Saturday, February 21, 2015

Why You Should Pray for Baghdad

As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth. 
—Jeremiah 51:49


This last Wednesday, Denver Snuffer posted an intriguing and ominous, single-sentence post on his blog as follows:

“The God of Heaven tells me all the world should pray that Baghdad does not fall.”

Since that post, I’ve seen a number of reactions. Some have offered thoughts about the humanitarian elements of war and suffering in and around Baghdad; others have talked about the economic consequences to the United States and the world. And some, honestly, have no idea where Baghdad is, or why its fall might matter at all. 

As for me, I’m quite concerned that one of the most important events in world history is staring us in the face and so many of us are unaware and oblivious. So here’s a quick primer on Baghdad and why it is so important, even vital, to the future, not just of the Middle East, but of the world. I pray that you’ll consider these things carefully, as they affect your future as well.

Please keep in mind, the following is my opinion. I don’t speak for Denver Snuffer. I’ve reached these conclusions by study and prayer. I invite you to study it for yourself. 

Let's talk about Baghdad.

A Modern City with Ancient Roots

Baghdad is the political, governmental, cultural, social and educational capital of Iraq. The name Baghdad comes from the Persian word meaning "the gift of God." The city is situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the land known as Mesopotamia. 

The foundation of Baghdad dates back to AD 800. It was built after the destruction of the prior capital of the area—known as Babylon—the ruins of which lie 50 miles to the south. Yes, THAT Babylon. Modern Baghdad occupies the same general region and governs the same territory as ancient Babylon. Baghdad is, in some prophetic applications, the modern equivalent of Babylon.

Babylon, you will recall, attacked and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, carrying the Jewish population captive back to Babylon for a period of 70 years. It was, in fact, this pending attack that Lehi warned about, prior to fleeing Jerusalem with his family. Mulek, son of king Zedekiah also fled this attack and came to the promised land with a different group. The prophet Jeremiah was among those taken captive by Bablyon. Hence, in Jewish scripture, Babylon is often synonymous with wickedness or the world. Babylon is also highly significant in modern prophecy, which we’ll get to in a minute.

The city of Baghdad is also very important in Islam, having been the political capital of prior Islamic empires for hundreds of years. It was, at one point, the largest city in the world, with 1.2 million inhabitants.

Today, over 7 million people live in the city of Baghdad with another 5 million in the immediate surrounding area. Baghdad is the largest city in Iraq, and the second largest city in Western Asia.

U.S. Intervention and Presence

Since the fall of Baghdad to U.S.-led coalition forces in April, 2003, the U.S. has had a continuous military presence in the city. The heavily fortified U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad is the largest embassy in the world, and is really a city within a city, housing up to 35,000 personnel. 

Baghdad and ISIS

Now, let’s talk about the importance of Baghdad to the current world situation. To do that, we must start with ISIS.

If you pay attention to the news, you’ve likely heard of ISIL, ISIS, or the Islamic State. This is a group of Islamic insurgent fighters who have waged war in Syria and Iraq, and have now gained control of large parts of both countries.

ISIS employs brutal tactics in its warfare, and has gained much recent notoriety for barbaric cruelty. Dressed in black clothing, black masks and carrying black flags, ISIS has mastered the psychological impact of terrorism on their enemies and on the world. A small sample of their most recent acts include the following:

  • Placing a downed Jordanian pilot in an iron cage, dousing him with gasoline, and burning him alive while onlookers cheered.
  • A follow-on, caged burning of 45 captured enemies. 
  • The mass beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians.
  • Executing unarmed, captured enemies by the hundreds in front of machine-gun firing squads.
  • Beheading captured relief workers, journalists, and Christians.
  • Murdering women and children in occupied areas. 
  • Stoning, crucifixion, torture, slavery, rape, forced marriage, and sex slavery. 

Many of these heinous acts are captured on video, professionally edited, and paraded before the world. These are not isolated events, but carefully planned propaganda. ISIS has a very effective PR machine and gets all the press attention they want.

ISIS is also waging very effective war. It has doubled the land it controls since last summer, despite over 1,000 coalition airstrikes. ISIS now controls a third of Syria and a third of Iraq. The fighting has displaced over 1 million Iraqis and over 3 million Syrians, creating a desperate humanitarian situation.

