Some of Our Favorite Places to Visit
(Compiled by MCM's web manager)

CHRISTIANITY / MESSIANIC

We have listed these sites because they have material which we have found to be very profitable. But we have not been able to exhaustively examine each site. We also can't vouch for those to whom they link. While we may not agree with every single point on these web sites, they offer valuable insights in the work of Christ and the Christian life. Always be a good Berean, and check out things for yourself in the Word and through prayer, seeking the truth. We are called to follow Christ, not men, and to be led by the Holy Spirit, not by the dictates or dogmatics of men. If you find something that is questionable, please let us know. We will look into it, and take whatever corrective action is necessary. Dr. Mary Craig

Who is Jesus?

The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth: Excellent! Historical and current information. (10/5/05 Looks like this domain (link address) got taken over by Christianity Today. Will update this when I find out more.)

Messiahrevealed.org: 300 Old Testament prophecies foretelling the coming of the Messiah and their fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth.

Jews for Jesus: Why believe? . . . How to Believe . . . Jews who believe . . . Full Articles Index

Life After Life: What the Bible says about eternal life

Memory's Gate: The testimony of a little girl who was murdered at age 14, regarding her faith and assurance of heaven. Her mother wrote the poem.

Some Jewish Views About Jesus and this one with pictures (from Good News for Israel).

Chaim (Life): A reformed ministry to Jewish people.

SeekGod.org - The Deity of Christ: Scriptures and charts covering every aspect of the deity of Christ. The best we've seen on the Net so far!

Lambert Dolphin's Resource Files: God and the laws of physics - A physicist's search.

Koinonia House Interactive: Bible, science, prophetic, multimedia . . .

ChristianAnswers.net: Questions, answers and lots of other good stuff.

The Names of God: by Lambert Dolphin

The Names and Descriptions of God: Over 600 names of God from the Bible. "Learning the names of God has increased my understanding of His character, built my faith, and expanded my capacity for praise and worship. (God loves to hear us use His names in our worship!) I hope you will find these names a benefit to your spiritual life as well."
Three more names: Master of breaches or breakthroughs (upon his enemies) (2 Sam. 5:20); the last Adam, a quickening (life-giving) spirit; the second Man, the Lord from heaven (1 Cor. 15:45-47)

The Names, Titles, and Characteristics of the Son of God

The ORIGINAL Unabridged Serenity Prayer: The entire serenity prayer, the author's biography, and background of the prayer.

Angels: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

True Christian Faith: Spiritual warfare and deliverance from demons: A good spiritual warfare and deliverance site. Thorough, yet not overwhelming. A good place to start on your road to deliverance.

True Christian Faith: Turning Curses into Blessings

Oil of Grace: Biblical oils for anointing and healing. Be sure to visit the Oil of Grace Answer page and History of Anointing Oil.

Article: Compassion for the Widows: Elisha: Prophet of Compassion and Confrontation.

SeekGod.org: We highly recommend visiting this site when you have time to dig. There's a lot to see and learn here.

True Christian Faith: We highly recommend this one. Be prepared to spend some time here! (Note: The author's view that salvation can be lost is not accurate. True salvation can never be lost. But we highly commend the other material on his site!)

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry: CARM's website provides comprehensive, well documented information on Christianity and non-Christian cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Christadelphians, Unitarians, Christian Science, etc. It also covers theology, the New Age movement, evolution, atheism, and many more subjects. Includes a dictionary of theology, a section on tough questions, and dialogues with non-Christians.

Ephesians 5-11.org: How to lead Masons out of Freemasonry. "Have nothing to do with the evil deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Lots of articles, documented facts on anti-Christian Masonic beliefs and rituals, testimonies of ex-Masons, and teaching materials. The whole relevant text from Eph. 5:

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 For this reason it says,
"Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you."
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Freemasonry: The Trojan Horse in the Church: Testimony of a pastor's battle with Freemasonry in the church.

Ex-Mason's for Jesus website

Evangelical Truth: An Evangelical view of Freemasonry and the Loyal Orders. Some details on the inner workings and some ceremonies of the Freemasons and related/similar orders, and analysis from an Evangelical Christian perspective.

History Channel - The Freemasons: The Secret Brotherhood of Freemasons DVD. Recommended! Does a good job of exposing the background of Freemasonry, the connection with Washington D.C., and involvement of some of our founders and other American and world leaders in the organization. "George Washington, Paul Revere and Ben Franklin were all members. So were Mozart and Duke Ellington [a famous African-American jazz artist]. The Freemasons are the world's most famous secret society, a nearly 400-year-old organization whose influence is the subject of intense debate...." (Some minor inaccuracies and over-dramatization.)

