Movie Review: Knowing

The greatest mystery of our time is "Why?" Why do we exist. Why are we here? What is our purpose? What happens when our time on Earth is over? There are nearly as many answers to the questions as there are people asking them. But only one answer can be correct.

In Knowing, starring Nicholas Cage, we see what some confused souls likely believe to be the answer. It's hard to talk in great detail here about Knowing without too many spoilers. Perhaps a quick look at the theatrical trailer will give you an overview of the movie without spoiling it for you. Then I'll add my thoughts.


Direct video link.

First, let me begin by saying that Knowing is great entertainment. The story line is well thought out and presented well, and is, frankly, quite compelling. The acting, for the most part, is quite convincing (with the exception of one of the child actors, which I somehow find it easy to overlook). The effects, at times, are top notch, while at others (one scene in particular, toward the end of the movie) leave something to be desired.

If you enjoy science fiction, and you aren't easily influenced by Hollywood fiction, then you should see this movie. If you are solidly grounded in your faith -- whatever that faith might be -- then you might want to see this movie. If you are uncertain of what you believe, and frequently find yourself in doubt or asking the questions mentioned above, then you should probably steer clear of this movie. It is pure entertainment and not in any way grounded in fact, but too many people when presented with any kind of fictional account of what the End Times might be like, find themselves considering such fiction as a real possibility. This, I assure you, is not a possible portrayal of what the End Times will be like.

As Knowing rolls into the last fifteen minutes or so of the movie, the story takes a rather sharp turn from mere fiction to outright fantasy, and SPOILER ALERT (sorry), the closing scene of the movie might easily be mistaken by the gullible as the opening chapters of the book of Genesis, where a new Adam and Eve (in this case, Caleb and Abby) find themselves in a beautiful garden and take off running across the field toward what could be the Tree of Life (or, perhaps, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil bearing the Forbidden Fruit). END OF SPOILER.

Maybe it is best advised, for those who find themselves uncertain after watching Knowing, to crack open The Word and read the book of Revelation, specifically Revelation 21:1-22:21. There, you will find a factual account of what we can expect in the End Times. In the meantime, if you can watch this movie and separate fact from fiction, fantasy from reality, enjoy Knowing. It just might get you thinking about The Word. Just remember, this is Hollywood, not prophecy!

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press

A One World Currency?

Many End Times scholars believe that a World Currency will be adopted in the Last Days.

He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16-17

The belief stems from the fact that the Antichrist will rise above other world leaders to assume leadership of a unified government. In his thirst for the ultimate power that got Satan ejected from Heaven, the Bible teaches us that the Antichrist will implement a payment system (the mark of the beast) that will require everyone to use the same currency to buy or sell. Whether that currency will be a physical currency -- as Russian President Medvedev recently presented a potential example of -- or a digital currency of some type is yet to be seen. From the Future World Currency proponents:

We are presenting the peoples of nations, governments, institutions, intellectuals, ordinary people, pragmatists and idealists, scholars and, above all, young people - the real protagonists of the future - with a simple, ingenuous yet determined long-term vision for building an ideal bridge with tomorrow and interpreting a dream to transform into reality. [emphasis added]

Of course, especially young people, as they are the most susceptible in our society to this type of manipulation. I have always felt that the Euro is possibly an early precursor of some type of one world currency. I can honestly say that I don't feel any better about a currency proposed by the Russian government. Especially when Medvedev's puppet-government is actually under control of the Vladimir Putin (whom my wife says is the Antichrist).

The silver-lining to this cloud? Every Biblical prophesy come true is one step closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

What are your thoughts?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press

End Times Prophecy

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.