Fighting for God

The most important thing to understand about ISIS is the religious ideas driving their war. Volumes could be written here, but I’ll attempt to give a brief overview. Here is what you need to understand:
  1. ISIS follows a very strict interpretation of Islam. These are not ignorant barbarians, but deeply religious, and often educated, devotees to the prophet Muhammad. You will not beat them in debating their scripture, the Koran, nor will you find more strictly religious adherents to Muhammad’s original teachings. This is not about oil, jobs, money, fame, power or control. This is about religion. 
  2. ISIS is committed to purifying the world by slaughtering vast numbers of people, until all are brought under Islamic rule and Sharia law. They consider this their mandate from God. The executions, crucifixions, slavery, beheadings, and brutality are condoned by their scripture and considered religious duty. They are proud to parade these things before the world as evidence of their devotion to God, claiming that prior terrorist groups like Al Queda were simply too weak to do what God requires.
  3. ISIS has done something quite remarkable that few have dared to do in nearly 100 years. They have declared a Caliphate. If you’re not familiar with this word, a Caliphate is like a religious kingdom, led by a Caliph, who is like a religious king. In calling themselves the Islamic State, they are reinforcing the idea that ISIS is now a separate political entity, and not merely an insurgency. In their eyes, they are the Kingdom of God on earth.
  4. The leader of ISIS, a man named Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has declared himself the Caliph. Such a title makes him the direct successor to Muhammad. If he were to gain widespread acceptance as Caliph, all Muslims worldwide would be required by their religion to swear a vow of allegiance to him and take up his cause. As Caliph, he would be required to wage continuous war until Islam conquers the world. 
  5. ISIS followers take this all very seriously. Many Muslims throughout the world are already beginning to accept Baghdadi as Caliph and are flocking to Syria and Iraq to join the fighting. Estimates say 20,000 Muslims have come from other regions including Europe, Africa, Russia, Asia, and even the U.S.
  6. To be considered a legitimate Caliphate, ISIS must control a substantial territory where Sharia law is enforced. Without territory, there is no Caliphate, just as a king with no kingdom is just a man. Land is essential. This explains the highly aggressive incursions into Syria and Iraq that have brought large areas under ISIS control. But these areas are mostly rural and sparsely populated.
  7. And finally, this explains the relentless push toward Baghdad. ISIS, by capturing Baghdad would have an incredibly strong position, not only militarily, but also religiously. It would be nearly impossible for most Muslims, who believe the Koran, to deny the legitimacy of the Islamic State Caliphate when it controls such a large, powerful, and important city. (Incidentally, the last caliphate to exist was also centered in Baghdad, as were many others for over 500 years.) Rather than thousands of Muslims pledging their loyalty and coming to fight, there would be millions. Many millions. 
  8. Taking Baghdad would also defeat the sparse U.S. forces defending the city. This would send a resounding message to the world, massively enhancing the respect and credibility of ISIS in the Muslim world. Unfortunately, US forces in Baghdad are not nearly strong enough to defend the city, and they rely heavily on air strikes, the weak Iraqi army, and the fortifications of the US Embassy compound. Imagine the effect on other Muslim insurgent groups worldwide if ISIS were to defeat US forces, take Baghdad, and take over the heavily fortified US embassy compound as their new worldwide headquarters. 
  9. This sort of success would unite rival insurgent factions, like Al Queda, Boko Haram and others, to the ISIS banner.
  10. In short, the fall of Baghdad would give ISIS the credibility, numbers, allegiance, weapons, infrastructure and legitimacy they need to completely dominate the Middle East and launch a full-scale attack on Israel. ISIS has openly stated that this is their intention. 
  11. Tiny Israel, massively outnumbered, unprotected by a weakened U.S. military with no resolve, and facing an attacking army many millions strong, would have no choice but to respond with its nuclear weapons. Israel would undoubtedly nuke Baghdad, striking at the head of the snake, fulfilling prophecies of the desolation of Babylon for the second time in history, and launching Armageddon. ISIS expects and welcomes this. They also expect and welcome European armies to meet them on the field of battle. They expect to win because they have prophecies that say they will.
If you want to more fully understand ISIS, there's a lot on the internet. Here's a great article to start with.

