As the birth of Jesus was announced by the light of the Star of Bethlehem, so the death of Jesus was announced by the darkness of Calvary (Luke 23:44-45).

It is not likely that an atmospheric phenomenon caused the unusual darkness because of the astonishment expressed by observers. Further, the cause of the darkness at noon is stated to be cessation of the shining of the Sun, a celestial event. The most logical celestial cause to look for would be a solar eclipse. Indeed, the early Christian writer Africanus quotes two first-century historians, Thallus and Phlegon, who both stated that an eclipse occurred during a full moon during the reign of Tiberius.

However, the darkness could not have been caused by an eclipse, because the sun and moon were on opposite sides of the sky during the full moon which marks the Passover and the Crucifixion. A similar effect could have been caused by a large celestial body, like some recently discovered in the outer reaches of the solar system, or a stellar cloud, which could have passed between the earth and sun at that time. Alternatively the sun itself could have seemed to black out in a fashion similar to stars such as R-Corona Borealis, which suffer sudden catastrophic decreases in light emission caused by conditions in the stellar atmosphere. Thus, it is possible for the sun to have stopped shining for a time.

If the cause of the sudden solar darkness was celestial, one effect of the darkness would have been to bring the stars into visibility at noon. Off to the west the Northern Cross would have stood upright on the horizon, aligning with the actual cross when viewed from Jerusalem. South of the Cross Delphinus (The Dolphin) promised the resurrection, while to the North Cepheus the King stood directly over Draco the Dragon. Draco lay on the horizon, illustrating the fact that blood of Christ shed at the crucifixion ended Satan’s access to heaven as man’s accuser, and Satan was cast out of Heaven down to Earth (Rev. 12:12).     

Directly overhead at noon was the eighth chapter of the Star Bible, Aries (The Ram) which pictures the promised victory of the Lamb of God. The constellation shows the sacrifice of Christ, replacing the Ram of Abraham sacrificed on the same hill of Zion 2084 years earlier, as confirmed by the Star names El Nath (Wounded) and Sheratan (Bruised). But the slain Lamb of God is also the Lamb who will open the seals of the book of Revelation (Rev. 5:6-14) as we move toward the end of the Age.

Christ’s enemies at the end of the Age are represented by the constellation Cetus (the Sea Monster) which pictures the same seven-headed beast we see in the book of Revelation (Rev. 13:1, 17:3). Star names Mira (the Rebel), Diphda (the Overthrown), and Minkar (Bound Enemy) confirm the character and fate of Cetus. The One was overthrows and binds Cetus, Christ, is pictured in the constellation Perseus (The Breaker), who is shown carrying the severed heads of his enemies in the star Algol (Evil Spirit).

The third constellation associated with Aries is Cassiopeia (The Enthroned Woman). This constellation reminds us that the nation of Israel, which had rejected Christ and is represented by Andromeda (The Chained Woman) in the Church age, will be restored and lifted up when Christ returns (Is. 60:1-2).

On April 19 the sun enters Aires, obscuring it in the light. However, you can find Perseus and Cassiopeia near the Northwestern horizon in the early evening this week. Cassiopeia is especially easy to find because of its distinctive “W” configuration.          

Aries tell us that God keeps His promises, whether they be of grace or judgment. Encourage a friend tonight to move into the grace side of God’s promises. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

As Jesus hung on the cross, struggling painfully for each breath, He uttered seven short, powerful statements showing who He was and what was happening, and encouraging those who would follow Him. It was His last sermon.

1. “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do'” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus is not only practicing the forgiveness He preached (Matt. 5:44), He is asserting His divinity as God who forgives sin (Ps. 103:3). Beyond that, however, He is announcing the beginning of the New Covenant under which our sins will be forgiven (Jer. 31:33, 34).

2. “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Jesus’ promise of life to the criminal on the cross tells us He has authority over heaven (Ps. 115:16), He will conquer death (Ps. 16:10) and through Him we also will live (John 14:19). He is the priest of the New Covenant because of His indestructible life (Heb. 7:16, 17).

