Rise of the Beast Power of Revelation

IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER... 
 

• Featured Article: Rise of the Beast Power of Revelation 
• Answers To 6 Big Questions About Putin’s Nuclear Threats 
• Nearing Midnight: The People’s Republic of Canada 
• The Big Picture 
• Daily Jot: Stupidocrisy: Loud talk, no stick 
• Daily Devotion: Growing Endurance 

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Rise of the Beast Power of Revelation - by Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2022/02/rise-of-beast-power-of-revelation.html
 
43, “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44, And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. “ (Daniel 2:43-44)
 
11,“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12, Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13, But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. “ (Daniel 12:11-13)
 
5,“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6, And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
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 17:5-8)
 
As we studied the end of Daniel's book in chapter 10-12 in our last message, we explored the possible rise again of the “Holy” Roman Empire after it's defeat in 1798 and the Pope was imprisoned coinciding with the Catholic Church's influence over the whole earth dwindled and she changed her leopard spots and instead of a wolf, began to project the image of being harmless as a lamb. But times are changing in these final days of man's rule upon the earth and I believe the connection between Daniel and Revelation points to a resurgence of the political power wielded by Rome during the Dark Ages.
 
DANIEL'S INTERPRETION REVISITED
 
In Daniel chapter 2, Daniel is given the interpretation of King Nebachadnezzer's dream of a golden idol and the true God in heaven reveals the kingdoms that will arise after Babylon is replaced as the world power. Then at the end of the book, Gabriel the ark angel reveals the future of these kingdoms, their rise and their fall. Daniel was astonished and said:
 
“ And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? “ (Daniel 12:8).
 
It was not for Daniel to know, as the future was forward some 500+ years before part of the vision was fulfilled, but another 2000 years to come to our time...our time of the end, when the prophecy is set to be completed.
 
The two books of prophecy in Daniel and Revelation have given many scholars trouble understanding and the average Joe on the street steers clear of prophecy to his detriment, as “ the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of the prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10b)
 
Let us now examine certain aspects of Daniel and the book of Revelation to show how they are forever connected with one another, as they speak of the same events in different ways.
 
In Daniel 2:43, the Word of God says that the seed of men will mingle:
 
“And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.”
 
The great obscurity of this verse is partially cleared by a reference to Jeremiah 31:27-28:
27 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
28 And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and
 
44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”(Daniel 2:44)
 
Man will form his plans for uniting the discordant parts of this empire, by, in the past, encouraging marriages between the royal families that rule the various component kingdoms. The allusion in this verse is to matrimonial alliances contracted between the Ptolemies and the Seleucidae :
 
6 “And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.”
 
17 “He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him”. (Daniel 11:6; Daniel 11:17),
 
This did not, however, succeed in producing permanent harmony or union between them. Each kingdom fell until the Roman Empire became the strongest, “like iron that breaks” until they imploded from within and the kingdom was given over to Papal rule instead of pagan rule, which is a contradiction in terms, as both were just the flip side of the same coin. We discussed this in our last message, but let us move on when the truth is revealed in Revelation when is was obscure in Daniel's time.
 
 REVELATION, REVEALING PROPHECY IN JESUS CHRIST
 
The testimony of Christ, a testimony of the most solemn character, is to be borne to the world. All through the book of Revelation there are the most precious, elevating promises, and there are also warnings of the most fearfully solemn import. Will not those who profess to have a knowledge of the truth read the testimony given to John by Christ? Here there is no guesswork, no scientific deception. Here are the truths that concern our present and future welfare.
 
 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:1-3)
 
Beginning with chapter 1 of Revelation with the description of the One who stood among the seven golden candle sticks, with seven stars in His hand that represented the seven Asian Churches at the time, and the future which represents the time period of the Christian Church until the return of Christ. Thus there are three applications that can be made.
 
-The first is the literal letter to the literal Church
 
-the second is the application showing the time period of the Christian Church until the return of Christ,
 
-and lastly certain aspects we find in these messages apply to the condition of our own Christian experience.
 
This is a vision that was given to John by Jesus Christ Himself, as He spoke to John as the sound of a trumpet. Each successive period of church history shows that down through the ages, the church of Jesus Christ has had 7 periods in church history that Jesus reveals to John with the last being the church of the end times, the Laodecian Church of luke warm believers that have fallen into apostasy.
 
