The WindChime: K-House eNews for April 29, 2008

Bringing the world into focus through the lens of Scripture

K-House eNews
For The Week Of April 29, 2008

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

This Week's 66/40 Radio Broadcast

Articles and Commentary

Syria's Foiled Nuclear Ambitions - (Read)

The Mediterranean Union - (Read)

The Apple of God's Eye Turns 60 - (Read)

Strategic Perspectives - Southern California Conference - (Read)

Important News Headlines

Memory Verse of the Week

**THIS WEEK'S 66/40 RADIO BROADCAST**

Genesis 1:9-1:19
The Anthropic Principle

Why study the book of Genesis? It is the book of beginnings: creation, man, women, sabbath, marriage, home, childhood, sin, murder,sacrifice, grace, trade, agriculture, city life, languages, ect. Genesis anticipates all false philosophies: atheism, pantheism, polytheism, materialism, humanism, evolution, and uniformism. All major doctrines have their roots in Genesis: sovereign election, salvation, justification by faith, believer's security, separation, disciplinary chastisement, divine incarnation, resurrection, priesthoods, and covenants.

**SPECIAL OFFER**

The Magog Invasion - DVD by Chuck Missler

Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39 describe the occasion in which God Himself intervenes to quell the ill-fated invasion of Israel by Magog and its allies (Persia, Cush, Phut, Libya, Gomer, Togarmah, Meshech, and Tubal). This passage also appears to anticipate the use of nuclear weapons.

Why does the Bible use such strange names? It has to - we keep changing the names of things: Petrograd = St. Petersburg = Leningrad = St. Petersburg again. (My friends in Russia remind me that ''in Russia, even the past is uncertain!'') Byzantium = Constantinople = Istanbul. Cape Canaveral = Cape Kennedy, etc. But we don’t change the names of our ancestors!

DVD - $17.95 (a $2.00 discount)

This offer will expire in 7 days.

**ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY**

SYRIA'S FOILED NUCLEAR AMBITIONS - (Print)

This past week the CIA made public evidence of Syria's foiled nuclear ambitions - including dramatic satellite images and on-site photographs. The CIA claims the North Korean-Syrian nuclear reactor was within weeks of becoming operational when it was bombed by Israel. Furthermore, according to the CIA, the site could have produced enough plutonium for two bombs a year.

Rumors concerning Syria's nuclear program have been circulating for months, following reports that Israel conducted a nighttime raid deep into Syria to destroy the clandestine nuclear facility. The mysterious raid took place on September 6th, leaving behind what has been described as a "big black hole" in the desert. In the days and weeks following the raid, rumors spread concerning the nature of the target. Some believed the raid may have been an attack against a chemical weapons facility. Others speculated that Israel destroyed an Iranian-financed missile base or a weapons shipment destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to the White House, the CIA report was made public in order to send a message to nations like North Korea and Iran.

The US has long hoped that pressure from the international community would motivate North Korea to continue with six-party talks and eventually abandon its nuclear program. For more than six years the six nations have tried to reach an agreement, without much success. North Korea's eccentric dictator, Kim Jong-Il, has a history of unpredictable behavior and has proven to be a fickle negotiating partner. Evidence of North Korea's nuclear proliferation activities in the Middle East has made the matter even more complicated.

The Magog Invasion

Many experts believe that a large-scale confrontation between Israel and its neighbors could happen in the near future. Syria and Israel are still technically at war, and Syria has yet to officially recognize the Jewish state. Formal peace negotiations between the two nations fell apart in January of 2000, thus making Syria's growing relationship with nations such as Iran and Russia more concerning.

Russia has repeatedly expressed a desire to play a larger role in the Middle East. Since losing the Mid-East foothold provided by Saddam Hussein's Iraq, Russia has been carefully cultivating ties with Turkey, Iran and Syria. With its vast natural resources and growing energy wealth, its renovated nuclear force, renewed sense of nationalism, and fresh alliances, Russia is once again at the forefront of international politics.

The prophet Ezekiel spoke of an invasion of Israel by Russia, which has not yet been fulfilled. Many respected scholars disagree as to when the invasion will take place in relation to other Biblical prophecies, but most all agree that God will directly intervene, rescuing Israel from a nuclear attack. Tensions in the Middle East continue to increase and recent events indicate that this famed battle prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39 could be on our horizon. To learn more about The Magog Invasion click on the links below.

THE MEDITERRANEAN UNION - (Print)

The European Union is continuing its expansion with plans to form a new entity called the Union for the Mediterranean. The Union for the Mediterranean is an international community made up of EU member states and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The potential members include Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, the Palestinian Territories, and much of northern Africa. The new union will be established at a summit scheduled to take place in Paris this summer.

