Rabu, 22 Desember 2010

[Bukan] KPPN No.1

Sebagai pegawai di salah satu KPPN Percontohan saya sering bertanya kepada diri sendiri dan juga kepada teman-teman sekantor : “Apakah kita perlu menjadi KPPN No.1?”. Hal yang cukup menarik adalah bahwa jawaban terhadap pertanyaan tersebut ternyata bisa “Ya” atau “Tidak”, tergantung pada siapa yang menjawab, apa yang dimaksud dengan KPPN No.1, bagaimana proses menjadi KPPN No.1, dan sejumlah konteks lainnya yang melatarbelakangi jawaban tersebut. Dalam tulisan ini saya ingin berbagi informasi tentang Seputar KPPN No.1.  Semoga dengan pengetahuan KPPN No.1 yang lebih baik, kita bisa termotivasi untuk mengembangkan KPPN No.1 yang lebih baik.  
       
Dalam berbagai kesempatan saya selalu berusaha meyakinkan kepada teman-teman saya, termasuk kepada diri sendiri, supaya tidak terjebak ke dalam obsesi bahwa menjadi KPPN No.1 adalah segala-galanya. Tidak pernah menjadi KPPN No.1 adalah sesuatu yang sia-sia.  Bukannya saya menentang semua upaya untuk mengubah kantor kita menjadi lebih baik. Tetapi saya kuatir obsesi yang berlebihan akan membuat kita tergoda untuk menghalalkan segala cara, demi merebut predikat juara. Saya kuatir fondasi yang kita bangun untuk menjadi juara hanya mampu menopang bangunan di atasnya selama sekian hari/minggu saja sebelum dan sesudah penilaian dilakukan. Setelah itu bangunan itu mungkin akan roboh, dan kita sama sekali tidak peduli. Yang tersisa hanyalah sebuah memori bahwa suatu saat  kita pernah menjadi Juara.  Apakah benar itu yang kita inginkan?  

Semestinya kita tahu bahwa semua event lomba itu diselenggarakan dengan tujuan supaya kita semua termotivasi untuk secara terus-menerus mengubah kantor kita menjadi lebih baik. Lebih baik mutu pelayanannya, kepuasan pelanggannya, integritas pegawainya, penataan arsipnya, dan lain-lainnya. 

Menjadi KPPN No.1 semestinya merupakan bagian dari suatu proses, dan bukan merupakan suatu tujuan. Maksud saya, usaha dan kreativitas kita untuk menjadi lebih baik tidak akan pernah berhenti atau mati ketika kita telah berhasil mendapatkan predikat sebagai KPPN No. 1.  Menjadi KPPN No.1 bukanlah sekadar pernah menjadi Juara No.1. Menjadi KPPN No.1 harus mampu mempertahankan prestasi untuk selalu menjadi lebih baik, dari waktu ke waktu.  Itulah, menurut saya, tantangan utama yang harus dihadapi oleh KPPN No.1.

Sudah merupakan hal biasa ketika para pemenang lomba KPPN No.1 diumumkan banyak peserta lomba yang kecewa karena kantornya tidak disebut sebagai salah satu pemenang lomba. Sebagian dari mereka bahkan ada yang secara sinis menyampaikan perasaan curiganya bahwa mungkin telah terjadi rekayasa dalam proses penilaian dan penetapan para pemenang lomba. 