COME UP HITHER
 
The book of Revelation makes a defined shift after chapter 3 leading into chapter 4, as John is called by the sound of trumpet calling:
 
 “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.
 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.” (Revelation 4:1-3)
 
This is a different vision given to John and they run concurrently, as God reveals the opening of the 7 seals of judgment upon the earth. Notice one of the first thing John sees after the description of “One who sat upon the throne” is 24 elders sitting on their respective thrones. Many people have tried to imply and to interpret who these elders are. First let us look at their descriptions:
 
 “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.” (Revelation 4:4)
 
 Note that they are clothed in white raiment which stands for righteousness which is defined in chp. 19 of Revelation in describing the bride of Christ, and the armies who come back with Jesus to reign and rule. So they are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and a crown of victory. They have been in warfare with sin and overcome. (sin is only upon this earth) They are seen in heaven before the sequence of the seals begins and have been redeemed from among men. They have crowns of gold on their heads, which represents rewards for service. This is none other than the crown of life or crown of righteousness that the Lord gives to those that have endured temptation and have fought the good fight of faith, finishing their course and have overcome.
 
Since they can't be angels, as angels are in service to those of the redeemed, the Church, then the vision shows redeemed mortal men saved by the blood of the Lamb. They have received rewards, they are seated, as they have received victory over their struggles with evil. The rewards of service to God Almighty comes only in one time period…the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ (1st. Corinthians 3:10-15) to receive rewards for things done for Christ in this life. They are a multiple of the number 12, as the number 12 is the divine sign of government. The only explanation is that this is the Church, redeemed from the earth and taken to heaven just before the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth.
 
Remember what Jesus said in chapter 3 of this book:
 
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
 
The original Greek tells us that Jesus is saying as we will be taken out of this time period, not through as some erroneously believe.
 
Beginning in chapter 6 of this Revelation, it is reveals the plagues that come upon the earth, starting with the four horseman of the Apocalypse.
 
As Daniel saw in vision the rise of a great beast out of the sea and described in terrible ferocity, so too does Revelation speak of this beast that comes, but first God describes him as a rider on a white horse, with a bow in his hands.
 
 Revelation 6:2 “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2)
 
The man has a bow, but no arrows. He rides a white horse, which is a false sign of purity and righteousness. He goes to conquer, but with words of flattery, words of deceit, and political power given to him by other nations as their supreme leader. He has a crown, but unlike the King of kings, his crown is a crown of conquest and victory, much like the victor's crown of leaves given to Roman athletes in the Colosseum.
 
We are reintroduced to this man in chapter 17 noted in the opening verses of this message:
6, “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
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 17:5-8)
 
I've spoken of this in past messages, that the woman is a harlot. In scripture, the sign of a harlot woman is a sign of a religious organization that has prostituted itself to false gods, and doctrines of demons and devils. Greek porne - Meaning “prostitute,” “harlot.” Porne probably goes back to a word meaning “to sell” or “to export for sale” such things as slaves. In Greece, prostitutes were usually purchased slaves. The Old Testament prophets often compare apostate Israel, which repeatedly went “a whoring” after heathen gods, (Ezekiel 23:30; Isaiah 23:17; Ezekiel 16:15) with an adulterous woman. Concerning mystical Babylon as a harlot (Revelation 19:2) For Old Testament passages whose thought or wording is similar to that of chapter 17, see Isaiah 47:1; Jeremiah 25:12; 50:1; Ezekiel 26:13.
 
She has slain millions upon millions of the innocent down through the ages and is drunk with their blood.
 
She has a sign of her habitation of sitteth upon many waters. Exercising power over many “peoples” and “nations.” (see verse 15) The form of the verb in Greek presents the “great whore” as in power at the time and as continuing to exercise power. As the ancient city of Babylon was situated upon the literal waters of the Euphrates (see Jeremiah 50:12, 38) and dwelt figuratively “upon many waters” or peoples, (Jeremiah 51:12-13; cf. Isaiah 8:7-8; 14:6; Jeremiah 50:23) so modern Babylon is represented as sitting upon or oppressing the peoples of earth. (Revelation 16:12) This whore in but a metamorphosis of ancient Babylon who received power from the imploding Roman Empire and instead of Caesar became the leader of a pagan religion. But look again at the end of verse 8 of the above passage in chapter 17: “the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”
 
Who have we revealed as the persecutor and tormentor of millions of non-compliant Christians and Jews throughout the Dark Ages? Who has robes of scarlet and purple, pearls and costly jewels? Who was defeated in 1798 by France and “that was, and is not, yet is”?
 
There is only one institution that fulfills every aspect of this description that seeks a return of her former glory and sadly, my Catholic friends, it is the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy headed by the Pope of Rome. I take no pleasure in warning of this “religion”, but even as much as I would warn of Islam and it's “religion”, because people follow a creation, and institution, a man-made parallel to worshiping God in vain and both, if a person is not careful, will lead those people to hell. Both proclaim a different way to God instead of the true way through Jesus Christ. This present “Pope” has clearly stated that there are alternative ways to heaven. “Just be good” is what he says giving a pass to atheist, Muslims, and any other aberration to the Truth of God's Word. Thus the head of this “religion” denies that Jesus is the Only Way back to God the Father.
 
