There are a few questions that trip up just about everybody. But every question has an answer. I have been asked a number of these, and some I didn’t have the answer to at the time. So, I’ve looked up a few and I want to share those, so that you can have the answers, too, and so you can tell anyone else who asks you. This time, we tackle tattoos, smoking, drugs, and comparing sin- is any of it really so bad?

                                       Don’t forget to leave your questions and comments below!!

1. Is getting a tattoo a sin?

This question grows in popularity as the “art” of self-mutilation grows. It has become easier and more acceptable to get tattooed. Many are even risking infection and disease by having them done with needles and pen ink in their own homes. The danger there goes without saying, but is it a sin? The Bible mentions tattoos specifically one time. That is in the book of Leviticus.

Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:28 NIV)

Now, some people have argued against this statement, despite it being perfectly clear. Among the series of commands that this verse is in, we are also told not to eat bloody meat, not to practice divination or sorcery, not to cut our hair at the sides or trim the edges of our beard, and not to make our daughters prostitute. Out of these, the only one we don’t follow nowadays is the trimming of our hair and beards. This command was for the Jews (some of whom still practice it), and was “overturned,” so to speak, later on. Still, some have said that since we cut our hair, we can cut our bodies and tattoo ourselves. This is not a fair comparison at all. We must look at what a tattoo really is, and what it does to our body.

We need to be extremely careful of what marks we put on our bodies. If, for no other reason at all, then for the following.

He [the Antichrist] also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that none 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 NIV)

That is what we commonly call the “Mark of the beast”. It is something that most people will actually want to get, because they are blinded by the convenience and commonality of the world. Still, we can look even deeper into a tattoo’s function. How do you get a tattoo? You let someone stab you with a needle, and while the wound is fresh, they inject foreign ink into your body. Despite some of the beautifully artistic pieces, my view has always been “Hang it on a wall”. So tattooing is not really more than a clever way to mutilate the flesh with a pleasant-looking after effect. What does the Bible say about that?

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:15, 19-20 NIV)

Since your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and you are living for God, and your body in fact belongs to Him, what authority do you have to cut, poke, mutilate, inject ink, etc.? Jesus paid a price for your body, for your very life, and God asks that in return you use your body to honor Him. Paul warns in his letter to the Philippians,

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. (Philippians 3:2 NIV)

So let us take to heart the words of Scripture that plead with us to offer ourselves wholly to God, body, mind, and everything that we are. Don’t allow an inch of the devil’s work to touch you or taint you. Allow yourself to be put to unadulterated service, in every capacity, to the Lord. Since God is in control, let His glory be your decoration, and supply yourself to Him.

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13 NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

What about those who already have a tattoo?

Don’t worry if you have one. Many people have gotten tattoos before becoming a Christian, or maybe just didn’t realize the way God felt about it. While the tattoo is difficult to remove, the sin isn’t. Cutting yourself or tattooing is NOT the unforgiveable sin. God will forgive you if you repent sincerely. Many Christians who were previously tattooed use the mark as a part of their testimony of the life they left behind when they accepted Christ. It is never too late.

                               Don’t forget to leave your questions and comments below!!

2. Is it a sin to smoke or do drugs?

This question has a lot of similarity to tattooing, since it involves harm to the body. However, there are a couple other reasons that smoking and drugs are sinful.

One of the biggest excuses is that God made it, so it’s okay to smoke it. This isn’t further from the truth. Although the Bible does declare that God made everything for good, (Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 3:11a) you must also remember that the earth is not now how God originally made it. Because of the sin of mankind, the earth was changed. God allowed thorns and thistles to grow, plants that were not for our practical use; plants that were not in God’s perfect Garden.

Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. (Genesis 3:17-18 NIV underline added for emphasis. See also Hebrews 6:8)

Another reason is that it is illegal to do drugs, and to smoke until a certain age. Ask yourself, “Why would such a law be in place unless it was somehow harmful to smoke?” The truth is, the law allows you smoke at such an age because they believe that at that age, you can decide whether or not you want to harm your own body and health. The Bible demands that we not only obey God, but also our governing authorities, i.e. the police, courts, judges, laws, etc. If it is illegal, and harmful to our bodies, you are really committing two sins at once if you smoke.

            Obey your leaders and submit to their authority… (Hebrews 13:17 NIV)

One other thought is this: God has made everything, but for a good purpose. Marijuana plants can be used to make hemp, which is useful and safe. God never said that should smoke the plant. That was sinful man’s idea.

Remember, your body is made in God’s image and is designed for worship. Jesus died to give you life, not so you could slowly destroy yourself. Keep in mind what the Bible teaches about your body:

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:15, 19-20 NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

                 Don’t forget to leave your questions and comments below!!

3. I try to be good, but I keep making mistakes. Since everybody sins, is really such a big deal if I do once in a while? 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

To you, it might seem like no big deal. It might even seem that way to the person you sinned against. To God, however, it’s a very big deal; the BIGGEST! Sin is the one factor that separates us from God, even if its what we call a little sin. The Bible tells us that everyone has sinned.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

This is a HUGE problem for us. Even just one little lie; or if we steal a candy bar; or if we misuse God’s Name; all of these make us imperfect. God is absolutely perfect, and so is heaven. If heaven had just one sinner in it, it would no longer be a perfect place. Because of this, we have only two options: Be perfect or go to the only other place we can go- hell. “But,” some would ask, “What about all the good deeds I do?”

            For all of us have become like one who is unclean,

And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;… (Isaiah 64:6)

All your good deeds are wonderful, and please God, but compared to our sin, every good deed is like a dirty garment. What value is a filthy, robe? Absolutely none. God doesn’t measure your sins in one pile and your good works in another to determine if you make it. You are either perfect, or you aren’t. The problem is, everyone has sinned,, and there is a price to pay for sin:

            For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23)

Because we sin, we die. The punishment for sin is that death, and if we die with that sin still covering our lives, the death continues in hell. That is why God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sin. We are instructed in how we can have our sin erased, as though it never happened!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Jesus has paid the price for us, but we can choose to accept or ignore this gift. To accept, all we need to do is confess our sins to Him, and He will faithfully forgive us. That is how we can be made perfect! Once God forgives our sin, we have a new start; a perfect record! Of course, we need to try our best to avoid sin in the future, but should we slip up, God is still faithful to His Word. The apostle John continues to urge us on by saying:

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)

Jesus paid the price for the entire world. That includes you. The prophet Joel records God’s words as He urgently calls us to go back to Him in repentance. God beckons us to Him.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

“Return to Me with all your heart,

And with fasting weeping and mourning;

And rend your heart and not your garments.”

Now return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and compassionate,

Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness,

And relenting of evil. (Joel 2:12-13)

When you go to God with your sin, it’s serious, yet He is slow to anger. He loves to be gracious and kind to us; He loves to defeat the evil in us. God would be more than thrilled to forgive you of your sin. He wants to erase the sin and one day welcome you into His Heavenly Kingdom. If you need to, confess your sins to Jesus in prayer.

            He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

            But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. (Proverbs 28:13)

 What are your thoughts on any of these questions? Do you have questions of your own? Let me know below!

There are a few questions that trip up just about everybody. But every question has an answer. I have been asked a number of these, and some I didn’t have the answer to at the time. So, I’ve looked up a few and I want to share those, so that you can have the answers, too, and so you can tell anyone else who asks you.

 

1. If God made everything, then who made God?


“To whom then will you liken Me

That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high
And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them all by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,
Not one of them is missing.

(Isaiah 40:25-26)


God is not something that we can compare to anything. That includes time. God created “time” for us; something measurable by which we can gauge our life. God is not limited by time, space, distance, etc. He is limitless with few exceptions: He can do no wrong, and He cannot be out-done. Other than that, God is limitless. To ask where God came from, you have to assume there was a “where” to come from. If we ask who made God, we are falsely assuming that there was someone to make God, and that God was made. He was not. Before God made the earth, there was no billions and billions of years; there was no time, as we know it.

 

We usually picture time as a line, because it simplifies our explanation. To God, time is more like liquid. Imagine a big bowl of water. You live in one drop of that water; that’s your “time” on earth. Other drops are the Creation of the world, the great flood, the Tower of Babel, the Crucifixion of Jesus, the 1980 U.S. Presidential elections, the moon landing, the last world war, the future rise of the antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon, the final trumpet sounding, the new earth, etc. In that bowl of water, God can see everything clearly, and it is all fluid to Him. He holds the bowl in His hands, and can touch any event or era at once. God can see your sin at the same “time” He is judging you, at the same “time” He watches His Son, Jesus, die on a cross for you. God is not limited to time as we are.

 

So, who made God? No one. He’s always been, for as long as time as we know it has existed.

Where did God come from? There was no “where” for Him to come from, until He made it.

 

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

 

I realize that this is a concept that is very hard to understand. We think about everything using time. Hours, minutes, dates, ages, anniversaries, and the list goes on and on. You can’t understand God fully; just accept that much- its okay. What is important is that you have faith that God is. Just believe in Him to be in control over time, and over your life.

 

 

2. What does God look like? Why doesn’t He show Himself to us?

So many kids have asked me this question, and “No one knows” is never a satisfying answer. That is the short answer, because we cannot stand face to face with Him and get details, but the Bible does offer us an idea of how God would look. Our first clue comes from the first chapter of Genesis.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

So if you want to see God, you can look in a mirror. Since you and I are made in His image, we are a reflection of Him. God looks like us, each and every person who ever has, is, or will live is made in God’s image.

Daniel had a vision of God, although he did not physically see God, this is the image in Daniel’s vision:

“As I looked,
       “thrones were set in place,
       and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
       His clothing was as white as snow;
       the hair of his head was white like wool. (Daniel 7:9)

 

The truth is that we cannot see God; no one has, except Jesus. John 1:18 says,

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.( NIV)

 

Jesus affirmed these words in John 6:46, and John wrote again in 1John 4:12 that “no one has ever seen God”.  There was also a time when Moses found favor with the Lord. Moses asked God to show His glory. He didn’t want to continue on without the presence of God.

 

Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”

And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you…” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”

Then the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”(Exodus 33:19-23)

 

Following this experience, Moses’ face shone so much, the Israelites put a veil on his face. Just the passing glory of God has such a dramatic effect on a person, it is no wonder we cannot see His face and live. The beauty and glory is far too powerful for our human bodies to stand.

Others have had occurrences with God. Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden before their fall into sin. (see Genesis 3:8-13)  God appeared to Abraham (see Genesis 18:2-33), to Jacob (see Genesis 35:7, 9), to Solomon (see 1 Kings 3:5; 9:2; 11:9; 2 Chronicles 1:7; 7:12), to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-5), and to Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 1:26-28)

The Lord has also appeared as a symbol or sign, such as the burning bush (Exodus 3:2), as fire (Exodus 19:16-24) and clouds; He has shown himself by miracles, such as stopping the sun in the sky, setting a rainbow in the sky, tearing the temple veil, parting the Red Sea, providing food where there is none, writing on a wall, earthquakes, and much, much more.

One of the main reasons for God appearing symbolically is established in the first letter to Timothy:

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV Underline added for emphasis)

God has what we would consider a physical appearance; He does look like something, but the invisibility is in respect to an audience of humans. God’s invisibility toward us is by His choice. It encourages faith. Rather that showing up and forcing belief, God chose to remain at a visual distance so that we can choose to seek Him and believe. It allows us to decide whether or not we will follow Him, or the ways of the convenient world.

 

 

3. Who wrote the Bible?

Many people who are critical of Christianity or religion in general, argue that we don’t know who wrote the Bible. A little studying goes a long way, as we now know almost every author. Some continue to argue that the Bible is written by mankind, so we cannot trust it as being “from God”. We know, however, that:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)

So without further ado, here are the authors who penned the words of God-

BOOK

WHO WROTE IT

Genesis

Moses

Exodus

Moses

Leviticus

Moses

Numbers

Moses

Deuteronomy

Moses

Joshua

Joshua

Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel,

1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Esther, Job

Debated or unknown authors

Lamentations

Jeremiah

Psalms: A composite of many authors’ work. Of the 150 psalms, 116 are provided with a title

Psalms 3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145

David

Psalm 42, 44-45, 47-49, 84-85, 87

Sons of Korah

Psalms 50, 73-83

Asaph

Psalm 72, 127

Solomon

Psalm 88

Heman the Ezrahite

Psalm 89

Ethan the Ezrahite

Psalm 90

Moses

Psalm 119

Ezra

Psalms 120-134

Hezekiah

Psalm 137

Jeremiah

Psalms 146-147

Haggai and Zechariah

Proverbs- Again, the book is a composite, so far as authorship is concerned.

Proverbs 1:1-24:22

Solomon

Proverbs 24:23-34

Attributed to “the wise”

Proverbs 25:1-29:27

Attributed to Solomon, but were collected and recorded by “Hezekiah’s men”.

Proverbs 30:1-33

Agur

Proverbs 31:1-31

Lemuel

Ecclesiastes

Solomon

Ezra-Nehemiah

Author unknown, though Ezra’s chapters 7-9 apparently were written by Ezra, since they are in the first person.

Song of Songs

Solomon

The following were written by the person whose name they bear.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai

Zechariah

Chapters 1-8 written by Zechariah; Chapters 9-11 by Jeremiah; Chapters 12-14 are titled “an oracle” and are attributed to no one.

Malachi

Some believe Malachi was the name of a specific prophet, but it is also the Hebrew term (mal´aki) for “my messenger”, used for priests and prophets alike. Thus, based on Mark 1:2-3, Malachi may have been  written by Isaiah

Matthew

Matthew

Mark

Mark

Luke

Luke

John

John

Acts

Luke

Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy. Titus, Philemon

Paul

Hebrews

Possibly Paul

James

James

1 Peter

Peter

2 Peter

Peter

1, 2 & 3 John

John

Jude

Jude

Revelation

John

 

I have noticed a gain in the interest of two particular topics, both of which are related quite closely. The topics of which I speak are UPC codes and their connection to the number 666, and the use of small electronic chips implanted in people.

 Share your comments below!   

Let me briefly bring up to speed the issues of each. In barcodes, there is a hidden “666” in each one. These are not in the actual bars that represent the digits, but in the “guard bars”, which are at the ends and middle of the barcode, and usually extend down slightly further than the others. There is a left side parity and a right side parity of each digit, 0-9, making 20 bar and space combinations. The guard bars are patterned “bar-space-bar”, which is what the number six reads, in the “right side parity”. So, to the human eye, they read as a clear 6-6-6. You can read more about that in detail at Mark of the Beast- Part 1- Barcode 666.

The chips are called RFID chips, which stands for Radio Frequency Identification. They are able to hold all of your vital information, including bank account info, SSN, Date of Birth, medical records, and they are able to work with programs that control door locks on cars and homes, turn on your computer, etc. They will be marketed as convenient and safe, and people will buy them, having doctors implant them into their skin. While on the surface, this seems harmless, and in fact terrifically impressive, there are a great number of hidden dangers. To read more specifics on the production of RFID chips, read Mark of the Beast- Part 2- RFID Chip.

 

So, what is the connection? How can something that would eliminate identity theft and provide vital medical information be bad? Each and every RFID chip is assigned and associated to a barcode number. That is its, or your, identification number (Yes, you will be a number). That means that every person will have a tiny “666” imbedded in their skin. To add insult to insult, RFID chips are radio-frequency, which means that they are remote. Obviously, you can’t just plug it in. International governments will then be able to track them by satellite. You will have a built in GPS that tells anyone watching where you go and what you do. The same technology already lets your cell phone be tapped, even when you aren’t on a call. 

Share your comments below! 

Okay, so you have a chip that’s traceable and the barcode equals 666. What does that mean? Why are we making a big deal about it? The Bible warned us some 2,000 years ago, in speaking of the Beast, or Antichrist:

 “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” –Revelation 13:16-18 (NASB)

Share your comments below! 

 

So the number and the “mark” are clearly associated with the beast, and it is widely believed by theologians and Biblical scholars that the RFID chip, in some capacity, will be interpreted into the mark. The Bible says that the mark will be put into the right hand or forehead. Remember that the “666” in the barcodes’ guard bars is the “right hand parity”. The mark will also be forced, not just an option for the rich. The only thing that needs to happen is an occasion for the government to feel the need to take control, forcing people “for their own good” to get a chip implant. Maybe that will be a massive earthquake, volcanic explosion, tsunamis or floods. Maybe it will be one global catastrophic event. We learned a few years ago that a great tsunami could realistically wipe out tens of thousands of people. The Bible prophesies such a disaster.

 Share your comments below!

After the event, the governments will combine, forming an alliance. After all, with so much destruction and death all over the world, what better time to lay aside differences and claim peace? We know that an alliance will be formed particularly with Israel, for seven years, and be broken at 3 ½ years. When the international community forms such a union, (and by the way, the US, Canadian and Mexican governments have been planning a North American Union, scheduled for 2010 at the earliest) they will mass produce these chips. Currently, they are down to about 35¢ each. That will most likely become even lower. They will then decree that everyone will have to get one, because all monetary systems are going to be converted. (Reminiscent of the switch from analog to digital TV)

Share your comments below! 

Since everyone will have a RFID chip, stores, banks, military police and hospitals will need to know where to scan people. The fatty tissue in the palm of your hand just below your thumb is a primary spot. It is easily accessible and you can point it anywhere you need to. The other place is likely the squishy part between your eyebrows. They will all be in one of those two places for conformity and efficiency. 

Without one, you cannot buy or sell. They are imbedded with a hidden 666 code. (Remember, it takes wisdom to discern the mark of the beast, this coming from the guy who wrote and fully understood Revelation.) Taking this mark will turn you over to Satan, and seal your fate in a fiery hell. Whether you believe this or not, play it safe and take no marking whatsoever on your hand or your head.

 

If you have questions, please post them below, and I will reply to you.

If you would like to comment, please do that also. I enjoy receiving comments on my pages.

Are you American or Canadian? Ever here of Javier Solana? If not, its not surprising, there seems almost a coordinated effort to not mention him on this side of the Atlantic.

There was so much good info floating around on this man, but what seems to be almost a news blackout of his coming and goings, I thought it deserved its own topic.

And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate (Daniel 9:27 New America Standard Bible).

It is commonly believed the passage above foretells the rise of a strong leader from out of a revived Roman Empire who will make, or confirm, a covenant with the many for seven years. Israel will be included in this covenant. As far as Israel is concerned, he will violate his covenant 3 1/2 years later. In other passages from Daniel, we learn this leader will rise from among a 10-nation alliance (Daniel 7:7-8 ) and subdue three of the 10 kings (Daniel 7:24). In the New Testament book of Revelation, we learn that this leader will somehow be identified with the number 666 (Revelation 13: 18 ).

In December of 1998, at their Vienna summit, the EU’s heads created the new Office of High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy for the European Union. The holder of this Office would direct their common foreign policy toward Russia, Ukraine and the Mediterranean. Out of over 1150 documents they generated at the summit, the document that created this Office happened to be numbered 666.

On June 5, 2000, the WEU adopted its Assembly Recommendation 666. This document recommended keeping the 10 Brussels Treaty Powers together as the EU’s new military wing and giving the EU’s High Representative emergency powers over the whole EU, putting the office holder over the EU presidency.

In March of 2005, one year after the Madrid train bombings, world leaders met in Madrid to discuss the EU’s and the international community’s war against terror. The EU decided the U.S. war was going nowhere, nothing much had been accomplished over that last year. It was noted that the EU member states were reluctant to give Solana what he needed to get the job done. What this really meant was, the EU “big three” — France, Germany and the UK — were still standing in Solana’s way. In other words, in order for Solana to do his job leading the EU’s foreign and security policy, the EU “big three” must somehow be subdued. (See Bible quote above) Interestingly, the EU “big three” leaders were all on the scene in 1999 when the Office of High Representative was first occupied by Solana. And, they were all members of the 10-nation alliance. Could these three super countries be the three kings who are destined to be subdued according to Daniel 7:24?

Since the start of his 7 year period peace and safety initiative, we should see him make some big strides in bringing peace to the middle east very soon. The 3 1/2 year, or halfway point, checkup is scheduled in 2010. I also wonder about some of the other things that seem to be sparked by this same belief of middle-east peace and prophetic fulfillment. The Catholic church for one seems to have come to the conclusion that the start of the Tribulations are just ahead and that the church must now work out its battle plan. You see it in how this latest global war seems to methodically be ramping up with no real way to end it. You see this in how fundamental freedoms we all grew up with, are being locked away for our “safety”.

Please see my previous articles, ‘The Job Title for the Antichrist”  https://justinlessard.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/the-job-title-for-the-antichrist/

and “Who Is the Antichrist? How Will We Know Him?” https://justinlessard.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/who-is-the-antichrist/

For more on possible ‘Marks of the Beast’, see “Mark of the Beast Part 1- Barcode 666”  https://justinlessard.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/mark-of-the-beast-part-1-barcode-666/ and “Mark of the Beast- Part 2- RFID Chip” https://justinlessard.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/mark-of-the-beast-part-2-rfid-chip/ 

For info on signs of the end, to know how things will be and when to expect them, see “The End? Let’s Review” https://justinlessard.wordpress.com/2008/10/11/the-end-lets-review/

Original Source for bulk of article: “Wassabi; a member of AboveTopSecret.com” in form of message thread called: Javier Solana – candidate for Antichrist or setting the stage for the Beast; http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread183503/pg1#pid1836234.

