Was it ‘Global Warming’ or God’s Warning?

(and what does Israel have to do with it?)

The repeated waves of tornados last week caught many by surprise but caused far fewer deaths than rescuers could believe after surveying  the destruction. Unbelievers are quick to blame global warming. But Bible believers who know God’s heart, see a different picture. The continuing chill in relations between the present U.S. administration and Israel is causing increasing concern.

As the recent Chick tract, Somebody Angry?( scroll down to view the tract)  points out, there are just too many disasters in America happening too close to major turning points in U.S.-Israeli dealings. In an attempt to spotlight God’s warning about those who fail to bless Israel, Jack Chick included a list of recent “coincidences” that happened in unlikely sequence.

The tract rehearses Israel’s history of persecution since God drove them from the promised land because of their unbelief and rebellion. In the middle ages, the Vatican attempted to wipe them out and gain control of Jerusalem and “God’s land.” For centuries, Jews were forced to live in ghettos, but they always yearned to return to their promised land.

The Bible is very clear about who owns Jerusalem and the land that God promised to Abraham. God frequently refers to it as “My Land.” Today there is a global conspiracy against Jerusalem by the Vatican, Islam and the United Nations. From the beginning the popes have declared that God is finished with the Jews because they rejected their Messiah. Therefore, they no longer have any right or claim to Jerusalem. The Vatican is pushing to have the city under “international” jurisdiction, presumably by the U.N. This “replacement theology” idea is not just in “church.” Many secularists have suggested that Israel just quietly pick up stakes and move to somewhere like Argentina to put an end to the argument over this postage stamp of real estate in the volatile Middle East.

Islam, on the other hand, teaches that whenever any land is ever conquered by Muslims, it forever belongs to Allah. They have succeeded in occupying Jerusalem off and on over the centuries and presently have a key mosque built on the Jewish temple mount. So, their claim to ownership is a major factor in what we call the “Mideast Conflict.”

Jesus Christ by Akiane Kramarik

But, the Bible says the God of Israel has the last say about the land. And history bears this out. God promised that, in the last days, He would gather his people back to His land. Their success, against all odds, in establishing a nation and successfully defending it, fulfills God’s plan.

Meanwhile, those nations that have failed to bless God’s chosen people have suffered His curse. The Vatican’s Holy Roman Empire collapsed. Britain’s global power deteriorated rapidly when they refused to give sanctuary to the Jews fleeing from Hitler’s genocide. Germany was split in two for decades after they attempted to solve the “Jewish problem” by annihilation.

America has enjoyed a couple of centuries of unbelievable blessing and prosperity, particularly in a period after Israel became a nation and we stood solidly behind her. But in the last few years, the U.S. has foolishly come to depend on Israel’s enemies for oil to energize our economy and we increasingly see Israel as just another “Jewish problem” rather than a true friend in a chaotic world.

And again, the land, God’s Land, becomes the issue. Every time we squeeze Israel to give up more “land for peace,” God lifts His hand of blessing and disasters are the result. The tract,Somebody Angry,(see below) details the amazing “coincidences” between our change of attitude and increasing disasters. America beware! Any attempt to trade HIS LAND for peace will only reap a tornado of His wrath.

Somebody Angry? - courtesy of www.chick.com

Pray for him: Bolton's Muamba fighting for his life after collapsing on the pitch

Tottenham’s FA Cup tie against Bolton was dramatically called off when Trotters midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed in the centre of the White Hart Lane pitch after suffering a suspected heart attack in front of 36,000 fans and a television audience of a million.

The 23-year-old, who was reported to have stopped breathing, received cardio-resuscitation treatment from doctors and paramedics as shocked and distressed players from both sides looked on.

Shock: Owen Coyle and players from both sides show their concern for Fabrice Muamba

Some of them were in tears, others openly prayed while Muamba, an England Under 21 player who had arrived in  Britain as an 11-year-old when his father was granted asylum after earlier fleeing as a political refugee from their native Democratic Republic of Congo, fought for his life.

After 10 minutes of treatment, Muamba was carried from the field on a stretcher and rushed to the London Chest Hospital, where he was still being treated late on Saturday night. 

Horror: Benoit Assou-Ekotto, William Gallas, Carlo Cudicini and Coyle look on

A statement from Bolton said: ‘Fabrice is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care.’

Muamba’s collapse in the 41st minute went largely unnoticed by the majority of the supporters in the stadium. He had not been involved in a collision, no other player was near him and he was moving into position for a goal-kick when he collapsed.

In action: Muamba (left) completes with Rafael van der Vaart at White Hart Lane

As it quickly became clear that the problem was of the utmost seriousness, Bolton and Spurs players, including Rafael van der Vaart and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, gestured desperately to the bench for immediate treatment. 

Bolton physio Andy Mitchell rushed to Muamba’s aid and he was joined by doctors and CPR staff as it became apparent that the situation was life-threatening. 

Stunned: Van der Vaart is lost in prayer

 

Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager, joined the medical teams near the centre circle while players and staff from both teams gathered on the touchline near the dugout, consoling one another. Some, including Dedryck Boyota and Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe, were in tears.

Bolton fans chanted Muamba’s name in a gesture of support and they were joined by Tottenham fans as the gravity of the situation became clear. 

After 10 minutes of treatment, Muamba was put on a stretcher and CPR continued as he left the pitch to sustained applause. 