Jesus calls this institution, “a beast” which represents kingdoms or political powers. (Daniel 7:3-7, 17; 8:3, 5, 20-21; cf. Revelation 12:3; 13:1) The color of this beast no doubt representing a sinful kingdom, not just sinful but one that thought to change the law of God.
 
25 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” (Daniel 7:25)
 
The names of blasphemy with which it is covered indicate that it stands in opposition to God. Accordingly, the beast itself may be identified as Satan working through those political agencies in all ages that have submitted to her control.
 
In certain respects this beast resembles the great red dragon of Revelation 12:3, and in others the leopard like beast of Revelation 13:1-2 . The context makes the latter relationship appear to be closer. The chief difference between the beast of chapter 13 and that of chapter 17 is that in the former, which is identified with the papacy, no distinction is made between the religious and the political aspects of Papal power, whereas in the latter the two are distinct. The beast representing political power and the woman a religious power.
 
ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT AND ONE WORLD RELIGION
 
I have covered this before, but for this message, I will briefly touch on it again. The United Nations coupled with the USA and the rest of the world are pushing for a complete and total control of every aspect of human life and endeavor by the year 2030. Agenda 21 introduced in the 1990's has morphed into 'SUBSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” and their aim is a one world government. Stage right, the pope in Rome advocating the implementation of this nefarious scheme for complete control of planet earth. And it is reported that he has commanded that this be taught in every parish that he controls through his priest. Some will scoff, but coupled with the foolish notion of “climate change” the earth dwellers are being primed for tyranny and a one world government. What better way to unite the world, than to unite them in the same religious authority. “Which was, and is not, but is” and will rise again. She has inherited and proclaimed the abominations of ancient Babylon:
 
Seduction. By seducing the kings of the earth into illicit union with her, in order to further her own sinister designs.
 
Oppressive despotism. By sitting upon “many waters” and oppressing the people of earth. '
 
Contributing to human delinquency. By making the people of earth except for the saints, drunk with the wine of her political policy thus causing them to become her accomplices in her evil plot. By her fornication, she “did corrupt the earth” (Revelation 19:2)
 
Drunkeness. By being “drunken with the blood of the saints, who had offended her by refusing to drink of her evil potion of error or to submit to her ambition to rule the earth.
 
Murder and attempted murder. By plotting the murder of God's people, the “woman” of chapter 12. This political/religious organization has been anti-semitic from her inception and has attempted to destroy the Jewish nation, even through Nazi Germany of which she was in bed with.
 
Note in the verses, that she rides the beast and controls him though from the beast perspective, reluctantly. She guides its policy. The beast representing political power and the “harlot woman” the spiritual power of the last days found in the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation. But who controls this beast of Revelation...the Catholic church is but a tool of the supreme deceiver who will arise out of the bottomless pit.
 
When the beast exists again as “the eighth,” “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.” Remember the analogy of the sixth pope stepping down to take the helm of the European Union and then taking it up again from the seventh who will become the false prophet, until the beast “will burn her with fire and eat her flesh”. (For a refresher course, if you have not read part 1. then see my blog and read how the 8th pope comes into existence.) To review the message, go here:
 
http://blogger.com/2021/11/two-popes-in-rome-7and-8anti-christ-and.html  (copy and paste)
 
A very similar statement is made in Revelation 13 beast of that chapter when its deadly wound is healed:
 
“All the world wondered after the beast … 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.”
 
If chapter 13 refers to the same event as Revelation 17:8, it means the statement “his deadly wound was healed” (Revelation 13:3) is equivalent to the expression “shall ascend out of the bottomless pit.” (Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:3, 7) In a similar way the words “did live” (Revelation 13:14) would be equivalent to the expressions “yet is” and “he is the eighth.” (Revelation 17:8, 11) The wounding of the head, (Revelation 13:3) the going “into captivity” and “the wound by a sword” (Revelation 13:10, 14) would have their counterpart in the implied descent of the “beast” into the “bottomless pit.” (Revelation 17:8) And “death” (Revelation 13:3) would be equivalent to the “bottomless pit” phase of the experience of the beast. The similarities noted here tend to identify the seventh head of the beast as the Papal head. If there be any doubt, then I invite you to take these scriptures passages and read them for yourself and then decide who the description fits and who is pandering to the whole religious world telling them to “Come home to the mother church” .
 
My reader, the book of Daniel was a prophecy of what was to come upon the earth, but history has proven it to be correct. Daniel was not given the details of how this would come to pass, so it was hidden from view until the events actually happened.
 
