The Real 2012 Prophecy: Mayans, Nostradamus, and Planet X, Oh My!

Introduction

The year 2012 is supposed to result in a slew of natural disasters culminating in the end of the world (as we know it, or think we know it, as the case may be). We know this prediction is true because a bunch of savage, child sacrificing, jungle-dwelling Mayans² prophesied it hundreds of years ago through their amazingly accurate calendar. Never mind that the date for Armageddon was originally set as December 24, 2011. We now know that these events will occur at exactly 11:11 GMT on December 21 2012, even though some Mayan predictions go all the way to 4772 A.D.³ Those Mayans really knew everything about astronomy, since their calendar consisted of 260-day periods, which we now know represents the true length of the solar year! According to the Mayan calendar, the "Great Cycle" equates with 5,125.36 years, which began on August 11, 3114 B.C. and ends in 2012. Unfortunately for the Maya (but maybe fortunately for us), they ended before their calendar.

Other prophesiers

The Maya were not the only people to predict the end of the world. Incan and Egyptian calendars, as well as with the prophecies of Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce (famous for predicting from 1958-1998 that a tilting of the Earth's axis would result in "The earth will be broken up in the western portion of America. The greater portion of Japan must go into the sea."), and the I Ching, Hopi Indians, along with a slew of wackos have indicated that the apocalypse will occur in December 2012. Nostradamus predicted a great comet, Nibiru, would impact the Mediterranean on December 21, 2012 (or was it the year 1999? - close enough!).

Natural disasters

Not content with just one disaster at a time, 2012 will unleash the ultimate disaster movie - earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, and droughts (at the same time and place!). These events are thought to be caused by a polar shift, enormous asteroids, violent solar activity (never mind that the Sun is now at its most quiet phase in recorded history), the emergence of Planet X or Nibiru, and the planetary alignment of Venus. Never mind that the next Venetian alignment is actually, on June 5-6, 2012, and that the alignment will produce a gravitational interaction on the order of your neighbor's Toaster Strudel. This is real science, man! The other probable causes of these disasters relate to the earth's precession, a 26,000 year cycle that just happens to coincide with the 12/21/2012 date (how it coincides we aren't sure, but we want to throw it in so that nothing is left out). In addition, our Solar System crosses in and out of the galactic plane every 33 million years. Coincidentally, the Sun will be at the exact center of the galactic plane on December 21, 2012 (or maybe it already happened 3 million years ago - but who's counting). At the same time, there will be a massive pole shift caused by the galactic alignment between the center of the galaxy and the Sun that will cause massive earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. What fun!

Government conspiracy

The really bad thing about 2012 is that the government knows everything about what is going to happen and they are keeping it from you. When Barack Obama talked about change, he wasn't kidding! In fact, they have set up a secret organization, including a secret website, the Institute for Human Continuity, to promote the continued survival of the human species after December 21, 2012. Among other things, the Institute is conducting a lottery to determine which humans will be selected to inhabit the subterranean cities in their "Operation Safe Haven." Surprisingly, theInstitute has been operating since 1978, when they held their first Summit in in Timaru, New Zealand. You best get aboard while you can. Don't wait until 2012! If the links don't work, then I guess you were too late (or Sony pulled the movie site after they released the DVD version of their movie).

The real 2012 prophecy

Since everybody else is making 2012 predictions, I thought I would throw mine into the mix. And here it is... The 2012 disasters are such good violence and mayhem that they would make the ultimate disaster movie. Hey, somebody needs to make a lot of money by taking from the ignorant interested people. Authors will write books and studios will make movies and the con artists will make lots of money—just like the good old days of Y2K.

Prepare for 2012!  

There isn't much that one could do to prepare for the end of the world. Of course, if you really believe the world is going to end, then you won't be needing your money. So, you could send it to me. Alternatively, you could follow the advice Jesus gave to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21).

Conclusion 

Yes, there will be earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and droughts in 2012, just as there are in every year. My 2012 prediction is that scammers will make a lot of money off gullible astute people. Now, if I could only figure out how to use that Parmesan Chicken with Pasta Rags recipe from my GE newsletter in my new GE Dishwasher. Don't miss our page devoted to Nostradamus:

Nostradamus Predictions 2012: The Greatest Prophet of Modern Times?

For 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

He Answered My Call!

Today I was so stressed; I picked up the phone to call my prayer partner and called myself! How bad is that? Funny things is, when I heard my cell phone ringing, I almost answered it! You know you’re having a hard day when you call yourself and you answer!