3. “‘Woman, here is your Son’ … ‘Here is your mother'” (John 19:26-27)

Jesus took time to entrust His mother into the care of the beloved disciple John, fulfilling the Scripture at Psalm 69:8 that He was estranged from His brothers and showing us that God expects us to honor our family (Mark 7:10-13). We are also reminded that Jesus was the “seed of woman,” the Savior born to a virgin promised in Genesis 3:15.

4. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46).

Many of those who heard Jesus, and many commentators since, have failed to understand that Jesus is quoting the Hebrew title of the 22nd Psalm. Jesus sends us to Psalm 22 to show us that 1000 years earlier, it was prophesied that Jesus would be mocked (Ps. 22:6-8) and even prophesying the very words of His mockers (Matthew 27:41-43). In one sense, He was mocking His mockers. The crucifixion is also described, as His hands and feet were pierced (Ps. 22:16), His clothes were divided by casting lots (Ps. 22:14) and it was difficult to speak (Ps. 22:15).

Yet Psalm 22 is not a picture of forsakenness or despair, but is instead a declaration of victory. God did not despise the suffering of Jesus (Psalm 22:24). Rather, God used it to purchase eternal life (Ps. 22:26) and promised that all nations will come to Jesus (Ps. 22: 27- 28). Jesus is telling us that He knew the price and gladly paid it.

5. “I am thirsty” (John 19:28)

This is another fulfillment of prophecy (Ps. 69:28), when the suffering Savior is given vinegar for His thirst. Yet in the midst of His pain and distress, Jesus used Psalm 69 to tell us that those who seek God will live (Ps. 69:32), and the God does not despise the suffering of His people (Ps. 69:33). There is also the promise that His people will rebuild Judah (Ps. 69:35, 36), an apparent reference to His promise to return.

6. “It is finished” (John 19:30)

To fully understand this statement, we believe we need to look to the prophet Daniel. He foretold the coming of the Anointed One  who would come 483 years (69×7) after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (458 B.C. or A.D. 26) and then be “cut off” (Daniel 9:25-26). Jesus is telling us that He has fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy to finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring eternal righteousness, seal up prophecy and anoint the Holy One (Dan. 9:24). This is the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

7. “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

The last words of Jesus on the cross are taken from Psalm 31. He is telling us that we can take refuge in God (Ps. 31:1-4) and that we can trust God with our life (Ps. 31:15). Our times are in His hands (Psalm 31:19-22) and He preserves the faithful (Psalm 31:23, 24).

With His last sermon, Jesus told us what he was doing even as He was doing it.

Can you join Him in saying “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit?” {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

This week, we will have one of the best opportunities of the year to view the planet Mercury.

Mercury is one of the “seven planets” that were visible to the ancients. The fourth day of the week, Wednesday, is named in English after the Norse god corresponding to Roman Mercury and Greek Hermes. The planet Mercury is symbolic of Satan in the Star Bible and is mentioned in a passage in the Bible about Satan (Is. 14:12), where he is described as the “morning star laid low.” The Greek name Hermes, meaning “The Burnt One,” also adds to the picture of Mercury as representing Satan.

The planet Mercury is very close to the sun and can only be seen as a morning or evening star. Most of the time it is too “laid low” near the sun to be seen at all. However, in the next few days it is at its furthest distance from the sun and will be visible an hour and half after sunset.

Satan’s fate can be seen in the constellations nearby. Standing above Mercury just to the south is the constellation Taurus (the bull), which tells of Christ’s return in power. A little further to the southwest is Orion (coming forth as light), which pictures Christ standing over a serpent preparing to crush its head as prophesied in Genesis 3:15. Then, just to the northwest of Mercury is the constellation Perseus (the breaker) showing the victorious Christ carrying the severed head of evil. The constellation Leo (the lion), picturing the victory of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah over the serpent, is at its highest point just to the south of the zenith. In fact, the entire night sky this week tells the story of Satan’s doom.

Adding to the picture is the moon, representing the church (Ps. 89:37), standing just above Leo. It is worth remembering that, while the moon often appears partly dark to us, from the vantage point of Mercury, the moon is always bright and white reflecting the light of the sun, as the church reflects the light of Jesus, the light of the world.

So if you go out this evening, take some time to enjoy the picture of Satan laid low, his defeat by Christ as told in the stars and the moon’s reminder of the church reflecting the light of Jesus. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

Another week of terrorist attacks reminds us that terrorism continues to be a tactic of choice for Islamic extremists.  