What will Stop Them?

So, given the fact that ISIS has made their intentions clear, and that the scenario I outlined above is a very real possibility, we have to ask ourselves what stands to stop the fall of Baghdad and the resulting Armageddon. 

Well, last June, ISIS attacked Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul. Despite having a population of 1.8 million, the city rapidly fell to ISIS as the Iraqi army fled in terror. This city has served as the the headquarters of ISIS since it was taken. 

ISIS is very well armed and increasingly well organized. Most of their weapons are US made, and came from Syria, where the US was providing arms to the wrong people. ISIS also controls vast oil resources, bringing in over $3 million per day. In other words, they have lots of resources at their disposal.

ISIS actually attempted attacks on Baghdad last summer, but was repelled. They’ve spent the intervening time solidifying their hold in more areas of Iraq, growing in numbers, and perfecting their skills. Last week ISIS forces reportedly burned alive 45 prisoners just 5 miles outside the Ain al-Asad US air base, which is only 50 miles from Baghdad, and is protected by about 320 US Marines. The base has been under more or less continuous attack for weeks and could only repel a full-scale assault by using air strikes.

In total there are fewer than 4,000 US military personnel in Iraq, and ISIS forces are estimated between 30,000 and 50,000, with more arriving daily in response to a very effective PR and propaganda outreach. Incidentally, rival Kurdish leaders have estimated ISIS has 200,000 fighters. 

The Iraqi army is very weak and showed at Mosul they would almost immediately flee, rather than risk being killed, or worse captured, then tortured and burned alive.

I won’t go into the strategic side of things here, but suffice it to say Baghdad is very exposed, and very vulnerable. The fall of Baghdad is not only possible, but likely. U.S. Air defenses are the only real bulwark the city has at this point. If our bombers and fighters fail, Baghdad falls. That said, keep in mind that over 1,000 air strikes have so far not slowed the advance of ISIS. Air strikes are not effective against certain kinds of attacks.
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. 
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:16, 19)
To say the situation is grave is an immense understatement.

Babylon in Modern Prophecy

And so we come to modern prophecy  Consider this, from the Lord’s preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, in which Christ tells us the following:
Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear: Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth. (D&C 1:11-13) 
This is not an idle warning from the Lord. He is serious about what is coming. 
And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; (D&C 1:14-15)
The Lord has sent and is sending prophets to warn us of the danger of our situation. Who is raising that warning voice today? 
They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. (D&C 1:16 emphasis mine)
And this is the crux of the matter. The world has fallen into great wickedness and idolatry. And so the world and its idols are waxing old, and will perish in Babylon. Remember, where Babylon is? A valid reading of this verse tells us that the fall of Babylon brings the destruction of the world. 
Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets— (D&C 1:17-18 emphasis mine)
The Lord always sends prophets before destruction. He has sent one in our day. We must have ears to hear and hearts to heed.
The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; (D&C 1:19-20)
The message of repentance and warning teaches us that each of us can, and must, come to know the Lord ourselves. We cannot, and must not, trust in the arm of flesh. No man can save us. 

And so We Must Pray

The leader of ISIS, who has now declared himself Caliph, is named Baghdadi, which means “of Baghdad.” This is reportedly not his given name, but one he chose for himself. I think he means it.

I don’t believe military force will stop what’s coming. Our only hope is that God will intervene.

Of course, we need to pray for the victims of this brutality. We need to pray for the displaced refugees, and the threatened. We need to pray for our fellow Christians, who face death for their faith. We need to pray for the perpetrators of this awful violence. These are our brothers and sisters, and we should be doing that anyway. 

But most of all, we need to pray that Baghdad will not fall. A prophet has given us this warning from God. I intend to heed it.

A Little Longer

In the Zenos allegory of Jacob 5, a point is reached at which the vineyard has become utterly corrupt and the Lord determines to burn everything. 

But, behold, the servant said unto the Lord of the vineyard: Spare it a little longer.  
And the Lord said: Yea, I will spare it a little longer, for it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard. (Jacob 5:50-51)
The Lord of the vineyard, rather than proceeding with the destruction, was persuaded by his servant to take extraordinary measures and spare it a little longer. 