I couldn’t think of any reason for feeling the way I felt. The demands on me were no more than usual, so why the feeling of immediate doom? When I redialed the phone (this time not to myself) I got a busy signal, so I took my problem to God instead, which is where I should have gone in the first place…and to my prayer partner second.

I wasn’t sure at the time where the feeling was coming from but I knew it wasn’t from God. He doesn’t give us the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). He gives peace and joy and love…not anxiety. As a matter of fact, He tells us to be anxious for NOTHING (Philippians 4:6).

Just knowing it didn’t come from Him helped, because I knew if it didn’t come from Him it probably came from the other guy; the one who stirs things up and causes havoc…the devil. He’s the one who signs his work with fear and doom.
As I prayed and asked God to help me see what was true and real, and not be taken over by emotions, I began to feel better. The clouds of fear and doom lifted and peace began to clear my mind. I put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3) by lifting my voice to Him in praise, and before I knew it, I wasn’t just mouthing the words…I was feeling it from my heart.

I opened my Bible and started reading. The promises in His word are always good medicine for whatever ails us. Whether we’re dealing with fear, anxiety, persecution, sickness, whatever it may be, He wants to comfort us and give us a joy and peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

When I finally got through to my prayer partner, I didn’t need prayer! God had already answered my call.
Are you in need of some peace today? How about joy? Don’t rush to the phone to call a friend (or yourself), call out to God first, He’s waiting to answer your call.

 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Good Samaritans

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keeponeself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27.


Some time ago a friend sent me a report about some 600 lawyer hopefuls who were taking the State bar exam when an older student had
a heart attack. Two of the students stopped to help him but, as the story went, were not allowed any additional time to finish the exam. Unfortunately, I'm red faced, in that part of the story was true and part of it was a hoax and very misleading. So I am deleting the story and apologize for my error.


The point I was trying to make was the devastating effects of legalism which is still very much alive and well in many circles today in both secular and religious institutions. Legalists are basically insecure people who use rules and regulations to control others and to keep themselves feeling safe. It is of course a fasle
security.


Jesus ripped apart the legalistic religious Pharisees of his day who loved their stupid man-made rules more than they loved people. No wonder Jesus blasted them. And how like Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan. A fellow Jew had been robbed and beaten and left by the side of the road in great pain and distress. When a priest came by and saw him, he passed by on the other side of the street. Another
religious leader did exactly the same thing. But a man the Jews despised, a Samaritan, "took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him." - See Luke 10:30-37.

What is Love as Defined by the Bible?

Introduction

The true meaning of love, as defined in the Bible, has been corrupted in the common usage of our English language and society. Most often, love is confused with infatuation - that elated, "high" feeling we get when we "fall in love." This kind of "love" is something that lasts typically less than a year, and unless replaced by true love, results in broken relationships.

Origin of Love

The Bible indicates that love is from God. In fact, the Bible says "God is love." Love is one of the primary characteristics of God. Likewise, God has endowed us with the capacity for love, since we are created in His image. This capacity for love is one of the ways in which we are "created in the image of God."

Different Kinds of Love

The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) uses two different words to describe and define love. The most commonly used Greek word translated "love" in the New Testament is "agape." This love is represented by God's love for us. It is a non-partial, sacrificial love probably best exemplified by God's provision for our rebellion:

"For God so loved (agape) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

The gift of God's son as a provision for sin was given to all humans, regardless of who we are. God's love is unconditional.

In contrast, our love is usually conditional and based upon how other people behave toward us. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. The Greek word "phileo" defines this kind of love, often translated "brotherly love." Phileo is a soulish (connected through our emotions) kind of love - something that can be experienced by both believers and non-believers. This is in contrast to agape, which is love extended through the spirit. Agape love requires a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, since the non-regenerated soul is unable to love unconditionally. Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return.

Those who have studied the Bible and know about Peter's character know that Peter was ruled by his emotions and often responded to situations emotionally, rather than thinking before acting. Sometimes this kind of response led to good things (e.g., Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus - Matthew 14:25-33), whereas at other times, Peter's response was inappropriate (he was interrupted by God while suggesting that he build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration - Matthew 17:4). Peter was quite proficient at expressing phileo love, and was probably very popular because of his dynamic character. However, God wants us to express both phileo love and agape love. Peter expressed this idea in his first epistle:

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love [phileo] of the brethren, fervently love [agape] one another from the heart, (1 Peter 1:22)

