past decade, driven by a large share of Generation Z categorizing themselves as something “other” than heterosexual. The survey examined Americans’ self-identification with the LGBT community based on responses from 10,736 adults in the U.S. collected in 2022.

Gen Zers, classified as adults born between 1997 and 2004, have a much larger share of their population identifying as LGBT compared to their older counterparts. Nearly one in five (19.7%) members of Gen Zers consider themselves part of the LGBT community. By contrast, just 11.3% of millennials identify as members of the LGBT community, followed by 3.3% of members of Generation X, 2.7% of baby boomers and 1.7% of the silent generation.  

Thank goodness God has prepared us by revealing in His Word (Bible) that prior to Jesus’ return, there would be a great falling away from God and His commandments.

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:12-14

He also told us that the Gospel of His Kingdom would be proclaimed throughout the world and only then will the end come. We need to make sure we are in step with God’s agenda in these last days so we get a well-done, good, and faithful servant.

“And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’” Luke 19:17

What we do now determines the role we will have ruling and reigning with Jesus on this earth during His 1000 years reign.

“Also, I (John) saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.”

Don’t forget to check out my new website http://www.millennialkingdom.net. God really wants us to know what is next on His agenda after Jesus returns first to rapture the Saints and pour out His wrath upon an unrepentant world. Only then does Jesus return to earth with the Saints for the Battle of Armageddon at which time the Antichrist and the false prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire. Satan is cast into the Abyss for 1000 years after which he is released. He u still able to raise an army from unrepentant souls to come against Jesus and the Saints, Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom is a transition period when God fulfills the promises to Abraham when He established His nation Israel. Israel’s Messiah will rule the nations from a new Jerusalem.

The Millennial Kingdom also demonstrates that even with Jesus and the Saints ruling and reigning on this earth some people will still rebel against God’s rule over them just as Satan and one-third of the angels did.

CARBON DIOXIDE IS VITAL FOR OUR SURVIVAL

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GREENHOUSE GASES

Have you ever wondered about the amazing features of Earth’s atmosphere? It permits light to pass through to us and illuminates the beauty of creation while providing oxygenated air to breathe, and plant fertilizer in the form of carbon dioxide. It also creates a warming greenhouse effect and acts as a shield that greatly diminishes the amount of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays that can reach us. In short, it is wonderfully designed for life.

The atmosphere is remarkably designed to sustain the life of plants and animals, and us, as human beings with protection from harmful radiation. We also live in a world adorned with beauty, including being able to see the stars at night. This is all done through God’s amazing design. This points to the wonder of an intricately designed atmosphere, one that is essential for life.

In the words of Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”, or the well-known hymn of praise: “O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.“

Greenhouse Gases: Trace gases such as water vapour (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) produce nearly all this trapping effect, helping warm the planet and making it habitable for life. Without greenhouse gases, Earth’s temperature would be a whopping 33° C (59.4° F) colder than its current average of about 15° C (59° F)! And water vapour causes about 90% of this warming effect.

Carbon dioxide in the air often gets bad press as the chief culprit for climate change. But it is vital for providing food for plants through the process of photosynthesis. Indeed, plant productivity has surged with the increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Plants use the energy of sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars and other carbohydrates, and oxygen is also liberated as a by-product.

A quarter to half of Earth’s vegetated lands has shown significant greening over the last 35 years largely due to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on April 25.

An international team of 32 authors from 24 institutions in eight countries led the effort, which involved using satellite data from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer instruments to help determine the leaf area index, or amount of leaf cover, over the planet’s vegetated regions. The greening represents an increase in leaves on plants and trees equivalent in area to two times the continental United States.

In turn, humans and animals consume the plants as food, and rely upon the oxygen for respiration, producing water and carbon dioxide as by-products; the reverse process. This apparently simple cyclical process is all part of the wonderful design of life—a testament to the amazing wisdom of God. However, when the details are looked at, the level of complexity is anything but simple.

It is amazing that God tells us that “in the last days” i.e. the days before Jesus returns, most people will deny Biblical history that 1. God created the heavens and earth, 2. There was a global flood that destroyed all but eight people and the animals on Noah’s Ark. They will also deny Biblical prophecy 1. Jesus is coming back to earth a second time and 2. the heavens and earth will eventually be destroyed by fire.

“You should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” 2 Peter3:2-7

BIBLICAL HISTORY – POST FLOOD 2

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The chart below shows the generations from Shem to the establishment of God’s nation Israel with the covenant God made with Abraham down to Jesus entering history 64 generations from the time God judged the world with the flood of Noah’s day. The new name God gave to Jacob, Israel, expresses the concept of wrestling, clinging firmly to God, and overcoming. God confirmed his covenant with Jacob, indicating that Israel is to be understood as Jacob’s covenant name. After all his original name was hardly appropriate. When born, Jacob is given the name “Jacob” meaning, “trickster, supplanter, heel grabber.”

WhatWhoGenerations from Shem
SemitesShem0
HebrewsEber3
Father of the faithAbraham (down through Isaac)9
IsraelitesJacob renamed Israel11
Jews (Judaism)Judah12
Christians (including Messianic Jews)Jesus64
These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these, the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.

Shem was still alive at the time of the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel and its aftermath. No longer was there just one speech, but multiple complex languages miraculously arose according to families (Genesis 11:1, 9), whose members would be fluent in their own (new) language (Genesis 10:5, 20, 31).

Languages are grouped into families; linguists recognize about 20 main ones. Germanic languages (e.g. English, Dutch, German, and Swedish) are part of the Indo-European (traditionally Japhetic) language family. Semitic languages are part of the Afro-Asiatic family (previously called Hamito-Semitic).

If evolution were true, we would expect all language families to be related. However, linguist Dr Paul Lawrence states, “languages within a language family have many common features, surprisingly few of these features are shared with languages from another language family, suggesting that the protolanguages and progenitors of modern isolates arose at the original confusion of languages.”

Semitic languages (74) include Arabic (South Semitic) and Hebrew (together with Aramaic, Canaanite, and others categorized as West Semitic languages).

Both are written from right to left, with the Arabic alphabet having six more letters than Hebrew’s 22. The consonants common to both are often named similarly. Neither alphabet has symbols for vowels. Many words are made of a root of three consonants which can be modified to form variations on that word. Around 60% of the vocabulary is related.

The Semitic group shows generally a loss of complexity over time while remaining more complex than English. One example is Akkadian (extinct East Semitic).

Based on evolution, it would be expected that going back in time, languages would be found to be simpler. The opposite is the case. For example, nouns in English and Dutch—both Germanic languages—had several cases in the past, but these are now almost entirely gone. New High German still possesses cases, but not as many as Old High German, for example.

Biblical history provides answers for all the reasons the world is as it is today. The many fulfilled Biblical prophecies also provide ample evidence Biblical history is true. They are also the reason why we can expect the many prophecies of Jesus’ second coming to be fulfilled exactly as outlined in both the O.T. and N.T., particularly in Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy, Jesus Olivet Discourse, and Revelation. The following Scriptures are to whet your appetite for all the gems that are in the Bible concerning Jesus’ second coming and the end of Satan’s rule on this earth. Next is Jesus and the Saints ruling on this earth for 1000 years – Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom. Go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net for more information on what comes next on God’s agenda.

DANIEL’S 70 WEEKS

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks, it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end, there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week, he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” Daniel 9:24-27

OLIVET DISCOURSE

“As he (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come... “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:3-14,29-31

REVELATION: SAINTS RAPTURED – STANDING IN TRANSFIGURED BODIES BEFORE GOD’S THRONE

“After this, I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-14

“For this, we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18