You and I, we need a little longer. We need time to repent, to prepare, to humble ourselves to the dust. We need to to be the servants who cry unto the Lord. If the chain reaction is touched off now, Zion may not come before the destruction. We need more time before the world burns.

There are currently thousands and tens of thousands who are praying every day that they will be able to take Baghdad. Like it or not, they're asking God to let it happen. We MUST counter with our faith and our prayers. The situation is desperate, and God can, indeed, intervene. But it will require the faith and prayers of thousands.

A prophet has warned us with a message from the God of Heaven. This Sunday, February 22, many will be fasting and praying that Baghdad will not fall. Please unite your prayers and faith with ours. We need more time to repent and prepare—before the world falls into the coming dark day.

Lord, spare it a little longer!

39 comments:

  1. "By their fruits ye shall know them"

    "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love"

    "For I give unto you a pattern in all things that ye be not deceived, for Satan is abroad and deceiveth the nations...he that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth the same is of God"

    I have read what you and Snuffer have been saying for sometime. Much of what you present has merit. Unfortunately, as is the nature and disposition of almost all men, you, like the leaders of the church you so roundly condemn, (and they are as guilty as you) fall into the spirit of fear.

    God will do his work, to suggest that because of few barbaric monsters, that Zion will not come...

    I invite you to repent and seek a God who "shall with righteousness and truth sweep the earth as with a flood"

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    1. Zion has failed before. In fact, Zion almost always fails. God cannot force it to come, and he will not destroy our agency--including our agency to fight against him.

      You are using the same argument as those who say God would never allow his church to be led astray.

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    2. God is continually doing HIS work, although He did give us the divine gift of agency. We may choose Zion right now, or reject it. God will continue to wait until there is a people here who have risen up, understand the true points of Christ's Doctrine, accept HIS TRUE messengers and their message, and KNOW the Lord.

      As Adrian said in this post, Zion has failed before, and will fail again unless we are ready to receive the Lord.

      I very much appreciate how this post was organized and written in such a way that anyone can understand the history and relevance of Baghdad, and also understand the scriptural prophecies and how they are unfolding.

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  2. Adrian, that was beautiful. Thank you for making the effort to put this together.

    Let us cry mightily in fasting that the God of Heaven will intervene and buy us some time.

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  3. Satan often uses fear to keep us from receiving light and truth. If we feel fearful reading things like this or the things Denver has written it's important to go to the Lord and ask, "why?"
    Thank you for putting this together Adrian.

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  4. I can appreciate this as a voice of warning and a cry unto repentance. If it causes fear, that is my problem and a sign that I need to work on my faith and trust in God. Thank you for sharing this information in a way that it is easy to understand and apply.

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  5. I agree with many of your concerns. I have a different understanding on some things however: Jeremiah was not taken into Babylon, but remained in Judea, and was eventually forced to go to Egypt. Did he die there as many think? Or did Jeremiah take the king's daughters to Spain and Ireland as the legends tell? On another note: Isis may have a history different than many think. I recommend this report: https://www.corbettreport.com/episode-295-who-is-really-behind-isis/

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    1. Good catch on Jeremiah. I'll correct that. He was a prophet when Jerusalem fell, but he was favored by Nebuchadnezzar and allowed to live where he chose.

      As for the origins of ISIS, I think the more important consideration is the goals of ISIS. They've gone viral and are growing well beyond their roots. Interesting that back in September, the guy who made the video you posted dismissed them as a minor and temporary threat.

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    2. You Do Realize that the US Funded and Trained ISIS, Right?

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    3. @erichard: you are right that the US funds ISIS. One prophecy that I think is possibly pertinent to that is Psalms 57:6. This also correlates with Nephi's vision of the last days in Chapter 14 of 1st Nephi in the third 3rd verse where Nephi sees a pit dug and that those who dig it fall into it themselves.
      The US has attempted to fund all previous terrorist networks. This because it gives them a level of control over those networks and it becomes a suitable boogey-man for political expediency. I do wonder however, when the boogey man will eventually get away from them. Is ISIS the one that will break their control? Is ISIS the put that we dig and eventually can't escape the fall back into it?