Believers in the churches of Asia Minor had already expressed phileo love, but Peter was encouraging them to fervently express agape love as well. If you are a Christian, you are encouraged to express both soulish, familiar love and spirit-led unconditional love. The goal of the Christian is to become "partakers of the divine nature." In Peter's second epistle, he says that we are to behave with moral excellence. However, this is not enough. Christians tend to be characterized by non-believers as telling other people how they ought to behave. However, the Christian life should not be restricted to just moral excellence, but, above all else, should include both phileo and agape love:

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness [phileo], and in your brotherly kindness, love [agape]. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

The most famous biblical chapter on love is from 1 Corinthians:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

This is a description of agape love. It is described as being patient, kind, truthful, unselfish, trusting, believing, hopeful, and enduring. It is not jealous, boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, or angry. True love never fails. The description perfectly fits God's love toward us, and should be the way we love each other and God. However, I have never met any person who perfectly fulfills this biblical definition of love. The Bible says that this unconditional love is more important than everything else (a partial list includes oratory ability, prophecy, knowledge, faith, philanthropy and hope). All of these things, which are "good" things, will pass away. Only love is eternal, since love will be the basis of eternal life. In fact, when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He said, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." (Matthew 22:37)  He then added that the second most important law was "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Jesus said that the entire law was dependent upon these two commandments. 

Conclusion 

If you are not a Christian, I hope you desire to express love as defined in the Bible. However, wanting to do so and attempting to do so in the power of your own will is guaranteed to fail. This kind of love is only possible through relying on the power of God, through faith in Jesus Christ. Even if you are a Christian, you will not succeed if you do not abide in Christ. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

Rejoice Or Quench?

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19. (KJV). 

These verses suggest happiness! Every Sunday, after opening the service, we have a prayer, followed by repeating the Lord's Prayer. This is a good thing to do, but I often wonder whether God is that thrilled with our dutiful rendition. Do we sound like we are happy talking to Him?


And do we pray without ceasing? Do we mumble the first line and die out until about the middle, and then join in for a few words and die out until the final phrase? Is this "without ceasing"? Are we embarrassed about our own voice or about what others will think if we make a mistake? We are talking to God, not the rest of the congregation!


We can quench (extinguish or dilute) the Spirit by making a mumbo- jumbo of the Lord's Prayer, or a responsive reading from the Bible. When we participate joyfully, our life as Christians improves. God will bless all our prayers, but most often, even in a large church, we do not welcome rejoicing through our poor efforts and attitudes. Think what it would do for our church, if even just the officers of the church made this a part of their leadership in God's house.


I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! - Revelation 3:15. (NIV)


Let's use this standard to decide our spiritual level!

Do You Need A Faith-Lift?

"And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water." - Judges 6:36-38 (KJV).

Recently I have found myself struggling with a certain "problem" in my daily walk with God. I constantly question my prayers, asking whether I am praying for the right things and in the right manner. What I have realized is that it is not my prayers that need any changing, but it is my faith. I realize that, although I have been praying for guidance and direction, and perhaps even praying for all the right things, I have not truly been praying with the faith that God would answer my prayers. So I suppose that you could say that I am in need of a "faith-lift".

Well, as always, whatever we need, we can find it in God, and the directions to help us can be found in His word. As my neighbour and I sat the other night talking about some of our daily struggles, we both mentioned this same difficulty. As we continued to talk, the story of Gideon came to my mind. I recalled how Gideon, a man greatly used by God, had himself struggled with his faith.

Often it is good for us as Christians to realize that the Bible "heroes" themselves struggled with the same issues that we struggle with. God told Gideon that he would be used to save Israel from its enemies. Even after God spoke to him, Gideon still lacked the faith to believe that God could use him for the task.

So what did he do? In his own way, he asked that God strengthen his faith by giving him a specific sign. God provided him with the needed boost by supplying the sign that he asked for. While I don't think we should go around asking God for signs whenever our faith gets weak, I do think we should ask God to strengthen our faith.

We can all be like Gideon and the other great people of the Bible, if we only have the faith. On our own, we can never develop the amount of faith required. So that is when we look to the great provider, and ask for a faith-lift. By using the little bit of faith that it requires to ask for more faith, God will reward that faithfulness with a fuller measure of His Spirit.

I am applying this to my life, and I can assure that it works.

The Power of One

"Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus" - (John 1:40-42, NIV).


Did you ever stop to think how very important you are in God's economy and his plans? Pretty much throughout the entire Bible when God had a work to be done, he chose and called an individual to lead.


True he chose the nation of Israel to be his special people but he chose individuals to lead this nation to do his work. God has a place for you and me too in his plan. It may not be a gigantic role but it is an important one.