• S: "'That's when Michael, the great angel-prince, champion of your people, will step in. It will be a time of trouble, the worst trouble the world has ever seen. But your people will be saved from the trouble, every last one found written in the Book. Many who have been long dead and buried will wake up, some to eternal life, others to eternal shame. "'Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever. "'This is a confidential report, Daniel, for your eyes and ears only. Keep it secret. Put the book under lock and key until the end. In the interim there is going to be a lot of frantic running around, trying to figure out what's going on.' "As I, Daniel, took all this in, two figures appeared, one standing on this bank of the river and one on the other bank. One of them asked a third man who was dressed in linen and who straddled the river, 'How long is this astonishing story to go on?' "The man dressed in linen, who straddled the river, raised both hands to the skies. I heard him solemnly swear by the Eternal One that it would be a time, two times, and half a time, that when the oppressor of the holy people was brought down the story would be complete. "I heard all this plainly enough, but I didn't understand it. So I asked, 'Master, can you explain this to me?' "'Go on about your business, Daniel,' he said. 'The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what's going on.' "From the time that the daily worship is banished from the Temple and the obscene desecration is set up in its place, there will be 1,290 days. "Blessed are those who patiently make it through the 1,335 days. "And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it's all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward." Daniel 12 [MSG]
  
• O: For 3-1/2 years the "oppressor" will rule the Earth during a time of Great Tribulation. ... when the oppressor of the holy people [is] brought down the story [will] be complete.
  
• A: Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, before His death and resurrection, before His ascention into Heaven, before the revelation to John, there was Daniel. The book of Daniel is so full of End Times prophecy that it is often read in conjunction with the book of Revelation. God revealed to Daniel many of the events that will take place when the Antichrist makes his rise to power. It seems that much of what God revealed to Daniel has already begun to come ture. It is only a matter of time before the full prophecy is fulfilled.
  
• P: Father, open our eyes that we might see the signs and choose wisely how we want to spend eternity.
  

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Joe

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End Times Prophecy

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.

• S: When I was thirty years of age, I was living with the exiles on the Kebar River. On the fifth day of the fourth month, the sky opened up and I saw visions of God. (It was the fifth day of the month in the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin that God's Word came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, on the banks of the Kebar River in the country of Babylon. God's hand came upon him that day.) I looked: I saw an immense dust storm come from the north, an immense cloud with lightning flashing from it, a huge ball of fire glowing like bronze. Within the fire were what looked like four creatures vibrant with life. Each had the form of a human being, but each also had four faces and four wings. Their legs were as sturdy and straight as columns, but their feet were hoofed like those of a calf and sparkled from the fire like burnished bronze. On all four sides under their wings they had human hands. All four had both faces and wings, with the wings touching one another. They turned neither one way nor the other; they went straight forward. Their faces looked like this: In front a human face, on the right side the face of a lion, on the left the face of an ox, and in back the face of an eagle. So much for the faces. The wings were spread out with the tips of one pair touching the creature on either side; the other pair of wings covered its body. Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit went, they went. They didn't turn as they went. The four creatures looked like a blazing fire, or like fiery torches. Tongues of fire shot back and forth between the creatures, and out of the fire, bolts of lightning. The creatures flashed back and forth like strikes of lightning. As I watched the four creatures, I saw something that looked like a wheel on the ground beside each of the four-faced creatures. This is what the wheels looked like: They were identical wheels, sparkling like diamonds in the sun. It looked like they were wheels within wheels, like a gyroscope. They went in any one of the four directions they faced, but straight, not veering off. The rims were immense, circled with eyes. When the living creatures went, the wheels went; when the living creatures lifted off, the wheels lifted off. Wherever the spirit went, they went, the wheels sticking right with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When the creatures went, the wheels went; when the creatures stopped, the wheels stopped; when the creatures lifted off, the wheels lifted off, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Over the heads of the living creatures was something like a dome, shimmering like a sky full of cut glass, vaulted over their heads. Under the dome one set of wings was extended toward the others, with another set of wings covering their bodies. When they moved I heard their wings—it was like the roar of a great waterfall, like the voice of The Strong God, like the noise of a battlefield. When they stopped, they folded their wings. And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that's what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! When I saw all this, I fell to my knees, my face to the ground. Then I heard a voice. Ezekiel 1 [MSG]
  
• O: End Time prophecy in the Bible is often of a very symbolic nature. Why?
  