      Another interesting thing about ISIS is that in Arabic the acronym used to name ISIS actually sounds like DAESH. What is unique about DAESH is that it is an Arabic word that means to grind under foot. Take a look at Daniel 7:7 and ponder on that for a while.

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    4. Thanks for the thoughts Edwin. I do love this: "And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church,..shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction..."

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    5. Wesley Clark: "Our friends and allies funded ISIS to destroy Hezbollah" http://youtu.be/QHLqaSZPe98 What about just letting the wicked destroy the wicked? We fund them and we become wicked also. Thinking about Daniel 7:7-9 I found this: http://kenraggio.com/KRPN-Four-Beasts-Of-Daniel.html which may be right.

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  6. Very well said, Adrian. Thank you.

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  7. What gives ISIS its popularity and support? Could a lot of it be all the havoc wreaked by drones, cruise missiles, and snipers coming from hated foreigners on their innocent women and children? ISIS still has a lot of catching up to do to be able to claim as many victims as Bush and Obama can claim from their wars and drone strikes. We just are not shown on our own MSM the graphic results of the US and coalition military strikes on innocent victims, especially women and children, but many of the "rabid supporters of ISIS" have personally experienced this devastation in their own families.

    To pray that Baghdad does not fall to ISIS without also praying just as fervently that our leaders and the leaders of men and nations stop all this war mongering, and to pray for them to seek to renounce war and seek for peace, seems to me to be very parochial and hypocritical.

    The spirit tells me that D&C 98:16, 3 Nephi 3:19-21, Mormon 4:4-5, and President Kimball's address "The False Gods we Worship" were prepared for our day, and apply to us now.

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  8. I had done some reading after Denver posted his statement and am so glad you took the time to write and post this wonderful article. ISIS is a very serious threat.

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  9. prayer just helps people feel better about doing nothing

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    1. That's interesting, because when I pray - or rather cry unto the Lord for a cause, whether personal or on behalf of others, the Lord calls me to action. There is work involved in intercession - not just some flippant words tossed out during a bedtime prayer ritual. If we pray for the Lord to spare the vineyard a bit longer, we better be prepared to do what it takes to act when our prayers are answered with instructions. When we pray for something, we ought to be prepared for a call to action. The Lord will use US - those who are praying, to help carry out His work.

      I believe this blog post is one example of a call to action by the Lord (certainly not an example of "doing nothing" as you say). Adrian - offering his prayers and concerns over these world events, was called to open his mouth and teach and inspire others to educate and inspire those in his reach to join this righteous cause. Others have been asked to do the same and have reached out to those in their own circles. Knowing Adrian, he likely spent many hours away from his family and work, researching, praying, studying, and writing this blog post to share this information.

      I believe God hears ALL prayers, though. He supports love and peace, and He strengthens those who seek these things to enable them to share it by word and action and spirit. I for one, am praying for this cause and asking the Lord what I can do - in my meager little existence in my corner of the world, to help the spread of love and peace in the world, and what I can do that will affect the collective effort to save Baghdad.

      I'm sorry "Hypocrite", that you feel the way you do about prayer - communication with divinity, and about those who are going to God on behalf of others. If you are correct in your view, we are probably doomed. If those praying are also willing to act and be directed by the Lord, then we can make a difference.

      Thank you for helping me better understand all of this Adrian, so I can be more educated and have a greater understanding of the importance of these prayers, as I go to God and plead for him to intervene.

      - Jules

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  10. Adrian
    Nephi transcribes Isaiah chapter onto his own writings in 2 Nephi 23, knowing full well this will be read in our day and we will understand what is taking place.

    We live on the cusp of many preparations for the Lord’s return. I have pasted below an email Rob Kay sent to me. Rob is keeping himself abreast via the Jerusalem Post and I think news from some of his relatives that live in Jerusalem, and surrounding areas.

    I think it is a given that Israel will go nuclear on Baghdad if it is overrun. That will then fulfill the final 3 paragraphs of Isaiah's chapter 13 account which to date has not been fulfilled. Babylon was destroyed in the 500's BC but has almost continuously been occupied ever since as evidenced by Baghdad and it's surrounding environs today. But nuclear radiation will certainly fulfill all that Isaiah prophecies about it.