The terror tactic has a long and tragic history. Military historians tell us that the worst terrorist of all time was Genghis Khan, whose armies destroyed the agricultural hinterlands of their enemies, drove the peasants into the cities, and then destroyed the cities without mercy. Second to the Mongolians were the Romans, who merely destroyed the cities without mercy. Modern examples abound, from the London Blitz to the 9/11 attack.

As a military tactic, however, terrorism is a double-edged sword. More often than not, it backfires onto the terrorists. Thus, the London Blitz steeled British resolve, and in the end, it was the cities of Germany that were reduced to rubble. Palestinian terrorist intifada attacks brought swift retribution and isolation behind the Israeli wall. The 9/11 perpetrators were tracked down, and their Afghan sanctuary was overrun by Americans. It turns out, according to military historians, that terrorism only works for militarily dominant powers like Genghis Khan and Rome. For weaker opponents, the terror tactic only leads to destruction.

Even so, terrorists inflict much suffering from their self-destructive path. There is also a spiritual battle, as terrorists hope to paralyze their enemies with fear and goad them into overreacting in order to create more terrorists. This is truly spiritual warfare, and we must use our spiritual weapons to defeat the terror tactic of the ultimate terrorist, Satan.

We must first learn to pray blessings on our enemies. Not blessings for their violence, but blessings that their eyes be opened and that they will be satisfied with good things and desire to live in peace. Judgment still belongs to God, and it is for Him to avenge, not us. At the same time, God wants our enemies to come into His kingdom, and we must not let bitterness or unforgiveness set us against God’s purposes. Instead we must deploy the powerful spiritual weapon of love to stay in step with God.

We must also turn back the spirit of fear which has been sent against us. We know from the famous 91st Psalm that our protection comes only from God, and that He will be with us in our trouble. Yet we also know that we can overcome the evil one if we do not love this life more than the next (See Rev. 12:11). Let us live fearlessly in faith as God intended, looking forward to the day when we will be called home to heaven.

Yes, we mourn for the victims of these cowardly terrorist attacks and pray that God will comfort them. But we will not quit loving our enemies and living by faith.

And, just as the terror tactic is a losing strategy for weaker opponents in the natural world, so is the terror tactic futile against the most powerful kingdom on Earth, the kingdom of God. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

This week at about 10:00 p.m., the warring constellations of Leo (the lion) and Hydra (the serpent) will be at their highest point in the Southern sky.

Leo (the Lion) is a zodiacal constellation and is the last chapter of the Star Bible. It is the culmination of the theme of the Star Bible, Genesis 3:15, when God promised our first parents that the seed of woman, Christ, would crush the head of the serpent. The lion represents Christ as the lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) in His final triumph over Satan, the serpent. The star named Minchar Al Alsad, meaning “punishing of the lion,” shows Christ executing the sentence on Satan and the bright Star Regulus, meaning “treading underfoot,” shows the fate of Satan.

Just below Leo is the constellation Hydra (the serpent) which represents Satan as he is finally “trod underfoot” by Christ. Hydra is pictured as a dead snake that has been cut into pieces. The brightest star in Hydra, named Alphard, means “the separated” and coveys this message. Two other constellations associated with Leo show God’s judgment on Satan, Corvus (the raven) which is shown eating the flesh of the serpent and Crater (the cup) pouring out God’s wrath on the serpent.

Taken together, these constellations picture God’s final judgment (Leo) on Satan and his followers (Hydra). The common name for the reality pictured by Leo and Hydra is hell.

This summer, on August 21, the great American solar eclipse will occur as the sun is in the constellation Leo. The darkness of a solar eclipse is reminiscent of the darkness of the day of the Lord (Amos 5:20), adding to Leo’s warning of the judgment to come. However, the Aug. 21 eclipse occurs on the first day of the 40 day Hebrew season of Teshuvah, a time to repent and return to God. We believe that God is using the eclipse as a sign to bring His people to prayer and repentance during Teshuvah. For more information, see our website at .    

Leo is a distinctive constellation that is easy to find in the night sky. Hydra is somewhat dimmer but can be found directly underneath Leo.

