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The Globalists’ New Alliance - By The Gospelist - https://www.raptureready.com/2024/06/26/the-globalists-new-alliance-by-the-gospelist/
There are three dominant ideologies in the world that the evil Globalists must reconcile before they can achieve a one-world government. These three belief systems can best be summarized as:
The problem for the evil Globalists is that Protestantism just does not fit in with the other two. The evil Globalists have been working diligently to undermine Protestantism for the last sixty years. They have had great success inculcating the LGBT, ‘race’ politics, and climate change theology into most Western societies to weaken them. These ideologies involve serious violations of God’s law as well as blatant paganism, which are anathema to a Christian society. Western civilization comprises all nations that have been heavily influenced by the Christian faith in the form of Protestantism. Those who laid its foundations were driven by three primary beliefs.
In antiquity, God raised up the Roman Empire so his message could be delivered to the civilized world. The infrastructure of Rome allowed the disciples to safely travel throughout the empire to share the Gospel. Rome immediately recognized the threat posed by Christianity and quickly set about stamping it out. However, all its attempts to murder and imprison its adherents only made the faith grow more powerful. After failing to eradicate the faith in the great persecution of 303 to 313, Satan initiated a new plan to destroy it. He sent Constantine a vision that he was to conquer in the name of Christ. Having achieved success in battle, he adopted the Christian faith to serve Rome’s purposes rather than God’s. His primary interest in Christianity was to gain and maintain worldly power. Constantine immediately set about centralizing authority in the church so that it could be controlled by a Roman emperor. Instead of a Bishop having headship over a single church, a special Bishop would be appointed by Rome to control the entire church of Rome. The church of Rome would eventually attempt to become the standard bearer for the entire Christian faith. For the first three hundred years, the Roman Empire persecuted Christians mercilessly but to no avail. Where mass slaughter failed, Rome would later issue the “Edict of Milan,” which elevated the Christian faith to be on par with the pagan religions of Rome. Rome installed Damasus, the first pope, to operate under the watchful eyes of the emperors. He was to serve as the head of the church in Rome and answer to Constantine, who served as “bishop of all things outside of the church.” The bishops were hand-chosen by the government to ensure that they were loyal to Rome. The Roman papacy continued to grow in power, which culminated with the authoritarianism of Pope Leo I (461 AD). He called himself “the Great” as he arrogantly attempted to take on the role of head of the Catholic (universal) church. He proclaimed the supreme authority of the bishop of Rome based on a heretical tradition, rather than Scripture, that had developed over the last several hundred years. He expanded a theoretical rationale for later papal claims to absolute and supreme power in the ecclesiastical and secular realm. He based his newfound power on the false idea that the Roman bishops were Peter’s successors. The Church of Rome (RCC) adopted the false teaching that Peter was still active and present in his successors, so all ecclesiastical authority must be mediated through his spiritual descendants, the popes. Thus began the idea that Rome was an ecclesial monarchy that was to rule over all churches. Peter and his ‘successors’ were then to rule the universal church. Fortunately, before this heresy was allowed to take hold, Rome fell in 476 A.D. The pope found that he now had new masters who would have to be spiritually subdued before he could begin to exercise absolute power. Once again, the popes slowly built their power base among the barbarians until they could once again attempt to exercise absolute spiritual and secular authority. In 1054, the pope, who was head of the Western church, made his move on the Eastern church in Constantinople. He demanded that it be subject to him. This led to the Great Schism, and Rome was thwarted in its attempt at unchecked worldly power. Once again, the Christian faith was saved from the tyranny of Rome. After numerous massacres and inquisitions against those who held to the Christian faith, the RCC initiated a thirty-year war (1618-1648) to exterminate Protestantism. Once again, they failed and were forced to sign the ‘Peace of Augsburg,’ which allowed freedom of religion to continue. Had Roman Catholicism been victorious, there would be no such thing as civil rights for the laity. The papacy has spent its entire history attempting to wipe the desire for freedom and liberty from the hearts and minds of humanity. It was the Reformation that ultimately brought freedom to the world. Freedom of religion was the greatest gift the founders of this country gave to those who stood for the rights of people over the government. For five hundred years, the papacy has been engaged in a counter-reformation to reverse that trend. When Christ raptures his church, it will finally achieve the success it so desired for the last seventeen hundred years. The rest of the secular world can best be described as governed by ‘Benevolent Despotism.’ This has been the case since the Tower of Babel. Unfortunately, very seldom were such governments benevolent because those who disobeyed the régime in power usually found themselves in a gulag or in a grave. Benevolent Despotism was first represented by the monarchy in ancient times but evolved into such ideologies as communism, socialism and fascism. Communism is based on the idea that a satanic revolution can be instituted against the natural order as created by God. It was meant to undermine a merit-based economy, which results in economic growth, for a controlled economy based on centralized government. By controlling the economy, all people could be controlled by the ruling despot. Communism was supposed to result in ‘socialism’ in which everyone works for the betterment of society instead of for self-interest. The expectation is then established that everyone on the lower tiers of society will accept their lot in life. It creates a caste system where the laity, with no upward mobility, acquiesces to the ‘elites,’ who become increasingly corrupt as the generations progress. This utopian ideology was doomed to failure because it, like all utopian ideologies, did not take into account the innate sinfulness of human nature. In reality, communism, at best, leads to fascism rather than socialism because the ‘elites’ of society can maintain control while still enjoying some level of economic growth. There is little to no economic growth under communism or socialism. Communism destroys the balance between economic control and prosperity and puts the total emphasis on the power of the ruling party. Benevolent Despotism has already taken over much of Western civilization, especially the European Union, where there is very little left of the Christian faith. The light of freedom and liberty has been snuffed out due to the lack of faith of this particular generation. The globalist Henry Kissinger noted in his book on World Government that Protestantism was destructive because it caused ‘discord’ in Europe. It caused the fracturing of religious unity that led to “multiplicity and division.” This fracturing and division, instead of being a liability, turned out to be a blessing for all freedom-loving people. It led to civil rights and prosperity for all who were willing to work for it. Protestantism is the antithesis of totalitarianism. Due to its multiplicity and divisiveness, Protestantism is the enemy of world government. Things would have been so much better, in the minds of the evil Globalists, had Roman Catholicism overcome the Protestant Reformation during the Thirty Years War. The entire world would have been living in harmony, according to the dictates of the ‘elite.’ Every government must struggle with the dichotomy that exists between order and freedom. According to the Globalists, order should take precedence over freedom to establish a viable society. That is why we do not want them anywhere near the levers of power. America has proven that limited government is the best way to create a practical society. The problem is that malicious people, who care nothing for those they govern, will enter government in order to enrich or empower themselves. They will inevitably work for their own self-interest rather than for the interest of people in general. They are easy prey for Satan, even if they begin with ‘benevolent’ intentions. The results of their policies always end in the gulag for those who resist them. However, since America reminds the world that limited government is the best option, the evil Globalists have determined that it needs to be modified. America cannot exist in its present form because it interferes with the establishment of world government. The best example we have of their dream is the European Union. The European Union is designed as a Fascist State. It has a powerful, centralized authority where the true totalitarian leaders remain in the shadows. They labor to provide the illusion that people are living in a Democracy, but that is a farce. It is authoritarian and has firm control over the press, all corporations, and the governments of the member nations. Even if they have elections in which ‘right-wing extremists’ take over, it will remain a totalitarian State. The leaders of the European Union have worked very hard to destroy Protestantism in Europe, and they have, for the most part, succeeded. As it turns out, the evil Globalists ran their mouths too much, and now most of the world is on to their schemes. They will soon discover that they need a powerful religious authority to get their dream of a totalitarian world government back on track. The beast is about to allow itself to be mounted. It will not be long before Roman Catholicism will wield complete control of the European Union. It is already on board with all its Godless tenets and will complete the task of inculcating even greater wickedness into European society. Roman Catholicism will soon dominate not only the European Union but all Western Civilization. Finally, there is the totalitarian ideology of Islam. If you waste your time googling Islam and the government, you will read glowing accolades for the advanced notion of law that brings order to Islamic society. If you go to an Islamic society, most of the people live in poverty with no civil rights to speak of. The reason is that Islam is ruled by seventh-century Islamic law. Its systems of government strongly resemble what the papacy attempted to set up in the West. Their principals are:
