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Is the Feast of New Wine Pentecost? - By Randy Nettles - https://www.raptureready.com/2023/07/25/is-the-feast-of-new-wine-pentecost-by-randy-nettles/
The Temple Scroll is the longest of the scrolls found at Qumran near the Dead Sea in Israel. “Among the discoveries at Qumran, it is designated: 11QTemple Scroll (11Q19 [11QT]). It describes a Jewish temple, along with extensive detailed regulations about sacrifices and temple practices. The document is written in the form of a revelation from God to Moses, thereby with the intended meaning that this is the more appropriate temple which was revealed to Moses, and that Moses’ instructions were either forgotten or ignored when Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem. In other words, in the mind of the Scroll writer, “Solomon should have built the First Temple as it is described here in the Temple Scroll.” THE TEMPLE SCROLL “The Temple Scroll is written in Hebrew in the square Herodian script of the late Second Temple Period and comprises 65 columns (19 pieces of leather), and is 9 meters in length. Most of the text is a reworking of biblical material (mostly from Exodus chapter 34 to Deuteronomy chapter 23, although not in the same order as given in the Hebrew Bible; sometimes it combines different biblical texts to present a novel view, and there are parts that are non-biblical but which are presented using biblical phraseology. There is no scholarly consensus regarding the date, origin, author, or authors, or its relationship to the Qumran community. Some scholars attribute the Temple Scroll to the isolated Qumran community, while others see no connection with the Qumran community; instead, they see the work as a priestly (possibly Zadokite) document which was hidden in a cave by Zealots during their flight from Jerusalem in 70 AD before the Roman destruction of the Temple.” Temple Scroll – Wikipedia “The site of Qumran has been thoroughly excavated, and its numismatic finds fix the period of its occupation with precision. The coins range from the year 132 BC to 68 AD, a period of exactly 200 years. The latest coin corresponds with Qumran’s destruction by the Roman legions, while the first coin dates back to Simon, the last of the Maccabee brothers, who liberated Israel from Syrian oppression. For more information and additional insights about the date and background of the Temple Scroll and the Qumran community (thought to be the Essenes), see The Dead Sea Temple Scroll | Religious Studies Center (byu.edu). THE FIRSTFRUITS OF NEW WINE AND NEW OIL The Essenes rewrote the biblical feast calendar to include two further bikkurim (first fruits) festivals to celebrate wine and oil in the Temple Scroll. Textual evidence indicates that the introduction for the festivals comes from another work and was incorporated into the Temple Scroll. In contrast to the Biblical feasts of the Lord of First Fruits (barley and wheat grains), the Temple Scroll calls for four more First Fruit feasts: The First Day of the First Month Festival (1 Nisan), the Feast of the First Fruits of Wine (3 Av), the Feast of the First Fruits of New Oil (22 Elul), and the Feast of the Wood Offering (23 Elul – 28 Elul). The Essene’s calendar calls for the First Fruits of Wine to occur on Av 3, which is 50 days from Shavuot/Pentecost. As Shavuot is always on a Sunday, so is the festival of the F.F. of New Wine. Once again, if you don’t get the date for the Feast of Firstfruits (barley grain) right, you won’t get the date for the Feast of Weeks/Shavuot (wheat grain) right as well. And if you don’t get the date for Shavuot right, you certainly won’t get the festival of New Wine right either. The Firstfruits of New Oil is to be celebrated 50 days from the F.F. of New Wine on Sunday, Elul 22. Likewise, to get this date correct, you must make sure you get all three dates for the Feast of Firstfruits, Shavuot, and New Wine correct. Although many people believe they see these feasts of New Wine and New Oil in the Bible, they are never mentioned by name or day/date in the Old or New Testament. I believe they may be mentioned in the Jewish Talmud because they were passed down by oral tradition from the days of the Essenes. The first mention of “new wine” and “new oil” is found in Numbers 18. In chapter 17, Aaron (and the tribe of Levi) has just passed God’s test to see which tribe would be priests over Israel and servants of the Tabernacle of Meeting. Chapter 18 describes the duties of the priests and Levites and the offerings for their support. The other tribes would support the priests (Aaron and his descendants) and the Levites with the first of the harvests of the land that they would eventually enter and occupy. “All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the Lord, I have given them to you. Whatever first ripe fruit is in their land, which they bring to the Lord, shall be yours” (Numbers 18:12-13). The priests and Levites would receive the first of the harvest of barley in early spring, the first of the harvest of wheat in late spring/early summer, the first of the harvest of grapes in summer/early fall, and the first of the harvest of oil in the fall season. However, only the grain feasts, the Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Weeks, are considered Holy Feasts unto the Lord. The first grapes and oil that were harvested (firstfruits) were given as a tithe to the priests and Levites (as were the grain crops), but there was no feast day or convocation for them that is ever mentioned in Scripture. The only ones who stipulated that there was (or should be) were the Essenes, who believed all of the harvests and Feasts of the Lord should be assigned a specific day and date on their 364-day calendar. The Essenes were the ultimate date-setters. After the 2nd Temple was completed and dedicated, the Jewish people who returned to Jerusalem and Judah