Links from articles on https://justinlessard.wordpress.com

The Spirit of Elijah – Power to Turn the Heart

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER KC – COREY STARK

FORERUNNER CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

 

I. THE COMING OF ELIJAH – LITERAL OR SYMBOLIC?
 

 Malachi 4.5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 6 And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and (turn) the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
 
A. The future tense coming of the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord is both symbolic and literal. In its literal sense, it speaks of the coming again of Elijah, the man that never died, but was taken up to heaven in a chariot and whirlwind of fire (2 Kings 2.11). Jesus declared that he will come again and “restore all things” (Matthew 17.11). In its symbolic sense, it speaks of an operation of the Holy Spirit upon a believer that imparts a mission like unto Elijah’s that carries the same message and is accompanied by similar manifestations of power.
 
Matthew 17.10 His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? (Before Messiah)” 11 Jesus answered… “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things (future tense, literal, 2nd coming). 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already (past tense, symbolic, 1st coming), and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished…” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
 
B. In speaking of John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel said that he would go before Jesus 1st coming in the “spirit and power of Elijah”. In other words, he would be anointed with power by an operation of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the same mission with the same message as Elijah.
 
Luke 1.13 But the angel said…15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him (Jesus Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Matthew 11.14; 17.10-13; Mark 9.11-13)
 
C. Today, in the same way that John operated in the “spirit and power of Elijah” to prepare the people to respond correctly to Jesus 1st coming, the Holy Spirit is raising up catalytic forerunner messengers all over the earth that have the same mission, the same message and operate in the same power as Elijah, to prepare people for Jesus 2nd coming. We understand through the prophet Isaiah that John was merely an initial down payment and partial fulfillment of a larger company of forerunners that were to emerge at the end of the age in fullness.
 
Isaiah 40.3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God… 5 The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh (all nations) shall see it together (at Jesus’ Second Coming).
 
D. The point of the arrow for this larger company of forerunners worldwide will be two men that stand boldly as a witness before God in Jerusalem and prophesy against the antichrist regime.
 
Revelation 11.3 And I will give power to my two witnesses and they will prophesy 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth.  5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. …he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (Zech 4.11-14)
 

II. THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH – THE MISSION AND MESSAGE
 

A. To understand the mission and message of the spirit of Elijah, we must first look at the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel in Elijah’s day and the hearts of the people to whom he was sent.
 
B. The Bible first records Elijah’s ministry in the days of King Ahab who “did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all (the kings of Israel) who were before him” 1 Kings 16.30. He married “Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him” 1 Kings 16.31. Earlier, the Lord warned King Solomon concerning the Sidonians, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods” 1 Kings 11.2. Jezebel clearly did this as King Ahab “went and served Baal and worshiped him… set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria …made a wooden image and …did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” 1 Kings 16.31-33. Jezebel then “massacred the prophets of the Lord” 1 Kings 18.4, 13 and established “four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table” 1 Kings 18.19. It was in this climactic state of spiritual apostasy and national idolatry led by the King and Queen that God sent in the Prophet Elijah to confront and to call back the nation!
 
C. Elijah’s primary mission was to prepare the people for the Lord by being a “catalytic messenger” that would “turn their heart” back to God by confronting the dead religious system and by calling them back to the worship of the one true God. In other words, the message of “turning the heart” confronts the ‘false’ that imprisons the heart and calls people back to the Truth that sets it free. It was in context to this mission that God released massive amounts of power to confirm the
message of “turning the heart” and empower the responsive to change at the heart level (“spiritual violence” Matt 11.12; “rending” Joel 2.12; “cutting” Matt 5.29-30).
 
1 Kings 18.21 “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him… 22 Then Elijah said… “let them give us two bulls… 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” 37 “Hear me, O Lord, …that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!”
 

III.    THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH – THREE PRIMARY GENERATIONS
 

Three primary generations have been unusually anointed with the “spirit and power of Elijah”.
 
A. The generation of Elijah and Elisha
 
B. The generation of Jesus’ 1st coming beginning with John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles

 

C. The final generation just prior to Jesus 2nd coming with the return of Elijah, the Two Witnesses and the worldwide company of forerunner messengers
 
IV.    THE POWER OF ELIJAH – THREE EXPRESSIONS

 

A. In each of these three generations, the three-fold power that is released upon these forerunner messengers is given to confirm and empower the same message – “Turn your Heart”!
 
Acts 2.17 ‘…in the last days …I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. 21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’
 
1. Supernatural Revelation (vs. 17-18 ) Prophecy, visions, dreams, open heaven, “Jacob’s ladder” angelic ministry, heavenly visitations, translations, etc.
 
2.Miracles, Signs and Wonders (vs. 19-20) Wonders in the heaven, signs upon earth, raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out demons, multiplying provision, releasing plagues and judgments, transportations, “greater works than these” John 14.12, etc.
 
3.Apostolic Preaching (vs. 21) Supernatural clarity, boldness and authority upon the preaching of the Word (hammer, fire, arrow), grace upon the hearts to receive releasing authentic conviction and repentance, “sin, righteousness, judgment” John 16.8.
 
B. Two-fold turning: first to God and secondly toward one another, with a special emphasis upon the family, as God’s chosen institution upon earth to reveal His heart as tender Father and as a passionate Bridegroom. The spirit of Jezebel has targeted men to seduce and destroy the family.
 
Luke 1.13 But the angel (Gabriel) said… 16 And he (John) will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him (Jesus Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
 

V.    PREPARING THIS FINAL GENERATION OF FORERUNNER MESSENGERS
 

A. These “forerunner messengers”, are not only preachers or teachers with platform ministries, but they are also artists (singers, musicians, actors, etc.), writers (books, blogs, internet, etc.), in media, in the marketplace, one-on-one discipleship in church, university’s and mom’s and dad’s.
 
B. God consistently prepares His messengers in the wilderness. Some wilderness experiences are voluntary, where we lay aside our strength in the form of our time (prayer), our money (giving) and our physical energy (fasting), entering into “voluntary weakness” in order to encounter God for the sake of love. Many times though, they are involuntary, where God in His wisdom and mercy places us in a special season of testing to remove the props that we falsely lean upon (Heb 11.21) and to expose the faulty foundations that we naively trust in (Luke 6.46-49), so that our great need for God is revealed in the radiant clarity of our barrenness (Deut 8; Matt 4).
 
Song 8.5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?
 
C. It is in the sometimes-difficult acceptance of our true inward condition, that we find the grace or “power” to overcome. For those who recognize they are “poor in spirit”, all the resources of Heaven are available! (Matt 5.3) God gives grace to those who acknowledge their need for Him (humility), but resists those who think that they don’t (pride). Whether voluntary or involuntary, the Lord’s desired outcome is that we would encounter Him there in the wilderness of our soul and our hearts would be changed to be like His – authentic in identity and “fully alive in love”.
 
John 8.32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
 
D. Why is this important? Because we can only impart and multiply what we are (Gen 1.11). When we operate in the “flesh, false self, old man”, we have no spiritual power to impart the life of Christ (John 15.1-8). Therefore, for our own good, God wants to remove these false identities that choke our hearts and reveal the truth of Christ in us (Gal 1.15-16; 2.20) by releasing genuine power to “turn our hearts” to the Truth, as we acknowledge our need for Him. We become, not only messengers with a message, but we embody the very message itself, “an authentic voice not merely and echo”, those with an overcoming testimony (Rev 12.11) that can give hope, strengthen faith and release true spiritual power as a catalyst to “turn the hearts” of others.
 
John 15.4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
 
E. Since the Fall, one of man’s greatest enemy’s has undoubtedly been fear (Gen 3). It not only caused Adam to hide from the only One that could ever cover (forgive), heal (restore) and cause him to triumph over his weakness, but it fooled him into thinking that he could hide and fix the problem himself (fig leaf “false self”). However, because “God’s strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 9.6), we don’t need to hide in shame or draw back in fear any longer, but rather we can come into the light of His truth to receive forgiveness, be restored and triumph over our enemies! After which, we can even partner with God in delivering others from the same bondage that we ourselves were bound with (1 Samuel 21.9; 22.10; 2 Corinthians 1.4).
 
Mark 3.1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand… 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 5 And… He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
 

VI.  THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH – POWER TO TURN THE HEART (JAMES 5.16)
 

A. James 5.16 is the wisdom of God to position our heart to receive Divine grace or “power” to change. As we position our hearts in humility before the ones that we have offended by confessing our own sins (not pointing out their flaws), and by asking them to pray for our areas of weakness, they become the very channel and means by which Divine power flows to empower our “hearts to turn” and be healed.
 
James 5.16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

James 4.6 Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5.5-6)

 

Preparing the End-Time Church as a Bride

I. God’s Mission statement: to provide an eternal companion for Jesus

 

6 I heard…the voice of a great multitude…saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 To her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 He said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'” (Rev. 19:6-9)

A. Marriage of the Lamb – God’s eternal purpose for His creation is to provide a family for Himself and an equally yoked bride for His Son as His eternal companion (Jesus’ inheritance).

9 The LORD’s portion (reward) is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. (Deut. 32:9)

 

17 That the…Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of…revelation…18 that you may know (experience)…what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints… (Eph. 1:17-18 )

B.  His wife has made herself ready (prepared) – to walk in mature voluntary love and holiness. God has zeal in this hour to train and purify the Church on the earth as a Bride that is fully ready. This is glorious and terrifying that God would be zealous in His commitment to see that we are ready.

C.He granted her to be arrayed in fine linen – these are distinctive wedding garments that are given individually to each believer according to their behavior (acts of obedience). All saints receive the robe of righteousness because of Jesus’ death on the cross (2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 61:10).

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)

 

41 There is one glory of the sun…another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. (1 Cor. 15:41-42)

D. The Bride’s garments will be comprised of different elements: glory, fabric, color, fragrance, etc. 

E. A Bride chooses her wedding garments with great care and love. This is different than the way that she chooses her other clothing. We will resist the temptation to sin (compromise), to quit (lose heart), to neglect diligence (laziness) because of love for Jesus as our Bridegroom God.  

F. The wedding garments that we will possess forever are being formed now by our obedience that is done in the spirit of love. We are making choices now that we will literally wear forever. What we do now has impact far beyond our natural lives. Our choices before the wedding are preparation for the life of the redeemed after the wedding.

G. Lord God Omnipotent – God is praised for releasing His power to prepare the Church (v. 6).

II.  The church will be filled with glory at the Second Coming (Eph. 5:26-29)

 

26 That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle…but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies…29 No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church… (Eph. 5:26-29)

A. In this passage, Paul gives us key details and defines what it means for the Church to be made ready at the time of the Second Coming. The Church will be so filled with glory, sanctified and cleansed that she will not have spots or wrinkles (her garments reflecting her actions) or blemishes (her skin reflecting her inner life). The Church’s mind, emotions and actions will be radically cleansed while on earth before Jesus’ Coming. This is glorious and terrifying because the Church worldwide is far from walking in purity in this hour. What will make the difference?

B.  How will this glory be released in the Church? The causes of pressure on a compromising believer are 3-fold. They include Satan’s rage, man’s sin and God’s zeal to discipline us for our good (Heb. 12:5-11). However, the means of grace that God prefers to use to cleanse the Church is His Word (v. 26) and prayer (Rev. 22:17) in context to understanding that we are cherished by Jesus i.e., the Church must feed on portions of the Word that reveal His tender emotions for Her.

C.  God will release great grace on our private times in the Word as well as raising up vessels that will sing and proclaim His Word in great power so as to help transform the Church.

D.  Prayer, fasting, meditation on the Word, and obedience positions our heart before God to freely receive. These activities do not earn us God’s favor. Analogy: we put our cold heart before the bonfire of God’s presence by seeking Him in the Word in spirit and truth.

E.  We give our heart to God and receive from Him as we read Scripture in a way that creates an active dialogue in our heart with God. Scripture gives us the “conversational material” in our prayer life. We pray truths back to Him that exhort us “to believe” His Word by thanking God for such truths and by asking God to reveal them to us. We dialogue with God by praying truths back to Him that exhort us “to obey” His Word and by committing ourselves to obey God in the specific way set forth in a passage. Make simple declarations of your resolve to obey the Word and ask God to empower you to obey a particular truth.

III. The necessary 3-fold cry of the Bride’s intercession 

 

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!”…20 He…says, “Surely I am coming…”(Rev. 22:17, 20)

A. This age will end with a worshipping and praying Church in a bridal identity. This passage is the most significant, comprehensive and clearest End-Time prophecy. It reveals to us what the Spirit is saying and doing. The Church will be in unity with the Spirit as she will be anointed with power, engaged in intercession, established in her bridal identity and effective in the harvest.

B.  The 3-fold cry for God to come in power (Holy Spirit breakthrough)

1.    Come NEAR US in intimacy (renewal or personal encounter): touch my heart 

2. Come TO US in revival (historic visitation of the Holy Spirit): touch our city with signs, wonders and apostolic authority until we see the Habitation of the Lord established

3.  Come FOR US in the sky (Second Coming of Jesus): touch the earth

C. God has delegated the earth to authority or domain of the human race (Gen. 1:26-28; Ps. 116:15).

16 The heavens, are the LORD’s…the earth He has given to the children of men. (Ps. 115:16)

 

26 Let Us make man in Our image…let them have dominion over…all the earth… (Gen. 1:26)

 

7 You have crowned him (man) with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. 8You have put all things in subjection under his feet…He (God) left nothing that is not put under him. (Heb. 2:7-8 )

D. Each person has a specific sphere of authority or domain entrusted to them by God that includes their inner man, ministry, finances, family relationships and the geographic area they live in, etc.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Prov. 16:32)

 

13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us–a sphere which includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves…as though our authority did not extend to you… (2 Cor. 10:13-14)

 

The Kingdom…is like a man (Jesus) traveling to a far country (heaven), who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 To one he gave five talents… (Mt. 25:14-15)

 

12 A certain nobleman (Jesus) went into a far country… 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ (Lk. 19:12-13)

E. Prayer is a covenantal way in which we open the windows to that which is under our domain (heart, circumstances, geographic area, etc.). Our prayers invite the Holy Spirit on a covenantal basis to come into the areas that are under our domain (inwardly and outwardly). Prayer provides the covenantal tracks on which the Spirit works. He comes to the measure that He is invited. The key of David and the keys of the Kingdom operate by covenant with justice before God’s court.

F.   The Bride will prepare a place for the coming of the Lord to dwell individually, corporately, and geographically, as she invites Jesus to come near us, to us and for us (Ps. 132:1-5).

2 How he (David) swore to the LORD…, 4 “I will not give sleep to my eyes…5 until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Ps. 132:1-5)

IV.  The exhortation to acquire wedding garments

A. We can buy white garments or acquire them in the ways that the grace of God teaches. They declare the measure of our love for Jesus in this life. Jesus wants to give us more white garments.

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire…and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness (lack of garments) may not be revealed… (Rev. 3:18 )

B.  Some will suffer the loss of their rewards while keeping their salvation.

14 If anyone’s work…endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:14-15)

 

8 Look to yourselves, that we (you; NAS, NIV, RSV) do not lose those things we (you; NIV, RSV) worked for, but that we (you; NAS, NIV, RSV) may receive a full reward. (2 Jn. 8 ) 

C. God will wipe away all tears and sorrow after the Millennial Kingdom is completed.

1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth…there was no sea. 3 I heard a loud voice …saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men…4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying…no more pain… (Rev. 21:1-4)

D.  Jesus exhorted us to watch (pray) as the way to keep our garments in the End-Time pressures. We can keep our garments; however, some will lose the garments that they could have had.

15 Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. (Rev. 16:15)

E. Believers can defile their testimony and lose some of their wedding garments by compromise.

4 You have a few…in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. (Rev. 3:4-5)

F.  John exhorts us to “now” abide in Jesus so we do not draw back in the shame of denying our faith at the Second Coming of Jesus.

28 Nowabide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed (not shrink away from Him in shame; NAS, RSV) before Him at His coming. (1 Jn. 2:28 )

G.  There will be people on earth at the Second Coming who will seek to celebrate the wedding banquet. “Friend” is the same term that Jesus used with Judas (Mt. 26:50). To bind him is to take him prisoner and cast him into darkness (Lake of Fire).

2 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain King who arranged a marriage for His Son 3 He sent out His servants to call those who were invited to the wedding4 saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “I have prepared my dinner…all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”… 11 When the King came in…He saw a man who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 He said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” He was speechless. 13 The King said, “Bind him…and cast him into outer darkness…” (Mt. 22:2-4, 11-14)

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER WWW.IHOPKC.COM

New Testament Intercessory Prayer List

(Not a comprehensive list – compiled by Mike Bickle – July 99)

APOSTOLIC PRAYERS OF PAUL

1. Prayer for revelation of Jesus’ beauty and the Bride’s destiny unto transforming our heart

…the Father of glory, may give to you the SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the HOPE OF HIS CALLING, what are the riches of the GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS, and what is the exceeding GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US… (Eph. 1:17-19).

2. Prayer for the release of supernatural strength in the heart unto experiencing God’s emotions.

…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19)

3. Prayer for God’s love to abound in our heart resulting in discernment and righteousness.

And this I pray, that YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Phil. 1:9-11).

4. Prayer to know God’s will, to be fruitful in ministry and strengthened by intimacy with God.

We…do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, fully pleasing Him, BEING FRUITFUL in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (Col. 1:9-12)

5. Prayer for unity in the church across a city or region.

Now may the God of patience and comfort GRANT YOU TO BE LIKE-MINDED toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, THAT YOU MAY WITH ONE MIND AND ONE MOUTH glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus. (Romans 15:5-7)

6. Prayer to be filled with supernatural joy, peace and hope.

Now may the God of hope FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, THAT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

7. Prayer for Israel to be saved through Jesus.

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for ISRAEL is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1).

8. Prayer for the release of apostolic ministry and to abound in love and holiness

…we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and ABOUND IN LOVE to one another and to all…so that He may ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)

9. Prayer for the release of the Holy Spirit’s power unto mature holiness

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

10. Prayer to be equipped and prepared to receive the fullness of God’s destiny for the church.

Therefore we also pray always for you THAT OUR GOD WOULD COUNT YOU WORTHY OF THIS CALLING, AND FULFILL ALL THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS GOODNESS AND THE WORK OF FAITH WITH POWER, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

11. Prayer for the Word to increase by the release of God’s power to win unbelievers to Jesus.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD MAY RUN SWIFTLY AND BE GLORIFIED, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. NOW MAY THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS INTO THE LOVE OF GOD AND INTO THE PATIENCE OF CHRIST. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)

Note Scriptures describing God causing His Word to increase resulting in many being born again.

God glorifies His Word by manifesting His power to confirm it with signs and wonders.

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48 )

So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (Acts 19:20)

The Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly… (Acts 6:7)

But the Word of God grew and multiplied. (Acts 12:24)

Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the Teaching of the Lord. (Acts 13:12)

12. Prayer that God would open a door of evangelism through releasing His power on the Word.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, THAT GOD WOULD OPEN TO US A DOOR FOR THE WORD, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (Col. 4:2-4)

Note Scriptures describing God causing a door to open for His Word by manifesting His power to confirm it with signs and wonders. In other words, that a door of power and opportunity would increase, resulting in people being born again.

…that God…had OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH to the Gentiles. (Acts 14:27)

For a GREAT AND EFFECTIVE DOOR HAS OPENED TO ME… (1 Corinthians 16:9)

when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a DOOR WAS OPENED TO ME BY THE LORD…(2 Corinthians 2:12)

…I have set before you AN OPEN DOOR, and no one can shut it… (Rev 3:8 )

Note Scriptures declaring how God opens hearts (by revelation) in order to grant  repentance to the spiritually deceived. We pray for revival, that God supernaturally opens many hearts.

…IF GOD PERHAPS WILL GRANT THEM REPENTANCE, so that they may know the truth, and…come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil…(2Tim 2:24-26).

Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us…THE LORD OPENED HER HEART TO HEED the things spoken by Paul. (Acts 16:14)

He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45)

13. Prayer to be enriched with the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit leading unto righteousness.

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, THAT YOU WERE ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so THAT YOU COME SHORT IN NO GIFT, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, THAT YOU MAY BE BLAMELESS in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:4-8).

Note Scriptures that exhort us to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. One primary way to earnestly seek the gifts of the Spirit is to earnestly pray for their release. This is a pray for revival.

But EARNESTLY DESIRE the best gifts… (1 Cor. 12:31)

…DESIRE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, but especially that you may prophesy. (1 Cor. 14:1)

DESIRE EARNESTLY to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. (1 Cor. 14:39)

 

THE APOSTOLIC PRAYER OF PETER AND JOHN

1. Prayer for the impartation of Holy Spirit boldness through the release of signs and wonders.

…they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, “who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: `Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and GRANT TO YOUR SERVANTS THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS THEY MAY SPEAK YOUR WORD, “BY STRETCHING OUT YOUR HAND TO HEAL, AND THAT SIGNS AND WONDERS MAY BE DONE through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:24-31) also, see Eph. 6:19.

