IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER...
Israel Regathered, A Sign of the Coming Tribulation - By Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2021/09/isreal-regathered-sign-of-coming.html
19 “And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. 20 And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land. 21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 36:19-23) We live in an age of miracles. Who would have dreamed the advancements that have been created in a short, by comparison of the last 125 year, to the history of mankind. But science has made great advances in medicine on understanding genetic codes, some good, and some not so good. As it was in the days of Noah, mankind has mastered many secrets to life, but have done things that God destroyed the whole earth because of doing things against His creation. Man attempts to merge DNA's of humans and animals in test tubes is an abomination before God. To create artificial intelligence and make man a hybrid of machine and humanity. Then man has been able to manipulate weather such as using HAARP but creates havoc using such devices to control the elements. Then we see the advances in space travel and I remember the news coverage when we first landed a manned space craft on the moon. Man expects in the future to travel to distant stars, to Mars and other planets outside our atmosphere. It appears there is nothing that mankind cannot do....to a point, that God will allow. Mankind has limits that are in the bounds of time, which we cannot control. We see the past and learn from history, but we cannot see the future and make any type of predictions, as we can only guess. ISRAEL, A MODERN DAY MIRACLE Take for example the restoration of Israel as a modern day democracy after almost 2000 years of being destroyed as a nation on earth. No one would have believed 150 years ago OR even 80 years ago that Israel would ever come back to her native country as we have seen in the last 73 years. Israel was virtually uprooted in 702 BC by Sargon II, the Assyrian who conquered the northern half of the nation we now know as Israel and carted the people to distant lands, scattering them to the four winds and placed other people conquered into the land to prevent an uprising and rebellion of nations they conquered and overran. It is how the Samaritans came to be in the northern half of the once great nation of Israel in the days of Jesus. Likewise, the southern half of Israel, know as Judah was taken captive by the Kingdom of Babylon and finally returned after 70 years of exile. But in 70AD Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple burned and the nation of Israel was no more when in 135 AD the city was sown with salt and plowed under and the national name was changed to Palestine by the Roman Empire after the name of the Philistines in the Gaza area. Still the prophets wrote confidently by Holy Spirit moving them to write, that in the last days, Israel would again be reborn in her own land. Once again the Hebrew people would inhabit real estate from which they were displaced, seemingly forever. "And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country." (Ezekiel 34:13) Writing of the Gog Magog invasion, God inspired Ezekiel to prophesy; "After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them." (Ezekiel 38:8) In this passage, we find a time frame in Ezekiel's prophecy that would come to pass as he said “after many days, in the latter years”. They would be brought forth from all the nations that they had wandered to and be brought to their ancestral lands, to a land who had always been laid waste for near 2000 years. A place when Mark Twain visited called it the most desolate place he had ever seen on earth. Nothing grew and there were no trees, but only desert and barren hills. For more than 2,500 years, this prophecy of Ezekiel remained dormant. Israel was destroyed by Sargon and Nebuchadnezzar, King of Assyria and Babylon and never again existed as an independent nation. Until, on May 14, 1948, when the survivors of the Holocaust were 'brought forth' under the banner of "NEVER AGAIN" to the 'mountains of Israel' -- which 'had always been waste' as the nation of 'Israel'. During the time before Israel became a nation again, they petitioned Great Britain to allow them a homeland in the African country of Uganda, as they would have settled for any country, but that is not what the prophets wrote and not what God had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that Israel and the Jewish people would inhabit again the mountains of Israel and that is exactly what happened. I say all that about how Israel in a brevity of statements how Israel is now a nation again, to say this. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIBULATION? Understanding the purpose of the Tribulation in relationship to Israel would go a long way to helping us to understand whether the Church of the Living God will be raptured before the tribulation, out of it, or after it. Let us go back to the prophet Daniel and explore a little more of the vision given to the prophet and how history would unfold. Daniel foretold the rise and fall of three great empires and the rise, fall and revival of the last great world empire -- that of Rome. "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9:24) The main points of the prophecy given to Daniel fall into these categories: A. 