with Nehemiah and Ezra made a vow to re-establish their covenant with the LORD and obey His commandments and statutes, including their support for the priests and Levites as in the days of old. This included bringing the firstfruits of the grain, and of the new wine and oil to the storerooms of the sanctuary, according to Nehemiah 10:32-39. No days or dates are mentioned. There are many feasts and festivals that are recorded in the Bible, but none are named the First Fruits of New Wine and New Oil. A writer of a popular book that discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls calendar and numerous YouTube biblical commentators believe the feast mentioned in Judges 21:19 is the Feast of the First Fruits of New Wine. They also believe the First Fruits of New Wine is “Pentecost” mentioned in the Book of Acts. They give a couple of reasons why they believe this. First, they believe new wine symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Wine is generally served at weddings, and weddings represent the union of Jesus and the Church in which the Holy Spirit (wine) is given freely. They believe the feast of Judges 21 is a typology of the Rapture in which brides are caught (up) and the marriage ceremony takes place. The brides are then taken to their new homes to live with the bridegroom. So, when the yearly feast of Judges 21 occurs and mentions catching a bride (representing the Rapture) and a vineyard and dancing, it is thought that this has to be the feast of the First Fruits of New Wine. However, this cannot be the case, for verse 19 says, “There is a yearly feast of the Lord” in Shiloh. There are only 7 (the number for completion) yearly Feasts of the Lord, and the First Fruits of New Wine isn’t one of them, if it was ever observed as a feast at all. The yearly feast in Shiloh was probably the Feast of Tabernacles, the most joyous Feast of the Lord. “You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress” (Deuteronomy 16:13). The Benjamites took wives for themselves from the daughters of the other tribes of Israel who attended the Feast of Tabernacles that year. SHAVUOT, PENTECOST, AND THE FEAST OF NEW WINE Another example given by the adherents of the Pentecost/New Wine theory is when Jesus attended a wedding in Cana with his mother and performed his first miracle, as recorded in John 2, when he transformed water into wine. However, I believe the miracle of turning water into wine was an appropriate way for Jesus to begin his ministry, during which he elevated wine as both a symbol of the gospel and a symbol of the blood of the new covenant. The wedding at Cana was a celebration in which wine would have played a very typical part. Yes, wine and marriage ceremonies go hand in hand, but does that mean that every time the Bible mentions a marriage that it is a typology of the wedding feast of the Lamb? Does wine necessarily represent the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 5:18 says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” To be filled with wine (drunk) is the antithesis of being filled with the Spirit. If you are to be filled with the Spirit and not wine, how can wine represent the Spirit? I would say wine better represents Jesus’ blood. According to the Bible, the wine used in communion symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed for our salvation. The Last Supper with his disciples involved Jesus sharing wine with them as a representation of his blood. Jesus made it clear that the wine represents his blood according to Matthew 26:28-29. Isaiah 63:3 and Revelation 19:15 speak of Jesus treading the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God and the sprinkling of blood upon His garments during His second advent. In these examples, blood is a typology of wine. I believe water better represents the Holy Spirit than wine does. “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13-14). “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37-39). Luke 5:37-39 says, “No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.'” These verses are not talking about the Holy Spirit per se. The Pharisees were asking Jesus about fasting and obeying the Law of Moses. The “new wine” is a new law (covenant), which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel cannot be constricted to the forms and limitations of the old law, just as old wineskins cannot hold the new wine (Mark 2:22). The new wineskins are those fitted to live under the new law (covenant). The old wine is Judaism; the old wineskins are those who trained in Judaism who cannot receive the new law and who say “the old is better.” Most of those who hold to the idea of the children of Israel adding these two extra-biblical feasts of firstfruits of New Wine and New Oil on their appointed days (as recorded by the Essene’s calendar) believe the F.F. of New Wine is the same feast as Pentecost mentioned in Acts 2, and therefore, Shavuot and Pentecost are two different feasts. Therefore, Pentecost would come 50 days after Shavuot. Most Bible scholars throughout history have believed the Feast of Pentecost in Acts is the same as Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. I concur. Pentecost is the Greek word for “fiftieth,” referring to the 50th day from the Feast of Firstfruits. The Jews of the 1st century AD had a strong Greek influence, and they were stressing the importance of the 50th day, while the Hebrews of old stressed the importance of the completed seven “weeks” or “sabbaths” as the word Shavuot means “weeks.” Acts 1 discusses Jesus’ ascension into heaven 40 days after His resurrection. I believe these 40 days were a test or trial for the Jews. God was given them one last chance. If, at this time, they had accepted Jesus as their risen Messiah, the 70th seven of Daniel 9:24 would have begun soon afterward. Since they didn’t, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit instead, and the 70th seven was put on hold. The Church of Jesus Christ was born in the interim. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His apostles they shall be baptized by the Holy Spirit “not many days from now.” So, the two choices of “not many days from now” are 10 days until Shavuot/Pentecost, or 60 days until the Feast of Pentecost/New Wine. Two months seems like a long time for this “not too many days from now” time duration. Acts 2:5 describes the crowd gathered in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit was given, “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.” Of all the feasts of the Jewish year, Shavuot was the one that attracted the largest number of pilgrims from distant lands. The dangers of travel by sea or land in the early spring or late autumn (see Acts 27:9) prevented their coming in large numbers to the Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles. Also, Shavuot was a one-day feast, whereas the other two were for 7-8 days long. At no other feast would there have been representatives of so many nations speaking so many different languages. I find it hard to believe that Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on a minor (possible) feast or festival called New Wine instead of a major Feast of the Lord, such as Shavuot. Do you mean to tell me Jesus skipped over Shavuot, which would have had mass amounts of people from all over the known world in attendance to instead send His Holy Spirit to a smaller festival where there would probably only be non-pilgrims in attendance that were celebrating the beginning of the harvest of grapes? Those Jews living in faraway places couldn’t keep coming to Jerusalem every 50 days. They usually had to pick one Feast of the Lord to attend yearly, and it was usually Shavuot. Even those living in Israel didn’t always attend all three major Feasts of the Lord every year like they were supposed to. NEW WINE ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST One reason those who believe that Pentecost (of Acts 2:1) and New Wine are one and the same is because of this one verse. “Others mocking said, They are full of new wine” (Acts 2:13). This was the response of some Jews to the disciples of Christ speaking in foreign tongues to those who were gathered in Jerusalem during the Feast Day. They thought the disciples were drunk on wine for some reason, like that would actually explain the miracle of uneducated men speaking and communicating in various foreign languages. Evidently, these mockers were Jews from Israel who couldn’t understand any of the foreign languages, and at first, it just sounded like gibberish or drunken babel. The correct English translation of Acts 2:13 should be “sweet wine” and not “new wine.” The Greek word is Γλεύκους (Gleukous – Strong’s: 1098) and is described as “sweet wine” or “fresh wine.” The English word “glucose” is derived from this Greek word. This word “gleukous” is found only once in Acts 2:13. The wine mentioned in this verse is more like sweet grape juice as it hasn’t had time to ferment. On the other hand, the words for “new wine” are νέον (neon – Strong’s: 3501), meaning new or fresh, and οἶνον (oinon – Strong’s: 3631), meaning wine. So the two words together translate as “new wine.” This wine has started the process of fermentation but is not yet complete. “New wine” (neon oinon) is found in Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37, and Luke 5:38. The reasoning that Pentecost of Acts 2:1 is actually the Feast of New Wine, based on the accusation that the disciples were drunk on gleukous/grape juice, is quite ludicrous. Grapes might be first harvested in the summer months and made into gleukous, but you wouldn’t be able to get drunk on it until it has had time to ferment. I don’t know why the mockers used the word “gleukous” instead of using the word “oinon,” which means wine or “palaion oinon,” which is old wine. The old wine is a good stout fermented wine that one can get drunk on and would be available for year-round consumption. I think it is possible the words got translated incorrectly. There are many English translations that just say “wine.” It’s unusual that this is the only instance of the word (gleukous) being used in the New Testament. Oinon is used 34 times in the New Testament. As I said before, the statement was ridiculous to begin with, as even if they were drinking fermented wine and were extremely drunk, it wouldn’t explain the “reverse-Babel” miracle. I certainly wouldn’t base my opinion on this day being the feast of New Wine (and not Shavuot) on this asinine statement from the mockers. The next time “Pentecost” is mentioned is in Acts 20. “For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost: (Acts 20:16). This verse is referring to part of Paul’s third missionary journey in 57 AD. It appears Paul thought he had enough time to make the journey from Asia to Jerusalem in time for the day of Pentecost if he didn’t spend time in Ephesus. I believe this Pentecost is the same as Shavuot and not New Wine, for Paul would have had plenty of time to visit Ephesus if he had an extra 50 days (from Shavuot to New Wine) before the feast began in Jerusalem. In Acts 21, Paul arrives in Jerusalem, but Luke never mentions the rituals of Pentecost or if Paul made it in time for the feast day. I believe he did make it in time for Pentecost (Shavuot to the Jews). However, some adherents of the Pentecost/New Wine theory don’t think there was enough time for Paul to make the journey in that short of a time, as he left Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and especially after some of the delays and extended stops along the way. I don’t want to be too dogmatic about this, but here is a good timeline for Paul’s journey that shows he could have made it in time for Pentecost/Shavuot. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey and the Lunar Sabbath Calendar. You can add three more days to this timeline if you calculate the counting of the Omer from the weekly Sabbath instead of the “special Sabbath” of Nisan 15. In Ken Johnson’s book, “The Ancient Dead Sea Scroll Calendar (and the Prophecies it Reveals),” Ken says the word “time” in the phrase “for a time, times, and a half” of Daniel 12:7 is “moed,” which means appointed time. I agree. He says, “So, Daniel is telling us the following numbers of days are between festivals (feasts). They are still three-and-one-half years long, but they should start and end on festivals!” Ken declares this isn’t a possibility on the Jewish lunisolar calendar but only on the Dead Sea Scroll calendar, for it is exactly 1335 days from Tabernacles to Pentecost (3.5 years later) on the 364-day calendar. Of course, Daniel 12:7 is talking about the time of the Great Tribulation or Jacob’s Trouble, which is the last 3.5 years of Daniel’s 70th seven. We know the last three fall Feasts of the Lord will occur when Jesus returns to the earth to set up His Millennial Kingdom at the end of these 3.5 years. That means Tabernacles will not be at the beginning of the 3.5 years but toward the end. In my article, The End of the Age – From Firstfruits to Hanukkah (rev310.net), I show how there are exactly 1335 days from the Feast of Firstfruits to Hanukkah (3.5 years later) on the Jewish lunisolar calendar using the correct Sadducee’s reckoning for the Feast of Firstfruits. Hanukkah is an important day for the Jews and their Temple. John 10:22-23 records that Jesus attended one Hanukkah celebration (Feast of Dedication) where the Jews tried to kill him. There are also 1260 days from the Feast of Firstfruits to the Day of Atonement (3.5 years later), which will be the timeline for Revelation 12:6. In conclusion, I don’t know if the Jews ever celebrated three feasts of Shavuot (wheat, wine, and oil) as the Essenes interpreted the Torah and on the dates they stipulated on their calendar. The Bible only mentions the wheat feast of Shavuot that occurs after seven full Sabbaths from the barley feast of Firstfruits. I know all the firstfruits (bikkurim) of the land were required to be brought into the storerooms of the Temple during the three harvest seasons of spring, summer, and fall as an offering and tithe for the priests and Levites, but whether the Jews ever had a holy convocation or celebration on a certain date for these events is doubtful. The Torah doesn’t mention them, but perhaps the Oral Torah or the Mishna does, where tradition sometimes gets confused for facts. Regardless, I am confident the three mentions of the word “Pentecost” in the New Testament (Acts 2:1, Acts 20:16, 1 Corinthians 16:8) are all referring to the Feast of the Lord known as Shavuot. Jesus fulfilled the first three spring Feasts of the Lord during Holy Week. He was crucified as the Lamb of God on Passover, was in the grave on Unleavened Break, and was resurrected on the Feast of Firstfruits. Acts 1:2-3 says Jesus ascended into heaven after he was seen by his apostles for 40 days. Before Jesus ascended, he promised the Holy Spirit would come upon them “not many days from now.” So, what feast best represents the Day of Pentecost (mentioned in Acts 2:1), where the Holy Spirit came as promised? Would it be the next spring (late spring/early summer) Feast of the Lord known as Shavuot, which would come 10 days from Jesus’ ascension, or would it come 60 days from Jesus’ ascension on a minor festival called New Wine? If the Holy Spirit was sent on New Wine, what happened to Shavuot, and how was it ever fulfilled by Jesus? After all, it is one of the seven Feasts of the Lord. Is it to be fulfilled in the future like the fall Feasts of the Lord will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Jesus? I believe the answer to that question is “no.” Jesus fulfilled the Father’s Promise of Luke 24:49 by sending the Holy Spirit on the 4th Feast of the Lord, known as Shavuot (Pentecost in Greek). Just as the number 4 represents creation, so does Shavuot/Pentecost represent a new creation, for “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). THREE TIMES A YEAR YOU SHALL APPEAR BEFORE THE LORD GOD Exodus 23:17 says, “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the LORD God.” Verses 15-16 stipulate these three times in the year are for the Feast of Unleavened Bread (including Passover and Firstfruits) in early spring, the Feast of Harvest (Shavuot) in late spring (May)/early summer (June), and the Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles) in the fall, “when you have gathered your labors out of the field.” The firstfruits of the first grain (barley) to rise out of the earth were to be offered to the Lord during the Feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread. This feast offering was fulfilled by Jesus during Passover (F.O.F.). “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). The next grain to rise out of the earth was wheat. The firstfruits of wheat, in the form of two baked with leaven loaves of wheat bread, were to be offered before the Lord during the Feast of Harvest (Shavuot). Many speculate this feast offering will be fulfilled by Jesus raising the “dead in Christ” at the Rapture. “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:23). 