THE APOSTOLIC PRAYERS OF JESUS

Consider the Apostle…of our confession, Christ Jesus… (Heb. 3:1)

1. The Lord’s Prayer

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. YOUR KINGDOM COME. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. GIVE US this day our daily bread. And FORGIVE US our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And DO NOT LEAD US into temptation, but DELIVER US from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matt 6:9-13)

2. Prayer for anointed laborers in the Harvest

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  “Therefore PRAY THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT LABORERS into His harvest.” (Matt 9:37-38; Luke 10:2)

3. Prayer for the release of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!” (Luke 11:13)

4. Prayer of strength in temptation.

Then He came to the disciples…, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation…” (Matt. 26:40-41)

 

JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER – JOHN 17

1. Jesus prays to keep the saints in the Father’s name

“…I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. (John 17:11)

2. Jesus prays to keep the saints from the evil one

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. (John 17:15)

3. Jesus prays that the saints might be sanctified by truth

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

4. Jesus prays that the saints would experience the fullness of God’s glory

“that they ALL MAY BE ONE, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also MAY BE ONE IN US, that the world may believe that You sent Me. “the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they MAY BE ONE JUST AS WE ARE ONE: “I in them, and You in Me; that they MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them AS You have loved Me.

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, THAT THEY MAY BEHOLD MY GLORY which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

“O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.

“And I have declared to them Your name, and WILL DECLARE IT, THAT THE LOVE WITH WHICH YOU LOVED ME MAY BE IN THEM, and I in them.” (John 17:21-26)

 

WORSHIP HYMNS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

1. John’s thanksgiving to Jesus for such great love that makes us kings and priests unto God.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 1:5, 6)

2. The seraphim’s song magnifying the Father’s transcendent beauty.

The four living creatures… do not rest day or night, saying: “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev. 4:8 )

3. The 24 elders sing to the Father – this is the 1st “worthy song”. (Note 3 themes in their praise.)

The 24 elders fall down…saying: “YOU ARE WORTHY, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Rev. 4:10-11)

4. The seraphim and the 24 elders before the Throne sing to Jesus – this is the 2nd “worthy song”. (Note the 5 verbs that describe Jesus’ activity in redemption.)

…the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders…sang a new song, saying: “YOU ARE WORTHY to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us KINGS AND PRIESTS TO OUR GOD; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:8-10)

5. The angelic host, the seraphim and the 24 elders sing to Jesus as the scroll is about to be opened – This is the 3rd and final “worthy song” in the New Testament. (Note 7 themes in their praise.)

…many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand…saying with a loud voice: “WORTHY IS THE LAMB who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:11-12)

6. The Song of all creation before the Throne as the scroll is opened. Note the only 3 times that ALL the saints worship together before the Throne. (Rev. 5:11-14; 7:9-12; 19:1-7)

And EVERY CREATURE which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13)

7. Worship from all nations as result of the Great Harvest at the end of the age.

…a great multitude…of all nations…standing before the throne…saying, “SALVATION BELONGS TO OUR GOD WHO SITS ON THE THRONE, AND TO THE LAMB!” (Rev. 7:9-10)

8. The angelic host responds seeing people from all nations worship God. (Note 7 themes in their praise.)

All the angels…and the elders and the four living creatures…worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 7:11-12)

9. The tribulation saints worship in context to the end time judgments.

I saw…a sea of glass mingled with fire…standing…having harps of God they sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! Just and true are Your ways, O KING OF SAINTS! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? FOR YOU ALONE ARE HOLY. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.” (Rev. 15:2-4).

10. God’s righteousness is declared in light of His end time judgments.

…the angel of the waters saying: “YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS, O LORD, the One who is and who was and who is to be, BECAUSE YOU HAVE JUDGED THESE THINGS. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.” (Rev. 16:4-5)

11. A voice from God’s altar of incense before the Throne.

I heard another from the altar saying, “Even SO, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ARE YOUR JUDGMENTS.” (Rev. 16:7)

12. The Bride worships God in light of the end time judgments. Note 4 themes in their praise.

…a loud voice of a great multitude…saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! FOR TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ARE HIS JUDGMENTS, BECAUSE HE HAS JUDGED THE GREAT HARLOT who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” (Rev. 19:1-2)

13. The Bride worships God at the wedding supper of the Lamb.

…the voice of a great multitude…saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” (Rev. 19:5-6)

 

NEW TESTAMENT DOXOLOGIES

1. Worship prayers to God by Paul in 1 Timothy.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1Tim. 1:17)

He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. (1Tim. 6:15-16)

2. A worship prayer esteeming God’s power in creation.

And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” (Heb. 1:10-12)

3. Worshipping God for the joy of salvation

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 24)

4. Proclamation of our blessing in the heavenly realm.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Eph. 1:3).

PRAYERS FOR MORE PERSONAL REVELATION OF GOD

1. An apostolic intercessory benediction to be established with insight into the mystery.

Now to Him who is able TO ESTABLISH YOU according to my gospel…according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith– to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. (Rom. 16:25-27)

2. Prayers to grow in grace and knowledge of God

GRACE AND PEACE BE MULTIPLIED TO YOU IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:2,3)

…grow in the grace and KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18 )

3. The Bride’s prayer for Jesus’ Coming.

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”…He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS! (Rev. 22:17, 20)

 

THE CENTRAL ROLE OF SINGING PRAYERS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. The vital place of making melody and singing from the heart in Spirit filled living

…be filled with the Spirit, (by) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING AND MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART to the Lord… (Eph. 5:18-19)

2. The necessity of singing the Word in our spiritual songs.

Let the WORD OF CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEARTS to the Lord. (Col. 3:16)

3. The central role of singing with our spirit (singing in the Spirit) – note its value and importance in the apostle Paul’s life.

For if I pray in a tongue, MY SPIRIT PRAYS, but my understanding is unfruitful. I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I WILL SING WITH THE SPIRIT, and I will also sing with the understanding. (1 Cor. 14:14-16).

I thank my God I speak with tongues MORE THAN YOU ALL; (1 Cor. 14:18 )

4. The necessity of praying in the Spirit with all perseverance

…praying ALWAYS with ALL PRAYER and supplication IN THE SPIRIT, being watchful to this end with ALL PERSEVERANCE and supplication FOR ALL the saints– (Eph 6:18 )

5. The central role of singing the Word in the spiritual songs in the Tabernacle of David in the Old Testament.

King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the lord WITH THE WORDS OF DAVID AND OF ASAPH the seer. So they sang praises with gladness… (2 Chr. 29:30)

 

FIVE BENEFITS OF SINGING OR PRAYING WITH OUR SPIRIT

1. We speak mysteries – in other words, speaking inspired ideas to God and receiving inspired ideas from God in our prayers.

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; HOWEVER, IN THE SPIRIT HE SPEAKS MYSTERIES. (1 Cor. 14:2)

2. We bless (worship) God through singing in the spirit

I WILL SING WITH THE SPIRIT…you BLESS WITH THE SPIRIT… (1 Cor. 14:15-16).

3. We give thanks (worship) toward God through singing in the spirit

What is the conclusion then?…I WILL SING WITH THE SPIRIT, and I will also sing with the understanding…you BLESS WITH THE SPIRIT…FOR YOU INDEED GIVE THANKS WELL…(1 Cor. 14:15-17).

For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered… (Acts 10:46)

4. We build up our faith by praying in the Spirit (this includes praying with our spirit or in tongues)

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, (by) praying in the Holy Spirit… (Jude1:20)

5 To edify our human spirit by praying with our spirit or in tongues)

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself… (1 Cor. 14:4)

FORERUNNER SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

INTRODUCTION TO THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

Inheritance of Jesus: Bride Crowned with Glory

I. GOD’S PROMISE TO HIS SON – REVIEW

A. The inheritance God promised His Son: a people He fully possesses.

Ask of Me, and I will give You, the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. (Psalm 2:8 )

B. Jesus prays for His inheritance to be released.

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them…, 23 …that the world may know that You…have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold (experience) My glory which You have given Me…(John 17:22-24)

C. The apostle Paul prayed for the release of the Ps. 2:8 reality just as Jesus did.

“that God…may give to…revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that YOU MAY KNOW…what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…(Ephesians 1:17-18 )

1. “God…may give…revelation in the knowledge (experience) of Him…”

2. “…that you may know (experience) …” – the result is to possess a profound sense of success in being His inheritance.

 

II. A BRIDE IN HIS IMAGE: OUR ULTIMATE DESTINY IN GOD’S GLORY

A. We are destined (Divine determination) to be like Jesus in several ways.

“…predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29)

“…when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him.” (1 John 3:2)

B. The Father planned great things for Jesus’ inheritance (His Bride).

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ORDAINED BEFORE THE AGES FOR OUR GLORY…But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:7, 9)

1. Ordained before the ages – Divine determination cannot be stopped.

2. For our glory – our inheritance and destiny.

 

III. BRIDE’S INHERITANCE: POSSESSING NEW CAPACITIES IN GOD’S GLORY

A. Becoming partakers of God’s glory.

“…the glory which You gave Me I have given them…” (John 17:22 )

“…You have crowned him (the redeemed) with glory and honor… (Hebrews 2:7, 10)

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed IN US.” (Romans 8:18 )

B. A Bride possessing the indwelling spirit.

“…God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians l:27)

“…you are…built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)

“…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

“…till we all come to…the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13)

C. The human spirit is God’s eternal dwelling place or the place of His highest communion and expression. It is the place God, the Consuming Fire chose to express His glory – His grandeur, love, beauty, authority, pleasure, etc.

D. We receive the Divine nature or God’s seed.

“…given to us exceedingly great …promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature…” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Whoever has been born of God…His seed (life) remains in him…(1 John 3:9)

1. The life of God is eternally deposited in the human spirit at the new birth. Therefore, we will have all the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit forever.

2. We alone address the Most High God as, “our Father.”

 

IV. THE GLORY OF GOD ON OUR MINDS AND HEARTS

“This is the covenant that I will make with them…I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them…” (Hebrews 10:16)

A. We will think and feel like God does forever. When God writes on our mind and heart it speaks of our capacity being supernaturally enlarged.

 

B. A mind with supernatural capacities for revelation (understanding), communication (perception), skillful tasks (competency).

“…I will put My law in their minds…34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor…saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

1. New mental capacities for understanding face-to-face revelation of His heart (the revealing of His name).

They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads…for the Lord God gives them light…(Revelation 22:4-5)

“…I will write on him the name of My God and the name of …the New Jerusalem…And I will write on him My new name. (Revelation 3:12)

2. New mental capacities for understanding of life.

“…we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

a. New mental capacities for communication – clear thinking, perfect ability in to express thoughts and heart feelings with great understanding of others. Skillful communication in languages, music, poetic expression, etc

b. New mental abilities with competency in many areas (math, science, technology, food, art, music, etc.). In other words, we will possess many skills , great intelligence in many areas like Adam in the garden of Eden.

 

C. A new heart with supernatural capacities for holiness and satisfaction.

“…I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts…(Jeremiah 31:33)

“…I will give you a new heart…” (Ezekiel 36:26)

“…the riches of the glory…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

1. New emotional capacities for love – empowered affections for God/others.

“…the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

I (Jesus) have declared to them Your (Father) name…that the love with which You (Father) loved Me may be in them…” (John 17:26)

2. New emotional capacities for confidence – no accusation, condemnation, fear of failure, comparison, competition, etc.

3. New emotional capacities for happiness and contentment.

“…you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…” (1 Peter 1:8 )

 

V. A NEW BODY WITH CAPACITIES FOR GOD’S GLORY

“…when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him.” (1 John 3:2)

A. Jesus became human forever. God designed the greatest physical body for His beloved Son. It is the best body that God can create, it is far superior to the angels.

B. It is a body with all the capacities necessary to express the glory of God to the fullest measure.

C. The body that God custom designed for Jesus is the same type of body the Bride will have forever. Our eternal body will have the same supernatural properties and abilities that Jesus’ body has.

“…who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…” (Philippians 3:21)

D. A body filled with light (glory, color etc).

“…Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment…” (Psalm 104:2)

“…having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal…” (Revelation 21:11)

“…You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14)

E. A body filled with power and glory.

There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:41-44)

1. Supernatural abilities – 5 senses without corruption or weakness.

a. Sight – seeing at a distant, at close range, through walls (x-ray vision).

b. Hearing – at distances, with great perception, perfect balance, etc.

c. Taste – enjoyment of food to the full degree (1 Cor. 10:31).

d. Touch – to discern and feel perfectly.

e. Smell – to enjoy and discern.

2. Supernatural abilities related to communication – speech, musical, singing

3. Supernatural abilities in strength – speed, endurance, lifting objects

4. Supernatural abilities in health – no fatigue (energy), sickness or death

5. Supernatural abilities in travel – flight and speed.

6. Supernatural abilities related to the material realm – pass through walls

7. Supernatural beauty – physical countenance, fragrance, light, color, etc.

 

F. A supernatural unity (relationship) with one another like unto the Father and Son.

that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us… (John 17:21)

I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one… (John 17:23)

G. Jesus shares His heart and affections with His eternal companion.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. (John 15:9)

1. Four dimensions of God’s love.

that He would grant you…to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the

WIDTH AND LENGTH AND DEPTH AND HEIGHT — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19)

2. Receiving the embrace of the Father in the same way Jesus does.

“…that the world may know that You …have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:23)

3. Jesus’ desire to be with His bride and to share His glory.

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory.” (John 17:24)

4. The affections of Jesus are imparted to His people.

For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:8 )

5. The Bride being cherished and nourished by Jesus.

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. (Ephesians 5:29)

H. Jesus shares His home – the Eternal City (Rev. 21-22).

 

VI. JESUS SHARES HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY WITH HIS CO-HEIRS.

The Bride inherits a new position in the heavenly authority structure. The Church has authority in eternity to judge the world and the angels. She possesses a unique rank in all of creation as a co-heir with Jesus. To rule by words that have God’s authority released in them. Adam in the garden of Eden ruled by words not strife, etc. Adam ruled by naming of animals and plants.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21)

“…to him I will give power over the nations. He shall rule them…” (Revelation 2:26)

“…made us kings…to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. I saw the souls…they lived and reigned with Christ for a 1000 years.” (Revelation 20:4)

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection…they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a 1000 years. (Revelation 20:6)

They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?…3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels?….(1 Corinthians 6:2-3)

“…heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:17)

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (2 Timothy 2:12)

So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28 )

And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ 19 Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ (Luke 19:17-19)

 

Scripture in all caps added for emphasis. Source is International House of Prayer, K.C., MO; www.ihop.org and Friends of the Bridegroom www.fotb.com Orignal notes by Mike Bickle.

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER KC – MIKE BICKLE

FORERUNNER CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

The Book of Revelation: Jesus’ End-Time Battle Plan for the Church

 
I.    THE BOOK OF REVELATION: JESUS’ END-TIME BATTLE PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
 

A.    The Book of Revelation reveals the glory of Jesus (Rev. 1:1) and His dramatic plan to transition the earth to the age-to-come. There will be unique dynamics in the generation Jesus returns that are absolutely necessary in preparing the nations for His return. These events require our deep involvement. Thus, Jesus gives us the details which are essential to equip us to fully participate.
 
B.    There are 4 parts in the structure of Revelation. The 4th part has 5 chronological sections in which the events occur in sequential order. There are 7 main symbols in the Book.
 
C.    The main theme of Revelation is Jesus’ return to earth to rule all the nations. His End-Time battle plan is to physically destroy all the evil governments on earth by releasing His judgments on them during the Great Tribulation as described in Rev. 6-19.
 
D.    As the Book of Acts describes the power of the Holy Spirit that was released through the early Church so the Book of Revelation describes the power of the Holy Spirit that will be released through the End-Time Church. I refer to Revelation as the “End-Time Book of Acts”. It is a “canonized prayer manual” that informs us of the ways in which Jesus will manifest His power.
 
E.    As Moses released God’s judgments on Pharaoh by prayer (Exodus 7-12), so the Church will release the Great Tribulation judgments on the Antichrist by prayer. The miracles and judgments in Exodus and Acts will be multiplied and released worldwide through prayer. The greatest demonstrations of power in history will be openly manifest by Jesus and Satan (Rev. 12:9; 13:2).
 
18 I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades (authority of hell) shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Mt. 16:18-19)
 
F.    Revelation is Jesus’ battle plan to allow the sin in man’s heart to fully come to the surface and then to drive evil off the planet through the praying Church. These judgment events do not happen to us as helpless victims of Satan but are released through us as participants with Jesus. Jesus’ judgments are released to remove all that hinders love. He is at war to have His wedding.
 
G.    The 7 main symbols: all events and numbers in Revelation are to be taken in their plain meaning (literal) unless specifically indicated not to (Rev. 1:20; 5:6; 11:8; 12:1, 3, 9; 17:7, 9, 15-18, etc.)
 
1) Dragon: is symbolic of Satan (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2)
 
2) First Beast: is symbolic of the Antichrist (Rev. 13; 14:9-11; 17:3-17; 19:19-21; 20:4, 10)
 
3) Another Beast: is symbolic of the False Prophet called “another Beast” just once (Rev. 13:11)
 
4) Seven Heads: are 7 empires from history that persecuted Israel (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon,
     Persia, Greece, Rome, revived Roman Empire of Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3-16)
 
5) Ten Horns: represents a 10-nation confederation that serves the Antichrist (Rev. 17:12-13)
 
6) Harlot Babylon: will be a worldwide demonically inspired religious and economic system
     based in the re-built city of Babylon, near Baghdad in Iraq (Rev. 17-18; Jer. 50-51)
 
7) Woman and Male-child (Jesus): is the faithful remnant of Israel throughout history (Rev. 12)
 

II.    STRUCTURE OF REVELATION: 4 PARTS AND 5 SECTIONS (IN THE 4TH PART)
 

Rev. 1      Pt. 1 John’s CALLING to prophesy about the End-Times: John gave 18 truths about Jesus’ majesty that formed the way he prophesied about the End-Times, which are meant to equip us.
 
Rev. 2-3    Pt. 2 Jesus gave 7 LETTERS to 7 churches: the instructions Jesus gave to these 7 churches about overcoming sin give us practical insight into what we must also overcome today.
 
Rev. 4-5   Pt. 3 Jesus takes the SCROLL: contains the earth’s title deed and His battle plan to cleanse it.
 
Rev. 6-22   Pt. 4 Jesus’ BATTLE PLAN: includes Great Tribulation judgments against the Antichrist. Jesus reveals His main storyline of love to cleanse the earth of evil. His battle plan here is seen in 5 Chronological sections that describe events that unfold in sequential order.
                          Each section is followed by an Angelic explanation to help us understand that section.

 
The 5 Chronological Sections: tell us what happens to the Antichrist’s followers in 21 judgment events (7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls). These intensify in severity as they unfold.
 
The 5 Angelic Explanations: function as a parenthesis, putting the storyline on “pause”. They answer questions arising from the chronological sections: Why is God’s wrath so severe? What will happen to us? Angels explain to John what happens to God’s people including what Jesus will do to help us and what the Antichrist will do to persecute us.
 

Rev. 6            Chronological section #1: the SEAL JUDGMENTS against the kingdom of darkness.
Rev. 7           Angelic Explanation #1: we receive PROTECTION from judgments and falling away.
 
Rev. 8-9       Chronological section #2: the TRUMPET JUDGMENTS against the Antichrist’s empire.
Rev. 10-11   Angelic Explanation #2: we receive DIRECTION by great increase of prophetic ministry.
 
Rev. 11:15-19 Chronological section #3: the SECOND COMING PROCESSION and the Rapture.
                         The 7th and Last Trumpet (1 Cor. 15:52; Rev. 10:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16): Jesus replaces all governmental leaders on earth in a hostile takeover. In His Procession, Jesus first travels across the sky to rapture the saints (every eye sees Him; Rev. 1:7), then through the land of Edom (modern day Jordan; Isa. 63:1-6) then into Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives. 


Rev. 12-14    Angelic Explanation #3: the CONFRONTATION against the saints by the Antichrist’s system and persecutions requires that all his governments be taken over. Satan is on earth.
 
Rev. 15-16   Chronological section #4: the BOWL JUDGMENTS destroy evil infrastructures in society
Rev. 17-18   Angelic Explanation #4: the SEDUCTION of Babylon’s evil religion will permeate and infiltrate all the structures of society, requiring that Babylon be totally destroyed. 
 
Rev. 19-20   Chronological section #5: Jesus’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY to Jerusalem (Rev. 19:11-21:8 )
Rev. 21-22   Angelic Explanation #5: the RESTORATION of all things Acts 3:21 (Rev. 21:9-22:5)

 

 

Learn more at: http://www.ihop.org

Facts about the Antichrist:

Verse(s)

[italicized are quoted in ‘Key Phrases’ column]

Key Phrase(s)

 

[NIV unless otherwise noted.]

1. He will rule all nations for a short time.

Psalm 2; Daniel 11:36; Revelation 13:16

“He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed…”

“He also forced everyone…to receive a mark…”

2. He will be called “little horn”.

Daniel 7:8

“…there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them…”

3. He will be an intellectual genius.

Daniel 8:23

 “…a master of intrigue…”

4. He will make a seven-year covenant with Israel, but will break it after just 3 ½ years.

Daniel 9:27

“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.”