'Weeks' refer to 'weeks of years' – 70(x) 7 year periods equals 490 years using the Hebrew 'shabua' or 'heptad' the way we use the Greek 'decade' in our culture to divide years into groups of ten years each. B. The angel specifically said this period was for Daniel's people (Jews) and Daniel's holy city (Jerusalem). C. Within this time frame six things will be accomplished; 1) finish the transgression, 2) make an end of sin, 3) make reconciliation for sin, 4) bring in everlasting righteousness, 5) seal up the vision and prophecy and 6) anoint the Most Holy. All of these points are clearly directed at Israel, as the Church had not been formed yet. Point 1-3 in numeral category C above have already been accomplished and were settled for the church at the cross of Calvary by our Lord and Savior. Points 4-6 occur at the end of the Tribulation, with the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom and the rule of the King of kings, Jesus Christ. The first 69 weeks or 483 years (70x7=490 years) concluded with Jesus riding in on a donkey to to loud proclaims of “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest ” and the people proclaiming Jesus as King. A few days later and Jesus would be crucified, as as the text in Daniel says: “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:26) Thus, the prophecy was put on pause, as the points 4-6 could not be completed because the Temple was destroyed in 70AD. At that time, God turned His attention to building a people who were not His people, the Church of the Living God. Daniel is told that the 70th week will open when the “Anti-Christ” confirms a covenant between Israel and the many or nations of the world. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:27) Daniel indicates in the passages noted above, that the Tribulation period is for Israel's national redemption. That theme is picked up by the prophet Zechariah: “The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” (Zechariah 12:1-3) Zechariah goes into great detail in chapter 12-14 of the redemption of Israel and is further proven in Revelation chapter 6 all the way through to chapter 20. Jeremiah states further, that this is the time of Jacob's trouble: 7 “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. 8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.” (Jeremiah 30:7-9) "For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished." (Jeremiah 30:11) THOSE THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH. There is also a second group that go through the Tribulation, right along with Israel. They are "earth dwellers, and not the church: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also WILL KEEP THEE FROM (my emphasis) from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Revelation 3:10) Remember me telling you in times past, that the phrase “Keep thee from” is found in the original Greek in the word “EK” or meaning to keep from the hour, to separate those from the time and space. To bring them out of, not through an event. In this case, Jesus is talking about the coming Tribulation that will try “them that dwell upon the earth”. And the Church is not part of the Tribulation, as Jesus will take us “out of” His coming wrath poured out. Note the phrase, 'them that dwell upon the earth'. We find it six other times; in Revelation 6:10, 8:13, 11:10, 13:8, and 17;8. These are the individuals that gloat over the death of God's two witnesses found in chapter 11 of Revelation. And those who are pronounced to endure the final three trumpets which are to come written in chp. 8 of this same book of your Bible. These “dwellers on the earth” are the people who are deceived by the beast rising up from the sea, make an image of the first beast, and worship the beast which all speaks of the Anti-Christ: 6 “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, (tribulation saints, my emphasis) and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:6-8) Those who dwell upon the earth will gaze in wonder at the scarlet beast: 7 “And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” (Revelation 17:7-8) (The woman is false Christianity, maybe called Chrislam rides a beast who can only be Satanic and indwells a man on earth, the Anti-Christ.) These are the people, those that dwell upon the earth, who do NOT have their names written down in the Book of Life and will take the mark of the beast. We see now, people being pressured to take this "vaccine". Is it the "mark of the beast"? No, but it is a precursor to the real deal to make those living in this time, to do what the "one world government" will tell them to do, to their eternal doom. I believe this "vaccine, which is not really a vaccine", is biological weapon to reduce the population of the earth to manageable numbers "to save the planet". In contrast to these earth dwellers, Jesus says of the Church in His prayer at Gethsemane; 14 “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:14-17) Jesus is praying at the time for His apostles, and all who the Father would give Him. It is a blanket prayer for all the saints of God down through time from the time of the cross. Clearly, since the Tribulation period is the time of Jacob's Trouble, was pronounced upon Daniel's people and Daniel's city, and its purpose is to accomplish for Daniel's people in the last days the same thing accomplished for the Church at the Cross, the Tribulation period is for the Jews. As I have spoken of many times in the past, the two group of people found during the tribulation as noted above are the Jewish people, the nation of Israel, and those who are rebellious against God known as the “dwellers upon the earth” . Israel will be refined as silver is refined in the furnace, as Malachi tells us: 2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.” (Malachi 3:2-4) Just as clearly, according to Jesus, it is also to judge the earth dwellers whose names are not written in the Book of Life. 14 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. 