Revelation in comparison is written to “reveal” what Daniel wrote when that prophecy was given to him by the angel Gabriel from our ABBA Father God in heaven. Jesus came to flesh out the events and they are not obscure if you study them closely and compare them to other prophets in your bible...History is fast becoming completed in our modern times and all we wait for it the signs that point to the coming of a one world government and the installing of it's one world religion...already, the world is promoting a cashless society in different parts of the world into digital cash to monitor every transaction on earth. For one reason, and one reason only is control of the masses of the earth. That is what the coming Anti-Christ will demand, utter and complete control.
 
I'm a firm proponent that the church, the true Church of Jesus Christ, washed in His precious blood which is not an institution, a building, (but members of His own body as individuals one at a time upon receiving grace and mercy through faith in the atonement paid for on Calvary's cross), will never see the actual in the flesh Anti-Christ, but if we see the stage being set for his revealing, how much closer is the Lord Jesus coming for His people, the Bride of Christ? That much closer every day. The signs are all around us, from the Middle East, to Israel, to the USA, Russia, China, to the United Nations, and yes, even to this pope.
 
I pray for family members who have been seduced into this false religion who have come full circle from a Christian home, into atheism, then the occult, Wiccan, and finally becoming an agnostic only to succumb to the Satanic lie disguised as the “rock that Jesus would build His Church on”...that Rock is Christ, not some religious organization headed by a “vicar of Christ”, but try telling that to a convinced and converted Catholic. (the strongest kind that are blindly convinced of their piety by being members of this cult). If you have come out of this harlot church, then praise God for His mercy. If you see yourself in any of this, or still being influenced by the idolatrous doctrines spewed by your priest, your bishop, or even this pope or any pope, then I pray you will look behind the curtain that hides their abominations by looking at their history and their hypocrisy...I pray for my family members daily that their lives are sold out to the real Jesus, not the Catholic Jesus who they insult with their false doctrines and blasphemy.
 
Remember my friend, the Catholic church is not the way of salvation....Jesus is the ONLY way:
 
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh to the Father, but by Me..” (John 14:6)
 
“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.” (John 3:16)
 
This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you escape the apostasy that will fill the earth in the coming Tribulation. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at [email protected] , or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com . God bless all. TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET 

 


 
Answers To 6 Big Questions About Putin’s Nuclear Threats – Fred Lucas - https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=5239
 
After launching an invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked even more global concerns by putting his nuclear forces on high alert.
 
The Daily Signal asked Patty-Jane Geller, policy analyst for nuclear deterrence and missile defense in The Heritage Foundation's Center for National Defense, what to make of Putin's provocative rhetoric.
 
Geller, who has written extensively on Russia's nuclear capabilities, previously worked on the staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
 
Here are Geller's answers to six questions from Fred Lucas of The Daily Signal, The Heritage Foundation's multimedia news organization.
 
1. Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert during the invasion of Ukraine. What is the likelihood he would use nuclear weapons, and on who and what?
 
The simplest answer to this question is that while the likelihood is not high, it is not zero either. The threat must be taken seriously. Unlike in the U.S., where Americans generally believe nuclear weapons should never be used, Russia incorporates nuclear weapons into its warfighting doctrine.
 
It has over 2,000 low-yield, nonstrategic--aka battlefield--nuclear weapons that Russia might use in a conventional conflict in Europe to compel the enemy to back down. Putin had been using nuclear saber-rattling during the buildup to his invasion of Ukraine, threatening nuclear war and conducting nuclear exercises.
 
If Russia continues to fail in its conventional military efforts to take hold of Ukrainian cities and topple the Ukrainian government, Putin might see the explosion of a nuclear weapon in Ukraine or at sea as his best way to compel Ukrainians to surrender--or prevent additional outside intervention. But Putin should know that using nuclear weapons would break the 75-year taboo the world has established against using such weapons.
 
Doing so would certainly cause Putin and Russia more harm than hurt. A nuclear attack on Ukraine, beyond the potential damage to the Ukrainian countryside and people, would only immensely strengthen the international response, deeply undermining Russia's efforts at subjugating its neighbor.
 
Less likely is a nuclear attack on a NATO state or the U.S., because Putin knows well that he can expect a prompt nuclear response on Russian soil. But the important message here is that in the fog of war--especially against an aggressive autocrat--the United States and its allies should be prepared for anything.
 
2. A nuclear attack by Russia on the United States seems extremely unlikely. But what should be the U.S. response, and that of NATO, if Russia hits Ukraine with a nuclear weapon?
 