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 goes on to describe the rapture and translation of the living and dead in Christ, known as the Rapture of the Church. Tabernacles took place at the end of the harvest season “when you have gathered your labors out of the field .” Fruits, olives, and grapes were all harvested by this time. This fall feast is the seventh and final Feast of the Lord. It is known as the Feast of Ingathering or the great “Harvest Home.” Many Bible scholars believe this feast will be fulfilled by Jesus after the Second Coming when He gathers all those “in Christ” who have survived Jacob’s Trouble and separates them from the unbelievers. Unlike some fellow brothers in Christ, I don’t see a “Firstfruit of the Feast of New Wine” fulfilling the supernatural events that happened on that Day of Pentecost approximately 2000 years ago. I will continue to believe Shavuot and Pentecost are one and the same. The only difference is one is a Hebrew name, and the other is a Greek name. It reminds me of the two loaves of leavened bread that were waved before the Lord, representing the Jews and the Greeks (Gentiles). Perhaps they represent the Old Testament (covenant/law) and the New Testament (gospel of Christ’s redeeming work). In this case, the “new” is better. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24). “And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:35, 38-40). “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). Jesus is the “bread of life,” and the Holy Spirit is the “living water.” When you come to Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit, you shall never hunger or thirst again. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:16). Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Randy Nettles [email protected] Will A New BRICS Currency Backed by Gold Mean the End Of Global Dominance For The U.S. Dollar? - by Michael Snyder - http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/will-a-new-brics-currency-backed-by-gold-mean-the-end-of-global-dominance-for-the-u-s-dollar/ Is the global dominance of the U.S. dollar in danger? In recent weeks, there has been lots of speculation about the introduction of a new BRICS currency that would be backed by gold. In this article, my goal is to sort through what is true and what is not true. From August 22nd to August 24th, the 15th BRICS summit will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Back on July 5th, RT sparked a firestorm of rumors when it reported that a decision to introduce a new BRICS currency that would be backed by gold would be made prior to the upcoming summit in Johannesburg… BRICS is set to introduce a new currency backed by gold, in contrast to the credit-backed US dollar, with the decision coming a month ahead of the bloc’s summit in Johannesburg. With the growing initiative, more and more countries are lining-up to join the group. In the aftermath of that report, many prominent voices were warning that the U.S. dollar was in big trouble. For example, author Robert Kiyosaki boldly declared that the U.S. dollar “will die”… The end of the U.S. dollar is near, said the best-selling author of ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ Robert Kiyosaki, citing an upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa as a trigger. Kiyosaki is projecting that the BRICS group, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will announce their new gold-backed digital currency during its summit on August 22-24, and it will have dire consequences for the U.S. dollar. “August 22, 2023, in Johannesburg, South Africa, BRICS nations announce gold backed crypto. US $ will die,” Kiyosaki tweeted last week. “Trillions of US $ rush home. Inflation through the roof.” Without a doubt, the dominance of the U.S. dollar is under threat from multiple directions. But a new BRICS currency will not be introduced during this upcoming summit. During an interview with Bloomberg, one of the top executives at The New Development Bank publicly admitted that the creation of a new BRICS currency is “a medium to long term ambition”, but he also confirmed that such a currency will not be introduced right now… The New Development Bank, a financial institution created by the BRICS bloc of emerging markets, doesn’t have any immediate plans for the group to create a common currency, its vice president and chief financial officer said. While the members of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – are pushing to conduct more trade between each other in local currencies, they aren’t ready to challenge the global dominance of the dollar, Leslie Maasdorp said in an interview on Wednesday with Bloomberg TV’s Haslinda Amin. “The development of anything alternative is more a medium to long term ambition,” he said. “There is no suggestion right now to creates a BRICS currency.” But that doesn’t mean that really big things aren’t happening. In addition to the core BRICS nations, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay are apparently getting very close to joining The New Development Bank. Those are relatively minor players on the global scene, but if Saudi Arabia also joins, that could change everything. There is lots of chatter that this could happen soon, and during a recent interview Lobo Tiggre said that such a move would be “a watershed event”… Saudi Arabia joining BRICS would be “a watershed event,” he said. “I think if we wake up and Saudi Arabia joins the BRICS alliance, the world would be a different world in a meaningful and significant way.” I agree. If Saudi Arabia joins BRICS, it would represent an enormous shift. And that would probably greatly accelerate the transition to trading Middle Eastern oil in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Even without a new currency, it appears to be inevitable that BRICS is going to continue to accumulate more power and more influence. According to South Africa’s ambassador to BRICS, over 40 different nations “have indicated an interest in joining the bloc”… Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s ambassador to BRICS, told reporters on Thursday that more than 40 countries have indicated an interest in joining the bloc of major developing economies, but there is no gold-backed currency announcement planned for next month’s summit. And Sooklal also told reporters that a whopping 69 global leaders have been invited to attend the BRICS summit next month… Sooklal said that “Argentina, all the major Global South countries,” have applied for