Sesungguhnya mereka tidak perlu merasa sangat kecewa. Apalagi menuduh tim penilai melakukan hal-hal yang berbau rekayasa.  Bukankah menang atau kalah dalam lomba adalah sesuatu hal yang biasa.  Suatu saat yang terpilih sebagai pemenang lomba adalah mereka yang sebelumnya benar-benar telah melakukan upaya yang melelahkan untuk mencapai puncak tangga. Tetapi di saat lain bukan tidak mungkin mereka yang terpilih sebagai pemenang lomba adalah mereka yang saat itu mendapatkan keberuntungan. Orang bilang menjadi KPPN No.1 itu bukan hanya karena buah-tangan, tetapi juga bisa karena garis-tangan. Oleh karenanya, tidak selamanya kalah itu berarti memalukan. Pertandingan sepak bola Piala Dunia sudah sering memperlihatkan kepada kita dimana suatu tim yang kalah masih bisa berjalan dengan kepala tegak dan disambut secara meriah ketika pulang ke negara asalnya. Hal tersebut merupakan pelajaran bagi kita bahwa penghargaan tidak selalu diberikan dengan melihat Hasil Akhir, tetapi juga dengan mempertimbangkan Proses. 
                        
Ketika beberapa kali kantor kami dinyatakan gagal menjadi KPPN No.1 saya selalu menghibur teman-teman supaya tidak kecewa, apalagi putus asa. Saya katakan kepada mereka bahwa sesungguhnya tidak ada sedikitpun usaha dan pengorbanan kita yang sia-sia.  Kalau kita terus-menerus fokus pada upaya perbaikan kinerja kantor kita, sukses dan prestasi Juara hanyalah masalah waktu. Dalam hal ini, memang benar bahwa kekalahan kita saat ini adalah kemenangan kita yang tertunda. 

Satu hal penting yang menurut saya perlu kita ketahui adalah bahwa menjadi KPPN No.1 bukanlah suatu prestasi terbaik dalam pengertian absolut. Maksud saya, menjadi KPPN No.1 bukan berarti harus menjadi terbaik dalam segala-galanya. Artinya, kalaupun kita tidak mungkin dapat mengikuti atau memenangkan lomba KPPN No.1 dalam kriteria penilaian umum, misalnya karena kondisi fisik bangunan kantor kita yang tidak memenuhi syarat, kita masih bisa mengikuti lomba KPPN No.1 dalam satu kriteria penilaian tertentu. Kita mungkin saja menjadi pecundang dalam sejumlah event yang dilombakan, tetapi kita bisa menjadi pemenang dalam event lomba tertentu yang menjadi favorit kita. Dengan kata lain, kita bisa menjadi KPPN No.1 tanpa harus menjadi KPPN yang terbaik dalam semua kriteria.  

Memang benar setiap tahun kita telah diberikan kesempatan untuk  menjadi KPPN No.1 dalam hal penyusunan Laporan Keuangan. Tetapi itu saja, menurut saya, masih belum cukup. Kita membutuhkan KPPN No.1 dalam hal akuntabilitas kinerja, termasuk pemberian layanan kepada Satker dan mitrakerja lainnya. Kita juga membutuhkan KPPN No.1 dalam hal pemberantasan korupsi maupun penerapan inovasi-inovasi. Singkatnya, dengan menyediakan sejumlah pilihan untuk menjadi KPPN No.1 akan semakin banyak KPPN yang termotivasi untuk berkompetisi menjadi KPPN terbaik sesuai dengan kondisi dan potensi yang dimilikinya. Saya percaya, kondisi demikian akan sangat menguntungkan bagi perkembangan organisasi kita.

Hal penting lainnya yang perlu diketahui adalah bahwa  menjadi KPPN No.1 bukanlah suatu prestasi terbaik dalam pengertian statis. Maksud saya, metode dan kriteria penilaian yang digunakan untuk menetapkan KPPN No.1 dari waktu ke waktu, tidak dapat dihindarkan, pasti akan mengalami perubahan. Perubahan tersebut terjadi bukan semata-mata karena ‘ganti pejabat ganti selera’. Tetapi juga karena suatu optimisme bahwa ‘selalu ada peluang untuk menjadi lebih baik’. Kenyataan tersebut semestinya membuka mata kita bahwa sesungguhnya menjadi KPPN No.1 bukanlah prestasi terbaik yang pantas dibanggakan secara berlebihan. Bisa jadi suatu saat dulu kita “diuntungkan” menjadi KPPN No.1 karena metode dan kriteria penilaiannya masih mengandung banyak kelemahan. Mereka di Kantor Pusat yang terlibat secara langsung dalam pelaksanaan penilaian KPPN No.1 pasti tahu persis bagaimana perubahan metode dan kriteria penilaian dapat berpengaruh terhadap penetapan pemenang lomba KPPN No.1.