17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” (Revelation 14:14-20) Remember what Jesus said, when He spoke of the parable of the fig tree. He said that THIS generation will not pass until all things be fulfilled....note in Psalm 90, a generation is said to be 70 years, and 80 years by strength, then we fly away. How old is Israel right now? she is 73 years old.....How much longer will Jesus tarry before the end of this age and this generation? CHURCH IN THE TRIBULATION?? If there is a purpose for the Church in the Tribulation Period there is no express mention of that purpose in Scripture, although Scripture is clear regarding both Jews and 'earth-dwellers'. And the 'earth dwellers' can't be the Church, since their names are not written in the Book of Life. Paul tells us through God's Holy Spirit that we are not appointed to the wrath that is befallen those who dwell upon the earth, that starts in chp. 6 of Revelation. 9 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1st Thessalonians 1:9-10) But what wrath to come? To those who will be delivered unto hell fire for their rejection of Jesus Christ as personal Savior, the wrath of God will fall on all earth dwellers in the Tribulation that have rejected the only propitiation or substitute for the wrath we deserve, which is death. Again in Romans chapter 8, Paul confirms that we are not part of God's fury, as the wrath of God is fallen on those who are condemned. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4) Now lets look at 1st Thessalonians of Paul has further to say: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1st Thessalonians 5:1-9) Notice in verse 3 "For when THEY shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon THEM, as travail upon a woman with child; and THEY shall not escape." (Note the pronouns 'they' and 'them') Then we read in verse 5: "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: WE are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let US not sleep, as do others; but let US watch and be sober." (Note the change -- 'they'- 'them' become 'we'- 'us'. It speaks of two groups of people) Then in verse 7, Paul tells us the difference in “we,us” in verse 5, by differentiating between those that sleep and are drunk: "For THEY that sleep sleep in the night; and THEY that be drunken are drunken in the night." And finally, tells us that we must be vigilant "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation." There is a clear distinction between Jewish people who are alive during this time, and earth dwellers who are also going through the Tribulation, and “US” the Church, but let me make a point here. Look at verse 8 above. It refers to the “hope of salvation”. What does that mean? Salvation from what? My salvation comes with an iron-clad guarantee, signed in Blood. I don't 'hope' for salvation -- I am saved now and I pray, you are also. 17” For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1st Peter 4:17-19) The church is being judged now. If you be a Christian person, you are being judged NOW. We are saved by the Blood of Jesus and have salvation from eternal punishment that is found in hell and the Lake of Fire. But salvation from the 'wrath to come' is indicated by the context and consistent with the doctrine that says, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them from my hand." (John 10:28) And the 'wrath to come' is the Tribulation period - the time of Jacob's Trouble. The Church is not needing judgment as we have already been judged righteous clothed with the righteousness of Jesus our Lord, and that not of our own. The argument for a pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church is consistent with Scripture. Keep in mind that the salient point is not so much 'when' as it is "Who" is coming. ARE YOU READY? Do you know who is coming? Are you ready to meet Him? Will you be clothed with His righteousness, or found wanting by being clothed with your own? Yours cannot stand in front of a Holy God who will not allow sin into His presence. There is only one Way back to God our Father and to be forgiven of all of our short comings in breaking the Laws of God, for if you have sinned in one point, you have sinned in them all. One sin is just as great as the other in God's eyes. What must you do to be forgiven and be able to escape what is coming? The Remedy is found in One Name that is above every name. Jesus Christ is that Name...He stands at the door of any sinner's heart and knocks to be allowed entrance. He won't force His way in, but will accept your invitation to make Him Lord of your life. 6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:8-11) Who will you be identified with in the coming time of the return of Jesus Christ for His Church...will you be that church, the bride of Christ, or will you simply be a sin filled “earth dweller” that has to go through the most horrific time known to God's world. Jesus told us how terrible that time will be: 21 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (Matthew 24:21-22) Many will die in the coming Tribulation. If you be so unfortunate to see this time, it might be even your eternal demise. Jesus is coming. Now is the season of making that decision for Jesus Christ and get on the ark of safety, which is the Son of God. Do it today, as the time of that closing window of opportunity is closing fast. This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying you enter into a relationship by the blood of Jesus Christ, with Almighty God. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a listening ear. Email me at ,[email protected], God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET. Nearing Midnight: Antisemitism Is Now an Acceptable Form of Racism – Todd Strandberg - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/ For decades, the horrors of the Holocaust had made it unacceptable for anyone to vent antisemitic remarks. As memories of the Nazi years have faded, the same old hatreds against Jews have made their return. In May, there was renewed violence at the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Even though the fighting was 100% caused by Palestinians firing rockets into Israel, many blamed the Jews for the conflict. Many people think that Jews and Israel are basically the same thing. They aren’t, and to assume so is racist. During the conflict, there were many placards at a Free Palestine march in London. It displayed an image of Jesus at one of the stations of the cross. Underneath it was the words: “Don’t Let Them Do It Again Today.” The word “Them” on that placard can mean only one thing: Jews. Not Israel. Jews. It expresses the oldest negative myth about the Jewish people – older even than the notion of blood libel or that Jews secretly control the world – that Jews are Christ-killers. Now, you may want to criticize the Israeli government and its policies. But that sign perpetuates not a modern but an eternal sense of the wickedness of the Jewish people; it must be, as Benjamin Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett were not around in AD 33 cheering for Barabbas. There was a huge increase in hate crimes against Jews during the Israeli/Palestinian conflict — a 600% rise in incidents in the UK alone. Attacks on Jews during these conflicts are seen not just as understandable but excusable. Ukraine’s pre-war Jewish population of about 1.5 million was virtually wiped out in the Nazi Holocaust. An estimated 0.2% of Ukraine’s 41 million population is Jewish, and still, there have been several cases of antisemitism since its independence in 1991. The vast majority of attacks on Jews have been carried out by Europe’s surging Muslim population. Because Islamophobia is viewed as a greater sin, one government after another refuses to recognize the source of the antisemitism. The FBI recently reported hate crime data for 2020, showing that Jews remain widely susceptible to attacks. 58% of religiously motivated attacks in 2020 involved Jewish victims. During pre-pandemic 2019, when more Americans were regularly out and about, 63% of religiously motivated hate crimes targeted Jews. In the Greater Boston area, several large pink billboards were put up as part of an activist’s new tactic to call out antisemitism in the wake of increased violence against members of the Jewish community. One billboard reads: “Does your church need security cameras? ‘Cause our synagogue does.” Another sign reads: “We’re just 75 years since the gas chambers. So no, a billboard calling out Jew-hatred isn’t an overreaction.” Pope Francis recently called for an end to antisemitism during a trip to Hungary, where he warned that prejudice against Jews was a “fuse that must not be allowed to burn.” “I think of the threat of antisemitism still lurking in Europe and elsewhere,” the pope said at an ecumenical meeting of Christian and Jewish leaders in the capital, Budapest. “This is a fuse that must not be allowed to burn. And the best way to defuse it is to work together, positively, and to promote fraternity,” he said. The problem of antisemitism is not going to be solved until society realizes the so-called progressive movement is largely the source of this hatred. These types of Leftists are very dangerous because they view themselves as incapable of having racist thoughts. They don’t have a problem with Jews: Israel is the source of all conflict. Progressive activist Tariq Ali, speaking at an anti-Israel rally, said: “Stop the occupation, stop the bombing, and casual antisemitism will soon disappear.” This notion that antisemitism only stems from the actions of the Israeli government is the type of logic that only Hitler would understand. But antisemitism has this particular spin in some progressive quarters: that the hatred doesn’t arise, as with all other racisms, from scapegoating by the majority culture but from something perpetrated by the minority itself. When bad things happen to Jews, Jews are always, in some way, responsible. The Bible warns many times that a great persecution is coming in the last days for both Jews and Christians. Now that the world has found an excuse to go after the Jews, we have a strong indication that the tribulation period is about to begin. “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled” (Revelation 6:9-11, KJV). They Are Publicly Announcing That Things Are NEVER Going To Return To “Normal” - by Michael Snyder - http://endoftheamericandream.com/they-are-publicly-announcing-that-things-are-never-going-to-return-to-normal/ Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all wake up someday and the pandemic is finally behind us? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back to a world with no masks, no restrictions and no mandates? I know that is what so many of you want. I want it too. Just like millions of others, we are ready for this long nightmare to finally end. Unfortunately, we are now being told that this crisis is never going to have an end. COVID is apparently going to be with us indefinitely, and that means that we will be talking about masks, restrictions and mandates for years on end. I know that must sound extremely depressing, because it sounded extremely depressing when I wrote it. In the long run, it appears that the best chance that we have of escaping the status quo would be to vote in new leaders that understand the importance of freedom. But voters in California just had that opportunity, and they didn’t take it. Voters in Canada just had an opportunity to get rid of Trudeau, and that didn’t happen either. I don’t know if I will ever understand why people would willingly choose leaders such as Newsom and Trudeau. It makes no sense to me at all. Sadly, they are far