• A: These current readings through the book of Revelation, and now Ezekiel, are some of the richest, most colorfully descriptive passages in the Bible. End Times prophecy, full of symbolism. It has been argued by many opponents of Biblical End Times prophecy that the symbolism is so difficult to interpret that it's impossible to learn what to expect from such prophecy. While much of the Bible speaks in very literal terms of what did happen or what will happen, the books of Revelation, Ezekiel, even Daniel -- all with prophecy of the End Times -- are filled with rich symbolism. While much of that symbolism is difficult for the unstudied to interpret, God has blessed us with learned scholars of the Bible whom He has granted the wisdom to see the meaning behind the symbolism and share with us His message. Just as you would turn to a physician for clarification on matters of medicine, or a scientist on matters of science, or even a mathematician on the more difficult principles of algebra or calculus, you should also turn to the experts on some of the more confusing points of theology. When we don't understand E=mc², we ask a scientist for help. When we don't understand the significance of Pi (3.1415926.....), we as a mathematician for help. When we don't understand the impact of high cholesterol or high blood pressure, we ask a doctor. It stands to reason then, when we don't understand the symbolism of End Times prophecy, we should ask a trusted theologian for help. Don't just write it off as so much fantasy. The fate of your soul for eternity could be at stake.
  
• P: Father, open my eyes over these next several days as I dig into the symbolism of Your revelation of what's to come. Help me to find understanding and communicate that clearly in my dealings with others.
  

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Joe

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Choosing My Own Theme?

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this. Isaiah 9:6-7 [MSG]
  
• O: The birth and reign of Christ predicted by Isaiah in the Old Testament.
  
• A: There seems to be a theme running here about the birth of Christ, His death and resurrection, our Salvation, and His Second Coming. Day after day I keep coming across scriptures that reference the same theme. Am I listening for what God has to say, letting Him guide me through the scripture? Or am I subconsciously selecting the same type of passages each day because they're easy? Or filled with hope? Or for some similar reason?
• P: Father, open my eyes that I might see, my ears that I might hear, and my heart that I might let You guide me through Your Word. Remove any bias or prejudice that might pull me in any one direction over another. Show me Your Way, Lord.

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Joe

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The Butcher of Babylon

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Isaiah 13-14
  
• O: "Babylon is doomed. It won't be long now." But not so with Jacob. God will have compassion on Jacob. Once again he'll choose Israel. He'll establish them in their own country.... When God has given you time to recover from the abuse and trouble and harsh servitude that you had to endure, you can amuse yourselves by taking up this satire, a taunt against the king of Babylon: "Can you believe it? The tyrant is gone! The tyranny is over! God has broken the rule of the wicked, the power of the bully-rulers That crushed many people. A relentless rain of cruel outrage Established a violent rule of anger rife with torture and persecution. And now it's over, the whole earth quietly at rest.... Now you are as nothing as we are! Make yourselves at home with us dead folks!" This is where your pomp and fine music led you, Babylon, to your underworld private chambers, A king-size mattress of maggots for repose and a quilt of crawling worms for warmth.... People will stare and muse: "Can this be the one Who terrorized earth and its kingdoms, turned earth to a moonscape, Wasted its cities, shut up his prisoners to a living death?" Other kings get a decent burial, honored with eulogies and placed in a tomb. But you're dumped in a ditch unburied, like a stray dog or cat, Covered with rotting bodies, murdered and indigent corpses. Your dead body desecrated, mutilated — no state funeral for you! You've left your land in ruins, left a legacy of massacre. The progeny of your evil life will never be named. Oblivion!... "I will confront them"—Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies—"and strip Babylon of name and survivors, children and grandchildren." God's Decree. "I'll make it a worthless swamp and give it as a prize to the hedgehog. And then I'll bulldoze it out of existence." Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.... What does one say to outsiders who ask questions? Tell them, "God has established Zion. Those in need and in trouble find refuge in her." (MSG)
  
• A: I am no Bible scholar. I'm just an Average Joe trying to make a little sense for myself of what God is trying tell us through His Word. But when I first read through this passage (Isaiah Chapters 13 and 14), I was floored. This passage is foretelling the destruction of Babylon. Now, I'm sure that we're talking about the destruction of ancient Babylon, but bear with me for a second. As Wikipedia explains, Babylon was a city of ancient Mesopotamia, the ruins of which can be found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers (55 mi) south of Baghdad. The ruins of ancient Babylon lie within an hour of Baghdad! And the description of the tyrant ruler in these two chapters could easily have been applied to Saddam Hussein. Again, I'm no Bible scholar, but WOW!
  