Berangkat dari optimisme bahwa ‘selalu ada peluang untuk menjadi lebih baik’, saya berharap sistem penilaian KPPN No.1 yang ada saat ini dapat terus dikembangkan sesuai dengan kebutuhan kita untuk menjadikan KPPN sebagai kantor pelayanan terbaik. Dengan kata lain, parameter untuk menjadi KPPN No. 1 harus selalu kita kembangkan sesuai dengan kondisi kebutuhan aktual terkini.  Dalam hal ini, saya menaruh harapan besar pada para pejabat baru dan juga para pegawai baru yang mudah-mudahan dapat merancang dan mengembangkan KPPN No.1 secara lebih baik.  
Terus terang, sampai saat ini saya masih meyakini bahwa sistem penilaian KPPN No.1 seharusnya dirancang dan dibuat sesuai dengan kebutuhan kita yang selalu ingin berubah menjadi lebih baik. Dan itu hanya bisa kita wujudkan apabila kita semua memiliki kemampuan dan kemauan keras untuk mengembangkan KPPN menjadi kantor pelayanan yang terbaik.  Bukan sekadar menjadi KPPN No.1.

Selasa, 21 Desember 2010

Violence Escalates From Gaza

First, two news stories from Israel, and then an analysis by Debka:

Girl injured as Kassam lands near Ashkelon-area school

A Kassam rocket hit near a kindergarten in a kibbutz near Ashkelon on Tuesday morning, injuring a 14-year-old girl. Four more Israelis were treated for shock.

The IAF stuck seven terror targets early Tuesday morning following the firing of 10 mortar shells into Israeli territory on Monday.

Ten mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into the Eshkol regional council Monday.

The 'Army of Islam' organization in Gaza claimed responsibility for the Kassam rocket.

In their statement the Army of Islam said the Kassam was in response to the three members of the organization that were killed during an Israeli attack last month.


IDF Beefs Up Tanks in Gaza as Terrorists Improve Weapons

The IDF is deploying the Trophy “Windbreaking” defense system on its tanks in the Gaza Belt in the wake of the use of more advanced and precise weapons by terrorists in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Terrorists have escalated Kassam rocket and mortar shell strikes on civilians and soldiers over the past week, but IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi says he does not think Hamas is trying to draw Israel into a repeat of the Operation Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign that began two years ago this month.

Hamas and allied terrorists have introduced advanced weapons in their attacks. Last week, one rocket that was fired from a longer-than-usual distance struck and damaged an IDF tank. The soldiers inside were not injured.


Debka weighs in:

Why Hamas has revived its missile, kidnapping attacks

The escalating Palestinian violence from the Gaza Strip is the direct result of the Damascus-based Khahled Meshaal's victory in his power struggle with the Gaza wing's leadership.

Today, this hardliner is in complete control of all wings of the fundamentalist Palestinian movement. Dec. 13, He celebrated the 23rd anniversary of Hamas's foundation by reiterating the Palestinian goal to seize all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

His signature is clearly marked in escalating missile, mortar and raiding attacks, murderous kidnapping operations inside Israel and the deadlocked negotiations for liberating the Israeli soldier Gilead Shalit in a prisoner swap.

Under his orders, Hamas-Gaza has itself taken over the missile, mortar and raiding attacks on Israel from the fringe groups like Jihad Islami and Al Qaeda-linked cells heretofore. When they land on empty ground it is deliberate; of late Hamas has taken delivery of guidance instruments to improve their precision.