The evil Globalists are delighted with both the governments of Islam as well as the benevolent despotisms that rule most of the world. However, they seem to have a serious problem with those nations who still hold to the ideals of the Protestant Reformation. That is where Islam comes in. The evil Globalists have embraced Islam because it fits well into their worldview. Every Islamic government is totalitarian and can dispose of its citizens at a whim when they start yearning for freedom. That is why anyone who criticizes Islam in the West is censored and attacked. During the Green Revolution in Iran in 2009, the people were ready to revolt against their oppressive government. It was a golden opportunity for Western leaders to deal a lethal blow to an Islamic terrorist State that has plagued the West for many years. The Iranian regime brutally murdered hundreds of protesters in the streets and arrested thousands. Many of these political prisoners were executed. This led to wider protests and harsher government crackdowns. It generated international concern that should have led Western governments to align with the protesters. Because most Western leaders are owned by Globalist money, the West stood by and did nothing. It should not escape our notice that many in the West have condemned Israel for defending itself after the October 7th attack. However, they were strangely silent as the government of Iran executed terrible violence against their own people. The leader of the free world at the time, Barack Obama, turned his back on the Green Revolution and the Iranian people. The Iranian people would chant in Farsi, “Obama, are you with us or with them?” They found out the hard way whose side he was on. They quickly found that Obama stood with the criminal Iranian regime rather than with people who yearned for freedom. Obama helped the Iranian regime forge a path to obtaining nuclear weapons by sending them billions of dollars. This money was also used to further oppress the Iranian people and expand terrorism across the Middle East. Obama had the opportunity to either stand on the side of freedom or on the side of the evil Globalists and their totalitarian ambitions. He, like so many other Western leaders, chose the evil Globalists. The reason was there is more personal wealth and power in totalitarianism than in freedom. Today, the evil Globalists have inundated Europe with millions of Muslims to help weaken the continent even further. The Muslims are excellent Stasi-type characters who will eagerly suppress freedom of speech to advance their religion. Freedom of speech is crucial to a free society. The evil Globalists have also determined that Israel cannot be allowed to exist. There is no way to bring the Islamic nations into a world government as long as Israel is on the world stage. Israel must be sacrificed to world government. The evil Globalists have taken the utilitarian approach to world government by attempting to throw the nation of Israel under the bus. In their ignorance, they have made themselves tools of Satan. This colossal error will eventually lead them into the Valley of Megiddo to face God in battle. That will not work out very well for them. Prior to this battle, if we understand Bible prophecy correctly, there will eventually develop ten spheres of influence around the world. The political philosophies of these spheres of influence will be based on:
After the rapture and the Ezekiel invasion of Israel, these three political philosophies will devolve into the religious rule of the Whore of Babylon and the tyranny of the Antichrist. Not long after that, the Antichrist will shake off the whore and rule with absolute power for the last three- and one-half years of human history. In the meantime, the world is going to need a ‘unifying principle’ before it can begin to separate the nations into ten spheres of rule. The evil Globalists have put forth the idea of ‘Sustainable Development’ to unify the world. They did not ask anyone if they thought this was a good idea; they simply acted out of self-interest and moved to impose this on the rest of us. Our ‘shared convictions’ are going to revolve around saving the earth from environmental destruction. In other words, the poverty and subjugation of the vast majority of the world will be the price that must be paid to ‘save the planet.’ As it stands now, we can look forward to ten kings who will rule over ten spheres of influence. All ten nations that will host these kings should be readily apparent over the next nine years. The King of Great Britain, who also rules over Australia and Canada, has already been established. This office will increase significantly in power over the next few years. Not surprisingly, the governments of Great Britain, Canada, and Australia are extremely hostile to the Christian faith. These ten kings will form an alliance that will allow them to rule the world. The end of this alliance is spelled out in the Book of Revelation. “And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast [the Antichrist]. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb [Christ], and the Lamb will conquer them [at Armageddon], for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. “And the angel said to me, ‘The waters that you saw, where the prostitute [the Roman Catholic Church] is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled [three- and one-half years later]. And the woman [apostate church] that you saw is the great city [Vatican City] that has dominion over the kings of the earth” (Revelation 17:12-18). Those of us who are taken in the rapture of the church will have a front-row seat as we watch these events play out. But we will be tested first. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. www.gospelist.net John 14:1-3 and the Rapture (Part 1) – TylerR - https://sharperiron.org/article/john-141-3-and-rapture-part-1 Many American Christians have been raised in a church culture that stresses that Jesus will return to “rapture” or snatch away “the church” before the Great Tribulation. They believe “the church” is a different people than ethnic Israel, with a complementary but distinct future.1 Because this great tribulation is “a time of trouble for Jacob” (Jer 30:7), it is not for “the church.” Therefore, the rapture is the point where “the church” slips out the door just before this tribulation begins. They believe this rapture will involve (a) resurrection of all believers who died since Pentecost, and (b) a simultaneous snatching away of all believers still alive, all to (c) meet the Lord in the air for transport to heaven while tribulation rages here. Later, Jesus will return from heaven with “the church” to end this great tribulation—this is the second coming. This is part of a “pre-tribulational” (i.e., Jesus will return before the tribulation), and “premillennial” (i.e., Jesus will establish His kingdom to trigger the millennium) framework called dispensationalism. Many of these Christians point to John 14:1-3 as proof of the rapture of “the church.” This article will consider what Jesus says at John 14:1-3. First, we’ll examine the entire context of Jesus’ farewell talk at Jn 13:33 to 16:33. Second, we’ll examine four common interpretations about what Jesus said at Jn 14:1-3. Third, we’ll propose a solution. 1: The long convo—Jesus says goodbye It’s silly to interpret something without context. You watch a video clip of something that looks terrible, but the whole clip shows it in it’s true light. It’s the same with the bible. So, to get what Jesus says at John 14:1-3, we must consider everything He says during a very long talk after the last supper. Here’s the outline—and this is “kind of a big deal” because Jesus constantly talks about different ways in which He’ll “come back” and reunite them to the Father. Skip this if you want, but you might want to refer to it later. Jn 13:33-35: Jesus’ announcement about His physical departure, and therefore the necessity of brotherly love as the mark of the true Christian community Jn 13:36 - 14:4: Dialogue on Peter’s question. Believers must trust Jesus. He will physically return to the Father’s personal presence, and eventually bring believers into His Father’s presence, too. Yet, they already know “the way”! Jn 14:5-7: Dialogue on Thomas’ question. Believers are, in a real sense, in the Father’s presence right now by means of trusting in Jesus’ Good News—He is “the way” to the Father’s “house.” Jn 14:8-21: Dialogue on Philip’s implicit question. Jesus and the Father mutually indwell one another, and this is why when you “see” one you “see” the other. Jesus must return to the Father’s presence to direct His campaign against the kingdom of darkness from on high. Meanwhile, He sends believers the Holy Spirit so we aren’t left as orphans. Jesus will reveal Himself to (i.e., be “seen” by) those who love the Father, by means of the Spirit. Jn 14:22-31: Dialogue on Judas (not Iscariot’s) question Jesus will only show Himself to those who love Him, which means those who obey His teaching. The Spirit, through whom Jesus is “with us,” brings believers peace and teaches them. Jesus warns the disciples about all this beforehand, so they’re prepared for the day. Jn 15-16: Jesus and the disciples “walk and talk” on the streets of Jerusalem Jn 15:1-25: Be sure to stick with Jesus. Fruit is the mark of a true Jesus follower, and the defining fruit is brotherly love. Jn 15:26 – 16:15: The work of the Spirit in the New Covenant. Jesus must physically return to the Father and “pass the baton” (as it were) to the Spirit. He will be their Advocate and teacher, and so they’ll be able to endure. Jn 16:16-28: Jesus on His resurrection reunion. The disciples will see Him “after a little while,” (Jn 16:16) and then their grief will turn to joy (Jn 16:20, 22). At that time, Jesus will speak plainly to them about the Father (Jn 16:25). Jn 16:29-33: Farewell address ends 1a: The mic drop—Jesus says goodbye (vv. 13:33-35) Our passage opens after Judas has bolted from the Last Supper and fled into the night. He’s on his way to betray Jesus to the Jewish authorities (Jn 13:27-30). Jesus, perhaps taking a deep breath as He sees the walls closing in on Him, explains that both He and God will be “glorified” by what’s about to happen. It’s so certain that Jesus speaks as if His arrest, torture, and execution are already a done deal: “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him” (Jn 13:31). The word “glorify” here is a churchy term, and it means to be held in honor, or clothed in splendor.2 Basically, Jesus will be honored triumphantly,3 and so too will God. Jesus then explains: “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come” (Jn 13:33). Where is Jesus going? Clearly, it’s back to the Father’s side in heaven (cp. Jn 17:1ff). Now, heaven is not a physical location “up there” in the clouds. Satellites go “up there.” Manned space missions go “up there.” Heaven is not in outer space—it’s best understood as a different dimension where God dwells.4 It’s the place from which Jesus came (Jn 3:13; 17:1f) and to which He returned at His ascension: “he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence” (Heb 9:24). It’s the place where God dwells (“Our Father in heaven …” Mt 6:4). It’s the place where believer’s inheritances are kept for them (1 Pet 1:4-5; cp. Mt 6:20). Heaven is God’s throne room (Mt 5:34). Perhaps, then, we should see “the kingdom of heaven” as meaning something like “the kingdom of God’s presence” which has “come near” in Jesus (Mk 1:15)—His reign. Because heaven in our context is God’s holy presence, then we should remember that God is not a stationary rock—He moves. In fact, the Christian story ends with this declaration: “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them,” (Rev 21:3). The story moves from (a) crude representations of God’s throne room under the figures of the tabernacle (Ex 25:9), to (b) the New Testament explanation that these figures taught us in advance about Christ’s sacrifice (Heb 9:1 – 10:18), and finally (c) to Father and Son sharing a throne here on earth, in a new creation (Rev 21:1 – 22:5). The Apostle John sees “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Rev 22:12). The celestial city represents the pure community of God’s presence just as Babylon is the community of evil and wickedness (Rev 17-18), and one day it will no longer be just “the Jerusalem that is above” (Gal 4:26)—it will be here. No longer will our citizenship in “Mount Zion … the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb 12:22) be an abstraction that we can’t see and touch—it will be here. More than a place, this “heaven” here on earth is also a state of being. There are no tears, no pain, no sorrow, no sin— “nothing impure will ever enter it … no longer will there be any curse,” (Rev 21:27; 22:3). “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev 21:4). One writer says: “Heaven is the life willed for us originally in creation by God the Father, lived for us by the Son, and finally enabled by the Spirit.”5 Isaiah speaks of a “new heavens and a new earth” with very physical and earthly descriptions of perfect fellowship in an ideal society (Isa 65:17-25). No old age, no infant mortality, endless crops of plenty, satisfaction from work, blessedness from the Lord, perfect fellowship with Him and each other—it’s all there. Belinda Carlisle was right—“heaven” will indeed be a place on earth, because heaven is God’s personal presence which brings blessedness and community with Him. This is why the Apostle Peter, casting his mind on promises like these, wrote: “… in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13). God has long promised to re-create the fellowship and community our first parents ruined (Zech 2:10; Ezek 48:35), and by the end of the story He will have made good on that promise. This means that “heaven” is not static. New York City doesn’t move, nor does London—but “heaven” does, because “heaven” is where the Lord is. So, what does Jesus mean in John 13:33 when He says: “Where I am going, you cannot come?” He means (a) that He’s soon returning to the Father’s personal presence (“I am coming to you now …” Jn 17:3), and that (b) the disciples cannot yet come with Him. Why not? Because they’re still alive, and so will remain here. To be absent from the physical body is to be physically present with the Lord in that other place (2 Cor 5:8). But, for now, we who are alive must wait. 1b: Convo on Peter’s question (vv. 13:36 to 14:4) Peter and the others then ignore Jesus’ urgent pleas for them to show love to one another (Jn 13:34-35), and instead press Him about His departure (Jn 13:36-37)—what’s that all about? Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” How could He leave? What’s going on? Where is He going? After an incredulous aside to Peter (Jn 13:38), Jesus murmurs some comforting words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me” (Jn 14:1). The word might be better translated as trust (not “believe”), but the point is that Jesus’ departure is not an abandonment. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going (John 14:2-4).6 This “house” is figurative imagery to express the place where the Father lives—i.e., His personal presence.7 This is why Jesus referred to the temple, that grand and living object lesson, as “my Father’s house” (Lk 2:49; Jn 2:16)—because the Father lived inside.8 This is why the Apostle Paul says the Christian community is God’s “house” (1 Cor 3:6; 1 Tim 3:15)—because God’s Spirit dwells in our midst. It’s why the writer of the letter to the Hebrews explained “we are his house” (Heb 3:6). The temple is God’s “house” (Ps 69:9, cp. Jn 2:17; Lk 19:46). But “my Father’s house” is not a physical structure anchored to a particular place. God does not live at 777 Eternity Drive. Instead, “my Father’s house” is a figurative reference to God’s personal presence. In the same way, the real throne room in heaven to which Jesus returns is “my Father’s house” because God is there. We’ve seen that there is no physical house, and there are no real rooms. These are metaphors. Jesus is saying that He won’t abandon them. Adopting the imagery of a friendly innkeeper, Jesus promises that He’s leaving to prepare “rooms” for each one of them in the Father’s personal presence (i.e., “my Father’s house”). And one day Jesus will come back and bring them face to face with God so they can all be there with Him together. In fact,9 they already know how to get to the Father’s house themselves (Jn 14:4). We’ll continue our look at Jesus’ farewell talk in the next article. Notes 1 See Charles Ryrie, The Basis of the Premillennial Faith (New York: Loizeaux Brothers, 1953), ch. 7. Ryrie’s book should be titled The Basis of the Dispensational Faith, because premillennialism is not necessarily dispensationalism. C. I. Scofield wrote: “Comparing, then, what is said in Scripture concerning Israel and the Church, he finds that in origin, calling, promise, worship, principles of conduct, and future destiny—all is contrast,” (Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (reprint; Philadelphia: Philadelphia School of the Bible, 1921), p. 11). Scofield’s student, Lewis S. Chafer, lists 24 contrasts between Israel and the Church (Systematic Theology, vol. 4 (reprint; Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1976), ch. 3)! 2 See BDAG, s.v., sense 2; LSJ, s.v., sense 2. 3 Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “glory (v.1), sense 1,” July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/4382797103. 4 See (a) Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), pp. 1125-1133, (b) Alvah Hovey, Biblical Eschatology (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1888), pp. 156-160. 5 Thomas Oden, Life in the Spirit: Systematic Theology, vol. 3 (San Francisco, HarperCollins, 1992), p. 460. 