    Keith

    Babylon (Bagdhad)--Prophecy of Total Ruin: Isaiah 13:

    “Look, I will stir up the Medes against Babylon.
    They cannot be tempted by silver
    or bribed with gold.
    The attacking armies will shoot down the young men with arrows.
    They will have no mercy on helpless babies
    and will show no compassion for children.”
    Babylon, the most glorious of kingdoms,
    the flower of Chaldean pride,
    will be devastated like Sodom and Gomorrah
    when God destroyed them.
    Babylon will never be inhabited again.
    It will remain empty for generation after generation.
    Nomads will refuse to camp there,
    and shepherds will not bed down their sheep.
    Desert animals will move into the ruined city,
    and the houses will be haunted by howling creatures.
    Owls will live among the ruins,
    and wild goats will go there to dance.
    Hyenas will howl in its fortresses,
    and jackals will make dens in its luxurious palaces.
    Babylon’s days are numbered;
    its time of destruction will soon arrive.

    Strangely enough Isaiah 13 was included in the Book of Mormon as 2 Nephi 23. The Nephites would have had no understanding of Babylon as they left the old world just prior to the captivity of the southern kingdom. This chapter was meant for us today. Makes you wonder if we are seeing parallels and modern fulfillment of the Book of Mormon? What is also interesting is that Isaiah 14 (2 Nephi 24) speaks about the restoration of all Israel in light of the destruction of Babylon. Just some thoughts.

    Robert Kay

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  11. Check out the revised talk of President Kimball:

    http://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithpromotingrumor/2013/06/the-politics-of-editing-the-false-gods-we-worship/

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  12. Im prayin for the second comin to get here faster. Mans nature is to apostisize, look from adam until now. All through scripture, example after example of mans inhumanity to man. Gods solution... Send prophets.

    And god will not allow his church to be lead astray by such simple men. Isiah, jeramia, ezeekle, elija, daniel and a whole slew of other prophets talk about a final restoration in the last days or there would be no point in a 2nd coming. Isiah talked alot about it. Tje whole parable of the good semartin is about that. So my faith is in god that he will protect me and my loved ones. What happens is going to happen, and if god wants it to happen now, then so be it. We have been told for ions and ions to repent and be prepared and come to christ. So now is the time to be prepared.

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  13. Adrian,

    I was supposed to teach the HP a few weeks ago, but that was inexplicably cancelled.

    Then last Sunday I was asked to teach this Sunday, Denver gave his mysterious one-liner post and you came up with some back story and prophecy.

    I think the HP's could use a history/prophecy lesson.

    Thanks again.

    Steve

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  14. Adrian, thank you for your effort to shed light on a somewhat complicated situation. Let's pray that Baghdad doesn't fall.

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  15. This is an interesting analysis of our world's current situation and some of the prophecies of the last days. I am praying that Baghdad doesn't fall to ISIS, if that is God's will.

    However, when I read this scriptural prophecy:

    "...the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant..." (D&C 1:14-15)

    I think the people who have been misled by Denver Snuffer and others like him should consider whether they are, indeed, some of the people this verse speaks of. God's chosen prophets and apostles are still here with clear messages that can lead us to celestial happiness. I pray for you, my brothers and sisters, even more than I pray for peace in Baghdad.

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    1. Steve, thank you so much for your kind words. I love that we can disagree and do so with kindness and love. You are a fine example.

      As for the scripture you quoted, I think it is important, even vital, that you read what Denver posted today. It directly addresses that scripture (what a coincidence, I know.) It offers important understanding that you need.

      http://denversnuffer.blogspot.com/2015/02/apostles-and-assumptions.html

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    2. The "Prophet and Presidency" have overstepped foolishly their bounds. Trained medical professionals are being silenced and will witness that our training is to consider each individuals risk vs reward ratio in relation to medical procedures. We are also to use clinical reasoning and thinking that "can not be easily understood thru media channels" and certainly not discussed academically with laymen. It's a great travesty the pseudo worded "revelation" recently unvieled by "the prophet of the world. A mans mistakenly worded counsel,granted ... but seriously puts into question that such man would not lead the church astray. All I can say is wow. Double blind clinical trials are supportive of alternate and more efficient handling and treatment of our current crisis. Well known methods are being ignored for mass and faulty methods ignoring early and well known treatment methods by our most brillian institutions and professionals. "We know the vaccines are safe and effective" ..wow. holy crap. Doctors are being encouraged worldwide to support the narative by income and/or threats to license to operate. Compelling medicine and science has no place in medicine and science. What a joke revelation by the presidency.