The Union for the Mediterranean was put forward by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is strongly opposed to Turkey's EU bid. The new union was first proposed as a means by which the EU could avoid granting Turkey full membership status in the European community. However Turkey has refused to participate unless it is given a guarantee that the Mediterranean Union would not be viewed as an alternative to EU membership. Despite the controversy surrounding Turkey, and some disagreement between France and Germany over membership, it would appear that plans for the Mediterranean Union are on track.

Europa Rising

The strategic geopolitical horizon of past half-century has been dominated by two superpowers: the United States and the USSR. But it is becoming clear that the two dominant powers of the next half-century apparently will be China in the east and the "new Europe" in the west. Over the last fifty years the European Union has emerged as a growing world power. The EU now encompasses more than 460 million people, stretching from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and east all the way to the Black Sea.

Europe's leaders are working hard to create a stronger, more-centralized Europe. In 2007, the European community welcomed two new member states: Romania and Bulgaria. It also expanded the border free zone and announced plans to merge its overseas embassies. In December, Europe's leaders signed the historic EU reform treaty, also called the Treaty of Lisbon. If all goes as planned the treaty will be ratified by member states next year and will enter into force on January 1, 2009. (The Treaty of Lisbon is essentially the same as the failed EU constitution, but this time around its fate will not rest in the hands of the people.)

Efforts to create a stronger Europe seem to be working. The EU has surpassed the United States to become the "world's biggest" economy. The combined gross domestic product of the 15 countries which use the euro overtook that of the United States in 2007. This is due in large part to the decline of the value of the US dollar. This past year Europe eclipsed the US in stock market value for the first time since the first World War, and economists say that the Euro could eventually take the place of the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency.

To learn more about this topic, click on the links below.

THE APPLE OF GOD'S EYE TURNS 60 - (Print)

The Nation of Israel is preparing to celebrate its 60th birthday. Despite its position as the world's only Jewish state, surrounded by hostile Arab states, Israel has survived and prospered for six decades.

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion met in the Tel Aviv Museum with Jewish representatives from across Israel and declared Israel's independence. Within 24 hours, the armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon attacked. Ever since, Israel has been in constant state of self defense. Like Nehemiah's workers at the wall, Israel's nation builders have had to shovel mortar with one hand and grip a spear with the other.

During its first 15 months of life, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fought off invaders and over 6000 Israelis were killed. Despite the attacks, some 50,000 Jews - mostly Holocaust survivors – had poured into Israel by the end of the summer of 1948. Nearly 700,000 would arrive by the end of 1951 - 300,000 of those from Arab lands.

In January, 1949, Israel held national elections in which nearly 85 percent of eligible voters went to the polls. The first 120-seat Knesset went into session shortly thereafter.

On 11 May 1949, Israel became the 59th member of the United Nations.

Despite constant terror attacks, the people of Israel built housing, developed industry and mining, and planted thousands of trees along the expanding roadway system. They improved agriculture and opened new areas to cultivation. They established telecommunications and electrical networks. Schools were built and soon school attendance was free and required for all children ages 5-14.

Yet, Egypt hovered on Israel's southern border, Jordan growled on the west, and Syria and Lebanon chafed on the north.

In 1956, Egypt began to keep ships with Israel interests from passing through the Suez Canal, and Egyptian troop numbers on the Sinai grew. Israel took action, capturing the Gaza strip and the Sinai peninsula in an eight-day campaign. The United Nations stepped in and placed troops in the Sinai. Israel agreed to back off in stages, and Egypt allowed Israel to use the waterways for trade.

As Israel entered its second decade, its manufacturing and food production sectors continued to expand. Israel grew increasingly more self-sufficient and able to export the goods and food it produced.

In 1961, a large medical complex, the Hadassah Medical Center was constructed adjacent to the Ein Kerem neighborhood, along with a medical science campus of the Hebrew University. In 1965, the Israel Museum opened, and the permanent home for the Knesset was dedicated in August, 1966.

Israel's Arab enemies had made many deadly attacks on Israeli citizens since the nation's formation. On June 2, 1964, The Palestinian Liberation Organization(PLO) was created. In its Statement of Proclamation of the Organization (three years before the Six-Day War) the PLO declared:

"... the right of the Palestinian Arab people to its sacred homeland Palestine and affirming the inevitability of the battle to liberate the usurped part from it, and its determination to bring out its effective revolutionary entity and the mobilization of the capabilities and potentialities and its material, military and spiritual forces."

Then, in May of 1967, Egypt again moved troops into the Sinai. In the meanwhile, Jordan and Syria forces pushed in from the east and north. Surrounded by an Arab force of nearly half a million troops, Israel made preemptive strikes at the beginning of June, 1967. After six days of fighting, Israel had taken the Sinai, Gaza, and the Golan Heights. For the first time since the new state's formation, Israel controlled all of Jerusalem.