The 10-mortar barrages of Monday, Dec. 20, marked a change in tactics, aiming straight for a military target in the Eshkol district abutting on the Gaza Strip; only by a miracle no one was hurt. Monday night, therefore, the Israeli air force spread out to hit seven sites in the Gaza Strip. Because most were unmanned, only three Hamas operatives were injured, one critically.

Then, early Tuesday, a Qassam missile came dangerously close to a kibbutz nursery school in the Hof Ashkelon area north of Gaza Strip, injuring a small girl and an adult and leaving shock victims.

The two "Arabs" who murdered the American tourist Christine Luken (correcting the misnomer in the first official announcements) and stabbed her companion, Kaye Wilson, Saturday, Dec. 18 near Mata in the Jerusalem hills, were in fact a Hamas kidnap gang.

They planned to abduct the two women, smuggle them to the Gaza Strip possibly through the long Sinai border and hold them hostage. When Wilson managed to get away, they decided to murder their captive and escape the scene ahead of pursuit.

Getting away with this crime encouraged Hamas to redouble its efforts, possibly with the same kidnap team already operating in the vicinity of Jerusalem and using the same tactics. Monday, Dec. 20, saw not only a 10-mortar barrage from the Gaza Strip, but three Palestinians armed with long knives trying to assault an Israeli soldier at Givat Zeev. They fled when he cocked his sidearm.


There is more and this article is worth reading in its entirety. If correct, then we can expect to see a major escalation in violent acts in and around Gaza.

The question then becomes: What will the IDF do, in response to these attacks?

Stay tuned, because any significant escalation could have prophetic significance. We'll be watching closely.

Senin, 20 Desember 2010

The March Continues

This effort has now become relentless. Really. And it is undeniably gaining momentum:

Jerusalem scrambles as European states move to upgrade ties with Palestinians

After reports reached Jerusalem that the Palestinian Authority is trying to persuade about a dozen European Union member states to upgrade the PA's diplomatic status, the Foreign Ministry on Monday ordered every Israeli envoy abroad to begin "urgent" diplomatic activity.

The aim is to thwart Palestinian efforts at drafting a United Nations resolution that would recognize a unilateral declaration of statehood and put international pressure on Israel to halt settlement construction.


And there is good reason for Israeli concern. Just look at what has already happened:

The PA is in the midst of three diplomatic activities aimed at the international community, Barak wrote in the cable:

advancing a UN Security Council resolution condemning settlement construction, securing international recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, and improving the diplomatic stance of Palestinian representatives in Europe, East Asia and Latin America.

Israeli officials expect Ecuador to shortly announce it is joining Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia in recognizing a Palestinian state within the 1967 bordersDeputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon called his counterparts in Mexico and Chile in the past few days and asked them not to make a similar move.


So we can now add Ecuador to this growing list, and I'm guessing Mexico and Chile as well.

Then we turn to Europe:

In Europe, the fear is not of unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state but rather the less drastic step of upgrading the PA's diplomatic status. Spain and France have already taken this step, and the Israeli assessment is that Britain, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Malta, Luxembourg, Austria and perhaps other states are considering a similar move.


It is amazing that the concept of the PA going to the "international community" and to the UN in order to seek their coveted borders, without Israeli input or agreement - is becoming a reality. Months ago, when this rhetoric began, it seems far-fetched and unrealistic. And in just a matter of months we are seeing more and more countries agreeing to this and more and more momentum towards this effort.

Where this whole situation will end up - or how it will play into prophecy - is anyone's guess at this point, but right now it is just impossible to ignore.

We'll certainly be watching this closely and reporting on developments.

In the news:

It looks like a relatively slow news day, but there are a few items of interest:

Palestinian official says new intifada underway as mortars hit south

A leading member of the Palestinian parliament on Sunday declared that the various parties and movements (read: terrorist organizations) that make up the legislative body have decided to launch a new intifada, or uprising, against Israel.