6 The Greek here is pretty straightforward. Any mysteries in this verse aren’t hidden here: Gk: ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ τοῦ πατρός μου μοναὶ πολλαί εἰσιν εἰ δὲ (emphasis) μή, εἶπον ἂν ὑμῖν ὅτι πορεύομαι ἑτοιμάσαι τόπον ὑμῖν; καὶ (additive) ἐὰν πορευθῶ καὶ ἑτοιμάσω τόπον ὑμῖν, πάλιν ἔρχομαι καὶ παραλήμψομαι ὑμᾶς πρὸς ἐμαυτόν, ἵνα (purpose + subjunctive) ὅπου εἰμὶ ἐγὼ καὶ (adjunctive) ὑμεῖς ἦτε (subjunctive = paired with ἵνα) καὶ (emphasis) ὅπου (obj. gen.) [ἐγὼ] ὑπάγω οἴδατε (intensive perfect) τὴν ὁδόν (direct obj.). “In my Father’s house are many rooms. Surely, if this weren’t true, would I have told you all that I am leaving to prepare a place for you? And, if I am leaving to prepare a place for you all, I will come again and take you along with me, so that you will also be where I am. In fact, you already know the way to the place I am going.” 7BDAG, s.v., sense 1b. 8 Although God never indwelt the second temple, you get the point. 9 The NIV drops the conjunction in the phrase: καὶ ὅπου ἐγὼ ὑπάγω οἴδατε τὴν ὁδόν. The conjunction is likely ascensive or perhaps emphatic—the result is the same; the previous thought is focused and further developed. PROPHECY UPDATE VIDEOS
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DONATE HERE Your can also mail your support to: Prophecy Update PO Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384 We Live in A Day and Age Where Soundness Of Doctrine Is No Longer A Priority – By Skip Heitzig - https://harbingersdaily.com/we-live-in-a-day-and-age-where-soundness-of-doctrine-no-longer-a-priority/ Imagine feeling sorry for a word. Doctrine is one of those words I always feel sorry for when I read it in the Bible—because people don’t like it. In Acts 2:42, the Greek word for doctrine means teaching or instruction. Yet I’ve heard believers say things like, “You know, it’s not about knowing doctrine. I’m not into doctrine. I’m just into loving Jesus.” It’s almost like their badge of spirituality. It sounds like they’re saying they are a cut above the rest of us, because they’re not into instruction. What a sad thing to say: “I’m not into good Bible teaching or truth. I just want to love Jesus.” But how will you love Him unless you are given good instruction on who He is and how to do it? The early church knew this and prioritized wisely: “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47). There’s a lot there, but I just want to point out something in this snapshot of what the very first church was like. If you look closely at their list of priorities, you’ll see that at the top is “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (v. 42). So we see right away that they were a learning church. Dictionary.com defines steadfast as “fixed in direction…firm in purpose…unwavering.” How does that compare to “I’m not into doctrine”? Look at 2 Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” How can you rightly divide the Word of Truth unless you know the truth? And how can you know it unless you study it? Jesus said to the Pharisees, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). On more than one occasion, He said to them, “Have you not read…?” Jesus challenged leaders to become Bible teachers. “Haven’t you read that text? Don’t you know what the Scriptures say? You are in error. You are ignorant, because you don’t know the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Here’s the reason I’m pressing this: We live in a day and age where Bible teaching—doctrine—is not tolerated, and people go to church and just want a spiritual pep rally. They want somebody to whip them up with a little exhortation and cool, clever phrases. And because of this, we have produced Christianettes, like the people I described earlier. Don’t be a Christianette. Don’t go around craving an emotional high instead of an in-depth study of Scripture that will teach you to rightly divide the Word of Truth. There’s nothing wrong with exhortation. There’s nothing wrong with having an emotional experience of loving the Lord—but it cannot replace knowing the Word by the study of doctrine. What if Jesus Tarries? - By Sean Gooding - https://www.raptureready.com/2024/06/22/what-if-jesus-tarries-by-sean-gooding/ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” Most of us find great comfort in these words. The world is getting worse and worse, but Jesus is coming soon. We just need to hold on a bit longer. But the reality is that we do not know when the Lord will return. I have a friend that I went to seminary with who commented as he (and I, for that matter) got closer to the 65-year-old retirement age that he had not really planned ahead for retirement, as he had expected the Lord to return already. But here we both are, getting older, the world getting more and more evil, and yet, Jesus has not come to get us. We do not know when He will come, and all who claim to know are liars. I saw an interview with a Muslim man yesterday that was done here in Canada. The young reporter asked what they thought about the homosexual movement and the growth of it. The man commented that under Sharia Law, these persons involved in homosexuality would be executed. The young man asked if he thought that Canada should do the same. The Muslim man responded that by 2060 or so, there will be enough Muslims in Canada to take over the government and the laws, so they just have to wait a bit. They, the Muslims, keep having lots of children, and the Canadian families are no longer having lots and lots of babies. He estimated by 2060, just 36 years, they would be running the country. These kinds of shifts are happening in many Western countries in Europe, and even in the USA, but there is a very large Christian population in the USA, so it would take longer. I immediately thought of my daughters and my