Think of the twelve disciples, for example, who were all a vital part of God's mission. Half of them never said anything that is recorded in the New Testament. And if I remember correctly, three of them said only a word or two that was recorded. And Andrew who didn't have much to say but in his own quiet way brought Peter, who became the early church leader and evangelist, to Jesus. Andrew was also the one who brought the boy with the two loaves and fishes to Jesus that Jesus used to feed the multitude. It was only Peter, James, and John that we heard much from.


So, be your task great or small, God wants to use you to be a part of his plans and what he is doing in your world today. All we need is to be available. As the anonymous poet wrote:


One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One hand clap lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see it's up to you!


In the words of Edward Everett Hale: "I am only one. But still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the Something that I can do."


Don't ever forget how very important you are, not only to your loved ones, your work, but also to God. Remember, too, if it's going to be, it's up to you and me!

The Lost Pilot

"For the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] came to seek and to save what was lost." - Luke 19:10 (NIV).

In his early days as a pilot, Australia's Outback Patrol pilot and bush padre, Les Nixon, was flying an old 1933 De Havilland Dragon bi-plane from Bourke to Longreach in the outback of far western Queensland. The twin engines were purring happily when suddenly a frantic call came over the radio from a lost pilot!

"Mayday ... Mayday ... Any Station ... Any Station ... Request urgent assistance," came his first call. After half an hour of fruitless calling, he began to panic.

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! He had become disoriented on his first cross-country solo exercise. Lost and low on fuel, he needed urgent help.

He was a hundred miles from Les so there was little he could do but pray for him, and hope someone was close enough to help.

"I'm almost out of fuel—someone help me." Any other pilots listening could do little but offer suggestions and wish him the best.

Miraculously, through the static of the radio—out of the blue, came a quiet, stoic voice of a helper from above. A mysterious presence from nowhere assessed the situation, found an answer, and directed the frantic pilot what to do. "Yes, son, I have you in sight," droned the pilot of an old commercial airline who happened to be flying overhead, and had heard his call for help.

"Now, listen ... simply do what I say. Turn to your right-north-yes, that's it. You're doing just fine. Line up on that paddock (field) over the fence and you'll find you can easily land on the open field, stay with your plane, and I'll get someone there to get you."

The older, experienced pilot had been watching from above—even as the frantic young pilot had been unable to work it out for himself—followed him for a few minutes, and found the answer to his problem. Then he quietly directed the inexperienced pilot through each maneuver until he placed him safely on an outback paddock (field).

One can only imagine the terror this young pilot must have experienced and then the incredible relief when the miraculous rescue "from above" guided him to safety.

One of life's greatest tragedies is that so many people are lost and they don't even know it ... some don't even want to know it. That is, they are lost spiritually and heading towards a lost eternity without God and without hope.

And that's why Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth 2000 years ago. He came to die on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins, to find us, to give us the gift of forgiveness, and to rescue us from a lost eternity in hell. All we need to do is to admit that because of our sin we are lost, and come to Christ for his forgiveness. He's waiting from above to rescue us.

The Search for Happiness

"Then he [Jesus] said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions'" - (Luke 12:15, NIV). 

A few months ago "former Tyco executive Dennis Kozlowski walked out of a Manhattan courtroom and into a swarm of photographers. He had just been convicted on multiple counts of looting Tyco of hundreds of millions of dollars.


As Chuck Colson wrote, "I have an idea that at the peak of Kozlowski's wealth and fame, he found his life empty and meaningless. I did when I rose to great heights of political power. According to researchers ... a growing body of data points to the conclusion that the amount of money accumulated above middle-class comfort level has no impact on our happiness. They found instead that it's social interaction and friendships that give us lasting pleasure in life."


Amazing isn't it? Modern research is now agreeing with what Jesus taught 2,000 years ago. Furthermore, God's Word repeatedly emphasizes the importance of relationships. One of the first things Jesus did in the beginning of his ministry was to choose the twelve disciples "that they might be with him." He reminded his friend, Martha, that it was more important to relate to him as her sister, Mary, was doing than it was to work for him—as important as that was.


And a new commandment that Jesus gave his followers was to "love one another."


Jesus also pointed out that when we come with an offering for God and remember that we have an impaired significant relationship, we are to first resolve that relationship and then bring our gift to God.


It has been claimed that 80 percent of life's satisfaction comes from satisfactory relationships. For happiness, yes we do need to have our basic needs met, and there's nothing wrong with wealth if it is gained honestly and used purposely with healthy motives, but of far greater importance is that we not only find peace with God, but also peace with others by forgiving all who have hurt us, and resolving
every impaired relationship as far as is humanly possible.