Evidence of this decision by the Palestinian groups has been seen in the rising number of terrorist attacks of late. On Sunday evening Palestinians operating out of the Gaza Strip fired four mortar shells at communities in southern Israel. There were no reports of damage or injuries.


It appears to have already started:

7 mortar shells fired at Eshkol regional council from Gaza

Seven mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into the Eshkol regional council Monday.

Two weeks ago, in a similar incident, four to five mortar shells were fired into the same area and hit a residential area. One man suffered light wounds to his upper body.

The wounded man was airlifted by the IDF to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba while fully conscious.

Earlier on the day of the attack, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi warned that the security situation at the Gaza Strip border is very fragile and may deteriorate rapidly, Army Radio reported.

Southern regional councils situated near the border with the Gaza Strip also released a joint statement sayin "escalation is only a matter of time. The threat in the area is constant and growing."


And this:

Hamas-Gaza Mortar Fire at Israel Continues

Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fired seven mortar shells at Israel’s Negev on Monday morning; no one was hurt.

Five shells were similarly fired last night, also leaving no casualties or damage. They landed south of Ashkelon and in the western Negev. Two weeks ago, five shells were fired, wounding the security officer of one of the targeted towns.

The Israel Air Force attacked a rocket-launching terrorist band on Saturday night in central Gaza, killing five. The terrorists were members of Islamic Jihad and the Hamas-affiliated Popular Resistance Committees.


It looks like things are ramping up in and around Gaza. Perhaps this is a manifestation of the new intifada which is underway.

A quick update on Korea and that situation which could also be heating up:

South Korea begins firing drills from flashpoint border island

South Korea fired live artillery Monday in a drill from a front-line island where similar exercises sparked a deadly North Korean bombardment last month, pressing forward in defiance of the North's warnings to attack again.

The South sent fighter jets to skies along the border to deter any new North Korean attack and evacuated island residents to underground bunkers, nearly a month after the North's shelling of Yeongpyeong island killed two marines and two civilians. The North has said it would respond even more harshly to any new drills from the Yellow Sea island.

The North had warned of a catastrophe if South Korea goes ahead with the drills. The North says it warned South Korea before last month's shelling not to conduct similar live-fire drills from Yeonpyeong.


And the last article - below - is an interesting commentary from Jan Markell. As an introduction to this commentary, I would say it is directed to those Christians who are finding it difficult to maintain their normal lives these last days - as we watch the final countdown into the final prophetic events.

I have had a number of Christian prophecy-watchers send me notes regarding how hard things are for them right now - whether economically, physically or spiritually. Many feel as though they are under spiritual attack, as they try and draw closer to the Lord during these days, and as they attempt to spread the gospel in these last days:

The War Against The Saints

But if you hadn't noticed, the saints are under particular attack these days. The trials and testings seem to never end. One writes, Due to trials, God remains a complete mystery to me. Yet thankfully we have the promise of Heaven and Christ waiting for us and the constant heart of God with us as we struggle and grieve.


I have to agree...One thing that "the other side" hates, is Christians attempting to live a more Godly life, Christians attempting to witness for the Lord, and Christians watching and waiting for Christ's return. The enemy hates these activities and indeed attempts to get these Christians off track.

There should be some comfort in the fact that if you ARE experiencing some of these things, then you must be doing something right, otherwise you would probably be ignored.

Another writes, Thanks to your prompting, Jan, I try to maintain the eternal perspective and get my eyes and mind off of this earth. The enemy has come against my family but we are not giving up hope. All is, however, a great struggle.

So why are the saints being pounded? Here are some thoughts:


* We are in the last of the last days and the enemy would render us ineffective in sharing the gospel while there is still time. If we focus on our issues only, we lose sight of the lost as well as our assignment in these last days.

* You are doing something incredibly right. You need to be stopped or at the least, rendered less effective. Your testimony must be squelched.

* God is allowing the trial so you will learn to wait on Him.