Hebcal.com: Interactive Jewish calendar, calculator, converter, and other Jewish calendar tools and info. The best we've seen on the Net.
Next Judaic/Biblical holidays for 2005 (Judaic holidays begin at sundown of the previous day)
10/4 Trumpets (Rosh Hashana), 10/13 Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), 10/18 Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Gospel Resources for Muslims: Lots of resources and info for Muslims and Christians regarding Jesus and Islam.

BiblePlaces.com: The best, most extensive collection of pictures and photos of Bible places we have seen on the Net. Well organized, excellent descriptions. Sample hi resolution photos are available for download, CD collections for purchase. You'll probably need a high-speed connection to view some of this.

The Six Days of Creation: Beautiful multimedia rendition of the six days of creation. You will need the Flash multimedia plugin to view this. See kids4truth.com for more multimedia "dynamation" stories from the Bible.

The Gospel According to Luke: The story of Jesus according to a contemporary. (Luke was a physician at the time of Jesus).

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CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS

Advocates International: Bearing witness of Jesus Christ through the legal profession by encouraging and enabling advocates
to meet locally, organize nationally, cooperate regionally and link globally. Doing justice with compassion. Luke 10:25-37

Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham): Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Voice of the Martyrs: "VOM was founded thirty-five years ago [as of 2000] by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand [a Jewish believer], who was imprisoned in Communist Romania for 14 years for his faith in Christ. His wife, Sabina, was imprisoned for three years. In the 1960s, Richard, Sabina, and their son, Mihai, were ransomed out of Romania and came to the United States. Through their travels, the Wurmbrands spread the message of the atrocities that Christians face in restricted nations, while establishing a network of offices dedicated to assisting the persecuted church."

Int'l Justice Mission: A Christian ministry, led by human rights professionals, that helps people suffering injustice and oppression.

Int'l Christian Concern: Raising awareness on the human rights issue of religious freedom and the persecution of people of faith around the world. Go here to see the latest news briefs and prayer info.

Christian Monitor: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Heb. 13:3 "Christian Monitor provides resources and information on Christian persecution and the suffering Church. A call to prayer for persecuted and suffering Christians, for the persecuted Church and the modern martyrs who daily die for the Gospel of Christ." "The aim of Christian Monitor is to provide up to date media resources on the persecuted Church. It is an information portal to news items that deal specifically with persecution. The website is updated nearly everyday."

"We believe that the most important thing we as Christians can do for the persecuted Church is prayer. We believe that prayer should be the center of all that we do in the Lord. Secondly, we believe that Christians need to be aware of modern persecution and remember them and their needs in prayer. Thirdly we believe that if the Lord has placed it on their heart to help in some other way, then they should respond accordingly."

Gateway Community Outreach: "For many families, the collapse into economic disaster begins with a terrible circumstance that gets out of control. It begins with a lost job... an injury or prolonged illness... a separation of parents... a fire or some other damaging disaster. Within weeks, a family that has been "getting by" is suddenly under tremendous financial pressure. Within months, their home may be gone or a family torn apart.

To prevent this kind of catastrophic damage, Gateway Community Outreach acts quickly, working with families to overcome a problem while it is still manageable. Through direct and personalized assistance, it is often possible to work through a family's crisis and get "people back on their feet" before any significant damage is done."

The Light Club: Getting Bible clubs in public schools.

Widows Harvest Ministries: A worldwide gospel and caring ministry to widows.

Christian Veterinary Missions: Helping abused animals worldwide. "Read about veterinarians who are living abroad, working with the poorest of the poor to share Christ's love through veterinary medicine."

Arise and Shine for Jesus: "A Titus 2 hospice ministry for women. A special gathering of women uniting together hand in hand in Christian love..." A place for abused and hurting women to find love, healing, and restoration in Jesus.

Kmission Bulgaria: Ministry of Viktor and Teresa Kostov, serving God as missionaries in Bulgaria and Eastern European nations. "We work to strengthen and challenge the church to serve God, not man. We want Christians to be equipped to spread the love of God and the good news about our savior and Lord Jesus Christ. In the process we are open to learn more about our own need for Christ in our own lives.
We train Christians to be committed disciples of Jesus. For the training we use the Word of God, and our own life as an example. Our goal is to prepare believers for serving God in these last days in Bulgaria and in other nations."

World Challenge -- David Wilkerson's Times Square Church and worldwide ministry

David Wilkerson's Times Square Pulpit Series: Messages by David Wilkerson in many languages.

Friends of Animal Care - Broward: Thousands of homeless Animals in Broward County, Florida need your help. The Friends of Animal Care provide medicine to treat sick animals, increase adoptions, reunite lost pets with their owners, and to promote responsible pet ownership. By contributing to this all volunteer, nonprofit organization, you can save the lives of our furry dog and cat friends in the two shelters operated by the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division.

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SCIENCE AND CREATION

Lambert Dolphin's Resource Files: God and the laws of physics - A physicist's search.

Koinonia House Interactive: Bible, science, prophetic, multimedia . . .

Institute for Creation Research: What is the scientific evidence for the creation account in Genesis? What is the scientific evidence for the theory of evolution? Start here to see what creation oriented biologists, physicists, paleontologists, archeologists, geologists, and other scientists are discovering through continuing research.

Creation Research Society: Peer reviewed journals and articles on the issue of creation vs. evolution.

Center for Scientific Creation: "Compelling evidence for creation and the flood." Comprehensive research presented by a former evolutionist.

Reasons.org: "Whether you are looking for scientific support for your faith or answers to questions about God and science, Reasons To Believe exists for you."

AnswersInGenesis.org: The thousands of articles and media programs on this site answer questions about creation/evolution, dinosaurs, and much more.

Note: We do not hold adamantly to a position as to how "young" the earth is, though Scripture doesn't seem to allow for an age of millions or billions of years. Neither is there any evidence of a "gap" allowing for a previous creation between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, if the Hebrew is properly understood (other than possibly the angelic creation which could have been before the Genesis account). We believe in the interpretation of Genesis from beginning to end as being given by God word for word, including 6 literal "evenings and mornings" representing normal, consecutive days of creation in chapter 1 as understood by the Hebrews at the time it was given to them and as given to us now. The web manager.

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CHRISTIAN LITERATURE RESOURCES

Crosswalk.com Bible Study Tools: Online study bibles and search tools -- all popular versions. All right at your fingertips with your search results. Hebrew & Greek tools, interlinear bible, parallel bible, commentaries, concordances, bible dictionaries, bible encyclopedias, lexicons, church history, sermon helps, additional resources. See Online Bible Resources below for more details.

StudyLight.org: Similar to Crosswalk, but with even more tools right at your fingertips with your search results. See Online Bible Resources for more details.

ICLNET - Christian Literature on the Internet: Links to online Christian literature and resources.

ICLNET - Early Church Documents: Early Christian documents online.

Christian Classics Ethereal Library: Christian Classics online.

Christian Bookshop resources and links: Excellent historical, classical, and revival resources and links for deeper study.

Christian Bookshop Welsh revival documentaries and biographies: Documentaries, biographies, and sermons from original sources, including newspaper accounts. Evan Roberts, Duncan Campell, Richard Baxter, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, John Wesley, J. Edwards, C.T. Studd, John Bunyan, Spurgeon, McCheyene, Tyndale, Bernard of Clairvaux, and others.

Abate Not: Reformed Christian Resources: "The most comprehensive listing of Reformed Resources on the Internet. This is the starting point for serious Christians looking to locate Reformation Theology, Historical documents, Reformed Churches, Message Forums, Real Audio, Classic Literature, or any Reformed related material."

Century One Bookstore: Lots of excellent archeological and historical research and information, as well as Bibles, books, multimedia, and Bible software.

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ONLINE AND DOWNLOADABLE BIBLE RESOURCES

These sites provide an incredible array of tools and reference works for Bible study and research. They also link to some "bibles" and translations/paraphrases that we dislike or find very inaccurate and/or unfaithful to the original texts as we believe God gave them. We caution you to be alert to translations that are in serious error. Unfortunately, we have no input on which translations these sites make available for study. We will be praying and looking for ways to clarify which translations we think are worth using and which we think should be avoided. The translation most used at MCM is the New King James Version, also the King James Version, though we use several translations and original language sources for Bible study.

Online Bible Research Sites

Crosswalk.com Bible Study Tools: Online study bibles and search tools -- all popular versions. All right at your fingertips with your search results. (Take advantage of the "My Preferences" settings.) Use an ( * ) (e.g. proph*) for wildcard searches. Hebrew & Greek tools, interlinear bible, parallel bible, commentaries, concordances, bible dictionaries, bible encyclopedias, lexicons, church history, sermon helps, additional resources. Some of the real "modern" translations, such as Good News, Today's English Version, and several others are so far from the original text that we don't recommend them. Includes some commercial advertising.

StudyLight.org: Similar to Crosswalk, but with even more tools right at your fingertips with your search results. (Take advantage of the "Set Preferences" settings.) Use an ( * ) (e.g. proph*) for wildcard searches. Has parallel/interlinear hyperlinked (to lexicon) language texts including choice of OT Biblica Hebraica, Greek Septuagint, 1894 Textus Receptus (Scrivener), 1991 Byzantine/Majority Greek text, and Nestle-Aland's, including lexical and Strong's hyperlinks. Also provides more Bible translations to work with than most, including early translations such as LV, Tyndale, Bishop's, Geneva, etc., should you ever want to go that far. And a cool SpeedSearch capability. Do not be put off by the "technical" stuff. This site is easy to use and you only work with the features you want! Some of the real "modern" translations, such as Good News, Today's English Version, and several others are so far from the original text that we don't recommend them. Includes some advertising.

Bible Gateway: An excellent Bible research tool with multiple versions and languages. This is the one used extensively for the scripture links throughout this website. Has valuable search options not found on other Bible database sites. They have the best "print your results" feature, in the webmanager's opinion. Some of the translations, such as Contemporary English Version, and others tend to stray so far from the original text that we don't recommend them. The same caveat holds true for most of the other links in this section.

Bible Gateway Languages: Over 75 online bibles, in over 50 languages.

BibleDatabase.org: First class, free bible study program and downloadable bibles in many languages. Hebrew & Greek tools (transliterated), commentaries, bible dictionaries, bible encyclopedias, lexicons, bible maps, and more. (Or get the CD with everything for $3.) (Unicode (non-western) texts can only be downloaded and viewed as HTML files.)

BibleDatabase.net: Online bibles in over many languages.

BibleDatabase.org Advanced Bible Search: Advanced search in multiple versions and languages.

KJ3 2005 edition: Jay Green's KJV based literal translation of the Bible. PDF format -- You will need a high speed connection or be prepared to wait while the books load. Based the KJV and "Traditional" Greek text for the NT from the Trinitarian Bible Society which depends on the majority, mostly Byzantine, Greek mss. A combination formal equivalent (as close to word-for-word as possible) translation and improvement of the KJV. Many verses are translated in such a way as to shed light on the meaning of words as originally intended by the divinely inspired authors. Note that the language skills and prejudices of the translator affect this translation in some cases. Still a work in progress, there are some spelling, typo and punctuation errors. But if you can ignore these issues, the KJ3 is well worth reading, using and studying as a faithful English translation of God's word.
For a quick-loading version, try Green's older edition, KJ2 2000 LITV. 6/1/07 These sites have disappeared. Will update when more info is available.

Bible.org NET Bible: Some useful tools and new ways to research the Bible online using their NET (New English Translation) Bible, a recent, continually updated translation from the original languages. This is a conservative, formally equivalent translation that Includes over 60,000 translators' study notes, "The most comprehensive study notes available in any Bible". (Especially for those who want to understand what Bible translators grapple with and how translators' doctrinal views often come into play in Bible translations). As with any translation, it has flaws. Also while the study notes can be helpful, be alert to the doctrinal views of the translator that are included. One other possible weakness may be it's reliance on the Alexandrian NT Greek mss. (of questionable faithfulness to the original texts penned by the NT writers) rather than the Byzantine, a trait of all modern translations except the ASV (1901), WEB, NKJV and Green's LITV and KJ3. Bottom line -- useful for Bible study, especially when studied alongside other translations.
Other helpful resources from Bible.org: Learn more about the NET Bible. Download the entire NET Bible in multiple formats and/or for various Bible programs. A history of English Bible translations and Why so many translations (messages given by Dr. Daniel Wallace -- one of the translators and presumably founder of the project).

Free Bible Programs and Packages

The Sword Project for Windows: Free Bible study program and downloadable bibles in over 50 languages. Numerous Hebrew & Greek tools (transliterated), commentaries, bible dictionaries, bible encyclopedias, lexicons, devotionals, books, and more. (Or get the CD with everything for $3.)

The Sword Project for Windows - Add-in Modules: Here's the page where you can download all the add-in modules.

Spiritualworx.com: Free downloadable bibles in Word 97, HTML, and PDF format in numerous languages, including Greek texts (transliterated). (Be forewarned that many links on Spiritualworx.com don't work (as of 12/1/02), but the bible links do work.)

Cross Country's Online Bible Main Site: Free Bible program for Windows and Mac, plus loads of downloadable bibles in many languages, ancient and interlinear texts, reference works, tools, maps, libraries, multimedia, etc. Cross Country has the largest collection of free and low-priced material of any Bible software site by far, that I (the website guy) am aware of. About 60 bibles and works free or at nominal cost, plus about 20 bibles in other languages. The software and many add-in modules are free to download. Copywrited translations (NKJV, NASB, Amplified, NIV, etc) and literature unlock codes are available at the lowest prices. See the Windows Online Bible page for the software and modules that are free to download. The Online Bible Starter CD is $40, $20 for missionaries, excluding royalty charges for copyrighted works if you want them unlocked. Their 20-CD Ages Christian Library Books and Reference Series is $300)

Cross Country - Online Bible (N. America): Cross Country's N. America site. Free Bible program for Windows and Mac with lots of downloadable bibles in many languages, ancient and interlinear texts, reference works, tools, maps, libraries, multimedia, etc. Copyrighted major translations are available for nominal fees on the Locked Versions page. The NKJV module is only $5. (May be available with other programs at around that price too. Haven't checked the others.)

Bible.com: Bibles in hundreds of languages -- online, downloadable, and hard copy -- THIS SITE HAS CHANGED. Bible.com has apparently been taken over by another organization. Still some foreign language translations available on the search page.

E-Sword: A very comprehensive, feature rich, easy to use Bible program and reference package, including numerous translations in many languages, Greek & Hebrew texts, maps, and reference works. Developed by Rick Meyers, a Bible student, teacher, and software developer. Support for this ministry is suggested.

The Unbound Bible: Advanced search in multiple languages, versions, and reference works. (Ideal for searching on non-English and non-Western languages.)

World English Bible (WEB): A good public domain (free to copy) modern update of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901.

World English Bible Messianic Edition: The Hebrew Names Version (HNV) of the above World English Bible. Same as WEB, but with all names in Hebrew (transliterated).

DAVAR Scripture Study Tool: Freeware scripture study program developed by a programmer from the Czech republic. Appears to be a very fast, powerful and comprehensive scripture study tool with loads of free, unique add-ons (reference works, books, maps, multimedia, photo library, audio/mp3, original language texts and tools, etc). Only a few public domain English translations appear to be available, including KJV. Not evaluated yet. Caution is recommended, as the author appears to take some non-evangelical/orthodox theological views (judging from a brief look at his forum), though his views probably don't affect what comes with his software.

Free Commercial Bible Programs and Packages

These are commercial grade (generally higher quality and easier to use) programs/packages that are free, but you pay to add more bibles and reference modules. Some of these companies charge more than others for similar add-ons. Searching on Google for reviews and evaluating them yourself can help you decide which one(s) will work best for you.

Theophilos: Free Bible program with KJV and some other works. Free and pay-for Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, Christian writings and user-created add-ons are available on the Download Books page. Consider the $129 CD offer carefully -- I don't know if it's worth the price. (It may be -- I haven't checked it out.)

Bible Explorer: Formerly a commercial pay-only program that was taken over by WordSearch and made available for free. Great features to help with Bible study. All 1400 free and pay-for add-on bibles and reference works are available here. After installing, the program keeps trying to sell you more bibles, books and downloads at rather high prices, but works well with the KJV and books that are included. A shopping cart is in the corner and always the push/temptation to keep buying more of what you want at their prices. If your going to spend money for their add-ons, you might want to go with their WordSearch program (below).

E4 FreeBibleSoftware.com: All the standard public domain Bibles, plus a tremendous library of reference works, including Greek and Hebrew for free plus S&H. S&H is $7.95 and requested donation is $5 (optional). This looks like it may have at least as much as Cross Country (above), maybe more, in terms of reference works. The downside is that, besides the public domain Bibles (KJV, ASV 1901, etc.) freely available with all Bible software, there is only 1 major Bible translation available, so far (2005) for $5 extra -- NKJV. The biggest plus, according to the developers, is that they use the Libronix Digital Library System (DLS) from Logos Bible Software. See more info on this at www.logos, and What is the Libronix Digital Library System? The software is proprietary, so I don't know how many other Bible software publisher's modules are compatible with this. You may want to find out if they plan to make other Bible translation modules available before paying very much for extra reference works. Many add-ons seem to be very expensive.

Commercial Bible Programs and Packages

Same comments as above. Commercial grade (higher quality and easier to use) programs/packages. Some of these companies charge more than others for similar add-ons. Searching on Google for reviews and evaluating them yourself can help you decide which one(s) will work best for you.

WordSearch: Similar to Bible Explorer above, but with some added features and multiple windows. One of the best, most comprehensive, feature-rich and easiest to use Bible research packages that keeps the Bible itself in focus, starting at $50 ($35 when on sale) for the Thompson Chain Reference Library edition. TCR library edition includes (besides TCR) KJV and all standard public domain English translations plus NASB, NKJV, dictionaries, commentaries, maps, illustrations and photo libraries, some early Church documents, over 1400 free and pay-for add-on bibles and reference works with multimedia and Hebrew/Greek audio pronunciation. Their Bible Explorer Standard edition with NKJV and a bit less functionality in some areas (but still very feature-rich) is $20. But if you're going to spend money for their add-ons, you might want to go with their WordSearch program. The many choices and packages offered on the site are almost dizzying -- you might want to call them to see what they recommend. After installing, the program keeps trying to sell you more bibles, books and downloads at rather high prices compared to other sources, but all well integrated. Do you mind seeing a shopping cart in the corner all the time and the push/temptation to keep buying more of what you want at their prices? Tough call. A blogger's review.

SwordSearcher: Another popular, easy to use Bible package, $50. Scripture is the focus, all reference works/add-on scripture references link to scripture. The only major English translations are KJV and ASV 1901, in addition to the other usual public domain translations. Includes Greek texts and some less commonly available (at this price) references works and commentaries. Hundreds of color maps and illustrations.

Accordance: The most popular Bible package on the Mac and considered in the Mac community to be the best and easiest to use of any Bible research package. Now with a Mac emulator program that enables it to run in Windows. But Windows users will have to get used to it's Mac interface. Windows users should do lots of preparation before installing and using the the emulator and Accordance. Or better, get a used Mac or a Mac Pro, if you can afford it, which runs both Mac OSX and Windows. See this review of Accordance with Windows emulator. Very easy to use, Bible focused, very powerful and loaded with features and add-ons. You may get better pricing from resellers.

BibleWorks: One of the best Bible research programs available for very in depth, original languages based study and research. Steep learning curve, but unmatched bible/linguistic research capabilities once you master it. You should know the original languages and grammar to get the best use from this program.

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Complete Text: KJV Bible (King James Version) NKJV Bible (Modern English)

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After clicking on KJV Bible or NKJV Bible wait for the whole thing to load, then click on Genesis or go way down the page to the New Testament & click on Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, etc.

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A LITTLE TRAVELING FUN

Live webcams from around the world
High speed internet connection recommended

Note the time zones, relative to Eastern Standard Time. You can only see the "daylight only" sites if you click in during daylight hours. So, if you click on Mt. Fuji, Japan at 9 am EST (Eastern Standard Time), it will be 11 pm Japan time and you won't see anything.

Jerusalem, The East Gate: -- NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME. This gate (center) is in the Eastern wall of Jerusalem, one of eleven gates into the city. Notice that the gate is sealed shut. It was sealed up in the 9th century A.D. See further explanation below.
(Note: The above site may prompt you to download a camera control. This is safe. Click "Yes" to download, and the live pictures should display.)

Jerusalem, The Western Wall Live: (7 hrs. ahead of EST, not always working.)

Mount Fuji, Japan!: (14 hrs. ahead of EST, daylight only.) Requires Java to operate the webcam. Click the picture to start.

Paris, France: (6 hrs. ahead of EST.)

New York City, USA - Times Square: If you have Windows Media Player, you can view and listen to the live video stream, honking taxi cabs and all!

Travelocity Video Gallery: Go on a video tour of all the most fascinating places around the world. If you do not have either Real Player or QuickTime installed on your computer, you will have to download and install one of them to view.

FlightView: Track any flight in progress. (If you click the "Launch Live" button, be prepared to wait while it loads.)
Another flight tracker: FlightStats

San Diego Zoo Elephant Cam: Live from the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. (God loves animals, and so do we!)

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Some background on the East gate (or Golden Gate) of Jerusalem ïNew window -- NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME.

Photos: Gates of the Old City | Views of Jerusalem Gates (East Gate) | The First Jerusalem (City of David)

The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and completely razed it and the Temple after ending the Jewish revolts in 70 and 132 A.D. as Jesus foretold around 33 A.D. (Mat. 24) They rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman city which they called Aelia Capitolina (the rest of Judea was renamed Palistina), leaving only part of the Temple's outer west wall and two Herodian guard towers from the original buildings. "The sealed gate on the eastern side was built approximately 640 A.D. either by the last of the Byzantine rulers [who would have rebuilt it opened at that time] or by the first of the Arab conquerors [around 810 A.D.]." Gates of the Old City

The Ottoman Turks conquered the city around 1500 A.D and completed construction of the city walls. The British entered Jerusalem in 1917 during WW I. The League of Nations and later the United Nations mandated British administration until the UN voted and approved a partition arrangement for the Jews and Arabs in the land, granting independence to Israel in 1948. Arab armies invaded from the surrounding countries and Jordan took possession of the Old City. Israel ultimately defended and extended its territory and established its sovereignty by 1950, but without the Old City which no Jews were allowed to enter.

In the 1967 Arab/Israeli 6 day war Israel defeated the attacking Jordanian army (along with all other Arab combatants) and entered East Jerusalem, taking possession for the first time since the Hasmonean (Maccabean) dynasty was ended in 63 BC by the Roman general Pompey. Israel declared Jerusalem it's eternal capital and allowed people of all faiths access. However, Israel has allowed the Muslims to maintain control over the temple mount, the eastern wall and gate, and other parts of Old Jerusalem.

Israel has since done extensive clean-up, archaeological research and restoration in much of the Old City, as well as building over decades the modern city of Jerusalem often referred to as the New City. The Old City's construction over the last 2000 years since the Roman destruction of 132 A.D. (interspersed with long periods of neglect and decay) consists of Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Crusader (Catholic), Turkish, Armenian, British, and Israeli construction and restoration.

From Visiting the Temple Mount, by Lambert Dolphin

"The present walls around the Old City were built from 1537 to 1541 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent after the Ottoman conquest of Israel. At that time most of the ancient walls were reduced to rubble. Suleiman ordered that Jerusalem be fortified to protect its people against marauding Bedouins.

"The walls were rebuilt upon the foundations of the walls constructed during the time of the Second Temple and the later Roman expansion. For the most part, the modern gates of the city are not closely related to the walls and gates that existed in Roman times or earlier. There is some debate about the correct location of some of the ancient gates and walls. However visitors to the recently restored Jewish Quarter in the Old City can see an uncovered section of the wall built by Nehemiah at the time of the return from the Babylonian exile [around 550 B.C.].

. . .

The Golden [East] Gate

"The Golden Gate is the most important and most impressive gate in Jerusalem, and the only visible entrance to the city of Jerusalem from the East. This oldest of all the gates to the city was the only one not rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent in AD 1539-42. Monolithic stones in the wall just above ground have been identified as 6th Century BC masonry from the time of Nehemiah (Biblical Archaeological Review [BAR], Mar/Apr 1992, p40).

"The Golden Gate was walled up by the Arabs in the year 810. It has remained closed now for nearly 12 centuries.

. . .

"The Golden Gate has long interested many Muslims, most Jews and Christians as the place of the Last Judgment. Historically, judgments were rendered in the gates of the city (Gen. 19:1, 23:10, for instance). Since the Messiah was to come from the East (Matthew 24:27), it was concluded that his judgment would be at the eastern gate. This is one reason for the many Muslim, Christian, and Jewish graves on the Eastern slopes of the Temple Mount, in the Kidron Valley, and on the Western slopes of the Mount of Olives

"Some Muslims place Allah's final judgment at this location also. Jews link the Messiah's arrival with this gate and Christians have for centuries associated the Golden Gate with Palm Sunday and also with the Second Advent (Luke 19:35-38).

"Jews expect the Messiah to come through the Golden Gate, Muslims also expect Jesus to return to our world at the end of the age to participate in the final judgment. Christians believe it will be Jesus Christ who will conduct that final judgment. Zechariah 14:4-5 clearly states that the Messiah of Israel will return to Jerusalem from the summit of the Mount of Olives and then surely proceed into Jerusalem from the East, in the direction of the Golden Gate.

. . .

"Because of the Messianic association with the Golden Gate - which clearly symbolizes both judgment and mercy because of the Arabic names attached to the gate - adherents to all three faiths have wanted to be buried as close as possible to the Golden Gate. The assumption was that the dead in the immediate vicinity would be the first to be raised. In the Middle Ages the Jews were forbidden to bury on Mount Moriah. Instead they buried their dead opposite the gate and to the South on the Mount of Olives. This Jewish cemetery is the oldest in continuous use anywhere in the world. ...The Muslim burial area covers the eastern Temple Mount hillside up to and surrounding the Golden Gate.

"At the end of the First Temple period the eastern gate was closed (see Ezekiel XLIV, I. "Then he brought me back the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.")... [A vision recorded by Ezekiel in Babylon around 600 B.C. MCM website editor].
. . .

"The New Testament (Acts IlI 2) calls this the Beautiful Gate; it may therefore be assumed to have existed during the period of Aelia Capitolina [after the final Roman destruction in 132 A.D.]. However, its present beauty was not attained until the reign of Justinian, in honour of the Christian tradition which fixes this as the site of Jesus' entry to the Temple courtyard. The gate was probably open during the Byzantine period, and the Emperor Heraclius entered through it after taking Jerusalem in 629. After the Muslim Conquest, when the Dome of the Rock and the EI-Aksa Mosque were built, it was blocked to prevent unsupervised access to the mosque area. [Many believe that the gate was walled up to prevent the entrance of the Messiah of the Jews and Christians who have looked for his coming through that gate according to OT prophecies. MCM website editor]

"...In the time of the Crusaders it was opened twice a year on Christian festivals: once in the spring, on Palm Sunday, recalling Jesus' triumphal entry to the city through this gate (St. Matthew XXI, 1-8); and once in the autumn, to commemorate the entry of the Emperor Heraclius. The gate was finally closed under Turkish rule.

"Charles Warren examined the gate in 1867-69 and found a wall descending 13 m (42 ft) below the level of the gate, the wall of the Temple Mount at this point is thus 20 m (65 ft) high. 80 m (87 yds) further north Warren found the base of the wall at a depth of 40 m (141 ft). Schick cleaned the gate in 1891. It is to be hoped that this magnificent gate will again serve its original purpose, making possible pilgrimages to the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. (Menashe Har-El, This is Jerusalem, Canaan Publishing House, PO Box 7645, Jerusalem 1977)

From "Visiting the Temple Mount" by Lambert Dolphin

From Wikipedia

"The Golden Gate is the oldest of the current gates in Jerusalem's Old City Walls. It was probably built in the 520s CE, as part of Justinian I's building program in Jerusalem, on top of the ruins of an earlier gate in the wall. An alternate theory holds that it was built in the later part of the 7th century by Byzantine artisans employed by the Umayyad khalifs.

"In Christian literature, the gate is referred as the Golden Gate, but in Arabic it is known as the Gate of Eternal Life. Jews used to pray for mercy at the gate, hence the name Sha'ar Harachamim, the Gate of Mercy.

"The gate is located in the middle of the eastern side of the Temple Mount. The portal in this position was believed to have been used for ritual purposes in biblical times.

"In Jewish tradition this is the gate through which Messiah will enter Jerusalem. It was sealed off in 1541 by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I, allegedly to prevent the Messiah's entrance. The Muslims also built a cemetery in front of the gate, allegedly in the belief that the precursor to the Messiah, Elijah, would not be able to pass through since he is a cohanim.

"The Golden Gate is one of the few sealed gates in the Jerusalem city walls, along with the Huldah Gates, and a small Biblical and Crusader-era postern located several stories above ground on the southern side of the eastern wall.

From Wikipedia, The Golden Gate

For a brief history of Palestine/Israel and Jerusalem, see History of Jerusalem and Israel History - Foreign Domination.

You can see in the webcam view and photos of the East Gate above that it is sealed shut. "According to Jewish tradition, when the Messiah comes, he will enter Jerusalem through this gate. To prevent him from coming, the Muslims sealed the gate during the rule of Suleiman." (Jewish Virtual Library) However, the shutting of this gate itself was prophesied by Ezekiel around 600 B.C. -- that it would be shut "because the LORD (Jehovah or Yahweh), the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut."

Jesus entered Jerusalem through the East gate around 33 A.D. (long before the more recent gate was blocked by the Muslims) as he came down from the Mount of Olives and entered the temple according to our understanding of Luke 19:28-48. He would have entered through the original gate which, along with the city, was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. and again in 132 A.D. Ezekiel says concerning this gate that it "shall be shut," that "it is for the Prince" (which the Messiah is often called throughout the Old Testament and Jesus is called in the New Testament), and that he shall enter it again.

Ezekiel 44 (A vision Ezekiel recorded around 600 B.C. in Babylon)

1 Then [the LORD] brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.
2 Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.
3 It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

Jesus entered the Temple in Jerusalem around 33 A.D. Speaking to the Jews, he said that they would not see him until they acknowledge Him as their Messiah by declaring the well known Messianic reception from Ps. 118:14-29, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD." (See Matthew 23:37-39.)

Matthew records Jesus' words to the Jews in chapt. 23,

36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Will his chosen ones in Jerusalem and from the rest of the nations acknowledge Him as their Messiah, Lord and Deliverer? See Zechariah 12, and his return to Jerusalem according to the prophet: Zechariah 14:1-11 (written approximately 500 B.C.), and according to Jesus: Matthew 24:14-31. Or All passages together.

See Jerusalem's Destiny for the prophetic scriptures regarding the destiny of Jerusalem.

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American Secular Holidays Calendar: Official American holidays for any year.