Leo reminds us that God’s grace is still available, but will not be available forever. Get it while you can. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God; and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage; and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

This week on March 23rd will mark the 2021st anniversary of the birth of Jesus.

That’s right. We believe that we can put together the prophecies, historical data, astronomical data and Scripture to pinpoint the birth of Jesus to March 23, 5 B.C.

We know from Luke 3:23 that Jesus was about 30 when He began His ministry. The prophet Daniel tells us the year of Christ’s anointing would come 69 7’s, or 483 years, after the decree which sent Ezra to Jerusalem in 458 B.C (Dan. 9:25). Doing the math, and remembering that there is no year “0”, Daniel’s prophecy says Jesus would begin His ministry in A.D. 26. This year is backed up by two dates from Scripture. John the Baptist began his ministry in the 15th year of Tiberius, A.D. 25 (Luke 3:1) and Jesus cleared the temple the first time 46 years after Herod began renovating it (John 2:20) in 20 BC (According to Josephus), or A.D. 27. Thus, many Bible scholars believe that A.D. 26 is the year Jesus began his ministry. If He was 30 years old, remembering again that there is no year “0”, He would have been born in 5 B.C.

Jesus would have been born either in the spring or fall of the year, according to the Scripture surrounding the birth of John the Baptist. John’s father, Zechariah was a member of the priestly order of Abijah (Luke 1:5) which, according to rabbinical sources, ministered at the temple in May and November. The Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple, and Zechariah would have gone home and probably conceived John the Baptist in June or December, who would have been born nine months later, in March or September. We know from Scripture that John the Baptist was six months older than Jesus (Luke 1:26), so Jesus would have been born in September or March of 5 B.C.

To find the exact time of year, we look to astronomy and archaeology. We know that there was a star that appeared when Jesus was born and that magi from the East, possibly following the prophetic teachings of Daniel the Magi (Dan. 2:48), came looking for Him (Matt. 2:1,2). The Chinese also saw the Star, identifying it as a nova, which appeared in the spring of 5 B.C. and burned for 70 days. Thus, John the Baptist was conceived in December of 7 B.C., Jesus was conceived in June of 6 B.C., John the Baptist was born in September of 6 B.C., and Jesus was born in March of 5 B.C.        

King Herod, the tyrannical ruler of Judea, had interviewed the magi when they arrived in Jerusalem. According to our research, described in The Stars of His Coming, there were signs in the Sun, moon and stars surrounding the birth of Jesus beginning with Zechariah in 7 BC. The magi would have testified to the same date, and for that reason Herod ordered all of the children under 2 years old in Bethlehem to be killed. Josephus tells us that there was a lunar eclipse on Passover and that Herold died later that year. This lunar eclipse, or blood moon, occurred on March 23, 5 B.C. The blood moon occurred in the Spring of 5 B.C., concurrent with the Star of Bethlehem, but one additional piece of evidence is needed to suggest that this is the day Jesus was born.

We find it in Revelation 12:1, 2, which describes a sign in the heavens, a woman clothed in the sun with the moon at her feet at the moment of Christ’s birth. The woman clothed in the sun is the zodiacal constellation Virgo (the virgin), which promises that God will send a savior through virgin birth. Astronomical research shows that the blood moon of March 23, 5 B.C. occurred while the moon was in the feet of Virgo. Thus, Revelation 12:12 presents us with a picture of the night sky when Jesus was born, and that night was March 23, 5 B.C.  

Of course, we know that the whole world will continue to celebrate the birthday of Jesus on December 25. In its way, it is fitting to celebrate the advent on the old Roman winter solstice, when it all began with the conception of John the Baptist around the winter solstice of 7 B.C. and signs in the sun, moon and stars begin to appear.

Even so, it is nice to know His real birthday so we in His family can honor Him on His actual birthday.  

Happy Birthday, Jesus!  {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, is recognized as an Irish celebration, but in fact the whole Christian world owes a large debt to St Patrick.

Brought to pagan Ireland as a slave, Patrick escaped and returned to his home in Roman Christian Britain. However, he was unable to forget the lost souls of Ireland and returned to evangelize the island. The pagan wizards and priests were no match for the man of God, and the whole island was Christianized as the result of his efforts.  For this he is rightly honored as the evangelist of the Irish.