Her last points are particularly germane and worth reading carefully:

* What is called the "remnant" is particularly hard hit. The remnant have a love for truth and love to pass it on. The enemy wants truth to be withheld because then one is susceptible to being deceived. The remnant is waking people up and thus the heavy guns are pointed at them. If they get distracted by trials, they are distracted from spreading both the gospel and the truth. The remnant is small in number but nonetheless, powerfully effective.

* Satan wants us all to doubt. Most today even doubt the concept of "the blessed hope" of Titus 2:13 -- the Lord's return. Take away our hope and you're one dejected, down-in-the-mouth Christian. Who would want to seek you out for anything? Your role of providing "salt and light" just turned to pepper and darkness.

* This is a fallen planet and all creation groans. Bad things happen to good people and to God's people. Believers are not exempt from some of the worst trials and groanings. But in the end, we win. Read the last chapter.


I believe all of us prophecy watchers are in focus by the enemy. It's ok, we know where we are headed and we know our fate.

As they say "keep your eyes on the prize". True words. We should be focused on OUR prize - Christ Jesus.

Why?

Because we will be in His holy presence very soon. The enemy cannot do anything to stop this. Period.

Keep looking up during these days, just as we have been directed:

"When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28).

AMEN

Minggu, 19 Desember 2010

10 EU States to "Upgrade" PA Status

Thanks to Stephen from Hawaii, who sent me this one.

Erekat: 10 EU states will upgrade their PLO missions

Around 10 EU countries are set to upgrade the status of Palestinian representative offices in their capitals in the near future, chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat declared on Sunday.

This would mean that Palestinian missions would move a step closer toward becoming embassies whose officials enjoy full diplomatic immunity.

Erekat said that the move follows Norway’s recent decision to upgrade the status of the Palestinian representative office. Moreover, the move comes in wake of three South American countries to recognize a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, he added.


Below, we see the strategy that is involved in this effort:

A PA official told The Jerusalem Post that the decision to seek international recognition of a Palestinian state was designed to shift the conflict from one over “occupied Palestinian territories” to one over an “occupied state with defined borders.”

The official said that while the Palestinians did not expect the recognition to end Israeli “occupation,” it would increase international support for the Palestinians and their cause.

Erekat said that the Palestinian position has earned the support of a majority in the international community.
Erekat did not say which EU countries were expected to upgrade the status of the Palestinian representative missions.

Earlier this week, the PA said it has appealed to several EU countries separately to recognize a Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders.

“The Israelis are afraid that the issue of recognition of a Palestinian state would enter the EU,” he said. “We urge the international community to salvage the two-state solution by recognizing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.”


This article brings up several important issues, all of which involve the new/revived Roman Empire:

- The EU continues to increase its involvement in the Middle East, particularly issues involving Israel and PA borders.

- The pressure to create "pre-1967" borders, and to have those borders recognized internationally, is gaining momentum, and the push to make this happen is growing tremendously.

- If these borders do become agreed - at some point they will have to have "international peace-keeping forces" in order to "confirm" this plan. We have been watching the EU's progress in forming just such a military structure for such purposes.

At that point will the world be prepared for a leader to step forward and announce HIS plans for keeping these borders secure and for finalizing such plans (aka "confirming" the plans)?

Only time will tell, but the EU's involvement in this situation is becoming more and more interesting by the day.

A Sign of the Times

This article comes from the American Thinker and reveals the influence that a Godless society constantly attempts:

Merry Christmas...without the 'X'

As millions of Americans celebrate Christmas, the American Humanist Association is in the midst of their annual membership drive punctuated by smart-aleck billboards and city bus placards that mock the existence of moral authority and belittle faith in Christ.

Two years ago, their motto was "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake!" Last year, they were more direct: "No god? No problem!" But this year, as they feebly attempt to detract from the celebration of Christ's incarnation once again, perhaps it's a fruitful exercise for our civilization to consider their overtures and weigh the merit of their message.