granddaughters; what would happen to them? Both of my daughters are saved; one would be about 60 if this transition took place, and the other in her late 40s. They could wake up to a land where they have no freedoms, and being a Christian is not just frowned upon; it would be illegal. The punishment would be loss of life. My granddaughters would have to stay home, have no chance to drive, get an education, attend church freely, and on and on. Make no mistake; this man is voicing the thoughts of millions of Muslims here in North America. They knew, and they planned to play the long game. Right now, it seems like a long way away, but 36 years is not that long. What if Jesus tarries? This is from our perspective; I understand that Jesus is never late. But what if He tarries? Am I, as a pastor, preparing our youth to stand for Jesus in the midst of serious bodily harm? How do we do that? We have to teach them to love Jesus more than life itself and to make Him the absolute Lord. For many of us, 36 years from now, we will not be here. Our kids and grandkids will have to bear the pain and suffering. I have friends in Pakistan who are Christian, and they tell me often that they have no rights. Just recently, some of the Christians had their homes raided, and they were beaten and had their homes ransacked. There was no recourse for them. That could happen here. What if true Bible Christianity became an underground religion like it was in Europe and many parts of the world for centuries? What if our folks are hunted and killed for the cause of Jesus? Are they ready? Have they been prepared to lose jobs, lose freedoms, and lose lives for Jesus? I dare say that most of us, even today, are not ready to do so. Our churches keep compromising the Gospel, changing the truth about Jesus, and most of them have no clue that they are the ones to be killed first. We in North America, with our freedoms, have exported the Gospel to the ends of the world. The association that I am with, the American Baptist Association, had their annual meeting this week, and we have missionaries from 27 countries represented, 85 missionaries all together, if memory serves me right. Just this morning, I learned that my brother will be venturing to Columbia to help house churches there for 2 weeks in the near future. The little churches I pastor help a missionary in Bangladesh and a local mission outreach to single moms, as well as missionaries in Ukraine and Pakistan. For now, our freedoms are being used by many godly churches to export the Gospel of Jesus. Praise God!!! Other than financial sacrifices, a lot of our people are not being called to sacrifice much in the way of self and family. But if Jesus tarries, the day will come, and what then? Will we have prepared them for this change? Will we have demonstrated our love for the Lord so vividly and cultivated such real relationships with the Lord that they are able to endure, yes, and even thrive in those hard times? I pray that Jesus comes for us soon. I want to fly; I don’t want to go the way of the grave. We should hope but not let our hope blind our reality. Satan is coming for God’s people, and we are letting in the very people he is going to use against us. We are feeding the hand that will bite us. Now, the good news is that many Muslims have seen the light and have found Jesus as Savior. They are fervent in their evangelism of the Muslim masses, and many are turning to Jesus. God is good! Over the next 36 years or so, may the Lord reap a harvest amongst the Muslims to turn them to Jesus, and may we be a part of that in honest prayer for their souls. But as that man being interviewed said, the goal is to rule us here in Canada. Imagine what happens to our economy if the US imposes sanctions or closes the borders because of Islamic rhetoric. The fallout will be catastrophic. No one wants to be a fearmonger, but as I read through the Old Testament prophets (I am no prophet), it is clear that God uses other people to punish those who rebel against Him. He uses pagan forces to humble those who once called Him Lord but turned their backs on Him. Canada has turned its back on the Lord God. He has blessed us with fertile land, food resources beyond measure, and the ability to have all varieties of minerals, oil, gold, fresh water, and open air. God has every right to make life hard on us. He would be justified in His judgments of us. Oh Lord, please don’t tarry… but what if He does? God bless you, Dr. Sean Gooding Pastor of Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church Online: https://www.mmbchurch.ca Email: [email protected] Daily Jot: Reflection of the struggle for liberty - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com As we approach the day of our Independence from Britain, it may be helpful to be reminded of the sufferance of the Founding Fathers and what was going through their minds as they decided to take on the most powerful political and military force on the planet. They said, “A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” What happens when that “Prince” collectively becomes the Supreme Court, the Congress and the Executive Branch working in concert with one another toward a world order foreign and detrimental to the people they are charged with representing and to the Constitution they vowed to uphold? What are citizens to do? The Declaration of Independence is a masterful document that served as the true “preamble” to our Constitution. It begins by saying: “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. “–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.” The signatures of 56 men were written on the Declaration after this sentence: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” In other words, they risked everything. They