membership, and that other economically significant countries have expressed an interest in joining, including Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and even some European countries. “They are quite weighty countries,” he said. He added that South Africa has invited 69 global leaders to attend the BRICS summit, demonstrating the bloc’s interest in increasing its global influence. When BRICS was formed in 2009, many western leaders didn’t take it very seriously. But now it has become a powerhouse. And during this upcoming summit, finding more ways for BRICS countries to settle trades “in their own national currencies” is something that will be on the agenda… Sooklal says BRICS, which is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is looking to strengthen economic ties among member nations by settling trades in their own national currencies. “What we have said and we continue to deepen is trading in local currencies and settlement in local currencies.” Sooklal adds that the decision of the US and its allies to impose financial and economic sanctions against Russia for the war in Ukraine has catalyzed the move of the economic bloc to shift away from the dollar. They really do intend to move away from using the U.S. dollar. This is a process that will take time, but the dominance of the U.S. dollar in global trade is definitely starting to erode. So whether the BRICS countries choose to establish a new currency or not, the truth is that things are changing. The U.S. dollar will never again be as dominant as it once was, and great economic chaos is ahead of us. The western elite had dreamed of uniting the entire globe under one economic and financial regime, but right now the very deep divisions between east and west continue to grow with each passing day. Prophecy Update Videos Must Watch Videos! Videos You Can Trust
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Nearing Midnight - Murder: From the Clutter Family Until Today – Todd Strandberg - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ I have found that one of the best ways to keep track of the progression of Bible Prophecy is to focus on a past date or event and compare it to how things operate today. In the area of mass murder, I have for many years used the killing of the Clutter family as a milestone of evil. In the United States, for example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines a mass murder event as the killing of four or more people in a single incident, not including the perpetrator. However, this definition can change over time and could vary between different countries and organizations. In the early morning hours of November 15, 1959, four members of the Clutter family – Herb Clutter, his wife, Bonnie, and their teenage children, Nancy and Kenyon – were murdered in their rural home just outside the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas. Two ex-convicts, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, were found guilty of the murders and sentenced to death. They were both executed on April 14, 1965. The murders got a huge amount of attention from the national news media. The event was detailed by Truman Capote in his 1966 non-fiction novel In Cold Blood. A year later, a movie was produced based on the book that starred Robert Blake, who portrayed Smith, and Scott Wilson, who portrayed Hickock. As I’m writing right now, there was a mass murder event in Hampton, Georgia. Authorities identified the suspect as 40-year-old Andre Longmore. Police believe Longmore killed three men and one woman. The victims appear to have been chosen at random. A couple of days later, Longmore was shot dead by police. A few days prior, Thomas Abreu drove around New York City on a scooter, also shooting people at random. He killed one man and injured four other people. He was quickly caught and charged with murder in the second degree, four counts of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, the district attorney’s office said in a news release. Both of these deadly events quickly disappeared from the headlines. There is so much killing in America, I had some trouble finding the news reports. If the internet was active in 1959, I could just type “Murders” in a search engine, and Clutter family killings would pop right up. As of October 1, 2022, there were 2,363 death row inmates in the United States. The number of death row inmates changes frequently with new convictions and natural deaths. Anyone who does not believe in the devil should study our death penalty system. I can only conclude that it’s the workings of some demonic force regarding why things are so gummed up. It only took about five years before Smith and Hickock were executed. Today, the average death row inmate has been behind bars for 27 years. The longest time any person has been on death row is 47 years. The Supreme Court found the death penalty unconstitutional in Furman v. Georgia. On June 29, 1972, the Supreme Court (5-4) decided in Furman v. Georgia, finding that the application of the death penalty was unconstitutional because it violated the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Everyone on death row was lowered to a life sentence. Four years later in Gregg v. Georgia (1976), the Court reaffirmed the death penalty as constitutional. If it wasn’t for the 1972 ruling, we could have some people on death row for 50 years or more. The liberal media has been the greatest tool in delaying justice. They constantly promote the idea that innocent people are being killed for a crime they didn’t commit. The record shows that only 1.6% of death row prisoners have been formally exonerated and released. Many of the people released were guilty, but we are not sure enough to execute them. Another hold-up is leftist governors who refuse to issue death warrants. California has over 700 people on death row, and Governor Gavin Newsom refuses to take