• P: Lord, as American fighting men and women risk their lives daily overseas in and around Iraq to put an end to the type of tryanny that has always run rampant in that part of the world, be with them. And be with us at home as we should lend our support to our brave troops abroad.
  

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Isaiah's Prophecy Revealed

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Isaiah 9
  
• O: Isaiah's prophecy of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, continues in the ninth chapter of the book of Isaiah, specifically verses six and seven. A child has been born to us; God has given a Son to us. He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. Power and peace will be in his kingdom and will continue to grow forever. He will rule as king on David's throne and over David's kingdom. He will make it strong by ruling with justice and goodness from now on and forever. The Lord All-Powerful will do this because of his strong love for his people. (NCV) Again, Isaiah made these prophecies nearly 800 years before the birth of Christ. As Matthew explains in his Gospel, Jesus is a decendent of King David some twenty-eight generations later, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the line of David.
  
• A: If you stay with me throughout my reading of the book of Isaiah, more prophecy of the birth of the Messiah will be revealed -- much of which was fulfilled nearly 800 years later in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, and much of which is yet to be filled in the second coming of Christ. With such large portions of the book of Isaiah devoted to prophecy (59%), most of which has already been fulfilled, two things are clear: 1) Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to save us from our sins so that we might live with Him forever in paradise, and 2) God wants so much for us to know and accept this fact that He revealed it to us nearly 3000 years ago, through the prophet Isaiah.
  
• P: Father, as the master clock by which You will determine the timing of the events of the end times continues to tick down, please help me to seize the opportunities I'm given to share the Good News with others, so that more may know You.
  

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Beginning Isaiah

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Isaiah 7-8
  
• O: The book of Isaiah is all about prophecy. A book that is throughly studied by Bible scholars, it is frequently overlooked by the Average Joe wanting to get to know a little more about God. It is the longest book from the Old Testament prophets, and reaches further into the future than any of the others. The author, Isaiah, prophesied of the virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah (The Lord himself will give you a miraculous sign. The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And he will be called Immanuel. ISA 7:14, NIrV). This prophecy occurred nearly 800 years before Jesus' birth! I've just begun my study of the book of Isaiah, reading from multiple translations of the Bible (New International Version, New International Readers Version, King James Version, the Message), and there is still much to read. As I take this journey through the book of Isaiah, I'll be sharing with you key passages, what they mean to me, and how amazing it is that such accurate predictions have came hundreds of years in advance. Including prophecy about the tragedies this world will suffer during the Great Tribulation, and Christ taking his throne in the Millenial Kingdom. It's all there in the book of Isaiah. And, for you naysayers who think that some guy could have just written down what is already history as if it hadn't occurred yet, consider this: the book of Isaiah is among Biblical writings found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. These texts date back to the 2nd century B.C. -- at least two hundred years before Jesus' birth! So, those among you who might doubt, for them to be a forgery, they would still have been forged some two hundred years before the very events that they predict. Prophecy is prophecy, no matter how you slice it.
  
• A: Many scientists and historians would have you believe that the Bible is fiction, that there is no God, and that the stories of creation, the Great Flood, and Salvation are all false. Archeology has proven time and again that these great Biblical stories are indeed facts -- that they did occur. And the prophecies in the Bible are still coming true today! As we rapidly progress into the last days, knowledge is power -- the power to save!
  
• P: Father, guide me through my study of the book of Isaiah, and the wisdom contained therein. Help me to share the Good News from the prophet in a way that is clear, concise, and accurate -- not misleading in any way. And help me, Father, to learn from your word, as well, so that I may better serve You in all that I do.
  

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