As far as I can tell, the mantra "No god? No problem!" has but one minor flaw: the entire record of human history. It is no coincidence that as German atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche boasted, "God is dead ... we have killed him ... must we not ourselves become gods[?]" (which, by the way, is the entire basis of humanism dating back to the Garden of Eden), he simultaneously predicted that the 20th century would be the most murderous in human history.

Indeed, the banner slogan of "No god? No problem!" could hang poignantly over the ovens of Auschwitz, the killing fields of Cambodia, and the trash bins of Planned Parenthood.

But the atheist/humanist has no such moral center...no fixed point of reference. Such people may talk at length about the need to be "good," but in the final analysis, their presuppositions fundamentally reject any concrete basis for morality.

But suggesting that reason alone is sufficient to direct behavior is intellectually dishonest. Human reason will always be guided by presuppositions. That is why civilizations like ancient Rome found it reasonable to murder handicapped children while we in the Western world find that abominable.

Jacoby noted that Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger wrote, "'We drown even children who at birth are weakly and abnormal,' ... stressing that 'it is not anger but reason'" that provides justification for such an act. This horrific practice is the result of reason built upon a godless foundation.

That fact alone should cause the atheist to pause as he taunts believers with signs proclaiming "Merry X-mas." Creating a Christ-less holiday season may seem like a worthy cause until you realize where it leads. Civilizations torn free from the moorings of moral authority are not the kind anyone would want to live in...not even a fervent atheist.


AMEN.

Their efforts will succeed, however, in a day that is rapidly approaching. The Christians who are presently residing on the earth, along with the Holy Spirit, actually serve as a restraining force against the evil that exists on the earth today. We prophecy students know this - and even with this restraint, we see the evil that persists all around the globe.

The atheists will have their "day", once we are removed from this earth - a "day" which will last for a seven year period. Then, their model for a perfect society - a society without God (but with their "god") - will have an ample opportunity to finally succeed without those pesky Christians around to thwart their plans.

And we prophecy students know exactly how that will work out - as we have vivid descriptions provided in Revelation 6-18.

Their day is coming, and it is coming soon.

But our day is also coming. A glorious day in which our bridegroom, Jesus will be coming back to take "His" back home:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God and also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms;
if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you.

And if I go there to prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you will also be where I am."


John 14:1-3

Note that the above scripture is not referencing the Second Coming, as at the time of the well-described Second Coming (Zechariah 14:3-5, Revelation 19) Jesus isn't taking anybody anywhere. He will come to establish His 1,000 year reign on the earth.

Rather, the scripture above is providing a clear reference to the Rapture of the Church, and that place He is taking us is called New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12, 21, 22) - a special place within Heaven that is reserved for Jesus' Bride - the Church.

There are two parallel roads that are quite visible right now. One road leads to New Jerusalem, and that road will be led by Christ. This road includes Jesus returning to gather up His Bride and then take them back home - before the destruction and carnage of the earth, as led by the antichrist.

The other road is being paved by the very same atheists that are described in this article. This road leads directly into the Tribulation, the rule by the antichrist and everything that we know about this seven-year period of death and destruction.

The time has come to witness as much as possible to friends and family who have not yet recognized Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. That time is growing short. They have no idea of where their road is headed - they have no idea of the death, the pain, the destruction and the horrors that await. Its our job to inform them and to direct their attention to Jesus.

We don't have much time left. The clock is ticking as the countdown continues.

Meanwhile we can be completely secure in the promises made by Jesus. We have a glorious fate that awaits us - a fate that includes being in the very presence of Jesus - in a glorious place called New Jerusalem.

I can barely wait.

Maranatha! He is coming soon!

A Video Update Worth Watching

This one comes from brother Hal. Here, Hal Lindsey gives an up-to-date summary of prophetic developments and it is very much worth watching. A friend of this site alerted me to this update and he was right on. At the site, just click on the video link in the upper right corner of the page. This site is worth bookmarking as well. Here it is:

Video Update