5. He will be an oratorical genius.

Daniel 11:36

 “…and will say unheard-of things…”

6. He will set himself up as God.

Daniel 11:36-37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 11; Revelation 13:5

“He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

7. He will do everything according to his own selfishness.

Daniel 11:36

“The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god…”

8. He may be called the “willful king”

Daniel 11:36

“The king will do as he pleases.”

9. He will disregard the god of his fathers.

Daniel 11:37

“He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers…, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.”

10. He may not have the desire for women.

Daniel 11:37

“He will show no regard for… the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all.” (NASB)

11. He will honor a false god of power.

Daniel 11:38

“…he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.”

12. He will be a commercial and financial genius.

Daniel 11:43; Revelation 13:16-17

“But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels.” (NASB)

“He also forced everyone…to receive a mark… so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark…”

13. He will claim to be a type of Christ of Savior.

Matthew 24:5, 23-24

“For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many… At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.”

14. He will profane the temple.

Matthew 24:15;

Revelation 13:6

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel…”

“He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place …”

15. He will be called “man of sin”

2 Thessalonians 2:3

“…and the man of sin is revealed…” (NKJV)

[some manuscripts “man of lawlessness”]

16. He will be called “son of perdition”

2 Thessalonians 2:3

“…the son of perdition…” (NKJV)

[some manuscripts “son of destruction” or “doomed to destruction”]

17. He will be a religious genius.

2 Thessalonians 2:4;

Revelation 13:8

“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb…”

18. He will be called Wicked one.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed…” (KJV)

[some manuscripts “lawless one”]

19. He will be a master of deceit.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.”

20. He will be empowered directly by Satan himself.

2 Thessalonians 2:9;

Revelation 13:2;

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan…”

“The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.”

21. He will be a military genius.

Revelation 6:2; 13:2, 4

“…and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.”

“The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority….and they… asked, ‘… Who can make war against him?’”

22. He will be called “the beast”.

Revelation 11:7; 13:1-8, 17;

19:19-20

“Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.”

 “The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.”(13:2)

23. He will attempt to destroy all of Israel.

Revelation 12

“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon The dragon and his angels waged war…”

[entire chapter explains battles in metaphor]

24. He will be a political genius.

Revelation 17:11-12

The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction. The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.”

25. He will control the Western power block.

Revelation 17:2

“The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.”

26. He may destroy false religious systems, enabling him to rule unhindered.

Revelation 17:16-17

For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule”

27. He will be destroyed by Jesus Christ at the Battle of Armageddon.

Revelation 19

“Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”

28. He will be the first creature thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 19:20

“The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”

Verse list: Psalm 2; Daniel 7:8; 8:23; 9:27; 11:30-43; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 6:2; 12; 11:7; 13:2-8, 16-17; 17:11-12, 16-17; 19;

 

From many different sources, I’ve pieced just some of the evidence against the evolutionary process. Bottom line: the earth is created, there is a Creator, and the Bible is true. I won’t add a lot of bantering commentary, but let you jump right into the hard facts. Enjoy. 

 

Formation of life

        Dead chemicals cannot become alive on their own. The cell is a miniature factory with many active processes, not a simple blob of “protoplasm” as believed in Darwin’s day. Lightening striking a mud puddle or some “warm little pond” will never produce life. This is another view of the core issue of information as the simplest living cell requires a vast amount of information to be present. The “Law of Biogenesis” states that life comes only from prior life. Spontaneous generation has long been shown to be impossible (by Louis Pasteur in 1859). Numerous efforts to bring life from non-life (including the famous Miller-Urey experiment) have not succeeded. The probability of life forming from non-life has been likened to the probability of a tornado going through a junkyard and picking up all the parts of a house, only the parts of a house, and assembling all the pieces to make a complete home with electricity and plumbing, cupboards and shelving, and everything in working order. Reference: Why Abiogenesis is Impossible, Jerry Bergman, CRS Quarterly, Volume 36, March 2000

 

Design of living things

Design is apparent in the living world. Even Richard Dawkins in his anti-creation book The Blind Watchmaker admits “Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of having been designed for a purpose.” The amazing defense mechanism of the Bombardier Beetle is a classic example of design in nature, seemingly impossible to explain as the result of accumulating small beneficial changes over time, because if the mechanism doesn’t work perfectly, “boom” – no more beetle! This is also another view of the core issue of information, as the design of living things is the result of processing the information in the DNA (following the blueprint) to produce a working organism.

 

Irreducible Complexity

        The idea that “nothing works until everything works.” The classic example is a mousetrap, which is irreducibly complex in that if one of its several pieces is missing or not in the right place, it will not function as a mousetrap and no mice will be caught. The systems, features, and processes of life are irreducibly complex. What good is a circulatory system without a heart? An eye without a brain to interpret the signals? What good is a half-formed wing? Doesn’t matching male and female reproductive machinery need to exist at the same time, fully-functioning if any reproduction is to take place? Remember, natural selection has no foresight, and works to eliminate anything not providing an immediate benefit. Reference: Darwin’s Black Box

2nd Law of Thermodynamics

        The Second Law of Thermodynamics refers to the universal tendency for things, on their own, to “mix” with their surrounding environment over time, becoming less ordered and eventually reaching a steady-state. A glass of hot water becomes room temperature, buildings decay into rubble, and the stars will eventually burn out leading to the “heat death” of the universe. However, the evolutionary scenario proposes that over time, things singlehandedly became more ordered and structured. Somehow the energy of a “Big Bang” structured itself into stars, galaxies, planets, and living things, contrary to the Second Law. It is sometimes said that the energy of the Sun was enough to overcome this tendency and allow for the formation of life on earth. However, application of energy alone is not enough to overcome this tendency; the energy must be channeled by a machine. A human must repair a building to keep it from decaying. Likewise, it is the machinery of photosynthesis which harnesses the energy of the Sun, allowing life to exist, and photosynthesis is itself a complex chemical process. The maturing of an acorn into a tree, or a zygote (the first cell resulting from fertilization) into a mature human being does not violate the Second Law as these processes are guided by the information already present in the acorn or zygote.

 

Existence of the Universe

        By definition, something must be eternal (as we have “something” today and something cannot come from “nothing”, so there was never a time when there was “nothing”). Either the universe itself is eternal, or something/someone outside of and greater than the universe is eternal. We know that the universe is not eternal, it had a beginning (as evidenced by its expansion, see ‘Expansion of Space Fabric’, below). Therefore, God (the something/someone outside of the universe) must exist and must have created the universe. Einstein showed that space and time are related. If there is no space there is no time. Before the universe was created there was no space and therefore no concept of time. This is hard for us to understand as we are space-time creatures, but it allows for God to be an eternal being, completely consistent with scientific laws. The question “who created God” is therefore an improper/invalid question, as it is a time-based question (concerning the point in time at which God “came into existence”) but God exists outside of time as the un-caused first cause. Reference: The Second Law of Thermodynamics (www.answersingenesis.org)

 

Fine-Tuning of Earth for Life

        Countless parameters are “just right” for life to exist on this planet. For example, if the Earth were just a little closer to the Sun it would be too hot and the ocean’s water would boil away, much further and it would be covered continually in ice, and we’d freeze. Earth’s circular orbit (to maintain a roughly constant temperature year-round), its rotation speed (to provide days and nights not too long or short), its tilt (to provide seasons), and the presence of the moon (to provide tides to cleanse the oceans) are just some of many other examples.
The presence of large amounts of water, with its amazing special properties, is also required. Water is a rare compound in that it is lighter in a solid state than in a liquid state. This allows ponds to freeze with the ice on the surface allowing the life beneath to survive. Otherwise bodies of water would freeze from the bottom up and become solid ice. Water is also the most universal “solvent” known, allowing for dissolving/mixing with the many different chemicals of life. In fact, our bodies are 75-85% comprised of water.

 

Fine-Tuning of our Physics

        The fine-tuning of the physical constants that control the physics of the universe – the settings of the basic forces (strong nuclear force constant, weak nuclear force constant, gravitational force constant, and electromagnetic force constant) are on a knife’s edge. A minor change in these or any of dozens of other universal parameters would make life impossible.

The “multiverse” idea that there may be many universes and ours “just happened” to have these proper values is outside of science and could never be proven. Even then we would have to ask “what was the cause of all these universes?”

 

Abrupt Appearance in the Fossil Record

        The oldest fossils for any creature are already fully-formed and don’t change much over time (“stasis”). The “Cambrian Explosion” in the “primordial strata” documents the geologically rapid appearance of most major groups of complex animals. There is no evidence of evolution from simpler forms. Birds are said to have evolved from reptiles but no fossil has ever been found having a “half-scale/half-wing”. A reptile breathes using an “in and out” lung (like humans have), but a bird has a “flow-through” lung suitable for moving through the air. Can you even imagine how such a transition of the lung could have taken place? Abrupt appearance and stasis are consistent with the biblical concept of creation “according to its kind”, and a world-wide flood that scoured the earth down to its basement rocks, depositing the “geologic column” and giving the appearance of a “Cambrian Explosion”. Smarter, more mobile creatures would escape the flood waters longer, becoming buried in higher-level strata, leading to a burial order progressing from “simpler” forms to more complex/higher-level forms, which people now wrongly interpret as an evolutionary progression. Reference: Fossils Q&A (www.answersingenesis.org)

 

Human Consciousness

        A person is a unity of body + mind/soul, the mind/soul being the immaterial part of you that is the real inner you. Chemicals alone cannot explain self-awareness, creativity, reasoning, emotions of love and hate, sensations of pleasure and pain, possessing and remembering experiences, and free will. Reason itself cannot be relied upon if it is based only on blind neurological events.

 

Human Language

        Language is one of the main things that separates mankind from animals. No animal is capable of achieving anything like human speech, and all attempts to teach chimpanzees to talk have failed. Evolutionists have no explanation for the origin of human language. However, the Bible does. It says that the first man, Adam, was created able to speak. The Bible also explains why we have different human languages, as God had to “confuse” the common language being used in Babel after the flood, in order to force people to spread out around the world as He wanted. This was only a “surface” confusion though, as all languages express the same underlying basic ideas and concepts, enabling other languages to be learned and understood.

 

Sexual Reproduction

        Many creatures reproduce asexually. Why would animals abandon simpler asexual reproduction in favor of more costly and inefficient sexual reproduction? Sexual reproduction is a very complex process that is only useful if fully in place. For sexual reproduction to have evolved complimentary male and female sex organs, sperm and eggs, and all the associated machinery in tandem defies the imagination.

 

The Biblical Witness

        The Bible is true. The history of the Bible is true. The words of the Bible concerning our origins were given to men to write down, by God, who was the only living being present. We were not there! God said He created the universe. God said He created all living things. We know that life is much more than chemicals. God put His life into Adam and that life has been transferred from generation to generation all the way down to us! Reference: The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict(McDowell, and a book I highly recommend)

 

Decay of Magnetic Field times in sync with Biblical Creation

        Dr. Thomas Barnes, Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Texas at El Paso, has published the definitive work in this field.4 Scientific observations since 1829 have shown that the earth’s magnetic field has been measurably decaying at an exponential rate, demonstrating its half-life to be approximately 1,400 years. In practical application its strength 20,000 years ago would approximate that of a magnetic star. Under those conditions many of the atoms necessary for life processes could not form. These data demonstrate that earth’s entire history is young, within a few thousand of years

 

Global Flood

        The Biblical record clearly describes a global Flood during Noah’s day. Additionally, there are hundreds of Flood traditions handed down through cultures all over the world. 5 M.E. Clark and Henry Voss have demonstrated the scientific validity of such a Flood providing the sedimentary layering we see on every continent. 6 Secular scholars report very rapid sedimentation and periods of great carbonate deposition in earth’s sedimentary layers.7 It is now possible to prove the historical reality of the Biblical Flood.8

Population Stats

        World population growth rate in recent times is about 2% per year. Practicable application of growth rate throughout human history would be about half that number. Wars, disease, famine, etc. have wiped out approximately one third of the population on average every 82 years. Starting with eight people, and applying these growth rates since the Flood of Noah’s day (about 4500 years ago) would give a total human population at just under six billion people. However, application on an evolutionary time scale runs into major difficulties. Starting with one “couple” just 41,000 years ago would give us a total population of 2 x 1089. 9The universe does not have space to hold so many bodies.

 

Radio Halos

            Physicist Robert Gentry has reported isolated radio halos of polonuim-214 in crystalline granite. The half-life of this element is 0.000164 seconds! To record the existence of this element in such short time span, the granite must be in crystalline state instantaneously.10 This runs counter to evolutionary estimates of 300 million years for granite to form.

Recently there have been evolutionists online in newsgroups and on blogs that have claimed Polonium 214 doesn’t exist. Main reason being is because they declare the Granite in the earth’s crust took many millions of years to form and finally cool and Polonium 214 takes less then a second to expend all its half-lives. In order to save face, some evolutionists have decided to lie and say Polonium 214 simply doesn’t exist. HOWEVER, if you go to http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=15735%2d67%2d8,you will see one of many online scientific websites that list the element Pulonium 214 to be found on Planet earth. On that page they share evidence that Polonium 214 is in fact a chemical profile that can and has been recorded by many scientists. Praise the Lord we have yet another factoid to prove evolution is a lie of Satan. For a look at how radio halos work, visit http://www.ichthus.info/Creation-Evidence/Polonium-Halos/intro.html

 

Atmospheric Helium Content

        Physicist Melvin Cook, Nobel Prize medalist found that helium-4 enters our atmosphere from solar wind and radioactive decay of uranium. At present rates our atmosphere would accumulate current helium-4 amounts in less than 10,000 years.12

Expansion of Space Fabric

            Astronomical estimates of the distance to various galaxies give conflicting data. 13The Biblical Record refers to the expansion of space by the Creator14. Astrophysicist Russell Humphries demonstrates that such space expansion would dilate time in distant space.15 This could explain a recent creation with great distances to the stars.

 

Design of Living Systems

            A living cell is so awesomely complex that its interdependent components stagger the imagination and defy evolutionary explanations. A minimal cell contains over 60,000 proteins of 100 different configurations.16 The chance of this assemblage occurring by chance is 1 in 10 4,478,296 .17

Design of Human Brain & Body 

           The human brain is the most complicated structure in the known universe.18 It contains over 100 billion cells, each with over 50,000 neuron connections to other brain cells.19 This structure receives over 100 million separate signals from the total human body every second. If we learned something new every second of our lives, it would take three million years to exhaust the capacity of the human brain. 20 In addition to conscious thought, people can actually reason, anticipate consequences, and devise plans – all without knowing they are doing so.21 Without giving a single thought to it, we breathe, digest, blink, and our heart beats. We’re made to have and be a completely functional operating system without reflection.

 

Biblical Archeology

Here are just a few examples of how archeological discoveries have verified the authenticity of Biblical accuracy:

Ø        Egyptian armor, chariots and human and horse bones found at the bottom of the Red Sea, proving Moses’ exodus from Egypt to Israel. In the image, you see a gold chariot wheel. Since coral doen’t grow on gold, that part remains clear to see. Unfortunately, the wood beneath the gold has deteriorated to the point that the wheel cannot be moved. Visit the web site below for more photos and info.

o       Source: http://users.netconnect.com.au/~leedas/redsea.html

red-sea-chariots

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ø        The discovery of the Ebla archive in northern Syria in the 1970s has shown the Biblical writings concerningthe Patriarchs to be viable. Documents written on clay tablets from around 2300 B.C. demonstrate that personal and place names in the Patriarchal accounts are genuine. The name “Canaan” was in use in Ebla, a name critics once said was not used at that time and was used incorrectly in the early chapters of the Bible. The word tehom (“the deep”) in Genesis 1:2 was said to be a late word demonstrating the late writing of the creation story. “Tehom” was part of the vocabulary at Ebla, in use some 800 years before Moses. Ancient customs reflected in the stories of the Patriarchs have also been found in clay tablets from Nuzi and Mari.

Ø        The Hittites were once thought to be a Biblical legend, until their capital and records were discovered at Bogazkoy, Turkey.

Ø        Many thought the Biblical references to Solomon’s wealth were greatly exaggerated. Recovered records from the past show that wealth in antiquity was concentrated with the king and Solomon’s prosperity was entirely feasible.

Ø        It was once claimed there was no Assyrian king named Sargon as recorded in Isaiah 20:1, because this name was not known in any other record. Then, Sargon’s palace was discovered in Khorsabad, Iraq. The very event mentioned in Isaiah 20, his capture of Ashdod, was recorded on the palace walls. What is more, fragments of a stela memorializing the victory were found at Ashdod itself.

Ø        Another king who was in doubt was Belshazzar, king of Babylon, named in Daniel 5. The last king of Babylon was Nabonidus according to recorded history. Tablets were found showing that Belshazzar was Nabonidus’ son who served as coregent in Babylon. Thus, Belshazzar could offer to make Daniel “third highest ruler in the kingdom” (Dan. 5:16) for reading the handwriting on the wall, the highest available position. Here we see the “eye-witness” nature of the Biblical record, as is so often brought out by the discoveries of archaeology.

o       Source: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a008.html

 

T-Rex: A Vegetarian?

  1. The roots of T-Rex teeth were only 2 inches deep. Had he bit into the hide of another dinosaur he would have lost teeth. Hides were thick and animals would struggle for their lives. A two inch root would pull out with little force.
  2. They cut a tooth in half of an unearthed T-Rex and found it deeply impureated with CHLOROPHYLL! That’s right, Chlorophyll is the main substance found in PLANTS not meat!

By the way, this discovery validates the Bible once again! How so? See this passage…

Genesis 1:29-30, “Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”

Now before proclaiming you MUST eat meat because the proteins in meat will help you to gain weight, look around on planet earth for a moment. Look at all the HUGE animals like cows… horses… Hippos… Elephants… Rhinos… etc. What do THEY eat? That’s right. PLANTS!

 

Giants of Biblical Proportion

            According to the Bible, there were once giants on the earth. Goliath, the most famous of the giants, was said to be over nine feet tall (1 Samuel 17:4).  Bones and skeletons have been found of these colossal humans. Some were called the Nephilim, Anakites, Emites, and Amorites. Goliath was a Philistine. (Numbers 13:28-33; Deuteronomy 1:28; 2:10; 9:2) Below is a photo of a man next to a 47 inch human femur. Similar finds have included entire skeletons, most too far decomposed to move. There are a number of skeletons, skulls, and footprints of giants as tall as 30 feet. They appear in almost every culture’s folklore and legend, most of them the “big bully” variety, and a hero dispatches almost all. Theories about the builders of pyramids, stone circles, and other monolithic examples of ancient construction find giants as a possible answer. Big blocks mean big builders.

giants

 A few other minor points to ponder: If we evolved,…

  • Why do still get so easily sunburned?
  • Why can’t I go outside without a coat on in the middle of winter?
  • Were did the gills go? I really could’ve used them when I almost drowned!
  • Why lose the tail? I could really use it right now.
  • Why can’t we stand being in extreme heat, extreme cold or underwater? If we evolved into a better life-form, we should’ve overcome these huge inconveniences to our everyday existence. To be truly above everything else and focussed on the survival of our species, we’d become a flying, asexual rock.

 1Woodmorappe, John, “The Essential Non-Existence of the Evolutionary Uniformitarian Geologic Column: A Quantitative Assessment,” Creation Research Society Quarterly, vol. 18, no.1 (Terre Haute, Indiana, June 1981),pp. 46-71
2Nilsson, N. Heribert, as quoted in Arthur C. Custance, The Earth Before Man, Part II, Doorway Papers, no. 20 (Ontario, Canada: Doorway Publications), p. 51
3Corner, E.J.H., Contemporary Botanical Thought, ed. A.M. MacLeod and L.S. Cobley (Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1961), p. 97
4Barnes, Thomas, ICR Technical Monograph #4, Origin and Destiny of the Earth’s Magnetic Field (2nd edition, 1983)
5Blick, Edward, A Scientific Analysis of Genesis (Oklahoma City: Hearthstone, 1991) p. 103
6Clark, M.E. and Voss, H.D., “Fluid Mechanic Examination of the Tial Mechanism for Producing Mega-Sedimantary Layering” (Third International Conference on Creation, Pittsburg, July 1994)
7Ager, Derek, The Nature of the Stratigraphical Record (New York: John Wiley and Sons) p. 43 and p. 86
8West, John Anthony, Serpent in the Sky: The High Wisdom of Ancient Egypt (New York: Julian Press, 1987) pp. 13-14
9 See Morris, Henry, Scientific Creationism(El Cajon, CA: Master Books)
10Gentry, Robert, Creation’s Tiny Mystery (Knoxville, Tenn.: Earth Science Assoc.,1988 )
11Baugh, Carl, Why Do Men Believe Evolution AGAINST ALL ODDS? (Oklahoma City: Hearthstone, 1999)
12Cook, Melvin, “Where is The Earth’s Radiogenic Helium?” Nature, Vol. 179, p. 213
13Cowan, R., “Further Evidence of a Youthful Universe,” Science News, Vol. 148, p. 166
14Psalm 104:2; Isaiah 40:22
15Humphries, Russell, Starlight and Time (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 1994)
16Denton, Michael, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis (Bethesda, Maryland: Adler & Adler, 1986) p. 263
17Mastropaolo, Joseph, “Evolution Is Biologically Impossible,” Impact # 317(El Cajon, CA: Institute For Creation Research,1999) p. 4
18Restak, Richard, The Brain: The Last Frontier, 1979, p. 390
19The Brain, Our Universe Within, PBS Video
20Wonders of God’s Creation, Moody Video Series
21Weiss, Joseph, “Unconscious Mental Functioning,” Scientific American, March 1990, p. 103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Almost there. Sorry about this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, wasn’t that worth Scrolling down here?