from being exceptions, because we have people like them in positions of power all over the western world right now. Control freaks are drawn to politics like moths to a flame, and this pandemic has given them a perfect opportunity to exercise their worst instincts. So many officials have decided to use what power they have to punish and oppress those that they disagree with, and that is extremely unfortunate. Earlier today, I was stunned to learn that one official in Australia just went on television and warned that “life for the unvaccinated will be very difficult indefinitely”… Berejiklian said people who choose not to be vaccinated could be barred entry to shops, restaurants and entertainment venues even after the state lifts all restrictions against them on Dec. 1. “A lot of businesses have said they will not accept anyone who is unvaccinated,” Berejiklian told Seven News on Tuesday. “Life for the unvaccinated will be very difficult indefinitely.” What a thing to say. “Indefinitely” is a very long time. Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla is also telling us to expect permanent changes to our lifestyles. Over the weekend, he told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos the following… “The most likely scenario for me, it is because the virus has spread all over the world, that we will continue seeing new variants that are coming out, and also we will have vaccines that will last at least a year. I think the most likely scenario is annual revaccinations, but we need to wait and see the data.” Do you understand what he is saying? He is saying the COVID booster shots are going to be with us forever. Basically, he is envisioning that Americans will get COVID shots each year just like how millions of Americans get flu shots each year. And presumably if you don’t stay “fully vaccinated” you will be banned from a whole host of jobs and professions. Those that choose not to comply will permanently be outcasts that will increasingly be pushed to the fringes of society. It shouldn’t be that way. We are supposed to be “the land of the free”, and people should be able to make their own health decisions without any government oppression. Unfortunately, we now have people like Joe Biden in control. When he was getting his COVID booster shot, he was asked what it would take for our country to get back to normal. His response was very alarming… “How many Americans need to be vaccinated for us to get back to normal? What is the percentage of total vaccinations that have to be employed?” an unidentified reporter asked the president. “Look, I think we get the vast majority, like what’s going on in some of these industries and some schools, ticks up to 97, 98 percent. I think we’re getting awful close,” Biden claimed. 97 or 98 percent? We are never going to get even close to that number nationally, I can guarantee you that. So according to Joe Biden, we will never be ready to “return to normal” as a nation. If you don’t go out and get a “booster shot” every time that they tell you to get one, you will not count as being “fully vaccinated”. And if you are not “fully vaccinated”, Biden’s new mandates may force you out of your job. Thankfully, Biden’s mandates have proven to be quite unpopular with the American people. Just check out these poll numbers… A new poll from The Trafalgar Group reveals that 65% of respondents say “no” to the question, “Do you believe Americans should lose their jobs if they object to taking the COVID-19 vaccine?” Only 22.2% said “yes.” If Biden wants the angry anti-Biden chants to stop in stadiums all across the country, he should stop trying to be such a tyrant. Americans simply want to be free to make their own health decisions without any sort of government coercion. What the Biden administration is attempting to do is morally wrong and it is fundamentally un-American. If Biden keeps pushing people, they are going to get angrier and angrier. Earlier today, I came across a mainstream news article about the growing anger of the American people… In public and across social media, anger is boiling over. Arguments are quick to erupt and sometimes turn physical. There are certainly a lot of reasons why people are so angry right now, but a huge step in the right direction would be to start giving people their liberties and freedoms back. And one of the most important freedoms that we have is the freedom to make our own health decisions. Unfortunately, we are seeing a trend toward authoritarianism all over the globe, and many believe that it will only get worse in the years ahead. Let us hope that a way can be found to turn things around while we still have time to do so. Perhaps if enough people wake up, voters worldwide will start throwing out the tyrants and will start voting in public servants that actually respect our God-given liberties and freedoms. We desperately need change, because right now officials all over the world are telling us that there will never be a return to “normal”, and that would be a very bleak future indeed. Where’s Your Faith? - Nathele Graham - [email protected] Quite often we use Peter as an example of rash words and actions. We chuckle and shake our heads when we hear him blurt out “…Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God” Matthew 16:16b, then shortly thereafter Peter tried to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem, because it was certain that Jesus would be arrested and probably be put to death, which was exactly why Jesus had to go to Jerusalem. What about on the mountain when Peter saw Jesus in His glorified body talking with Moses and Elijah? What was Peter’s reaction? “And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.” Luke 9:33. Peter reacted to the situation, rather than allow Jesus to lead. I like