The Arab position at the Khartoum Summit in August 1967 remained full of animosity. The Arabs called for no peace with Israel, no negotiations with Israel, and no recognition of Israel.

Again in 1973, Israel's existence was put in jeopardy. On October 6, 1973, Egyptian and Syrian forces surprise-attacked Israel on the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur. Israel defeated its enemies once again during the 20 days that followed, making gains in the Golan Heights and hammering Egypt in the Sinai.

In 1978, Israel's Prime Minister Manachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat drafted a peace agreement with President Jimmy Carter at Camp David.

In 1994, Israel Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin and Jordan's King Hussein signed the "Washington Declaration" to bring peace between Jordan and Israel.

But peace has eluded Israel. The PLO under Yasser Arafat refused to come to any real peace agreement. The destruction of Israel was more important, apparently, than helping its own people escape poverty and ignorance. Even today, with Arafat dead, that violent spirit continues among many Palestinians.

Yet, despite every war, every suicide bomb attack, and every stream of profanity directed at the Jewish state, Israel has pushed on for 60 full years. It lives on, offering the world a sense that the God of Israel still lives, and that He is protecting the apple of His eye. Just as He said He would.

Happy Birthday, Israel. God blesses those who bless you.

STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVES - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE - (Print)

Strategic Perspectives: Southern California Conference
May 16th-17th at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

Friday Night - 6:00pm to 10:00pm

Worship with Dennis Agajanian

"What The 'News' is Not Telling You"
Joseph Farah, World Net Daily Founder

"High Tech in the Bible"
Chuck Missler, Koinonia Institute Founder

Q&A with Chuck Missler

Saturday - 9:00am to 10:00pm

Worship with Dennis Agajanian

"All Eyes On The Epicenter: Russia, Iran and the Future of Israel"
Joel Rosenberg, Author, Speaker, Communications Strategist

"The Signs of the Times: We Are Closer Than You Think"
Paul McGuire, Author/Radio Commentator

"The Merciful God of Revelation"
Tim LaHaye, Author of the Left Behind Series

"The Divine Butler…A Nation in Distress"
Ray Comfort, Pastor/Author/Bible Teacher

"Lessons From the Ledge...A Biblical Explorer Shares His Incredible Findings"
Bob Cornuke, Archaeologist with B.A.S.E. Institute

"Israel at 60: What Does the Future Hold"
General Shimon Erem

"Islam in Bible Prophecy"
Walid Shoebat, Former PLO Terrorist

Sunday Night - There will be a special KI Members Dinner and private session with Walid Shoebat. For more information on the KI dinner contact Dan Stolebarger.

General admission tickets are only $25 if you purchase them before May 1st – so don't wait! For more information, or to purchase tickets, click on the link below.

Related Links:

• Purchase Tickets Here - $25.00 before May 1st
• Events Calendar - Koinonia House

**IMPORTANT NEWS HEADLINES**

VeriChip Launches Direct to Consumer ID Chips - April 29, 2008
VeriChip has launched a direct-to-consumer ID chip program known as Health Link. Consumers may now opt to have the RFID chip implanted in their arms, the transponder's unique 16-digit ID number is linked to a database containing that individual's medical records. RFID Journal

Home Foreclosure Rate Continues Ugly Climb - April 29, 2008
The number of US homes heading toward foreclosure more than doubled in the first quarter from a year earlier, as weakening property values and tighter lending left many homeowners powerless to prevent homes from being auctioned to the highest bidder. Among the hardest hit states were Nevada, Florida and California. MSNBC

Housing Prices Drop at Fastest Pace Ever - April 29, 2008
Housing prices dropped in February at the fastest rate ever, reflecting that the housing slump is gaining momentum and showing no signs of letting up. MSNBC

Hamas Says It Has 200,000 Suicide Bombers - April 29, 2008
Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, said on Tuesday that Hamas has 200,000 people who want to blow themselves up inside Israel. Zahar says Israel will pay if it rejects the Egyptian initiative for truce with the Palestinians. JP

Some Stores Limiting Sales of Rice as Customers Hoard - April 29, 2008
Some Sam's Club, Costco, and warehouse stores are limiting purchases of rice and flour. Some consumers have started hoarding rice, the food staple for half the world, as prices soar and supplies shrink. AP

**KOINONIA INSTITUTE**

KOINONIA INSTITUTE - equipping Christians to sojourn in our world.

Study the Bible as the inerrant Word of God

Learn about our world from a Biblical perspective

Then apply that Biblical training and Biblical worldview to get into our world and change it

For information on our online learning courses and how you can join the Institute and be a part of what God is doing here, go to www.studycenter.com.

**MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK**

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalms 122:6-0 KJV

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