Joel Rosenberg
As a congregation, CCF was encouraged to heed a prayer battle cry at the start of the year: “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NASB)
After the annual weeklong prayer and fasting week, an “expansion of borders” took place indeed as the church welcomed New York Times’ best-selling author, Joel Rosenberg, and his team for a full week of activities – the first ever Epicenter (Asian) Conference.
Upon his arrival, Joel wrote in his blog how devastated he felt for the major quake in Haiti, while recognizing, at the same time that we, Filipinos, have recently been shaken by similar catastrophes (typhoons, impending Mayon eruption) – and then segued into, what all these meant in light of what the Bible says about the end of days. This was, in fact, the general theme of the entire conference itself.
First off, Joel Rosenberg with his team and CCF’s went to Malacañang for a luncheon with Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the palace officials. Pastor Ray Bentley from the Maranatha Chapel in San Diego, California, thanked the president for the Philippines’ ties with the US and its battle against radical Islam. Israeli Pastor David Ortiz thanked the president for the historic friendship between the Philippines, the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Joel, during the meeting, explained that the Philippines helped fulfill Bible prophecy after voting for the creation of the modern state of Israel during the Partition Plan in the United Nations in November 29, 1947. The team had an opportunity to share the gospel to the President and the people in Malacañang, and furthermore, prayed for the president and her family and her final days in office.
Israeli Pastor David Ortiz
The following day, the team had a courtesy meeting with Israeli Ambassador Zvi Vapni. The ambassador, as Joel described, is very intrigued and supportive of building strong ties between Israel and evangelical Christians; and is thankful for the mobilization of Christians in supporting Israel. Later during the day, Joel and his team were interviewed by CBN Asia about their personal faith journey, the end times prophecies and how the church in Asia can and should live these days. These interviews will soon be broadcasted throughout the Philippines, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Another luncheon took place the following day, this time, with the American Chamber of Commerce. The event was attended by several hundred business leaders, which also included presidents of several major U.S. and Filipino companies. Here, Joel spoke about
“Israel, the Iranian Nuclear Threat, and the Next War in the Middle East,” and presented it in the context of Bible prophecy.
The Epicenter Conference officially began with the Leadership Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel last January 21, 2010. The event was attended by at least a thousand business, government and military leaders, which included some of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Here, Joel had the opportunity to explain the “signs of the times,” the Biblical mandate we have to love and bless Israel, and most importantly, he had the opportunity to share the Gospel to the attendees.
The whole day Christian Conference happened on Friday, January 22, 2010, which had an overwhelming attendance of 4,500 people within CCF St. Francis itself, plus probably thousands more, who watched the live streaming via satellite TV and the Internet. Joel presented his message, “Are We Living In the Last Days”, as described in Matthew 24 and Luke 21; and, “What Is the Future of Russia, Iran and Israel?”, as described in Ezekiel 38-39. Israeli Pastor David Ortiz shared about God’s extending love for the Jewish people and explained that the persecution of the believers will intensify in the last days. Iranian Pastor Hormoz Shariat described his journey from being a radical Shia Muslim to becoming the “Billy Graham of Iran” and how God has been touching the lives of Iranians. Pastor Rey Bentley shared a message from Joel 2.
Saturday, January 23, 2010, was another packed day, this time, with at least 3,000 young people for the Youth Conference. Here, Joel had the opportunity to share the Gospel, taught about end times prophecies as based in the Word, and his love story with wife Lynn – which became a good connector with the young people.
The conference ended on a high note having Joel in all five services at CCF St. Francis last Sunday, January 24, 2010. The auditorium and overflow rooms were packed with a total of between 20,000 to 25,000 attendees plus thousands more watched via satellite TV and the Internet. It was an opportunity once again for Joel to share the end times prophecies as presented in the Bible and most importantly, to share the Gospel to the people.