The End? Let’s review.

October 11, 2008

There are a lot of prophecies about the end. Here I have put together just some of them, broken into categories. You decide for yourself if they have come true yet, either in part or in whole. And don’t forget to comment your thoughts below!

 

1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. -2Timothy 3:1-5

9“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” 25“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.–Luke 21:9-11, 25

21For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 22If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 36“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; -Matthew 24:21-22, 36-38

There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. –Daniel 12:1

See, the LORD is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The LORD has spoken this word. So will it be on the land among the nations as when an olive tree is beaten, or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest. -Isaiah 24:1, 3, 13

WARS:

6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains. –Matthew 24:6-8

9 Proclaim this among the nations:
       Prepare for war!
       Rouse the warriors!
       Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

 10 Beat your plowshares into swords
       and your pruning hooks into spears.
       Let the weakling say,
       “I am strong!”
-Joel 3:9-10

9“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. –Luke 21:9-10

DEPARTURE FROM CHRISTIANITY:

3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. -2 Timothy 4:3-4

10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. –Matthew 24:10

1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. -1 Timothy 4:1

…be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. -2 Peter 3:17

PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS:

Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. –Matthew 24:9

Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution… -Hebrews 10:33

10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. –Matthew 5:10-12

…they will lay hands on you and persecute you. –Luke 21:12

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. –Revelation 2:10

 

ABORTION (SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENT):

…they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. –Romans 1:31

3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -2 Timothy 3:3-4

Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother’s womb. –Psalm 22:10

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. –Psalm 127:3

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. –Psalm 139:13

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you… -Jeremiah 1:5

 

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY:

…smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. –Revelation 9:2

…There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red. –Revelation 6:12

EARTHQUAKES:

At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. -Revelation 11:13

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven –Luke 21:11

…the foundations of the earth shake. 19 The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is thoroughly shaken. –Isaiah 24:18-19

Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. –Revelation 16:18

FIRES:

8Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.  9“When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 18When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ –Revelation 18:8-9, 18

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.  –Revelation 8:7

TROPICAL STORMS/ HURRICANES & FLOODS:

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. –Luke 21:25

See, the storm of the LORD will burst out in wrath, a driving wind swirling down on the heads of the wicked. –Jeremiah 30:23

The floodgates of the heavens are opened, -Isaiah 24:18

 

INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND TRAVEL:

“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” -Daniel 12:4

 

INSTANT COMMUNICATION AROUND THE WORLD:

“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophecy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.  When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.  And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.  Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.  And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.” -Revelation 11:3, 7-10

 

 

I also reccomend this site. See: (re: end time and “global warming”. Actually makes sense!) http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.globalwarmingandthebible.com/images/EndOfTheWorld.jpg&imgrefurl=http://globalwarmingandthebible.com/%3Fpage_id%3D2&h=139&w=185&sz=41&hl=en&start=62&sig2=DxQpagFQ6NQ3TZ1SUBs_0w&um=1&usg=__owjdJ9bGJ3iibbVwz6CKDZaaLb4=&tbnid=v8fUhFECf7RE9M:&tbnh=77&tbnw=102&ei=s8fVSPWtDpLIhgKf6L3MDA&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522smoke%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Babyss%2522%2BRevelation%2Bimage%26start%3D54%26ndsp%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DKUS_enUS272US272%26sa%3DN

 

Verses Used: Joel 3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:1-4; Matthew 24:1-11, 32-38; Genesis 6:1, 11-13; 4:22; Daniel 12:1, 4; Romans 1:31; Revelation 3; 9:1-2, 20-21; 6:2-12; 14:20; 11:13; 16:3, 18, 21; 8:7-9; 18:8-9, 18; Luke 21:25;

“The End?” Bible Study and all images prepared by Justin Lessard. Email: ferventservant1@hotmail.com

Web: https://justinlessard.wordpress.com & http://www.myspace.com/justinlessard

If you wish to use this for a study, all I ask is that you leave the credit info lines, including the name, email, & web address, above. Also, leave me a comment so I know if its useful to you. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

Politics. So many of us are just sick of it. Neither candidate has been telling the whole truth. Neither of them has a perfect voting record. Both of them love to sling mud. Its part of the job. One has to wonder, though, if being in the position of a presidential candidate requires such, let call it cruelty, and a heartlessness that you can publically attack another in front of millions, what else must that person have done to be in that position? Did they have to lie? Cheat? Break IRS tax codes and commit mass corporate deceptions? I’m sure that they did. You can’t get all the way to the top without stepping on a few toes.

 

He taxes too much. If you vote for him you’ll be homeless. If you vote for the other one, your children will starve. But if you vote for the first guy, they’ll lose all their education and become stupid rejects, begging for day-old scraps behind the ghetto bakery. But the other guy will take your job. And the other one will tax your new raise so you actually come home with $5 less every week. One of them will date your mom. The other will shut down her nursing home. One will have dinner with terrorists at Arby’s while the other just sends him a check at Christmas, even though they don’t celebrate Christmas.

 

Here’s what I’m saying: There are bigger issues than whose face is on the front page. Every day 6000 kids are killed by mid-term or later abortion. They refuse to allow Bibles in schools, so Christian parents teach home school, allowing their children to learn math and moral values at the same time. While the schools are taking a massive dump when it comes to value and ethics and crime and teaching self-worth, the state of California just outlawed Christians from their God-given right to teach their own kids. Now they have to send them to the cesspool of a school that will teach anti-creation science, thereby infringing on the rights of students to practice their own religion freely (but don’t worry, they won’t attack Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, pagans, wiccans, Scientologists, etc. Just the Christians.)

 

Let’s see, what else? Lets talk about gay marriage. I’m all for gays to have the right to choose their lifestyle- its their choice. (Just like my kids schooling used to be.) But I’m not for the whole gay-marriage thing. Sure, they can practice it, but that doesn’t really make it a marriage. I know, I know, they’ve redefined what “marriage” is, but it used to be a union before God between a man and a woman. Since most homosexuals don’t believe in or care for God, they can’t really have a union before Him that He will honor. But, what they hey, they ignored my right to practice my faith (only if it’s from the Christian Bible) by ignoring the 1st amendment, why not ignore the other principals too.

 

So who is going to do what to help me out? Am I personally going to benefit from either party being elected? Maybe, but probably not. There aren’t a whole lot of things that are going to actually make a difference in the way I daily live my life. I could be wrong, but here’s how I look at it:

If one side is accused of overtaxing and the other of allowing abortions, I will sacrifice a couple bucks, even a couple hundred, per year to vote for the sanctity of life.

If one side is accused of sending jobs overseas and the other of limiting free speech, I’m probably going to have to go for free speech. There will always be a need for jobs on the US. They may not be the best, but we have too many people not to need a ton of jobs. We also have a lot of politicians going after free speech, even though the ones attacked are the churches and the right. Hmm.

If one side wants to build a thousand mile fence at the borders and the other wants to let gays marry, I will go for the fence. Those guys are great climbers and if they can get in through, over or under a military fence, then they deserve to stay. For those that can’t, they can still come here, but have to go through the legal process. Meanwhile, I stand up for what I believe regarding gay marriage. I’m not anti-gay, but I’m not pro-gay. I’m just ok-gay; they can do their thing, but I don’t want tax dollars going toward something I find immoral.

Bottom line, I can’t do anything about the politicians. But, then again, I will probably never have to answer to them. I will, however, have to answer to God. I will stand before Him and be able to say that I voted for the things and the principles that are on His side, His Law, and His eternal purpose. I will say that I stood up for hundreds of thousands of innocent children and supported their right to life. I will say that I voted against the activity that led to His destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, the activities that He calls an abomination. I will be able to say that I stood up for His Word, His teaching, for the right to exhibit by faith, to speak freely the gospel. I will say, “Jesus, I stood up for you.”

What do you stand for?

 

 *note: Be sure to check out Part 2 at https://justinlessard.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/mark-of-the-beast-part-2-rfid-chip/ . The barcode theory is only a piece of the puzzle. In part two, I show you how it is going to be, and already starting to be, put into practice. Also, since writing this page, I have written a brief explanation on the connection and plans to initiate the chips into people in the article  Government to Chip People with 666 Code  One more thing- comment on this for me. I like to know what people think about it. Thanks!

 

666-

 Its Here- The Mark. Read this and watch the video and tell me if you don’t agree. (If the videos become disabled by Youtube, please leave a comment, so I can replace them. Thanks.)

With this mark and this code, we won’t be able to buy or sell, we will be monitored by our government, and it will only get worse.

This page is about barcodes and the hidden 666 in them. I will post a “Mark of the Beast-Part 2” about the RFID chip and how it is using barcodes.

As you read this keep in mind the verses, written 2000 years ago, which state that the number of the beast (or Antichrist) is “man’s number” and is the “number of his name”, or 666. The article below refers to computers not reading the numer as we do, but to man, it is 666. Also, notice the barcode’s creator’s comment, about his own name. One more thing, we cannot buy or sell without the mark, but it will have to be in the right hand or the forehead. That’s where most are getting the chip. More on that in Part 2. So here are a few verses, then my article. 

Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 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, 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. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666. 

And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. –Revelation 13:14-18; 14:11

 

A single barcode number is actually seven units. A unit is either black or white. A unit that is black would display as a “bar”. A unit that is white would display as a “space”. Another way of writing a barcode unit is “1” for a single unit “black bar” and “0” for a single unit “white space”. For instance, the number “1” is composed of the seven units, “0011001” or “space-space-bar-bar-space-space-bar”. Remember, a single barcode number requires seven units.

Also, on a UPC barcode the same numbers on the left-hand side (the Manufacturer Code) is coded different than the numbers on the right-hand side (Product Code). The left side numbers are actually the “inverted” or “mirrored” codes of the right side numbers, for instance what is a “bar” on the right-side, is a “space” on the left-side. The right-side codes are called “even parity” codes because there is an even number of “black bar” units. For instance the right-side “6” is “101000” – 2 even-numbered “black bar” units. The left-side is called “odd-parity” because there is an odd number of “black bar” units. For instance, the left-side “6” is “0101111” – 5 odd-numbered “black bar” units. Having different coded numbers for each side allows the barcode to be scanned in either direction.

The following tables are the left and right side codes matching the corresponding numbers, separated into the seven single units

Notice, a few things about the codes:

  1. As previously mentioned, the left and right numbers are “inverted” or “mirrored”.
  2. Every barcode number is equal to “four” different marks. A “mark” can be either “black” (bar) or “white” (space). The “marks” vary in width, but there is always four different marks, 2 “bar marks” and 2 “space marks”. For instance, the left code number “one” is “3 spaces (mark 1), 2 bars (mark 2), 1 space (mark 3), 1 bar (mark 4)”.
  3. The left side codes always begins with a “space” or “0” and ends with a “bar” or “1”. The right is just the opposite, it begins with a “bar” or “1” and ends with a “space” or “0”.

Share your comments below!

 

Note: The computer does not read the numbers underneath the barcode. These Human Readable (HR) numbers are printed so a “human” can easily read the barcode, if necessary.

Share your comments below!

 

Is the number 666 “hidden” in the UPC barcode?

One of the most popular and shocking accusations concerning the number “666” is that the number “666” is quietly “hidden” in every UPC barcode. Mary Stewart Relfe’s book, “The New Money System 666”, published in 1982, is the “pioneer” of the “666 in the UPC barcode” teaching. Relfe’s book contains over 50 pages of excellant doumentation on the UPC barcodes. Relfe’s discovery is repeated in many publications touching the mark of the beast, within the last fifteen years. Including tracts published by this author.

Here’s a few samples:

Terry Cook, The Mark of the New World Order, 1996:

“. . . the entire system [UPC barcode] is very deceptively designed around the infamous numerical configuration, Biblically known as 666, the mark of the Antichrist or devil (Revelation 13:16-18). . .” (Terry Cook, The Mark of the New World Order, 1996, p. 376)

Bob Fraley, The Last Days in America, 1984:

“The interpretation of the Universal Product Code marks is most revealing in that the three numbers ‘666’ are the key working numbers for every designed Universal Product Code. Every group of Universal Product Code marks has in it three unidentified numbers. All three of these numbers are 6, making the use of the numbers ‘666’ the key to using this identifying marking system. . .

There is no deviation. Every Universal Product Code has three unidentified marks whose number equivalent ‘6’ encoding it with the code number ‘666’. ” (Bob Fraley, The Last Days in America, 1984, p. 225, 228 )

 

Here’s how to “discover” the “hidden 666 in the UPC barcode”.

 

Notice the three “guard bars” (colored RED) at the beginning, middle and end. Now, notice the same bar pattern (“bar-space-bar” or “101”) for the number 6 (colored BLUE).

By “looking” at the above barcode, the number “666” clearly, appears to be there. . .

But is it?

Share your comments below!

Is the number 666 TRUTHFULLY “hidden” in the UPC barcode?

Technically, no it is not.

Here’s the “technical” truth. . .

The number 6 and the three guard bars are NOT the same. They do “appear” to be identical, but they are different.

GUARD BARS AND THE NUMBER 6

6 example

Notice. The beginning and ending guard bars are “bar-space-bar” or “101” (the B in the above table). The middle guard bar is “space-bar-space-bar-space” or “01010” (the M in the above table). The number six is “1010000” (the 6 in the above table). Remember, technically a barcode number consists of seven units. The beginning and ending guard bars are only three units, and middle guard bar is only five units.

So, technically, from a computer’s perspective the number “666” is NOT in the UPC barcode.

Share your comments below!

 

But. . .

Look again. . . All three guard bars contain the pattern “bar-space-bar” or “101”. There is only ONE number, in TWENTY numbers (remember right and left numbers have different patterns) that contains the “101” pattern and that number is the right code SIX. Not the number one, or two, or three, etc. — but ONLY the right code SIX. I do seem to remember something about a mark on the RIGHT hand (Rev. 13:16).

Technically, from a computer’s perspective the number “666” is NOT in the UPC barcode. . . but from a human’s perspective — YES, the “appearance” of 666 is there!

What does the inventor of the UPC barcode say about the number “666” in the UPC barcode?

The inventor of the UPC barcode is George J. Laurer. In 1971, while Mr. Laurer was an employee with IBM, he was assigned the task “to design the best code and symbol suitable for the grocery industry”. In 1973, Mr. Laurer’s UPC barcode entered the world, and the rest is history.

On Mr. Laurer’s web site, he has a “Questions” page, where he answers various questions about the UPC barcode. On the “Questions” page, Mr. Laurer answers the “666” question, as follows:

Question 8 – Rumor has it that the lines (left, middle, and right) that protrude below the U.P.C. code are the numbers 6,6,6… and that this is the international money code. I typed a code with all sixes and this seems to be true. At least they all resemble sixes. What’s up with that?

Answer- Yes, they do RESEMBLE the code for a six. An even parity 6 is:

1 module wide black bar 1 module wide white space 1 module wide black bar 4 module wide white space

There is nothing sinister about this nor does it have anything to do with the Bible’s “mark of the beast” (The New Testament, The Revelation, Chapter 13, paragraph 18). It is simply a coincidence like the fact that my first, middle, and last name all have 6 letters. There is no connection with an international money code either. (From website)

Even, Mr. Laurer, the inventor of the UPC barcode admits, “Yes, they do RESEMBLE the code for a six.”

In fact, as we’ve documented — SIX is the ONLY number they could RESEMBLE.

Share your comments below!

 

How does a computer-scanner reads a barcode?

 

 

Summary: Barcodes are broken into sets. Between these sets is a “101” code, at the beginning and at the end are also “101” codes. These are the lines that stick out a little further at the bottom of most barcodes. There are 2 sets of numbers, 0-9, called “Left Side (Odd Parity) Codes” and “Right Side (Even Parity) Codes”. Out of these 20 codes, only the “Right Side” 6 has this 101 combo. Therefore, those three sets of lines that stick out on a barcode can be read as 666.

 

The barcode fits the revelation warning in this:

It is man’s number (computers cant read it as 666)

The number is found in the code’s creator’s name

You cannot buy or sell without a code. (getting more and more true, but a few places still sell without them)

It is the “Right Side Parity”, or right hand, although I believe it WILL be ordered to put them into our own hands.

There is quite a bit more, perhaps you’ve picked up some things on your own. More will be uncovered in Part 2, at https://justinlessard.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/mark-of-the-beast-part-2-rfid-chip/!!!  Share your comments below!

Source: http://www.infowars.com/?p=4771

 

Army Awards Contract for “High Speed Portable Portal Iris Capture Solution”

Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

September 23, 2008

Sarnoff Corporation today announced it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to develop and demonstrate a high speed biometric capture technology solution for iris-based identification. The system will be designed to be ruggedized for field use and quickly deployable.

The new iris recognition system will leverage Sarnoff’s patent-pending Iris on the Move(R) (IOM) technology for fast and reliable identification. IOM is a proven biometric identification system that quickly captures the iris image of a person in motion. The technology is ideally suited for force protection, civil-military operations, and combat situations.

Other iris scanning technologies require users to stop, line up their eye properly, and stare directly into a scanner for a period of time. IOM technology verifies identities at speeds of up to thirty people per minute, allowing subjects to walk through the system at a standard pace, without stopping. In addition, Sarnoff’s design will automatically adjust for subjects’ height without slowing throughput.

“Current biometric ID systems take too long to identify people in high traffic areas and cause long lines to form at checkpoints,” said Dr. Don Newsome, President and CEO of Sarnoff Corporation. “This is inconvenient and poses a security risk. The IOM technology makes it easy to set up iris scanning checkpoints that are as reliable as other biometric-based options but quick enough to keep lines moving rapidly.”

The IOM system delivers accurate identification regardless of whether the subject is wearing prescription glasses, most sunglasses, or contact lenses. In addition, IOM technology can capture iris images from farther distances than any other commercial iris scanning technology.

Sarnoff has delivered IOM technology to several secure government facilities and private corporations. The technology can be used for a broader range of applications including banking ID verification, border crossing initiatives, event security, payment systems, and employee access.

Video clip example of iris scan in ‘Minority Reeport’. Gov’t embedded idea into movies to “get people ready”.

Article URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6607757.stm

   

 

 

US and EU agree ‘single market’

The United States and the European Union have signed up to a new transatlantic economic partnership at a summit in Washington.

The pact is designed to boost trade and investment by harmonizing regulatory standards, laying the basis for a US-EU single market.

The two sides also signed an Open Skies deal, designed to reduce fares and boost traffic on transatlantic flights.

But little of substance was agreed on climate change.

However, EU leaders were pleased that the US acknowledged human activity was a major cause.

Richest regions

Economics rather than the environment or politics was the focus of the summit, says the BBC’s Europe correspondent, Jonny Dymond, from Washington.

The two sides agreed to set up an “economic council” to push ahead with regulatory convergence in nearly 40 areas, including intellectual property, financial services, business takeovers and the motor industry.

            Without the US there can’t be any success in coping with a globalised world

European diplomat

 

The aim is to increase trade and lower costs.

Some reports suggest that incompatible regulations in the world’s two richest regions add 10% to the cost of developing and producing new cars.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said last month that if the US and EU could set business norms today, they would “secure the markets of tomorrow”.

Since she came to office 18 months ago, she has made repairing damaged relations with the US a top priority.

Emission cuts

The Europeans said they were pleased that the US now officially acknowledged that climate change was happening and that human activity was a major cause of it.

“We agree there’s a threat, there’s a very serious global threat,” said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

“We agree that there is a need to reduce emissions. We agree that we should work together.”

But behind the scenes, says our Europe correspondent, officials were saying that not much had changed.

Ms Merkel will try to nudge the US towards a global approach to climate change before a G8 summit Germany is chairing in six weeks’ time, says our correspondent.

But the US has consistently rejected the European approach of imposing national limits on greenhouse gas emissions, saying they would harm the international economy.

Visa hope

The Open Skies agreement will take effect on 30 March 2008 and will allow EU carriers to fly to anywhere in the US and vice versa.

The deal promises to lower airfares and widen choice for passengers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The EU hopes to go further and create an “Open Aviation Area” between the two sides “in which investment can flow freely and in which European and US airlines can provide air services without any restriction,” said a EU statement.

The EU is also hoping that the US will agree to withdraw its visa requirement for travellers from a number of EU states.

Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/6607757.stm

Published: 2007/04/30 23:21:16 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

 

Secret Bilderberg Agenda To Microchip Americans Leaked

Elitists want to microchip Americans in name of fighting terrorism, Europeans universally opposed to attack on Iran, Globalists fear oil prices rising too quickly

Paul Joseph Watson

Prison Planet

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Sources from inside the 2008 Bilderberg meeting have leaked the details of what elitists were discussing in Chantilly Virginia last week and the talking points were ominous – a plan to microchip Americans under the pretext of fighting terrorist groups which will be identified as blonde haired, blue eyed westerners.

Veteran Bilderberg sleuth Jim Tucker relies on sources who regularly attend Bilderberg as aides and assistants but who are not Bilderberg members themselves. The information they provided this year is bone-chilling for those who have tracked the development of the plan to make the general public consider implanted microchips as a convenience as routine as credit cards.