He was taken to hospital, Coyle and club captain Kevin Davies travelling with him. 

Quick to react: With Muamba floored, referee Howard Webb immediately called on medical staff

A distressed Scott Parker, the Tottenham captain, appeared to tell World Cup referee Howard Webb that the game could not continue. Shortly afterwards Webb, who also spoke to Coyle and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, took the players to the dressing rooms and within 10 minutes fans were told that the game had been abandoned. 

The announcement was met with restrained applause as the crowd began to depart. Those in the West Stand, which adjoins the main entrance at White Hart Lane, were asked to wait while the ambulance carrying Muamba departed. 

Comfort: Gareth Bale gives Jermain Defoe - a close friend of Muamba's - a show of support

As fans left the stadium, an eerie silence descended on the ground. The desperate scenes evoked memories Marc-Vivian Foe, who died after suffering a heart attack while playing for Cameroon in the 2003 Confederations Cup. 

FIFA, the world governing body, subsequently introduced compulsory heart screening before tournaments and in 2005 doctors headed by FIFA medical chief Michel D’Hooghe wrote a report on the syndrome and made further recommendations to prevent fatalities.

Stunned spectators: White Hart Lane emptied in silence

Muamba, who was born in Kinshasa, the capital of what was then Zaire, came to London as an 11-year-old in 1999. Five years earlier, his father, Marcel, had fled their homeland to escape attack by political opponents as the country plunged into civil war. 

The young Fabrice grew up in Walthamstow, just a few miles from the Tottenham ground, and was signed by Arsenal as a schoolboy. He represented England at every age level up to Under-21 and was loaned to Birmingham City before joining them on a permanent basis. He switched to Bolton in 2008 in a £5million move.

Football rallied in support of Muamba. Spurs midfielder Van der Vaart said on Twitter: ‘Terrible what happened with Muamba. We’re all praying for him.’ 

England midfielder Jack Wilshere, who played with Muamba in Arsenal and England youth teams and during a loan spell at Bolton, wrote: ‘Hope Muamba is OK. Thoughts with him.’

FA chairman David Bernstein said: ‘I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Fabrice Muamba and his family.’ Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore praised ‘the compasion shown by the fans’ of both sides.

The game was level at 1-1 when it was called off, following Gareth Bale’s own goal which Kyle Walker cancelled out in the 11th minute.

New Seven Wonders of The World

In 2007, more than 100 million people voted to declare the New Seven Wonders of the World. The following list of seven winners is presented without ranking, and aims to represent global heritage.

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China, China

Built between the 5th century B.C. and the 16th century, the Great Wall of China is a stone-and-earth fortification created to protect the borders of the Chinese Empire from invading Mongols. The Great Wall is actually a succession of multiple walls spanning approximately 4,000 miles, making it the world's longest man-made structure.

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Art Deco-style Christ the Redeemer statue has been looming over the Brazilians from upon Corcovado mountain in an awe-inspiring state of eternal blessing since 1931. The 130-foot reinforced concrete-and-soapstone statue was designed by Heitor da Silva Costa and cost approximately $250,000 to build - much of the money was raised through donations. The statue has become an easily recognized icon for Rio and Brazil.

Christ The Redeemer Statue

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, an Incan city of sparkling granite precariously perched between 2 towering Andean peaks, is thought by scholars to have been a sacred archaeological center for the nearby Incan capital of Cusco. Built at the peak of the Incan Empire in the mid-1400s, this mountain citadel was later abandoned by the Incas. The site remained unknown except to locals until 1911, when it was rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The site can only be reached by foot, train or helicopter; most visitors visit by train from nearby Cusco.

Machu Pichu

Chichen Itza, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The genius and adaptability of Mayan culture can be seen in the splendid ruins of Chichen Itza. This powerful city, a trading center for cloth, slaves, honey and salt, flourished from approximately 800 to 1200, and acted as the political and economic hub of the Mayan civilization. The most familiar ruin at the site is El Caracol, a sophisticated astronomical observatory.

Chichen Itza

The Roman Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Rome's, if not Italy's, most enduring icon is undoubtedly its Colosseum. Built between A.D. 70 and 80 A.D., it was in use for some 500 years. The elliptical structure sat nearly 50,000 spectators, who gathered to watch the gladiatorial events as well as other public spectacles, including battle reenactments, animal hunts and executions. Earthquakes and stone-robbers have left the Colosseum in a state of ruin, but portions of the structure remain open to tourists, and its design still influences the construction of modern-day amphitheaters, some 2,000 years later.

Colosseum

Taj Majal, Agra, India

A mausoleum commissioned for the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Majal was built between 1632 and 1648. Considered the most perfect specimen of Muslim art in India, the white-marble Taj Majal actually represents a number of architectural styles, including Persian, Islamic, Turkish and Indian. The Taj Majal also encompasses formal gardens of raised pathways, sunken flower beds and a linear reflecting pool.

Taj Mahal

Petra, Jordan

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1985, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV, and likely existed in its prime from 9 B.C. to A.D. 40. The members of this civilization proved to be early experts in manipulating water technology, constructing intricate tunnels and water chambers, which helped create an pseudo-oasis. A number of incredible structures carved into stone, a 4,000-seat amphitheater and the El-Deir monastery have also helped the site earn its fame.

Petra of Jordan