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  16. Adrian

    Thank you so much for the detailed background. I so appreciate your taking the time to do so much research. I have passed this information to many who will be joining in prayer.

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  17. " I the Lord God will send One Mighty and Strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, to set in order the house of God."

    " Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days."

    "Therefore I will raise up unto my people a man, who shall lead them like as moses led the children of Israel."

    "Blow ye the trumpet in zion, and sound the alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.
    All you who live in the world, you inhabitants of the earth, look to the ensign when it is lifted up in the mountain; heed the trumpet when sounded!"

    "Because of his knowledge and by bearing their iniquities shall my servant, the righteous one vindicate many. I will assign him an inheritance among the great and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, because he poured out his soul unto death."

    All of these scriptures speak of a great and mighty prophet of God who will gather the righteous from the four quarters of the earth and destroy the wicked off the face of the planet and establish Gods kingdom the New Jerusalem for the last time. To prepare the world for the coming of Jesus Christ in his glory. Wherefore if he was to come before these incredible events take place, the whole world would be consumed and burnt to ashes by his glorious presence.

    In scripture God has decreed the complete annihilation of the seed of Esau to the last man. So let God do as he see fit.

    Yes I wholeheartedly agree with you that we need to humble ourselves and repent. But I'm sorry, history tells us differently. We will repent only when humbled to the dust by some cataclysmic event and this great and mighty prophet of God calls us to.

    You say we need more time to repent. In essence I agree with you, but who are you or Denver for that matter to say we need more time and that we even will? Joseph Smith called us to repent. Brigham Young called us to repent and on down the line, but did we as a whole repent...NO! If we didn't listen then, why will we listen now? The facts are this....We "Ephraim" will not repent until tribulations come upon us and compel us to and until this ONE mighty prophet of God comes and calls us to repentance and baptizes the "righteous" or those that repent, for the last time.

    These events have not happened yet but must soon unfold upon the world.

    So...question. Is Denver Snuffer what you claim him to be? I strongly disagree, but that is just my opinion and interpretation of the scriptures. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Desertson, thank you for your comment.

      I choose to repent without being compelled. Many others do as well.

      I realize there is the temptation to simply wish the Lord would hasten what's coming, but I will not so quickly and easily condemn so many to the day of burning. I need the Lord's mercy, so I ask for his Mercy upon all, even ISIS.

      For the record, I have not claimed Denver Snuffer to be the one Mighty and Strong, or anything beyond a man that has been commissioned by God to deliver truth. As such, he is a prophet.

      Denver Snuffer claims no titles for himself other than servant.

      Delete
  18. Praying and fasting today for Baghdad. Believing that Denver is a prophet, his invitation for the world to pray on behalf of Baghdad is the spookiest thing I've read in a long while.

    Our gospel doctrine lesson today was on the miracles of Jesus. Jesus, it turns out, could perform miracles only where the beneficiary or their friends and kinfolk exercised faith in him. I'm honored to be invited to exercise my faith and prayers, even for a cause I don't fully understand. Thanks for the background insights, Adrian.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I don't know if my last comment made it through, so I'll repost.

    I appreciate the reasoning behind the prayers. I was wondering what use it would be, if this was prophesied of in scripture anyway. At very least it offers intercession on behalf of the innocent. God is just.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Whether ISIS is the calculated, dark work of the US government or the natural result of long-burning factional and religious animosity, the people in the region are in a pickle. Frontline on PBS produced an excellent documentary on the rise of ISIS. It is remarkable to think of our prayers having any influence on such a surge of hatred but I'm willing to join my voice of faith and prayer in the cause.