But his legacy of a Christian Ireland blessed far more people than just the Irish. Even before his death in A.D. 461, the Roman Christian Britain of his boyhood was being overrun by the pagan Angles and Saxons. Soon the British and Irish switched roles: The newly Christian Irish sent missionaries to the newly pagan Britain. And in about a century the Anglo-Saxons were Christianized. So the British saved the Irish so the Irish could save the British.

An even more remarkable turnabout occurred as the European continent fell into chaos during the time known as the Dark Ages. The formerly barbarian, unlettered Irish were able to save countless manuscripts from destruction and became the custodians of the civilized Western worlds’ knowledge. They also expanded their evangelistic efforts into Europe, bringing about a revival of Christianity in France and Italy. Thus, Patrick’s Irish followers became a beacon of learning and hope in the Dark Ages, helping preserve the centers of European Christianity as well as its British and Irish outposts.

Alas, the Irish were not immune to the instability of their times, as they were first invaded by the Vikings and then colonized by the ungrateful English. After the Reformation, they were persecuted for their Catholic faith and allowed to starve in the horrible famine of the 1840’s. The Island remains divided between the Catholic republic in the south and the Protestant north.

It is ironic that these two peoples, still divided over religion, owe their Christian faith to the other: The Irish to the British Patrick, and the British to the Irish missionaries. Yet, there is progress being made to reconcile these peoples. Several years back we at Corporate Prayer Resources made a prayer journey to Ireland and saw our and many other prayers answered as a peace process began in Northern Ireland. There are also continuing reconciliation efforts underway between the Catholics and the Protestants to heal this terrible division.  

As we look forward to this St Patrick’s day, the best way to honor St. Patrick would be to pray that there would be reconciliation, forgiveness and peace between his British homeland and his beloved Ireland, and between Catholic and Protestant.   

And may it be so. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

On March 20, the first day of spring, the sun will enter the constellation Pisces (the fish).

Pisces (the fish) is the seventh chapter of The Star Bible, picturing two fish tied together in unity, and representing the joining of the Jewish and Gentile believers to form the church. The other constellations associated with Pisces include Cephus (the crowned king), representing the ascension of Christ to heaven as ruler during the church age, and Andromeda (the chained woman), representing the suffering of the Jewish people who rejected Christ.

The symbols of the fish in the sky show the development of the church, with the first picture of a fish shown being the tail of a fish attached to a goat in the constellation Capricornus (the goat), as if being born out of the death of the scapegoat, Christ. Associated with Capricornus is the dolphin of the constellation Delphinus, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ, showing Christ as the first-born with the new life. The single fish of Pisces Austranus is shown receiving the water of the Holy Spirit from the outpouring constellation of Aquarius (the water pourer). The water, entering through the star Formalhaut in the mouth of the fish, shows the Pentecostal sign of speaking in tongues. Pisces Austranus represents the church at Pentecost, which was then composed only of Jewish followers of the Christ. The addition of the Gentiles, the second fish of Pisces, makes the church complete. It is no accident that the most recognized sign of the early church was the fish.

Pisces first moved into the spring season in 6 B.C., the year that the birth of Christ, the seed of woman (Genesis 3:15), was announced to Mary. It was one of the signs in the sun, moon and stars which heralded Christ’s advent, and it marked the beginning of the church age. In A.D. 2121, Pisces moves out of the spring season to be replaced by Aquarius (the water pourer), a sign of Christ’s return in the sun, moon and stars and a reminder that the church age will be followed by Christ’s earthly government from Jerusalem and the living waters flowing out of the temple bringing swarms of fish (Ezek. 47:1-12).       

Some of the stars of Pisces and its related constellations will be visible with binoculars along the horizon after sunset, starting with Pisces in the west, Andromeda in the northwest, and Cephus in the north. As an extra bonus, the planet Venus, representing the seed of woman, will be located in Pisces and will be visible for the next week both in the morning and the evening, a phenomenon which occurs once every eight years.

And if some passerby is curious about why you are searching the horizon with your binoculars, you can tell them the celestial fish story and urge them to swim into God’s church before it is too late. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

On March 10, 1528, Martin Luther published a book which changed the course of history. And not for the better.