Peter. He makes mistakes, but eventually allowed Jesus to transform him into a man who faithfully fed the sheep. I appreciate how Peter stepped out in faith. Sometimes he was downright rash. For instance, Peter and the other disciples had seen the Lord feed 5,000 men plus women and children, using only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and of course a prayer of thanks. Then, Jesus needed some quiet time. He sent the crowd to their homes, and He sent the disciples ahead of Hm across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus took some time alone to pray. We need to use Jesus’ example here. There are many times when we get so busy doing God’s business, that we forget to stop and find a quiet time to just talk with Him. “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23. Although Jesus stayed behind, He could see the little ship sailing across the sea, and the disciples rowing against a storm. “And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them…” Mark 6:48a. Many of the disciples were fishermen, and experienced sailors. Still, they struggled against the storm. How much time had they spent toiling? Hours had passed between the time Jesus sent them away in the ship? Were they so caught up in the struggle, they forgot to call to Jesus? Many of us are “experienced” Christians, but we still struggle using our own strength to fight against the storms of life. Instead of calling out in faith, the disciples fought against the storm using their own knowledge and strength. It would have been easier if they had called out to Jesus for help. Much time had passed since they had set sail; it had been light when Jesus had fed the multitude, but it was between 3 AM and 6 AM when Jesus went to them. “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” After such a long battle against the storm, the disciples must have been exhausted. I wonder what would have happened if they would have stopped fighting the storm and called for Jesus. I know He would have answered. “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” Matthew 14:25. Even though they didn’t call out to Him, He saw their need and went to meet them. Rather than hiring another ship to take Him to where the disciples struggled, Jesus took a walk. Even though the disciples had seen Jesus do many miraculous things, their reaction was fear when they saw Him walking on the water towards them. The wind and waves interfered with the ship, but Jesus was easily able to walk on the water to catch up to them. “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” Matthew 14:26. Even though those men walked with Jesus every day, they were still fearful of His power and just didn’t have full faith in His compassion and care for them. Even though it must have been loud with the sea raging and the wind blowing, they managed to hear His voice. “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Matthew 14:27. We all face storms in which we struggle, trying to fight the storm by our own efforts, but if we just listen, we can hear Jesus telling us to “be not afraid”. Do we listen? It’s in the storms that our faith is tested and grows stronger. Peter learned a lesson of faith that day. “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Matthew 14:28. Peter was a fisherman, and knew the peril of stepping out of a boat anytime, especially during a storm. I can imagine James, John, and Andrew (the other fishermen) shaking their heads at Peter’s chutzpah. On the other hand, who showed more faith? Yep, it was Peter. Jesus was willing. “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29. Jesus will always welcome us when we step out in faith. Peter, climbed out of his “comfort zone”, got out of the safety of the ship, and began to walk towards Jesus. In my mind I picture a toddler struggling to learn to walk. The little one tries to walk to the safety of the loving parent’s outstretched arms. Matthew’s Gospel says that he did walk on water to reach Jesus, until Peter made a mistake. He took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the storm instead of the shelter. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”. Matthew 14:30. Peter looked at the storm and began to sink. He did the right thing and cried out to Jesus. Peter didn’t sink quickly, but began to sink. Aren’t we a bit like Peter? We might desire to step out in faith, but instead of keeping our focus on Jesus, we allow the storm to cause us to doubt. Jesus was there to save Peter from drowning. “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matthew 14:31. I can hear Jesus soothing voice and feel His strong hand as He says those same words to me when I finally call out to Him in great distress. There’s a lot in this day and age that can cause us to sink if we let the troubles overwhelm us. Fear of the storm will always make us blind to the fact that Jesus is always with us. The Holy Spirit is sealed within us, and we need to allow His strength and power to flow through us. There are many storms raging today, but we need to focus on Jesus. We need to seek Him. Instead of fearing the storm, we need to step out in faith and cry out to Him. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith has always been the way of salvation. We live in very trying times. The storms of this life are raging and will continue to become worse. Where’s your faith? Do you look at the wind and waves, or do you have faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? If you’ve put your faith anywhere but in Jesus, then you will sink. Peter was rash and outspoken, but the Lord used these attributes. It was Peter, a Jewish man, who reached out to Cornelius, a Gentile. Not only a Gentile, but a Roman Centurion. Read about it in Acts chapter 10. Because Peter was willing to step out in faith, a Roman Centurion and his household came to a saving faith in Jesus. Peter learned to keep his eyes on Jesus, in any kind of storm. We need to learn that kind of faith, and not be afraid of the opinions of others. Seek Jesus, and His righteousness. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7. Remember, that once Jesus is welcomed on board, the storms stop. “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Matthew 14:32-33. Never forget to thank Him and worship Him for calming the storms of life. Where’s your faith? Is it in the storm that threatens to sink you, or is it in Jesus Christ who will see you through each and every storm? God bless you all, Nathele Graham [email protected] [email protected] All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed. If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know. Daily Jot: Big vaccine misinformation – Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com Vaccine misinformation is a big topic these days. So big that big pharma, big media and big government are taking big steps to censor anybody who challenges their big narrative. Google-owned YouTube is removing and prohibiting content that claims commonly used vaccines, including COVID vaccines, approved by health authorities are ineffective or dangerous. These specifically target Robert Kennedy, Jr. and Dr. Joseph Mercola, both highly critical of the COVID vaccines and the protocols the groupthink medical industry are using to treat COVID. Problem here is that these men are raising concerns from credible research that the big mainstream refuses to acknowledge or consider. Even Dr. Ben Carson, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, pumped the brakes on COVID vaccines. He told Christian Broadcasting Network: “When we start opening ourselves to government officials saying ‘you must do this,’ ‘you can’t do this,’ ‘you must say this,’ ‘you can’t say that,’ you really are starting to fundamentally change the foundation of our nation. And we have to be very much aware that that is a big issue. And you couple that with the fact that you’re trying to mandate something that hasn’t been fully proven. We don’t know what the long-term impact of this vaccine is, especially when you are dealing with children. We do know when you are dealing with children, you don’t have a high risk from the virus itself. But we don’t know what the long-term risks of the vaccines are. So we need to be a little more careful, I think.” Carson was speaking from a September 24 interview that CBN posted on YouTube. By Google/YouTube standards, this is likely considered misinformation. But Carson, along with others, is pointing out that government mandates—and this is a mandate by the Biden Administration that Congress is already acting to place poison pill penalties on businesses that do not comply—are contrary to the founding principles of the nation. This is why, whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated you should stand firm against such mandates. The second point Carson makes is that there is no knowledge of the long-term impact of these COVID vaccines. CDC says COVID vaccines do not prevent contracting COVID; that boosters are needed far sooner than expected; and that there are unexplained dangerous side-effects for some people. To many, just quoting CDC’s warnings is passing on misinformation because CDC’s own website indicates that there are risks associated with the COVID vaccines. The “big” guys pushing the vaccine would be far better to consider what contradictory research is saying and work with the dissenters to develop a better solution. Instead, they team with big government to ignore critics and force their solution onto the population. This breeds contempt and distrust. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens the countenance of another.” America is at its best when it works together to solve problems, not when it mandates one way of thinking and censors all others. Daily Devotion: The Promise of Christ’s Return - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation’ —2 Peter 3:3-4 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-promise-of-christs-return/ - Listen Some people falsely envision God as someone who’s eagerly waiting in Heaven to bring judgment on Earth. But the Bible teaches something different. It tells us that God “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV). However, there are people today who say, “Where is the return of the Lord? Haven’t you Christians been talking about that for some time now? Didn’t you believe the Lord was coming back years ago?” I’m not ashamed to admit that I did. If you were to walk up to me in 1970 when I was a young kid, newly converted, and ask me if I believed that Jesus Christ was coming back soon, I would have said yes. So am I disappointed that He hasn’t returned? My answer is no. I still believe that He’s coming back soon. The Bible says that “a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day” (2 Peter 3:8 NLT). I thank God that He didn’t come back five decades ago. I would have enjoyed it then, of course, but there would have been significantly fewer people in the Kingdom. So I’m rejoicing in what God is doing, and I feel privileged to be a part of it. But I also know there’s coming a day when the last person will come to faith in Christ. It is my belief that God is waiting for someone, somewhere out in this world, to believe in Him (see Romans 11:25). And once that person comes into the Kingdom, the Lord will rapture the church. So God is not late. He’s right on time. And at the appointed hour, He will return. Until that day, we should walk with Him. 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. 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