“Under the heading of resisting terrorism there were points made about how the terrorist organizations are recruiting people who do not look like terrorists – blonde, blue eyed boys – they’re searching hard for those types to become the new mad bombers,” said Tucker.

As we have documented, the blue eyed blonde haired Al-Qaeda line is a familiar talking point that has been pushed on Fox News and within other Neo-Con circles in an attempt to turn the anti-terror apparatus around to target dissidents, protesters and the American people in general.

Ominously, Tucker’s source also told him that Bilderberg were discussing the microchipping of humans on a mass scale, which would be introduced under the pretext of fighting terrorism whereby the “good guys” would be allowed to travel freely from airports so long as their microchip could be scanned and the information stored in a database.

Tucker said the idea was also sold on the basis that it would help hospital staff treat a patient in an emergency situation because a scan of the chip would provide instantaneous access to health details.

Tucker underscored that Bilderberg were talking about subdermally implanted chips and not merely RFID chips contained in clothing. The discussion took place in a main conference hall and was part of the agenda, not an off-hand remark in the hotel bar.

Such a bizarre concept may seem unbelievable to some, but over the last ten years there have been dozens of examples of people accepting implanted chips for a variety of different reasons.

In 2004, Mexico’s attorney general and 160 of his office staff were implanted with tracker chips to control access to secure areas of their headquarters.

The Baja Beach Club in Barcelona and other nightclubs around the world are already offering implantable chips to customers who want to pay for drinks with the wave of a hand and also get access to VIP areas of the club lounge.

Bilderberg skeptical of attack on Iran

Tucker’s source told him that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates did attend Bilderberg despite him not appearing on the official list.

Tucker said that his sources told him Gates was in attendance to present his case for war with Iran, but that the majority of Bilderberg members were against an attack at this time.

“The Europeans were generally opposed to an invasion of Iran – Gates made the regular war propaganda drill about how Iran is a nuclear threat to everybody,” said Tucker, adding that European Bilderbergers made snide comments about where such nuclear weapons actually were being kept and at one point joking that they were possibly “in Saddam Hussein’s tomb”.

Despite Bilderberg opposition, Tucker said that the administration was still considering an attack before Bush leaves office in January.

“At least 90 per cent of the Europeans oppose a war, probably closer to 100 per cent,” said Tucker, adding, “most of the Americans were passive and deferential to the Secretary of Defense and Condoleezza Rice’s pitch in so far as Iran is concerned”.

Tucker said that most Americans present at the meeting were opposed to attacking Iran but dare not be as visible and loud in their opposition as the Europeans.

Energy and oil prices

“One of the Bilderberg boys raised this question – should we put a lid on the rise in oil prices, are we reaching the point of diminishing returns,” said Tucker, adding that Bilderberg noted how Americans were trading in their SUV’s in record numbers for small and more fuel efficient cars and using more public transport to combat high gas prices.

Tucker’s source said that Bilderberg were predicting $5 for a gallon of gas by the end of this summer and oil over $150 dollars a barrel, but that this was a ceiling and oil prices would probably begin to decline thereafter because they thought the acceleration had happened too quickly.

As we previously reported, Bilderberg called for oil prices to soar in 2005 when oil was a mere $40 a barrel.

During the conference in Germany, Henry Kissinger told his fellow attendees that the elite had resolved to ensure that oil prices would double over the course of the next 12-24 months, which is exactly what happened.

During their 2006 meeting in Ottawa Canada, Bilderberg agreed to push for $105 a barrel before the end of 2008. With that target having been smashed months ago, the acceleration towards $150 is outstripping even Bilderberg’s goal, which is why the elitists expressed a desire to cool prices at least in the short term.

Just two days after he left Bilderberg, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, George W. Bush and others expressed support for a strong dollar and Bernanke hinted that interest rates could rise, which immediately caused oil prices to drop in line with Bilderberg’s consensus.

 

Masons are chipping their kids at a local fair!!!! They do a retinal scan, voice recording and they put an RFID chip in the kids as a carnival attraction.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7octwsoi4HM

 Videos:

Concentration Camps in US:

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqi123hBw2A

Concentration Camps in Texas

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxYxTly-yo8

Apparently, there are a number of buildings throughout the US that are supposedly “abandoned” warehouses and large factory-style businesses. These buildings have unique additions, such as military personnel, US Army & Air force vehicles, wind socks and other markers for helicopters,  the addition of barbed wire- pointing inwards (to keep people in, not out) and added heating systems (for buildings deemed “not in use”).  This is one piece of the puzzle.

 

Bill Clinton was asked about these and basically said, “We need to get along with other agencies and cooperate in our inter-dependant world” He DID say, “We’re better off with NATO. We’re better off with the United Nations.” Hand over our control? Live under the dictatorship of a one world government?

Here’s that link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFPsHPKY0y8

 

The world’s government is planning on mass world depopulation. Many cases of witnesses have seen and taped the piles and piles of caskets. This is for those who die in the depopulation and those who disobey the martial law. Hundreds of thousands of caskets in scarcely populated rural areas. About 1 ½ min into this video is a close-up. Second video even better.

  URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYp85QMJd1Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGa_sdyRS7Q

 

 

FEMA has already built underground caves and tunnels and is ready for a nuclear attack or “plague” to strike. We already know that the governments are working together (google “Builerberg” for more) and that they will more than likely intentionally release the pestilence and/ or weapons to annialate up to 80% of the world’s population. In this video, the FEMA agent becomes suddenly quiet when asked about the underground facilities, even though it is supposedly for “security in the event of an attack”.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S2J3i34XW8

 

A massive conspiracy to create a new one world order?

Watch these, and see the evidence. Then make your decision. (2nd half of this video is of the concentration camp, above)

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXlEfUGEzl4

 

 

This last video is VERY LONG. Its over 2 hours, so watch it as you have time. This is an exclusive documentary about the secret Bilderberg meetings and the plans that the governments have for martial law, with piles of proof and evidence. Here’s the video, followed by Wikipedia’s definition and explanation of the Bilderberg group, and a list of attendees:

 

 URL: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1070329053600562261&ei=kPPWSOX1NqXGrQK_iOnZAg&q=alex+jones+endgame&hl=en

 

Origin and purpose

 Hotel de Bilderberg

The original Bilderberg conference was held at the Hotel de Bilderberg, near Arnhem in The Netherlands, from May 29 to May 31, 1954. The meeting was initiated by several people, including Joseph Retinger, concerned about the growth of anti-Americanism in Western Europe, who proposed an international conference at which leaders from European countries and the United States would be brought together with the aim of promoting understanding between the cultures of United States of America and Western Europe.[5]

Retinger approached Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, who agreed to promote the idea, together with Belgian Prime Minister Paul Van Zeeland, and the head of Unilever at that time, the Dutchman Paul Rijkens. Bernhard in turn contacted Walter Bedell Smith, then head of the CIA, who asked Eisenhower adviser C. D. Jackson to deal with the suggestion.[6] The guest list was to be drawn up by inviting two attendees from each nation, one each to represent conservative and liberal (both terms used in the American sense) points of view.[5]

The success of the meeting led the organizers to arrange an annual conference. A permanent Steering Committee was established, with Retinger appointed as permanent secretary. As well as organizing the conference, the steering committee also maintained a register of attendee names and contact details, with the aim of creating an informal network of individuals who could call upon one another in a private capacity. Conferences were held in France, Germany, and Denmark over the following three years. In 1957, the first U.S. conference was held in St. Simons, Georgia, with $30,000 from the Ford Foundation. The foundation supplied additional funding of $48,000 in 1959, and $60,000 in 1963.[6]

Dutch economist Ernst van der Beugel took over as permanent secretary in 1960, upon the death of Retinger. Prince Bernhard continued to serve as the meeting’s chairman until 1976, the year of his involvement in the Lockheed affair. There was no conference that year, but meetings resumed in 1977 under Alec Douglas-Home, the former British Prime Minister. He was followed in turn by Walter Scheel, ex-President of West Germany, Eric Roll, former head of SG Warburg and Lord Carrington, former Secretary-General of NATO.[7]

Attendees

Main article: List of Bilderberg attendees

Attendees of Bilderberg include central bankers, defense experts, mass media press barons, government ministers, prime ministers, royalty, international financiers and political leaders from Europe and North America.

Some of the Western world’s leading financiers and foreign policy strategists attend Bilderberg. Donald Rumsfeld is an active Bilderberger, as is Peter Sutherland from Ireland, a former European Union commissioner and chairman of Goldman Sachs and of British Petroleum. Rumsfeld and Sutherland served together in 2000 on the board of the Swedish/Swiss engineering company ABB. Former U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary and former World Bank head Paul Wolfowitz is also a member. The group’s current chairman is Etienne Davignon, the Belgian businessman and politician.

Mainstream criticism

Critics claim the Bilderberg Group promotes the careers of politicians whose views are representative of the interests of multinational corporations, at the expense of democracy.[8] Journalists who have been invited to attend the Bilderberg Conference as observers have discounted these claims, calling the conference “not much different from a seminar or a conference organized by an upscale NGO”[9] with “nothing different except for the influence of the participants.”[10]

 Conspiracy theories

The group’s secrecy and its connections to power elites encourages speculation and mistrust by such groups or individuals who believe that the group is part of a conspiracy to create a New World Order. This is further encouraged by the frequent use of the term ‘New World Order’ by its members when referring to their ultimate goal of world integration. The group is frequently accused of secretive and nefarious world plots by groups such as the John Birch Society.[11] This thinking has progressively found acceptance within both elements of the populist movement and fringe politics. [12] According to investigative journalist Chip Berlet, the prominent origins of Bilderberger conspiracy theories can be traced to activist Phyllis Schlafly. [13]

Radio host Alex Jones claims the group intends to dissolve the sovereignty of the United States and other countries into a supra-national structure similar to the European Union. This accusation is also linked with others claiming plans for a merger of Canada with United States, hoping Canadian influence will be calming to American society and foreign policy.

From “The Hunt for Red Menace:” “The views on intractable godless communism expressed by [Fred] Schwarz were central themes in three other bestselling books which were used to mobilize support for the 1964 Goldwater campaign. The best known was Phyllis Schlafly’s A Choice, Not an Echo which suggested a conspiracy theory in which the Republican Party was secretly controlled by elitist intellectuals dominated by members of the Bilderberger group, whose policies would pave the way for global communist conquest. Schlafly’s husband Fred had been a lecturer at Schwartz’s local Christian anti-communism Crusade conferences.” [14]

Jonathan Duffy, writing in BBC News Online Magazine states “In the void created by such aloofness, an extraordinary conspiracy theory has grown up around the group that alleges the fate of the world is largely decided by Bilderberg.”[15]

Denis Healey, a Bilderberg founder and former British Chancellor of the Exchequer, decries such theories. He was quoted by BBC News as saying “There’s absolutely nothing in it. We never sought to reach a consensus on the big issues at Bilderberg. It’s simply a place for discussion.”[15]

Some popular media references to the group are in Fredrick Forsyth’s novel “The Icon” where the group decides to undermine a nationalist Russian leader loosely modeled on Vladimir Putin (among others).

 

LIST OF ATTENDEES:


Royalty

               Prince Philip (1965, 1966, 1967), Duke of Edinburgh

               Prince Charles (1986), Prince of Wales

               Prince Bernhard (Chairman of Bilderberg Meetings 1954-1976), father of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

               Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands[3]

               Claus von Amsberg (1967, 1968, 1971, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986-1989), husband of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

               Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange (1990, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2008), Crown Prince of the Netherlands

               Juan Carlos I, King of Spain (1989)

               Queen Sofia of Spain, wife of Juan Carlos I, King of Spain (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996)

               Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca, younger daughter of Juan Carlos I, King of Spain

               Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant (1992, 1993, 1996, 2008), Crown Prince of Belgium

               Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, King of Sweden (1995)

               Harald V of Norway, King of Norway (1984)

               Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein (1985, 1986, 1987)

               Prince Axel of Denmark (1955, 1957)

Politics

United States

               David L. Aaron (1977), former Deputy National Security Advisor

               Dean Acheson (1957, 1958, 1964, 1966), former United States Secretary of State

               Keith B. Alexander (2008), current Director, National Security Agency

               Roger Altman (2008), former United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

               John B. Anderson (1977), former US Congressman

               Michael Armacost (1997), President, Brookings Institution

               Nancy Kassebaum Baker (1988), former US Senator

               George W. Ball (1954-1992),[4] former U.S. diplomat

               Evan Bayh (1999), current US Senator, former Democratic Leadership Council Chairman, also attended the Renaissance Weekend. Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Member of the Alfalfa Club

               Lloyd Bentsen (1989, 1992, 1995 – 1997), former United States Secretary of the Treasury

               Sandy Berger (1997), former National Security Advisor (United States)

               James H. Billington (1992), former Librarian of Congress

               Eugene R. Black, Sr. (1957, 1966), former President of the World Bank

               John Bolton (2003)

               John Brademas (1966), former US Congressman

               Bill Bradley (1985), former US Senator

               Nicholas F. Brady (1984, 1986, 1988, 1991), former United States Secretary of the Treasury

               Edward Brooke (1968), former US Senator

               Zbigniew Brzezinski (Guest, 1966, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1985), President Carter’s National Security Advisor

               McGeorge Bundy (1956, 1957, 1964, 1966, 1980), former National Security Advisor (United States)

               William Bundy (1977)

               Clifford P. Case (1958), former US Senator

               John Chafee (1979, 1986, 1991, 1992), former US Senator

               Frank Church, former US Senator

               Hillary Clinton (1997), current US Senator, also attended the World Economic Forum, the Munich Conference on Security Policy, the Salzburg Global Seminar and the Renaissance Weekend. Member of the Democratic Leadership Council

               Bill Clinton (1991),[5] former US President, 1993 – 2001

               Carlos M. Collazo (2003)

               Barber Conable, former President of the World Bank

               Richard Cooper (1975, 1977), former United States Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs

               Jon Corzine (1995 – 1997[3], 1999, 2003, 2004), current Governor of New Jersey

               Kenneth W. Dam (1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989-1997), former United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

               Richard Darman (1987), former United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

               Thomas A. Daschle (2008), former US Senator

               Lynn Davis (1995)

               John M. Deutch (1998), former CIA Director, former United States Deputy Secretary of Defense

               Thomas E. Dewey (1956, 1957, 1966), former Governor of New York

               C. Douglas Dillon (1968), former United States Secretary of the Treasury

               Christopher Dodd (1999 – 2001), current US Senator

               John Edwards (2004), former US Senator

               Stuart Eizenstat (2002), former United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

               Mike Espy (1994), former United States Secretary of Agriculture

               Daniel J. Evans (1986, 1988), former US Senator, former Governor of Washington

               Dianne Feinstein (1991), current US Senator

               Douglas Feith (2004)

               James Florio (1994), former Governor of New Jersey

               Tom Foley (1988, 1990, 1995, 2002), former Speaker of the US House of Representatives

               Gerald R. Ford (1964, 1966), former US President, 1974 – 1977

               Harold Ford, Jr. (2008), current Chairman, Democratic Leadership Council, former US Congressman, Vice Chairman, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

               Donald M. Fraser (1971), former US Congressman

               Peter Hood Ballantine Frelinghuysen, Jr. (1964, 1966, 1971), former US Congressman

               J. William Fulbright (1956, 1957, 1964), former US Senator

               Cornelius Edward Gallagher (1963, 1966), former US Congressman

               Melinda Gates (2004), wife of Bill Gates

               David Gergen (1992, 1995), political consultant and presidential adviser during the Republican administrations of Nixon, Ford, and Reagan, campaign staffer for George H.W. Bush and adviser to Democratic President Bill Clinton

               Dan Glickman (2001), former US Congressman

               Andrew Goodpaster (1968, 1974), former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

               Donald Gregg (1985), former United States Ambassador

               Marc Grossman (2007), former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

               Alfred Gruenther (1955, 1957, 1966), former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

               Richard N. Haass (1991, 2003, 2004)[6], president, Council on Foreign Relations

               Philip C. Habib (1992)

               Chuck Hagel (1999 – 2001), current US Senator

               Alexander Haig (1978), former United States Secretary of State

               Lee H. Hamilton (1997)[3], former US Congressman

               Fred R. Harris (1966), former US Senator

               H. John Heinz III (1978), former US Senator

               Christian Herter (1961, 1963, 1964, 1966),[7] former Secretary of State

               Carla Anderson Hills (2002), former United States Trade Representative

               Richard Holbrooke (1995 – 1999, 2004 – 2006, 2008), former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

               Kay Bailey Hutchison (2000, 2002), current US Senator

               Henry M. Jackson (1964, 1966-1968), former US Senator

               Jacob Javits (1964, 1966), former US Senator

               Joseph E. Johnson (1954)[8], former President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

               Bennett Johnston Jr. (1991), former US Senator

               James Robert Jones (1985), former US Congressman

               Vernon Jordan (1979-1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2005, 2006, 2008 )

               Robert Kagan (2004)

               Thomas Kean (1989), former Governor of New Jersey

               Robert M. Kimmitt (1995), current United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

               Lane Kirkland (1977), former President, AFL-CIO

               Jeane Kirkpatrick (1981), former United States Ambassador to the United Nations

               Henry Kissinger (1957, 1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1977-2003, 2004,[6] 2005-2008), Secretary of State, 1973 – 1977

               John LaFalce (2002), former US Congressman

               Michael Ledeen (2005)

               Lyman L. Lemnitzer (1957, 1963, 1966), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

               Winston Lord (1974, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1996), former United States Ambassador to China

               William J. Luti (2004), Senior Director for Defense Policy and Strategy for the National Security Council

               Terry McAuliffe (2002), former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

               John J. McCloy (1958, 1964, 1966), former President of the World Bank

               Donald F. McHenry (1986, 1996), former United States Ambassador to the United Nations

               Robert S. McNamara (1968, 1975), former US Secretary of Defense, former President of the World Bank

               Charles Mathias, Jr. (1967, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1984-1993), former US Senator

               Ken Mehlman (2005), former Chairman of the Republican National Committee

               Cord Meyer (1957), CIA official

               George J. Mitchell, former US Senator

               Walter F. Mondale (1974, 1981), former US Vice President, 1977 – 1981

               Lauris Norstad (1967), former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

               Sam Nunn (1996, 1997[3]), former US Senator

               William Odom (1993), former National Security Agency Director

               Dan Quayle (1990, 1991), former US Vice President, 1989 – 1993

               George Pataki (2006), former Governor of New York

               Henry M. Paulson, Jr. (2008), current United States Secretary of the Treasury

               Claiborne Pell (1992), former US Senator

               Richard Perle (1983, 1985, 2003, 2006, 2008), assistant Secretary of Defense, 1981 – 1987

               Rick Perry (2007), current Governor of Texas

               William J. Perry (1996), former United States Secretary of Defense

               Peter George Peterson (1978), former United States Secretary of Commerce

               Colin L. Powell (1997), former United States Secretary of State

               Larry Pressler (1993), former US Senator

               Lewis Thompson Preston, former President of the World Bank

               Joel Pritchard (1975), former US Congressman

               Marc Racicot (2002), former Chairman, Republican National Committee

               Ralph E. Reed, Jr. (2004), former first executive director of the Christian Coalition

               William K. Reilly (1989), former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

               Condoleezza Rice (2008), current United States Secretary of State

               Bill Richardson (1999, 2000), current Governor of New Mexico

               Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (1971), former US Senator

               Alice Rivlin (1984)

               David Rockefeller, original U.S. founding member, life member, and member of the Steering Committee (1954-

               David Rockefeller, Jr. (1989)

               Jay Rockefeller (1971), current US Senator

               Nelson A. Rockefeller (1957, 1974), former US Vice President, 1974 – 1977, former Governor of New York, 1959 – 1973

               Dennis Ross (2004, 2006, 2008 )

               Walt Whitman Rostow, former National Security Advisor (United States)

               Donald Rumsfeld (1975, 2002), Secretary of Defense, 2001 – 2006

               Dean Rusk (1955, 1957, 1966), former United States Secretary of State

               Mark Sanford (2008), current Governor of South Carolina, also attended the Renaissance Weekend

               Hugh Scott (1961, 1966), former US Senator

               Brent Scowcroft (1985, 1988, 1994), former National Security Advisor (United States)

               Kathleen Sebelius (2007, 2008), current Governor of Kansas

               George P. Shultz (2008), former United States Secretary of State, former United States Secretary of the Treasury

               Kristen Silverberg (2007), Bureau of International Organization Affairs, part of the State Department

               William E. Simon (1982), former United States Secretary of the Treasury

               Walter Bedell Smith, former CIA Director

               Nancy Soderberg (1995)

               John Sparkman (1955, 1966), former US Senator

               James Steinberg (1994, 2000), former Deputy National Security Advisor

               Adlai Stevenson III (1971), former US Senator

               Robert Schwarz Strauss (1982, 1989, 1990, 1992), former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

               Lawrence Summers (1998, 2002, 2008), former United States Secretary of the Treasury

               John H. Sununu (1990), former Governor of New Hampshire

               Shirley Temple (1982), former United States Ambassador, former child actress

               Laura D’Andrea Tyson (1999)