counted the cost. They understood the will of God. They acted. This Independence Day, please take time to remind yourself and others about the sufferance of those who made such a pledge on their Lives, Fortunes, and sacred Honor. Please contemplate our national condition. Please seek God. For as Peter and the disciples said in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” And recall the words of James 1:25, “But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” The body without spirit is dead, faith without works is also dead. Please consider your destiny. Daily Devotion: Our Greatest Intercessor - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. —Romans 8:34 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/our-greatest-intercessor/ - Listen Sometimes, we look at our lives and wonder why God would choose us. But here’s what we need to realize: God doesn’t just see us in our weakness; He sees us for what we can become. We might see a lump of clay; God sees a beautiful vase. We might see a blank canvas; God sees a finished painting. Where we see problems, God sees solutions. Where we see failure, God sees potential. And where we see an end, God sees a new beginning. Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, I’ve failed horribly in the past.” The good news is that God can forgive you and recommission you. We see that played out beautifully in Matthew 26. In the upper room, Jesus had just revealed that one of the disciples would betray Him. They all began to ask Jesus, “Am I the one?” Then verse 25 tells us, “Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, ‘Rabbi, am I the one?’ And Jesus told him, ‘You have said it’ ” (NLT). Judas left, and then Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples. They broke the bread and drank the cup. And on the way to the Mount of Olives, Jesus dropped another revelation on them: “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’ ” (verse 31 NLT). The passage goes on to say that Peter declared to Jesus that He would never betray Him, and the other disciples said the same. Luke’s account of these events adds a detail we don’t find in Matthew. Jesus went on to say, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers” (22:31–32 NLT). Would that alarm you if Jesus said that to you? Imagine yourself sitting with Jesus, and then He turns to you and says, “Oh, by the way, the devil has been asking for you by name.” “The devil? You mean like Lucifer himself?” “Yeah. That’s right.” You see, the devil is not the equal of God. God is omniscient—He knows everything. He is omnipresent and omnipotent—He is everywhere and is all-powerful. Satan knows some things. But he can only be in one place at a time, and his power is limited. But he still is a powerful spiritual being. And for the devil himself to actually request someone is significant. Why would Satan ask for Peter? Maybe it was because he saw him as a threat. God isn’t the only one who recognizes leadership; Satan does, too. The good news is that Jesus was praying for Peter. And Jesus is praying for you too. Christ is in your corner. He is interceding for you. And because of that, you never will be separated from God. Without the prayers of Jesus, Peter wouldn’t have stood a chance. Nor would we. PROPHECY UPDATE NEWS HEADLINES Yesterday's Prophecies - Today's Headlines HEADLINES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRACKING BIBLE PROPHECY 7/3/24 http://trackingbibleprophecy.org/birthpangs.php
FROM THE HEART Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left, Count for ALL of Eternity! IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT? One of the most reliable ways to determine if a ministry is worthy of your financial support is to examine its fruits. If Prophecy Update is keeping you informed, and if that information inspires you, and causes you to draw closer to the Lord, if Prophecy Update equips you with valuable information and knowledge to share with and encourage other believers, and open the eyes of non-believers, and if Prophecy Update keeps you connected to current events relating to Bible Prophecy, then you are partaking of the fruit produced through this ministry. None of this would be possible without the Lords blessings and your support. I believe where the Lord guides, the Lord provides, and most of the time He provides through the willing and generous hearts of believers just like you and me. Humbly Seek Your Support Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks! If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now! What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake? "Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!" "Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey 1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack. 2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others. 3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know. 4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update. I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks! Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to: DONATE NOW Or write us at: Prophecy Update P.O. Box 40516 Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members. Click below to download! "AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING" If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven? Find out, visit: www.thegoodtest.net www.gotquestions.org www.wayofthemaster.com How to know God DID YOU KNOW? You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email: [email protected] Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly) "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand." "Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!" YBIC-Randy
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