A nuclear attack on Ukraine would be unnecessary, unjustified, and absolutely criminal. Putin started this war of choice in the absence of a real threat to Russian security--despite Russian disinformation. Failure on the battlefield of an illegal and immoral conflict would hardly be a reason to resort to the world's most dangerous weapons.
 
Ukraine is not a NATO member, and therefore the United States does not extend its nuclear umbrella over Ukraine. Nor are the United States and NATO currently involved in the conflict militarily, so they have no obligation to respond using military force.
 
That said, the United States, with its NATO allies, would need to coordinate a strong response that addresses the horror of Putin's nuclear attack on Ukraine, and deters further aggression.   
 
3. Just out of curiosity, how much of the United States could be reached by a Russian nuclear attack?
 
All of it. Russia deploys at least 1,500 warheads on hundreds of missiles based from air, land, and sea platforms that can strike the entire U.S. homeland.
 
Russia also is developing brand new "novel" capabilities that can strike the U.S., like hypersonic missiles and a nuclear-powered cruise missile and torpedo. Fortunately, the United States also maintains a nuclear triad that can strike all of Russia, providing a strong deterrent to a Russian attack.
 
The difference is that while Russia has modernized its nuclear forces about 90% of the way through, the U.S. still relies on platforms built during the Cold War. For instance, the U.S. is still squeezing life out of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile that was designed in 1960.
 
Programs to replace these outdated capabilities with modern systems are just getting underway, and each year must overcome opposition from far-left members of Congress.
 
4. Does the United States have an adequate missile defense system in place under the worst-case scenario to defend itself or to defend allies from a Russian nuclear attack? Do Eastern European allies have adequate missile defense systems?
 
Many Americans find it hard to believe that we have no way to defend against a major Russian nuclear attack. The U.S. missile defense system is designed to defend against limited nuclear attacks from rogue states such as North Korea. We have 44 homeland interceptors that could not defend against Russia's hundreds of nuclear missiles.
 
Instead, it has been U.S. policy to rely on nuclear deterrence to address the Russian nuclear threat to the homeland. This policy has been a subject of debate for decades, with critics arguing that building up our missile defense will compel Russia to build more offensive weapons, even though history shows multiple examples of that not happening.
 
In Europe, the U.S. deploys an Aegis Ashore missile defense system in Romania and is building one in Poland, but those are directed at the Iranian missile threat. Russia's missile arsenal can overwhelm those systems.
 
Moscow also alleges that the U.S. can launch offensive missiles from those defense systems at Russia, but that is also not true--the systems are purely defensive.
 
5. By most counts, Russia has several hundred more nuclear warheads than the United States. How relevant is this? Or would such a conflict bring such annihilation that it almost wouldn't matter?
 
The disparity you see is explained by what we call Russia's "nonstrategic" nuclear weapons, which I spoke of earlier. When it comes to strategic nuclear forces, like ICBMs able to reach each other's homelands, the U.S. and Russia have rough parity from the New START arms control treaty. But New START excludes this entire category of nonstrategic weapons. As mentioned, Russia has at least 2,000 of these weapons, and is even predicted to double this number by the end of the decade.
 
Meanwhile, the U.S. has only about 200 nonstrategic weapons--with only 100 forward-deployed to Europe. That's very concerning, because we don't want Russia to exploit its numeric advantage here and think it can get away with using these tactical weapons.
 
The United States actually initiated development of a new nonstrategic weapon--a sea-launched cruise missile--but the Biden administration reportedly wants to scrap it. That would be dangerous. The United States needs to catch up in this category, reducing Russia's asymmetric advantage-to ensure it can fully deter Russia--and not to mention an increasingly nuclear-capable China, too.
 
6. Anything else about Russia's nuclear capabilities that Americans should keep in mind as Putin's rhetoric harshens?
 
Americans should understand the different roles that nuclear weapons play in Russia and in the U.S.
 
Moscow considers its status as a major nuclear state critical to its desire to be treated as a great power. Despite public statements to the contrary, Moscow seems to believe nuclear weapons can be used in a conflict to win. Russia violates nuclear treaties and lies about it.
 
The United States views nuclear weapons as a tool primarily for deterrence--preventing war completely or preventing war from escalating beyond the conventional. While Russia builds new and dangerous nuclear systems, we have to fend off proposals from the left to dismantle our nuclear triad.
 
Bottom line: As much as U.S. policymakers might like to wish away nuclear weapons from existence, unfortunately, the enemy gets a vote. Putin's recent inflammatory rhetoric, nuclear saber-rattling, and military actions in Ukraine are proof of the need for a strong, modern U.S. nuclear force. 