    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/rise-of-isis/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for your wonderful post. A good book on this topic is "God's War on Terror Islam, Prophecy and the Bible" by Walid Shoebat His interpretation of the Biblical prophesies are amazing. Also we should pray for Jerusalem. Today the court in Israel said that Jews can pray on theTemple Mount. This will increase the violence there. See: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/court-rules-police-must-allow-jewish-prayer-on-temple-mount/2015/03/02/?shared=email&msg=fail
    Lena Hansen

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lena,

    With all due respect may I suggest you do a little research on Mr. Shoebat and you will find that he is a fraud.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Adrian,

    I hope what I have to say does not offend you. This is not my intent. I think your scriptural understanding of events proceeding the second coming is very good. Where I diverge with you is your attempt to fit ISIS into the scenario. You give them too big of a role. Perhaps 15 years ago I would have agreed with your analysis, however today it just doesn't fit.

    I highly doubt they will make it into Baghdad. In early February 2015 Isis lost a major battle with the Kurd Militia in Northern Iraq. In fact the Kurds regained control of over 15,000 square kilometers of territory from Isis. As we speak the Iraq Army along with Shia militia and armed Sunni tribesmen (27,000 total) have begun a campaign to retake Tikrit and the Province of Salahuddin which is North of Baghdad.

    The last several month has seen a significant weakening of Isis. The airstrikes have destroyed their refining facilities which has significantly reduced their cash flow. They are left with selling raw crude oil on the black market, which doesn't fetch as much money as refined product. In fact the only territory they have gained is a handful of small villages. Another fact is Iraq's Army has been regrouping and gaining strength.

    Here are a few concepts to study which will expand your understanding of our current world and the situations we find ourselves in.

    "The Grand Chessboard"
    "Strategy of Tension"
    "Operation Gladio"
    The History of Islam

    Here's a great podcast which explains some of these concepts.

    http://www.tragedyandhope.com/peace-revolution-episode-083-america-and-the-great-game-a-strategy-of-tension/

    It's over 14 hours long, but worth every minute. If you choose to listen to it,I would suggest you use the concept of "eating" the proverbial "elephant".

    By the way, the website http://www.tragedyandhope.com is a great resource for learning.

    I hope the things I have written will help your understanding of the world we live in today.

    Thank you,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gary,

      I hope you're right. I sincerely hope ISIS does decline and peace and stability can be restored to the region.

      Delete
  24. Another excellent PBS Frontline documentary from last summer, 'Losing Iraq', catalogs the toxic mix of American hubris, ignorance and love of war that has led to ISIS wanting to take Baghdad.

    The cost of all this in money alone is staggering. A study at Brown University estimates the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan to the US treasury so far will reach $4.4 trillion over the course of the next fifty years. The run up to ISIS has taken an estimated 350,000 lives. Now there is a growing drumbeat to mount an international coalition against ISIS.

    War is a wildly lucrative affair. While no one can claim moral or political victory in the wars in Iraq and Afganistan, these have been golden years for the war profiteers who built the jets, guns and bombs expended there. The US spends more on its military than the next eight countries put together. According to the Frontline documentary, instead of the world being made safer for the US having the biggest military in the world, the world is made to suffer by our recklessness.

    Logic would tell us that we're following the path of the European superpowers of the 1400s through the 1600s, who to an empire, bankrupted themselves in warring against one another. The voice of prophecy tells us that we're on the path to bankruptcy and for the same reason. As recorded by Josiah Hancock, Joseph Smith prophesied, "The United States will spend her strength and means warring in foreign lands until other nations will say, 'Let's divide up the lands of the United States'; then the people of the US will unite and swear by the blood of their forefathers, that the land shall not be divided."


    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/losing-iraq/

    http://costsofwar.org/

    http://pgpf.org/Chart-Archive/0053_defense-comparison

    http://www.scribd.com/doc/39988418/Joseph-Smith-Foresaw-War-in-the-United-States

    ReplyDelete
  25. Baghdad is not Babylon, it is Baghdad.

    Of course God would ask that Baghdad not fall; war is terrible, suffering is terrible, especially when it is done in His name. But this is not the end, do not worry or despair, if Baghdad does fall (which I must disagree with you, is NOT likely) then it prolongs the war, possibly even drags more countries into the war but it will not start Armageddon.

    ReplyDelete

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