In light of everything that happened, the real question boils down to, “are we really ready?” Are we really ready to face our Master? Are we really ready to live holy lives and to make an impact to the people around us? Many lives were touched by God’s love during the conference proper – either as a new believer or as a recommitted follower standing for God’s glory. The next step is to take action. Following all these will be a six-week Bible study series on the End Times, designed to be evangelical nature. It is through this that each person’s borders will be expanded; and most importantly, God’s kingdom will be expanded.
by Sherry Magno
20 Responses
My friend asked me some questions regarding the Catholic Church, the “end of the world” and the Book of Revelations. He presented to me Bible verses and evidence implying that the Roman Catholic Church is the evil woman that the Book of Revelations is talking about. I did not know how to answer his questions. i am afraid to uprightly say, “ay oo nga, that’s the Catholic Church they are talking about” because I might offend someone and besides, I’m not sure about it yet. But his questions really bothered me and since he’s not yet a Christian, I would like to be able to share the God’s word to Him, right and clear. Please help me.
Posted on January 26th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Hi Ryche, If we look at the bible there is nothing that says that you have to belong to a certain religion. Since you are not sure with the interpretation with the verse in Revelation, be honest that you do not know about the evil woman. But you know we are all bound for hell since we are all sinners (Romans 6:23) but God made a way for us because he loves us so Jesus Christ took our sins and died on the cross in our place. He took our punishment by being the perfect sacrifice like in the old testament, being the “lamb” of God who takes away the sins in the world. but only if we truly believe in Him and have Him in Spirit then we will be saved -John 3.
Posted on January 26th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Just want to ask,
when will this 6-week Bible study series on the ‘End Times’ start?
Posted on January 26th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Can you be 100% sure in interpreting the exact identity of specific symbols found in the book of Revelation? Two symbolic women mentioned in the second half of the Book of Revelation are diametrically different. The first woman is the “church of the living God” (1 Tim 3:15) who will become the bride of Christ when He returns (Rev. 19: 7-9). In contrast, the second woman is called “the mother of harlots,” “mystery, Babylon the Great, abominations of the earth” … drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Rev 17: 5, 6). Some hold the view (“speculate”) that the Roman Catholic Church in Rome is this second woman, with the “beast” identified with historical figures like Nero, Hitler or Mohammed. This view arose in the Middle Ages, mostly by Reformers in the 16th century. For example, it was Martin Luther who popularized the idea that the “beast” was the Roman Catholic Pope. A key to interpreting Revelation is to anchor any point of meaning to what the apostle Paul John intended it to mean. Such involved historically-conditioned “frame of reference” intrinsic to the text itself and the cultural contexts of the ancient world (e.g. first century church’s struggle with Roman persecution). Even then, I believe the Book of Revelation contains a message that transcends its original settings. It extrapolates and projects into the future with spiritual, eternal principles applicable to all human experience throughout history. We can be “holistic” in understanding the book of Revelation as we learn the events to accompany the end of the world. While doing that, we can celebrate God’s dual message of hope and promise for all of us as we await the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Posted on January 27th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
http://bongerbongerbonger.multiply.com/journal/item/275/Give_it_urgency –> I blogged about the event.
Posted on January 28th, 2010 at 12:38 am
Hi Arjohn!
The 6-week end times series are designed to be taken up in the CCF small groups (Dgroups). The Dgroup leader will be using a facilitator’s guide and six 30-minute teaching videos. The participants will each have their participant’s workbook. In addition, to reinforce the Dgroup discussions, the Sunday messages will also be aligned with the topics in the 6-week series. The first Sunday message on the series will be delivered on February 14, 2010. Depending on which Dgroup you belong to ideally the Dgroups should start either during the week before February 14 or the week immediately after.
If you are not yet part of a CCF Dgroup you may join one and be part of the bible study series by registering via http://www.ccf.org.ph/2010/01/6-week-small-group-study-series/.
Posted on January 28th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Hi Ryche! It will be difficult for you to reply to your friend’s arguments about the harlot in the book of Revelation as the Roman Catholic Church. My suggestion is that you invite your friend to attend the 6-week end time series to be able to study the matter with others who are enthusiastic to know about what the Bible is actually saying on these things. If you are not connected to a CCF Dgroup right now which will be the venue for the study you can register via http://www.ccf.org.ph/2010/01/6-week-small-group-study-series/. Thanks and God bless!