 


 
Nearing Midnight: The People’s Republic of Canada – Todd Strandberg - https://www.raptureready.com/category/nearing-midnight/
 
A dangerous thing has taken place in our northern neighbor Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has used a law that was intended for a major national crisis to go after supporters of the Freedom Convoy. The Emergencies Act is being used to freeze bank accounts of people who participated in a political protest – not just the organizers but participants. Hundreds of people have been arrested, and a large part of the city of Ottawa has been declared a no-go zone.
 
The three-week event was triggered by unvaccinated truckers not being allowed to cross the border. Over 90% of truckers are vaccinated, and only a small portion of them would cross over into the US. Many cities have already lifted restrictions, so this protest seems a bit silly to me for both sides.
 
Trudeau made no attempt to reason with the truckers. At first, he hid from the protestors, and when he did address them, he called the truckers Nazis. When someone calls peaceful protestors Nazis, it’s time to run for the border. Trudeau is following the same game plan that Hitler used to come to power.
 
When the police moved in to remove the protesters, they looked like Star Wars stormtroopers. They had snipers on the rooftops of buildings. The police had their names and badge numbers taped over. There was no indication that the Freedom Convoy had any violent members, and police acted like they were storming the beaches of Normandy.
 
I am amazed by the vindictive nature of Canadian officials. Ottawa’s mayor Jim Watson said any vehicles seized during the police crackdown on the occupation of the downtown should be sold to cover costs incurred by the city. The mayor told CBC News that Ottawa has that power due to the Emergencies Act. If Mr. Watson wants to destroy people’s means of income, he might as well seize their homes or sell their children into slavery. Why not just send all the protestors off to death camps? On judgment day, Trudeau and his henchmen can blame all their actions on the Emergencies Act.
 
This little weasel doesn’t even have a majority of the Canadian population supporting him. Because of a flaw in the parliamentary system, Trudeau was able to become prime minister with only a third of the population backing him.
 
Biden tried to use the COVID-19 pandemic to grant himself illegal power by issuing an executive order that required all private businesses to force 100% of their workers to get vaccinated. A judge blocked the order, and the US Supreme Court vote of 6-3 verified that Biden had gone beyond his constitutional authority.
 
Because nations have no bill of rights and set guidelines on what each branch of the government can do, most power is based on what the people think is just. If Trudeau had implemented the Emergencies Act and people started rioting in the streets, he would have backed down. His action was mostly met with silence. Days later, Trudeau said we need to make some of these powers permanent.
 
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney did file a legal challenge to Trudeau’s “unjustified” use of the Emergencies Act. He launched a Court challenge of the Trudeau government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act because it is:
 
– Unnecessary
-Disproportionate
– Violates natural justice
– Intrudes into provincial jurisdiction
– Creates a dangerous precedent.
 
Kenney was on a Canadian news show, and a reporter said, “Don’t you share any blame for supporting the Freedom Convoy truckers? Kenney said his concern predated the protest, and his focus was Trudeau’s actions. The Premier might find that his bank account has been frozen.
 
The word freedom has even come under attack by the left. When reporters mention the protest, it’s always the “so-called” Freedom convoy. There have been several opinion articles written that said freedom is a dangerous word. We need control to maintain order. Freedom results in chaos. If People have the freedom to do as they please, we’ll have more explanations of what took place in Ottawa.
 
Justin Trudeau is required by the Emergencies Act to get an approval vote in parliament within 15 days. Since it is too dangerous in Ottawa, the vote is not seen as urgent.
 
One of the most frustrating things about living in this time is having watched our freedom and liberties being constantly chipped away. Because Bible prophecy predicts a global dictatorship for the last days, things are only going to get worse. The only hope we have going forward is the rapture.
 
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Rev 3:10). 

 


 
The Big Picture - Nathele Grahams - [email protected]
 
My husband had a way of irritating me. He was a wonderful man, but every time I would get in a dither about something, fretting about details and how everything seemed to be falling apart, Ron would always say “Look at the big picture”. Then he would chuckle. Sure enough, if I would focus on the big picture, I stopped fretting and saw how all things were falling together in spite of my worrying. As Christians, we need to focus on the big picture. As we watch the horrors happening in Ukraine, we can easily be distracted by details rather than focusing on the big picture. God wasn’t taken by surprise, and He loves the people who are being hurt by this war. He also sees all things and knows that this is leading to a much bigger war. He sees the big picture, and gives us prophecy so we can also see the bigger picture if we study. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” Isaiah 46:9-10. It’s comforting to know that God knew all these scary things would happen, but He is God, and truly there is none like Him. If we allow ourselves to trust Him, we will have inner peace.
 