               Cyrus Vance (1971), former United States Secretary of State

               Mark Warner (2005), former Governor of Virginia

               Vin Weber (2007, 2008), former US Congressman

               John C. Whitehead (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989-1997), former United States Deputy Secretary of State

               Christine Todd Whitman (1998), former Governor of New Jersey

               L. Douglas Wilder (1991), former Governor of Virginia, current Mayor of Richmond, Virginia

               Ross Wilson (ambassador) (2007), current United States Ambassador to Turkey

               Paul Wolfowitz (1990, 1994-1998, 2008), former President of the World Bank

               George David Woods (1966), former President of the World Bank

               Philip D. Zelikow (2007), executive director of the 9/11 Commission and Counselor of the United States Department of State

               Robert Zoellick (1991, 2003, 2006, 2008), former Deputy Secretary of State and current President of the World Bank

Canada

               Lester B. Pearson (1964, 1966, 1968), former Prime Minister of Canada from 1963 to 1968

               Pierre Trudeau (1983, 1985), former Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979, 1980 to 1984

               Jean Chrétien (1982, 1996), Canadian Prime Minister, 1993 – 2003

               Paul Martin (1996), Canadian Prime Minister, 2003 – 2006

               Stephen Harper (2003), Canadian Prime Minister, 2006 – Present

               Bernard Lord (2001), former Premier of New Brunswick

               Robert L. Stanfield (1968), former Premier of Nova Scotia

               Jason Kenney (2007), Canadian Member of Parliament

               Preston Manning (1998), former leader and founder of the Reform Party of Canada

               Lloyd Axworthy (1996), former Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)

               Kevin G. Lynch (2004), Canadian civil servant

               Frank McKenna (1994, 2006, 2008), former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, former Premier of New Brunswick, current Deputy Chairman of Toronto-Dominion Bank

               Michael Wilson (politician) (1991), current Canadian Ambassador to the United States, former Minister of Finance (Canada), former Minister of International Trade (Canada)

               Marc Lalonde (1977), former Minister of Finance (Canada)

               Jacques Parizeau (1968), former Premier of Quebec

               Robert Bourassa (1971), former Premier of Quebec

               Jean Lesage (1966), former Premier of Quebec

               Mike Harris (1996), former Premier of Ontario

               David Peterson (1990), former Premier of Ontario

               Ralph Klein (1995), former Premier of Alberta

               Peter Lougheed (1973), former Premier of Alberta

               Gerald Regan (1977), former Premier of Nova Scotia

               Paul Joseph James Martin (1957, 1966-1968), former Canadian Senator, former Leader of the Government in the Senate (Canada), former Minister of National Health and Welfare (Canada), former Secretary of State for External Affairs (Canada), father of former Prime Minister of Canada,Paul Martin

               Jeanne Sauvé (1974, 1986, 1989), former Governor General of Canada

               Donald S. Macdonald (1971, 1973, 1979-1986, 1988, 1993), former Minister of Finance (Canada), former Minister of National Defence (Canada)

               Allan MacEachen (1983), former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada

               Heather Reisman (2006, 2007, 2008), Canadian businesswoman

               Andre Desmarais, Power Corporation of Canada

United Kingdom

               Gordon Brown (1991), current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

               Tony Blair (1993),[5] former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom[9]

               John Major, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

               Margaret Thatcher (1975),[10] former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

               James Callaghan (1963, 1966), former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

               Edward Heath (1963, 1966, 1967), former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

               Alec Douglas-Home (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1986), former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

               Harold Wilson (1966), former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

               Kenneth Clarke (1993, 1998,[11] 2006[12] & 2007[13]), former Chancellor of the Exchequer

               George Osborne (2006)[14] Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer 2004-Present; member of the opposition 2001-Present

               Denis Healey, former Secretary of State for Defence 1963-1970, former Chancellor of the Exchequer 1974-1979 (founding member of Bilderberg)

               Ed Balls (2001-2003), Economic Secretary to the Treasury 2006 – 2007

               Paddy Ashdown (1989), former leader of the UK Liberal Democrats

               Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington (1978, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989-1998), former Secretary-General of NATO

               David Owen (1973, 1982, 1993), former British Foreign Secretary

               Norman Lamont (1995), former Chancellor of the Exchequer

               Nigel Lawson (1982, 1990), former Chancellor of the Exchequer

               William Hague (1998), former leader of the Conservative Party (UK), current Shadow Foreign Secretary

               Sir Malcolm Rifkind (1986, 1996), former British Foreign Secretary

               Douglas Hurd (1980, 1981), former British Foreign Secretary

               Cecil Parkinson (1989), former Chairman of the Conservative Party

               Michael Heseltine (1984), former Secretary of State for Defence

               Roy Jenkins, former President of the European Commission

               Reginald Maudling (1955, 1957, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1973, 1978), former Chancellor of the Exchequer

               Hugh Gaitskell (1954, 1955, 1958), former leader of the Labour Party (UK)

               William Waldegrave, Baron Waldegrave of North Hill (1987, 1988, 1990, 1995)

               John Smith (UK politician) (1986, 1989, 1991), former leader of the British Labour Party

               William Rodgers, Baron Rodgers of Quarry Bank (1974)

               Clement Davies (1954, 1955, 1957), former leader of the Liberal Party (UK)

               Jo Grimond (1958, 1966), former leader of the Liberal Party (UK)

               Jeremy Thorpe, former leader of the Liberal Party (UK)

               David Steel (1986), former leader of the Liberal Party (UK)

               David Hannay, Baron Hannay of Chiswick (1995, 1998 )

               Geoffrey Rippon (1974)

               David Ormsby-Gore, 5th Baron Harlech (1958, 1966), former British Ambassador to the United States

               Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1965, 1966)

               Christopher Price (UK politician), former Labour Party (UK) Member of Parliament, former member of the European Parliament

               Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury (1997)

               Michael Stewart, Baron Stewart of Fulham (1964, 1966)

               George Thomson, Baron Thomson of Monifieth (1971)

               Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone (1967)

               George Brown, Baron George-Brown (1966, 1978 )

               Enoch Powell (1968 )

               Kenneth Younger (1966)

               John Horam (1975)

               John Nott (1977), former Secretary of State for Defence

               Edmund Dell (1978 )

               Keith Joseph (1977)

               Rodric Braithwaite (1993)

               Frederic Bennett (1963, 1964, 1966-1968, 1971, 1973-1975, 1977-1980, 1984)

               John Keegan (1988), British military historian

               John Monks (1996) , former General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress

               Charles Forte, Baron Forte (1977)

               Sir Patrick Sheehy Professor of International Relations (1985, 1986, 1993)

               Giles Radice, Baron Radice (1995)

               Philip Gould, Baron Gould of Brookwood (2003)

               Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn (2002, 2003)

               Pauline Neville-Jones, Baroness Neville-Jones (2004)

               Rodney Elton, 2nd Baron Elton (1977)

               Harold Lever, Baron Lever of Manchester (1977, 1985), former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

               John Baring, 7th Baron Ashburton (1980, 1984, 1986), former Chairman of British Petroleum

               David Young, Baron Young of Graffham (1985, 1986)

               John Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Preston Candover (1982, 1983, 1984, 1986)

               William Rees-Mogg (1993)

               George Weidenfeld (1992)

               Roy Hattersley (1985)

               Norman Tebbit (1985)

               Richard Dearlove (2007), former head of MI6

               Eric Roll (1964, 1966, 1967, 1973-1975, 1977-1999) (Bilderberg Steering Committee),[15] Department of Economic Affairs, 1964, later Bilderberg Group Chairman

               John Kerr, Baron Kerr of Kinlochard (2004, 2008), member of the House of Lords, Deputy Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell

               Antony Acland (1988), former British Ambassador to the United States

               Lawrence Freedman (1991), Professor, Oxford University

Ireland

               Garret FitzGerald (1975, 1977, 1984, 1985, 1987), former Prime Minister of Ireland

               John Bruton (1998), former Prime Minister of Ireland

               Michael McDowell (1992, 2007), founding member of the Progressive Democrats of Ireland

               Paul Gallagher (2008), Attorney General of Ireland

Germany

               Egon Bahr (1968, 1971, 1982, 1987), German Minister, creator of the Ostpolitik

               Rainer Barzel (1966), former German opposition leader

               Kurt Biedenkopf (1992), former Prime Minister of Saxony

               Max Brauer (1954, 1955, 1958, 1963, 1964, 1966), former Mayor of Hamburg

               Birgit Breuel (1973, 1979, 1980, 1991, 1992, 1994), chairwoman of Treuhandanstalt

               Andreas von Bülow (1978), former Minister of Research of Germany

               Karl Carstens (1971), former President of Germany

               Klaus von Dohnanyi (1975, 1977), former Mayor of Hamburg

               Ursula Engelen-Kefer (1998), former chairwoman of the German Confederation of Trade Unions

               Björn Engholm (1991), former Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein

               Ludwig Erhard (1966), former Chancellor of Germany

               Fritz Erler (1955, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1964, 1966), Socialist Member of Parliament

               Joschka Fischer (2008), former Minister of Foreign Affairs (Germany)

               Herbert Giersch (1975), Director, Institut fur Weltwirtschaft an der Universitat Kiel

               Helmut Haussmann (1979, 1980, 1990, 1996), former Minister of Economics of Germany

               Wolfgang Ischinger (1998, 2002, 2008), former German Ambassador to Washington

               Helmut Kohl (1980, 1982, 1988), former Chancellor of Germany

               Walter Leisler Kiep (1974, 1975, 1977, 1980), former Treasurer of the Christian Democratic Union (Germany)

               Kurt Georg Kiesinger (1955, 1957, 1966), former Chancellor of Germany

               Hans Klein (1986), Member of German Bundestag

               Otto Graf Lambsdorff (1980, 1983, 1984), former Minister of Economics of Germany

               Karl Lamers (1995), Member of the German Bundestag

               Angela Merkel (2005), current Chancellor of Germany

               Alois Mertes (1983, 1985)

               Siegmar Mosdorf (2001), Secretary of State for Economics in Germany

               Alfred Müller-Armack (1966), Secretary of State for Economics in Germany

               Volker Perthes (2008), Director, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik

               Friedbert Pflüger (2005, 2006), Member of the German Bundestag

               Ruprecht Polenz (2002)

               Volker Rühe (1983, 1991-1994), former Defense Minister of Germany

               Rudolf Scharping, former Defense Minister of Germany

               Wolfgang Schäuble (2003), current Minister of Internal Affairs of Germany

               Walter Scheel (1981-84, 1986), former President of Germany

               Karl Schiller (1966), former Finance Minister of Germany

               Otto Schily (2003-2006), former Minister of Internal Affairs of Germany

               Carlo Schmid (1955, 1958, 1963, 1964, 1966), former Vice President of the Federal Parliament

               Helmut Schmidt (1966, 1967, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1986), former Chancellor of Germany

               Gerhard Schröder (CDU) (1971, 1974), former Minister of Foreign Affairs (Germany), former Minister of Defence (Germany)

               Gerhard Stoltenberg (1966, 1968), former Minister of Germany and Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein

               Franz Josef Strauß (1963, 1966), former Minister of Germany and Prime Minister of Bavaria

               Lothar Späth (1993), former Prime Minister of Baden-Wurttemberg

               Erwin Teufel (1991), former Prime Minister of Baden-Wurttemberg

               Henning Voscherau (1996), former Mayor of Hamburg

               Richard von Weizsäcker (1978), former President of Germany

               Guido Westerwelle (2007), leader of the Free Democratic Party of Germany

               Hans-Jürgen Wischnewski (1971, 1973, 1974, 1978), former Secretary of State in the Chancellor’s Office of Germany

               Matthias Wissmann (1998, 2004, 2005), former Minister of Research of Germany

Austria

               Otto von Habsburg, Archduke and Crown Prince of Austria

               Alfred Gusenbauer (2002, 2006), current Chancellor of Austria

               Wolfgang Schussel (1984), former Chancellor of Austria

               Franz Vranitzky (1975, 1979, 1986-1991, 1993, 1995-1999), former Austrian Chancellor

               Bruno Kreisky (1979), former Austrian Chancellor

               Thomas Klestil (1988), former President of Austria

               Martin Bartenstein (2006), Austrian Minister for Economy and Labour

               Josef Krainer (1989), former Governor of Styria

Switzerland

               Flavio Cotti (1994-1997), former President of the Swiss Confederation

               Pascal Couchepin (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005), current President of the Swiss Confederation

               Jean-Pascal Delamuraz (1995), former President of the Swiss Confederation

               Max Petitpierre (1963, 1966), former President of the Swiss Confederation

               Jacob Kellenberger (1993), former Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs

               Sigmund Widmer (1975), former Mayor of Zürich

               Denis de Rougemont (1954, 1955, 1966)

France

               Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1968, 2003), former President of the French Republic

               Lionel Jospin (1996), former Prime Minister of France

               Georges Pompidou (1966), former President of the French Republic

               Dominique de Villepin (2003), former Prime Minister of France

               Laurent Fabius (1994), former Prime Minister of France

               Michel Rocard (1986), former Prime Minister of France

               Pierre Bérégovoy (1992), former Prime Minister of France

               Edouard Balladur (1987), former Prime Minister of France

               Raymond Barre (1983), former Prime Minister of France

               Edgar Faure (1974), former Prime Minister of France

               René Pleven (1963, 1966), former Prime Minister of France

               Pierre Mendes-France (1968), former Prime Minister of France

               Antoine Pinay (1954, 1955, 1963, 1964, 1966), former Prime Minister of France

               Jean-Bernard Raimond (1994), former French Foreign Minister

               Jean Francois-Poncet (1982, 1985, 1988), former French Foreign Minister

               Michel Barnier (2007), former French Foreign Minister

               Hubert Védrine (1987, 1992, 2008), former French Foreign Minister

               Bernard Kouchner (2005), current Minister of Foreign Affairs (France)

               Manuel Valls (2008), French Member of Parliament

               Jean-Pierre Jouyet (2008), French Minister of European Affairs

               Jean-Pierre Chevenement (1984, 1990), former Minister of Defense (France)

               Jacques Attali (1975), French economist and scholar and former presidential adviser of France’s socialist government

               Gaston Defferre (1964, 1966), former Mayor of Marseille

               Maurice Herzog (1974), former Mayor of Chamonix

               Philippe Seguin (1990), former Mayor of Epinal

               Jean-Pierre Cot (1977), French politician, former Mayor of Coise

               Olivier Guichard (1966, 1977), French politician, former French Minister of Justice

               Guy Mollet (1954, 1955, 1957, 1963, 1966), former Socialist Prime Minister of France

               Maurice Faure (1955, 1963, 1966)

               Jacques Rueff (1966)

Belgium

               Paul Van Zeeland (1955-1958, 1966), former Prime Minister of Belgium

               Leo Tindemans (1980), former Prime Minister of Belgium

               Wilfried Martens (1989-1991, 1993), former Prime Minister of Belgium

               Jean-Luc Dehaene (2004), former Prime Minister of Belgium

               Philippe Maystadt (1996), former Belgian Minister of Finance

Netherlands

               Jan-Peter Balkenende (2008), current Prime Minister of the Netherlands, 2002 – present

               Ruud Lubbers (1983, 1991, 1992, 1994), former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, 1982 – 1994

               Wim Kok (1993, 2003), former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, 1994 – 2002

               Barend Biesheuvel (1968), former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, 1971 – 1973

               Jelle Zijlstra (1966, 1975), former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, 1966 – 1967

               Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst (1974, 1981), former Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs

               Max van der Stoel (1980), former Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1973 – 1977, 1981 – 1982

               Jozias van Aartsen (2005), former Dutch Minister of Agriculture, 1994 – 1998, former Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1998 – 2002

               Maxime Verhagen (2006, 2008), current Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2007 – present

               Frank Heemskerk (2007), Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade

               Frans Timmermans (2008), Dutch Minister of European Affairs

               Klaas de Vries (2003), Dutch Member of Parliament

               Ivo Samkalden (1963, 1966), former Mayor of Amsterdam

               Harold Goddijn (2008), CEO of TomTom

Italy

               Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (1987), former President of the Italian Republic, former Governor of the Banca d’Italia

               Francesco Cossiga (1977), former President of the Italian Republic

               Amintore Fanfani (1955, 1956, 1966), former Italian Prime Minister

               Alcide de Gasperi (1954), former Italian Prime Minister

               Claudio Martelli, former Italian Minister of Justice

               Gianni De Michelis (1991), former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs

               Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa (1986, 1998, 1999, 2008), former Italian Minister of Economy and Finance

               Romano Prodi (Steering Committee Member of Bilderberg in the 1980s), former Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Commission

               Virginio Rognoni (1982, 1991), former Italian Minister of Defense

               Mariano Rumor (1966), former Italian Prime Minister

               Domenico Siniscalco (1998), former Italian Minister of Economy and Finance

               Giulio Tremonti (2000), current Italian Minister of Economy and Finance

               Walter Veltroni (1996), former Mayor of Rome

Spain

               Esperanza Aguirre Gil de Biedma (1999, 2000), president of Madrid

               Joaquin Almunia (1998, 2008), European Commissioner for Economic & Financial Affairs

               Enrique Barón (1988), politician

               Jaime de Carvajal y Urquijo (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998), CEO, Ford Spain, Ericsson Spain and Banco Urquijo.

               Juan Luis Cebrián (1988, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005), former director of newspaper El País, CEO, Grupo Prisa

               Guillermo de la Dehesa (1989, 1993), CEO, Banco Pastor

               Carlos Ferret Salat (1993), banker

               Manuel Fraga Iribarne (1977), politician, former Secretary General, Alianza Popular

               Felipe Gonzalez (1989), former Prime Minister of Spain

               Loyola de Palacio (2005), politician

               Jesús de Polanco (1989), CEO, media group PRISA

               Jordi Pujol (1991), politician

               Rodrigo Rato (1992, 1994), politician and former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund

               Matías Rodríguez Inciarte (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001-2008), Deputy CEO, Grupo Santander

               Miguel Boyer Salvador (1989), former Finance Minister of Spain

               Miguel Sebastián Gascón (2005), former Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister and Minister of Industry (2008-…)

               Narcís Serra (1990, 1991, 1992), politician

               Javier Solana (1985, 1998, 2000), Secretary-General of the Council of the EU, former Secretary-General of NATO

               Pedro Solbes Mira (1999), Second Vice President and Minister of Economy and Finance

               Federico Trillo-Figueroa Martínez-Conde (1995), politician

               Juan Antonio Yañez-Barnuevo (1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996), Spanish Permanent Representatives to the United Nations

               Emilio de Ybarra y Clurruca (1988, 1989), former CEO, BBVA

Portugal

               Francisco Pinto Balsemão (1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995-2007) ,[16] former Prime Minister of Portugal, 1981 – 1983 and CEO of Impresa media group

               António Guterres (1990, 2005), former Prime Minister of Portugal, currently the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

               Pedro Santana Lopes (2004), former Prime Minister of Portugal

               José Sócrates (2004), current Prime Minister of Portugal

               Jorge Sampaio (1989, 1999), former President of Portugal

               Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues (2003), former Leader of the Socialist Party

               António Costa (2008), current Mayor of Lisbon

               Rui Rio (2008), current Mayor of Porto

               Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco (2006),[16] Member of Parliament (PSD)

               Augusto Santos Silva (2006),[16] Minister for Parliamentary Affairs

               Rui Machete (1989), former Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal

               Joaquim do Amaral (1999), Member of Parliament

               Manuel Sarmento Rodrigues (1966)

Greece

               Kostas Karamanlis (1998), current Prime Minister of Greece

               Constantine Mitsotakis (1993), former Prime Minister of Greece

               Georgios Alogoskoufis (2008), current Minister for Economy and Finance (Greece)

               Dora Bakoyannis (2003), current Minister for Foreign Affairs (Greece), former Mayor of Athens

               Anna Diamantopoulou (2008), Member of Parliament in Greece and former EU Commissioner

               George Andreas Papandreou (1998), former Minister for Foreign Affairs (Greece), President of the Socialist International

               Gerasimos Arsenis (1994), former Minister of Defense of Greece

               Stefanos Manos (1986, 1993, 2001), Greek politician

               Andreas Andrianopoulos (1988), former Mayor of Piraeus

Turkey

               Süleyman Demirel (1975), former Prime Minister of Turkey

               Bülent Ecevit (1975), former Prime Minister of Turkey

               Adnan Menderes (1956), former Prime Minister of Turkey

               Mesut Yilmaz (1990), former Prime Minister of Turkey

               Selim Sarper (1966), former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

               İsmail Cem (1989, 1998), former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

               Hikmet Çetin (1995, 2007), former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP)

               Emre Gönensay (1992, 1996, 2007), former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

               Ali Babacan (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008), current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

Sweden

               Fredrik Reinfeldt (2006), Prime Minister of Sweden, 2006 – present

               Carl Bildt[3] (1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2006-2008), former Prime Minister of Sweden and current Minister for Foreign Affairs

               Olof Palme (1962, 1966, 1973, 1975, 1984), former Prime Minister of Sweden

               Percy Barnevik (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001), Businessman

               Mona Sahlin (1996), Chairman of the Swedish Social Democratic Party, (Invited by Percy Barnevik)

               Thorbjörn Fälldin (1978), former Prime Minister of Sweden

               Tage Erlander (1962, 1966), former Prime Minister of Sweden

               Leif Pagrotsky (2001), former Swedish Minister for Education, Research and Culture [1];