Posted on January 28th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
thanks, Rica:) God bless:)
Posted on January 28th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hi Angelo, that was really deep. Thanks:)
Posted on January 28th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Thanks Pastor Joey, I will:) Pls pray for me and my friend:) Thank you:)
Posted on January 28th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
God’s coming is really at hand so that we should have to be sensitive to the voice of God and be prepared.
Posted on January 28th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Obama’s desire to repeal “Don’t ask, don’t tell” can actually help to fulfill the “days of Lot” (Luke 17, cf. Gen. 19), the fulfillment of which will hurry up the return of the Heavenly Commander-in-Chief who will make all things straight (pun intended)! Interesting Google articles include “Obama Supports Public Depravity,” “Obama Avoids Bible Verses,” “Separation of Raunch and State” and “David Letterman’s Hate Etc.” – required reading for the “Obama 101″ course.
PS – You’re invited to use these new pro-life slogans: “Unborn babies should have the right to keep and bear arms – and legs and ears and eyes etc.!” and “Unborn babies should have the same right to be born alive that abortionists had!”
Posted on February 2nd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Hi, is there a video of this? So I could watch? I regret I missed this. Please let me know.. Thanks and God bless us all.
Posted on February 2nd, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready? You can watch several christian based programming on Satellite Direct
Posted on February 3rd, 2010 at 2:42 am
Hi Princess! You can still watch the Joel Rosenberg conference by going to our livestream page. Click the middle tab of the video screen on the upper right side of home page. Select from the library of videos below the main screen. You can start with Part 1 by going directly to http://www.livestream.com/ccf_livestream/video?clipId=pla_46e08f5b-bf48-4dc7-bcad-72c18fb22ee5. Blessed viewing!
Posted on February 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Good afternoon!
I was able to attend the Facilitator’s Training last January 23 for the ETD Series. Me & my co-workers in Christ are burdened to share this to our students in Sunday School. Is there any way for us to conduct this series to them even without using the video?
Posted on February 10th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Hi April! We have no Sunday School version of the series but I think it is possible to adapt it for use in Sunday School. Are your students adults, teens or children? If children, it might be very challenging for anyone to teach it to them. But then you should come up with creative ideas to keep them interested and just use very minimal historical facts and just give them very general ideas. For teens and adults, I believe they would be more capable of absorbing information in the workbook. You need to come up with a clear objective for each session and stick to it. Remember that your goal is not to finish all of the items and questions in each session. Figure out beforehand what would be most appropriate for your group. Lead the group by facilitating and not by teaching to make it more participative and lively. And last but not least, make sure that you top off each session by asking an application question like, “How will you apply today’s lesson in your own life?” May the Lord grant you wisdom, planning skills, and facilitation skills to succeed. God bless!
Posted on February 10th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Thank you Ptr. Joey!
Posted on February 16th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Dear Pastor,
The war against Gog and magog prohesied by Ezekiel 38-39 will take place after the millenium not anywhere near in this generation as mr.Rosenberg colorfully depicts. We know this because of Rev.20:7-8.
when confronted with the same question in his Epicenter website mr.Rosenberg dismissmed it as to be another war. If so can he or you provide the biblical inspiration or verse to that matter? It is assumed by Mr.Rosenberg that it is a different war for the account of Ezekiel is different from John. This is flimsy for of course they would differ in details for both were of another Dispensation. Grace has supercede the Law,And the Latter propecy of John should be upheld to be the validartion of Ezekiel 38-39 for God specifically puts a date to when it will occur and thats right after the millenium!. Not unless a particular verse can be found about this “other” Gog and Magog war Mr.Rosenberg is expecting to happen soon, it would be heresy to say or add another war of such magnitude would take place before the tribulation only to be err replicated after the millenium.
If no verse can be found then we must be careful for we could find ourselves in harms way due to God’s warning in Rev.22:18.
I hope you can get these facts across to CCF as many have by now embraced the book Epicenter as “gospel truth” as far as the end times are concerned.
In Christ,
Lorenzo Lopez
Posted on February 19th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
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