His book, The Book of Vagabonds and Beggars, proposed that the state should establish a social welfare system to replace the church in caring for the poor. Up until that time, the church had made care of the poor a centerpiece of its ministry. Giving to the poor was seen as a sign of Christian virtue and of spiritual vitality in the church.

Luther’s proposal was based on the idea of the state religion, which had been a fixture of Christian life since the days of the Roman Empire. In his view, the religious state should meet personal needs while the state-sponsored church should restrict itself to spiritual activities. This idea took hold throughout Protestant Northern Europe as the state began taxing citizens to pay for relief for the poor. It was the beginning of the modern welfare state.

Luther failed to take into account the possibility that the religious state would quit being religious, pushing the church out of community life. Beginning with the French Revolution, the state began to see itself as the source of welfare not just for the poor, but for the whole society. With godliness marginalized in secular states, the state itself became a substitute for God in the socialist, national socialist and communist philosophies. Leaders like Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini and Mao gained power by promising to use the godlike power of the state to bring prosperity to the masses. What came instead was poverty and death.

The ghost of Luther’s bad idea still haunts the world today. The welfare states of Greece, Italy and Spain are facing financial collapse, and their European neighbors are not far behind. In countries like Venezuela ruthless leaders destroy their national economies to buy power from the masses. Even the rich United States is marching toward a crisis as its national debt and welfare state become unsustainable. No one knows what when happen with these nations become unable to keep their welfare promises.  

What Luther and the modern welfare states have forgotten is that God will not share His glory with usurpers. Like the gods of Egypt humbled in the Exodus, God has shown that the socialist, communist, and welfare states are not the gods of provision they claim to be. It is not a question of if, but when, failure will occur. The real question remaining is what the church will do about it. 

We must pray that the church will rise up to the crisis and the opportunity coming from the collapse of the welfare state. The crisis will come as people’s needs are no longer met by government, and social order breaks down. The opportunity comes if the Church follows God’s admonition to care for the poor, revitalizes church institutions for the poor, and creates a godly order in the midst of chaos. The crisis could lead to revival.  

Let us pray that the people will once again look to God as their source as they once did before Luther’s bad idea led us astray. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife Pat of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.

Last week it was announced with much fanfare that seven new Earth-sized planets, three within the “habitable zone” for life, had been found orbiting a dwarf star only 40 light years away. Scientists looking for extra-terrestrial life were giddy with excitement.

Space aliens may be watching our TV reruns from the ’70s out there, but it would take over 100,000 years to travel to those seven planets with our current technology. If life exists there, we won’t be finding out soon. However, since the Bible is silent about life on other worlds, finding it would pose no theological problem. The real question for humanity is where such life would come from. Here, scientists looking for E.T. keep finding God instead.  

About 50 years ago, scientists launched the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (“SETI”), thinking that there were vast numbers of inhabitable planets in the universe. But then, science itself began to intervene as more was discovered about conditions necessary for life. Instead of only two factors needed for life as they thought 50 years ago, there are over 200. Statistically, that means alien life is impossible. Not surprisingly, after 50 years of looking for alien TV shows and other signals, no intelligent life has been found by SETI.

In fact, scientific discoveries have now proven that the very existence of the universe is virtually impossible. If just one of the many variables in the universe was off by one part of a number 5000 times the U.S. national debt, there would be no stars. The odds against the universe just happening by chance are the same as flipping a coin with heads coming up 10 quintillion times in a row. Some scientists have even proposed the ridiculous idea that there must be an almost infinite number of parallel universes to get around the obvious conclusion that life and the universe did not come to be by chance.

No, we do not live on a speck of dust planet circling around an insignificant star. Our planet was made to support our life, and so was the universe we live in. And more and more scientists are beginning to believe that the universe was designed by a super-intelligent Creator, because there is no other rational explanation. As they dig deeper and deeper into the starry universe, scientists will find that the star Bible, like the written Bible, takes you closer to God the deeper you look.

God does not need scientists to confirm the biblical truth that He made the earth and the universe. However, it is nice to know that our scientists are beginning to learn enough to understand that the heavens do indeed declare the glory of God. {eoa}

Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God, and the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage, and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors.