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Pro-Israel evangelical leader endorses McCain

Pro-Israel evangelical leader endorses McCain | Politics | Reuters SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain won the endorsement of Texas evangelical leader John Hagee on Wednesday, which could boost his standing among religious conservatives who have been reluctant to embrace the likely nominee. Hagee, who heads a 19,000-member church in San Antonio, is best known for his outspoken support of Israel and writings on the Middle East, where he envisions a blood-soaked clash between East and West leading to the return of Jesus Christ. "I'm very honored by Pastor John Hagee's endorsement today," McCain said at a news conference. "He has been the staunchest leader of our Christian evangelical movement in many areas, but especially, most especially, his close ties and advocacy for the freedom and independence of the state of Israel." Hagee, standing beside the candidate, said he admired McCain's pro-Israel stance, commitment to nominate conservative judges and opposition to abortion. "Victory is within our grasp because John McCain knows it's never wrong to do the right thing," Hagee said. Christian conservatives are an important part of the Republican base, but many have so far been reluctant to support the Arizona senator. Coast-to-coast primary victories on February 5 made McCain the all-but-certain Republican nominee, but many evangelicals continue to support rival Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher and former Arkansas governor. Several conservative Christian leaders have said they will not vote for McCain in November if he is the nominee. McCain's support for the Iraq war and fierce criticism of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won praise from Hagee, who has brought thousands of evangelical Christians to Washington to lobby on Israel's behalf.

John Hagee and the Rapture

Rapture Rapture of God's Church John Hagee believes in the concept of Pre-tribulation Rapture in which all of God's elected people both dead and alive will rise up into heaven and meet Jesus. He believes that "the trumpet will sound...the Lord will descend from heaven...the dead will rise...the living will meet the Lord in the clouds" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Hagee also states that "...the trumpet will sound...the dead will be raised incorruptible (imperishible)...all shall be changed...." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Hagee believes that the Rapture is intended to serve as an escape for the elect from the Tribulation and the final destruction of the world. It should be noted that these passages do not explicitly state that the "elect" will be the only ones that will join Jesus in heaven. Also the time of this supposed "Rapture" is never clearly stated. His assumptions of a pre-tribulation Rapture seem to be based on his own hopeful wishes. John Hagee and The Messiah Millennial Kingdom & Final Defeat of Satan Hagee claims that the true Messiah, Jesus Christ, will return from heaven, rule from Jerusalem and the people of God "will come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years" (Rev. 20:4-6). Hagee defines the Millennium as the, "thousand year reign of God upon the earth." Hagee says that during this time Israel will have no reason to fear her enemies and "never again shall it be doomed to destruction; Jerusalem shall abide in security" (Zech. 14:9-11). After this period, "Satan will be released...and will be thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were" (Rev. 20:7-10).

What do you good people think about the predictions of John Hagee with his support for John McCain and the Iraq war?