Scripture gives us the big picture. Unless you study Biblical prophecy, without interpreting it to suit your own agenda or understanding, but study it as God dictated it, you will miss what’s going on today. The Apostle Peter had a front row seat to the miracles of Jesus, but he said that the miracles weren’t as sure as prophecy. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21. Remember, the focus of prophecy and the end times is on Israel, not on any manmade nation, but on God’s chosen nation of Israel and turning their hearts back to Him. Christians are a special group of people from many nations, ethnic backgrounds, and family ties. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:27-29. We are united as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ by our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. We have admitted that we are sinners who do not have any hope of spending eternity with God, except through the blood of Jesus…our Kinsman Redeemer.
 
Israel has always been God’s chosen people. God called Abraham out of the pagan culture in which he lived and blessed him by giving him the land we now know as Israel. God’s promise included the fact that Abraham would have a son, and would be the father of a great nation. Although Abraham and his wife Sarah were quite old, that son was born to them. His name was Isaac. Isaac’s son Jacob was the father of twelve sons, who each had many children. One of those sons, Judah, would be the one from which King David was born, and many generations in the future, the Messiah was born. Many prophecies were fulfilled in the years between the call of Abraham and the birth of the Messiah, whom we know was Jesus the Christ. There are hundreds of Old Testament prophecies which specifically describe His birth, life, and death, but because the religious leaders who lived during the time Jesus walked in the Holy Land, refused to study prophecy and understand the times in which they lived, they rejected their Messiah and crucified Him. One of the prophecies regarding this is found in Daniel chapter 9. This prophecy is about the nation of Israel, which is interesting because Daniel received it while in captivity in Babylon. Israel had been taken captive and the Temple destroyed. Yet, Daniel was shown that they would be a nation again, and the Temple rebuilt. He spoke of the coming Messiah, but he also told of the rejection by Israel of their Messiah. “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. Indeed, the Messiah did come to the Jewish people, but they rejected Him and accused Him of blasphemy. Jesus was crucified, but He didn’t remain in the grave. His crucifixion and resurrection won victory over death. All people can live eternally with God by placing their faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s the big picture regarding Christ’s birth, ministry on earth, and death. Still, the leaders of Israel were blind. The Apostle Paul wrote about the blindness that has plagued the nation of Israel, and tells us that it will last until all who will accept Christ have done so. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, unto the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” Romans 11:25. Look at the big picture, and see that the “fulness of the Gentiles” is just about filled. Prophecy is on fast forward. If you haven’t made a commitment to Christ, then time is running out. Just as in Noah’s time, the door of the Ark was shut and all who refused the safety of the Ark faced God’s judgment. God’s wrath will be poured out soon, but Christians will be Raptured prior to His judgment. Be sure that you have repented and accepted His offer of grace through faith.
 
One big mistake made by those who haven’t a clue about prophecy, is the belief that the ekklesia (the church) has replaced Israel. This false teaching has led to much misinterpretation of Scripture. All question about the error of that thinking should have been wiped away when Israel became a nation again. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Isaiah 11:11-12 also “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them saith the LORD thy God.” Amos 9:14-15. In Ezekiel chapter 37, the Lord showed Ezekiel a valley of dry bones. Those bones join together and begin to come alive. The Lord explained the bones as being the whole house of Israel that shall be brought back into the land which He gave them. That prophecy was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel was reestablished. In Ezekiel’s end time prophecy, found in chapters 38 and 39, after the dry bones come together and finally get life, there is a war. God will win.
 
I will say that much of the misunderstanding of prophecy comes from interpretations of future events based on knowledge of the time. For instance, a century ago it would have been impossible to understand how the whole world could watch God’s two witnesses, described in Revelation chapter 11, be killed, but those who missed the Rapture will see and rejoice over their death. “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.” Revelation 11:9-11. Today, we have satellite news broadcasts that people can watch on their telephones. When studying prophecy, remember that what God has foreseen, will happen. The prophets may not have known how something would come about, but they knew that it would, and faithfully described what they saw or heard. When Daniel was given the end time prophecy, there were things he couldn’t understand, but wrote anyway. He was told to shut and seal the book until the end, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4. Many prophecies should be coming clear because we are at a time when technology has caught up with Scripture. God saw the big picture, and we need to trust His knowledge.
 
If we pay attention to prophecy, we’ll understand that the Mark of the Beast can easily be implemented through computer technology and micro-chips. This “pandemic” wasn’t an “oops”, but a planned scenario to see just how far people can be pushed and controlled. According to Scripture, when the mark of the beast is implemented, a person will choose to take it. Only those who bow to the beast and take his mark will be able to buy food, earn a living, and other necessities of life. By choosing to take the mark, a person will have “sold their soul to Satan”. You will be beyond salvation. Altered DNA? I think so. Just like the Nephilim of Genesis chapter 6, which most Christians refuse to understand. That’s one of many reasons we know that the Rapture will happen prior to the beginning of the 7-year period of time known as Daniel’s 70th week, also called the Tribulation. Christians are assured of Salvation by faith. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit and our salvation is secure. “That we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12-14. The Rapture will happen before the mark is mandatory. Beware of mandates. There will be people who will come to faith after the Rapture and they are known as Tribulation Saints. If their faith in Jesus is made known, they will be beheaded. Make sure of your faith. Search your heart and see if there’s anything you need to ask Jesus to forgive you for, then witness to friends and family.
 