any action. He cites the supposed injustice in the criminal justice system as a key reason for his opposition. Newsom would have to have the mind of Satan to refuse capital punishment for a man who abducted a 12-year-old girl, strangled her, and dismembered her body. When Jesus said his return would be like the days of Noah, he was pointing to a time of great lawlessness. Like our day, the people before the flood had no idea how evil they had become. I heard a preacher say the other day that there is not a single indication that we are living in the last days. The man had no clue that he was yet another indication of the soon return of the Lord Jesus. “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37-39). A Shift Away from Biblical Faith: Why Are So Many Quitting Christianity? – By David Jeremiah - https://harbingersdaily.com/a-shift-away-from-biblical-faith-why-are-so-many-quitting-christianity/ The Pew Research Center has tracked viable data for years and studied the trends. Their projections are disheartening…
But do not despair! There is hope in the headlines. And while what is happening in the church shocks us, it is not a surprise to God. The falling away of the church is prophesied in Scripture and points to the soon return of Christ. And for His own, the faithful and redeemed, salvation is secure. This shift away from biblical faith has become so common that the term “exvangelicals” is now used to describe these defectors from evangelicalism. Why is this happening, and what does it mean? This “falling away” isn’t new. Throughout history, many have embraced Christianity, only to abandon it later. Even the first Christians faced this challenge. Demas, a coworker of Paul, initially supported him but eventually left, “having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10). The Bible’s short epistle of Jude, written by Jesus’ half-brother, also addresses this issue. Located near the end of the Bible, Jude’s purpose is clear: “To contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Recall Judas, the disciple. He represents the most prominent case of apostasy in the Bible. Judas belonged to Jesus’ closest group of followers. He had unparalleled access to Christ during his three-year earthly ministry—conversing and walking with the Savior, observing miracles, and seeing lives change. Despite this, Judas still turned away. The core issue isn’t that people are falling away from church or even falling away from the faith. We’re talking about falling away as Judas did, from Jesus Himself. We’re talking about branches that cut themselves off from the vine. These are people who have—these words are stark—“trampled the Son of God underfoot . . . treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and . . . insulted the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29). How can this happen? They Fall Away Because They Are Deceived The Bible very clearly warns that spiritual deception will lead many to fall away from Christ in the end times. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1–2). Demonic forces work to entice and deceive people into abandoning their faith. Their influence, even within the church, will grow as history progresses. False teachers, filled with lies and hypocrisy, aim to cause spiritual harm for personal gain, often financial profit. These individuals have lost their moral sensitivity, and their spiritual compasses are flawed. They are present in today’s church, promising miracles, seeking power, and twisting the Word of God. Their deceptive efforts will continue to escalate over time. They Fall Away Because They Are Disillusioned In Luke 8, Jesus told a parable illustrating why people might fall away from the Gospel. A farmer sowed seeds across various types of ground: pathways, rocky soil, thorny patches, and prepared soil. The seed represented the Gospel message, and each type of ground symbolized different reactions to it. The devil deceives some people by taking the Gospel message from their hearts before they can believe and be saved (Luke 8:12). There are those who receive the Gospel with joy but lack a strong foundation. These individuals seek solutions rather than a Savior and want the blessings of belief without fully committing to Christ. During times of temptation, they fall away (Luke 8:13). The cultural shift in America has made it easier to live as a Christian, but this will change as we move closer to the tribulation. As lifting the banner of Christ becomes more challenging, an increasing number of people with little or no roots in the Gospel will find the cost too high, and they will turn away from Christ. These individuals like the idea of the Gospel but lack a personal commitment to Jesus, ultimately leading to disillusionment and abandonment of their faith. Don’t Be Discouraged But, don’t despair. There’s still hope. God knows those who are His, and He will bring them home safely. Jesus said: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Paul shares this same confidence that, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Like the biblical author Jude, together let’s offer praise to God for His ability to protect those who are truly His. May the Lord bless you with this benediction: Jude 1:24–25 KJV – “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Daily Jot: Stupidocrisy: The weaponized IRS - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com On July 12, WFLX reported that some 20-30 undercover cars carrying fully armed Internal Revenue Service agents in tactical gear raided Elite Payroll Solutions in Stuart, FL. WFLX reported that officers wearing shirts that read “Police IRS Criminal Investigation” were entering and leaving the office. There is little public detail about the raid and the IRS has only admitted that it was conducting an investigation at the location. This raises the question about whether an unelected administrative agency should have the authority to conduct armed raids of private businesses. Instead, local law enforcement should assist agents through a search warrant, which would improve accountability and transparency. Let us remember that the Democratic-controlled Congress passed into law an influx of $80 billion at the request of the Biden Administration to arm IRS agents. The current Republican-controlled House has legislation to repeal this, but it remains in effect. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel confirmed at an April 27 Congressional hearing that his agency was hiring 1,200 extra armed agents to investigate “criminal” acts of fraud and tax evasion. This is alarming because the IRS could very well view any evasion or perceived evasion of taxes as a crime. This is an agency that has “administrative” authority to freeze your bank accounts and seize your property. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg of a vast arming of federal agencies. In October 2017, Forbes documented that the government had spent some $1.48 billion arming 67 non-military federal agencies from 2006-2014, the bulk of it done during the Obama Administration. Among those unelected, and some may say “unconstitutional” agencies, were the Department of Energy, General Services Administration, Bureau of Reclamation, the EPA, Railroad Retirement Board, Social Security Administration, Department of Education, Department of Interior, National Parks Service, US Geological Survey, and the Department of Agriculture. This is in addition to the DEA, Treasury Department, FBI, and others with at least some law enforcement duties. The Forbes article concluded “After grabbing legal power, federal bureaucrats are amassing firepower. It’s time to scale back the federal arsenal.” Over the decades politicians of a certain ilk have been slowly arming agencies that have no business having weapons. And you can bet they are convincing their employees that they are doing a good thing toward enforcing the law. Absolute power. Agree or face the consequences. The West Palm Beach IRS raid is a reminder of how this particular government agency intends to wield its assumed power. Increasingly, your free speech and religious freedom is being whittled like a helpless sapling. It’s getting to a point where the choice will be clear as it was to Peter and the Apostles in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” That is our true liberty. Anything less is…say it with me…Stupidocrisy. Daily Devotion: Pavement for His Feet - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. —2 Corinthians 12:9 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/pavement-for-his-feet/ - Listen The apostle Paul, who had the incredible experience of being caught up into Heaven and seeing things that he couldn’t even describe, said that he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment him. Three times he asked God to take it away. But here was God’s response: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul then concluded, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). Trials are part of the Christian life. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Of course, we all cringe when we come to the mouth of some long valley that seems to loom endlessly before us. Yet it is during hardships that we can experience God’s presence and power in a unique and special way. God will reveal Himself in the valleys, in the difficulties of life. On one occasion when Jesus sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee, a horrendous storm whipped up. They were afraid the waves would overtake them and drown them. It was so bad that they despaired of life. Then suddenly they saw Jesus walking to them on the water. Commenting on this story, the great Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan said, “He is coming over the very waves you are most afraid of. The very waves that threaten to buffet and break you to pieces are the pavement for His blessed feet.” Sometimes the very things we fear the most are the tools that God will use in our lives to bring us closer to Him. PROPHECY UPDATE NEWS HEADLINES Yesterday's Prophecies - Today's Headlines HEADLINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRACKING BIBLE PROPHECY 7/26/23 http://trackingbibleprophecy.org/birthpangs.php
FROM THE HEART Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left, Count for ALL of Eternity! IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT? One of the most reliable ways to determine if a ministry is worthy of your financial support is to examine its fruits. If Prophecy Update is keeping you informed, and if that information inspires you, and causes you to draw closer to the Lord, if Prophecy Update equips you with valuable information and knowledge to share with and encourage other believers, and open the eyes of non-believers, and if Prophecy Update keeps you connected to current events relating to Bible Prophecy, then you are partaking of the fruit produced through this ministry. None of this would be possible without the Lords blessings and your support. I believe where the Lord guides, the Lord provides, and most of the time He provides through the willing and generous hearts of believers just like you and me. Humbly Seek Your Support Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members. Click below to download! "AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING" If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven? Find out, visit: www.thegoodtest.net www.gotquestions.org www.wayofthemaster.com How to know God DID YOU KNOW? You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email: [email protected] Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly) "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand." "Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!" YBIC-Randy
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