               Anders Borg (2007), current Minister for Finance of Sweden

               Herbert Tingsten (1954, 1955, 1966), former Chief Editor, Dagens Nyheter

               Martin Waldenström (1955), Industrialist

               Björn Lundvall (1968, 1975, 1977-1980) (LM Ericsson)

               Anna Lindh (2003), former Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)

               Göran Persson (2001), former Prime Minister of Sweden

               Gunnar Sträng (1973), former Minister for Finance of Sweden

               Krister Wickman (1973, 1974, 1975, 1977), former Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)

               Hans Blix (1989), former Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)

               Maud Olofsson (2008), Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden

Norway

               Gro Harlem Brundtland (1982, 1983), former Prime Minister of Norway

               Kåre Willoch (1966, 1968, 1982, 1987), former Prime Minister of Norway

               Trygve Bratteli (1977), former Prime Minister of Norway

               Jens Stoltenberg, (2002), current Prime Minister of Norway

               Siv Jensen (2006), Chairman Fremskrittspartiet

               Johann Olav Koss (2006)

               Halvard Lange (1964), former Minister of Foreign Affairs (Norway)

               Ole Myrvoll (1974), former Minister of Finance (Norway), former Mayor of Bergen

               Svein Gjedrem (2003), Chairman of Norges Bank 1999 – present

Denmark

               Anders Fogh Rasmussen (2000), current Prime Minister of Denmark

               Mogens Lykketoft (1998), former leader of the Social Democrats of Denmark

               Tøger Seidenfaden (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999), editor-in-chief of Danish newspaper “Politiken”

               Ritt Bjerregaard (1991, 1995), former Danish Secretary of Education, EU Commissioner and currently Mayor of Copenhagen

               Anders Eldrup (2001-2007, 2008), CEO, Danish Oil and Gas Corporation (DONG)[citation needed]

               Flemming Rose (2008), editor, Jyllands-Posten

Finland

               Jaakko Iloniemi (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990-1997)

               Ilkka Suominen (1988 )

               Aatos Erkko (1991)

               Jarl Köhler (1992-1994)

               Ulf L. Sundqvist (1992)

               Johannes Koroma (1993)

               Jorma Ollila (1994, 1997-2008), former CEO of Nokia

               Krister Ahlström (1994)

               Georg Ehrnrooth (1994)

               Sirkka Hämäläinen (1994)

               Jaakko Ihamuotila (1994)

               Max Jakobson (1975, 1994)

               Gerhard M. H. Wendt (1994)

               Jukka Harmaja (1995)

               Björn Mattsson (1995)

               Pertti Voutilainen (1995)

               Janne Virkkunen (1998, 2001)

               Olli-Pekka Heinonen (2001)

               Christoffer Taxell (2002)

               Teija H. Tiilikainen (2002-2007)

               Olli Kivinen (2003)

               Björn Whalroos (2003)

               Paula Lehtomäki (2004)

               Erkki Liikanen (1999, 2005)

               Matti Vanhala (1999)

               Pentti Vartia (1999)

               Mikael Pentikäinen (2005)

               Eero Heinäluoma (2006)

               Sixten Korkman (2006)

               Atte Jääskeläinen (2007)

               Kalevi Sorsa (1990), former Prime Minister of Finland

               Esko Aho (1994), former Prime Minister of Finland

               Paavo Lipponen (1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004), former Prime Minister of Finland

               Matti Vanhanen, current Prime Minister of Finland

               Martti Ahtisaari (1994, 1995, 1996), former President of Finland

               Sauli Niinistö (1997)[3], former Minister of Finance (Finland), Speaker of Parliament

               Jyrki Katainen (2007), current Minister of Finance (Finland)

Iceland

               Davíð Oddsson (1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999), former Prime Minister of Iceland, 1991-2004

               Geir Hallgrímsson (1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984-1988, 1990), former Prime Minister of Iceland

               Björn Bjarnason (1977, 1978, 1982-1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995), vice editor of Morgunblaðið (1984 – 1991), Icelandic Minister of Education (1995 – 2002), current Minister for Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs (since 2003)

Russia

               Anatoly Chubais (1998), Russian politician

               Grigory Alexeyevich Yavlinsky (2004), Russian politician

Slovakia

               Ivan Mikloš (2005), former Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia

Czech Republic

               Karel Schwarzenberg (2008), Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs

               Jiří Pehe (2001), Director, New York University in Prague; former advisor to President Václav Havel

               Michael Žantovský (1999), Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security, Czech Senate, presently Czech Ambassador in Israel

               Karel Kovanda (1998), Head of Mission of the Czech Republic to NATO and the WEU, presently Deputy Director General responsible for CFSP, Multilateral Relations and North America, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, EEA, EFTA

Poland

               Joseph Retinger (1954-1960), founder of Bilderberg Group

               Hanna Suchocka (1998), first woman Prime Minister of Poland

               Andrzej Olechowski (1994-1999, 2003), Leader, Civic Platform

               Aleksander Kwaśniewski (2008), former President of Poland

Hungary

               János Martonyi (2008), former Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor of International Trade Law, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

               Gyorgy Suranyi (1996, 1997, 1999), former President, Hungarian National Bank

Israel

               Natan Sharansky (2005)

Iran

               Mahmood Sariolghalam (2006)

Iraq

               Ahmed Chalabi (2006)

New Zealand

               Thomas Clifton Webb (1955)

EU Commissioners

European Union Commissioners who have attended include:

               Joaquin Almunia (1998, 2008), European Commissioner for Economic & Financial Affairs

               José Manuel Barroso (1994, 2003), current President of the European Commission

               Ritt Bjerregaard (1991, 1995), Lord Mayor of Copenhagen and former European Commissioner for Environment, Nuclear Safety and Civil Protection[9]

               Frederik Bolkestein (1996, 2003),[17] former European Commissioner

               Emma Bonino (1998 )

               Leon Brittan (1992, 1998 )

               Hans van den Broek (1986, 1988, 1991, 1995),[9] former European Commissioner

               David Byrne (politician) (2005), former European Commissioner

               Henning Christophersen (1979, 1982, 1983)

               Étienne Davignon (1974, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994-2008), Bilderberg conference chairman in 2005

               Jacques Delors (1992), former President of the European Commission

               Franz Fischler (2001), former European Commissioner

               Walter Hallstein (1955, 1958, 1966), former President of the European Commission

               Neelie Kroes (2005 – 2008), present Commissioner for Competition

               Pascal Lamy (2003)[17]

               Erkki Liikanen (1999, 2005)

               Franco Maria Malfatti (1964, 1966, 1974), former President of the European Commission

               Peter Mandelson (1999[18])

               Sicco Mansholt (1963, 1964, 1966), former President of the European Commission

               Robert Marjolin (1966), former European Commissioner

               Charlie McCreevy (2008), European Commissioner

               Karel Van Miert (1993), former European Commissioner

               Mario Monti (1983-1994, 1996, 1999, 2003[17]) ,former and/or present member of the Bilderberg Steering Committee[9]

               Francois-Xavier Ortoli (1977), former President of the European Commission

               Filippo Pandolfi (1989)

               Lord Patten of Barnes (2007)

               Andris Piebalgs (2006), European Commissioner for Energy

               Romano Prodi, Steering Committee Member of Bilderberg in the 1980s

               Olli Rehn (2007), European Commissioner for Enlargement

               Jean Rey (1966), former President of the European Commission

               Jacques Santer (1991), former President of the European Commission

               Henri Simonet (1971, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982), former Vice Chairman of the European Commission

               Javier Solana (1985, 1998, 2000), High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Secretary-General of both the Council of the European Union (EU) and the Western European Union (WEU)

               Pedro Solbes (1999)

               Günter Verheugen (1995)

               António Vitorino (1996)

UN, WTO, NATO and other International Organizations

               Josette Sheeran (2007), Executive Director of United Nations World Food Programme

               Kurt Waldheim, former United Nations Secretary-General

               Kemal Derviş (2002), current United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Administrator

               Ad Melkert (1996), current UNDP Associate Administrator

               Thorvald Stoltenberg (1973, 1982, 1994, 1995), former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

               Muhammad Zafrulla Khan (1955, 1966), Pakistani politician, diplomat and international jurist

               Knut Vollebæk (2008), OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

               Eric Wyndham White (1964, 1966), former Director-General of the World Trade Organization

               Arthur Dunkel (1991), former Director-General of the World Trade Organization

               Mike Moore (2000), former Director-General of the World Trade Organization

               Renato Ruggiero (1986, 1987, 1990-1996), former Director-General of the World Trade Organization

               Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (2003, 2008), current Secretary General of NATO

               George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen (1998), former Secretary General of NATO[9]

               Willy Claes (1994, 1995, 2003), former Secretary General of NATO

               Manfred Wörner (1982, 1985, 1990-1993), former Secretary General of NATO

               Joseph Luns (1964, 1966-1968, 1971, 1973-1975, 1977, 1978-1984), former Secretary General of NATO

               Manlio Brosio (1965-1967), former Secretary General of NATO

               Dirk Stikker (1964, 1966), former Secretary General of NATO

               Paul-Henri Spaak (1963, 1966), former Secretary General of NATO

               Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay (1955), former Secretary General of NATO

Military

               Terence Airey (1955, 1966), Military Governor of Trieste

               Colin Gubbins (1955, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1964, 1966), head of the British SOE[19]

               Hans Speidel (1964, 1966), former World War II and Cold War general

Corporate

Financial institutions

               Hermann Josef Abs (1958, 1966), former Chairman of Deutsche Bank

               Josef Ackermann (2005, 2008), CEO of Deutsche Bank

               Ben S. Bernanke (2008), current Chairman of the Federal Reserve

               Michel Camdessus, former IMF Managing Director

               Guido Carli (1958, 1965, 1966, 1975, 1977, 1987), former Governor of the Banca d’Italia

               Tim Collins (financier) (2003, 2008), founder, Chief Executive Officer of Ripplewood Holdings LLC

               E. Gerald Corrigan (1994), former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, current Goldman Sachs Managing Director

               Mario Draghi (1994, 1995, 2004, 2008), current Governor of the Banca d’Italia

               Wim Duisenberg (1977, 1978-1983, 1986), former President of the European Central Bank

               Otmar Emminger (1966), former President of the Deutsche Bundesbank

               Timothy F. Geithner (2004, 2008), current President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York

               Dermot Gleeson (1995, 2008), Chairman of Allied Irish Banks

               Alan Greenspan (2002), former Chairman of the Federal Reserve

               Alfred Herrhausen (1978-1985, 1987, 1988), German banker, former Chairman of Deutsche Bank

               Kenneth Jacobs (2007, 2008), Deputy Chairman, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC

               Per Jacobsson (1957), former IMF Managing Director

               James A. Johnson (businessman) (1998, 2008), Vice Chairman, Perseus, LLC

               Mervyn A. King (2003), current Governor of the Bank Of England

               Hilmar Kopper (1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1998-2003, 2005), former CEO of Deutsche Bank

               Alexandre Lamfalussy (1983, 1986, 1988, 1992), former General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements

               Thomas S. Lamont (1957), former Vice Chairman, Morgan Guaranty Trust

               Jacques de Larosière (1982), former Governor of the Banque de France

               William J McDonough (1997)[3], former President, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

               Tom McKillop (2008), Chairman, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group

               Karl Otto Pöhl (1982, 1991), former President of the Deutsche Bundesbank

               Jürgen Ponto (1975), German banker, former Chairman of Dresdner Bank

               John Francis Prideaux (1974), former Chairman, National Westminster Bank

               Louis Rasminsky (1968), former Governor of the Bank of Canada

               Rodrigo Rato (1992, 1994), former IMF Managing Director

               Gordon Richardson (1966, 1975),[20] former Governor of the Bank of England

               David Rockefeller, CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank

               Emma Rothschild (1995)

               Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (1983, 1998 )

               Guy de Rothschild (1974)

               Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild

               Lynn Forester de Rothschild (1998 )

               Rudolf Scholten (1992, 1999-2001, 2003-2008), CEO of Oesterreichische Kontrollbank

               Pierre-Paul Schweitzer (1964, 1966), former IMF Managing Director

               George Soros (1990, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002)

               Dominique Strauss-Kahn (2000), Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and member of the social-democrat Socialist Party of France

               Jean-Claude Trichet (1995, 1999, 2008), current President of the European Central Bank

               Anthony Tuke (1974), former President, Barclays Bank

               Alfons Verplaetse (1990), former Governor of the National Bank of Belgium

               Paul Volcker (1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1997)[3], former Chairman of the Federal Reserve

               Marcus Wallenberg (1996, 1997), current Chairman of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, former CEO of Investor AB

               Jacob Wallenberg (1998, 2008), current Chairman of Investor AB, former Chairman of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken

               Siegmund Warburg (1966, 1977), founder of S. G. Warburg & Co.

               Eric Warburg (1957), founder of Warburg Pincus

               James Wolfensohn (1985, 1987, 1988, 1989-1999, 2004, 2008), former President of the World Bank Group

Major corporations

               Giovanni Agnelli (1958, 1963, 1964, 1966-1968, 1973-1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1987-1998, 2000), former CEO of Fiat

               Otto Wolff von Amerongen (1955, 1957, 1958, 1963, 1964, 1966-1968, 1971, 1973-1975, 1977-1980, 1982-2001), CEO of Otto Wolff Group (today: Part of ThyssenKrupp)

               Dwayne Andreas (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987-1996), Chairman and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland

               Percy Barnevik (1992-1996, 1997,[3] 2001), former CEO of ASEA

               Anders Björgerd (1973, 1982), former deputy CEO of Sydkraft AB

               Lloyd Blankfein (2007), CEO of Goldman Sachs

               Ian Bremmer (2007), President of Eurasia Group

               Lord Browne of Madingley (1995, 1997,[3] 2004), Chief Executive BP

               Gerhard Cromme (2000), former CEO and Chairman of ThyssenKrupp

               Paul Desmarais (1982)

               Paul Desmarais, Jr. (2006, 2008), Chairman and co-CEO of Power Corporation of Canada

               John Elkann (2008), vice chairman of Fiat and the Agnelli Group investment company IFIL

               Louis V. Gerstner (1994, 1997), former Chairman of IBM, current Chairman of The Carlyle Group

               Maurice R. Greenberg (1989-1991), former Chairman and CEO of American International Group

               H. J. Heinz II (1954)[8], CEO of H. J. Heinz Company

               Paul Hermelin (2007), CEO of Capgemini

               Daniel Janssen (1971, 1973-1975, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1995), former Chairman of the Executive Committee, Solvay (company), former vice president of the board, Union Chimique Belge, member of the European Round Table of Industrialists, member of Trilateral Commission executive committee

               James Kimsey (2006), co-founder, CEO, and first chairman of America Online (AOL)

               Andrew Knight (1978, 1980-1985, 1987-1996), Director of News Corporation, 1991-present, CEO of News International, 1900-1994, CEO and Editor-in-Chief The Daily Telegraph Group, Editor of The Economist, 1974-1984

               Klaus Kleinfeld (2008), CEO of Siemens AG

               Rahmi Koç (1994), Turkish business tycoon

               Idar Kreutzer (2007), CEO of Storebrand

               Craig Mundie (2008), chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft

               Egil Myklebust (1997, 2006, 2008), Chairman of the Board of SAS Group

               Stavros Niarchos (1967, 1968), Greek shipping tycoon

               Harald Norvik (2006), former CEO of Statoil

               Jorma Ollila (1997,[3] 2005, 2008), Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell and Nokia Corporation

               Eivind Reiten (2000), former CEO of Norsk Hydro

               Eric E. Schmidt (2007, 2008), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Google

               Jürgen E. Schrempp (1994-1996, 1997,[3] 1998, 1999, 2001-2005, 2006, 2007), former CEO of DaimlerChrysler

               Ekkehard Schulz (2002, 2005, 2006), CEO of ThyssenKrupp

               Peter Sutherland (1989-1996, 1997,[3] 2005), former Chairman of BP

               Sidney Taurel (2007), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eli Lilly

               Martin Taylor (1993-1996, 1997),[3] former CEO, Barclays

               Peter A. Thiel (2007, 2008), Co-Founder, PayPal

               Daniel Vasella (1998, 1999, 2005, 2008), Chairman and CEO of Novartis

               Jürgen Weber (2004), Chairman of Lufthansa Airline

               Klaus Zumwinkel (2002-2006), former CEO of Deutsche Post AG

University, institute and other academic

               Heather Munroe-Blum (1997), Principal and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

               Marie-Josée Kravis (1998, 1999, 2008), Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

               C. Fred Bergsten (1971, 1974, 1984, 1997)[3], President, Peterson Institute

               Walter Isaacson (2004), President, Aspen Institute

               Bruce MacLaury (1977), former President, Brookings Institution

               Victor Halberstadt (1975, 1977, 1978-1999, 2008), Professor of Economics, Leiden University, Former Honorary Secretary General of Bilderberg Meetings, Netherlands

               Klaus Schwab (1995-1997), founder of the World Economic Forum

               Laurence Parisot (2007), Head of French MEDEF

               Marshall McLuhan, Canadian Professor of English literature, literary critic, and communications theorist

               Michael Boskin (1991), Professor of Economics and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution

               William Kristol (1995), co-founder of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), member of the American Enterprise Institute, the Manhattan Institute and the Ethics and Public Policy Center

               Graham Allison (1970, 1971, 1974, 2007), Harvard political scientist and leading analyst of U.S. national security and defense policy with a special interest in nuclear weapons and terrorism

               Eberhard Sandschneider (2004), political scientist, Director of the Research Institute of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für auswärtige Politik, expert on China

               Fouad Ajami (2006, 2008), Director, Middle East Studies Program, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University

               Barnett Rubin (2008), Director of Studies and Senior Fellow, Center for International Cooperation, New York University

               Chester A. Crocker (2008), James R. Schlesinger Professor of Strategic Studies

               Martha Farah (2008), Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience; Walter H. Annenberg Professor in the Natural Sciences, University of Pennsylvania

               Roger Martin (2008), Dean, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

               Jeffrey Sachs (1990), Professor, Harvard University

               John Polanyi (1991), Professor of Chemistry, University of Toronto

               Gerald L. Curtis (1990), Professor of Political Science, Columbia University

               Aurelio Peccei (1963, 1964, 1966-1968), founder of the Club of Rome

               Lester Thurow (1977), Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School, former Dean, MIT Sloan School of Management

               Paul Samuelson (1966, 1970), American Economist, Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

               Andrew W. Cordier (1966, 1970), former President of Columbia University

               Theodore M. Hesburgh (1975), former President, Notre Dame University

Media

               Michael Barone (pundit) (2007), journalist

               John G. Bernander (2002), former head of the Norwegian national broadcaster NRK

               Lord Black of Crossharbour (1981, 1983, 1985-1996, 1997)[3],Telegraph Chairman

               Oscar Bronner (2005-2007, 2008), Editor of the Austrian newspaper Der Standard

               William F. Buckley, Jr. (1975, 1996), founder of National Review and former host of Firing Line

               Hubert Burda (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005-2007), Owner and CEO of Hubert Burda Media

               Phillip Crawley (2006), Globe and Mail Publisher

               Mathias Döpfner (2005-2007), CEO of Axel Springer AG, editing amongst others Die Welt and Bild

               Esther Dyson (2007), commentator on emerging digital technology

               Paul Finney (1977), former Managing Editor, Business Week

               Donald E. Graham (1999, 2008), Chairman of the Board of The Washington Post Company

               Josef Joffe (1993, 2006), Publisher of Die Zeit

               Rupert Murdoch (1982, 1988 )

               Christine Ockrent (1984, 2007, 2008), former first anchor of the 8pm news on the Antenne 2 French TV channel

               Anthony O’Reilly (1983), Irish media tycoon

               Norman Podhoretz (1996), Editor, Commentary

               George Stephanopoulos (1996, 1997[3]), ABC News’s Chief Washington Correspondent, host of ABC’s This Week, senior political adviser to the 1992 U.S. presidential campaign of Bill Clinton and former communications director for Clinton.

               Arthur Hays Sulzberger (1956, 1957, 1966)

               Arthur Taylor (1977), former President, CBS

               Ben J. Wattenberg (1982)

               Mortimer Zuckerman (1994), publisher/owner of the New York Daily News, current Editor-in-Chief of U.S. News & World Report

Journalists

               Alexandre Adler (2003), French conservative journalist

               Paul Gigot (1996, 2008), Editor of the Editorial Page of The Wall Street Journal 2003- present

               Martin Wolf (1999-2001, 2003-2006), Financial Times columnist

               Juan Luis Cebrián (1983, 1985, 1987-1990, 1993, 2008), Ex-director of El País Spanish daily newspaper and CEO of PRISA Group

               Will Hutton (1997)[5]

               Peter Jennings (1995)

               George Will (1978, 1981)

               Charlie Rose (2002, 2008 )

               Fareed Zakaria (2002, 2005)

               Andrea Mitchell (2002)

               Lesley Stahl (1989, 1997)

               Thomas L. Friedman (1995, 2003)

               Bill D. Moyers (1967, 1968, 1971, 1973)

               Jim Hoagland (1993, 1998, 1999, 2002)

               Vendeline A. H. von Bredow (2006-2008), Business Correspondent for The Economist

               Adrian D. Wooldridge (2004-2008), Foreign Correspondent for The Economist