When you look at the big picture disclosed by Scripture, you’ll understand the times in which we live, and hopefully you’ll be prompted to share the Gospel with others before it’s too late. Pray for the people in Ukraine. Pray for Israel.
 
God bless you all,
Nathele Grahams
[email protected]
[email protected]
 
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com                                                   
www.prophecyupdate.com                                                   
www.raptureforums.com
 
All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed.
 
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Daily Jot: Stupidocrisy: Loud talk, no stick – Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com
 
On September 2, 1901, Teddy Roosevelt described the perfect foreign policy saying, “speak softly, and carry a big stick.” In this, he meant that foreign policy needed careful diplomacy and mediation backed by an unspoken threat of a powerful military. Roosevelt parlayed his “Big Stick” diplomacy into a surprise Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 after brokering a peace treaty to end the Russian-Japanese War. Today, we have another Russian war where the American president is employing the exact opposite of Roosevelt’s successful foreign policy—Speak loudly and carry a twig. In fact, Joe Biden is using empty and vain words accompanied by toothless sanctions that will only hurt the American people.
 
This is just what Democrats do—announce sanction after sanction by putting lipstick on these economic pigs through using words that the news media actually think are effective. How many times have we heard “Level 1 sanctions” or the “next level” as if they have all this strategically planned. Problem is, there is no teeth in the sanctions Biden has announced and there is no threat of harm if the sanctions are not heeded. This is no different that Jimmy Carter using food as a sanction against Russia for its invasion of Afghanistan in the last century. Or Carter threatening Iran after it took hostages at the US Embassy. The food sanctions bankrupted family farms by the thousands while Carter’s big agriculture supporters like Cargill and Continental made millions (I won an international award for breaking that story in 1979).
 
It was not until Ronald Reagan was elected that these things began to get straightened out. The Iranian hostages were released minutes after Reagan was sworn into office on January 20, 1981. Why? Because Reagan implied harsh military action against Iran if the hostages were not released. Reagan also ended the grain embargo against the Soviet Union and began other military strengthening strategies that eventually led to the dismantling of the communist regime. Yes, Reagan used sanctions several times during his two-terms, but always with the big stick of military and/or economic power that motivated the bad guys toward the desired outcome. Biden is a compromised president.
 
Biden’s son’s and family’s finances depend on Russia and China, with dealings at the expense of people like you and me. So tough are Biden’s sanctions against Russia that America is actually helping fund Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Yes, you read right. The US buys in upwards of 10% of our oil from Russia, $70 million goes to Russia from the US each day because oil is not part of Biden’s sanctions. How much are you paying at the pump? Your electric bill? Food? Yet, we are putting money in Russia’s pocket with any drop of Russian oil imports. Ephesians 6 says, “Let no man deceive you with vain words.” Yes, Biden’s vain words have no substance. Loud talk. No stick. Meanwhile, if we are nuked, make sure you follow the new White House guidelines by wearing your COVID mask and social distancing. Say it with me…Stupidocrisy.

 


 
Daily Devotion: Growing Endurance - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org
 
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. —James 1:3
 
https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/growing-endurance/ - Listen
 
While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, he didn’t know how bad things were back at the camp where he had left Aaron in charge. He didn’t yet know that the people were dancing around a golden calf and calling it their god.
 
So while he was there, the Lord said to him, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation” (Exodus 32:9–10 NLT).
 
But Moses interceded for them. He stood in the gap and prayed for them, and God changed His mind. Then Moses descended from the mountain to find the people engaged in full-tilt idolatry and immorality. And Aaron offered the most ridiculous excuse of all time to justify their horrible behavior.
 
Moses was so angry that he took the two tablets of stone he had been carrying and threw them on the ground, smashing them into pieces.
 
I think God used this experience to develop Moses and test him. Maybe God has been testing you lately, and you’re wondering why. Why does God allow trials, tribulation, and hardship in the lives of His children?
 
James 1 tells us, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2–4 NLT).
 
God lets us go through these trials to strengthen us. Trials are like God’s gym. We break down muscle to build it up, and we’ll be stronger as a result.

 


 


 
FROM THE HEART
    
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